Letters to the Editor, Jan. 19: A conspiracy against conspiracy theories!

A conspiracy against conspiracy theory platform!

EDITOR: I feel it is an outrageous use of power for Facebook, Amazon, Twitter and Apple to remove the social network Parler from their platforms.

During Alexander Hamilton’s time, different political opinions were shared in their local newspapers. In today’s world people rely on social networks to share opinions — with the decline of the print media, social networks are where people gather to read the news of the day and share opinions — it should not make a difference if you agree or disagree — sharing of opinions is the American way.

It appears these four powerful technology companies have abused our anti-trust laws — they should be held accountable and Parler should be placed back on the internet. It looks like a case of David and Goliath — let’s not let Goliath win!

Janice Lehne

Henderson, Nevada

Fact losing to fiction

EDITOR: For many, facts are no longer a requirement. There have always been in our democratic republic some that have treated fact, let's just say, liberally, but more recently the facility to ignore fact or ignorance of fact seems to have spread like a virus. An enormous cult has arisen in America and a cultist acceptance of its leader, his words and any actions he might take. If those words or actions are harmful then no responsibility need be accepted or it's fake news. If the leader claims of being persecuted by nefarious forces then so are the followers. A lie is not a lie and is to be believed, it was a joke, it's just "the leaders way," it's fake news or it's just ignored. If a fact puts this cult leader or the cult in a bad light then it is not to be believed, it's fake news or possibly part of a great conspiracy. Any or all of these seem acceptable justifications to the cult. This convenience of appearing to never being wrong, never losing and not being responsible for ones actions surely must be satisfying. The rest of us must live in the realities of life, for some, very harsh realities.

Ron Leal

Sonoma Valley

Support for Rep. Thompson after attack

EDITOR: A note to Rep. Mike Thompson: The Sonoma Valley Democrats are appalled by the horrendous actions committed by the domestic terrorists on Jan. 6 when they attacked the Capitol Building and the entire Congressional assembly, House and Senate members.

First and foremost, we are thankful for your safety! We are grateful to you for continuing your sacred duty that same night to complete the work of formally acknowledging the electoral vote count that was produced by the free and fair elections of the citizens of the United States of America.

We support you completely in demanding the 25th Amendment be implemented as well as the Articles of Impeachment of the President of the United States. He is unfit for office, a serious, imminent danger to the American people every day he is left in that office, and should be disqualified from running for any office in the future.

If there is anything we can do, or you want or need from our club, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Beth Hadley

President, Sonoma Valley Democrats

A ‘vital’ vote for supervisors

EDITOR: As we face climate change, wildfires and the pandemic, protecting natural and working lands is more critical than ever. That is why the Vital Lands Initiative of the Sonoma County Ag & Open Space District is so timely. Vital Lands is the vision for land conservation in Sonoma County. Its purpose is to guide the spending from our existing county sales tax revenues for land conservation over the next decade.

Vital Lands prioritizes protection of open space lands to preserve agriculture, natural resources, recreation, greenbelt areas and urban open space. Vital Lands was developed after more than two years of public workshops from Cloverdale to Petaluma and Bodega Bay to Sonoma.

Vital Lands was completed in 2019 but never formally adopted by the Board of Supervisors, which serve as the governing board of the Ag & Open Space District. Finally, the supervisors plan to vote on adopting Vital Lands at the Jan. 26 meeting. Greenbelt Alliance urges everyone who cares about open space, agricultural lands, clean air and water, wildlife habitat, wildfire resiliency and equal access to the outdoors speak up in favor of Vital Lands.

Teri Shore

Greenbelt Alliance