Readers’ comments: April 17, 2026

Double standards re: ‘foul-mouthed blathering’
Dear editor:
I doubt that a young person’s expletive filled but truthful and passionate rant [“‘No Kings’ leaves the good kind of hangover,” April 3] in the public record will affect their affection/respect from their family or their ability to be hired.
However, if that person’s public records documented racist remarks/texts, lies, blasphemy and/or sexual abuse and defamation, then surely they would not be hired … Oh, wait.
Eugene Hwang
Claremont

The hypocrisy of selective outrage
Dear editor:
I read with interest the April 10 letter in the Courier (“‘No Kings’ protester’s ‘foul-mouthed blathering’”) and had a similar reaction to the author’s concerns and questions about so-called “foul-mouthed blathering,” but with one very big exception: I wondered how the children, grandchildren, relatives, world leaders and future historians will feel about all of the foul language and insults our current president has used in so many tweets, Truth Social postings and video clips, including his incredibly shocking posting on Easter. F-bombs and insults are clearly no stranger to him. A 19-year-old student’s frustration with the present state of things and the impact on his future is one thing; a 79-year-old president of the United States is quite another. Is there some rule in which a student is chastised for his statements while the man in charge of the most powerful nation on Earth gets yet another hall pass? And consider this:  The student in question no doubt wasn’t born when Trump made his infamous comments to Billy Bush in the 2005 Access Hollywood tape that came to light in 2016. It’s good to know that glaring hypocrisy and double standards are still alive and well.
Don Linde
La Verne

Standing against Islamophobic hate
Dear editor:
It has come to our attention that the Islamic Center of Claremont recently received hate mail threatening violence toward their community.
As members of interfaith organizations, we wish to express our strong condemnation of such threats and affirm our solidarity with their community. We believe that a threat against any one community is a threat to all. Our shared values call us to uphold respect, dignity, and peace for everyone.
It is deeply concerning to witness what appears to be an increase in such harmful expressions of prejudice and discrimination. We call upon faith leaders and civic leaders alike to uphold these shared values and to refrain from using language that may be perceived as derogatory toward others based on their faith.
Name-calling and threats of violence have no place in our society.
We invite you to join us in standing in solidarity with all faith communities in our region and to take a firm stance against efforts to divide us through hatred and prejudice.
May God’s peace dwell within our hearts and guide all our relationships.
Claremont Interfaith Council
Upland Interfaith Council
Inland Valley Interfaith Working Group for Peace in the Middle East
Pomona Valley Spiritual Leaders for Justice
Baha’i Faith Community of Claremont 
Baha’i Faith Community of Upland

The five Ws
Dear editor: 
The job of a reporter is to seek and report facts. At a press conference, the reporters must insist upon getting answers to all questions and not allow the person being questioned to evade answering the questions. That means, if the respondent does not answer a question from one reporter, the next reporter must insist that the respondent answer the preceding question before asking a question on a different subject.
Opanyi Nasiali 
Claremont

Kudos to Johnson
Dear editor:
Aundre Johnson came to my door introducing himself as a candidate for Claremont City Council, district 4. Actually, I had not been aware of the pending election on June 2. He asked if I had any concerns that he might address.
As it happened, I had an ongoing dilemma in protesting charges made by La Verne Paramedics for first responder services following a 911 call in December. When I called them about the $538 bill their adamant response was that since I lived in Claremont I was not entitled to a discount. After numerous calls to my insurance carrier and Medicare, I was told there was no coverage for this service.
Additionally, I was pursuing a claim pursuant to California’s AB 716, which prevents “surprise” ambulance charges, and had a draft letter describing the anxiety caused in January and February when I was told to call 911 on numerous occasions but refused since I could not afford another $500 bill. It seemed grossly unfair that during an emergency one might unknowingly incur such a bill.
I gave this draft letter to Aundre requesting his assistance, not at all certain anything could be done. In five days he returned to my home to follow up. Not only were my costs rescinded, but having pursued this concern through multiple layers of county and city service systems, he said no one else will be subject to this experience of being charged for first responder services.
I am most grateful to Aundre Johnson, a candidate for City Council, who took the time to address an issue which not only alleviated my unexpected cost of $538 but assured that multiple others who may also be impacted by unanticipated charges be spared as well.
No one should be afraid to call for medical assistance due to such an expense.
Maura Eileen Prendergast
Claremont

Steyer for governor
Dear editor:
America and its values are built upon the single principle of freedom. Freedom cannot last without access to not just free but adequate education. We as Americans have a duty to uphold this principle that our founding fathers and fallen soldiers have died for.
This mission starts by expanding our current public school system to include pre-K, allowing our children to start generating ideas and soaking up the joys of life from a much earlier age. It ends by making California’s public colleges free for all California residents. This not only motivates the next generation to tackle the problems of tomorrow, but will also spark a new wave of wealth and prosperity for the middle class as every Californian will gain access to the American dream that hasn’t been seen since the gold rush.
You may ask why I feel so passionate about this topic. Well, I am personally connected to it as my mother is an elementary school teacher, and I’ve been helping her in the classroom since I could walk. I’ve been able to see firsthand how education can uplift children who come from broken homes or bad situations and change their lives forever.
It is for these reasons that I support Tom Steyer for governor, as he supports and believes in the power of education. Time and time again, Tom has stepped up to defend the futures of our children through education, and as a result, the future of freedom and prosperity in California.
August Storlie 
Upland