Why criticisms of Panetta are unfounded

The Sentinel has twice published criticism of Rep. Jimmy Panetta’s support for legislation designed to address potential links to terrorism amongst nonprofits in our country. Specifically, the critiques are concerned that such legislation will infringe upon the right to free speech for organizations such as Students for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace and Code Pink. These are NOT organizations that are peacefully protesting, and simply calling for economic boycotts of Israel. These are violent anti-Zionist organizations that seek to accomplish what over 75 years of war, terrorism and Arab countries’ boycott of Israel have failed to do: destroy Israel. Furthermore, these are groups that use intimidation and harassment of students on college campuses, seeking to identify and exclude the majority of Jewish students who identify as Zionist, from participation in campus life.

To criticize Panetta’s failure to support the constitutional right to free speech is unfounded. The real question is why don’t the authors and the protesters they support express concern regarding the horrific atrocities committed by Hamas Oct. 7, 2023?

— Richard S. Gerber, Salinas

A favor to ask from ‘Trump haters’ who have it wrong

The Democrats lost because they could not govern, not a lick, and all they had to run on was Trump hate. That is all they have left, and it now continues with almost every letter and editorial in the paper citing “resistance” and rattling off misstatements of fact, or perhaps it’s just displaying their ignorance on almost every issue.

Biden commuted the sentences of brutal murderers on death row and pre-emptively pardoned so many guilty others, the most in history.

Trump called for peaceful protest, Pelosi denied his request to send troops to protect, then the Jan. 6 committee criminally destroyed all the evidence they could and were pardoned for it.

To the Trump haters, do me a favor. When things get a lot better, and that is tough when Trump is opposed at every turn by the “useful idiots” and deep state, try not to take credit for it. You deserve none.

— Garrett Philipp, Santa Cruz

Trump and Congress: Shameless, vile hypocrisy

If you want a perfect example of the hypocrisy, shamelessness and vileness of the new administration and Republican-controlled Congress, try this: In the past few days, (1) Trump pardoned people who had been convicted of violently assaulting law enforcement officers on Jan. 6, 2021; and (2) Congress passed a bill requiring any immigrant without legal status to be detained and deported if they are merely accused of the same crime — assaulting a police officer. Apparently, it’s now OK to assault a police officer as long as you’re a citizen. If I was a police officer, I’d be worried.

As one honest and brave Jan. 6 convict, Pamela Hemphill, said “I will not accept a pardon because that would be an insult to the Capitol Police officers, to the rule of law and to the nation.”

— Peter Gelblum, Boulder Creek

Letter to law enforcement on Trump Jan. 6 pardons

Dear law enforcement officials of Santa Cruz County,

Jan. 21 was the day that Trump pardoned the majority of the Jan. 6 people convicted of crimes they committed at the Capitol. The list of pardoned criminals included people who were convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers.

In pardoning those convicted of assault on a law enforcement officer, the president has sent a message that assaulting a law enforcement officer might be OK, and that you wouldn’t necessarily face a consequence for your behavior If you did so.

This action by the president shows he is willing to follow the rule of law only selectively, and it puts in potential jeopardy the safety of those in law enforcement who have sworn to protect us.

I couldn’t keep Trump from pardoning a bunch of violent criminals, but I’m writing this letter to law enforcement officials to tell you that we appreciate and support your work in keeping the peace, and we are grateful to you for your service. Be well and stay safe.

— Eric Jarmie, Santa Cruz

With pardons, Biden tarnished his ‘legacy’

In the last 15 minutes of his presidency, Joe Biden preemptively pardoned five members of his close family for “any and all crimes” that they committed in the past decade. If this does not speak volumes to you about the “Biden legacy,” then nothing will.

— Steven Ward, Santa Cruz