Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.
Newsom is notthe main mudslinger
Re: “Candidate Newsom conflicts with role as state’s governor” (Page A6, Dec. 10).
While some may quibble with Gov. Gavin Newsom over antagonistic statements he’s made about Donald Trump, as columnist Dan Walters did in his recent column, this is a political spat that goes both ways. While it’s fine to call for civility in our politics, it’s not helping when the primary source of that incivility, Trump, gets a pass for childishly calling our governor “Gavin New-scum” while denying federal aid for one of the worst natural disasters in state history based on petty politics.
There have never been such lopsided expectations in our political reporting. There needs to be one set of standards that our leaders are held to. And right now, the main problem is the dubious mental state of President Donald Trump — the guy at the top of the federal government. Please start there.
Robert GreenCupertino
San Jose, county shoulddo more in blight fight
Re: “VTA out to fight downtown blight” (Page B1, Dec. 11).
In the article about fighting blight in downtown San Jose, there should be a much larger effort to force developers who abandoned their projects to bulldoze, clear and clean their properties.
There are numerous closed businesses, full of tags and graffiti, along West San Carlos Street, Stevens Creek Boulevard and Bascom Avenue. All those eyesores, including the “historic” Burbank movie theater, are nothing but a nuisance and, at this rate can’t be salvaged. Since that is county land, Santa Clara County should force the owners to clean up the land.
Flatten all those properties and make temporary parks with food trucks and live music. They are much more needed than the nasty eyesores currently there.
Jose GonzalezSan Jose
Lower age that kidscan face adult charges
Re: “Juvenile laws get renewed scrutiny” (Page A1, Dec. 3).
As a young person myself, I understand the challenges of adolescence, but being underage shouldn’t be an excuse for serious crimes. At Santana Row, a 13-year-old allegedly killed a 15-year-old boy. If convicted based on California law, it could mean he would only face several months in juvenile custody. Months for taking a life. This shows that if you’re young enough, you can get away with anything.
By ages 10–14, we understand what’s right and wrong, and we know that violence has consequences. The law assumes we lack this understanding, but that assumption is outdated and wrong. The lenient sentencing right now creates a dangerous loophole. Criminals can recruit minors to commit crimes because they know the penalties are minimal. This doesn’t protect children — it exploits them and puts everyone at risk.
I believe the government should lower the age for adult prosecution in violent crimes from 14 to 10. Minor offenses should still focus on rehabilitation, but murder should not.
Zikun ChengSan Jose
Trump must go beforehe sells us all out
Have we had enough? Donald Trump has to go.
What he has done to Ukraine — and the consequences the world will bear — should disqualify him from office. Add the family’s profiteering, from Jared Kushner’s foreign cash haul to loyalists who treated the White House as a personal rewards program. His pardons were not mercy but payment for future favors. He even pardoned a Texas Democrat, hoping he would switch parties; when the congressman refused, Trump called him “disloyal.”
The corruption is vast; it strains belief. Ordinary Americans see it clearly, yet Republican leaders turn away, refusing to confront extortion, constitutional abuse and unchecked executive power. Making matters worse, the Supreme Court is considering expanding presidential authority to fire independent agency heads — positions shielded from political pressure — inviting the influence those protections were meant to prevent.
America isn’t moving forward but backward, eroding safeguards that ensured liberty and justice for all. It’s all for sale.
Mark GrzanMorgan Hill
Ex-president’s pardon isprescription for disaster
Re: “Former Honduras president freed after pardon by Trump” (Page A3, Dec. 3).
The presidential pardon of Juan Orlando Hernandez, who had been sentenced to 45 years in prison for facilitating the movement of hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States, is a prescription for disaster.
This is an individual who boasted about his ability to move cocaine into the U.S. He was found guilty by multiple juries. To claim that this conviction was influenced by President Biden is naive.
Terence McCaffreyPalo Alto
Small steps pay off bigin winterizing homes
As a Santa Clara resident, I’m always looking for practical ways to keep my home comfortable and my energy bills manageable. With cooler weather settling in, now is a great time to consider simple steps to winterize our homes.
Preparing for winter doesn’t require major renovations. Small actions, such as sealing air leaks around doors and windows or adding insulation to attics and crawl spaces, can make a meaningful difference. Completing these improvements before year’s end may also qualify homeowners for the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit, which offers a 30% discount on eligible upgrades.
Helpful resources make it easy to get started. Environment California’s Winterization Resource Guide provides clear, step-by-step ideas for homeowners and renters looking to reduce energy waste. These improvements often pay for themselves through lower utility bills, making them a smart investment for households on any budget.
Shweta BhoyarSanta Clara