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It’s time to act
on gun control
Re. “18 kids killed in school shooting,” Page A1, May 25:
Ever notice that those of us who believe in gun control (or eradication) are not the ones shooting anyone?
It’s time to stop praying and do something about guns because it’s a lot harder to kill without them.
Andria Ventura
San Jose
History of being bullied
is at root of shooting
There is one unmistakable, common thread running through all the teen gunmen: They were all outsiders, loners who were bullied in school. They return to a school with bitter anger, walking timebombs seeking revenge for the hateful experience they had in school, and in the two instances of Sandy Hook and Uvalde, even after shooting a family member.
To those who don’t think bullying in school isn’t a factor and that it isn’t a cause of mental illness, fury and anger, think again.
Lynda Martinez
San Jose
Who is complicit
in creating a monster?
See the pictures of the dead and dying children whose last cries and whispers were for their moms. See the scene the first-responders walked into, and then ask, “Was I complicit?”
As complicit as the politicians and judicial officers who support gun rights, including no background checks and the right of 18-year-olds to purchase weapons and extended magazines, over sensible gun laws and regulations. As complicit as the voters who support them. And while no matter how much abuse, neglect, exposure to domestic violence or other adverse childhood experiences we’ll eventually learn contributed to the shooter’s desire to massacre children, he was responsible.
But those responsible for any abuse, neglect, domestic violence or other trauma on him, and those who knew but failed to effectively halt the maltreatment and help him, were also unknowingly as complicit as the politicians and voters who knowingly continue to enable such horrors.
Steve Baron
Santa Clara County Child Abuse Prevention Council
Cupertino
Grassroots group
gives endorsements
Your readers have had a chance to review the Mercury News’ endorsements for San Jose City Council and mayor. They are receiving mailers with endorsements from big labor, big business, and many well-funded special interest groups that seek to influence San Jose politics.
Perhaps voters should consider which candidates have been endorsed by the city’s leading residents organization. Families & Homes San José is a grassroots coalition of dozens of local neighborhood associations representing existing city residents. We are an all-volunteer organization with zero budget.
Families & Homes asked candidates to clarify their positions on residential zoning policy. Selection criteria focused exclusively on positions and accomplishments related to the General Plan and neighborhood protection.
Families & Homes SJ is endorsing the following mayoral and Council candidates:
District 1: Ramona Arellano Snyder
District 3: Irene Smith
District 5: H.G. Nguyen
District 7: Bien Doan
Mayor: Dev Davis
Terri Henry
Board Member, Families & Homes San Jose
San Jose
After 8 years, Low
is unapproachable
Sacramento needs change. Let’s start in Assembly District 26.
Evan Low has been my assemblyman for the past eight years. For months, I have been trying to speak with him regarding proposed California laws that would profoundly affect my family. I have never been able to speak with him. Imagine my disbelief when he spoke at the recent Voters Forum. He boasted that he’s “passionate about civic engagement and making sure I am accessible and accountable to you.”
Perhaps this lack of concern should not be a surprise. The Mercury News reported that Evan Low also runs a nonprofit where he dines with rich donors. These meetings and donations are secret. There are no required disclosures, according to Low. This type of profiteering from elected office should be illegal, and I’m hopeful that future lawmakers will consider legislation to ban this type of dark money.
Karen Del Compare
Cupertino
]If GOP gains Congress,
democracy will suffer
Re. “When Democrats play defense while Republicans play offense,” Page A6, May 25: Kudos to Kurt Bardella for eloquently stating what has been a theme in our dysfunctional Congress: the inability of the Democrats to accept that once the Republicans regain control of Congress they will throw away the rules and pursue their democracy-destroying agenda with gusto.
It is hard to rationalize the naïveté of the Democrats in Congress when they have seen constant examples of this behavior. The fact that Bardella has served as a senior adviser to both parties gives credence to his credentials as a reasonably objective observer.
We would be wise to listen to the words of Maya Angelou: “When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.”
Genevieve Stoner
San Jose
Source: www.mercurynews.com