Readers’ letters
A drone in the yard? Oh for the days of kites
About forty years ago when our children were young, my husband, Hal, would take them to the park to fly kites. They made parachutes out of paper napkins and attached them to the kites with our name and phone number on them. When the kites were flying high they would release them to land anywhere in our neighborhood. Later we would get calls from neighbors close and far that the parachutes had landed in their yard.
This week we found a drone in our backyard with no name attached.
I liked the paper napkin parachutes better. — Terry Beers, San Jose
Could it be Starbucks likes cup controversies?
Regarding the article “Nooooo, not another Starbucks holiday cup controversy” (Nov. 17), the different cup “controversies” that date back to 2015 all feature a different polarizing issue, and it makes one wonder if they are doing this for because of the belief that any publicity is good publicity, or that they genuinely want to send a message about the issue being brought up. Gender and sexuality has especially been a widely discussed topic lately, and I wonder what kind of fun new take on the holiday cup Starbucks will have in 2018. — Alexander Sanchez, Milpitas
Sex scandals abound, yet we elected Donald Trump
Re “Analysis: As sex scandals fell the powerful: Why not Trump?” (Nov. 17):
As more and more accusations of sexual assault coming out recently, people are shocked and terrified, outraging by this matter.
Trump was accused of sexual assault and sexual harassment several times before he was elected president. He even openly bragged about grabbing women’s body parts. Yet, he became the President of the United States. We are living in a hypocritical society, where we pretend to be concerned on the issue of sexual violence. In reality, the nation couldn’t care less about it. We didn’t even take this into our consideration when we valued our candidates. In this democratic country, an individual is free to decide who to vote for. However, we should pay more attention to one’s morality when we vote.
— Cheng-Fang Ho, San Jose
Plane crash renews calls to close Reid-Hillview
Once again, the community around Reid-Hillview Airport, has had another traumatic event as a result of the neartragic plane accident yesterday. For years, we have petitioned our elected officials to close the airport, because of noise, air pollution and physical threats to our schools, shopping centers and neighborhoods.The Board of Supervisors rightfully turned over the Palo Alto Airport to that city and created perimeters around South County airport to protect the lives and properties of those residents, but they do nothing to alleviate our concerns. Perhaps it is time for U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren to intervene? — Blanca Alvarado, Former Santa Clara County Supervisor, San Jose
Besides fun, here’s good reason to do Turkey Trot
Looking for another reason to do the Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot this year?
Housing Trust — the organization I work for — has been a beneficiary of the Turkey Trot for each of the last 12 years. In that time we’ve received $2.1 million and have used that money to serve a total of 3,738 people. Last year we received $260,000 from the event and all of it went to our Finally Home program, which provides grants to help people out of homelessness. It helped 455 people, and this year we’d love to help even more.
Events like the Turkey Trot give San Jose it a small-town feel but every person can make a big impact. Please participate in the SV Turkey Trot. — Michael Norris, Communications Manager, Housing Trust, Silicon Valley
Looking for a pro-PG&E juror? Here’s your man
First a disclaimer: I’m addicted to electricity and I know that I have to respect the capriciousness of Mother Nature.
Stuff happens, Earthquakes happen. Rain (heavy) happens. Strong winds happen. Blame someone! Collect damages!
Bottom line: PG&E would like someone who thinks like I do on their jury.