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Overly broad bill is
bad for free speech

Re: “California must make schools safer for Jews” (Page A8, Sept. 7).

I agree with Daniel Klein’s Sept. 7 column that antisemitism is wrong, and schools should protect Jewish students from harassment or discrimination. However, I oppose the proposed law (AB 715), based on hearing it equates criticism of Israel or Zionism with antisemitism.

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Individuals should not be mistreated for their identity or opinions, but the government of Israel and of the Zionist movement are fair game for criticism. I support the existence of Israel, but I am deeply troubled by the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza over the past 23 months and its Jewish settlements in the West Bank over many years, which make self-government nearly impossible for Palestinians. Jewish people should have their safety and rights protected but so should Palestinians.

I want peace and security for Israel and its citizens, but that will not be possible without peace, security and self-government for Palestinians too.

Joseph Easley
Walnut Creek

Escrow account could
right federal wrongs

Re: “State should create an account for taxes” (Page A6, Sept. 5).

Kudos to letter-writer Diana Mead for suggesting that California create an escrow agency to hold taxpayers’ IRS payments until the Trump administration releases all the grants and contract dollars that have already been authorized and appropriated.

Perhaps the California Franchise Tax Board could serve as that escrow agency.

I wrote to my state Assembly member and state senator, encouraging them to create such escrow powers. It just isn’t right that the Humboldt wind project and other environment-saving, previously funded projects have been canceled by an ignorant, arrogant and corrupt presidential administration.

Bruce Joffe
Piedmont

State should stop end
to EV carpool access

Re: “EV carpool lane access ending soon” (Page A1, Sept. 9).

It is with sorrow and angst that I read about the end of carpool lane access for EVs.

While the current administration is in denial about climate change, the legislators in Sacramento are not bound by this short-sightedness. After all, the idea of having a carpool lane is to lower greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions. The ability to use carpool lanes is a great, non-financial perk that makes EV ownership more attractive — especially given that EVs are more expensive up front.

Of course, if a majority of the vehicles on the road are EVs, then the removal of this incentive makes sense. Given that EVs are about 25% of new car sales and less than 3% of all registered vehicles in California, as of 2024, they are a long way from being a majority.

What would it take to restore carpool access to EVs?

Prakash Narayan
Fremont

Special election donors
should redirect money

Gov. Newsom is asking wealthy donors to pony up money to promote his special election. Meanwhile, there’s not enough money for public transit, schools, Medicaid or affordable housing.

Perhaps these would be better places to urge his wealthy supporters to put their money.

Mike Cluster
Pleasant Hill

Masked agents a step
on path to dictatorship

Re: “Masked agents face pushback” (Page A1, Sept. 10).

The pictures on the front page should leave no doubt in anybody’s mind. Donald Trump only understands authoritarian leadership. It is one of the steps toward dictatorship.

America used to understand that the military and policing do not mix. Now we see the military in D.C., and in the future, probably elsewhere.

Once you understand that, you must understand that being nice will not stop a dictator. Gerrymandering? Bring it on. Protests? Let’s shut down cities.

Trump is only warming up. After the midterms, he will start the serious business of staying in power. Don’t take a knife to a gunfight.

Cliff Gold
Fremont

Deployment of Guard
to D.C. is textbook irony

Does anyone else see how ironic it is that the National Guard has been deployed in D.C.? Remember that horrible day in January 2021 when our outgoing president allowed the brutal attack on our Capitol and legislators to progress. Not only that, but the criminals caught on camera doing unspeakable crimes were sentenced to prison, and he pardoned those thugs. He is the criminal. He is the felon.

Our legislators are buckling under White House pressure as little people do under a mob boss. This man is not a Republican; he is a MAGA, but America is not turning great again. In fact, what made America great is being crushed under his heel. This is the time to speak up, to tell your representatives to regain their integrity and move against this imposter president.

Kathy Nielsen
Martinez