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Trump ignores tragichistory of ocean drilling
Re: “Trump outlines drilling ambition” (Page A1, Nov. 21).
As federal officials toy with reopening California’s coast to offshore drilling, it’s worth recalling how well that’s gone for us. Santa Barbara’s two big oil spills — the 1969 blowout that dumped approximately 3 million gallons and the 2015 Refugio spill that coated 9 miles of coast and had tar balls hitting beaches up to 100 miles away — racked up hundreds of millions in damages and left lasting scars on wildlife and coastal communities.
And here in the Bay Area, we have the Cosco Busan spill as a reminder that oil and water mix only in disaster reports. Offshore drilling guarantees more “surprises,” and somehow it’s always the public that cleans up the mess while oil companies clean up the profits.
Reopening the Pacific to drilling isn’t bold leadership. It’s willful amnesia.
Thomas LandgrafSan Jose
Khanna’s leadership onEpstein files impresses
Re: “Files on Epstein closer to release” (Page A1, Nov. 19).
While the role played by the four House Republicans should not be minimized, Rep. Ro Khanna deserves the lion’s share of credit for the passage of the Epstein files release legislation that was approved in both the House and the Senate with lightning speed.
Khanna expertly used the levers of power in Washington to gain leverage, while simultaneously advocating unflinchingly for the victims of Epstein’s and Maxwell’s disgusting crimes.
Khanna has proven he can deftly use the power he has been given in a way to change the course of history. He should consider a run for governor next year.
Robert LivengoodMilpitas
Closing EducationDepartment hurts kids
Re: “Trump takes big step toward dismantling Education Dept.” (Page A3, Nov. 19).
President Trump has found the ideal leader for executing the plans laid out in Chapter 11 of Project 2025, which call for the dismantling of the Department of Education.
Linda McMahon’s experience in wrestling and MMA franchises will enable her to gut education funding, divert taxpayer funds to private schools and codify book bans on a national level.
With these changes, America’s children will reach a new nadir and have an educational footing on par with peasants of Central America in the ’70s.
Make Education Great Again.
Dave ClarkSan Mateo
GOP remains silent onTrump’s authoritarianism
Re: “Trump lays into Democratic leaders for ‘seditious’ act” (Page A1, Nov. 21).
In another terrifying example of his vision of a U.S. dictatorship, President Trump called for the death of Democratic lawmakers who merely reminded the military that they are obligated to disobey unlawful orders.
His post describing their behavior as “punishable by death” was met with outrage by Democrats, while the Republican Party waved away his comments without concern. Their silent acquiescence is acceptance and continues to empower Trump to continue his rampage, stomping on the Constitution.
When will Republicans draw the line and stand up for the people?
David WilkinsSan Jose
Forest plan favorsindustry over nature
The “Fix Our Forests” legislation currently before the U.S. Senate prioritizes profits for timber industry executives over genuine forest protection.
By fast-tracking logging projects and limiting public oversight, this bill reads more like a corporate wish list than a serious wildfire-prevention effort. Practical, proven strategies for reducing wildfire risk include home hardening, defensible space and community preparedness — not industrial logging, which can create conditions that increase the likelihood of wildfire.
This misnamed, misguided legislation could only have been made possible by the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling, which significantly increased corporate influence in politics. The Fix Our Forests Act is a blatant, shameless giveaway to timber corporations. Congress should reject this bill and focus on science-based, community-centered wildfire strategies while also addressing corporate influence in policymaking to ensure that legislation serves people and the planet.
Jennifer NormoyleHillsborough
SJ should offer joblesswork clearing trash
I love going on hikes and just being outside, but every time I go out, I see so much trash that people just leave on the ground. It makes places look dirty and nasty, and leaves them smelling terrible.
We have a problem with the unemployment rate. I would say that we make it a part-time job to pick up trash and throw it away. People get paid, and nature gets cleaner, so everyone wins.
Isaiah QuezadaSan Jose
Trump voters, it’s timeto reverse course
One of the hardest things to do, as an adult, is to admit you were wrong. Well, Republicans who voted for Donald Trump, now is the time.
Every single action he has taken is hurting America, our beloved country, and has caused trauma, pain and such stress to us all. I have had friends email or call me to say they were wrong, they were sorry and they wish they could take their vote back. That takes maturity and courage, in my opinion.
It hurts to see our life, our very existence, being destroyed and going in the totally wrong direction. It is time now to act.
Christine KhouryBelmont