The Pentagon dishonored my uncle’s sacrifice by scrubbing U.S. history | Opinion

Scrubbing history

“Air Force Deletes Pages on First Female Thunderbirds Pilot Amid DEI Purge,” (sacbee.com, April 16)

My uncle, Private First Class Dean Hunt, was killed in action in World War II on Iwo Jima. He joined the Marines at 18 and died eight months later.

The Pentagon has dishonored my uncle’s sacrifice by scrubbing from their website two pages profiling another Marine who fought on Iwo Jima, Ira Hayes, one of the six Marines shown raising the American flag in an iconic photograph.

The profiles of Hayes, a Pima Indian, were removed to comply with President Donald Trump’s order abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said, “anybody that says in the Department of Defense that diversity is our strength is frankly incorrect.” Following an outcry, one webpage was restored, but many references to Hayes’ ethnicity were removed.

My uncle fought for freedom and equality, values that the current administration is systematically undermining. I hope that the arc of the moral universe will once again bend toward justice.

P. Alan Thiesen

Roseville

Wage hikes as city goes broke

“Sacramento mayor, council salary increases amid budget talk,” (sacbee.com, May 14)

Sacramento has projected a $44 million deficit for the coming fiscal year and is contemplating cuts in services and raising fees, some of which have already occurred. Yet, in an effort to be “reasonable and consistent” with comparable cities, the city’s Compensation Commission unanimously voted to award raises to the mayor of 12% and 8% to the city council.

What is a “reasonable” pay raise to leaders of a city drowning in debt? Many on the current council made — or agreed with — decisions which caused the current deficit, which is projected to be worse next year. Now, as they contemplate layoffs and diminishing services to the community they serve, is it reasonable to award them such generous wage hikes?

Was nothing learned from the city manager pay debacle? What “rules” should be applied as the city goes bankrupt?

Bill Motmans

Sacramento

Protect scientific research

“Public health in California shaken by federal funding cuts,” (sacbee.com, April 9)

As a clinician scientist dedicated to understanding the roots of dementia, I’ve long believed that science, integrity and compassion must guide our work. Recently, these values were put to the test.

After years of progress under grants from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, research focused on identifying vascular contributions to cognitive decline — our work was disrupted and nearly completely derailed by cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services. It was a painful reminder of how easily vital work can be threatened by bureaucracy.

But we persisted, not just for ourselves, but for the millions of families impacted by dementia. Research must be protected, because behind every data point is a human story, and behind every story is hope.

Charles DeCarli, M.D.

Co-director, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center of UC Davis

Return of wolves

“In rural California, gray wolves are a growing threat demanding attention | Opinion,” (sacbee.com, May 17)

I grew up around wolves. I’ve seen dozens of wolves over the past decade when I have visited Yellowstone. As a child, growing up in the Greater Yellowstone in Montana, my safety was never in danger or threatened by a wolf.

As a wildlife major, it’s been exciting to see wolves come back to California. But recent headlines about emergency declarations have been alarming.

We must listen, understand and work together to keep ourselves and our wolf population safe.

John Marchwick

Eureka

Medi-Cal coverage for weight loss drugs

“Prison closure, Ozempic limit, cap-and-what? 5 takeaways from Gavin Newsom’s budget,” (sacbee.com, May 16)

It would be a mistake for Gov. Gavin Newsom to restrict Medi-Cal coverage of weight loss drugs, like Zepbound and Wegovy.

Medi-Cal will continue GLP-1 coverage for diabetics, meaning California won’t offer overweight Medi-Cal patients access to GLP-1 drugs to help them avoid becoming diabetic, but it will pay for these treatments once they put on so much weight that they develop the disease. This is illogical.

GLP-1 drugs will save Medi-Cal money.

Hank Naughton

Clinton, Mass.

Bill undermines housing goals

“Rooftop solar subsidies raise electricity costs in California,” (sacbee.com, May 16)

California has long established rooftop solar as a cornerstone of its energy and climate goals. Rooftop solar is a key tool in providing affordable housing for all, allowing middle class families to maintain control over their energy bills.

Assembly Bill 942, however, threatens to inject chaos into the housing market. Under the bill, new homeowners purchasing properties with existing solar installations would have their contracts retroactively changed to the less favorable Net Energy Metering 3.0. This would diminish the value of homes with solar panels to buyers and create unnecessary friction in the home sale.

For homebuilders, this is particularly problematic: AB 942 will create new housing market risks, exacerbating housing costs. While AB 942 claims to address energy “affordability,” it will have the opposite effect.

California should be doing everything we can to help homebuyers enter into affordable and energy-resilient homes. AB 942 undermines that goal.

Chris Ochoa

Senior counsel, California Building Industry Association