Letters to the Editor

Students brain-washed by system

Editor: The Sonoma Sun’s “Our View” (Thursday, Feb. 7) begs the question: “Is the Sun a fair and objective local newspaper or is it a veiled liberal rag?” In discussing why a mock election at Sonoma Valley High School demonstrated overwhelmingly Democratic leanings among youths, the Sun’s “Our View” explains, “Maybe it’s the idealism of youth that is attracted to the promises more often heard among Democrats that government can and should solve society’s problems.”
Since when is it the government’s job to solve society’s problems? America was founded upon personal accountability, and such accountability starts at home with the family. Solving society’s problems is not the chief function of the government, such problems should be addressed locally by concerned citizens who take responsibility for their own civic direction. Grab hold of your wallet when the government offers to solve our problems.
A more accurate explanation of the mock election results would include the fact that our education system overwhelmingly teaches (force-feeds) liberal ideology – the very opposite ideology of that which preaches personal accountability. Our public school system, especially in California, is a breeding ground for socialist thought. Intellectual objectivity is frowned upon, and many (not all) teachers use their position to impress their own liberalism upon the curious minds of their students. Many an unfortunate youth has realized that he or she is only considered “open-minded” if he agrees with his liberal friends or teachers. Modern day liberal Democrats like Obama, Clinton and Edwards sing from the same socialist songbook. Consequently, it’s not a stretch to understand why impressionable students would indicate that they align themselves with the Democratic Party.
Do the editors of The Sun think it is the government’s job to solve societal ills? Do the editors of The Sun think liberal Democrats are the answer to our prayers (if only we were still allowed to pray)? It’s bad enough that our small town already has one “newspaper” that is unabashedly liberal, turning a blind eye toward objectivity and treating conservative Republican ideals with outright scorn. Fortunately for Sonoma’s “26 percent” Republican electorate, we are more closely aligned with the voters nationwide who have elected a conservative in our last two presidential elections.
To save any liberals the effort of creating a breathless, scathing response, I already know – it’s Bush’s fault.
Doug Nickle
Sonoma

Students active in democracy

Editor: With all due respect, I disagree with your recent editorial, “What are they learning?” on so many levels it’s hard to know where to begin. As a lifelong progressive, I have never expected or wanted government to “solve society’s problems.” I want my government to take our taxes and efficiently provide the community services we all need and benefit from: police, firefighters, public transportation and roads, public education and an effective health care system. I would pay my taxes happily if I knew they would be spent on those things rather than on war and greed.
I also believe in personal responsibility, parents teaching morals to their children, and philanthropy, and do not want government to take over these roles. Ideally, our public education system should give our young people the tools that they need to think critically and become informed citizens, not brainwash them towards one ideology, as “What are they learning?” implies.
Consider the possibility that perhaps the issues themselves: the Iraq War (which they may have to fight), the lack of adequate health care, the jobs shipped overseas, the under funding of public schools, immigration, the environmental problems, and each candidate’s stance on these issues, is what our high school students are learning. Give them credit for being not just a demographic that reflects their environment, but thinking individuals who are preparing to participate in our democracy.
As far as the discrepancy in the ages for voting versus drinking (18 versus 21), I feel that it is unrealistic to expect our teens never to drink until they are 21. Unfortunately in our society, drinking and driving is a huge problem because our communities are not walkable or well equipped with public transportation. In Europe the drinking age is lower, but many people can walk to their local pub. The drinking age is older here in the hope of cutting down on the number of teens killed in car accidents while driving under the influence.
Beth G. Hadley
Sonoma

Editor: Joan Huguenard throws a rare light on a complex problem as she addresses the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Media commentary coverage is overwhelmingly sympathetic with Israel while casting Palestinians as the villains. If America truly wants to help solve this growing and insidious imbroglio more voices such as Joan’s should be heard and not silenced.
Pete Sark, Sonoma

Editor: The Sonoma we see today is not just a product of chance or accident. At critical times in its past, individuals of vision and persistence rallied and inspired others to look at our community in new ways, forever transforming it. Robert Behrens was one of those individuals.
Robert lived the life aesthetic, wherein all physical things became an expression of art and inner meaning. Such a vision is often beyond the understanding of many, yet for Robert, seeing our world this way was perfectly normal. Thus it is that we have trees along Broadway, Town Design Guidelines, an exceptional and visionary general plan, the miraculous Veterans Cemetery, the Urban Growth Boundary, and an overall appreciation of the priceless value of the physical spaces and structures that make Sonoma unique.
Sonoma is a better town for the likes of Robert. His passing closes a chapter in Sonoma history that will not be seen in books, but in the way we see our city.
Larry Barnett, Sonoma

Editor:
We want a hospital, yes we do.
Not near me, better by you.
Not too close, not too far.
We don’t want to see it from
where we are.
You say you’ve picked a site,
we’ll see if you are right.
We’ll check from our roof, to
see if it’s in view.
If it is –– start anew.
Dan Lennon,Sonoma