Letters: Fuel from trash | Thin report | Long-term solutions | Distorting solution | Welcome laughs | Solving debt crisis

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Fuel from trash alonewon’t halt climate crisis

Re: “Could your trash create a clean fuel future? City landfill plan says yes” (Page B1, May 22).

The May 22 article on the use of landfill to provide hydrogen highlights another new technology that can help combat climate change. This technology not only provides syngas to power fuel cells that make electricity, but it also captures methane from the landfill that would otherwise be released as a potent greenhouse gas. Supposedly, that’s why the technology is said to be carbon-negative, not just carbon-neutral.

All of these new ideas have merit as we struggle to find effective ways to combat climate change. But given the urgency of climate change, a small project here and another project there, while helpful, doesn’t move the needle enough to get where we need to be.

To have a chance to get to carbon neutrality worldwide, we need a fee on carbon that reduces carbon emissions broadly across the country and also across the world by use of border trade adjustments.

Rob HogueMenlo Park

Less to grand juryreport than meets eye

Re: “Indictment shows the value of the civil grand jury” (Page A6, May 25).

I’m responding to the Op-Ed by Henry Groth and Michael Krey regarding the value of civil grand juries. Certainly, civil grand juries are valuable, but the indictment of Santa Clara City Councilman Anthony Becker is not about findings or recommendations (content) in the Grand Jury report. It is over misdemeanor disclosure of the report which I believe is a flawed process.

When I first read the report, I found many errors but was told that the entire City Council needs to respond. This would require noticing a meeting of the entire council and holding that public meeting within five days, which is essentially impossible. The Council eventually did hold public meetings in which the errors in the report were discussed at length and refuted.

The report says that the 49ers donated to candidates, which is incorrect. It also suggests that council members violated a non-existent policy on operational tours.

Suds JainMember, Santa Clara City Council

Invest in long-termsolutions for homeless

As a concerned citizen and a student at Evergreen Valley College, I write to highlight the urgent issue of homelessness in the Bay Area. It’s disheartening to witness the growing number of people experiencing homelessness within our community.

Homelessness not only affects the well-being of those directly impacted but also has far-reaching consequences for the overall social fabric of our city. It is imperative that we prioritize this issue and work collectively towards viable solutions.

To address this crisis, increased funding should be allocated to affordable housing initiatives, mental health services, and other support programs.

By investing in these long-term solutions, we can alleviate the suffering of our homeless population. Together, we can create a bay area where everyone has stability and shelter.

Jade SuarezSan Jose

Headline distortsreasonable solution

Re: “Amanda Gorman’s poem from Biden’s inauguration is banned by school” (Page A5, May 25).

The headline of the article is sensational and misleading. It claims that National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman’s poem is “banned by school.” Upon reading the article, one learns that a parent objected to its appropriateness, so it was moved (not banned) to the media center for middle school-aged children.

The article further states that it was not immediately clear what the parent objected to in the poem. Could it be something as innocent as a reading comprehension issue? Did the reporter care to find out?

I read the poem myself. I don’t know that I would have understood or appreciated it when I was in grades K-5. Perhaps it is more appropriate reading for ages 11-14 years.

Some reference materials were moved in a school. There is no reason for the press to make this so scandalous.

Kathryn TomainoLos Altos

Right-leaning laughsshould be welcome

Re: “Mallard Fillmore little more than name-calling” (Page A6, May 24).

I read the letter objecting to the content of the “Mallard Fillmore” comic strip. Personally, I like my comics with no political content.

However, if we are going to have “Doonesbury” and Cartoonist’s View published, which have significant political leanings often not very polite, then we might as well have a laugh leaning the other way.

“Dilbert” is already canceled, so we lost that view. How about the old “Pogo” — now that was a comic strip: “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

Christine RussellLos Gatos

Halt payments to leadersto solve debt dispute

We’re hurling toward a debt limit crisis, with global ramifications. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says that unless it is resolved soon, the United States will not be able to pay its bills. The bills she usually mentions first, are Social Security and veterans payments (among others).

Why should others have to suffer because the people in these branches can’t resolve anything? It is insulting to the core that they should continue to receive their paychecks, while our seniors and veterans go without. Fix this — now.

Joseph GuminaSan Carlos