Cal Poly President Armstrong couldn’t be bothered to condemn murder of Israelis | Opinion

Armstrong’s ignorance

“Hamas wants attention. It deserves only condemnation | Opinion,” (sanluisobispo.com, Oct. 10)

I write to thank the residents of San Luis Obispo. Last night, the Jewish community rallied and marched to support Israel. Claps and cheers from street diners greeted us, and the Israeli national anthem was played by a street musician. Numerous people said they never expected such a warm response.

That stands in sharp contrast to the reaction of another part of the SLO establishment: Cal Poly. President Jeffrey Armstrong, apparently, couldn’t be bothered to condemn the murder, kidnapping and rape of civilians because a “critical mass” of Cal Poly students and staff were not affected. There were at least 100 such people at the march. What is a critical mass, President Armstrong? What’s enough?

This reaction underscores the terrible disconnect between our cultural institutions like Cal Poly and regular folks. The consequences are now laid bare for all to see. This was a moment to be counted one way or the other. And I know which column President Armstrong falls into.

Jon-Erik G. Storm

Los Osos

Conditions for military support

“Hamas wants attention. It deserves only condemnation | Opinion,” (sanluisobispo.com, Oct. 10)

Like the rest of the world, I am appalled by Hamas’ attack on Israel and atrocities committed against Israel’s citizens. But I am also worried that, in taking revenge, Israel will starve thousands of innocent people in Gaza by denying them food, water and electricity. President Biden and Congress sent military equipment to Israel, but they should attach some conditions to it.

The first would be to lift the block on delivering food, water and electricity to citizens of Gaza. There will be too many civilian casualties if this continues and it will only harden the public’s view on Israel. Israel must give adequate warning before bombing apartments and homes, even though it may — in some instances — be true that those apartments are sheltering Hamas soldiers and weaponry. There must be another way to find them without killing innocent people and making homeless those who have nowhere to go.

If Israel clings to the ancient belief that an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is righteous behavior, this war is headed in a very dangerous, dark direction.

Judith Amber

Grover Beach

Opinion

Please stop smoking

“Like a spoiled child, Big Tobacco is ignoring a ‘no’ from California voters,” (sanluisobispo.com, Nov. 17. 2022)

I just added another name to the very long list of family and friends who died from cancer caused by cigarette smoking. The cigarette manufacturers got a real jolt when President Richard Nixon signed into law legislation banning cigarettes from being advertised on TV and radio on April 1, 1970. But when the ban went into effect on January 2, 1971, the tobacco firms had their act together enough to immediately unleash a flurry of print and billboard ads which continue unabated even today.

That means that even though it has been over 50 years since the broadcast ban took effect, the tobacco companies are still successfully peddling death — raking in billions the entire time — and making no apologies for it.

If you smoke, stop now. And tell your still-smoking friends to do the same. Remember, you’re on your own when the cancer shows up. The tobacco companies are not going to help you. Obviously, they only want to take your money.

John Winthrop

Cayucos

Climate wake-up calls

“Climate change in SLO County: What to expect,” (sanluisobispo.com, June 3)

The climate-related articles in last Thursday’s Tribune are two more wake-up calls. First, we learn that over 100 amphibian species are headed toward extinction. Unlike mammals and birds, with fur or feathers, amphibians can’t cope well with hotter temperatures or drier climates.

Next, we read that dying Amazon dolphins, facing 102-degree water, are “canaries in the coal mine.” With the need for urgent action, I am grateful that our local Representative Salud Carbajal recently introduced the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.

It is high time to put a cost on the pollution of our shared atmosphere, together with a carbon cashback to households. Thank you for keeping this crucial topic front and center in your newspaper.

Jim Wright

San Luis Obispo

Wrong people jailed

“First California fentanyl murder sentencing in Placer County,” (sacbee.com, Oct. 11)

Our hearts go out to the family of Jewels Marie Wolf who died after ingesting a pill laced with fentanyl given to her by Nathaniel Cabacungan, who will be sentenced 15 years to life for murder.

Does this punishment fit the crime? Individuals can make up their own minds, but the bottom line is that just another desperate, uneducated, misguided young person with very limited resources and no political influence will spend over a decade (or more) in prison. Yet the sentence will have almost zero effect on narcotics use.

Meanwhile, the Sackler family — who ushered in the modern wave of opioid addiction with Oxycontin that killed over a million Americans since 2000 — faces zero jail time.

Americans need to send the right people to prison if we want to deter narcotic dealers from distributing addictive drugs. The Sacklers having to do hard time would send a much more powerful message than Cabacungan doing 15 to life.

Arthur Clark

Sacramento

Government for the people

“After one week without a House speaker, Republicans appear no closer to choosing a new leader,” (sacbee.com, Oct. 10)

Perhaps they don’t realize it, but our elected officials have the opportunity to be truly transformative figures in our country’s history by putting country over party, dedicating themselves to unity and getting stuff done.

I believe there are enough members who believe, as I do, that there is a great need now to reach across the aisle and have Republicans and Democrats work out legislation that reflects the country — not one side or the other.

The need is urgent. The time to act is now, and the whole world is watching. The world doesn’t see Republicans and Democrats, it only sees Americans. And it sees that American democracy is in peril.

The country needs you to take the lead. Take a chance on democracy. Govern for the people and by the people.

David Crowe

Sacramento