No to President Trump — yes to Dreamers

No, Mr. President. It is never OK to grab a woman or girl any way you like because you are powerful or physically able to bully. No, it is never OK to encourage people filled with hate and racial bias to act on their misguided bigotry. No, it is never OK to pardon a public law officer who defied a court order.

And no, it is not OK to play a game of chicken with the lives of the nearly 1.8 million hardworking undocumented immigrants who have grown up here and know no other home.

These young people contribute to both the economic strength and social capital of our communities.

In fact, Dreamers are such a critical part of our economy that removing them from the workforce would cause over $433.4 billion in gross domestic product losses over a decade.

We hope Congress listens to the public who support the Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors — DREAM — Act and gives it a yes, while at the same time giving you the resounding no you have earned. Dorothy Gamble Santa Fe

Good enough for Jesus

I am mystified by the Praise Tabernacle Freedom Church’s rejection of Total Wine’s proposed opening in Santa Fe behind the weed-filled lot that the church owns (“Waiver denied for fine-wine superstore,” Sept. 14), and the City Council’s apparent agreement with a position that might result in an unnecessary and expensive lawsuit for the city. The 300-foot rule says “from a church” not “from church-owned lots.” What are church leaders worried about? That their members will be so attracted by a wine store that they will not come to church? That unsavory folks might be hanging out there? I think that Jesus might have viewed that as an opportunity, not as a problem. And finally — didn’t Jesus turn water into wine at the wedding at Cana? If it is good enough for him … Cathlynn Groh Santa Fe

Leading with heart

Thanks to Mayor Javier Gonzales, Councilors Signe Lindell and Peter Ives, as well as Councilors Carmichael Dominguez, Chris Rivera, Michael Harris, Joseph Maestas and Renee Villarreal, for voting in favor of a more humane city by passing the ordinance banning wild animals in traveling acts (“Traveling exotic animal acts banned,” Sept. 14). Shrine hospitals are not funded by circuses as stated by their representative, who either is in the dark or perpetuating a myth (www.nytimes.com/2007/03/19/ us/19shrine.html). Again, thank you to those who lead with humility and intelligence. Here’s to hoping you have set a good example to those who do not.

Anna Soeiro

certified humane education specialist Santa Fe