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Desalination would hurt
wallets and environment
Re: “Agency officials OK feasibility study for desalination facility” (Page A1, July 23).
The Mercury News identifies many reasons for the public to be skeptical of desalination as a viable solution to our water crisis.
Desalination is an unjust greenwashing scheme that can privatize water, is costly and energy-intensive, and could harm communities and ecosystems already affected by climate change. As someone born and raised in the Bay Area, I was shocked to see a false water solution that is so awful for people and the environment popping up in my own community. That’s why organizations like Food & Water Watch advocate for true, sustainable climate-resilient solutions like water conservation.
An emphasis on so-called technological solutions like desalination blames water shortages on a lack of natural resources instead of short-sighted water policy. The Santa Clara Valley Water District must engage impacted communities before moving ahead with this failed plan. Their voices and livelihoods matter.
Francesca Rossi
Saratoga
Let Trump’s behavior
set terms of sentence
The problem with sentencing Donald Trump is that half the country will be seriously upset if his Sept. 18 sentencing is strict and the other half will be equally upset if it isn’t. The solution is to make Mr. Trump directly responsible for his own sentence.
If he upholds the convictions, Judge Merchan should inform Trump that sentencing takes into consideration many factors, but foremost is whether the defendant takes responsibility for his behavior and shows remorse. He should then allow Mr. Trump a few days to file a statement of what he requests the judge to consider.
If nothing is filed, Donald Trump’s behavior, including 10 gag order violations, sets the tone for justifying a stern sentence, including incarceration. Same if a filing made lacks responsibility. But if he takes responsibility and expresses remorse, Judge Merchan could cite that as the basis for leniency.
Todd Lowenstein
San Jose
GOP fears competitive
women and minorities
Republicans despise Diversity Equity and Inclusion policies. They claim that Democratic Vice President and presumptive nominee Kamala Harris is where she is in her career because of DEI.
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Just look at the leadership of the Republican Party, which is mostly White and male. Donald Trump’s initial cabinet was 82% White. Their claim that minorities are promoted based on DEI policies and not merit belies their own employment policies and practices. They fear that the good old boy network that once dominated corporate America and politics is under attack from qualified women and minorities.
The advantage they had in business and government, based on their gender and race is now in contention, as women graduate from college in greater numbers than men. Positions once exclusively held by White men are now competitive for women and minorities because of education and experience, which is exactly what Kamala Harris embodies.
Warren Seifert
Gilroy
