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Liccardo’s positions
gives Putin strength
Re. “Zelenskyy calls out San Jose for keeping ties with Russian city,” Page A1, June 7:
Mayor Sam Liccardo might not work for Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but he does work for the people of San Jose.
Before making bombastic statements that callously dismiss the suffering of Ukrainians, Liccardo needs to show the evidence that San Jose’s decision to maintain ties with Ekaterinburg has actually done anything besides allow the citizens of Ekaterinburg to continue on as they have before the war.
To dismiss Zelenskyy’s concerns is to dismiss someone who is significantly more knowledgeable about the history and cultural factors behind this war than Liccardo could ever be. Liccardo centers his concerns on the discomfort of the Russian people instead of the Ukrainians that are being killed and displaced by those very Russians.
Any student of history knows that appeasement does not work, and only enables fascism to grow.
Sara Sizemore
San Jose
Stopping state’s wildfires
means stopping ignition
What is different today about wildfires is they are now burning over larger landscapes (more acres) since the 1980s, although overall fewer acres are burning today compared to that estimated in early decades and historical timelines.
Increases in acres burning can now be attributed, in part, to climate change, and the increase is expected to continue in many areas with additional warming, leading to even greater suppression costs and loss of life. In addition to climate change, more than 80% (https://www.nps.gov/articles/wildfire-causes-and-evaluation.htm) of fires nationwide have been caused by people, and millions of homes are now in harm’s way, resulting in skyrocketing costs.
Putting more money into fire suppression will not reduce homeowner losses as long as homes continue to be built next to fire-adapted ecosystems, lack defensible space and/or fire-proofing, and measures are not taken to reduce human-caused wildfire ignitions.
James Galler
San Jose
Democrats must own up
to history of racism
Re. “California details harms of slavery,” Page A1, June 2:
At first, I was encouraged to see someone finally calling for accountability for the harms of slavery in our nation. Then (from the California Task Force report) I read: “The governments of the United States and the State of California have never apologized to or compensated African Americans for these harms.”
While that’s true, institutional racism in our country is uniquely a dark aspect of Democrat Party history that, sadly, remains too much in the dark. Defending slavery in the South and promoting slavery in the Northwest Territory, they took us into a civil war, fought Reconstruction, and went on to create the black codes, Jim Crow laws and the KKK.
Now we have a report that wants to keep on institutionalizing racism by making every citizen responsible. The Democrat Party should apologize, and they alone should pay for these horrors should reparations ever become law.
Michael Masterson
San Jose
Support politicians who
promote gun safety
I’m worried about hurricanes. There’s nothing I can do to stop them. So I’ll secure my windows and doors as best I can.
I’m worried about earthquakes. There’s nothing I can do to stop them. So I’ll bolt my house to the foundation and secure heavy objects that could fall.
I’m worried about wildfires. There’s nothing I can do to stop them. So I’ll clear brush around my house and add a roof watering system.
I’m worried about the juvenile delinquent down the street who turns 18 next week and plans to buy an AR15. There’s nothing I can do to stop him. So, I’ll vote for politicians who can.
Barry Bronson
Saratoga
Stop global warming
to stop sea-level rise
Sea levels along the coasts of the United States and around the world will rise by a foot or more on average by 2050. The main cause is global warming melting glaciers and ice caps which adds more water to the ocean. Human activities such as burning coal and oil are also factors. If this keeps up the sea levels will end up contaminating drinking water and irrigation which poses a threat to animals, plants and humans.
To prevent this from progressing we must try and reduce global warming and climate change. There are various ways to achieve this.
We can start by walking, biking or taking public transport instead of using our cars to reduce the toxic fumes our cars emit. Another way is turning off lights when not in use or unplugging unused devices. As I stated, we have to stop global warming and climate change.
Andy Lee
San Jose
Source: www.mercurynews.com