Comments for The Valley Citizen

Comment on Did the New Editor Admit the Bee Has Been Serving Empty Calories? by John Wagner

John Wagner — Sun, 13 May 2012 19:22:05 +0000

If the new leadership at the Modesto Bee gets more serious and balanced about land and enviro issues, I suspect your Valley Citizen blog may be a major motivator. There’s now a new voice in town — yours — which calls ‘em like you see ‘em, and local citizens now have more than one perspective to consider. Keep up the good work!

Comment on Did the New Editor Admit the Bee Has Been Serving Empty Calories? by Fred Herman

Fred Herman — Sun, 13 May 2012 16:15:25 +0000

The modest bee has surely been serving pap with its emphasis on hookers and Hookers, Scott Peterson and police killings for which the DA’s office has its justifiable homicide slips ready and waiting. It has come a long way since someone told its management that the purpose of a newspaper is to sell newspapers. Once – when we still had news stands – the L.A. and S.F. papers were trumpeting their own axe murders and a tiny modest be headline proclaimed “Kennedy meets Eisenhower in White House.” Guess which one more people bought. Fred Herman

Comment on 99% Spring Movement Comes to Modesto by Robert Stanford

Robert Stanford — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:29:20 +0000

Brave citizens acting from a place of sincere compassion.

Bringing hope to those of us that struggle to survive every day.

Thank you Occupy Modesto!

Comment on Tragic Death of Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Paris Reopens Discussion of Public Safety Budget, by Bruce Frohman by Robert Stanford

Robert Stanford — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:27:35 +0000

More money? Why do they need more money?

They do not appropriate the money they have now appropriately – every dime that is given to local LE is only spent on campaigning.

Of course if you are a victim of brainwashing by the Modesto Bee, you do not see this.

Since the Stanislaus Sheriff, DA and MPD run the mass media of the central valley, perhaps they should go into the newspaper business for extra revenue.

Since 1/2 of city and county budgets is not enough to prevent sloppy and reckless procedure by the Late Deputy R. Paris, that not only resulted in his own death, but also the death of a civilian.

Comment on From Franklin to Flint, the Library Unites America by Markie Flint Blackmon

Markie Flint Blackmon — Tue, 01 May 2012 02:39:21 +0000

“From Franklin to Flint, the Library Unites America” – Johnny would have liked that.

Re: Animal House – I remember Johnny’s researching the script’s origins, convinced that Faber College was really St. John Fisher; the events in the movie closely matched his own, down to specific details. Road trip!

Comment on Tragic Death of Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Paris Reopens Discussion of Public Safety Budget, by Bruce Frohman by David Rockwell

David Rockwell — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:45:57 +0000

While Mr. Frohman makes valid points, his piece begs the question: What difference did the budget cuts to public safety make in this situation? There were two deputies present for this eviction action, which is probably the same number that were assigned to such a situation before the budget cuts. I think the Sheriff went seriously off track on this one, diverting attention from the tragedy to bring in his political agenda; I am not saying he did this intentionally, because I certainly understand that in such an emotional situation things get said without careful reflection.
This situation would not have been changed if the Sheriff’s office (or any other local or state law enforcement entities) were at the funding levels before the cuts. I knew Bob Paris, a great guy, and I feel the loss.
And, answering Mr. Herman, I do not choose to look at the “why” of this man’s eviction. A murder of two people is not excused by the reasons for the eviction. I do agree, however, that the question of why this man was allowed, in our society, to have 22 firearms and 500 rounds of ammunition, should be asked and debated. Sheriff Christianson could have asked that question, and should still ask it. (But won’t, not in this county!)

Comment on Tragic Death of Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Paris Reopens Discussion of Public Safety Budget, by Bruce Frohman by Fred Herman

Fred Herman — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:00:03 +0000

The modest bee’s letters=to-the-editor editor opted to sit on this submission, as she has about nine of my last twelve:

There are two directions in which reportage on Modesto’s most recent shooting (including a deputy sheriff) could go.

1. Why was the killer being evicted? Was he jobless, his only source of income outsourced across an ocean? What alternatives/resources were left to him?

2. What do the gun nuts say? Is the second amendment right to blow away the tax collector worth a thousand-plus American deaths a year- more than Taliban and Al Qaeda ever inflicted? Does our district attorney’s office have pre-printed “justifiable homicide” forms ready for trigger-happy law enforcers to pick up?

Fred Herman

Comment on Valley Leaders and Media AWOL on MID Water Sale by Chris Gulick

Chris Gulick — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 22:09:45 +0000

The lack of response from local elected representatives is deafening.
This is a short sighted, cowardly plan designed to benefit an elite few customers at the expense of ratepayers. One has to wonder who is greasing who’s palms.

Comment on Excess MID water? “No Way,” Say Experts by Tressa Schaller

Tressa Schaller — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:31:31 +0000

I think an article on the re-licensing, and what people can do, would be great.

Comment on Bruce Frohman on Modesto’s Chronic Unemployment Problems by Michael Pullen

Michael Pullen — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 18:35:08 +0000

All of Bruce’s points are well taken and I agree with all of his observations regarding Modesto. There are, however, some other factors at play which should be pointed out regarding our large transient/homeless population.

Fundamental civil rights are not to be infringed for the convenience or comfort of anyone. It’s not (nor should it be) illegal to be homeless. It’s not (nor should it be) illegal to carry everything you own in a backpack or push it down the sidewalk in a stroller. It’s not (nor should it be) illegal to be dirty or unkept looking. It’s not (nor should it be) illegal to sleep under a tree in the park during the day. It’s not (nor should it be) illegal to ride a bicycle. It’s not (nor should it be) illegal to drink alcohol. It’s not (nor should it be) illegal to engage in acts of charity.

We can and should enforce laws against public defication and urination and unduly disruptive or threatening behavior. Blocking public areas with one’s (unconscious) body or belongings is (and should be) against the law. Tresspassing on private property such as business parking lots is ( and should be) against the law. Theft, either by investment swindlers or Meth heads, is (and should be) against the law. Beyond that we are (and should be) powerless to dictate the behavior of others however distasteful we may find it..

It’s a little like the Second Amendment. Sometimes it’s messy and inconvenient, even dangerous; It’s also the price of living in a free society. “Those people” are an enormous inconvenience to me (living in West Modesto) but I would rather endure that inconvenience than a police state.

Some of those same principles are also relevant to how someone chooses to maintain (or not) their private property. I won’t belabor the point; I think I’ve made my case as I see it.

To put it succinctly: I’m saying is that there isn’t really anything we can do about it beyond enforcing existing (Constitutional) laws. What “those people” do is really none of our business.