16-03-2025
Stanislaus Audobon Society: Outraged by capricious, cruel firing of federal parks employees
'Recent layoffs threaten beloved Pacific Crest Trail,' ( March 8)
The Stanislaus Audubon Society has had a long, productive relationship with the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge. However, there is a real and present danger that our invaluable refuge will be closed indefinitely in the near future due to the benighted policies of the current presidential administration. I am outraged by the capricious, cruel firing of federal employees of national parks and refuges, as well as the withholding of operating funds.
These careless, destructive actions do not reflect the wise stewardship of public lands that Americans expect of our democratic government.
For those of you who are interested in conservation and the decent treatment of our public servants, we urge you to tell your representatives to put an end to this executive overreach and abuse. We must restore federal employees, provide funds for hiring needed workers and release funds for the continued maintenance of our natural treasures.
Salvatore Salerno
President, Stanislaus Audubon Society
Opinion
Frustrated with gallery
'Downtown Modesto venue could be shut down. How can it be saved?' ( March 7)
I've been a part of the Modesto art community for some time, so I was initially excited for the Stanislaus Arts Council Gallery to be part of our community. The Modesto Art Walk was one of my favorite things to participate in — a free opportunity for low- or no-income individuals to put their work into the community to be seen.
Unfortunately, things have changed with the new year, including the implementation of vendor fees for this event and new submission requirements for a gallery-run exhibition.
The reason the Stanislaus Arts Council Gallery is failing is because it is preying on small-time, independent artists that don't have much to give.
Billie May
Modesto
Expand Medicaid, don't cut
'California Republican David Valadao wants to stop big Medicaid cuts. Can he succeed?' ( Feb. 24)
President Donald Trump's recent statements about Medicaid contradict what he has previously said about the need to protect this vital program. He may claim that he won't make cuts to Medicaid, but his latest budget proposals suggest otherwise.
Medicaid serves over 80 million Americans, many of which are children, people with disabilities and the elderly. Cutting funding for Medicaid would cause undue financial stress to states, ultimately resulting in facility closures and more medical debt. For many people, cutting Medicaid is a matter of life or death.
Health care is essential to a functioning society. Policymakers should be focusing on expanding access to health care for all Americans, not just the wealthy few.
Rebecca Arteaga
Modesto
Ethics and a lack thereof
'Modesto readers say Donald Trump is a liar and criminal,' ( Aug. 6, 2024)
My ancestor, Adam Derryberry, bravely fought in the Revolutionary War. Through his legacy, I carry the honor of being a Daughter of the American Revolution. The values I inherited — courage, integrity and a commitment to the greater good — stand in stark contrast to the ethos of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
My family's tradition is one of sacrifice for a just cause, not the pursuit of power at any cost.
Micki Archuleta
Nerced
Putin's puppet
'Modesto readers say Donald Trump is a liar and criminal,' ( Aug. 6, 2024)
President Donald Trump must be removed from office by any and all democratic means possible, as quickly as possible.
Virtually every action taken by the Trump-Musk co-presidency has been shown to benefit not Americans, but Russia. Who benefits from the unlawful dismantling of our political and social institutions? From senseless tariffs and territorial threats against our closest North American neighbors? From Trump's threatened withdrawal from NATO, and the shredding of long-standing alliances with Europe?
Even a wanna-be dictator can't be this astonishingly submissive.
Mark S. Haskett
Modesto
