Letter to the Editor: Government's obligation

Dear Editor

I admire Judge Andrew Napolitano’s consistent commitment to Constitutional liberties. But in last week’s column (June 11), he went a bit off the tracks. 

There is no parallel whatsoever between Governor Newsom ordering Californians to wear a mask outdoors and a police officer kneeling on the neck of a prisoner until he kills him. A few moments' reflection will remind anyone of multiple laws and executive actions with the force of law to protect public health and safety. No one has a Constitutional right to expose other people to a dangerous and potentially fatal disease. 

The government certainly has the right and indeed the obligation to protect people’s lives from the irresponsible and unreasonable negligence of others.  

As Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson wrote long ago, if we don’t temper our dogmatism with some common sense, we will turn the Constitution into a suicide pact.

Don Marshall
Fullerton