A nation still incapable of civil discourse
Editor: "Violence is as American as cherry pie," activist H. Rap Brown said in 1967, a year that saw no shortage of violence as urban centers across the nation exploded into fires of rage that summer. The country had already witnessed President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963 and would see two more public figures killed in 1968, with the slaying of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy. Later that same year, there was violence at the Democratic National Convention.
We were born of violence it seems -- it is a birthmark of sorts. And with easy access to firearms, whether bought or stolen, it is small jump to literally pull the trigger when untamed emotions surface -- whether it be on the streets of our cities or within the walls of our children's classrooms.
Such violent behaviors continue to reinforce the fact that although we are almost 250 years old, we are still an adolescent nation -- unable or unwilling to conduct civil discussions to resolve our political differences and, sadly, still unable to comprehend that what we reap we shall sow -- that in fact we are sowing.
-- Gene Gross, Santa Rosa
Don't nickel and dime citizens for parking
Editor: Santa Rosa's plan to hike downtown parking fees by $1 an hour misses the mark for working folks ("Downtown parking fees increasing," Sept. 13). Raising rates won't fix our budget woes -- it'll just discourage people from shopping or dining downtown, hurting businesses and city tax revenue in the long run. Meanwhile, the top 10 city employees -- managers and police and fire brass -- make $360,000 to nearly $490,000 each per year. That's $4.3 million for just 10 people. That's over six times the average Santa Rosan's $70,000 income.
If these and other city salaries were trimmed even modestly, Santa Rosa could save hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, without squeezing the family that wants to grab lunch or pick up a prescription.
Making parking more expensive drives shoppers and visitors elsewhere. Every lost customer is a lost sale -- a hit to both our merchants and city coffers. If fiscal responsibility is the goal, let's look at where the real money goes. Don't nickel and dime the average citizen when reform at the top would save much more. Let's be smart about how we keep downtown vibrant and fair for everyone.
-- Willis Eschenbach, Occidental
Why must immigration enforcement be so cruel?
Editor: Imagine living afraid that, because of your skin color, you may be arrested by immigration officials. That's exactly what's happening to "brown people" here in the United States. President Donald Trump wants to deport undocumented people, especially criminals. When people come undocumented, they know they are taking certain risks, such as being deported. No one questions that, and no one questions the deportation of criminals.
What is sad is to see in the news is how the covered-face agents stop people simply because of their color, regardless of their immigration status. Two or three agents throw the detained to the ground, beat them up and then put the handcuffs on. Those arrested are taken to detention centers, where they sleep on hard cement, without blankets, or are placed in cages. Detention center owners are making much money from taxpayers at the expense of those suffering. Then they are sent to countries they may have never seen before.
Why so much cruelty? Even more depressing, how can the conservative members of the Supreme Court support such atrocities?
-- Yolanda V. Martinez, Santa Rosa
Trump's contradictory reaction to deaths of Ukrainians
Editor: A vicious stabbing occurred in North Carolina. The victim, a Ukrainian war refugee, was killed. The perpetrator has a diagnosis of schizophrenia. This is likely a contributing factor but can never be an excuse. President Donald Trump has chosen to highlight this tragedy on the national stage and has forcefully proposed the death penalty. Meanwhile, Ukraine has been invaded by Russia for the sole reason that Vladimir Putin wants to do this. Tens of thousands have been killed, soldiers as well as civilians. The International Criminal Court has issued a warrant for his arrest for war-related actions. The same President Trump invited Putin to U.S. soil, gave him a warm red carpet welcome and presumably shielded him from arrest. What kind of country do we live in?
-- David L. Smith, Santa Rosa