Letters to the Editor – Sunday, November 9
The Government Rewrites the History of January 6
The Press Democrat readers express concern about actions by the Justice Department involving references to the January 6 Capitol events.
Two federal prosecutors have been placed on leave by the Justice Department and their references to the Jan. 6 Capitol expunged from court filings.
According to one letter, such actions imply that the government is attempting to erase history itself. The writer compares this behavior to that of nations like Russia, Hungary, China, and Germany, which have faced criticism for altering historical narratives.
What else would the Justice Department want us to forget? For me, that would be “land of the free and home of the brave.” When this description hits the dustbin of history, then what?
Another Audit Isn’t the Answer for Santa Rosa Schools
A different reader argues against calls for yet another audit of Santa Rosa City Schools' financial accounts. The letter suggests that audits merely verify accounting accuracy rather than offering insight into whether money is spent wisely.
An audit only determines whether spending and balances are properly accounted for. An audit doesn’t determine whether spending is needed or effective.
The writer emphasizes that audits are resource-heavy, consuming time and funding that the district and teachers cannot spare. They reference previously reviewed financial reports and formal audits, which typically returned near-perfect results.
Those formal audits take about half a year.
Through the Public Records Act, the writer once obtained detailed district financial data and reviewed it closely, finding no major discrepancies.
Author’s Summary
The letters reflect public frustration over perceived government censorship and skepticism toward repeated audits that fail to address real issues in education and accountability.