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Real estate jargon
disguises greed

Regarding the redevelopment of Cambrian Plaza (“Cambrian Village project approved,” Page B1, Aug. 12), San Jose City Councilwoman Pam Foley said, “It’s going to activate a space, a huge piece of land that hasn’t been activated for a long time. It really needs to be freshened up dramatically.”

Who talks this way? Only people in the real estate business could “activate” and “freshen up” land. Activate is real estate-ese for “make us a pile of money.” Activating land means throwing asphalt, concrete, steel, glass and lots of people on it and walking away with an over-stuffed bank account that will allow them to vacation in someplace with less activated land.

I have this radical notion that if you leave land in its natural state it somehow activates all by itself into plants, trees and animals. Spare us the cute real estate lingo and give us back our land, minus your activation.

Scott Duncan
Santa Clara

Asian-Americans must
respect native sites

As a Watsonville community member, this is my appeal, especially to various Asian American communities in Santa Clara County regarding Verne Freeman’s question in his article “Mixed conclusions on mine proposal,” on the front page July 30. “What is the price we have to pay for all of that?”

I am a native of Japan from Iwata City, which has been the Sister City of Mountain View since the 1970s. My hometown has several thousand years of history with spiritual ceremonies and festivals similar to those of many East Asian countries. Our ancestors did not commit horrible atrocities against the indigenous people here in California as White people and Mexicans did. But I believe that we have a responsibility to respect the indigenous people’s religion and support them to protect their sacred places such as Juristac.

Let’s speak up on this important issue for all of us.

Takashi Mizuno
Watsonville

Governors have failed
to lead on water

Our Gov. Gavin Newsom is great at talking but does nothing when it comes to our state’s need to store more water in new reservoirs or in underground aquifers.

We citizens passed a bond issue in 2004 to spend billions building two new reservoirs and upgrading current reservoirs.

But Gov. Jerry Brown, Newsom and our Legislature have accomplished nothing since 2004. And that is due to the failure of both of our governors to lead and push our Legislature and state agencies.

Our lack of winter rains and snows will be permanent because global warming has heated up the Pacific Ocean, which influences our weather, and that will continue for decades.

Eventually, the only answer will be to build water pipelines from the mouth of the Columbia River into the Shasta and Oroville reservoirs.

And that will require federal legislation. Otherwise, our future is a desert.

Brian McCormick
San Jose

To save water, fallow
almond orchards

We all know almonds use a lot of water to grow, 1.1 gallons per almond. What you may not know is 70% of California’s almonds are exported. We are in a severe drought so why are we exporting our water?

Seems to me one of the easiest and most environmentally positive things that can be done is to buy up the almond orchards. No expensive and energy-intensive desalination, no new dams flooding open space. Just buy up almond orchards then let them go fallow. Seems pretty simple to me.

William Ortendahl
Santa Clara

Rejoining Iranian nuke
deal critical for U.S.

Re.  “Some optimism for Iran nuke deal arises,” Page A4, Aug. 17:

As an Iranian-American computer scientist, I care about diplomacy with Iran.

Because of my personal experience living during war, eight years of the Iran-Iraq war, and then witnessing other devastating wars, I believe we, the whole world, should do our utmost to prevent wars, via diplomacy, and build trust and international cooperation and understanding.

Rejoining the nuclear deal would be a clear demonstration that the United States is ready to turn away from the foreign policy failures of the past and is instead committed to rebuilding its credibility on the global stage. It would show that we are still capable of solving pressing global challenges through diplomacy. Never before has that been more urgent.

Omid Madani
San Carlos

Transfer energy
savings to children

Re. “New law offers energy savings,” Page A1, Aug. 18:

I would like to take advantage of the excellent price-saving opportunities available under the provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act but cannot because they only apply to those with a significant taxable income. Being long retired, I no longer owe the IRS enough each year to qualify.

Suggestion: Permit any earned tax credits to be legally transferred within a family. We have three grandchildren in college now and transferring my potential tax saving would greatly help paying tuition while helping to save the planet.

Ron Johnstone
Santa Clara

Source: www.mercurynews.com