He read transcript of Trump’s infamous Georgia votes call. It was worse than he imagined | Opinion

Revealed in Georgia case

I am continually amazed by (Donald) Trump’s attempts to derail the Georgia election interference prosecution by trying to prosecute Fanni Willis in his place.

It should make no difference if Mickey and Minnie Mouse were prosecuting the case. I am first to admit I am no fan of Donald Trump, but I really hadn’t realized the depth of criminality involved in the infamous phone call until I read the transcript. When you take out the wavy word-salad style that he espouses when he speaks, the case becomes very clear. It was a deliberate effort by the then-president of the United States, pressuring an official of the state of Georgia, to violate not only the Constitution, but his own oath of office by willfully subverting the will of the citizens of Georgia.

It reads much differently than it sounds than when you listen; it reads like a bad impression of a childish, threatening mob boss who just won’t take no for an answer.

I applaud a real Republican for standing up to a fake one when it really counted. I challenge anyone to read it for yourself and decide for yourself as well. Read how that “stable genius” mInd really works.

Joe Messer, Fresno

Chavez street name controversy

The Central Valley is blessed with a diverse heritage, with deep roots across our great nation and around the world. That is why it’s a shame that our City Council missed the opportunity to consult with a broad array of community groups on the decision to replace longstanding street names with signs honoring the late labor leader Cesar Chavez.

Even though there are many who would like to pay additional tribute to honor him, I do remain concerned that the troubling way that this was handled failed to live up to his lifelong commitment to government accountability and participatory democracy.

Opinion

Far better that the council would have consulted with all relevant stakeholders and worked out a win-win outcome that everyone in our community could stand behind — especially when the cost is $1.3 million.

Sadly, today, we find ourselves — in the words of the judge in this case — left to resolve at the ballot box something we could have easily settled around a negotiating table.

Jane Lanas, Fresno

More on Chavez street naming

The dispute over the name change ....Chavez. Getting out of hand. I look at it this way.

The Latino City Council, by the way they talked and acted, are out to prove a point. The voters turned down the name change when it was tried many years ago. Some of these council members were kids when that went on, maybe has a parent or relative who worked in the fields back then. The resentment built over the years. “Now we’ll show you ... We will do what we want!” They did.

As far as the judge, I think he is a fool. All he had to do is order this on the ballot. Put it up to the people that pay the bills in Fresno —the taxpayer.

Seems the will of the people means nothing in this city, county. state, or for that matter, the country. “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.” What happened?

Bill Kandarian, Fresno

Clarity on Measure E lacking

Measure E failed because there was not a good explanation about the funding for the CSU Fresno.

Tad Weber in his opinion article on March 17 explains clearly what the problem was. Before the election, there was not a clear explanation on how the budget for the university works and where it comes from.

I received a flier prior to the election saying that no additional funds were needed because CA State U allocated funds to the different colleges and they received enough money for repairs, renovations, new constructions and others. This is obviously not true.

For the next election cycle, a better explanation of the needs and how the funds are received has to be better explained. We love Fresno State and I am sure Measure E will pass next time, if proper explanations are given.

Sergio D. Ilic, Fresno

Fresno State, time to grow up

It seems to me that all the pundits have weighed in on why Measure E failed. Each has forgotten that people do not believe that it is our responsibility to financially support a school that is part of the CSU system. It is their responsibility.

In today’s passing the blame and kicking the can down the road, it is evident that this is what has happened at FSU. Fresno State is only a part of Fresno, not the only part, and as such is responsible for its own financial health.

Act like a business and make the tough decisions without transferring the cost to everyone else. It is time for Fresno State to grow up and take responsibility for itself.

James Williams, Clovis

Measure E failure a shame

Perhaps one of the biggest disappointments of my long Fresno history is the defeat of Proposition E, which would have been an opportunity for the people in Fresno County to show their pride and respect for our great learning institution, Fresno State.

In particular, George Radanovich and many in the Republican Party should be admonished for their lack of support for this great effort to fortify and encourage students to stay home for their education in an advanced nursing, engineering, and agribusiness departments.

Without an incredible turnaround in Sacramento with the Legislature and their wasting of tax dollars, we can never achieve the goal of many of us to have a great Fresno State University. The measure, if passed, was not going to affect anyone to any measurable negative economic impact.

Michael Der Manouel Sr., Fresno

PG&E has enough money

What is it with the CPUC, PG&E, and rate increases? It seems that ratepayers (the poor people) are being used to make PG&E executives and stockholders (the rich people) richer.

PG&E claims it does not have enough money to cover necessary operating expenses. However, the internet provides some interesting financial information. PG&E’s income statement for 2023 showed an increase in operating revenues, totaling $24.428 billion, with the company “keeping operating expenses under control,” resulting in an operating income of $2.671 billion, an increase from $1.837 billion the previous year.

In 2021 its CEO was paid more than $50 million. For fiscal year 2022, the CEO was paid over $14 million. Another seven executives were paid salaries ranging from $2.6 million to $4.7 million. This is an average weekly salary ranging from $51,736 to $91,755. PG&E recorded full-year 2023 income available for common stockholders of $2.242 billion.

With its apparent lack of funds, PG&E is also able to offer interest-free loans to businesses. These loans can range from $5,000 to $4,000,000. PG&E also does TV public relations advertising (Is it free?).

Then, I get the “Home Energy Report,” which ends up in the trash. This must cost money to assemble and mail out, which could be better used to bury lines.

And there are expected PG&E rate increases in 2024 and 2025. Will us ratepayers have to return to the days of candles, lanterns, wood burning stoves, and fireplaces?

John Phillips, Fresno

Cop’s lawsuit good offense

Fired Fresno police Lt. Ignacio Ruiz Jr.’s recently filed frivolous lawsuit against the city of Fresno demonstrates, once again, that the best defense is a good offense.

David Newton, Fresno

Liars with their lips moving

If you believe the speech President Biden gave for the State of the Union, I have for sale some “ocean front property” in Wyoming that my ex-wife’s father bequeathed to me.

President Biden and President Clinton have one thing in common: a person can tell when they are lying because their lips are moving.

Aloysius Altebaumer, Sanger