Letters: Public safety is lost in bureaucratic speech about gas explosion

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Public safety is lostin bureaucratic speech

Re: “How did gas leak go badly?” (Page A1, Dec. 21).

Bureaucratic spokespeople need a new script.

PG&E and Alameda County Fire officials say more investigation is needed to determine if residents should have been told to leave. The fact that a house blew up and people were injured means they absolutely should have been told. These spokespeople mean “did we follow our flawed process that said no need to notify despite the risk, or did we not follow our good enough process that should have notified people?”

As such, they completely lose track of their real responsibility, our safety.

Dan WinterSan Jose

Ranked choice couldsave county money

Re: “A fix for Santa Clara county’s expensive special elections” (Page A6, Dec. 19).

I completely agree with David Newswanger’s excellent, informative article.

As I filled in the circle next to Neysa Fligor on the ballot for Santa Clara County assessor, I thought of what a waste of money this is. If we had ranked-choice voting, the millions of dollars spent on this special election could have gone to education, food banks, medical care, housing, etc. And to add insult to injury, the other person on the ballot had been advertising that if he is elected, people over a certain age will not have to pay property taxes. The county assessor does not determine who has to pay property tax and who does not. Apparently, quite a few people believed him.

I encourage voters to choose Neysa Fligor. Endorsed by the Mercury News, she is experienced and honest.

Lois SmallwoodSunnyvale

Richmond mayor’s postcreates mistrust

Re: “Internal affairs” (Page B1, Dec. 21).

I was deeply disheartened to read of Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez’s LinkedIn post characterizing the attacks at Bondi Beach as a “false flag” operation.

As a political leader representing a region that is culturally and religiously diverse, publicly suggesting that a targeted antisemitic attack may have been fabricated is deeply troubling. Such statements risk minimizing real acts of hatred and violence, and they can contribute to mistrust, fear and further polarization — particularly for Jewish communities who already face rising antisemitism worldwide.

I read the mayor’s apology, and I suggest that he find his nearest synagogue, request a meeting with the rabbi, and attend a Shabbat service soon.

Jim PollockLos Gatos

Is Weiss creatingstate media at CBS?

CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss shelved a “60 Minutes” story scheduled to run Sunday on Venezuelan detainees being sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison. Author and “60 Minutes” correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi responded with a memo stating that Weiss canceled the piece in response to political pressure from the Trump administration, despite the fact that it had been vetted and cleared by CBS attorneys and editors.

CBS is now owned by Paramount Skydance, which is headed by David Ellison, who appointed Weiss to her position. His father is billionaire and Trump supporter Larry Ellison. Paramount is hoping to seek approval from the Trump administration to acquire Warner Brothers which owns CBS.

The First Amendment prohibits Congress from abridging freedom of the press. It appears that the real threat is from the president, who uses regulatory authority and alliance with corporate power to influence editorial news policy. Free press or state press?

Brian CarrSan Jose

Trump is shakingdown Venezuela

Re: “U.S. stops another oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela” (Page A3, Dec. 21).

The U.S. pursuit of oil tankers near Venezuela is not diplomacy — it is state-sponsored plunder. Under Donald Trump, federal power and taxpayer resources are being abused to wage economic warfare, stripping Venezuela of its resources while driving its people into deeper poverty.

This has nothing to do with democracy or human rights. It is about oil, coercion and regime change by starvation. Sanctions and naval intimidation have exacerbated problems of access to food, medicine and fuel. Collective punishment of civilians is a crime, not a policy tool.

Congress’ silence is indefensible. The Constitution vests Congress with authority over war, foreign commerce and public funds. Lawmakers must break their long abdication, assert their vigorous legislative authority, and demand an immediate halt to Trump’s reckless actions.

Jag SinghLos Altos