Bee letters: On Joseph Castro leading the CSU, Fresno Unified school trustee’s ‘bullying’

Castro must resign as CSU chancellor

Castro must resign as chancellor of the state university system and be banned from employment within that system. At least two independent investigations found the allegations against Lamas to be true. Castro received these and other reports.

He not only did not take action in violation of multiple laws, but continued to praise Lamas. He then paid Lamas $260,000 to leave Fresno State and gave him a recommendation. Castro was therefore complicit in and supportive of Lamas’ actions.

Castro must resign.

Islas guilty of bullying others

One of the techniques that racists and bullies use is marginalizing the “opposition.” By calling names it makes the targeted class “less than people,” and therefore worthy of ridicule and derision and allows the aggressor to define who and what the opposition is.

Fresno Unified Trustee Veva Islas appears to like the ability to bully people with whom she disagrees, and in this case those she disagrees with are called “anti-vaxxers.” That pejorative term is instantly understood as synonymous with a knuckle-dragging, uninformed, flat-earther and immediately elevates Islas’ position as superior. That’s what racists do.

“I am opposed to anti-vaxxers. I am. I won’t sugarcoat it,” Islas said.

Here’s a simple test: Everywhere in the Islas story where she says “anti-vaxxers,” substitute the “n” word and see how it reads. Ouch. Kind of puts things in a different perspective when you don’t “sugarcoat” them, doesn’t it?

Time to authorize Equal Rights

To honor Women’s History Month in March, we can celebrate the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in 2020.

Oh, wait a minute! The Supreme Court will not approve the 28 ^th amendment to be included in new printings of the Constitution. So is it legal or not?

According to Article V of the Constitution, an amendment is in force when it is approved by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and also by three-quarters of the states. Congress passed the ERA in the 1970s and it has been ratified by 38 states. So it’s legal, right?

Not so fast. The United States archivist says that the ERA vote didn’t meet the deadline, which was extended until 1982, and five states had nullified their vote. But the Constitution has no provisions for timelines or nullification The Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel said the issue will be resolved by the courts and Congress.

The ERA battle has been going on for a long time. Susan B. Anthony’s nephew, Republican Rep. Daniel R. Anthony, introduced the ERA resolution in 1923. It was reintroduced at every subsequent session of Congress for 49 years. Now another half-century has gone by. All citizens should insist on its prompt authorization.

Why do mail thieves get released?

I see the mail thieves we’re caught and immediately released. What’s the purpose of having a special unit to capture these criminals? I always thought it was a federal offense with up to five years in prison. Read up on it, and in California it’s considered a misdemeanor. Our governor needs to wake up and do his job. No more letting criminals run our lives. Quit closing our prisons and start changing these insane laws.

Maybe we should take away all the protections he is awarded with his job. We are given instructions on picking up our mail as soon as delivered to prevent it from being stolen. We shouldn’t have to change the way we receive our mail to keep the criminal from stealing.

Gov. Newsom , Wake Up.

Near-death while bike riding in town

I’ve just returned home safely on my bike from another dangerous ride on the streets of Fresno. I ride my bicycle daily through Woodward Park and the trails leading to the river and the surrounding area. It is peaceful and serene as I relax and focus on the splendor of nature. Then I have to navigate my way out of the park and become hyper alert to get home safely. So much for serenity!

I prefer getting my adrenaline rush from riding on a new trail and swimming in the current and rapids of the river. I don’t need the anxiety, stress and adrenaline caused by self-absorbed, careless drivers who have minimal awareness that there are actually cyclists and pedestrians who occupy the planet along with them. Turning right in the turn lane without stopping or blowing through a red light are common.

I was almost hit twice within minutes leaving Woodward Park. I know from years of experience that Fresno drivers are awful, but come on, do something to improve. One of the worst deaths I can imagine is being killed on my way home from a visit to the river, obliterated by a car.

Immortalizing Black Civil War soldiers

The article (2/7/20 Bee) on a proposal to award medals to the descendants of Black Civil War soldiers is a wonderful idea to immortalize those past heroes.

However, the article makes a common error in stating that the famous 54th Massachusetts was the first Black Regiment. Actually, the war’s first Black unit was the 1st Kansas Colored Regiment, raised by Sen. James Lane in June 1862. This was eight months before the raising of the famous 54th. Note that D Company had the first Black officers: a Captain and two Lieutenants.

The 1st Kansas was the first Black unit in combat: Battle of Island Mound, Missouri, Feb. 28,1862, when 200 men of the 1st defeated 400 Confederate irregular cavalry.

In 1863 and 1864, the regiment fought in six battles in the Trans-Mississippi. It was mustered out Oct. 18, 1865. Of the regiment’s 1,000 men, it lost 244 men killed or mortally wounded; plus 166 men died of disease.

Readers interested in history are welcome to check out the website of the San Joaquin Valley Civil War Round Table (SJVCWRT2) & all are welcome to our meetings at Denny’s restaurant (730 W Shaw, Clovis) on the 2nd Thursday of each month (except summer).

PG&E explains why bills so high

We are hearing from customers that their energy bills are higher than normal. We understand any increase can be challenging. We are taking action and here to help.

Natural gas prices have gone up significantly, about 90% higher than last winter in PG&E’s service area. This is happening nationwide, and globally it’s even higher, about 400%. PG&E passes through the cost of energy purchases directly to our customers and does not mark-up that cost. What we pay for our customers’ energy supply, both natural gas and electricity, we pass through directly to our customers.

Higher natural gas costs, combined with lower-than-normal temperatures in some areas, are causing folks to crank up their heaters, resulting in an increase in monthly energy bills.

PG&E works to reduce gas price volatility impacts by buying and storing gas when prices are lower for use when prices are higher, and maintaining access to lower-cost gas in gas production basins.

Customers can help cut costs, too. More than 70% of winter energy costs are from your heating system, water heater, and washer/dryer. For tips, tools, and resources, visit www.pge.com/winter.

This story was originally published February 20, 2022 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Bee letters: On Joseph Castro leading the CSU, Fresno Unified school trustee’s ‘bullying’."