Sherman and the Hate Issue

Re “No Single Action Will Counter Hate Crimes,” Ventura County Perspective, Oct. 31.

As one of the earliest supporters of Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) in Ventura County, I find his op-ed piece to be very interesting to say the least. It pretty much mirrors what he said at a town meeting he held in Westlake recently.

One would think that as an early supporter I could have his ear. During his incumbency I have written about issues important to me and our members and have not been given the courtesy of even a canned letter from his office. I approached his staff regarding Mr. Sherman’s being part of a handful of congressmen who invited an avowed racist, a man who espouses hatred and prejudice against Islam and the Muslim people, to speak to that august body. Yet he talks about 435 members of Congress joining him in his march against hate crimes!

His staff was upset at me for even asking the question. Naively thinking that maybe he is not getting his mail, I hand-delivered a letter to him at the Democrats’ Labor Day picnic, which I have been attending for a decade. Still no answer from the congressman!

You editorialize against the military regime in my country of birth, Pakistan. The only thing worse than a benevolent dictator is a corrupt political system that reeks of influence of the special interests and their campaign donations.

NICK EKBAL QUIDWAI

Thousand Oaks