Assassination attempt is no mystery: When politicians fear monger, people get hurt | Opinion

Gun control

“Biden comments on Trump assassination attempt,” (sacbee.com, July 13)

We don’t have to grapple with the assassination attempt on Donald Trump’s life — it’s pretty simple. For many people, fear promotes anger, and anger promotes violence; especially when it’s condoned by our “leaders.”

When politicians’ stock-in-trade is fear mongering, when violence is condoned and when folks have easy access to guns designed to kill people, people are going to get killed. All we have to do is stop condoning violence and decrease access to guns designed to kill people.

Steve Anderson

Sacramento

Even-temper

“Democrats can relax with Kamala Harris on the presidential ticket. Here’s why | Opinion,” (sacbee.com, July 17)

In a season of bombastic language, opinion writer LeBron Hill’s column reminds us that an even-tempered argument is often the most persuasive. It also helps to hear the opinions of columnists from Vice President Kamala Harris’ home state. I miss the days when political op-eds didn’t have to “shout” for our attention — it’s a big turn off.

Adam Silbert

New York, NY

Opinion

Blame game

“California leaders react after Trump rally shooting,” (fresnobee.com, July 13)

Some say Donald Trump pumping his fist after he was grazed let the audience know he was OK. Others saw the gestures, the extreme facial anger and the repeating of what appeared to be the word “fight” three times as not just encouraging support for his candidacy, but exploiting the moment to build resentment and perhaps even retaliatory violence.

One politician offered, “First they tried to keep him off the ballot, then they tried to jail him, and now this.” Blame for the event was already being deflected away from the unidentified dead shooter onto the political opposition, the black-hearted demon Democrats of the left. Another politician said, “Joe Biden sent the orders.”

Newt Gingrich took the failed assassination attempt as an indicator of God’s partisan view of the election. He said, “It was providential” that Trump turned his head at the right moment. Perhaps it was just very lucky.

Kimball Shinkoskey

Woods Cross, Utah

More than bloopers

“President Joe Biden’s post-NATO press conference was a success, despite bloopers | Opinion,” (sacbee.com, July 12)

Bloopers?

Answering a question about the vice president, President Joe Biden said, “Look, I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if I didn’t think she was not qualified to be vice president.”

Just prior to a recent press conference, Biden introduced Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as “President Putin.” How could he mistake the two?

John Hightower

Orangevale

Your vote matters

“With Supreme Court’s historic Trump immunity decision, how did California Democrats react?” (sacbee.com, July 1)

“Why vote?” “No matter who we elect, nothing changes.” “Government has little impact on my life.” Meanwhile, Republicans have packed the courts, handcuffed government regulatory agencies and given corporations special benefits.

The Supreme Court is packed with unelected political activists. They’ve reversed Roe and they will ban contraception and undo gay rights. They’ve gutted voting rights, allowed extreme gerrymandering, rejected gun safety laws and enabled big money to buy elections. Now, they’ve created presidential immunity, reversing the foundation of our country.

They’ve enabled Dictator Donald Trump. MAGA Republicans want a return to the ’50s. They want women, Black people, Latinos and the LGBTQ+ community to be considered second-class citizens.

Take back our government, before it’s too late. Vote!

Marvin Keshner

Sonora

Elect Democrats

“Project 2025 offers conservative attack plan for California,” (sacbee.com, June 9)

Policy doesn’t motivate Donald Trump, just self-interest and greed. He can profit from Project 2025 while retaliating against perceived wrongs. He’ll embrace it faster than he fondles the American flag.

Weak and compliant politicians like Rep. Kevin Kiley would have no problem consenting to this project’s broad assaults on reproductive freedoms, environmental protections and democratic institutions. The Republican Study Group has already made similar promises.

The Project 2025 checklist is extensive: Deconstruct the Justice Department, the National Weather Service and Health and Human Services; institutionalize a biblical worldview and demolish the church-state separation; undo more than 60 years of social justice progress; remove oversight of the executive branch, abolish civil service and install political cronies.

Every voter must learn about Project 2025 and its threat to our republic. Then, elect Democrats like Jessica Morse to protect our rights and freedoms and provide a bulwark against extremism.

Barbara Smith

Auburn

Climate bond

“Extreme heat cost California nearly $8 billion in the last decade, a new report finds,” (sacbee.com, July 9)

Increasing temperatures are costing our state billions of dollars, causing dangerous wildfires, making our grid less reliable, impacting work hours and leading to hardship for many Californians. Californians can address many of those challenges by voting for the climate bond on the November ballot.

The bond would protect lives and jobs by providing money to reduce the risk of wildfires, floods, heat-island effects and other dangers our state is facing. It would also fund programs for clean air and healthy drinking water. Making our air and water cleaner and protecting our communities from wildfire are essential in a warmer world.

Californians have a chance to make our state safer and healthier for everyone by passing this bond measure. Vote “Yes” on the climate bond in November for a better future.

Lisa Howard

Rocklin