Readers’ comments: November 8, 2024

No sympathy for Pomona College protesters
Dear editor:
Re: “Pomona College suspends, bans students from campus,” [November 1]:
We greatly appreciated this article which provides an excellent explanation of the events discussed.
Meanwhile, we remain flummoxed at the way in which the student protestors seem to have been ignorant in their finger-pointing, of the attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, causing many deaths and leaving many Israeli citizens still as prisoners in their hands.
To the complaints of the students whining about the disciplinary actions imposed upon them as exemplifying “a lack of traditional judicial processes,” we respond that their acts were not “traditional,” but actually criminal in nature.
Finally, we now amuse ourselves by reflecting upon how certain students cited in the article who are sophomores, are themselves excessively and inexcusably sophomoric.
Don Fisher
Claremont

Reflections on leaving Pomona College
Dear editor:
I spent four semesters (September 2022-May 2024) at Pomona College as a political science major. Early on, I sensed something wasn’t right. The values held by some of the student body and administration didn’t align with mine, and while some of it could be chalked up to youthful immaturity, there seemed to be a deeper, institutional issue at play.
This became ever apparent in incidents such as when students compared local police officers to the KKK while storming the chancellor’s office, and in acts of vandalism at Carnegie Hall, a beautiful academic building where many political science majors, including myself, studied. Some protesters even entered professors’ offices, destroying personal items, including family photos. Witnessing this behavior deeply disappointed me, and it was one of the many reasons I decided to leave the institution I was once so thrilled to join.
While I had other personal reasons for unenrolling, tonight’s political developments — the reelection of Donald Trump by both the electoral and popular vote — make me reflect further. I can’t ignore a sense that parts of the political spectrum, on both sides, are disconnected from the concerns and values of many Americans. I can’t ignore a sense that there is a parallel here between my decision to leave Pomona and the sentiments that have emerged from this election outcome.
As I reflect on these connections, I urge some on the left to take a hard look in the mirror. This reflection is directed at them specifically, as part of a broader conversation we need to have in this country.
I love this country too much to see it falter.
Isaiah Escobar
Claremont

California should overhaul its voting requirements
Dear editor:
As we strive to uphold the integrity of our electoral process in California, it is essential to implement reforms that ensure our voter rolls are accurate and secure. I propose a requirement for all eligible voters to re-register every four years, providing proof of citizenship, along with a signature and thumbprint. This will help clean up outdated voter rolls and confirm the identities of those participating in our democracy.
In addition, we should eliminate the automatic issuance of mail-in ballots, reserving this option for individuals who are permanently disabled or serving in the military. The outer mail-in ballot envelope should require a thumbprint and signature which should be validated by a computer scan prior to being opened and ballot counted. While mail-in voting has its merits, the risks of fraud and inaccuracies must be carefully managed. Encouraging in-person voting can foster a stronger sense of civic duty and community involvement.
To further enhance security, all voters should be required to present a government-issued photo ID at the polls. This not only protects the integrity of our elections but also ensures that every vote cast is legitimate. By requiring proper identification, we can help restore public confidence in our electoral system.
These measures will create a more transparent and accountable voting process, allowing Californians to engage in their democracy with trust and assurance. A commitment to clean, secure, and accurate voter rolls is essential for the future of our elections.
Let’s advocate for these changes to ensure that every vote counts and reflects the true voice of the people.
Kris M. Meyer
Claremont

Government abuse of power is a two-party issue
Dear editor:
In response to the letter from Larry Horowitz, “Politics or domestic terrorism,” [November 1]:
I support your concern for the integrity of our democratic processes and the troubling rise of tactics aimed at manipulating the public, often through fear, intimidation and blatant lying. However, I believe it’s crucial to highlight that the real issue goes beyond partisan lines. The deeper problem lies in our governmental framework itself and the lack of accountability and transparency across its ranks, irrespective of which party holds which positions.
It’s easy to identify how particular groups or mainstream media stoke division for gain, but these divisions have also been enabled by systemic issues within government structures, a culture of gridlock, and policies that often prioritize power over the public interest. Whether Democrat or Republican, our political system has allowed entrenched interests to drive wedges between us, and neither side has successfully addressed the broader, structural problems that contribute to the dysfunction we suffer.
The Preamble, as you quoted, speaks to unity, justice, and the general welfare — values that go well beyond any one party’s agenda. To uphold these, we need governance that resists partisan manipulation and genuinely serves “we the people.” Until we address these systemic issues, our democratic ideals will continue to be vulnerable to exploitation, not solely by political parties but by a culture within the politics of governance that too often prioritizes division and power over the country’s long-term well-being. Governmental abuse of power, over its populace, is history repeating itself.
The conversation we need isn’t about identifying one party as the root cause; rather, it’s about pushing for accountability, transparency, and reform within the government itself to restore trust and ensure our constitutional republic truly serves “we the people.”
Aaron Peterson
Claremont