Also: ‘Manhattanization’ of state | Don’t default | Preserve democracy | SJSU leadership | Ignoring principles. Mercury News reader letters to the editor for Aug. 31, 2025.
Once again, we hear of another in an endless string of uniquely American single-shooter mass casualty events, this time at a Catholic school in Minneapolis. Two children are dead, many more are seriously injured, and the well-armed alleged assailant committed suicide.
Letters: Voters shouldn’t fall for GOP megadonor’s mailers Initial reports echo the all too familiar responses, including, “absolutely incomprehensible … unspeakable tragedy … horrific,” and “Pope Leo XIV is praying for the families of the dead.” My heart bleeds for the families who sent their children to school, and will now plan their funerals or sit vigil at the hospitals. But, please, incomprehensible, unspeakable, horrific? Not in America. Our leaders, our policymakers, did absolutely nothing after Columbine, Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, Las Vegas and the list goes on and on. Following a period of political hand-wringing, NRA silence and the requisite thoughts and prayers, absolutely nothing will happen until the next time. What was that definition of insanity?aims to remake California in the image of Manhattan. The bill increases housing density near dedicated bus, train and ferry stops by reaching deep into the neighborhoods around those stops and permitting, by right, five- to seven-story rental apartment buildings. The bill does little to make this new housing affordable and wreaks havoc on the planning efforts made by cities with compliant Housing Elements. The bill says nothing about its displacement of established residents and businesses. The rush to convert land near transit to high-rise rentals might be justified if housing supply were the problem. Supply is not the problem. The crisis in housing is affordability — the gap between what middle- and low-income residents can pay and what housing costs. Residents can help defeat the Manhattanization of California by sending a short email message or calling their legislators. Just say, “Oppose SB79.”Already in the past two weeks, my mailbox has had three fliers telling me how wrong it would be for California to follow suit. None of the pieces talk about partisan politics, the fact that this effort is in response to the Texas action. They all appeal to the purity of policy, and I agree with the principle. However, we have to do this. Too much is at stake to ignore this blatant attempt to keep Americans from switching control of the House.Years ago, a competition was held where computer programs fought each other, with the shortest program winning by simply returning whatever the attacking program did to it. It was named “Tit for Tat,” making it clear that “fighting fire with fire” is the most effective tactic to win. Thus, we must fight fire with fire to counter President Trump’s instruction to Republican-held states to redistrict to put more Republicans in the House of Representatives during the midterms next year. As distasteful as it may be for many of us, we must temporarily gerrymander if we do not want our country to become a white, Christian male-dominated dictatorial regime. It is obvious that this is the intent of Trump and his MAGA supporters. The Republican argument that our gerrymandering would threaten California’s democracy is a red herring, as Californian democracy is useless without U.S. democracy. As a volunteer scholar at San José State University for more than a decade, I was proud to see the Mercury News highlight our record enrollment of nearly 40,000 students. This milestone reflects the visionary leadership of President Cynthia Teniente-Matson, whose expansion of student housing and renovation of the International House are reshaping campus life. Equally, Dean Sheryl Ehrman’s modernization of the engineering curriculum positions SJSU at the forefront of innovation. SJSU’s growth is more than numbers — it is a powerful investment in students and a vital strengthening of Silicon Valley’s talent pipeline. The American flag is a symbol that we view with pride while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Yet it is not the flag, but the Pledge that has meaning. The Pledge is the commitment that we share as Americans. “The flag” is unnecessary to the Pledge. “I pledge allegiance to the United States of America and to the Republic. One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” “Indivisible”, as in together no matter what. “Liberty and Justice for all” includes everyone. “All” doesn’t even acknowledge borders or citizenship. The sentiment itself implies that we are “under God.”Miss Manners: Who was wrong in the escalator tiff, me or the young man?Asking Eric: My in-laws say I turn them away, but they don't get what's going on in our livesAfter Trump announcement, Intel among several companies to make Bay Area job cutsDear Abby: This delusion about our childhood has ruined my sister's lifeMap: Garnet Fire evacuations in Sierra Nevada recreation area
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Letters: Voters can give El Cerrito the library it deservesAlso: Redundant, ineffective | Boycott profiteers | Speak out | Vector-borne illness. East Bay Times reader letters to the editor for July 31, 2025.
Read more »
Letters: Trump’s right on eliminating capital gains tax on home salesAlso: Loser for L.A. | Inflaming debate | Stop appeasing | Trump projection | Faith’s demands. Mercury News reader letters to the editor for July 31, 2025.
Read more »
Engineered enzyme performs key synthetic reaction with near-perfect controlBasel researchers merge MHAT chemistry with enzymes, opening new pathways for greener pharmaceutical synthesis.
Read more »
Lightning on Earth is sparked by a powerful chain reaction from outer space, simulations showBen Turner is a U.K. based staff writer at Live Science. He covers physics and astronomy, among other topics like tech and climate change. He graduated from University College London with a degree in particle physics before training as a journalist.
Read more »
Letters: Voters can give El Cerrito the library it deservesAlso: Redundant, ineffective | Boycott profiteers | Speak out | Vector-borne illness. East Bay Times reader letters to the editor for July 31, 2025.
Read more »
Trump sends letters to 17 pharmaceutical companies on reducing drug pricesPresident Donald Trump called out 17 Big Pharma CEOs over 'exorbitant' drug pricing in individual letters sent out Thursday, the White House said.
Read more »