Letters: Authorities must end sharing of license plate data

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Sharing of license plate data must end

Re: “Police allowed data from license plate readers” (Page A1, Jan. 15).

I call on Santa Clara County DA Jeff Rosen or California Attorney General Rob Bonta to investigate and prosecute all municipal, state and federal parties who are in violation of SB 34 and SB 54. We have these laws for a reason, and no one should be above the law.

These state laws were enacted to protect our privacy, and if our public officials cannot adhere to the laws, we must insist on immediately disabling all of these cameras being misused in violation of these laws. It is particularly unnerving that this information is being shared with federal agencies.

Bob Groppo
Sunnyvale

Citizens can help fix overwhelmed shelter

Re: “Animal shelter problems could result in legal fight” (Page A1, Jan. 14).

As an advocate of animal rights, I am saddened by the suffering of our homeless and needy animals.

I wonder if the shelter is overwhelmed and needs more help. The good people of San Jose and the surrounding areas can help by adopting or volunteering their time to help in this hour of need for animal well-being. The human community has a lot of power to change things for the better in our animal communities. Pets are an important part of our well-being, and we are to them.

Hopefully, we can appreciate the value in our co-existence.

Patricia Marquez Rutt
Redwood City

Set aside a place for homeless in vehicles

Re: “RV enforcement works, except here” (Page A1, Jan. 10).

If the city could be more creative with its empty land and lease it, it could put RVs there, charge a fee and really help with stability. The people who live there could elect one of their own to police the residents, so no expense there. I just know there’s got to be a better way.

I sleep in my car, which is against the law, but I’m a 67-year-old female on my own. I’m not going to get out of my car to sleep in the bushes so I can be legal. My life and safety come first.

Christie Lawrence
Cupertino

Teaching hard truths is not antisemitic

Re: “State: Schools dismissed antisemitism complaints” (Page A1, Jan. 11).

The story rightfully points out some appalling and clearly antisemitic incidents occurring at Bay Area schools. But the story also cites “a new, subtler antisemitism” that leaves some Jewish students “feeling singled out or unsafe.”

Teaching the facts of an international situation — that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza (a determination of the United Nations as well as the International Association of Genocide Scholars) — may make some students feel singled out or unsafe, but it does not constitute discrimination.

In fact, one could argue that it’s antisemitic to equate Israel with Judaism, as many Jews vehemently oppose the Israeli government’s actions. In addition, labeling any criticism of Israel “antisemitism” minimizes real antisemitism — a situation that only makes Jews less safe.

Amanda Mellin
San Mateo

High court turns blind eye to Trump’s crimes

Re: “Justices focus on trans athletes” (Page A1, Jan. 14).

Virtually every day, the convicted felon in the White House violates state, federal and international laws as well as the Constitutionor”]and the Ten Commandments Meanwhile, the anti-democracy Supreme Court majority enables his unlawful rampages, including murdering U.S. citizens protesting his unlawfulness, killing Venezuelan civilians in illegal military actions and now threatening to invade our ally Greenland.

Instead of doing their job to protect the Constitution, the most morally, ideologically and venally corrupt Supreme Court in 160 years spends hours debating transgender teenagers’ rights, while ignoring Donald Trump’s illegal actions to forever turn our democracy into a fascist state. The six so-called “Justices” need remedial tutoring in how to read the Constitution and what their job is actually supposed to be.

Invading Greenland would spell the end of NATO, Vladimir Putin’s dream for years — and give him Ukraine. The big question: Why is Trump always so willing to do Putin’s bidding?

Dave Whitaker
San Jose

Trump backs protesters in Iran, oppresses ours

Re: “Minnesota, Twin Cities sue Feds to halt ICE crackdown” (Page A4, Jan. 13).

It’s Jan. 6 all over again in Minnesota. Donald Trump watches TV,  sees his goons attacking the good people of Minneapolis and does nothing. In fact, he calls for more goons and swears retribution against Minnesota. And all the while, he boasts that he’ll help the protesters in Iran. Does anyone see the irony here?

What a convoluted, pathetic president.

Michael Fallon
Santa Clara