Councilmember's views don't represent Lincoln

Lincoln City Councilmember Holly Andreatta's recent claim that the separation of church and state is a "woke myth" reflects a troubling level of ignorance for any public official. The principle of church-state separation is firmly grounded in the U.S. Constitution through the First Amendment. Ms. Andreatta also claimed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Marxist, that he was not a real historical figure, and that segregation is "natural" or "normal." She further asserted that homosexuality is the result of trauma – an assertion that is not supported by credible medical or psychological science. These statements demonstrate a pattern of misinformation and prejudice that should disqualify anyone from holding public office. What we have witnessed is a Lincoln City Councilmember promoting white Christian nationalist propaganda to high school students. She does not speak for the people of Lincoln. Now, Ms. Andreatta seeks to bring those same White Christian nationalist views to the Placer County Board of Supervisors. As a resident of both Lincoln and Placer County, I can say with confidence that our community is diverse, inclusive and thriving. We do not want, need or deserve public officials who traffic in ignorance, bigotry or historical denial. The views Holly Andreatta expressed last week are not representative of our values and have no place in public service. Ruth Cox Lincoln Rebuttal to letter First and foremost, Holly Andreatta is NOT ignorant – saying so is an outright lie. Relative to separation of church and state, that phrase does not appear in our Constitution but please read the First Amendment, as it begins with: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof …" It does not ban religion from public life nor prohibit religious speech by individuals or groups and does not require hostility toward religion. Lincoln City Councilmember Holly Andreatta did NOT say she believed Martin Luther King Jr. was a Marxist and not an important historical figure. However, an edited video suggested she did. What she DID say is that Charlie Kirk and a researcher he had interviewed believed that to be the case. She NEVER stated it was her belief. Ms. Ruth Cox accuses Holly of bringing white Christian nationalism to her office as though that is a bad thing. Since when did being white make you unacceptable (quite racist and discriminatory), or since when did being a Christian make you unacceptable (discriminatory), or since when did being a nationalist (definition one who strongly identifies with their own nation and vigorously supports its interests) make you unacceptable? Holly has never shown she is a racist, homophobic nor hateful – just look at the facts of her record. Ms. Cox seems to have purposely misrepresented Holly's words and positions. I call that disingenuous and deceitful. You decide where the ignorance lies. I fully and proudly support Holly. Rita Piziali Lincoln Be thankful for Jessup protestors Jay Reed thinks protesting at a job fair seems odd and counterproductive ("Protesting a job fair isn't defending democracy," Auburn Journal, Dec. 13-14, 2025, page A4). He is, of course, entitled to his opinion, but perspective is needed. In outlining his reasoning, Mr. Reed glossed over some essential points. U.S. Immigration is part of the Department of Homeland Security. Three agencies comprise the Immigration Services: Citizenship and Immigration Services, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It's unrealistic to think that only one component of the same department would recruit under the U.S. Immigration banner. Calling attention to the practices of an agency that routinely violates human rights and deprives individuals of due process is a necessity, especially at a time when so many are willing to excuse criminal cruelty under the guise of "law and order." There is relevance to the fact that this organization recruited at a Christian university for its heinous activities. It is a fundamental teaching of Christianity that one should love one's neighbor as oneself. Are there conditions for that commandment? The current administration seems intent on ensuring that only some are worthy of that grace. Their policies and actions imply that eligibility is determined by skin color, gender or national origin. Jessup University administrators should lead the call for humanity and compassion, not aid and abet those who seek to obliterate it. Equally concerning are the elected officials who sponsored this event. Their willful blindness to government agency excesses and atrocities echoes recent remarks from another local official. While speaking to a group of high school students, a Lincoln City Councilmember claimed that church and state separation is a myth, dismissed the historical significance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while labeling him a Marxist and implied that segregation is natural or normal. What happens when public officials ignore or sanction anti-democratic speech and conduct? Should we expect them to rationalize it as just "following orders?" Yes, protesting at a job fair is defending democracy, especially when those in power refuse to do it. This was not your average job fair – by including a government agency shredding human rights, Jessup University and local elected officials showed that political capital matters more than Christian values. Be thankful for the activists who protested at Jessup. They aren't looking away as our Constitutional rights erode and our humanity diminishes. Barbara V. Smith Auburn Roundabout emotions Regarding a recent article in the Auburn Journal ("All about them roundabouts," Dec. 10, page A4) by Marc Cuniberti, I laughed (good story), I cried ... for 20 minutes. Great call out, Mr. Cuniberti. Robert Beck Lincoln