Speaking truth to power
EDITOR: There has been a lot of discussion lately about patriotism and what it means to be an American. For me, the answer is simple. To be a patriotic American is to believe in, and support, the Constitution of the United States. Our Constitution defines who we are as a country, how our government is run, and our rights and responsibilities as citizens. Everyone who serves our country, from the military recruit to the President of the United States, takes an oath to preserve and protect the Constitution.
Despots throughout history have often wrapped themselves in the flag, calling those who do not follow suit disloyal to their country. These hypocrites give lip service to the symbols of flag and anthem, but their actions undermine the values that these symbols represent.
I was raised an Air Force dependent, a teenager when my father was deployed to Vietnam. So I have great respect for veterans. But the patriotic act of speaking truth to power, calling out the actions of leaders who violate their oath to the Constitution, is in no way disrespectful to veterans. To the contrary, it honors and affirms the values for which they fought and died.
Myrtle Rochioli
Healdsburg
Difficult choices
EDITOR: I was drafted in 1968 for Vietnam, but fortunately did not go there. But at our basic training at Fort Sam Houston, all of us doctors were taught something quite appalling to me: deciding which patients not to treat. This was called triage. In our medical training we are all taught to concentrate our main efforts on the sickest, most injured, etc.
But triage means something entirely different. Should you spend all of your limited resources on a very seriously injured person, who may not survive, or is it better to concentrate your efforts to save the lives of three people who are not so seriously injured? And how much time do you have to make this decision: which patient not to treat to save the lives of others?
I can imagine that the doctors and nurses in Las Vegas faced these decisions many times on Sunday evening. I recognize the difficult choices they had to make and appreciate them for their work.
David Anderson, MD
Geyserville
Can it happen here?
EDITOR: Thank you, Rollie Atkinson, for mentioning National Newspaper Week (Oct. 1 – 7) and the need to pay attention to the current climate of bashing newspapers (and other media) and their journalists. With the daily accusations of fake news coming from the White House, we must protect our freedom of the press.
On Oct. 6, and running through Oct. 15, SRJC’s Theatre Arts Department will present “It Can’t Happen Here,” an adaptation of Sinclair Lewis’ 1935 novel. At the center is Doremus Jessup, a Vermont newspaper editor, who must take a stand when the newly elected president, Buzz Windrip, says of journalists, “Have you ever seen a pack of more lying, disgusting people?”
Lewis imagines Windrip a fascist. Like Hitler, he destroys the free press and even interns journalists in concentration camps. Can it happen here? Come to Newman Auditorium at SRJC and find out. https://theatrearts.santarosa.edu/current-season#one
Janine Sternlieb
Sebastopol
Supporting and protecting families
EDITOR: Sonoma County is launching a Rapid Response Network to actively protect our undocumented immigrant families. The network is modeled on one established in the Bay Area a few years ago. Since June of this year numerous trainings on how to be a Legal Observer have been and continue to be provided throughout our county. The Rapid Response Network can help stop a detention, deportation and/or family separation.
On Sunday, Oct. 8, Cloverdale Indivisible is hosting a Legal Observer training at the United Church of Cloverdale. The training will be from 3 to 5 p.m. and will be provided by two experienced members of Indivisible Healdsburg’s Immigration Action Team.
The Trump administration’s desire to crack down on sanctuary cities became reality just last week when nearly 500 people were arrested by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in a four-day operation targeting sanctuary cities. Areas targeted in California included Los Angeles and Santa Clara County. Trump has asked for a 21 percent budget increase for ICE and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) for ramping up detainments and deportations. Sanctuary cities are communities in which local police and sheriff do not assist federal authorities in the enforcement of immigration laws.
Many of our Mexican and Hispanic community members are vital to our agriculture-based economy. Supporting and protecting our immigrant families, the backbone of our county’s agriculture workforce, is vital. Please join us to learn how you can participate in this valuable service to our community. If you have questions, email us at cl*******************@gm****.com.
Vicky Groom
Founding Member, Cloverdale Indivisible
