Trump must not return

to the White House

Our great nation is not a banana republic. Yet, we are considering a man charged with 88 criminal offenses in four cases to be our president.

Donald Trump’s presidency was a black period in our nation’s history and a spot on its reputation as the world’s beacon of democracy and equality.

My fellow Americans, please do not allow a felon, a divisive and hateful person, anywhere near the Oval Office. Let us vote to reelect the decent and honorable Joe Biden for another term.

— Rameysh Ramdas, San Jose

Adding RFK to debates bolsters democracy

Two days ago, I started a petition urging the Federal Communications Commission to allow Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to join the upcoming presidential debates. So far, it has garnered 595 signatures, and counting.

Recent Gallup polls show that 43% of Americans now consider themselves politically independent, moving away from the rigid two-party system due to increasing dissatisfaction. Yet, third-party candidates remain excluded from crucial debates.

If independents now make up the largest political bloc in the United States, why aren’t major networks like CNN ensuring that all voices are heard in line with the democratic principles our nation values?

Leaving RFK Jr. out of the debates undermines democracy. This kind of censorship must end. Regardless of one’s political stance, Kennedy’s perspective deserves attention. By including him in the debates, we ensure that all Americans feel represented and leave the final decision where it belongs — with the people.

— Gillian Thorp, Santa Clara

Pressure Stanford on fossil fuel investments

Re: “Fossil fuel money undermines Stanford’s sustainability school” (Page A8, May 12).

350 Silicon Valley strongly supports the recent op-ed calling for Stanford to cut ties with fossil fuel corporations. Accepting funds from companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil directly contradicts the Doerr School of Sustainability’s mission to address environmental and racial injustices.

While 350 Silicon Valley educates our communities and advocates for decarbonization in the Bay Area, the fossil fuel industry pushes disinformation against our causes and perpetuates climate change. Stanford’s ongoing cooperation with these companies is hypocritical and undermines both its own climate goals and our community’s goal to support vulnerable communities. We urge Stanford to prioritize genuine sustainability over financial gains.

— Cheryl Weiden, Los Altos

Government must pony up for crumbling roads

I am reaching out regarding a major issue I’ve noticed around our city. The roads we drive on have been progressively getting worse, specifically Highway 101.

I have been commuting to Palo Alto five days a week for over a year and can say they have only gone downhill. I’ve seen first-hand accidents occur because a vehicle hit a pothole and swerved into the other lane. There are enormous potholes and bumps going over 101 north near the NASA base that force all cars to slow down and even have the whole car shake.

We pay a good amount of money in taxes and I hope in time the government will put some money into these roads to help prevent future accidents and costly maintenance for drivers due to the messed up roads.

— Pujit Singh, San Jose

Costa Rica sets example for how to treat animals

Re: “Costa Rica relocates hundreds of animals after outlawing zoos” (Page A2, May 16).

Kudos to Costa Rica for banning wild animals from government-sponsored captivity. Zoos are like jails for wildlife.

I worry about the larger animals like elephants, big cats and giraffes. They need big spaces of land to be happy. Sanctuaries should be used for those who cannot return to the wild or are protected. Wildlife are part of our natural environment and we must do everything we can to protect their natural landscapes, trees and water so they can be free to be wild.

We can learn from this.

— Patricia Marquez Rutt, Redwood City