Two Letters Add Up to Democracy in Action
Two Letters Add Up to Democracy in Action
Editor,
I am delighted with Peter Frusetta’s letter (Sept. 27) and with his everlasting good intentions and concern about trying to correct some of the “social ills” in our society. I was also happy to read Lisa Vallejo’s letter (Sept. 29) in response, telling Peter that his conservative views may not be universally accepted and that times have changed since Peter was in high school and also asking Peter to clarify some of this positions about the abuse of some of our freedoms and about the “smut coming out of Southern California,” etc.
Lisa, Peter Frusetta and I were freshmen at our local high school in 1946. We were classmates and teammates and became lifelong friends. Even though Peter is a conservative Republican and I am a liberal Democrat, Peter is always in my prayers.
There is no question that our communities and our nation and our world are much different than they were 60 years ago. Our populations have mixed and have almost doubled. Our civil rights are no longer exclusive, and affirmative action and equal opportunity have given minorities and women a status in our society that is equal to any white man’s children, and youngsters also have become less inferior and more protected.
Peter is right that a more positive relationship with parents and adults would likely produce less troubled and more successful young people. There is also no question that all of us are “bombarded with “smut” but, wouldn’t it be nice if it just came from Southern California? Unfortunately, however, we are subjected to “smut” daily in our homes coming from “all over,” including our local newspapers, public agencies and elected officials. Some of our worst “smut” comes to us from our county seats, state capitol, Washington, D.C. and makes all of us complicit in some very ugly “local and national behavior.”
In spite of all “our social ills” most of us are to some degree responsible for a society that is blessed with agencies and services that contribute to the security, freedom, and heath and happiness of us all?
Former local law enforcement and
Probation Officer Frank Valenzuela
Hollister
Don’t Reward Sarsfield for His Vindictive Actions in Office
Editor,
The Sept. 27 editorial suggesting it may be cheaper to pay off John Sarsfield is rather short-sighted. His claim for $5 million for transgressions he perceives the county committed is per event. There were multiple events claimed, a half-dozen or more.
Your suggestion “But given Sarsfield’s track record for long, prolonged legal battles, it may prove prudent for the county to settle this claim quickly and far from the courtroom” may be true. However, to do so just encourages such tactics and John Sarsfield does not need any encouragement to perform acts that cost the county money. His vindictive actions will cost the county for years to come. To reward him is unthinkable.
Marvin L. Jones
Hollister
