Religion awareness
isn’t offensive
Now that the president of Iran has recognized Easter (Page 3A, April 5), we can dispense with the foolish notion that people of other religions are offended by our celebrations of Christian holidays. Let’s go back to recognizing the Christmas break for schools and legislatures and Christmas shopping and the Easter break for schools. This is one “politically correct” idea that is incorrect. We can recognize religions and religious observances of other cultures without being offended or being offensive.
Robert Campos
Fremont
Columnist betrays
calcified opinions
Scott Herhold opines that he mutes the radio because “we Americans cling to optimism” (Page 1B, April 5). This while also saying he always mutes President Bush and that positive views on Iraq deserved silencing for not being the full story. Sounds more like calcified opinion, or maybe he’s just tired of thinking about it. At this juncture, we can afford neither. Quoting retired Army Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey: “We need to support the leadership team in Iraq for this one last effort to succeed.” Indeed, if the new leadership is showing any signs at all of succeeding in Iraq, it should be more recognized and supported than ignored and denied.
Don Sanders
Mountain View
President deserves
our loyal support
I agree with Carrie Zeidman (Letters, April 5). I am sick and tired of reading the constant Bush bashing, as well. There are more of us than you think, who voted for our president and fully stand behind his decisions to defend our country and our freedom. The people who are bashing our president are enjoying freedom; however, they are ignorant enough to think that it comes for free, without a price. Thank you to all of our troops and their families. We appreciate it.
Kathy Jorgensen
Morgan Hill
Chancellor’s pay
overly generous
I couldn’t believe what I was reading, but there it was (Page 5B, April 5). Sung-Mo “Steve” Kang, the University of California-Merced’s new chancellor, will receive an annual compensation package worth more than $300,000. He will have a salary of $295,000 plus have his housing paid for, moving and entertainment expenses and, worst of all, a $9,000 annual car allowance. Who spends $9,000 a year on a car? If he’s spending that much money, make him pay it out of his generous salary. This is one reason tuition keeps going up.
Vera Masters
Santa Clara
College’s rejection
letter deplorable
As an alumna of Reed College, I was pained to read of its “total insensitivity” (Opinion, April 5) to a rejected applicant for admission. Reed has always been a very demanding college, but that does not forgive rudeness. I plan to take a copy of your article to my 60th class reunion in June. Perhaps some of us “oldies” can persuade Reed to be kinder to our grandchildren’s generation.
Elaine Van Bruggen
Los Gatos
Dog’s sad death
was avoidable
I was deeply saddened to read about the death of Tucker, the lovely Aussie (Page 1A, April 6). However, I was disturbed by the slant of the article, which seemed intent on blaming the driver who hit the dog. I extend my deepest sympathies to Tucker’s family, but I beg people not to demonize the driver. In years past, I would walk my dog, Buster, around our neighborhood and I always carried a heavy walking stick – not just for my aching knees, but to fend off loose dogs. I was always astonished at how many dog owners would let their dogs roam loose. When you adopt an animal, you take on the responsibility for that animal’s life. Responsible pet owners protect their pets from harm, and that includes keeping them on a leash when they are not in a fenced yard or in the house.
Sharon Starns
Morgan Hill
Coyote Creek trail
extension desired
I’m glad to see that the Coyote Creek Parkway trail is finally getting more attention (Page 1A, April 2). As a longtime user of the trail, I’d prefer that the county extend the paved trail to downtown San Jose, which has been in the planning stages for years, and is documented on the San Jose city trail Web site, before building a visitors center. Or perhaps this is another instance in which the city and the county aren’t talking?
Julie Hardin
San Jose
Second thoughts
on Iraq invasion
Every time I see an article about our war on terror (Page 1A, April 2), I look for some uplifting news. Instead, I end up disappointed. I relentlessly look for something positive because I once defended President Bush’s decision to invade Iraq. Now, I’m ashamed of a letter to the editor that I wrote at the onset of the invasion criticizing those who protested the invasion. I will always support our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, but when I read about Al-Qaida rebuilding in Pakistan’s tribal areas, I feel confused, sad and disheartened because of my previous stand. We committed our troops to Iraq, while outside we are not winning the war against Al-Qaida.
Luciano Aldana
San Jose
