In letters: ‘I get humiliated watching ICE agents brutally break the law’ | Opinion

Praise for Cesar Vasquez — and The Trib

A big thank you to The Tribune for giving Stephanie Zappelli’s piece about Cesar Vasquez prominent, front-page exposure last Sunday. Her account of a man fighting to free his people from oppression and intimidation was spot on.

I came to know Cesar not because of his gallant work resisting ICE aggression, but for the largely unseen and self-sacrificing gift of his time to help many people who have been adversely impacted by ICE aggression. He is soft-spoken and never beats his chest. More mature at 17 than many men twice his age, he follows his own path in life – a principled path.

Once a farmer, and a white man who believes all people are created equal, I get humiliated watching ICE agents brutally break the law to intimidate brown-skinned people, citizens or otherwise; People who willingly take on all the lowly and hard jobs that many Americans chose not to do for a chance at a better life. What’s the matter with these belligerent special police and particularly our president? There is no excuse.

Mike Broadhurst

Cambria

Thanks, Jimmy

The Board of Supervisors recently approved full funding for the Cecchetti Road temporary bridge. Storms washed out the Arroyo Grande Creek crossing at Cecchetti Road in early 2023, diverting local traffic to a substandard bridge at the road intersection of Huasna and Lopez.

The temporary bridge will relieve hardship and improve safety for local residents, the families and staff at Branch Elementary School and our vital agricultural community. Since the crossing washed out, Supervisor Jimmy Paulding has worked relentlessly on behalf of the community, including holding a town hall at Branch Elementary and outreaching to affected constituents. A big thank you to Supervisor Paulding, his colleagues Dawn Ortiz-Legg and Bruce Gibson for their support, and Public Works staff for making a temporary bridge possible.

Thomas Burhenn

Arroyo Grande

Impeachment now

Wit our president’s approval rating at an all-time low and fears about his mental health multiplying, it is frightening to watch the news. As the first nation to use nuclear weapons, the United Stares should be the power to keep it under control. Yet there is belief that Trump is planning to test our nuclear weapons

Why? Although none of the impeached presidents has been successfully removed from office, this is now the time to do it. I am contacting my congressmembers often and hope others will do the same.

Janet F. Langton

Templeton

Sweetheart deal — for Putin

Trump’s proposed sweetheart peace deal with Russia is beyond embarrassing. Trump clearly favors totalitarian Russia rather than democratic Europe. His 28-point peace plan tilts heavily in favor of Putin’s interests and treats Europe like its security interests don’t exist. No wonder Europe has joined Zelensky in condemning the proposed plan.

How many times does Trump have to express his admiration for authoritarian rulers in Turkey, Hungary, Russia and China or his desire to see Democratic Congressional military vets in jail or dead before this country wakes up?

For any American who got past fifth grade, all this is a clear signal that our president loves personal power more than representative government, lethality more than righteousness and cruel, godless dictators more than humanitarian servant leaders.

Kimball Shinkoskey

Woods Cross, Utah (formerly SLO area)

You are loved

I write from my RV in Atascadero, where sanctuary is my daily rhythm. Sanctuary is not just a private practice — it is a civic duty. And right now, that duty demands outrage.

This administration has shown us again and again that cruelty is not a glitch in the system — it is the system. Whether ignoring court orders, stripping away protections or treating human lives as disposable, the pattern is clear: Bureaucracy is being used as a weapon.

What kind of country do we want to be? One that shrugs at injustice, or one that insists on compassion and accountability? This is not an abstract question — it is about the values we choose to live by every day.

I am mad. You should be too. But anger alone is not enough. Outrage must be paired with reflection, and reflection must lead to action. We must refuse to normalize cruelty dressed up as policy, and we must demand better from those who claim to lead us.

I have nothing to hide. My voice is sanctuary woven into activism, and I want the world to hear it. Be well, be kind, take a moment for yourself and know you are loved.

Thom Waldman

Atascadero