Mercury News Letters to the Editor for July 13, 2022
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Thank you for your article. (“Board bucks earlier decision and will keep officers on campus,” Page A1, July 11 )
I was happy to see the point Crystal Calhoun made regarding the agreement and its failure to use “language that bans prone restraints.” As a teacher, I understand school safety is a priority, but the comfort and well-being of each individual student need to be one as well. The committee that is making the decisions should consider this and ensure that if any officers remain, they are doing more good than harm.
Officers can add to the safety of a school, but there needs to be a clear expectation that they are not intended to harass students, even students they deem as a problem. If there is not an immediate threat to others, there is no reason to see violent techniques, including prone restraints, on teenagers who are supposed to be protected.
I look forward to follow-ups on committee meetings and outcomes.
Chima Ikeme
San Jose
Last week the Supreme Court decided that the EPA does not have the authority to regulate air pollution because Congress had not clearly given the agency sweeping authority (“High court limits EPA authority,” Page A1, July 4).
The same logic questions the authority of the Supreme Court. In Chief Justice Robert’s words: “A decision of such magnitude and consequence rests with Congress itself, or an agency acting pursuant to a clear delegation from that representative body,” which the Supreme Court is not.
This is part of a greater pattern: While the legislative is gridlocked in partisanship, decisions are made by a group of elderly women and men with no democratic legitimation, no accountability, and no term limit. An independent judicial system is an important part of the checks and balances of a democracy, but the way the Supreme Court is wielding power these days indicates that something got out of balance.
Ralf Buengener
San Jose
It’s time to talk about the injuries. The kind that people get at mass shootings. We talk about the dead. Total them and name them. Flower bouquets and crosses. Thoughts and prayers. But what about the injured? Shot with military-style bullets tearing through their flesh like butter. What does a bullet that will decapitate someone do to a foot, calf, hip? Finger, hand, shoulder? Ear, nose, jaw?
If we won’t be shown the bodies, show us the scene left behind. Let’s see the blood on the walls, floors, groceries, pews, desks, strollers. Let’s see the blood … wet, congealing, drying, flaking … wrung out of mops, being hosed down a drain. Have we checked the ceiling?
Let’s talk about the resultant psychological injuries to the children, teachers, parishioners, workers … the police officers. “Too early!” they cry when it is really just much too late. The guns are here and more are coming.
Natalie Slusser
Santa Clara
Many were disappointed with the Supreme Court of the United States’ (SCOTUS) decision against the OSHA vaccine mandate back in January 2022 and again recently against the EPA’s authority to regulate emissions of power plants. Courts are not concerned with “justice” or with what is good for the country, they are concerned with the law.
Justice is subjective. The law is not, or at least it shouldn’t be. The question SCOTUS answered in both cases is: ”Does the law grant the federal government the authority it is seeking?” Not is this good for the country or will it save lives. The solution is very simple; Congress can grant the federal government that authority.
The fact that our political system is broken is neither the court’s fault nor its responsibility to remedy.
Laith Naaman
San Jose
Recently the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspected a Virginia facility that breeds dogs. The agency found dogs that were ill, malnourished, injured and suffering in extreme heat. The facility is closing in response to legal action taken by the Department of Justice, but the company that owns it is still licensed by the USDA.
The USDA has been repeatedly negligent in its duties of inspection and oversight of commercial animal breeding facilities. In 2019, Golden Retriever #142 as she was named, lived in a filthy cage in an Iowa puppy mill. She died of starvation and neglect, even though the USDA had inspected the facility and noted her condition.
Give Goldie a name and a legacy. Ask your congressional representative to co-sponsor “Goldie’s Law,” which compels the USDA to take its responsibilities seriously and carry out the inspections and consequences required by the Animal Welfare Act.
Judith Hurley
San Jose
The Presidential Medal of Freedom was awarded last week to 17 deserving Americans. The medal recognizes, among other things, “meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States” and “cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
Among the 17 are three advocates for social reform, three politicians, two members of the clergy, two athletes, a military officer, a labor leader, a nurse, a lawyer, a businessman, a college president and an actor. (Biden’s predecessor used a State of the Union message as the appropriate time to award the medal to Rush Limbaugh.)
Where are the teachers? Their contributions to the national interests of the United States and their cultural endeavors are beyond question, yet the only educator in the group was a college president.
Ross Jackson
San Jose
