Dear Editor,
I am flabbergasted to read in the Gilroy Dispatch that the Bureau of Indian Affairs would name Irenne Zwierlein as legitimate leader of the Amah Mutsun band of Ohlone.
It is clear to any reasonable observer that Zwierlein’s criminal behavior, let alone her resignation and absence from tribal affairs, precludes her from consideration as a chairperson.
In the 1990s I wrote to Zwierlein, seeking to have her speak to my anthropology students. Finally, after several unanswered letters, she refused – so much for her concern about building an awareness of Ohlone heritage. It was not surprising when I learned the BIA concluded she had forged multiple documents in an attempt to tie herself to the development of Sargent Ranch, and I was very pleased to find she had resigned and been replaced by a leadership that says no to developing the land but yes to preserving and sharing their culture.
As I became active with the Gilroy Historical Society, I had several opportunities to meet with and learn from tribal Chairman Val Lopez, tribal Historian Ed Ketchum, and others in the Amah Mutsun band. Their knowledge, devotion, sincerity, and honesty is very impressive.
A few years ago, I filmed a thorough and excellent presentation made to the Historical Society by Lopez and tribal leaders (a copy is at the Gilroy Museum). Twice I have participated in events at Chitactac Heritage Park where Val and tribal members worked very hard and effectively to share Ohlone culture, and only a few months ago I assisted the Community Media Access Partnership in filming the Mass of Reconciliation where the Bishop of Monterey made a formal apology to the Amah Mustun for their treatment during the Mission Period. In addition, I have corresponded with Val and Ed over other related issues.
The Gilroy Dispatch’s reporting shows a clear understanding of the situation, but if there are any doubts about who fulfills the obligations of leadership for the Amah Mutsun, ask the Bishop of Monterey and Rev. Scott McCarthy of the Diocese of Monterey’s department of Ecumenism & Native American Ministry. Ask the many tribal members I have met at Chitactac Heritage Park and the tribal feast following the Mass of Reconciliation. Ask Robin Schaut and Janet Shriner of the Santa Clara County Parks Department. Ask San Jose State archeologist Alan Leventhal or archeologist James (Doc) Hale. Ask Jean Myers, whose property adjoins Chitactac and who herself has become an authority on the Amah Mutsun. Ask Connie Rogers, President of the Gilroy Historical Society. Ask the mayor and City Council of San Juan Bautista.
I call on Mayor Don Gage, County Supervisor Mike Wasserman, Assemblyman Luis Alejo, State Senator Bill Monning, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Congressman Mike Honda and Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer to petition the Bureau of Indian Affairs and make sure recognition for leadership of the Amah Mutsun band is restored to Valentin Lopez.
Phill Laursen, Gilroy
Take great care not to stir anti-semitism when writing on the execution of Jesus
Dear Editor,
Our South County communities have been enjoying the production of Fiddler on the Roof, performed by the South Valley Community Theatre.
In the play, the Jews of the shtetl (little village) called Anatekva are subjected to pograms, which were massacres or persecutions against them, a consequence of anti-semitism.
In the June 7 “Opinion” section, you printed a guest view from Jim Langdon. Langdon’s piece was titled, “Jesus’ existence a fallacy? An absolutely absurd statement,” and was a response to a group of atheists who claimed that Jesus is a fictional person.
In his effort to prove the existence of Jesus, he felt the need to include misinformation about the Jewish role in the death of Jesus. His comments about the death of Jesus had nothing to do with any debate about Jesus’ existence. However, statements like the ones in his opinion piece have been the historical causes of much anti-semitism throughout the ages.
Langdon assigned blame for Jesus execution on the Jewish Sanhedrin leaders, claiming they persuaded Pontius Pilate to crucify Jesus. The New Testament text clearly shows that it was Pilate, the governor of Judea, who ordered Jesus’ death. In Jesus’ time, crucifixion was the Roman punishment inflicted mainly on slaves and revolutionaries. Crucifixion was a cruel way to die, and as a public punishment, it was meant to shame the one being executed, and to serve as a deterrent to the rest of the populace.
The Roman governor effectively appointed the high priests of the temple and could replace them at will. Thus, Pilate would have been in control of the situation throughout the events of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. Pilate is known to have been a particularly cruel Roman governor, according to some extra-biblical sources. Under his administration, hundreds of Jews were crucified. Pilate was eventually recalled by Rome to account for his cruelties.
While I appreciate Mr. Langdon’s intentions in writing his response, we should all remember that comments which could result in feelings of ill will in our peaceful community should be tempered. Or Tevye might say, “As it says in the Good Book, ‘You shall not spread a false report.’ ” (Exodus 23:1).
Rabbi Debbie Israel, Congregation Emeth
Unless voters just say ‘no’ ‘temporary taxes’ like the library tax will last forever
Dear Editor,
In August, the Santa Clara County library “district” is going to mail ballots that say, “keep giving us money.” This public trough can’t even wait until the 2014 elections to hit us up to continue a TAX HIKE.
Look at your property tax bill. We ALREADY pay a special tax for their pensions (which is something that we private-sector workers don’t get). Without the parcel taxes (the most unfair of all), the rest of the nickel-and-diming adds up to “special” taxes of more than a 21% increase over base!
Years ago, hoping we would forget, they came to us begging for a “temporary tax hike” to “fund vital services” – services to themselves. After all, the sky would have fallen were we not duped into approving it. I can just hear the whining. Then, more recently, they came to us to fund a new building, because the one they built just a few decades ago wasn’t built properly. This one is scheduled to be run down before that tax expires.
When you get the ballot, vote NO! End all property taxes, starting with the day-care center disguised as the library.
Alan Viarengo, Gilroy
Wow, it’s unfathomable who has such incredible access to top-secret information
Dear Editor,
The unasked questions are many.
Edward Snowden is a 29-year-old high school dropout and Bradley Manning is a troubled young man. How is this amount of sensitive information available to these questionable people?
Possessing a Top Secret (level 3) clearance does not entitle a person access to unlimited information; it allows some qualification to be briefed on a given program.
The amount of information available to Bradley Manning is unbelievable. Where were the safeguards? Where was the built-in system protection? Whether one considers these men villains or heroes, there are more people at fault in this case.
Keith C. De Filippis, San Jose
