No ‘goofy’ change: Keep the name ‘Cabrillo’

I am also, like the letter writer who identified herself as a long-time resident of the Santa Cruz area and former Cabrillo student (“A Suggestion on a new name for Cabrillo,” Feb. 21), a long-time resident of this town who likes to write letters to the Sentinel about issues that confront our community. The writer suggests the costs to change the name Cabrillo might be better spent on deserving students.

In your same day Editorial in favor of Mr. Bersamin for a seat on the Cabrillo Board, he suggests the name “Vista Del Mar College.” Here I faced the reality of the name change for our enduring and beloved community college. My reaction is “No!” With so much opposition to the name change, and the absurd cost to rename the college in these difficult financial times, “No!”

I find his name suggestion for Cabrillo College goofy and mundane. Keep the name Cabrillo.

— Beth Ahrens-Kley, Santa Cruz

‘Frightening’ how aid to Ukraine is funded

I was disappointed to read a recent letter and find it wasn’t addressed to Joe Biden. I know the writer’s intentions were good enough in a wanting an end to the war in Ukraine, but Biden has announced $500 million more of our tax dollars will be wasted in military aid to a war the Russians are losing by most accounts. More Russian troops are being killed than any Ukrainians.

Without all the weapons Uncle Joe is sending there, the Ukrainians might see the need to negotiate for a peace agreement with Russia to resolve the conflict. It’s also frightening all the funding seems to come from his orders without consulting Congress or the American people.

— Bill Graham, Salinas

Feinstein supported ‘disastrous’ Iraq invasion

Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s announced retirement has led to an outpouring of praise for her decades representing California in the U.S. Senate. These are misplaced, however.

Feinstein was an outspoken supporter of the illegal, unnecessary and predictably disastrous U.S. invasion of Iraq. She rejected warnings from leading Mideast scholars who correctly predicted that an invasion and occupation of Iraq would lead to years of war, sectarian strife, terrorism, increased Iranian influence, and Salafist extremism, insisting she somehow knew better. Despite being informed otherwise by former UN inspectors and strategic analysts, she insisted Iraq had somehow reconstituted its banned weapons and weapons program, falsely claiming she was “privy to information that those in California are not” proving their existence.

Now, Rep. Adam Schiff, another one of the right-wing minority of Democrats who supported the war, is running to take her place. We must prevent another supporter of illegal wars from becoming senator.

— Stephen Zunes, Santa Cruz

Integrate trees into multi-use library project

Santa Cruz city and county have both signed Climate Emergency resolutions. That means we could expect the city and county to take every step to mitigate the effects of that emergency — floods, droughts, fire, loss of habitat, loss of means of food production, loss of infrastructure (think West Cliff). Trees are one of the most efficient and life enhancing ways for cities to mitigate some of the worst effects of the climate emergency.

Our nine heritage trees on Lot 4 are presently providing shade, cooling, oxygen, carbon removal, air filtration, transpiration, habitat, inspiration and a sense of well-being to all of us who visit the farmers market, park our cars there, attend community events, just walk by. Imagine how useful and welcoming it would be to integrate a few of those beautiful, familiar trees into the multi-use project slated for construction there. Saving just three trees would mitigate other losses.

— Lynda Marin, Santa Cruz

Proud that UCSC doesn’t have football team

I heartily agree with recent letter about the exploitative character of college football, which leaves too many players with lasting injuries but without the savings that pro salaries provide. That’s one reason I’m proud that my university, UCSC, doesn’t have a football team. For a fast, action-packed field sport where players don’t get carried off on stretchers, check out UCSC’s Ultimate Frisbee team.

— Chris Connery, Santa Cruz