Letters to the EDITOR

Immigration: Left, Right, Really Aren’t as Far Apart as You Think

In answer to Jay DelDotto’s letter to the editor on June 21, I think it would be best to first point out the problems the right has talking to the left.

The right seems to have learned well from their president how to debate. First, and most importantly, a Trump disciple makes up a good name to label and belittle the subject — in this case, “socialist lefties.” Second, a Trump disciple will state the left’s positions for them. According to the right, the left is for “open borders,” flaunting of laws and general chaos. Not true. Third, a Trump disciple will inflate the urgency and impact of issues — like the trouble in River City ploy in “The Music Man.”

The fact is (and Barack Obama was always pointing it out) that the left and the right are truly much closer on most issues than the rhetoric seems to indicate. We on the left are not for open borders. In fact, the previous administration set new records for providing resources at the U.S.-Mexico border and for interdiction of illegal crossings.

Yes, under the prior administration, children were separated at the border from either criminal/ dangerous parents or from people posing as parents. Children were not separated from parents simply for the action of crossing the border in search of asylum or a better life.

Most of the rest of Jay’s letter is ranting against illegal immigrants — not illegal immigration. Yes, illegal immigrants steal the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and the ground we walk on — but, like all the rest of us, illegal immigrants are people who contribute, overall much more than they take.

The only differences between the right and left are the means of achieving our common goals. In short, most issues are complex. The right typically likes to oversimplify and take harsh stances. Putting up a wall will not solve illegal crossings. Jailing parents and confiscating their children is not moral or constitutional. We don’t have a border wall with Canada — let’s find a way to create that kind of border. There is need for hard work and intelligent solutions. We are not at war, we are working on a problem together. Duane Mooring

Castaic

Knight’s Silence on Administration Immigration Policy Was Alarming

Steve Knight’s silence with respect to the human tragedy caused by the administration’s separation of children from their families and keeping them in detention centers speaks volumes about his character.

The Republican Party used to be the party that talked about values and families. You don’t hear such things much anymore.

Now the Republican Party is all about taking hostages as a negotiating tactic — first with Dreamers, now with toddlers, starting trade wars, bullying, coddling authoritarian despots, and lying about just about everything.

A bipartisan group of 75 former U.S. attorneys have written a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions that states in part: “We also emphasize that the zero tolerance policy is a radical departure from previous Justice Department policy, and that it is dangerous, expensive, and inconsistent with the values of the institution in which we served.”

They continue: “Its implementation and its execution are taking place solely at your [the president’s and attorney general’s] direction, and the unfolding tragedy falls squarely on your shoulders.” That again is from 75 former U.S. attorneys who know the law and law enforcement. A modification of the policy, out (June 21), demonstrates that the administration created, and could solve this crisis easily without help.

What does our Rep. Steve Knight have to say about any of this? …. Crickets. Lousy character, lousy values. Kenneth Hurst

Santa Clarita