Roseville Sgt. Nicole Gee was a fine Marine. Why is her death being politicized? | Opinion

The Sacramento Bee letter writers
·4 min read

Disrespectful

“Family of Nicole Gee, fallen Roseville Marine, commemorates anniversary with Donald Trump,” (sacbee.com, Aug. 29)

I feel for the families of the Fallen 13 — the U.S. Marine Corps service members who lost their lives in the 2021 terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan.

However, I can’t ignore that these families chose to disrespect the thousands of other heroes at the Arlington National Ceremony by making it a political event.

Clifford Vose

Antelope

Trump plays on family’s grief

“Family of Nicole Gee, fallen Roseville Marine, commemorates anniversary with Donald Trump,” (sacbee.com, Aug. 29)

Sgt. Nicole Gee was by all accounts a fine Marine. She deserves respectful remembrance and recognition.

I believe she would have been saddened that her sacrifice is being belittled by her mother-in-law, Christy Shamblin, seeking to use her death for partisan, political purposes.

Are we to believe that Donald Trump — the draft dodger who characterized those killed in war as suckers and losers — suddenly has deep compassion for a group of veterans killed by a terrorist bomb? Of course not.

Larry Williams

Rocklin

Opinion

Solutions to homelessness

“How Sacramento-area real estate veterans are helping homeless women get back on their feet,” (sacbee.com, Aug. 28)

I appreciate the coverage of solutions to homelessness. I’d like to praise Women’s Empowerment and the Real Estate Networking, Education and Work (RENEW) program for thinking of both the big and little things it takes to change women’s lives.

Many women who experience homelessness are fleeing domestic violence. Programs like the ones featured in this article are critical to getting survivors and others experiencing homelessness back on their feet and moving them closer to economic security. This is key to safety and healing for survivors of domestic violence and their families.

Programs that empower women, support financial literacy and offer training and skill-building are essential to preventing domestic violence and supporting families.

Karen Ben-Moshe

Policy program officer, Blue Shield of California Foundation

Difference of opinion

“Stockton residents fight back against wood pellet proposal,” (sacbee.com, Sept. 1)

Environmental justice is a crucial issue deserving of attention, but the op-ed distorts the facts and ignores the key benefits this project offers to our community and the broader region.

California must act to reduce the fuel load in our forests to decrease the likelihood and severity of wildfires — an issue that has shattered California communities. A single fire is devastating to our ongoing efforts to improve air quality statewide.

Moreover, the op-ed doesn’t acknowledge the critical economic opportunities this project would bring to rural communities.

Golden State Natural Resources (GSNR) is a nonprofit public benefit corporation. Its commitment to transparency and community engagement stands in stark contrast to the op-ed’s portrayal, as evidenced by the numerous community meetings held in Stockton, Lassen and Tuolumne.

This is a smart, community-driven approach to addressing wildfire risk and supporting economic growth. It deserves a fair and accurate portrayal.

Matt Kingsley

GSNR Board Chair

Inyo County Supervisor

Wildfire season

“CA wildfires: Fire season forecast, predictions for NorCal,” (sacbee.com, May 17)

Growing up in Northern California means expecting wildfire season during July, August and September. In 2018. the Carr Fire took thousands of homes and burned around 299,651 acres of land in Shasta County and the surrounding area.

Unfortunately, my grandparents were among the thousands of people who lost their homes in the fire. The power went out in the whole neighborhood, and no evacuation warning had been issued for their neighborhood.

Having an evacuation plan and being able to gather belongings promptly can be a challenge. I respect the amount of hard work and dedication that CalFire has put into wildfire prevention. However, sometimes we need to expect — and prepare for — the worst.

Julianna Jones

Sacramento

Disappointing interview

“CNN’s Dana Bash to interview Harris and Walz on Thursday,” (sacbee.com, Aug. 27)

I, like most of my political junkie, Democrat-leaning friends, watched the CNN Dana Bash interview with Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz from the first frame to last. Bash trotted out Donald Trump talking points: tropes about Harris’ racial identity and Walz military service.

Instead, Bash should have asked: How would your approach to foreign policy, economic policy, taxes and deficit reduction differ from Trump’s? How would you work with a divided, entrenched Congress? Do you favor any changes in the Supreme Court? What safeguards can be implemented to foster voter rights and ballot access?

Ginger Rutland

Sacramento

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