Kennedy Center change is a marketing stunt

Re: “Trump’s handpicked board votes to rename Washington performing arts center the Trump-Kennedy Center” (Dec. 18).

The board of trustees of the Kennedy Center, stacked with Trump appointees, recently voted to rename the institution the “Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” Legally, it means nothing.

The Kennedy Center was established by Congress in 1964 as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Its name is codified in federal law, and no board — no matter how politically loyal — has the authority to rename it. What Trump’s board has done is a marketing stunt.

— Paul Osborn, Morgan Hill

Rash of shootings reflect a lack of standards

Re: “Gunfire wounds troops in DC” (Page A1, Nov. 27) and “Legendary coach shot at Laney College” (Page A1, Nov. 14).

The last 30 years have seen heinous mass shootings of innocents become “ho-hum” events of everyday life — from Columbine (1999) to Sandy Hook (2012) schools; to just-engaged 20-year-old-Israelis walking (2025) in Washington, D.C.; to Laney college football coach John Beam (November 2025). Mental health issues do occur; 100 years ago, such shootings didn’t. Grievances exist, but why think cold-blooded murder solves anything? What happened to morals and ethics — originating from family teachings, logic or biblical dicta — required for every society’s survival? We cannot forever blame “others.” Resume teaching personal responsibility.

There is no longer any “right” or “wrong.” Anything goes. You don’t like somebody’s hat, politics or religion? Shoot them. Are you, Mr. and Ms. America, proud of the lack of behavioral standards we now have? Is anarchy, where “anything goes,” something we seek for our children?

— Fred Korr, Oakland

Homelessness takes toll on whole society

Homelessness is not solely because of individuals, but a systemic failure. As a student, my eyes remain open to the issues our country faces. Saddened and heartbroken, I cannot escape the reality that many people lack access to safe shelter, a basic human need for survival. People live on the streets, in their cars, in temporary shelters or in places where they face eviction, yet they keep living. With ongoing economic uncertainty and fast-paced changes in living conditions, while structural and systemic support remains slow, the country’s economic balance is at risk. If the number of homeless individuals continues to grow, it shows that the government is failing to address a basic need.

This affects the overall social, psychological and economic well-being of the country.

— Charmaigne Abad, Los Gatos

Trump takes another shot at people of color

Re: “National Park Service adds Trump’s birthday to free admission, drops MLK Day and Juneteenth” (Page A3, Dec. 7).

Donald Trump has decided his birthday is more important to our country than MLK Day and Juneteenth. Is it “America First” or “Trump First”? Next, he will have his birthday recognized right up there with Washington’s and Lincoln’s, along with his likeness on Mt. Rushmore. Trump’s bashing of people of color is absolutely shameful and as un-American as anything can be. We have all made our contributions, and we all deserve respect.

— Thomas Rudolph, Brisbane