Readers’ comments: July 18, 2025

Bring back the goats
Dear editor:
I recall Claremont utilized a herd of goats to clear vegetation some years back. Do we know why the practice was stopped in our city?
In Laguna Beach, a herd of 200 goats is currently grazing in Three Arch Bay as part of the city’s fuel modification program. This program utilizes goats to clear vegetation and reduce fire risk. The goats are part of a larger effort involving three herds, each with 200 animals, working in different areas of the city.
Lawrence Castorena
Claremont

Kudos to letter writer
Dear editor:
The purpose of this letter is to applaud the comments by Mike Boos in the July 11 edition of the Courier, as well as on frequent other occasions over the years.
I always notice how his thoughts are well thought out and well expressed. I am in total agreement with his description of the problems created by our current president.
Don Fisher 
Claremont

Epstein a useful distraction?
Dear editor:
With the various disasters crying out for some attention by the adults in the room, the White House crew has gone totally bonkers over trivia.
“It’s on my desk,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said of the Epstein client list. Well, you know how that went. She was lying her backside off. Now Trump’s minions are stumbling over themselves with one excuse after another concerning the missing document. And MAGA screams, “What are they trying to hide?”
All a sideshow. Meanwhile in world when matters of consequence intrude, the lights are on but no one’s home.
In a despicable move, The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security is removing the protections that kept Afghans from being deported. To send those who worked with us during that war back to imprisonment or death, it’s unforgivable. In that case our honor, our pledge would not be worth a warm sack of sewage. Have they no decency? And we’re worried about that sex maniac Epstein? He’s dead. Get over it.
The airhead running the U.S. Department of Education wants to shut it down. Hope your kid doesn’t need a Pell Grant. Hope your special needs child will be okay, shunted aside. Hope your student didn’t want to study abroad.
On July 17 many of us citizens who still care about their country and its people were out at the intersection of Foothill and Indian Hill boulevards. That day commemorates the death of a great champion of this nation, John Lewis. This Thursday was “necessary trouble day.”
But if what it takes to boot the orange felon and his crew are conspiracy theories about Jeffrey Epstein, I say go for it. All’s fair in love, war and politics. What are they hiding?
John C. Forney
Claremont

We won’t forget Trump’s big, dumb bill
Dear editor:
I’m deeply disappointed in every legislator who voted for one of the most harmful bills in history, Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill.”
Many people in our state and nationwide likely don’t understand what this legislation means for our families and communities. Here’s a breakdown of how some parts of this bill will directly affect us:

• Phase out tax credits for wind and solar power, which will drive up our energy costs.

• Withdraw aid for agencies like FEMA that monitor extreme weather, leaving communities vulnerable to climate disaster. 

• Throws millions of children, seniors, and families off Medicaid and food assistance.

Republicans cheered about taking away healthcare, gutting clean energy programs, selling public lands, and giving massive tax breaks to billionaires. Policy reflects values, and I am horrified by the values represented in this bill and by every legislator who voted for it. We won’t forget this.
We must fight back by advocating for policies and voting for politicians who will protect people and the planet over corporate polluters.
Marissa Llanes
Pomona

An Independent’s advice for Chu
Dear editor:
I’m a conservative and registered Independent. A few weeks ago, I received an unsolicited pre-recorded phone call from Judy Chu asking to join her fight against the Trump initiatives.
As is common courtesy, I returned her phone call and left a message that I wasn’t interested in anything she had to say. I suggested that instead of posting selfie Kung Fu videos and inspecting detention centers to see that detainees are receiving three squares, clean towels and chocolate mints placed on their pillows, she perhaps focus on why California has the highest gas, sales and property taxes in the country. Maybe do something about the homeless crisis so that I don’t have to step over and around human feces, urine, and detritus on my Sunday morning walk to Starbucks. Think about encouraging our perfectly coiffed governor (shaking hands in rural South Carolina) to do something about Pacific Palisades and Alta Dena that still looks like Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August of 1945. Lastly, I stated that I always wanted to take a high-speed train ride from Merced to Bakersfield, but after ten years and tens of billions of dollars already spent, how much longer must I still wait? Will I be able to afford the ticket price?I’m waiting by the phone for her return call.
Alex Pilz
Claremont