Rainbow Story Time is positive. Go Salida library! | Opinion
Kudos to library
The Salida library is to be applauded for the Rainbow Story Time and their attempt to offer support to a gay and trans community that is often marginalized, ostracized and condemned by the more conservative elements of our county. These actions are based on fear. The antidote to that fear is education that enables us to achieve a greater understanding and compassion toward those who think, act or look differently than we do.
We need to educate ourselves and our children to be more tolerant and understanding members of a society that is, in fact, becoming more diverse. It is this education that will enable our children to succeed and thrive in a world that will be different, and I hope, better than the world in which we grew up.
Linda Lagace, Riverbank
Only human
Consider that spontaneous growth is supernatural to a rock but not to a plant. Feelings are supernatural to a plant, but not to an animal. Independent thought is supernatural to an animal, but not to a human.
Why is it that humans who believe in the supernatural (including sometimes, but not necessarily limited to those who believe in Christianity, Islam, or Judaism) — who have a heartfelt concern for the eternal souls of their brothers and sisters who engage in actions known as adultery, fornication, or sodomy (among other mortal sins) spending eternity separated from the creator of the universe — are accused of being harassing, hateful, or having a phobia (irrational fear)? Why is their voice now scorned and shunned in the public square?
Another view is that they in fact have a deep abiding love for their brothers and sisters, willing the good of the other for the sake of the other without regard to self. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
Ross W. Lee, Modesto
Woke works for me
Born in Nevada City, 76 years ago, and still here. California has been my choice my entire life. Modesto has been our family home for 37 years.
Why am I happy and why do I choose to live here? Simply, it’s a woke state where the governor warns people with demonic biases that book banning is not going to be tolerated, while banning books in many states has become ludicrous recreational activity. California is a state where the issue of reparations for families of slaves is on the table, while those same people face voter representation and union hostilities in several states. Here, women’s rights still hold sway. The social environment is not perfect, and climate change is an ugly reality. Many of our problems are problems everywhere, but we attempt coordinated change, instead of invoking great repressive inequities. Does it cost more to live here? Yes indeed, but I say farewell to those leaving for darker pastures.
And yes, Modesto — where today, my wife and I practiced tai chi at the synagogue, with an Iranian and a German instructor, then attended a Democratic fundraiser packed with joyful diverse supporters. Good, new Modesto!
Timothy Buchanan, Modesto
We’re the water wasters?
I feel sad every time I read The Modesto Bee weather section. Under the heading Water Storage, it has shown releases of over 10,000 cubic feet per second from Don Pedro Dam into the Tuolumne River for over a month. That’s about 80,000 gallons, or 3 or 4 swimming pools every second.
In 2014, California voters approved Proposition 1, a $7.5 billion bond issue for increasing water storage. Nothing significant has been done, blocked by environmental groups at every turn. Of course, we citizens are castigated as water wasters for not tearing out our lawns and planting cacti.
Herb Helbig, Modesto
Puzzling parking problem
In residential areas the street and parking along the streets is public, but almost no one knows that. I frequently have to park in front of someone else’s house during construction, tree removal, roadwork or just because someone else parked in front of my place. But, those who live in the other houses don’t understand that I’m allowed to park there, just like the person who took my spot in front of my house can do that. They get scared. They leave notes on my car. They threaten me, even though there is a tow-away sign in front of my place.
Is there any way to educate Modestans about public and private spaces, how civic law works? I’m not from here and have never seen this kind of fear of a parked car before, especially when road blockages show there will be displacement of parking.
Margie Sue Brogdon, Modesto
It’s my party and I’ll vote how I want
I read two letters from conservative readers in The Modesto Bee. One danced dangerously close to a racist construct in terms of how to make amends for years of racist policies. The other spoke specifically to property rights. I once belonged to the Republican Party. I proudly called myself a conservative. I no longer do that because what passes as a conservative does not align with my values. I firmly believe that neither mainstream party represents people like me — fiscal conservatives who believe in true social justice.
I found the American Solidarity Party when the GOP chose Mrs. Palin as a candidate for vice president and I have never looked back. The American Solidarity Party has chosen its Presidential Nominee - Peter Sonski. The ASP has been endowed with great values and ideals that serve individuals, families and broader society.
Leslie Shaw Klinger, Modesto
