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Democrats out of touch
on trans athletes

Re: “Democrats flex power to kill GOP trans bills” (Page A1, April 2).

One would like to think the Democrats learned their lesson in the aftermath of the thumping they took last November. Apparently not.

Pitching woo to a very small sliver of the LGBTQ+ community, the Democratic supermajority of the state Assembly blatantly ignored the overwhelming will of the people and rejected AB 89, a bill designed to restrict transgender females from participating in girls’ high school sports.

Perhaps our elected politicians should remove their collective heads from the sand and go out and actually talk to their constituents — assuming they have any lingering doubts about what the vast majority of Californians really want in this regard.

Nick Cochran
San Jose

Parking lot is no place
to induct new citizens

Re: “Ceremony for new citizens gets moved” (Page A1, April 3).

It was with great sadness I read that the naturalization ceremonies in our area will no longer be held in the beautiful Heritage Theater in Campbell.

I am a first-generation American, born here to a father who came to this country as a child. I wasn’t there for his oath of citizenship. I’d never attended a naturalization ceremony until March 2017. A co-worker was to take the oath. I was profoundly moved by the simplicity and solemnity of the ceremony, and it was made even more special by being held in that lovely place.

My apologies to Tony Clark, whose ceremony will now be in a parking lot. I hope you still want to follow through on becoming a citizen of a country that’s no longer interested in giving you a proper welcome.

Rosalie Arntzen
Sunnyvale

Parking lot ceremony
is just sad for U.S.

Re: “Ceremony for new citizens gets moved” (Page A1, April 3).

New citizens are eager to register to vote. I and others from the League of Women Voters have helped the Santa Clara County registrar of voters do this for a number of years at the Campbell Community Center. The excitement of really happy families emerging from the theater following those ceremonies, certificates in hand, feels like graduation day.

The Campbell location — with good parking, indoor seating, restrooms, easy voter registration, and organized professionals and volunteers — allows a smooth process for thousands of new citizens and their loved ones.

I speak as a natural-born citizen, not representing the registrar or the league, when I question DOGE’s “efficiency.” Requiring thousands to go extra miles to an understaffed field office, be subjected to longer waits to be sworn in, and to do this on a bare, concrete parking lot doesn’t seem “efficient” to me, but it does feel like a shame.

Virginia Carpio
Los Gatos

Time for S.J. to ban
noisy leaf blowers

We all agree that gas-powered blowers are very irritating and rude. There is nothing worse than waking in the morning and hearing a blower.

There is really a serious environmental issue here. One hour of a blower emits as much pollution as driving a car over 1,000 miles.

Many cities and counties have already banned gas-powered blowers. It’s time San Jose does the same.

Terry Bundlie
San Jose

Sycophancy will degrade
military, other institutions

Re: “What those rusty Russian tanks can teach us” (Page A7, April 2).

David French’s article provides an excellent example of how and why a leader’s demands for loyalty-driven messaging as opposed to ability can destroy any government’s power.

The article focuses on how Vladimir Putin’s overwhelming desire for “yes men” helped to reduce the world’s previously held opinion that Russia’s military was essentially unbeatable to a fairy tale. The article drew a direct parallel to how that same requirement for loyalty to Donald Trump, above all else, is destroying American might.

The same demand for loyalty, above all, extends far beyond the military and is destroying America’s economy, diplomacy, and position as a world leader (forget about the world leader) in science and medicine.

Sycophancy is a powerful bomb.

George Licina
Santa Rosa

U.S. must stand for
our values everywhere

Re: “‘Eid of sadness’: Palestinians in Gaza mark Muslim holiday with dwindling food and no end to war” (March 30).

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Marcus Aurelius quipped, “You can also commit injustice by doing nothing.”

At this time in American history, it’s up to all of us to stand up for morality, justice and the notion of equal rights. It will feel tiring at times, constantly being bombarded by bullies, some emboldened to bring out their long-suppressed racism. As Americans, we can do something by volunteering at our institutions, which together hold up our values for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

American liberty is the shining light on the hill, and we are in charge of the watchtower.

Akeem Mostamandy
San Jose