MICHAEL WEINBAUM, San Clemente
I was appalled to read about James’ and Knoblock’s desire to enmesh the city council in a debate about Second Amendment rights when, as James is reported to have acknowledged, in recent memory, no one in San Clemente has been charged with a crime involving firearms.
So why, then, are these guys willfully using their rather modest positions as members of a local government council to rabble-rouse?
The lane the city council and its members should occupy is a rather narrow one: oversee the safe and efficient delivery of adequate city services. On occasion, it is also within their remit to work on solving significant local problems—homelessness comes to mind. That’s it.
But these guys seem to think anyone should give a you-know-what about their views on bigger issues. That especially goes for James, who somehow believes he has some special standing to embroil our local government in his views about the progressive movement, defunding the police, and, my goodness, the unraveling of society.
Hey, buddy, most of us couldn’t care less what you think, and you shouldn’t use your rather minor league status as a city councilmember to waste city time and resources acting on the opposite assumption.
I confess: I find James’ politics abhorrent and think he’s an abject lightweight. But as to gratuitously raising the Second Amendment issue, I’d feel the same way if AOC was on the city council and proposed a resolution seeking to have San Clemente designated a progressive free speech zone.
Not your business, at least when you’re working on my time. Understand your role and your lane, and don’t waste everyone’s time.
