Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.
Development must takesteps to protect birds
Re: “City OKs new neighborhood plan at site of old mall” (Page B1, Feb. 22).
Although I support The Rise project because of its promise of affordable housing, I am very disappointed that it does not include environmental protections for dark sky or bird-safe building design.
Studies have shown millions of birds die each year from colliding with glass. Millions more are harmed because their night migration is disrupted by city lights. Cupertino is located on the Pacific Flyway. Birds like the yellow-crowned sparrow migrate 3,000 miles to spend the winter here.
The Rise will introduce glass and lighting in very tall buildings. Due to state law SB 35, The Rise is not required to comply with Cupertino’s Bird Safety and Dark Sky ordinance. However, The Rise can voluntarily avoid elements that are hazardous to birds or incorporate protective measures if such elements are included in the plan. The Rise should do exactly that.
Connie CunninghamCupertino
AT&T will not leavecitizens without service
Re: “Reject AT&T bid to shed its landlines” (Page A8, March 10).
The Mercury News’ editorial cast a spotlight on the necessary telecommunications infrastructure regulation updates California needs. We want to be clear: None of our California customers will lose access to voice or 911 service. We will keep customers connected throughout this multiyear transition — and existing FCC safeguards will ensure that we will make good on that commitment.
Among all states where we provide wireline service, California is the only one left with outdated regulations. Modern services like fiber and wireless are faster and more reliable — especially when climate disasters strike. As more essential services like telehealth and distance learning become widely available, older Californians and those living in rural areas need better access to high-speed internet to interface with public safety and improve quality of life.
Updating these rules will allow us to better address the needs of the future — and bridge the digital divide without leaving anyone behind.
Susan JohnsonHead of Wireline Transformation, AT&TDallas, Texas
If dead were Israelis,they’d want war stopped
Re: “Morgan Hill votes against war resolution” (Page B1, March 8).
This story encouraged me to salute the estimated 100 Morgan Hill citizens who took the initiative to approach their City Council requesting a cease-fire in the Middle East war.
As of early March, more than 30,000 Palestinians and more than 1,200 Israelis have been killed. It is unfortunate their plea was rejected by the Morgan Hill council.
I can only surmise that Israel would want an end to this killing if the numbers were reversed.
Susan DillonMorgan Hill
RNC turmoil precursorto Trump presidency
If you want a preview of what would happen if Donald Trump was elected president, go no further than his appointment of his daughter-in-law Lara Trump as the co-chairperson of the RNC.
Her first order of business was to have “election integrity” workers in the swing states, which is another attempt to propagate fake news, and to fire more than 60 workers at the RNC so Trump could put in his loyalists.
Imagine, his cronies without experience or knowledge as domestic and international advisers merely acquiescing to his whims. This is beyond wacky. This is dangerous not only for the United States but for the world.
Claudia ParkerSan Jose
Anyone but Bidenand Trump again
Re: “The rematch” (Page A1, March 14).
If Joe Biden and Donald Trump are the only choices for president in November, how many people will not bother to vote?
Surely there must be a third-party candidate out there who can incentivize the younger generations to vote.
We can do better than having to choose between two old goats.
Patricia Marquez RuttRedwood City
We owe our childrena climate solution
I find it really sad that, in addition to all the other decisions young people have to make these days, they also face the difficult decision of whether or not to have children due to their concerns about climate change.
Related Articles
Letters: Lee’s legacy | Let go of landlines | Support for teachers | Calling out Trump | Firing employees
Letters: Celebrate removal | Postpartum contraception | Mental health | Reflecting faults | Voting Republican | Gaza’s children
Letters: Reconsider rate hike
Letters: Costly delays | Remedy service | Nonprofit utility
Letters: Deny AT&T | Check sources | Agree on health care | Crossing line
It seems like we baby boomers had it so easy in comparison.
We got ourselves into this climate mess. We owe it to our kids to get ourselves out of it.
Thankfully, progress has been made in the fight against climate change. But we need a future that includes climate-serious candidates winning office and implementing solutions that meet the moment. With the world heading for a temperature rise far above the Paris Agreement goals, our elected officials must pass more legislation that speeds the transition to emission-free energy.
It’s the least we can do for our children. How tragic that they face this difficult decision as a result of our inaction.
Paula DanzLos Altos