Nunes sighting | Letters to the editor, Sept. 30, 2018

A Nunes sighting occurs at church

In response to Doreen Nagle Confino’s letter (Aug. 27) asking – “Just asking, where is Devin Nunes?” I believe that I saw Mr. Nunes, his wife, and daughters on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 25, 2018) Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish. It is interesting for me to note that I have never seen him in Clovis – not at his office, not at a town hall meeting, not anywhere in this community. I’d like to think that maybe he was praying for divine intervention and maybe even considering whether he was seeking sanctuary for himself. I can’t judge him, that’s for a higher power, but if it was the Nunes family, I’m glad that they participate in faith and I trust that they think about the importance for his visible presence in the community that he wants to serve.

I am not a supporter of Mr. Nunes, but now I know that he is not necessarily a figment of my imagination. Maybe if he took the time to visit with his constituents and remember that we deserve the right for him to hear them and to advocate for them, as well. It’s not all about you, it’s all about us.

Questioning tweets starts at White House

Devin Nunes has launched an attack ad against Andrew Janz challenging him in CA-22 for his congressional seat. Nunes criticizes Andrew’s 461 tweets and his protesting, which is as American as apple pie and a First Amendment right. Andrew’s tweeting is in no way a comparison to Nunes’ boss’s tweets he works for today instead of us! Why is Trump not criticized for his thousands of tweets, but use’s Andrew Janz’s tweets as an attack in his failing attempt to hold his seat Nov. 6.

Stolen signs make her support Janz more

I am a Fresno homeowner and a lifelong Republican. I was once involved with the local Republican Central Committee as well as the Republican State Central Committee.

Recently, I placed yard signs in support of Andrew Janz on my property. Both signs were stolen — not once — but twice. My choice to back Andrew Janz is based upon his honesty, integrity, and support for free speech. Janz will truly represent his district. I am so disappointed in those who have stolen my signs. Deliberately trespassing on my property to steal my signs (in an effort to violate my right to free speech) tells me that the disregard for law and immorality has trickled down from the candidate you support. You’ve proven my point about Janz and strengthened my resolve to vote for Andrew Janz.

When police have mental issues

I’m writing regarding the Sept. 10 article about Jairo Acosta, the Los Banos police officer who was ruled by a jury to have used “unreasonable force” in a 2013 case that ended in Acosta fatally shooting Sonny Lam, a mentally ill man. It is appalling to know that Acosta is still on the police force, and that the Los Banos Police Department is in support of his actions. As the article revealed, Acosta himself suffered from mental illness, having PTSD symptoms that were affecting his work, by his own admittance. Even now, knowing this, they have not removed him.

This whole tragic incident illustrates the inefficiency of current mental health help structures. There need to be medical professionals with specific training in mental health sent out on cases like Sonny Lam’s. In addition, it is not enough to require that a police officer disclose work-affecting conditions to their superiors. As we can observe, in the Acosta case that did not happen. There should be yearly psychological evaluations for police officers. It is the least we should expect from people who take our lives into their hands.

This story was originally published September 30, 2018 at 6:00 AM.