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Convert closing schoolsinto homeless shelters
It seems like a travesty that we as a community won’t buy into homeless housing. There have been numerous NIMBY responses from those that don’t want housing in their neighborhoods. One of the main issues with housing the homeless was that it was too close to schools, but we need more beds.
Franklin McKinney School District is closing three schools, and Alum Rock district is closing six by the end of the year, so proximity to those schools is no longer an issue in those neighborhoods.
Why not use the schools for new homeless housing sites? The classrooms could be easily converted into barracks-type shelters for overnight stays and could accomodate hundreds of beds.
It’s just an idea. I don’t have the answers, but I believe these schools could be beneficial in the long run for the homeless problems.
John BinghamSan Jose
White House meeting isno place for reality TV
Re: “Trump, Vance berate Zelenskyy” (Page A1, March 1).
“This will make great TV.” Where did Donald Trump think he was? On a “Reality Show” where the object is to “win” even if it means betraying your team? JD Vance told us in his book how, growing up, he changed personas to fit each new “Daddy” as his mother changed husbands. With Trump and Elon Musk, he can only be relevant by being outrageous.
Then there’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, easily the greatest leader in the world today. He’s put his life on the line for his country, bringing courage to fight a larger and more aggressive attacker while not giving up on his country nor on democracy. And he came in good faith with “an offer we couldn’t refuse” — a business deal to provide minerals needed for technology. He was ambushed, blowing up the greatest deal the United States has been offered in a long time — for “a good show?”
Theresa RieveSan Jose
Editorial discountsdistrict’s concerns
Re: “Elect Quevedo for San Jose’s council vacancy” (Page A8, March 2).
I read in The Mercury News that Matthew Quevedo is the best City Council pick. My question would be, for whom?
Here are some clues from the editorial:
“Which is why the upcoming special election in District 3, encompassing most of downtown,is so important to all residents of San Jose.”
“The balloting in this one district (one of San Jose’s 10 council districts) could provide Mahan with a clear council majority.”
“To keep the city of San Jose moving forward, District 3 voters should elect Matthew Quevedobecause he is articulate, well-versed in city issues.”
At no point does The Mercury News consider the issues specific to District 3.
Bart NarterSan Jose
USAID saved livesand built goodwill
Re: “USAID bomb clearing must be restarted” (Page A6, Feb. 25) and “USAID cuts are already hitting countries around the world. Here are 20 projects that have closed” (March 2).
Anyone still not convinced that USAID is extremely important and beneficial should read the Associated Press story on the effects of the Trump administration’s cuts.
Not only does USAID save millions of lives, but it builds goodwill for the United States throughout the world.
Max SteinkeSan Jose
Trump should encourageZelenskyy against Russia
Re: “Shocked by Trump, Zelenskyy and Ukraine try to forge new path forward” (Page A4, March 2).
It hurts me to write this letter, Mr. President: Your behavior was disgraceful toward President Zelenskyy. You acted like a bully and extortionist. Are you doing the bidding for that bully, coward, murderer and liar, Vladimir Putin?
As a woman, grandmother and mother, I’ll be damned if I want a World War III to protect Putin’s plan to seize Ukraine. Putin started the war by invading Ukraine.
You are our president and represent all of us to the world. Do you really want WWIII? Are you and JD Vance ready to send your sons and daughters to war for the likes of Putin?
I say let Putin get out of Ukraine. His own citizens left instead of going to war, so he used prisoners, and now he is using North Korean soldiers and is trying to get us to fight his war.
Please, Mr. President, don’t let Putin push us around.
Elisa LindleySan Jose
Nation’s future deservesbetter than Trump
Over 250 years ago, our Founding Fathers created a government unlike any prior or since, not perfect but highly functional and able to work even in a world that could not have been conceived in the 1700s.
The government of Donald Trump disagrees. They are determined to destroy it all solely because they think they can. I am worried. My generation and the ones that follow should have fear.
The president has already expressed an interest in serving a third term to “finish the job” even though the Constitution prohibits it. His history shows that the Constitution and laws mean little to him and his followers.
Now is the time to act. Our legislators and courts must be strong. As a country, we must survive him and guarantee that the rule of law is upheld. This is a very sad time in our history. Future generations deserve better.
Norman OrloffSan Jose