Re “Should abortion be left to the states?” (April 21):
Although Rafael Perez makes a compelling argument for abortion rights being a federal issue, he overlooks a crucial distinction.
If it is nationally mandated, one way or the other, it is the federal government taking sides. And that would unnecessarily alienate roughly half of the population.
If left to the states, the opportunity for all philosophies is maintained. If a state bans abortions after 15 weeks, for example, a woman in that circumstance has the option to travel to a state allowing such abortions.
But that also allows those who oppose abortion to find, if they so desire, a region of the union where they wish to reside because that community figures to better align with their values. It is the definition of civilized freedom.
— Bob Cunningham, Cherry Valley
Ukraine aid and defying congressional isolationists
I am glad to see Speaker Johnson defy the isolationists in the Republican Party and bring Ukraine aid up for a vote in the House (April 19).
However, I would have liked to seen language in the bill that would have required President Biden and his military team provide a strategy to help Ukraine defeat Russia rather than simply maintain the status quo. Give Ukraine the tools they need to win or concede defeat. Biden’s indecisive incrementalism costs money and lives, and the only upside is he doesn’t upset Mr. Putin too much. As the saying goes, “%$&# or get off the pot.”
— Tom Fournier, Rolling Hills Estates
Newport Beach Public Library and the parents
Re “Melissa moved to teen book section” (April 17):
If you parents don’t want your children to read these supposed books that “will rob them of their innocence” then go to the library with your child and pick out their books.
What you’re doing is censorship. You’re censoring other viewpoints that don’t align with yours. Most of these books supposedly “robbing your child of his/her innocence” are minority/LBGTQ+A writers and other marginalized voices that need to be heard. What are you afraid of? Books bans/censorship have no place in our democracy.
— Susan L. Petrella, Fullerton
![Mark Takano’s May 12 article ignores the fact that there already are two states in what was Palestine; one majority Jewish state on 1/8 of the land and one “pure” Arab state, Jordan, (Judenrein — apartheid against Jews) on 3/4 of the land. That never solved anything, because the agenda of Israel’s enemies is not any number of states, but genocide; no Jewish state and no Jewish inhabitants in the Land Of Israel. That is the meaning of “from the river to the sea.” A hundred more Arab states on the same land would not satisfy that agenda. — Louis […]](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2018_1008_generic_mailbox_letters_to_the_editor3-9.jpg?w=513 "Mark Takano’s May 12 article ignores the fact that there already are two states in what was Palestine; one majority Jewish state on 1/8 of the land and one “pure” Arab state, Jordan, (Judenrein — apartheid against Jews) on 3/4 of the land. That never solved anything, because the agenda of Israel’s enemies is not any number of states, but genocide; no Jewish state and no Jewish inhabitants in the Land Of Israel. That is the meaning of “from the river to the sea.” A hundred more Arab states on the same land would not satisfy that agenda. — Louis […]")
![I would like to thank the editorial staff of the newspaper for their May 8 article honoring Friedrich Hayek, author of “The Road to Serfdom.” His book as well as the writings of George Orwell and Ayn Rand have proven prescient as we see changes in economic thinking and political systems today. His book as well as those by the others should be required reading for any study of Western civilization. Hayek uses the term liberal the same way as did our founders. A liberal is one who embraces liberty and independence. Today’s leftists who have taken over the word […]](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2018_1008_generic_mailbox_letters_to_the_editor3-8.jpg?w=513 "I would like to thank the editorial staff of the newspaper for their May 8 article honoring Friedrich Hayek, author of “The Road to Serfdom.” His book as well as the writings of George Orwell and Ayn Rand have proven prescient as we see changes in economic thinking and political systems today. His book as well as those by the others should be required reading for any study of Western civilization. Hayek uses the term liberal the same way as did our founders. A liberal is one who embraces liberty and independence. Today’s leftists who have taken over the word […]")
![Yes, college ceremonies should go on as they always have for students Unless a majority of those to receive degrees vote to the contrary, the decision should not be made by a small group of protesters. How should the current iteration of protesters be compared to the anti-Vietnam War campus protests of the 1960s and ‘70s? No comparison. The United States was a major participant in Vietnam, college-age males were subject to the draft and many killed and wounded. Today’s protestors have no fear for their lives. Are today’s protesters well educated on the politics of the Middle East? No. […]](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2018_1008_generic_mailbox_letters_to_the_editor3-7.jpg?w=513 "Yes, college ceremonies should go on as they always have for students Unless a majority of those to receive degrees vote to the contrary, the decision should not be made by a small group of protesters. How should the current iteration of protesters be compared to the anti-Vietnam War campus protests of the 1960s and ‘70s? No comparison. The United States was a major participant in Vietnam, college-age males were subject to the draft and many killed and wounded. Today’s protestors have no fear for their lives. Are today’s protesters well educated on the politics of the Middle East? No. […]")
![Well, Teri Sforza’s report May 9 is right about one thing — what Sacramento is doing isn’t working, if reducing homelessness is the objective. So, this reader wonders, is it? First, I question the motivation. The rewards are backwards. Wherever and to whomever the money is going has been rewarded with more of it if the problem got worse. Anyone receiving money could look to less of it if they truly reduced the homeless numbers. We’re talking government and nonprofit employees putting themselves out of a job. Second, again on motivation. The report says as many as half the people […]](/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2018_1008_generic_mailbox_letters_to_the_editor3-6.jpg?w=513 "Well, Teri Sforza’s report May 9 is right about one thing — what Sacramento is doing isn’t working, if reducing homelessness is the objective. So, this reader wonders, is it? First, I question the motivation. The rewards are backwards. Wherever and to whomever the money is going has been rewarded with more of it if the problem got worse. Anyone receiving money could look to less of it if they truly reduced the homeless numbers. We’re talking government and nonprofit employees putting themselves out of a job. Second, again on motivation. The report says as many as half the people […]")