Iran and Israel both guilty of war crimes

So why is Iran bombing a hospital in Israel a war crime and decimating most hospitals in Gaza not a war crime according to Israel?

How about admitting that both are war crimes according to International law. Speak up world!

— Isebill V. Gruhn, Santa Cruz

Find a way to peace, not war, with Iran

The outbreak of war between Israel and Iran is saddening. To hear politicians push for regime change is especially troubling — given that the CIA and MI6 achieved regime change in 1953, replacing Iran’s functioning democratic government with the Shah, which has led us all to where we are today.

I hope that somehow we avoid being pulled into yet another war, and instead find a way to peace and reconciliation with the people of Iran.

— William Duckwall, Santa Cruz

Fly the flag on July 4, a day larger than one man

I write in response to the Commentary (June 17) by Joe Mathews urging readers to “pull down” the American flag or place the California flag above the U.S. flag on July 4th as a symbolic “act of defiance” in response to “a cruel and lawless presidential administration.”

I will fly the American flag on July 4th because it commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence. It represents human motives such as patriotism, pride in country, unselfish devotion to public welfare and convictions of right and justice. Those who signed the Declaration were striving for an ideal — a belief in a national union and a determination to maintain it. The delegates supported the new Constitution because they were convinced that without it, a dissolution of the Union and disappearance of a republican government were inevitable.

July 4th is larger than one man — one president. It is a time for us to reflect upon and appreciate the ideals which inspired both the Declaration and the Constitution.

— Dario Caloss, Santa Cruz

The flag represents the true values of the nation

About the flag of the United States of America:

One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, are the values represented by the flag of the United States of America, which should be proudly flown by everyone who still believes in diversity, equity and inclusivity.

We teach our children to uphold true American values every day when we exercise our freedom of speech and assembly. We are free to love all of our neighbors and all of our country. An injustice to one hurts us all. If we don’t protect each individual, our children will suffer the consequences.

Leave the Confederate and Trump flags to those who would divide us and dismantle our country, but do not let them change the meaning of the flag of the USA.

— Cynthia Dzendzel, Felton

Housing measure: We don’t need higher taxes

Santa Cruz City Council member Kalantari-Johnson’s assertion (Guest Commentary, June 19) that the new higher tax Workforce Affordable Housing Act measure was “written by and for community members” isn’t exactly true, is it? It was written by the city attorney, and the funding comes largely from its supreme proponent, Mayor Fred Keeley, with help from very self-interested, some out of city, “nonprofit” housing developers. It is just like the many other new/extra/higher tax measures we inevitably see every two years. They are written by and for a self-interested government or their proxies, to obtain money, lots of other peoples money, to do as they please with few (read no) specific promises.

It’s defective socialism and essentially an attack on private property, on hard earned wealth itself. We don’t need higher taxes, just better government.

— Garrett Philipp, Santa Cruz

Housing: ‘Santa Cruz is where rent slaves live’

Santa Cruz is where rent slaves live. To me it seems that the elected officials forgot that homeownership is more important for long term financial success. Where are the condos in all this development? And why are people not screaming about it? Micro 150-square-foot, one-bedroom apartments do nothing to lower the cost of home ownership that small condos would provide. Speak up and write to your supervisors or forever be bound to endless financial endlessness.

— Chelsea Wagner, Soquel