Letters to the Editor, Sunday Nov. 9
Government Rewrites the History of January 6
Editor: Two federal prosecutors have been placed on leave by the Justice Department, and references to January 6 at the Capitol have been removed from court filings (“Justice Department strips Jan. 6 references from court paper and punishes prosecutor who filed it,” pressdemocrat.com).
According to our own government, the event seemingly never happened. Countries that have rewritten or chosen to forget their histories include Russia, Hungary, China, and Germany. What else might the Justice Department want us to forget? For me, it would be the phrase “land of the free and home of the brave.” When this disappears from history, then what?
Another Audit Isn’t the Answer for Santa Rosa Schools
Editor: Teachers and staff at Santa Rosa City Schools are calling for another audit of the district’s accounts (“Teachers union rallies for outside audit,” Nov.).
An audit only confirms whether spending and balances are accurately recorded. It does not assess whether the spending is necessary or effective. Audits require time and money the teachers, staff, and district currently lack.
I have reviewed the district's finances over the years. Audits consistently come back perfect or nearly perfect. These audits typically take about half a year. Some years ago, using the Public Records Act, I obtained detailed financial records and carefully examined the numbers.
“Justice Department strips Jan. 6 references from court paper and punishes prosecutor who filed it.”
“Teachers union rallies for outside audit.”
Author’s summary: The letters highlight concerns about the Justice Department erasing January 6 references and question the effectiveness of additional audits for Santa Rosa City Schools.