Letters to the Editor

Disagrees with
‘Just Joan’

Joan: This refers to your “Just Joan” column in the Sun on October 23:
You are very much wrong in your self-congratulatory report on the “Understanding the Roots of the Conflict in Israel/Palestine” event of October 18th.  The overwhelming portion of the content of verbal, written and video materials was pro-Palestinian. You did acknowledge that information was “biased toward the Palestinian view, and that “the imbalance was a hope for more balance in the general public’s understanding”.
How can you purport to offer a chance for better understanding by knowingly distorting the content of information offered to the public? Why was it necessary for our Sonoma Jewish congregation, Shir Shalom, to have to press for the opportunity to participate on the panel; and only in the last week before the event was an invitation forthcoming?
When one of our panelists asked if she could offer materials or a power point presentation, why was she told that it would not be necessary, even though attendees were presented with a 52 minute Palestinian propaganda film and a virtual sea of pasted up visuals and literature?
Surely, this was a topic demanding of attention, but deserving of airing all views in the hope of finding common ground on which to build understanding and a resolution based on peace and justice.  I believe that the participation of members of Congregation Shir Shalom saved the public and the sponsors, Sonoma Valley Peace and Justice, from a totally negative, if not egregious exercise in laying blame.  Let us all resolve to do better next time.
Sincerely,
Sy Lenz,
President,
Congregation Shir Shalom
Sonoma

Editor: To the people of Sonoma and to those in local government who represent us – I don’t think it is a good idea to call Sonoma either a city or a town. I think it is mundane and narrow-minded. I think it is mundane because there already are millions of towns and cities in the world and it does nothing to set Sonoma apart.
I think we should call it the “Toity of Sonoma.” Sonoma will be the only “Toity” in the world. People will come from all over to see if it is a “Hoity Toity” or a “Toity Toity.” They will come to have their picture taken in the “Toity.” They will be able to eat dinner in the “Toity” and take a walk in the “Toity.” Just imagine all the things people can do in the “Toity.”
I think it is narrow-minded because it did not take into account that to have people vote either “city” or “town” would create division with the people, and as a result, only the winners would be served by our local government representatives instead of all the people. A “Toity” is a compromise between a town and a city. It respects the wishes of those who want to call Sonoma a town and those who want to call it a city.
So, if you are not extremely self-centered, self-serving and selfish, which will give you the ability to compromise, vote “Toity.”
Claudia Rannikar
Sonoma

Editor: Thank you Sonoma for your support of Measure P.  Eighty-one percent of you said Yes to your community hospital yesterday [Tuesday] teenager – an overwhelming and heartening number.
There are so many to thank for this wonderful success:
We express our gratitude to all of the many scores of volunteers who made phone calls, knocked on doors, operated the Yes on Measure P office and basically ran a positive and competent campaign for the past three months.  And we honor all of the many more volunteers who worked on other hospital-related campaigns here in recent years.  Clearly Sonoma is a community that cares –  and cares intensely – about its hospital.  We truly hope that all of you who gave so much on those prior campaigns – whichever side you may have been on – feel honored and rewarded by the Measure P outcome. You gave so much.
Mainly, though, this is a letter of tribute to the people who work at Sonoma Valley Hospital . . . every last one of you.  Doctors and nurses, groundskeepers and janitors, office workers and food service workers, technicians and administrators, all of you. You are the people who care for us when we are hurt or sick, you are the people who bring our babies into the world and look after our ailing parents, you are the people who do your jobs with competence and with heart. Fundamentally, this campaign was not about land, nor was it about bricks and mortar. It was an expression of Sonoma’s gratitude to you. We want you here. We need you here. And we are more than willing to pony up a bit to keep you here.
With special gratitude to our Measure P Team – as positive and reliable a bunch of “step-forwards” as we have ever known – and to the many generous donors to the campaign,

Ted Eliot
Bill Hutchinson

What an Election Day Experience! I worked as a volunteer Election Clerk Tuesday and it was electrifying! We had a record turnout across the spectrum of voters….first time voters, young, old, disabled, new citizens and many bringing their children to show how our Democracy works. I was especially touched by a young women voting for her first time. As she came to place her ballot in the Ballot Box, sample ballot clutched in her hand, she whispered to me, “I need a hug.” As I obliged,  she said it was such an overwhelming experience and she was emotionally drained.” It brought tears to my eyes to see her passion and enthusiasm and reminded me of my first time voting some 50 years ago. I haven’t lost my enthusiasm for politics and have never missed an election yet. I see hope in our young generation to keep that enthusiasm going and in our country for finally showing the world that we are an inclusive nation by electing our first black President.  Regardless of your party, this is a proud day for America! May we all come together for the good of our country. And, may God Bless America!

Barbara Dawson.
Proud to be a Republican