Bee letters: On Russia’s war, Biden’s leadership, oil prices and more

Why Russia worries about Ukraine

The Ukraine-Russia situation is similar to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.

The Soviet Union, upon the request of Cuba after the Bay of Pigs operation in 1961, placed missiles in Cuba as a deterrent in case of another invasion by the U.S. The U.S. had placed missiles in Turkey and Italy aimed at the Soviet Union. Both countries took down their missiles to avoid a possible nuclear war.

After the demise of the Soviet Union, both Ukraine and Georgia were given signals by NATO relative to their possible positions into NATO and the European Union. What strategic purpose does Ukraine provide to the U.S.? To spy on Russia? Obviously, Russia will not allow Ukraine to be part of NATO.

I believe the U.S. and its Western allies need to back off because Putin believes he has no choices. Is Ukraine worth nuclear war?

Biden, oil, and ruining the U.S.

Why do Biden and the Democratic leaders want our gas prices to go sky high? Does that make sense to you, and why would you vote these people into office?

When President Trump left office, we were the No. 1 producer of oil in the world. Biden right off closed our oil pipelines. Then he encouraged our enemy, Russia, to open their oil pipelines. Now Russia can build up their military with that oil revenue money.

Biden and his Democratic leaders are trying to ruin the United States. Why would you vote for these Democratic leaders?

Bee article misleads on wage theft

A recent Bee article, “ Wage theft is a serious issue in California,” misleads readers on both the nature and the scope of so-called “wage theft” in California.

The article claims $77.4 million in wages were “stolen” from California workers in fiscal year 2018-2019, citing a report from the State Labor Commissioner. This number is less impressive in context: Californians collectively earned over $5 billion in wages and salaries over the time period in question, according to Federal Reserve data; $77.4 million represents just 1.5% of the state’s total wage bill.

More importantly, the term “wage theft” inaccurately suggests that employers are maliciously stealing money from their workers’ pockets. In fact, a closer reading of the report shows that many employers are being tripped up by the complexities of California’s 1,000+ page Labor Code.

The broad definition of “wage theft” includes violations in categories such as minor meal and rest period violations, technical overtime violations, and failure to provide itemized wage statements. California’s byzantine laws on these subjects ensure that even the best-intentioned employers get dinged.

Bad employers who intentionally steal from their employees should be punished. But we should not demonize or denigrate as “thieves” the countless good employers in the state who are unintentionally in violation of a complex labor code.

‘Anti-vax’ is not like racial slur

I disagree strongly with Randy Bailey’s letter that calling somebody an “anti-vaxxer” is synonymous with using the “n-word.” As an African American man myself, I will say that the two are totally different.

One is calling somebody a derogatory name that has no facts in it, while the other is saying something that is true, albeit the connotation attached may be negative subjectively. Being an “anti-vaxxer” is a symbol of personal freedom to some, while to others it may be received as an insult.

To quote the article , “kind of puts things in a different perspective when you don’t ‘sugarcoat’ them, doesn’t it?”

Flipping that around, referring to somebody as an “anti-vaxxer” is not sugarcoating the matter and calling something what it is. Interpretation is relative, and because something personally causes somebody to take an offense doesn’t give the right to associate a factual term with racist slurs. That’s not fair to minority cultures to be dragged into a case of personal sensitivity, and its not fair to the public officials to be accused of such a matter when cultural tension is an active issue, as it is now in the U.S.

Go meat-free at Lent, and all year

In Western churches, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, six and a half weeks before Easter, and provides for a 40-day fast, in imitation of Jesus Christ’s fasting in the wilderness before he began his public ministry. Many Christians abstain from animal foods during Lent.

However, a meat-free Lent is more than a symbol of devotion to Christ. A meat-free Lent reduces the risk of chronic disease, environmental degradation, and animal abuse. Volumes have been written linking consumption of meat with increased risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke and more. A 2007 United Nations report noted meat production as the planet’s largest source of pollution and greenhouse gases. And undercover investigations document farm animals being beaten, crowded, deprived, mutilated and shocked.

Lent offers an opportunity to honor Christ’s powerful message of compassion and love by extending a meat-free diet beyond Lent; it’s the diet mandated in Genesis I:29 and observed in the Garden of Eden.

Today there’s a rich array of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives, as well as readily available vegetables, fruits, and grains. Decide to make this change for Lent, but commit to keeping meat off your plate all year.

Fresno Unified and classroom air

I’m writing this in response to the “Special by Gregory Weaver” on HEPA filters. The story made the Sunday front page concerning the way Fresno Unified prioritizes clean air for classrooms. I’m retired now, but while teaching I was assigned to a great class room, except for the air! Every time certain students entered the room I noticed sneezing,others having running noses, and eventually my own throat felt as if a knife was cutting it. I reported this situation to the administration several times. They just walked in and out of the classroom. Told me “nothing was found as a problem.They had more important things to worry about.”

Eventually I was not able to take a deep breath. Swimming became impossible. Students complaining daily about the air. Finally, the classroom was in the cards to be remodeled for technology. Everything was demolished. (The suits and head gear the demo team wore said it all). Asbestos, mold and years of dirt had to be removed. It’s still not a priority for FUSD spending. Something’s got to give.

FUSD has many classrooms needing healthy air. Students and staff need to stay well. We need everyone pushing FUSD to make healthy air first priority.

Fix seems to be in for war

What to do? In the face of rising inflation and higher costs of living, a spike in crime rates, a soccer-mom rebellion and failed COVID protocols, why not a “wag-the-dog” war to deflect the electorate’s attention? Even our befuddled figurehead president with his gaggle of White House adviser mediocrities, Pentagon sycophants and Democratic party hacks, couldn’t pull it off alone. Biden needed a co-conspirator — Putin. Biden’s constant war talk, inane posturing, lecturing and bluffing seem a perfect fit for public consumption. But I don’t buy it.

If I had to make a guess, Biden will concede, in a prearranged deal, de facto control of Ukraine to Putin, all the while denying he did so. Biden’s press secretary, Jen Psaki, and the drive-by media will immediately and vociferously call for the Nobel Peace prize for our great and glorious leader!

This story was originally published March 6, 2022 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Bee letters: On Russia’s war, Biden’s leadership, oil prices and more."