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Opposition to Butker
should be deafening
Re: “Harrison Butker’s controversial speech: NFL distances itself from kicker’s divisive statements” (May 16).
As the grandfather of a wickedly smart and articulately outspoken 11-year-old girl, I was stunned, saddened and infuriated by the Benedictine College commencement speech of Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker.
His “beliefs and opinions,” about a woman’s “true vocation,” the LGBTQ+ community, and the need for men to reoccupy their rightful place as the masters of the universe don’t belong in 2024, but are far more appropriate to the Taliban and “The Handmaids Tale.” Butker can hide forever behind his “deeply held religious beliefs,” but they render his words no less misogynistic, homophobic and representative of the worst of toxic masculinity.
While the gutless NFL offered its requisite tepid response, the righteous indignation of the KC Chiefs nation, the players themselves and sports fans everywhere should be deafening.
Barry Goldman-Hall
San Jose
We should go further
to help the disabled
Re: “First responders need training for disability” (Page A8, May 19).
I concur with Leslie Moreno’s letter: First responders need training for disability. You know what would also make it easier for the intellectually disabled and their guardians? If the DMV had an option on the California ID card to signify autism or intellectual disability.
Physical handicaps are given a notification option. There are organizations that put safety cards together, but they are not registered with the DMV. If a police officer could have a record of a disability and a number to call, life would be easier for everyone. I suppose there is some logical reason why such a thing does not exist, perhaps involving autonomy. Or perhaps it is just that no one has ever thought of it — a distinct and sad possibility.
Either way, if a choice were offered, it would greatly aid safety, which should take precedence.
Kelley Jensen
Los Gatos
Hospital should fight
wasteful paperwork
I recently was a patient at Good Samaritan Hospital’s emergency room. Good service, caring staff.
When discharged I was given 14 sheets of paper, one-sided. Two of those pages had one line of print. Two copies were made, one for me, and another for the hospital. Can someone condense this information or at least use both sides of paper? Does Good Samaritan not care about the environment? This has been going on for years. Every time I visit I write a complaint but nothing changes. Good Samaritan says they are community-minded but not in this situation.
Good Samaritan, please fix this unnecessary use of paper and help us take care of our environment.
Rose Eagan
San Jose
Adding RFK to debates
bolsters democracy
Two days ago, I started a petition urging the Federal Communications Commission to allow Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to join the upcoming presidential debates. So far, it has garnered 595 signatures, and counting.
Recent Gallup polls show that 43% of Americans now consider themselves politically independent, moving away from the rigid two-party system due to increasing dissatisfaction. Yet, third-party candidates remain excluded from crucial debates.
If political independents now make up the largest political bloc in the United States, why aren’t major networks like CNN ensuring that all voices are heard in line with the democratic principles our nation values?
Leaving RFK Jr. out of the debates undermines democracy, a sentiment many Americans share. This kind of censorship must end. Regardless of one’s political stance, Kennedy’s perspective deserves attention. By including him in the debates, we ensure that all Americans feel represented and leave the final decision where it belongs — with the people.
Gillian Thorp
Santa Clara
Trump must not return
to the White House
Our great nation is not a banana republic. Yet, we are considering a man charged with 88 criminal offenses in four cases to be our president.
Donald Trump’s presidency was a black period in our nation’s glorious history and a spot on its reputation as the world’s beacon of democracy and equality.
My fellow Americans, please do not allow a felon, a divisive and hateful person, anywhere near the hallowed Oval Office. Let us vote to reelect the decent and honorable Joe Biden for another term.
Rameysh Ramdas
San Jose
Costa Rica sets example
for how to treat animals
Re: “Costa Rica relocates hundreds of animals after outlawing zoos” (Page A2, May 16).
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Kudos to Costa Rica for banning wild animals from government-sponsored captivity. Zoos are like jails for wildlife.
I especially worry about the larger animals like elephants, big cats and giraffes. They need big spaces of land to be happy. Sanctuaries should be used for those who cannot return to the wild or are protected. Wildlife are part of our natural environment and we must do everything we can to protect their natural landscapes, trees and water so they can be free to be wild.
We can learn from Costa Rica.
Patricia Marquez Rutt
Redwood City
