Latest news with #JohnSaville
Los Angeles Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: ‘Is this what we've become?' Readers bemoan Florida's ‘Alligator Alcatraz'
To the editor: At my nearby park, there is a 'hope and healing meditation path' that includes benches with encouraging messages. One has these words about compassion: 'You can never really know what someone else is going through. However, we can listen with our hearts and be open to the depths of others' pain.' That message caught my attention during my walk because I had just seen the president of the United States joking about people trying to outrun alligators at his new detention center in Florida ('Trump tours Florida immigration lockup and jokes about escapees having to run from alligators,' July 1). I've seen one commentator describe 'Alligator Alcatraz' as 'performance cruelty.' Clearly, the president missed a recent Los Angeles Times op-ed with the headline 'In an era that celebrates cruelty, embrace subversive kindness.' Clearly, he hasn't seen the message about compassion on our park bench in Corona. And sadly, his habit of making cruel remarks and his lack of compassion has spread to many in his administration and beyond. John Saville, Corona .. To the editor: As the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, it is horrifying to see the concentration camps that the current administration is setting up with wild abandon and then mocking those sent there by saying they shouldn't 'run in a straight line,' in order to avoid an alligator. Truly, is this what we've become? Wendy Winter, Los Angeles .. To the editor: When I saw the picture of the metal bunks in tiers, my thought was 'Alligator Auschwitz,' not Alcatraz. I find this so horrific I cannot even find words for it. It is beyond disgusting. Trump said he was going to get rid of dangerous criminals, murderers and rapists, but is instead going after people who never did anyone any harm. Their only sin was coming here illegally many years ago. Some were brought here by parents fleeing violence in their own country, wanting a better life for their children. Many have worked and paid taxes to the U.S. government. Some are married to American citizens. They are now called 'detainees' and will be housed in a nightmare of a prison until they are deported. How did our country sink so low? Lorraine Knopf, Santa Monica
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Canadian pilot killed in WW2 mission remembered
A memorial service has been held for a Canadian airman who was shot down over Guernsey 81 years ago. On 5 June 1944, the day before D-Day, Lt John Saville was hit as he lead his squadron in a successful attack on a German radar in occupied Guernsey. Each year a memorial service has been held at the site of the memorial plaque on the Castle Emplacement in St Peter Port. The service was held at 08:30 BST - which is believed to be a similar time to when Lt Saville's plane was struck. The Dean of Guernsey, the Very Rev Tim Barker, led the service. He said "It's so important that we keep remembering and when we stop learning from history we place ourselves in an extremely difficult and vulnerable position." Wreaths were laid at the plaque and the service included a poetry reading from the Bailiff of Guernsey, Sir Richard McMahon. Lt Saville's plane crashed into Havelet Bay and after the safe return of all the other aircrafts in the 439 squadron a search mission was sent to Guernsey - but nothing was found. The wreck of the plane was discovered in the 1970s by local diver Mick Peters and upon further investigation he declared the site a grave in 1982. Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Memorial service for pilot killed in WW2 mission 'Emotional day' as memorial reunited with family
