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A police state is on
nobody’s wish list

Re: “Cities eyed for military drills” (Page A1, Oct. 1).

Donald Trump told the military, “We’re under invasion from within.” Who exactly are these invaders? Peaceful protesters? Journalists? “Woke” people? Democrats?

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Mr. President, please read your job description. It can be found in the U.S. Constitution. You are a public servant. The American people are not your enemy. We are your charges and your employers. A majority of us disapprove of your performance, and virtually none of us want to live in a police state.

Diana Carroll
San Jose

Take down cameras
to deny Trump access

Re: “Cities eyed for military drills” (Page A1, Oct. 1).

Donald Trump’s speech to military leaders Tuesday bolsters my belief that he sees many of his own people as his enemies. He announced his determination to “straighten them out one by one,” referring to American cities. And he is “fighting a war from within.”

Having established his willingness to take over on the city level, do we still think it’s prudent to allow the city of San Jose to have cameras tracking its residents? Our city has license plate readers, mobile 360-degree hotspot cameras, and private and business cameras that can allow direct police access. Red light and speeding cameras are going up, and about a third of traffic cameras can be accessed by law enforcement already.

Even if we trust the city officials today (I don’t), can we be sure cameras will stay in their hands? No. Donald Trump has essentially declared war on us. Let’s take the cameras down.

Nicole Jimenez
San Jose

Trump is ready to go
full despot on country

Re: “President preparing us for 2026 election” (Page A6, Oct. 1).

I second David Eisbach’s comments that Donald Trump is “preparing us for the 2026 election.”

The recent required meeting of all our senior military leaders where Trump said “We should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military,” and “We’re under invasion from within. No different than a foreign enemy,” is setting the stage for a declaration of martial law. Further, Trump threatened the military leaders, “If you don’t like what I’m saying, you can leave the room — of course, there goes your rank, there goes your future.”

This is the talk of a despot, not the elected leader of a democratic nation. Indeed, that appears to be what Trump wants to be.

Martin Schwartz
Cupertino

Development will dwarf
surrounding homes

It is so nice to see the eastern hills of our valley during my daily commute. With the demolition of most of the former commercial buildings at El Paseo, there is a clear view across our valley.

Unfortunately, Sand Hill’s proposed redevelopment of that property includes two 8- to 10-story towers. Those two monstrosities will obliterate that delightful view. And of course, since there will be little affordable housing included, it won’t help alleviate the housing crisis either.

It’s such a shame that Sand Hill feels it must ruin a great view as well as refuse to solve a critical housing problem for the sole purpose of maximizing its profits. They care nothing for the surrounding miles of low-rise buildings, thousands of single-family, single-story residences surrounding the development.

It’s a shame that they can’t be more responsive and responsible to this community.

Marcia Fariss
Saratoga

Prop. 50 drops
us to Trump’s level

Regarding the upcoming vote on the Election Rigging Response Act, previous letters to the editor have more than once noted Michelle Obama’s famous quote: “When they go low, we go high,” and then said this no longer applies in today’s situation. They effectively have co-opted it into “When they go low, we go even lower.”

The low here is Donald Trump, so you should ask yourself, do you really want to go lower than that?

Stu Goodgold
San Jose

Party extremists are
taking nation down

Re: “GOP funding bill voted down; government shutdown nears” (Page A3, Oct. 1).

Another government shutdown. This government is the most polarized in my lifetime. Both parties are controlled by extremists. Extremism in politics does not solve problems; it creates problems.

Where are the moderates, the people who can work together to solve problems, get things done and manage a government for all the people and not just the rich, the powerful, the privileged and the politically connected?

Joseph Rizzuto
Los Gatos