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Be grateful for what wehave, despite division
Re: “It’s true: Money doesn’t buy you happiness” (Page E4, Nov. 23).
As our one day of expressing gratitude approaches, I was delighted by Michelle Herting’s refreshing and thoughtful article on what happiness really consists of and how big a house has to be for comfort.
My hope is that, for most of us, this Thursday is not the only day we are grateful, but I guess there are many for whom this is not true. This article was a wonderful reminder of how much we really do need and how having a lot more cargo and cash doesn’t give our lives meaning. At this fraught time, this identity crisis our country is going through, I wish for us all to be grateful for what we have and find a way for everyone in our country to have enough to feel safe, sheltered, nourished and maybe even happy.
We can afford it if we quit wasting money on ballrooms and ballistics.
Rosalie ArntzenSunnyvale
A bipartisan billinspires gratitude
’Tis the season to expand our gratitude lists. As days shorten and seasonal affective disorder sets in, I look for bright spots everywhere.
I am heartened by recent bipartisan efforts in Congress. The Fix Our Forests Act (FOFA) passed in the House with yes votes from Reps. Zoe Lofgren, Sam Liccardo, Jimmy Panetta, Kevin Mullin plus Tom McClintock. When it comes up for its next vote, I hope Sen. Schiff helps FOFA co-sponsor Sen. Padilla pass it.
If enacted, FOFA will protect lives, property, public health, our forests and will reduce carbon emissions that result from raging wildfires. When FOFA returns to the House for a final vote, I’ll ask Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Ro Khanna to also support it.
Let’s thank them all for their efforts to protect their constituents, our democratic process and the planet for us and future generations.
Anna KosterSan Jose
Don’t let holidaysdeter your vote
In the Nov. 4 election, there were four candidates for Santa Clara County assessor. Since none of them won a majority, there will be a runoff election Dec. 30, between Neysa Fligor, who came in first with 176,220 votes (37.67%) and Rishi Kumar, who came in second with 112,325 votes (24.01%).
In-person voting begins Dec. 8 at the County Registrar of Voters Office, and ballots will be sent out the week of Dec. 8. I strongly support Neysa Fligor, and I agree with the Mercury News editorial: “Neysa Fligor is, far and away, the best qualified of the four candidates. … Without reservation, we endorse Fligor.”
For most of us, December is the busiest month of all. I suggest that when you receive your ballot, open it, make your mark, put it in the envelope, sign it, and mail it back the next day. Then get back to all of your holiday activities.
Ben StetsonSunnyvale
We won’t go backto oil-fouled beaches
Re: “Trump outlines drilling ambition” (Page A1, Nov. 21).
I was outraged after reading about Donald Trump’s plan to bring back offshore oil drilling to the pristine California coastline.
In 1973, while attending UC Santa Barbara, I fell in love with the beautiful Santa Barbara coastal community, except for the one dark and ugly blemish: the beaches. They were still covered with thick crude from the devastating oil spill of 1969. After swimming in the ocean, it would take hours to remove the tar from our skin and hair. Everyone’s white porcelain sinks and bathtubs became disgustingly black. The horrific environmental impact was still visibly evident and took decades to repair completely. Right then, I vowed never to let this happen again.
Although the greedy oil companies endorse this proposal, they even admit that it would not have much of an effect on gas prices. We must band together now and never let offshore drilling happen again along our sacred coastline.
Jay LawsonCampbell
SJ airport willredouble efforts
Re: “San Jose’s airport reflects lack of pride” (Page A6, Nov. 21).
Thank you for sharing your recent experience at San Jose Mineta International Airport, and I sincerely apologize for the conditions you encountered. What you described does not reflect the standards we expect here at SJC, and I take your feedback very seriously. We are addressing the concerns that you raised and are reviewing our cleaning procedures and staff expectations to ensure all public areas — especially restrooms — are always maintained to the highest level.
As San Jose prepares to welcome visitors from around the world for major events in 2026, delivering a clean, safe and welcoming airport experience is a top priority. We appreciate the opportunity to improve and remain committed to delivering the level of service that our community expects and deserves from the official airport of Silicon Valley.
Mookie Patel,Director of Aviation, SJC AirportSan Jose
Autocrats’ detentecan’t promise peace
Re: “U.S. and Russia draw up peace plan for Ukraine” (Page A, Nov. 21).
Xi Jinping (China) and Vladimir Putin (Russia) are autocrats. Donald Trump (U.S.) is moving in that direction.
Each of the three commands a power base, and is adding more power to their base and widening their sphere of influence.
It is clear now that they have reached an understanding, a detente, of how they will rule their part of the globe and how they will work to avoid armed conflict.
The Trump-Putin agreement on Ukraine shows how this will work. Putin gets his way, and the rest of Europe is compromised.
In a quid pro quo, Putin will make no serious effort to help Venezuela, and the U.S. will do what it wants with Venezuela.
This is reminiscent of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1939, as Hitler and Stalin divided up Poland and the rest of Eastern Europe. World War II started a week after the pact.
John CormodeMountain View