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Politicians must beaccountable for fire
Re: “Fire leads to toxic metals in the soil” (Page B1, Jan. 28).
The governor, state Sen. John Laird and the supervisors from Monterey to Santa Cruz failed miserably in protecting their community from this disasterous meltdown of toxic chemicals into the air, water, food and land.
The obvious fallout is the poisoning of our agricultural lands, soils, drinking water and ecological treasures; revenue losses for local businesses ; and dangerous climate pollution.
May the voters remember these elected officials’ shortcomings in our next elections and public meetings.
Jeff StabenSanta Cruz
Commodifying of shelterat fault in housing crisis
Re: “Lack of supply drives the housing crisis” (Page A6, Jan. 28).
Gary Miller greatly simplifies the housing crisis we are experiencing. It’s far from basic economics.
The housing crisis is a direct result of housing being treated as a commodity to be bought and sold to the highest bidder. Investors (read speculators) play a critical role in both reducing the supply of housing as well as increasing its costs. Some owners of apartment complexes purposely keep units off the market in order to maintain high rental prices. It’s not unusual for overseas buyers to obtain housing units as a means to move their capital offshore. They don’t always occupy these units.
The housing shortage is, to a large degree, manufactured. Why? Because for property owners contrived shortages are more profitable.
Anthony StegmanSan Jose
Pliant Congress willanswer to history
Do you remember the flying monkeys from “The Wizard of Oz”? They were the animals that unquestionably obeyed the demands of the wicked witch.
Today, we observe the human version, the Republican Congress. How else can we explain blindly supporting clearly unqualified and dangerous cabinet appointees? What else justifies standing meekly by while your leader issues cruel, vindictive, often illegal and unconstitutional, executive orders?
Not all of these men and women are zealots; some are intelligent individuals. Find some courage, some backbone and put principles, country and humanity above political expediency. History will judge you long after your flying days are over.
Bruce BerwaldLos Gatos
Stop Trump, Israelfrom reigniting violence
I’m writing this plea to our representatives in Congress: Please speak out against Donald Trump’s unleashing of more 2,000-pound bombs previously placed on hold by Joe Biden.
Our government must also support the free flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, including by fully funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
News that after more than 15 months there would be a ceasefire is bittersweet. Even if the ceasefire holds, for all Palestinians in Gaza, there can be no return to life as usual. For more than 47,000 Palestinians in Gaza, including tens of thousands of women and children, the ceasefire is too late.
Ramping up this same type of violence in the West Bank is unconscionable. Congress has a major role to play and must speak out against this separate, unequal and unjust treatment that could not continue without U.S. support.
Catherine CurtisSan Jose
Hamas is still incharge in Gaza
Re: “Qatar: Agreement reached to release Israeli hostage” (Page A4, Jan. 27).
In this recent article, it was sobering to see who is releasing the hostages and working with the Israelis: Hamas.
So, does that mean that Hamas is still a force to reckon with, that most of the Palestinian deaths were misdirected, and that the next generations are even more hateful of their neighbors? I don’t suppose many are surprised by this.
Joe MargeviciusPalo Alto
Trump’s naivete ondisplay in Gaza demand
Re: “Trump calls for clearing of Gaza” (Page A1, Jan. 27).
I wonder what Donald Trump is thinking. He has his own refugee problem, which he has labeled illegal immigrants, and his solution to this problem is mass deportations. Yet he wants Egypt and Jordan to accept Palestinian refugees.
Are these refugees in favor of being displaced once again, this time to another country, after the devastation they recently experienced? Does he believe these countries won’t experience the same problems he is currently having with refugees? Will citizens of those nations welcome them? Is he offering these nations any monetary help? Last I heard he is withholding all international financial aid.
Trump’s naivete of the world’s problems and total lack of compassion for people are further proof that he is not really worthy of being our president.
Thomas RudolphBrisbane