AG Rob Bonta visited Fresno to talk about gun violence. Here’s what was left unsaid | Opinion

Gun violence

“California ranks first in nation for strongest gun laws, according to gun safety group,” (fresnobee.com, Jan. 5)

On May 30, California Attorney General Rob Bonta visited Fresno to discuss gun violence in California. He organized a roundtable meeting and touted the fact that California has a gun violence rate 43% lower than the national average.

This news story conveyed the need to fund programs that fight the issue of gun violence — above and beyond what is being done presently. We now have some of the best gun laws in the country, so why do we not talk about the real problem: guns in the hands of people who use them illegally, to perpetrate violence.

To enact true change, we must tell our judges and elected officials that we are sick and tired of criminals running this state. Address gun crime now or we will elect citizens that will make necessary changes.

Duane Opie

Fresno

What remains to be done

“Tiny heart pump saves Fresno Bee columnist’s life,” (fresnobee.com, Feb. 3, 2016)

Downtown’s Pacific Southwest Building shares a milestone birthday with an organization particularly important to me: the American Heart Association (AHA). A century ago, six doctors convened in Chicago. What was just an idea developed into the powerhouse that is now the AHA.

The AHA has spearheaded groundbreaking research, innovation and advocacy to fight cardiovascular disease, helping cut heart disease death rates in half over the past century. It has invested $5.7 billion in cardiovascular research, with $600 million allocated to researchers in California alone. It has also pioneered life-saving interventions like robotic surgery and cholesterol-lowering drugs. These efforts have saved countless lives across the Central Valley.

However, according to a recent Harris Poll survey, fewer than half of people identify heart disease as the leading cause of death in the U.S. — which it has been for over a century. As the AHA forges ahead, I’m reminded of how far we’ve come, but also of how much remains to be done.

Working alongside committed donors and volunteers, I know the Association will fulfill its vision for a brighter future for all.

Kurt F. Vote

Chair, American Heart Association, Central Valley Board of Directors

Fresno

Feeling grateful

“Asylum-seekers bused to Fresno from Texas trekked 5,000 miles; faced jungles, danger,” (fresnobee.com, Feb. 2)

Recently, I left my wallet and phone on the roof of my car and drove off. It was only when I got to my destination miles away that I realized what I had done. After I spent the next two hours searching the route and driving across town to use a friend’s phone to cancel as many cards as I could remember, I finally returned home.

Waiting in front of my house was a young couple who didn’t speak a word of English holding both my phone and wallet. With a friend translating on their phone, they told me they found both items in the street. The $200 that was in my wallet was still there.

You can imagine not only the relief and gratitude I felt, but also the awe that people who do the right thing still exist. I couldn’t help but think about rhetoric concerning the people trying to cross the southern border into America any way they can. Some of them are the best people in the world, and we as a nation would be lucky to have them.

Joe Messner

Fresno

Grieving the newspaper

“Support local news — it’s crucial to our lives and our democracy,” (fresnobee.com, July 23, 2018)

I was a guest columnist for The Fresno Bee in 1993-94. My position was to make people think. It never crossed my mind that newspaper publishing as I knew it would significantly change. A few years ago, there was talk about the declining use of published newspapers. Younger people were drawn to the online companies, and it became clear to me that the newspaper as we knew it was threatened.

A couple of months ago, there was talk about The Bee reducing its paper publication. The official notice just came. The Bee will be publishing only three times a week. I think this is a move toward totally eliminating all paper publishing.

Let’s face it: At some point newspapers will have enough young people to meet their online income. At that time, they will eliminate the remaining paper press, trucks, drivers and carriers.

This will leave everyone with a choice: join them online or say enough is enough.

Oscar Williams

Fresno