Sanctuary city, NASA astronaut, this generation
What’s cost of sanctuary city?
Re “Steinberg says capital will remain a sanctuary” (Page 1A, Nov. 17): Since 1985, Sacramento has been designated as a “safe haven” that prohibits city employees, including police, from asking about immigration status or withholding benefits or services based on immigration status.
Mayor-elect Darrell Steinberg says that designation will continue under his leadership. Sacramento is heavily in debt, yet the city is giving non-U.S. citizens benefits and services. That would be true of all 300 sanctuary cities.
It would be interesting to find out the true illegal immigrant population and the total tax dollars being spent them. Unfortunately we can’t since nobody is allowed to ask about immigration status and nobody has accountability for those tax dollars. Are we losing our collective common sense?
John Hightower, Orangevale
Astronaut deserves better
Re “Astronaut primps for launch” (Names & Faces, Nov. 17): While seeing NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson and a mention of her launch to the International Space Station brought excitement, it was also disheartening to see The Bee’s treatment of her and this momentous occasion.
What a disservice to readers to have her picture and the headline focus on the “primp” of the launch, and her journey relegated to a small space on the “Names & Faces” page.
The word “primp” would never be used for a male astronaut. The Bee could have used the opportunity to share why this launch is historic for her, the U.S. and share information on her stellar career, including that she was the first woman to serve as commander of the space station. Whitson and your readers deserve better.
Sarah Jimenez, Sacramento
Generation needs a timeout
In 1944, 18-year-olds stormed the beaches of Normandy, facing the possibility of certain death. In 2016, 18-year-olds seek a safe place to hide because words hurt their feelings. We have gone from teens making up the greatest generation to teens seeking a “timeout.”
Russ Brown, Carmichael
Trump, a man of our times
I was a bit chagrined to realize that an internet troll’s pronouncements will be studied along with Washington’s, Jefferson’s, Lincoln’s, FDR’s and Kennedy’s. But upon more reflection, I accepted that after hearing these statements, “I am not a crook” (he was), and “Mission Accomplished” (it wasn’t), the standards for presidential oratory have slipped a bit.
We have elected a man of our times.
Peter Rodman, Sacramento
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This story was originally published November 18, 2016 at 2:30 PM with the headline "Sanctuary city, NASA astronaut, this generation."