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Public must do
better by our pets
Re: “At beleaguered shelter, care for pets criticized” (Page B6, Nov. 12).
Our shelters should be providing adequate, if not better, care for the pets nobody wants. However, the greater public needs to take responsibility for the animal overpopulation problem as well.
Assembly Bill 702, introduced in 2021 to regulate “hobby” or “backyard” breeders, and opposed by the American Kennel Club among others with money interests, was not even heard. People bought “pandemic pets,” then found out they require too much work and returned them.
“Backyard breeders” breed dogs to earn extra income, and take the surplus to the shelter, if the animals are lucky. The rest are dumped.
As for puppy mills, they are poorly run; dogs are treated like livestock, hence they arrive with behavior problems. Yet people support puppy mills every time they purchase a puppy from out of state.
The public can do better.
Anne Filice-Gilbertson
Danville
Libraries lack new books
in Alameda County
Customer service seems to be lacking at our Alameda County libraries. No new material has been coming in for over a month so I contacted my local library (Union City) and they are clueless as to why and suggested I contact their circulation department. I did that last Wednesday, but I haven’t heard back. Very frustrating.
And, whatever problem our library group is having either internal or external must be that of Alameda County alone. My mother lives in Santa Clara County and said there’s no problem at all with getting new books in there.
Our tax dollar is definitely not working for us at the library.
Steven Anticevich
Union City
Critical thinking, media
literacy will benefit kids
Re: “Recognizing fake news now a required subject in California schools” (Nov. 10).
At a time when an immense amount of information is accessible in the palms of our hands, it’s vital to have the right tools to dissect that information. Having media literacy woven into the curriculum for California students will give them practice with thinking critically about the information they are given.
Students need to be encouraged to ask questions, specifically critical questions, when presented with information. For the past few years, critical thinking has been mostly absent when taking in the news. Preparing students at a young age to think critically and supplying them with the tools needed to dissect information will benefit us all.
Media literacy is a muscle that should be constantly exercised to be strong. It’s something that we must learn to use.
Paulina Robles
Oakland
Amid Gaza fighting,
prioritize Ukraine peace
Finding our way to a cease-fire, and bringing peace to Israel and Palestine, is a top priority.
However, let us not forget to continue pressing for a cease-fire and peace negotiations to end the nearly 2-year-old war in Ukraine that is also killing and maiming untold Ukrainians and Russians as well as devastating the Ukrainian landscape.
Eleanor Levine
Oakland
Hamas is the cause
of Palestinian suffering
Re: “Killing Palestinian children cannot be justified” (Page A7, Nov. 10).
I find it interesting how in Dr. Yousef Khelfa’s commentary, he decries the deaths of Palestinian children and not once acknowledges the kidnapping of 242 men, women and children, including the elderly, and mothers clutching babies, by Hamas. Nor does he mention Hamas’ slaughter of 260 young adults attending a peaceful musical festival, the butchering of captives, and the murder of over 1,200 people.
It’s also interesting how Dr. Khelfa and others who demand a cease-fire ignore Hamas’ brutal, authoritarian rule over the Palestinians or how Hamas hordes fuel while hospitals go without. These convenient omissions speak volumes.
Want a cease-fire? Then Dr. Khelfa and other Palestinians should demand that Hamas release the hostages. Want to “free Palestine?” Then demand to free Palestine from Hamas and all who deny the right of Israel to exist. That’s the real cause of Palestinian suffering.
Mark Cohen
Oakland
Age is an asset
for President Biden
Re: “Time for Biden to turn over the wheel” (Page A12, Nov 12).
Mr. Hogan’s letter criticizing President Biden’s advanced age demonstrates his ignorance of the fact that he is being gaslighted by the corporate media.
History shows the Founders only set an age minimum for serving as president, not an age maximum.
Biden demonstrates that age not only brings wisdom and experience but can also enhance our lives.
After almost three years in office, the Biden administration has demonstrated a regime run by political professionals with vast government experience and policy expertise. Compare that to Donald Trump’s four years of self-generated chaos with little policy output.
Corporate media shows little concern about Trump’s age (77 years) or mental capacity. Add to that one failed coup, two impeachments and 91 felony indictments.
President Biden has impressive physical and mental health and should be rewarded for his presidential accomplishments with another four years.
Andrew Wise
Fremont
