Cabrillo name change: Better uses of money

Enough Already With The Name Change!

A very quick web search indicates that community college name changes could cost in the range of $400,000 to $500,000. I could not find any official estimate from Cabrillo College.

It is money that is not well spent. Students attending and employees working there are among the needy who would benefit from the hoped-for generosity of private contributors. I’m sure Cabrillo will still accept contributions and hopefully use them wisely.

The issues of social justice must be dealt with, but for now, let’s better use the money elsewhere. Let common sense prevail among those who must decide to continue or to cancel this wasteful campaign.

— John Coon, Watsonville

Leave SC’s wonderful mature trees alone

Yes, Mother Nature sent us the fires and floods. Are we now going for revenge by eliminating some of her most glorious offspring? Mature trees are a wonder, leave them alone!

I am not an architect, but an observer. Many of the most impressive examples of architecture use Nature as a starting point, and succeed from there. It does not have to be winners and losers for us. We all know who will ultimately win!

— Carl Klem, Santa Cruz

We need national gun laws like other nations

A commandment of the GOP/MAGA/Fox News ideology is: the U.S. has nothing to learn from the laws of other nations. Yet many other nations have successfully reduced gun violence: Portugal, Australia, New Zealand and Scandinavia. Are they perfect? Absolutely not, but each has had significantly fewer gun deaths by passing national gun laws. Among the other major democracies, only the U.S. allows each state to enact its own laws on matters of extreme importance like public safety. Many states have actually loosened gun restrictions after the various mass shootings. And yes, there is a precedent. From the beginning of aviation, each U.S. airport managed its own security measures. That lasted until 9/11, and airport security has been federalized for over 20 years.

As the number of deaths from mass shootings approaches the death toll on 9/11, it is time for sensible national gun laws.

— Charles Bauman, Santa Cruz

What’s really behind Pence’s subpoena refusal

Former Vice President Pence states he will not comply with the subpoena issued by the Special Counsel of DOJ. I am troubled by his refusal. I am concerned that defiance of subpoenas Is becoming the norm and reinforcing a disregard for the rule of law and justice. The number of people in the Trump circle who have defied them speaks to a disquieting trend that further undermines faith in our institutions.

There was a time when if subpoenaed they came. Under Nixon many were called and they came. Hillary Clinton was called, came and testified for 11 hours. In Trump’s orbit they don’t come. Pence’s refusal was based on having to testify against the president with whom he served. Interesting that he thinks his testimony would be against Trump. Makes you wonder what he knows and doesn’t want to say.

He isn’t working for Trump anymore. He should be working to tell the American people the truth they deserve to know.

— Christine DeLapp, Aptos

Weakness is not strength in global diplomacy

Peace through strength was the diplomacy of Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump. President Biden is a day late and a dime short. Weak sanctions against Russia did nothing to detour them from going into Ukraine. China is chomping at the bit to take over Taiwan. They are going to take advantage of America’s weakness. When there is strength at home this means strength abroad.

Also this president is overseas telling Ukraine that we will protect their borders but ours are wide open. He is telling Poland to build nuclear plants and we have wind turbines that kill whales. He gives Ukraine $500 billion in aid but who cares about Palestine, Ohio, whose residents can’t even drink their water, bathe their children and are suffering from multiple health issues. What would we do without this big government socialism here at home? Don’t you just love it!

— Linda L. Eberhardt, Scotts Valley