Ivy Street memorial
Re “Vandals apparently hit overpass memorial twice” (Sept. 9):
The only thing worse than the vandalism of the impromptu memorial on the Ivy Street overpass of the 91 freeway is the politicization of the memory of these 13 soldiers. We ignore rules when public sentiment supports the spirit of the infraction.
Maybe we shouldn’t. Maybe we can no longer presume what public sentiment is without affronting the sentiments of others. I’m sure neither the fabricators nor the desecrators of this memorial bothered to ask for the thoughts of the family and friends of the 13 troops in whose memory this event played out. Sadly, like so many things today, their sacrifice too has become symbolic. The vandals should be ashamed, but the 27 flags should be relocated. And, in any case, those flags should be stuck before sunset.
Supporting Newsom, no governor recall
I found letter writer Robert H. Searcy’s defense of Gov. Newsom in the Letters of Sept. 9 quite revealing. He indicates he has many reasons to support the governor, but the only one he bothers to offer is the cost of the recall election, which isn’t a reason at all. Then he opines, “none of the reasons given by Republican challengers rise to the level of a recall at this time,” which suggests there are numerous issues and that only the timing can be questioned (If the effort had gotten started a year earlier, then he should go?). But what is really ironic is that Mr. Searcy specifically cites two of the reasons to consider removing Gov. Newsom, one being elitist/hypocritical and the other an act of stupidity as Mr. Searcy himself admits.
Having a disastrous leader in a state with so many ongoing and distressing issues is, indeed, a “big whoop.” licenses.
Let’s get back to honest, legal elections. Vote in person on election day, or request an absentee ballot. Show an ID upon voting, use paper ballots, and don’t allow ballot harvesting. Let’s get back to common sense voting.