From Vietnam War, glimmer of hope shines

Re: “We gained the world, but lost out homeland” (Page A13, April 20).

I was one of those American sailors who assisted in the rescue of some of the Vietnamese “boat people.”

On March 20, 1981, I was a young Naval officer serving onboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger on patrol in the South China Sea. Helicopters dispatched from the ship located a rickety wooden boat with many people of all ages, including infants, onboard.

The engine had died, and the boat was adrift. The aircraft carrier arrived and began helping the wooden boat’s passengers onboard.

I took a number of photos of the refugees as they crossed over onto the ship.

The refugees were taken to a camp in the Philippines for eventual resettlement elsewhere. Especially for the infants and young children, I sometimes wonder what kind of life they have now. The Vietnam War was a great tragedy for all, but light shines where there is hope.

— Anthony Stegman, San Jose

Tested during election, United States failed

Re: “Trump’s authoritarianism tests out nation” (Page A7, April 18).

I respectfully disagree with Mr. Kristof. The test already happened. It’s over, and we failed.

Every single action that President Trump has taken to destroy democracy and tarnish our reputation with the world is straight from his campaign and Project 2025. Voters knew this, and despite warnings from Biden supporters, Republicans voted for Trump anyway.

The election was a test of our character, morals and the nation’s level of compassion, and we failed.

— David Wilkins, San Jose

Lessons about Gaza war did not amount to bias

Re: “State officials uncover bias against Jewish students in 2 districts” (Page A1, April 18).

I’m Jewish, and I’m disturbed that the Department of Education found that two teachers “discriminated against Jewish students … by describing Israel as a settler-colonial state and its war against Hamas as a genocide against the Palestinian people.”

“Israel” and “Jew” are not synonymous. Over a quarter of the people living in Israel are not Jewish, and millions of Jews do not agree with Israel’s actions. Nevertheless, both Jews and antisemites often deliberately conflate the concepts; as here, Jews do it to suppress anti-Israel sentiment.

The words at issue are mainstream, not radical, concepts: The International Court of Justice said it is plausible that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

Even if the teachers’ words offended some Jewish students, the teachers didn’t treat the Jewish students any differently than other students — they all heard the same words. That’s not discrimination.

— Peter Gelblum, Boulder Creek

Abrego Garcia case an affront to U.S. values

Failing to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from an El Salvador prison is subjecting an innocent man to life imprisonment and unspeakable conditions.

He is innocent because no one has proven him guilty of any crime.

He is a court-ordered protected individual, a family man, a father of three, a tradesman and married to a U.S. citizen.

Not only does this violate the Constitution, but it also violates the Christian values this president touted repeatedly during his election.

It is hypocrisy to protect one human life and discard another. It is not acceptable. Those participating in this debacle must be held accountable, or our Constitution is a lie.

— Mark Grzan, Morgan Hill