I agree with parts of Clapp's column; candidates' positions must be scrutinized
I can agree with Richard Clapp's Feb. 9 column, "Hey, California," that making voting decisions based solely on who “yells the loudest” is not a great voting plan. An informed and educated electorate is paramount for a healthy democracy.
Often, however, people who have enjoyed the luxury of a life lived without the concern that politicians will legislate against them and their family members for simply “being” may overlook, misunderstand or misinterpret the yelling as a campaign tactic, rather than the early warning alert that it might be. Non-white and LGBTQ people absolutely are not afforded the same indulgence and comfort.
As a matter of health and safety, my friends and family members will certainly continue to include a determination of whether or not someone’s views are “tainted with homophobic racism (sic)” while choosing between candidates. All voters should do their best to understand the entirety of a candidate’s positions. These choices must be included in every type of election − from school boards to state and federal offices. We overlook these red flags at our peril.
If my house is flooded, but I don’t live there because a politician has created laws to harm or disenfranchise me and my family, then I am saving the house for nothing.
Joe Pascale, Cathedral City
The Garcia trial is over
In response to Attorney John Dolan filing an appeal to the conviction of Jose Larin Garcia: After two trials that took weeks, Mr. Dolan has not proven his case, and lost his case, but in the way we do things, now he refuses to admit that he lost. He wants to appeal so we can pay more money and waste more time.
I know that whoever wins the Super Bowl LVII will not accept the results! I think that the game will be "stolen" by one team and the other should not accept the results. And the people that pay thousands of dollars to go to the game should try to destroy the stadium if their team loses.
Alan Perry, Palm Desert
Mother Nature needs our TLC
Do people remember when brave astronauts were circling the earth and taking pictures from outer space? An awesome sight to behold but it looked alone and fragile out there.
Humans are really not paying enough attention to Mother Nature. She can only take so much before she rebels.
We need to take good care of each other and all animals who deserve to live free too, and we all deserve to breathe fresh air and have equal access to good health care. Money, greed and power seem to rule the world now.
Being a snowbird from Washington state, I see fallow fields where there used to be lots of greenery with food growing when I drive north and south − lots of dead fruit and nut trees lying in fields. It’s really very dry as I look around. I love California and hate to see the lack of water even though it has rained and snowed more than usual this winter in Northern California. We all need to do our best to save our glorious earth. It deserves nothing less. We need to think about the generations born now and who have yet to be born so that they can live their lives as we have done before them.
Joan Kemp, Thousand Palms
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: We must be scrupulous in learning political candidates' positions
