To the editor: So, Sara and Johnny O'Neil left San Diego County for Iowa because they didn't want to be inconvenienced by our government's strong actions to prevent them from becoming human vectors for a disease we knew little about?
The measures taken against COVID-19 might not have been necessary (or necessary for long) if everyone had ignored the vector-in-chief who mismanaged the pandemic and was told by everyone who was educated that it was coming. There was nothing “liberal” about imposing health restrictions, but there were plenty of former President Trump's fingerprints on the graves of people who did not want to wear a mask in public.
One could also argue that not wanting to be bothered is a very Californian trait.
Steve Thorne, Escondido
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To the editor: The article on the O'Neil family gives a good profile of the types of people who leave California.
Now I suppose you will do a complementary article about an exemplary family that wants to stay. Maybe you could interview a typical Caltech or UCLA graduate.
It would help if those interviewed, like most people I know here, really believed in science and vaccines, as well as climate change; read verifiable news and journalism instead of fringe conspiracy theories about the 9/11 attacks; have basic economics knowledge (like why we had inflation); and support political candidates who are not prosecuted, both in criminal and civil matters.
Constance Mallinson, Woodland Hills
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To the editor: The only thing I could think of while reading the article about the O'Neil family leaving California because of its politics was that if they're happy to be back in Iowa, I'm glad they're gone.
A nurse and a firefighter who refused to get vaccinated are not the kind of neighbors I want. I hope you enjoy living out your lies about Trump's record.
Better yet, I hope they convince all the friends they had in California to join them in their red paradise.
Peggy Jo Abraham, Santa Monica
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To the editor: His article about the reasons the O'Neils moved from California included typical conservative rhetoric. What emerges is the routine attack on Governor Gavin Newsom and the fact that his political views are drastically out of step with those of the majority of California residents.
But when Johnny O'Neil claims that the 9/11 attack on the United States was a “CIA mission” because he watched “too many videos,” he loses all credibility.
This insults the victims, the first responders, the military, and the intelligence of all Americans. I can only imagine his opinion on the January 6th insurrection.
James Snyder, La Palma
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To the editor: I was surprised by the inconsistencies in Sara O'Neil's opinions.
She was a medical professional, but refused vaccines. She's all for freedom, unless it involves other women making decisions about their bodies. She likes her new feeling of having a “voice” in Iowa, but she doesn't like that LGBTQ+ students have pride events at school.
The strangest thing about this? It's on the front page of the Times even though it's not really news.
Ray Lancon, San Marino
