One reader has a few words regarding politics and phony
tolerance while another thanks the Gilroy police
Intellectually Dishonest Letter, and a Few Thoughts on What Tolerance Means
Dear Editor,
This is in response to J.G. McCormack and Daniel Garcia’s letters to the editor published Friday, June 15.
Thank God we live in a country where Mr. Garcia can offer us an intellectually dishonest rant. It was news to me, as a registered Republican, that I don’t like poor people, blacks, Hispanics, the middle class and homosexuals. I assume it is still OK to invoke the name of God as Susanna Soto did in her excellent welcome speech (in Spanish) during Gilroy High’s commencement Friday night. Yes, I understood it and am delighted that we live amongst such bright and talented youth.
I’ve been poor, the family next door is black, the church service I attend on Sunday is in Spanish, and I’ve hired homosexuals on several occasions because they were the best candidates for the job, not because of their sexual orientation. To top it off, I married outside of my race (for whatever that means today) and continue to be very much a conservative. No, my wife isn’t Hispanic. I learned Spanish while living in the slums of Caracas Venezuela – trying to make a difference in the world.
However, Mr. Garcia may agree with me when I state that President George W. Bush is a failed president and in my opinion does not defend the Constitution. While I think he understand the real threat of terrorism, he lacks the will and leadership to make difficult decisions. Congress isn’t much better, and their approval rating seems to hover lower than the President’s.
I thought of tolerance when I read J.G. McCormack’s comments. Yes, tolerance is a great virtue that should be practiced. However, tolerance is not safety. I would venture that most people would conclude from his remarks that he is intolerant. To the contrary, I conclude he is informed, rational and tolerant. If you think otherwise, you need to become better informed yourself, “Follow the money” and scrutinize actions and weigh them against what is said or found in print. The times are too dangerous to let others think for you
Unfortunately, we live in a world where those who preach and demand tolerance are very often the same who are the most intolerant. Herein lies the danger. Tolerance must be reciprocal. When it is not, all bets are off.
Curt Jernigan, Gilroy
Thanks to the Gilroy Police Who Were Rescue Angels
Dear Editor,
It’s been a little over a year that I hurt myself real bad. I cut my wrist, and I was bleeding to death. If it wasn’t for the Gilroy Police I would have died.
All my life until last year I always thought the police were out to put in me jail or prison, or even hurt me. All those days and nights of my life that the Gilroy police stopped me, sent me home and arrested me, the officers were just looking out for me.
I wasn’t arrested. I was rescued. I thank you officers with all my heart. You gentlemen and women were truly angels. I realize now without police, myself and many other people wouldn’t be alive today. Thank you officers once again for being angels.
Gilbert Horta, Gilroy
