Our readers write: Issue of Feb. 8, 2018

Exchange name calling for intelligent approach

Well I do agree that someone showed their true colors, but it wasn’t President Trump, it was more like Mr. Eastwood, with his comments (in the Jan. 25 issue of the Sentinel).

It seemed Mr. Eastwood’s vitriol was typical of the emotionally based example of group-think that is so often expressed. When a child throws a fit, yelling and screaming in a store, does that usually result in the parent changing their mind or folding to the child’s demands? No. Instead, if the child calmly explains what they want, why it is important or what they will do to earn it, although they still may not get their way, a good discussion took place and some ideas were exchanged.

Too often thoughts are laden with good intentions, but the reality of accomplishing these goals is significantly more difficult. If a parent were to purchase absolutely everything a child could think of, they would run you broke, so as a parent you have to pick what the priorities are, as a president does for his or her nation.

I clearly gather that Mr. Eastwood is not happy with the current leadership, but boo’ing or lashing out at the other team doesn’t help me understand why I should cheer for his team. Give me the objective merits of an argument on any issue to analyze. I love to see both sides of an issue, which is the only way to approach it intelligently and allow you to come to a logical solution.

Let’s drop the name calling and focus on the betterment of our nation, and like a rising tide it will lift all boats.

John Hollis

Ramona

Whose interest

is being served?

As I write this, Trump is preparing to release the Devin Nunes written memo, which will claim that the Russia investigation is the result of a political bias within the FBI against Republicans. Normally, I would be in support of the exposure of the misdeeds of a government institution, particularly if the information serves the interests of America.

The Nunes memo does not fit that mold. This memo was written by the same California congressmen who created a political stir last spring by trying to provide some “evidence” that Obama did arrange to have Trump’s phones tapped as Trump alleged. That “evidence” turned out to be nothing. There were no wiretaps on Trump’s phones. The Nunes memo resembles that bogus effort.

As I write this, Trump has been tweeting attacks against the leadership of the FBI and the Department of Justice. The Russia investigation is no partisan Democratic witch hunt as Trump has declared. FBI Director Wray, Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein, former FBI Deputy Director McCabe, Director of National Intelligence Coats, and former FBI Director Comey have all been longtime Republicans. Wray, Rosenstein and Coats were all appointed to their positions by Trump.

Why is the POTUS (our “law and order president”) attacking the Department of Justice and the FBI? The Russia investigation is closing in on Trump and his family. Trump is willing to tear down distinguished American institutions in a desperate attempt to save Trump. Why? Trump has insisted he will be completely exonerated in this investigation. Wouldn’t it be smarter, in that case, to just let the investigation run its course without causing all this disruption and confusion? Or does Trump have something to hide? I leave the answer to those questions to the intelligent readers of the Sentinel.

Walt Sindewald

Ramona

Homeless deserve a helping hand

Contrary to popular myth, homeless people DO NOT CHOOSE to live on the streets.

There are a variety of reasons why people end up living without shelter. If you knew the surnames of the 28 homeless people in Ramona, you might recognize them as being one of your former neighbors.

Last week, 12 local volunteers from the annual We All Count sponsored by the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless found four people living in their cars, three people living in RVs, 35 tents and and 18 people living in one of 33 encampments around the dry Santa Maria River Creek bed.

There are more than two dozen churches in Ramona. While a couple can be singled out for doing a yeoman’s job and helping the less fortunate in our community, there remains a large void that the other churches have yet to fill.

It should not be a crime to be broke and homeless. Some of the homeless actually have jobs but they don’t pay enough to afford minimal housing. The price of homes in San Diego County is unaffordable for area residents.

The homeless are the most vulnerable in society. They deserve a helping hand, not the back of our hand.

Peter W. Quercia

Ramona

Email: editor@ramonasentinel.com