On flying the American flag
Editor: A recent letter expressed the view that we should now display the US flag everyday, to celebrate our country and all the things that our country represents. The writer suggested that Veterans Day is a good place to start. There is another view that I support and that is to remember to respectfully display the flag on our national holidays. That way we are reminded of people commemorated, such as Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Martin Luther King, Jr., and of events in history, such as Independence Day or Memorial Day. We can take a moment to reflect.
The act of unfurling and placing the flag at the front of the house causes me to remember the specific holiday and what it represents. It may not be as convenient as leaving the flag up everyday.
Displaying the flag everyday would dilute and diminish the purpose and distinction of our separate holidays.
Flying a flag everyday might feel good, but on days mentioned above, one might not give a second thought to Lincoln’s birthday, Veterans or Memorial days. And please don’t fly a tired, torn or faded flag, as that doesn’t show respect for the country, but is a reminder that someone forgot what the flag really is meant to commemorate.
— Todd Sloan, Santa Rosa
Yes to abolishing ICE
Editor: This is in response to the editorial against abolishing ICE by David Delgado (Sunday, Nov. 8, Forum), a former DHS leader and fellow at the Searchlight Institute (a think tank that tries to drag the Democratic Party as far to the right as possible).
First, he tries to pin the long-standing effort to abolish ICE — which didn’t exist until 2003 and has been a constant source of abusiveness ever since — on one Hispanic-named representative as if it were her kooky idea, and as if her specific proposal were the only such proposed bill. Then he regurgitates MAGA talking points about supposed “chaos” at the border under Biden and a supposed “crisis” that “overwhelmed” Chicago. Then he misrepresents her proposal by falsely alleging that it would do away with “essential government immigration functions.” Then he ties those functions to the reliable boogeyman of “national security,” as if invoking those two words automatically excuses any amount of torching of taxpayer dollars and obliteration of rights. (Maybe reasonable people think some of the missions he considers so important should NOT continue?)
While some of his following points about Ramirez’s specific bill might seem reasonable, he’s already lost credibility by the time he gets there.
— Matthew Vaughan, Santa Rosa
Goodbye “Big U”
Editor: I have been following with great interest the final journey of the SS United States as she passes from the greatest American passenger ship to the largest underwater manmade reef in the world. She was a beautiful ship with amazing lines and a speed record that has never been broken. She had incredible facilities that pampered passengers for their 3-plus day trip across the Atlantic.
And…I was a crew member in 1968, a year before she left service forever. I can remember working in the massive engine room and standing at the bow playing “king of the world,” decades before the “Titanic” movie. It was sad to see her rust away for decades, but very exciting to see her future for sea life and divers. Rest well “Big U.”
— Michael Danty, Santa Rosa
Room for policymaking
Editor: Following the historic repudiation of Trump and Trumpism, I’m feeling a little sad for our Republican friends and wondering what we can do to lift their spirits. The one positive “takeaway” I see from midterms for them is realizing that our elections are quite secure and always have been, which exposes the oft-repeated nonsense questioning election integrity.
With this acknowledgement, Republicans have one less concern and can now focus on crafting policies voters want instead of pointing at squirrels.
— Tim McFarlin, Santa Rosa
Fighting climate change
Editor: In the United States, domestic debates on climate policy have stalled, while in the rest of the world, a number of nations have taken action in the fight against climate change.
European nations lead the way through aggressive market regulations. Denmark tops the Climate Change Performance Index by sourcing 88% of its electricity from renewables.
China is rapidly accelerating its green infrastructure transition. Despite its history as a top polluter, Chinese electric vehicles are 50% of the new car market.
Finally, many developing countries prove that sustainability does not require extreme wealth. Costa Rica and Bhutan rely almost entirely on renewable power networks.
The climate policies of other counties prove that reducing emissions is both technologically possible and economically viable.
As the nation that was founded on the rights of individuals and protecting nature, we must return to the role of world leader and lead the world in the fight against climate change.
—Ron Sadler, Santa Rosa
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