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County must put
kids’ lives first
Re: “County ‘dropped the ball’ in death” (Page A1, Nov. 5).
I can no longer sit quietly and wait for another child to die before I speak up.
I am writing today about the death of baby Phoenix. Such a terrible tragedy, which could have been avoided. It is my understanding that several referrals were made to protect this child, however, the request was denied. I support the preservation of the family, but not when it comes to jeopardizing the life of our children. It is not working and baby Phoenix paid the ultimate price.
Please look deeper into this practice of denying these children their rights to have a safe and healthy place to grow and thrive, while giving the power to parents who are trying to heal. I am afraid that if this continues, there will be many other baby Phoenixes.
I have a very hard time sleeping at night knowing there are children out there suffering silently.
Denise Marchu
San Jose
CSU boss must find
way to pay faculty
Re: “Faculty members authorize a strike” (Page B1, Nov. 2).
I am deeply worried after reading about the possible strike that was recently authorized by CSU faculty after a 95% vote.
A faculty strike would bring a complete halt to classes at all 23 CSU campuses and could affect up to 400,000 students. This could get in the way of many students’ graduation plans, especially students who plan to graduate in the next two semesters, as many of them already have jobs lined up for after graduation.
CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia could use money from the cash reserves or operating surpluses identified in the financial analysis, or from the $840 million set to be generated from tuition increases, to pay faculty the salary they deserve and eliminate the need for a strike. Mildred Garcia has to find a way to compensate the people directly responsible for the success of CSU students.
Jack Hemsley
Campbell
Help keep animals
with the unhoused
Solving the homeless problem is a persistent challenge in the United States, in California and here in the Bay Area. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, people will often refuse shelter if it means giving up their pets. Pets are friends and family. Those of us who cherish our pets surely understand the unwillingness to surrender them to an uncertain fate.
The Providing for Unhoused People with Pets (PUPP) Act, would authorize the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide funds for emergency shelters to adapt their facilities or build new ones that will allow people in shelters to keep their pets with them.
The PUPP Act can readily become law if it is incorporated into the upcoming Farm Bill. Please contact your congressional representatives and ask them to support the PUPP Act and its inclusion in the Farm Bill.
Judith Hurley
San Jose
Renew READ Act
to boost education
UNESCO reports that 250 million children had no access to school last year. The World Bank says that each year of school adds a 9% increase in hourly earnings, driving long-term economic growth, stronger institutions and more-stable societies. We need more of that everywhere.
We need to prod Congress to pass the READ Act Reauthorization of 2023, which seeks to address this education crisis. The READ Act boosts U.S. leadership on global education to ensure all children have access to quality education. The READ Act builds strong partnerships and delivers results. The READ Act will empower the world to ensure access to education, particularly for girls and young people in conflict-ridden nations.
John Tupper
San Jose
Representative best
displays Christian values
Re: “GOP hate for LGBTQ+ people fueled Speaker Johnson’s rise” (Page A6, Oct. 31).
Regarding the election of a speaker for the U.S. House of Representatives: Rep. Rick Allen refused to support Tom Emmer for speaker because Allen said Emmer’s support for LGBTQ+ people did not reflect Christian values. I challenge Rick Allen to show us where in the gospels Jesus condemns LGBTQ+ people.
The rule against homosexuality comes from the Mosaic law of the Old Testament. Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” His new law unequivocally forbids judgment. “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”
According to Jesus, Emmer, not Allen, is the one reflecting Christian values.
L. L. Ingraham
Santa Clara
Source: www.mercurynews.com