Lighting Bay Bridge isn’t best use of funds
I read about the group trying to raise $4 million to keep the lights on the Bay Bridge, and I think “that’s nice.” But then I read about people putting together food bags because there are families that can only feed themselves when the children get subsidized food at school, and those meals will not be available during the holiday period. I read that there are more than 7,000 homeless people in Santa Clara County, and I try to imagine what it is like for them during a rainstorm. And I read the Wish Book articles about the thousands of lives that would be greatly improved if they get just a few extra dollars. After that, I am no longer sure that lighting the bridge is the way to get the most joy from $4 million.
Max Steinke
San Jose
San Jose police officer deserves to be fired
The threats by San Jose police officer Phillip White are shocking. His words reflect the bully-with-a-badge attitude that we fear and tragically undermine the credibility and trustworthiness of police officers. I hope that mayor-elect Sam Liccardo and the San Jose Police Department will fire this officer as soon as possible.
Margo Wixsom
Santa Clara
Judge’s ruling provides poor example for all
Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Daniel Carr purposely withheld evidence favorable to the defense in a case he was prosecuting. His superior, District Attorney Jeff Rosen, found that Carr was negligent, committed gross misconduct and violated county rules. It is estimated that Carr’s actions could delay the trial for a year at a cost to taxpayers of at least $150,000. What does Rosen do? He suspends Carr for 20 work days and removes Carr from the case. What does Carr do? He goes before retired Superior Court Judge Kevin Murphy with tears in his eyes and says he is embarrassed and sorry. What does Murphy do? He says withholding evidence is a common practice among prosecutors and reduces Carr’s suspension to only two weeks. What have I learned from all this? It’s OK to do the wrong thing as long as everyone else is doing it and I’m sorry. I’ll try telling that to the judge next time I’m in court.
Doug Ryan
Santa Clara
Get ready for another
Bush White House
So Jeb Bush is considering a run for president in 2016.
America’s collective amnesia will have kicked in by then, and we’ll have forgotten those who died or were maimed in the last two Bush-led adventures defending the freedoms of ungrateful Middle Easterners. And we’ll be ready for another chance to show off our military prowess to the Russians and Chinese. It’s clear how cowed they’ve been by our previous demonstrations. The economy will be growing nicely again, but Wall Street already has taken steps to ensure it can claw back any gains the 99 percent makes over the next two years. And, when Wall Street’s excesses lead us into another Great Recession, the bankers again will expect to be bailed out by us taxpayers. Shame about the millions of Americans who’ll lose their jobs and their homes, but that’s the price one pays for a market-based economy.
Roll on January 2017. It’s going to be fun!
Howard Thomas
Los Gatos
Remember those who gutted bank reforms
Last week Congress gutted a key reform of the financial industry. The legislation was written by Citigroup and will allow the big banks to run a casino again at taxpayer expense. Those disgusted by this legislation can do the following: 1) Transfer your Citi bank account to a community bank, 2) Remember the names of those in Congress who voted for this reform in the next election and 3) Support legislation to break up the big banks.
Betsy Graham
Los Gatos
Dalis’ legacy to arts lives on in San Jose
The passing of Irene Dalis, world-famous mezzo-soprano with the Metropolitan Opera in the 1950s and founder of Opera San Jose, was a great loss to our local arts community. Irene originated Opera San Jose, as the Community Opera Workshop, at San Jose State College with the intent of introducing opera to San Jose. It became popular through her training of young singers and gained broad support, including that of the Italian-American Heritage Foundation. She often mentioned that the first donation for Opera San Jose was given to her by the foundation in 1978, and the foundation, through its years of opera events, has remained a significant continuing donor. Her legacy lives on, and we will miss her.
Tony Zerbo
Member, board of directors Italian-American Heritage Cultural Foundation of San Jose
Where voter outrage should be directed
Marc Perkel (Letters, Dec. 16) rightfully asks, Where is the outrage over the change in finance law to allow banks to gamble again? The better question is, Where is the outrage over the campaign finance law change that was slipped into this same budget allowing the amount individuals can contribute to a political party in a year to increase by a multiple of approximately 10? Much of the issues we have today have roots in our insane campaign finance laws.
William B. Ortendahl
Santa Clara
