Modesto Catholic pastor: How many lives could have been saved by a lasting ceasefire? | Opinion
Zero sympathy
“Modesto’s historic A&W restaurant to close after ADA lawsuit,” (modbee.com, Nov. 20)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has been federal law since 1990. That was 33 years ago. I have zero sympathy for any business owners who thumb their nose at federal law. I am quadriplegic and get fed-up when businesses have no accessibility buttons so I can’t open the door or are inaccessible in other ways.
Businesses don’t get a free pass or guilt-free card to ignore the ADA. You don’t like being forced to comply with federal law that you should have complied with over three decades ago? Too bad. No tears from me that you got sued.
Jim Sahlman
Modesto
What if
“Gavin Newsom listed as top presidential contender for 2028,” (sacbee.com, Dec. 27)
We can’t fix the problems we created by doing the same old thing that got us into the problems in the first place. We need new leadership that can look at problems from both sides and work together to come up with new solutions.
What if South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley ran for president with Gov. Gavin Newsom as her vice president. Both vow a one-term pledge. After four years, Newsom runs for president with Haley as his vice president. Both sacrifice for the country, showing true leadership.
We are one month away from 2024, and we need new leadership for a new era. They are both proven leaders who have shown vision of a future none of the Baby Boomer candidates can comprehend. The old way needs to be retired and we need a team of good people who can see a better future in this modern era.
It may seem like a crazy idea, but I think it beats what we’re looking at now. If anything, it’s a lot more balanced.
Tim de Lorimier
Modesto
Opinion
Silence is indifference
“Israel says it will defend itself against genocide accusations at world court filed by South Africa,” (modbee.com, Jan. 2)
I am horrified by the vicious attack of Hamas on Israel, where 1,200 innocent people were killed, and I am equally horrified by the slaughter of nearly 18,000 Palestinians by Israel. Israel has the right to defend itself, but it has to do it proportionately. How many more Palestinians have to die?
When the war ends, crucial questions will remain. How many lives could have been saved if there had been a ceasefire? Who remained silent? How is this silence going to affect trust in religious institutions? I respectfully appeal to the conscience of leaders of all religions to call for a ceasefire.
It’s beyond my comprehension how members of both main political parties in our country claim to be pro-life and, at the same time, give the impression that the slaughter of more than 6,000 innocent Palestinian children is justified; they’re just collateral damage. I wonder if those who oppose a ceasefire would change their position if it were their families being relentlessly bombarded.
It is our moral duty as Catholics to respectfully encourage our religious and elected officials to do the right thing. Sometimes silence is indifference!
Fr. Misael Avila
Riverbank
Wake up, America
“Biden’s kicking off 2024 by delving into some of the country’s darkest moments,” (modbee.com, Jan. 3)
Chaos progresses every day in America: there are massive border crossings; massive amounts of fentanyl and other illicit drugs crossing our borders; powerful cartels charging for train rides of border-crossers to the U.S.; overwhelmed border agents; and a giant burden for all Americans to fund and sustain Ukrainian and Israeli freedom. Meanwhile, there seems to be no concern for what has happened and is happening to Americans.
It’s as if the Biden Administration is not concerned or even acknowledging what we all see and worry about.
Wake up, America.
Ernie Seppi
Modesto
Turlock’s priorities
“Modesto Bee’s endorsement for Turlock mayor and council,” (modbee.com, Oct. 11, 2022)
To the mayor, city council and city manager of Turlock: You were voted into your position by hard-working tax-payers and businesses. You seem to have forgotten who you serve; you have chosen to prioritize homeless individuals and criminals over those of us who trusted you to work in our best interest.
You have flushed our community down the toilet with your actions and the majority of us are tired of it. Businesses are subjected to homeless individuals setting fires, defecating by stores, littering sidewalks and parks and sleeping anywhere they want. The crime rate has increased because the police department does not have the support of the administration.
When does it stop? When do you open your eyes and see what you have done to the community and to the citizens of Turlock? How can you look at yourselves in the mirror and know what you have done?
Clare M. Evans
Turlock
