In Bee letters, reader sees link between Trump and fascism brewing across America

Trump, the big lie, and fascism in U.S.

Does Donald Trump’s following fit the criteria by which scholars verify that a movement wants to create an authoritarian government? Let’s check.

First, do his followers applaud those who endlessly repeat a big lie, even though it has been proved false again and again? Check.

Second, do they give unconditional loyalty to the individual leader who is the source of the lie, overriding their allegiance to the Constitution and the rule of law? Check.

Third, do they support candidates who refuse to respect the will of the people as expressed in democratic elections? Check.

Fourth, are their leaders willing to use violence to gain power or stay in power? Check.

Trump actually tried to do that in January 2021. He has told the thugs who tried to overturn the results of a democratic election that he loves them, and those criminals were idolized at the recent CPAC meeting.

It is not an exaggeration to say that the movement supporting Donald Trump has a quasi-fascist character. But not all Republicans support that movement. All Americans who cherish democracy, regardless of their party identification, should respond to that threat to the foundations of our democratic republic.

Need to now tax Democrat leaders

I can see now Newsom and the Democrat legislators salivating over new tax revenues from oil companies (obscene excess profits?). No doubt we'll see new socialist programs and expansion of the state government bureaucracy. It's unfortunate that taxpayers don't have a way to tax Newsom and the Demonrat state legislators on their excess profits!

Corporate America seems to run Fresno

I noticed something in my area. We had a Walmart store, and they closed it and opened a Walmart superstore literally across the street in an old RV store. The old building, years later, is still empty and owned by Walmart.

At least 35 to 50 small stores have moved farther north of town in newly built shopping centers, or closed if they aren’t national labels. The Costco store is trying to move north to build a bigger super Costco.

Why is this and how is our city leaders letting this sprawl and destruction of Fresno continue?

Corporate America is our problem, not poor minorities or people from Central and South America looking for a better life! I see them as fellow Americans more so than some Americans!

Stop this madness.

A reader’s kind words for Castro

Dr. Joe Castro’s resignation as chancellor of the California State University system is a tremendous loss to us all.

Joe is being left hanging out to dry for decisions that were obviously made with considerable input from advisory and legal personnel from both Fresno State hierarchy, as well as the Chancellor’s Office in Long Beach. But, when the spotlight was turned onto Dr. Lama’s past conduct and their advised actions, all we heard from those many “executive/leaders” was “crickets!”

Dr. Joe Castro will bounce back. He is an example of high integrity. While he could rightfully drag many “under the CSUF-investigator’s bus”, he has characteristically chosen “the high road.” There is obviously plenty of blame to go around for incidents that happened as long ago as 2014, with many ducking for cover. It is a testimony to Dr. Castro’s exemplary courage, standing tall and now focused on how to make the system (that has just assassinated his reputation) bettter; that speaks volumes.

Yes, it’s under adversity that true leadership emerges. Dr. Castro: Hold you head high! You are emerging stronger on the other side.

It was right to give funding to PP

I want to provide my opinion on a recent letter on how Fresno’s Planned Parenthood getting $1 million in funding is unnecessary. I believe it is a necessary giveaway of state funds. Many young girls use that as an outlet when they need to get information about their body, and they don’t want to have to inform their parents. Planed Parenthood provides you with sex education, abortion options, ultrasounds, STI testing, etc. I disagree with the article’s opinion, because it is a very good outlet for young teens and women to feel welcomed and safe with what they are going through.

These women go to Planned Parenthood with the intentions of helping themselves and sometimes their unborn fetus with the care it needs or the option of abortion. Although the letter writer believes that they’re providing a $1 million funding to a clinic that only ends the lives of unborn children, they’re helping in many unknowns ways. Some people are unable to provide that child with the love and care they need; their intentions are pure when they come to their decision, and they should feel safe with what they decide. That is why this clinic does deserve the funding.

Republicans are phonies, he says

Many years ago Dr. Phil was advising a family that had a pregnant teenager. I tried to watch every show. Then I realized he never used the word abortion. I really began to watch intently.

The teenager had the baby. I declared Dr. Phil a phony because he did not provide advice to the family on the right of the teenager to have an abortion. I never watched another of his shows.

As an independent voter I look upon all Republicans as phonies. They are against abortion and refuse to discuss a womans right to have it.

County schools salary too high

To say that what is being considered as a salary for county schools superintendent is “outrageous” is putting it mildly. The elected office of County Superintendent of Education does not have the responsibilities of the Fresno County administrative officer or the police chief, both of which receive less.

There are 58 county offices of education in California. They support infrastructure for local school districts, but have no direct control over them Those districts have their own boards and superintendents.

I served on a county school board for four years. Our superintendent’s salary was much less that $300,000 and our district was the fifth largest in California.

The negotiation committee needs to look long and hard at its decision. It is taxpayer money.

More questions re: Old Armenian Town

There are still more questions than answers regarding Old Armenian Town, especially of the City Council. Mark Warsawski's article states that the council's decision to sell the historic homes for peanuts is binding.

▪ ▪ Why is it binding? Have the homes already been sold? Can not a city councilmember bring the piece of business back for reconsideration?

▪ ▪ Why was the public not notified in advance of the intent to sell so that the community could express opinions? Instead, the decision was made at lightning speed without the opportunity for community input.

▪ ▪ Why have proposals and communications to the City Council from Der Simonian of the Armenian Museum of Fresno and from the mayor's Historic Preservation Committee, both with plans to preserve the homes, gone without any response from City Council for years, including a letter from HPC in June, which asks why City Council has not responded to their proposal?

▪ ▪ Why was the community surrounding the homes not given an opportunity to express their opinion re: affordable housing?

▪ ▪ Why did City Council claim the Armenian community was silent when no one was permitted to speak at the meeting and there was no advance warning?

Where is the transparency?

This story was originally published November 13, 2022 at 5:30 AM with the headline "In Bee letters, reader sees link between Trump and fascism brewing across America."