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Young citizens must
vote to affect change
Re: “Young voters want a unified U.S. in climate change fight” (Page A6, Oct. 6).
Bravo to Anna Novoselov and Adrian Rafizadeh for their well-written opinion calling for bipartisan support for the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act to address climate change, our greatest threat to life on our planet.
We really need this act and we need the younger generation to get involved. They go on to say, “The future of our (young) generation depends on our political leaders taking action, yet Congress continues to ignore us.” With all their facts and figures, they fail to show that the greatest number of non-voting constituents are in fact their generation.
All close elections have been won or lost by a margin far smaller than the number of people who don’t vote. If the younger generation really wants to change the world, they must vote. Democracy is not a spectator sport.
David Coale
Palo Alto
Changes leave paper
in caring hands
Re: “As I retire, a parting wish for readers” (Page A12 Oct. 1) and “Dussault to lead Bay Area News Group” (Page B1, Oct. 5).
I recently found Ed Clendaniel’s June 20, 1999, “West” magazine article, “All dad all the time.” He’d left his Mercury News job to devote five years as a full-time dad to his three children. Over 24 years later he’s made another decision in their favor, retiring to spend quality time with them. Bonds formed years ago remain strong.
He and Bert Robinson have been exceptionally kind to me when replying to my emails. Bert Robinson had fielded the “Set The Record Straight” email regarding newspaper errors. Never defensive, he admitted chagrin over those mistakes. Now he’s headed to Florida, also to be near family.
We’re fortunate that Sarah Dussault is our new senior editor. Her experience began in Mercury News offices when she was 9 years old and she is devoted to the paper. I will miss my longtime buddies but feel grateful that they’ve left the Mercury News in good hands.
Bonnie Home
San Jose
Paris offers example
of true freedom
Re: “Palace of Versailles marks 400 years with a royal visit” (Sept. 19).
In modern-day Paris, old ladies still safely walk the streets, random people sing along to American songs at the grocery store or whistle while they shop, young ladies ride their bikes alone in the city, kids walk home from school. I was starting to forget what freedom felt like until my recent trip to Paris. I quickly realized there was no one messing with anyone else. People are just living their lives.
One common scene in Paris is watching someone walk down the street with a baguette. The baguette says we are all the same and breaks down socio-economic walls. It occurs to me that Parisians aren’t remotely as afraid of their own shadows as we have become in America. Culture in Paris is celebrated, and it feels so good.
Akeem Mostamandy
San Jose
