Merced councilor rebukes colleague's ‘demonstrably false’ KKK claim | Opinion
Demonstably false accusation
“Merced City Council ‘supports the KKK,’ member says in posts. ‘That crosses a line’,” (mercedsunstar.com, Nov. 5)
My colleague, Merced City Councilmember Fue Xiong, shared a defamatory social media post that accused the city council of supporting the Ku Klux Klan. This demonstrably false post shows a lack of judgment.
Historically, the Merced City Council ran a public reservation system for the display of commemorative flags at Bob Hart Square. That gave the council no chance to deny requests from hate groups without violating the First Amendment. I carried and passed a resolution to change council policy so that we have discretion to choose which flags are (or are not) flown. That change abides by our country’s First Amendment values and protected the city against threats of unnecessary litigation.
Ironically, I cited the KKK as an example of a group whose flag the council would have been forced to approve under the old reservation system. Such hate has no place in Merced, and is one of the many reasons why prior councils should not have started down this path in the first place.
Not one group who previously flew a ceremonial flag contacted me to support the revised policy that still permits the council to display their flag on a case-by-case basis. On the other hand, several residents shared their fatigue with purely symbolic politics. I deferred to their view when voting to take a break from ceremonial flag displays this year.
We will see where we are in October 2026 when the council has the opportunity to consider displays in 2027.
Shane Smith
Merced City Council (District 4)
Religious freedom begins at home
“Turlock reverend: Catholics must speak up against deportations | Opinion,” (modbee.com, July 20)
On All Saints’ Day, clergy, religious sisters and laity — including a Chicago auxiliary bishop — were barred from bringing the Eucharist to detainees at the Broadview immigration detention center. This marks the second such denial in three weeks. Despite peaceful processions and outdoor Masses involving thousands, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials refused entry.
Cardinal Blase Cupich rightly called this a violation of religious freedom and human dignity. A class-action lawsuit now alleges widespread mistreatment at Broadview, including the denial of religious rights. Judge Robert Gettleman found the facility’s conditions “don’t pass constitutional muster,” and imposed a restraining order demanding reforms. Pope Leo XIV has condemned the “inhuman treatment of immigrants,” and urged U.S. bishops to speak out.
Over 60 religious groups — including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Christian and Jewish denominations — have joined lawsuits challenging the administration’s immigration policies. As Scripture reminds us, we will be judged by how we welcome the stranger.
Religious freedom must begin at home.
Fr. Misael Avila
Turlock
Turlock fails to fix potholes
“Turlock road repair consultant to give update. What are the five-year plan estimates?” (modbee.com, May 17, 2022)
The safety of drivers is the most important aspect to consider for cities. Turlock fails to uphold this standard due to the vast amount of potholes formed throughout the city. Potholes force drivers to swerve out of the way, creating danger for the community.
The City of Turlock should dedicate two weeks every year to fixing potholes. In 2023, Salt Lake City dedicated a week to fixing potholes, repairing over 5,000 potholes. In Richmond, Virginia, officials performed the same task using a phone number dedicated to reporting potholes.
These potholes could cause car crashes — and, most importantly, injuries. We must address this issue now.
Emanuel Davood
Turlock
Republican blame game
“Trump signs spending bill to end shutdown,” (modbee.com, Nov. 13)
House Speaker Mike Johnson, discussing the government shutdown on Fox News, said, “It is extremism on the left that is the root cause of Americans’ suffering right now.”
We have a Republican-controlled government right now. Republicans passed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” knowing they were going to cut $186 billion dollars from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and $1.2 trillion dollars from Medicaid.
So why are Republicans blaming everyone except themselves? Name calling and blaming isn’t going to help a family feed their children or cover their health care when they are sick.
Larry Podolsky
Oakdale