A post-Jan. 20 theme for the SC County Fair

If the county fair is looking for a theme for 2025, I suggest “The Death of Democracy.” Or, more in line with the fair’s specific guidelines, we could try “Farming without Farmworkers,” or “Crafting through the Apocalypse,” or “Coastal Life: Abandoned between Ocean Storms and Forest Wildfires.” These are just rough ideas and the fair might need to polish them up a little after Jan. 20 when we’ll know more about how 2025 is really going to shape up.

— John Fay, Santa Cruz

Trump supporters nearer than you may wish

Sometimes it’s very easy to condemn a movement. This is what happened with the first Trump presidency, and the condemnation was very painful. The second is on the horizon: will it be condemned? I’m certain it will.

We could say his supporters are wrong, but sympathy forgives the mistaken. And if you ask around, his followers are scattered in the background. It is then reasonable to ask, where are the followers of this man? I doubt you’d find any who assert their allegiance with depth.

Their hope is that you accept their views: will you accept them? In the end it doesn’t matter if you do or don’t, they’ll remain where they are, whether it be the corridors of the Capitol, or nearer to you than you want them to be.

— Tod Mastrandrea, Ben Lomond

US complicit in Israel’s ‘crimes against humanity’

A letter published on Dec. 27 stated that the death of a baby in Gaza could have been avoided by a “cuddle.” The truth, however, resides with the facts: Israel has destroyed sewage treatment and water purification systems, so that children suffer from chronic diarrhea combined with malnourishment, which usually results in kidney failure. Israel blocks humanitarian aid, destroys hospitals, and bombs the tents in which homeless Palestinians are forced to reside. The Gaza Strip — about the size of Santa Cruz County from the Pajaro River to Wilder Ranch and five miles inland — has been bombed and shelled relentlessly for more than 15 months, resulting in the death of at least 45,000 civilians.

“Collective punishment” and “genocide” accurately describe the depravity of the government of Israel. The U.S. should have stopped sending WMD a long time ago. I’m ashamed of my own country’s complicity in these crimes against humanity.

— Robert deFreitas, Santa Cruz

News coverage of Gaza gives ‘false impression’

News coverage of the carnage in Gaza leaves the impression that Israeli strikes are cruel and avoidable. This impression is false.

Oct. 7, 2023, was a day of great tragedy for Israel, which, in proportion to its population, lost 15 times more people than we did to our terrorist enemy on Sept. 11, 2001. Israel’s enemy, Hamas, is not overseas, but on its border. It is sworn to Israel’s destruction. Israel’s goal of continuing its war in Gaza until Hamas is defeated (Ed. note: Pre ceasefire) is the duty of its government and is required to protect its citizens.

Hamas intentionally abuses the people of Gaza, magnifying the number of dead and injured by hiding its fighters among the innocent to gain sympathy and support. See the Oct. 26, 2023, statement of senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh: “The blood of the women, children and elderly … we are the ones who need this blood, so it awakens within us the revolutionary spirit.”

Will the media continue to allow itself to be used by Hamas to achieve its goal?

— Jack Hain, Santa Cruz

An option for persons living in their vehicles

Santa Cruz city and county has had homeless issues for some time. This option addresses those that have jobs, can not afford housing, and are living out of their vehicles. This is roughly one-third of the homeless population. These people are making a contribution to the economy and deserve a hand up.

Rather than hassle them to keep moving their vehicles, it would be prudent to take an open space, like the flea market or old drive-in theater, and provide an area to park over night, have access to water and electricity, and portable toilets. A small fee could be required to cover the operating expenses. Everyone wins. For a little more investment, showers could be provided.

Because they make a contribution to our community, they need to be treated differently than those with mental health and drug issues, or those who refuse any assistance.

—Bill Beecher, Aptos