Nunes and tin foil: Letters to the editor, Dec. 13, 2019

Nunes a ‘tin foil’ congressman

I have a question for congressman Nunes. Is your loyalty to the Constitution or to a man named Donald Trump? From your actions in the last three years, I’d have to say it’s Trump.

I know people like the president, and that’s fine. But when that president breaks a federal campaign finance law, which in this case is that you can’t solicit a thing of value from a foreign national, then that president should be investigated.

Sadly, my congressman doesn’t believe that and would rather believe a conspiracy theory that absolves Russia from interfering in the 2016 election. Why? Why is Russia so important? Why do you say nothing when the president of the United States stands up for Putin instead of our intelligence agencies? From the time Trump entered the Oval Office, you have thrown away any values you once had and instead tap dance around, waving your arms yelling “Nothing to see here.”

You were elected to work for us, the people in California’s 22nd District, not for Donald Trump. I hope someone runs against Nunes in 2020 because I’ll be damned if congressman “Tin Foil Hat” gets another term.

Jobs idea to help the homeless

On any given day, Americans driving or walking among trails cannot avoid seeing the problem growing within our community. The issue of homelessness in the Fresno community is so drastic we need to do something in order to take back our streets. The problem is not going to solve itself — we can not avoid the problem any longer.

I propose we carry out a program like the state of Arkansas. Arkansas has successful work force program called The Hope Works. The program pays homeless for picking up trash. The benefits of passing an ordinance are those who participate receive mental/physical health services. They may receive help with job interviews and temporary housing. It also helps boost their self-esteem, improve interaction with other workers, supervisors, and the community.

There is the environmental benefits of helping with the excessive trash pileup in the alley, river banks and parks. There is so much positive effect in reaching out to be the change for the homelessness. The goal isn’t spotless streets, but an opportunity to turn around someone's misfortune into something meaningful.

Grateful for new veterans memorial

In my opinion, a long overdue Fresno Veterans Memorial was recently unveiled outside City Hall in a most impressive ceremony. Names of the 464 Fresno citizens killed in WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraq and Afghanistan are etched on walls.

Fresno may now claim to being one of America’s most veteran-supportive cities. We boast a VA Medical Center, modern California State Veterans Home, iconic Legion of Valor Museum, largest Veterans Day parade in America and now this beautiful permanent memorial.

Credit goes to Councilman Garry Bredefeld and his chief of staff Nicole DeMera, many city departments, donors and contractors who have worked a year on the project. Event speakers rightly praised the fallen who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Let us also honor our soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen for defending freedom and equality worldwide. Thanks to them, liberty from oppression is enjoyed today throughout vast parts of Asia, South Korea, and all of Europe. These brave young Americans from Fresno paid the price of freedom.

Time has come to end high-speed rail

In the opinion posted by the editorial board (The Bee, Nov. 10), Gov. Newsome states his refusal to allow the diverting of high speed rail to other transportation projects. Amtrak operates Acela trains on the East Coast between Boston and Washington, D.C. The Acela trains have a top speed of 150 mph, but on the run from Boston to D.C. with 16 stops, it average only 84 mph. In 2016, Amtrak Acela routes had 3.4 million riders.

It looks like the HSR won't be making 200 mph and clearly won't get enough passengers to pay the bills. How much our taxes will increase to float the line is unknown. Let’s end HSR, divert money to local projects, end the enormous cost overruns and save the money that is still needed to finish the hundreds of miles still to be built.

This story was originally published December 13, 2019 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Nunes and tin foil: Letters to the editor, Dec. 13, 2019."