Trump and his policies are definition of cruelty

On-off, on-off, suspended for a while — tariffs, deportations, visas, etc., affecting students, judges, babies, small businesses, health care, medical research and colleges, to name a few.

The first thing that comes to mind is the cruelty of the current administration.

So I looked up the definition of a cruel person. Here is one: “Cruel people may enjoy causing others pain or suffering, either physically or emotionally.

They may use insults or belittling language to diminish others and make themselves feel superior. They may be quick to anger and lash out at others for perceived slights or wrongdoings.”

Remind you of anyone?

— Robert Feigelson Saratoga

Russia started path to Ukraine war

Re: “Ukraine war a road we shouldn’t have taken” (Page A6, April 29).

Regarding Mike Caggiano’s letter, I wholeheartedly agree, assuming “we” in that sentence means the Kremlin.

Specifically, Russia’s underhanded provocation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine starting in 2014, and their deceitful interpretation of the two Minsk agreements to justify their illegal invasion are two roads their government should never have taken.

But they did.

Caggiano seems confused, however, that Ukraine was in any way obligated to “suspend all thought of NATO membership” under these agreements, which is untrue even in the most overly generous, pro-Russian interpretation.

— Scott Best Palo Alto

Sexual assault demands an immediate response

Re: “Bay Area woman says she was groped on flight out of SFO” (Page B1, April 29).

Parents, martial arts instructors and girls’ PE teachers should discuss with daughters and students Barbara Morgan’s experience of sexual assault on an airplane..

The person assaulted must “escalate the situation” and report an incident immediately. Predators rely on silence. Defending yourself when assaulted is justified.

— Michael Gray San Jose

Trans athletes make girls sports unfair

Re: “SJSU athlete sets fine example for girls” (Page A8, April 27).

I felt I must respond to Barry Goldman-Hall’s letter supporting Blaire Fleming, a transgender athlete who participated in women’s sports at San Jose State University. Goldman-Hall states that this athlete is an inspiration to “young female athletes, both transgendered and cisgendered.”

Taking female hormones doesn’t turn a male human being into a girl or a woman.

Human sex is determined at conception and remains fixed throughout life. Even after death, the sex of a deceased individual can be determined by DNA analysis.

We have many categories in sports so that other people besides young males can win a prize. Fleming’s presence on the women’s volleyball team is denying a young woman a spot on that team and all the opportunities that being on that team provides.

This is unfair and unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of the university and the athlete involved.

— Leslie Larsen Lafayette

Domino theory will topple U.S. economy

Here’s how the domino theory works in economics.

First, you put tariffs on most goods to be imported.

Next, the costs of doing business rise enough to lay off employees, shutter going concerns and cause a serious rise in inflation.

People who are close to the poverty line will be shoved deeper into holes of poverty, and the rich will lose millions.

So far, so good, right? Will this push people to commit crimes for a loaf of bread?

This problem doesn’t care who you voted for, but you know who caused it.

— Stuart Shicoff Martinez

Trump running hostile takeover of U.S.

The president governs by decree, also known as executive order, ignores court rulings, threatens his critics, including public officials and the press, and wants to annex other countries. Government departments dedicated to health and welfare are decimated.

Science is debunked. Books are banned from libraries. A renowned museum is ordered to rewrite history. Without due process, immigrants are sent to foreign gulags. The majority of Congress is complicit in all the changes.

The country is the United States, but we’re not in a constitutional crisis; it’s a hostile takeover.

— Karen Lee Cohen Walnut Creek

Tax the rich instead of closing libraries

Re: “Budget crisis will test Lee’s unifier claims” (Page A6, April 30).

I go to different libraries in Oakland to read books on indigenous peoples. I also go on the computer to look up information on indigenous peoples. When I need help, I ask the library staff.

They are public employees whom columnist Daniel Borenstein, in his April 30 column, likes to vilify as the causes of the budget crisis in Oakland when he questions Mayor-elect Barbara Lee’s striving to unify this city. He wants her to cut programs like the library to fix the budget, but not to go after billionaires who rigged the system.

Oakland needs to come together and does not need Borenstein stoking division by blaming public employees instead of billionaires for the budget crisis.

— Billy Trice Oakland