Supervisor Harriett Wieder’s Trip to South Africa
How unfortunate that an uninformed individual like Supervisor Harriett Wieder recently and unofficially “represented” Orange County in South Africa!
With no prior perception of South Africa’s tragic situation, Wieder goes off on an all-expense-paid trip to that embattled county.
Arriving in the midst of violence and unrest, Wieder has stated that she saw little sign of strife. She reminds me of those insensitive visitors to Hitler’s Germany in the ‘30s who returned with glowing reports of full employment and peace.
Wieder stated that she had no particular reason to meet Bishop Desmond Tutu, the black Anglican archbishop of Johannesburg and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, even though permission was granted to do so.
Imagine! A representative of the second most populous county in California travels to a racist and totalitarian country and chooses not to meet one of the most famous citizens of that country and an avowed opponent of the existing government.
As an Orange County resident, I am embarrassed and outraged by the irresponsible and callous behavior of Wieder. Let’s hope that we are not all judged by her actions.
VIVIAN HALL
Irvine
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