Fresno Bee letters: Squaw Valley name change, election integrity, Nunes gone

On Squaw Valley name change

Same old tired subject: Squaw Valley name change.

We had a meeting at the Squaw Valley Library before Christmas. Not one person who was in favor of a name change showed up. They seem to be of a more clandestine mind frame. They had rather run their secretive little campaign for name change behind our backs and are scared to death to face anyone who appears to oppose them.

This rabble-rouser, Roman Roundtree, is now trying to take this nationally. The citizens that took the time and effort to attend the meeting, to lodge complaints with Supervisor Magsig, were like-minded. As one gentleman expressed: We like our Squaw Valley, we don't need total outsiders to come in and try to tell us what to do. It's none of Roman’s business. If, and a very big if, the citizens of Squaw Valley, were of a mind for change, we would decide on the change, not Roundtree, not some other organization, or a bunch of "woke" individuals who never set foot in our area.

They're many passionate people against name change. If you don't like it, leave it. Go work on the Grand Tetons.

This group stands for integrity

Are you angry about something the “other party” has done? Do you yearn to take positive action on issues of importance to you? Feeling helpless, asking yourself, “What can one person do?”

The answer: Join The League of Women Voters, “…a nonpartisan organization of women and men whose purpose is to promote the informed and active participation of citizens in government. The league takes action on issues, not people or political parties.”

Concerned about the redistricting anomalies in the news? So is the LWV. Worried about your water? So is the LWV. Agriculture policies? On our list! So is election integrity. And information integrity.

The League of Women Voters of Tulare County welcomes all interest.

Browse our websites: https://www.lwv.org and https://my.lwv.org/california/tulare-county

Or call LWVTC at (559) 854-1740

Our plans in 2022 include a tour of the election office in Visalia. Join us — see how it’s done. Decide for yourself if our county has election integrity.

With Nunes gone, things looking up

I just read another exhaustive, excellent account in The Bee about my former congressman’s legal warfare against two anonymous Twitter accounts. That congressman was Devin Nunes. He pursues with dogged fortitude the Twitter entities “Devin Nunes’ Cow” and “Devin Nunes’ Alt-Mom.” Nunes apparently doesn't know who the Twitter scoundrels are who so taunt and enrage him.

Nunes has relinquished his congressional seat to become chief executive officer of former President Donald Trump’s planned social media endeavor. Something tells me that we constituents in Nunes’ 22 ^nd Congressional District will detect little reduction in the quality and vigor our delegated voice in the House of Representatives.

Nunes’ obviously has focused his energy, devotion and emotional commitment on his personal Twitter combat, not his constituents' political and other concerns. There is only one direction for us in Congress after Devin Nunes: up.

Democrats do redistricting too

Regarding the opinion on the editorial page “Republicans Give Themselves Congressional Seats For Life” that appeared in a recent edition, it seems as if the Democrats cry only when they are not in power. One only has to look at the redistricting taking place in blue states such as Maryland, New Mexico, Oregon, Michigan and California.

Dana Milbank of the Washington Post and the Bee’s editorial staff continue to show either their political bias or their political naïveté.

On abortion rights and religion

I write in response to Diane Pearce's Op-Ed (1.2.22) and the questions asked by justices of the Supreme Court in the cases seeking to overturn the landmark decision in Roe v. Wade.

All fail to address pregnancies caused by rape or incest or where continuing the pregnancy would threaten the life of the mother. None of them give any consideration to the impact on a woman having to carry to term a fetus in these situations.

Roe v. Wade provides an appropriate balance of a pregnant woman's federal constitutional right of liberty and the viability of the fetus. Those whose religious views oppose abortions should refuse, if pregnant, to have one. However, they should not impose their religious view on others.

Yes, Virginia, this Santa was real

“Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus“ . . For over 20 years I was a mall Santa. I noticed two young men and a boy of about 10 in line to have a visit with Santa. All three stood infront of me. The boy looking very stern spoke and said “What is all this?” pointing at the set. I explained it was a set representing my home at the North Pole.

He said “There is no Santa” I said, then who am I? He said “We don’t believe in Santa.” I said “But here I am.” He said “You’re a fake.” I said, “If I can prove to you I”m Santa Claus, will you believe?” He looked confused.

The two young men with him said nothing but gave me a questioning look. I approached the crowd at the edge of the set. With a “HO HO HO! and a hearty “Merry Christmas,” I greeted the crowd. They greeted me back. I then asked the crowd, “Who am I?” They responded “You are Santa Claus.” I then asked the boy, “There now, do you think all these people are liars?”

The young men took the boy off the set.

The wrong with dog euthania party

Regarding FPD canine cop shooting to kill his police canine at the dog’s “euthanasia” party, it seems to me those dog cops are grossly ignorant of appropriate dog handling. There should be a “firearm discharge investigation” as in all cop shootings, and much better training procedures developed and stronger dog cop ongoing performance evaluations conducted.

A human life easily could have been lost at that “party.” The supervision at that incident was unacceptable and should be re-evaluated.

This story was originally published January 16, 2022 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Fresno Bee letters: Squaw Valley name change, election integrity, Nunes gone."