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Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor. Dems need a candidate, not a careerist Re: “Newsom, Harris seen as polarizing political pair” (Page A1, Oct. 28). Press coverage of Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris and the likelihood of a presidential run by either one of them misses the big problem. Neither one of them should be president for one simple reason. For both of them, their entire political careers have been focused on one goal: how to get to the presidency. I’m a lifelong Democrat, but I won’t be voting for either of these two. We can’t afford a president whose only purpose in life is to be president. We need a president whose goal is to get things done and who has proven he or she knows how to do that. Please, voters of California and the nation, let’s nominate and elect a real worker, a governor or mayor who has a record of getting things done, who knows how to build and inspire, and who is not in politics just to climb the ladder to the top job. Neil Macneale Menlo Park World must focus on Ukraine’s missing kids There should be a worldwide daily campaign called “Return the Children” supported by the nations of the world and the United Nations, demanding that Vladimir Putin return the estimated more than 19,000 Ukrainian children he ordered kidnapped in Ukraine. It is a heinous and cruel crime, and all the countries of the world and the U.N. should speak out against it daily. Only a few children have been returned. Ed Kahl Woodside ‘Terrorism’ can also apply to Israel Re: “Ceasefire is a win for world’s terrorists” (Page A6, Oct. 23). Fred Guttman’s letter incorrectly presumes the genocidal actions of Israel preclude it from the term terrorism. Last I checked, people who aim to kill children to “prevent them from growing up” or be potential terrorists are inflicting mass terror. Gutmann is seemingly speaking from the perspective of an expert when he states that “terrorists should be encouraged by the ceasefire arrangement.” Israel appears to be encouraged, indeed. Kendra Hoffman Los Gatos Israel seeks complete victory, not genocide Re: “It’s not antisemitic to call out slaughter” (Page A6, Oct. 29). A recent letter writer once again called out Israel for practicing genocide in the ongoing war in Gaza. The charge is easy to make — but it is fallacious. Genocide is the attempt to totally wipe out any group based on “ethnicity, religion, physical traits, or common heritage.” None of those apply in this case. Israel is trying to eliminate the ability of Hamas — a U.S.- and U.N.-designated terrorist organization — to make war. The war is not against the Palestinian people (though of course, inevitably, many become casualties). While everyone agrees the war is terrible and needs to be ended, let’s not forget the U.S. — and others — have done exactly as Israel is doing. In World War II, we fought against Japan and Germany for exactly the same reasons — to end the ability of their national leaders to make war. We insisted on unconditional surrender. Our nation supported that position wholeheartedly. This is simply the same case today. Norm Watson Scotts Valley S.F. must invest more in homelessness fight Homelessness in San Francisco remains one of the city’s most urgent challenges. Despite significant funding and numerous initiatives, thousands of residents still live without stable housing. Walking through the Tenderloin, SoMa or along Market Street, it is clear that this crisis affects not only those experiencing homelessness but the entire community. Rising rent prices, a shortage of affordable housing, and untreated mental health and addiction issues have deepened the problem. While temporary shelters and supportive housing programs are helpful, long-term solutions require compassion, coordination, and accountability from both the government and citizens. San Francisco must invest more in mental health services, expand affordable housing and strengthen job training programs to help people rebuild their lives. Everyone deserves the dignity of a safe home, and addressing this issue should remain a top priority for the city’s future.
