The freedom of journalists

Larry Wilson’s column (Dec. 7) reminds us that the grim possibility of Donald Trump soon sending his henchmen to arrest journalists, though previously inconceivable in this country, is actually quite possible now.

A perfect storm is brewing. Trump Republicans now control the House and the Senate. The U.S. Supreme Court is now dominated by Trump’s hand-picked justices, with likely even more of his picks coming during his term. Who is going to stand in his way when he comes a-knocking with his arrest warrants? Or for mass deportations, for that matter? Did the voters actually know what they were doing bringing this convicted felon and wannabe autocrat back into the pinnacle of U.S. power? I doubt it. They were hoodwinked, believing the lies spewed by social media and by Fox News.

Things like free speech, freedom of the press and the physical freedom of journalists everywhere are in very grave danger now.

— William Stremel, South Pasadena

A homeless department

You are totally on the mark in your editorial “No new department on homelessness” (Dec. 5) Indeed, Los Angeles County certainly should not build out a homelessness administrative state.

What L.A. County, other California counties and municipalities and the state of California instead do need to build out is housing that offers permanent, institutional care for the mentally unstable and those who cannot look after themselves. The defunding and closure of state mental hospitals was one of most misguided policies taken by the right and the left from the 1960s on. Getting those who need care off the streets is an imperative. But we must also be sure our policies do not become a welcome mat in attracting more homeless to our area from other parts of the country.

Plus, we simply need a lot more housing. L.A. County and municipalities must make it easier to build, everywhere. Build, baby, build. Funny how many liberal residents suddenly become arch-conservative when proposals of denser housing in their neighborhoods arise. Pasadena has done more than most cities, to its great credit, but could do much more to build denser (and taller) housing throughout the city, at all price levels.

— P.A. Brown, Pasadena

Political nonsense

Re “San Diego County votes against federal law”:

Reminder: So called “undocumented immigrants” are in fact illegal aliens. They are lawbreakers violating the law of the United States!

What’s next?

Is the county threatening to secede?

What political nonsense!

— Joseph F. Paggi Jr., Pasadena

United Healthcare CEO

It’s beyond disturbing to hear about the clueless folks on the left who are celebrating the fact that United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was murdered, allegedly by Luigi Mangione. Where is their moral clarity? Indeed, how can anyone countenance an individual who lies in wait and then shoots an unarmed human being in the back? That is the ultimate expression of coddled cowardice on the part of Mangione. Contrary to what those on social media believe, Mangione is no hero. He is a cold-blooded assassin without a conscience or a normally developed moral compass. There is no excuse to condone this premeditated atrocity regardless of what one thinks about the healthcare industry. Mangione’s crime destroyed a family, leaving behind a widow and two children. It’s likely that scores of friends and relatives are also mourning Thompson at this time. Mangione deserves a very stiff sentence.

— Christian Milord, Fullerton

Negative news

After reading the Dec. 8 paper, I was a little depressed. It seems that more and more, the newspaper is swinging to left-wing reporting. Instead of publishing articles, yours, or others picked up from outside sources, about the doom and gloom of what President Trump might do, why not report what is actually happening. President Trump to actually do this or do that, is just conjecture, no matter what he says. Most laws will have to be OK’d by Congress, and then there are still so many federal judges who can stop or delay impanation of any laws. Fear-mongering really doesn’t help. Can’t we have a positive outlook until something you don’t like actually starts?

— Glenn Kovanda, Rossmoor