Apr 30, 2008

Letters

Dems, gas prices

Dear Editor: The Democrats' slogan of "change" is right on the money. When they took control of Congress two years ago, the price of a gallon of gas was $1.50. Now it's more than $4 per gallon. By the end of summer it will cost $5 per gallon. They neglected to tell us the direction their change would take us. What was it that P.T. Barnum said? Wake up, voters.

Joseph Locasto,

San Mateo



Chief criticizes story

Dear Editor: There are significant gaps in the Daily News article published Thursday concerning the investigation of the Galbraith case. The Galbraith investigation was a tragic case for all concerned. However, much of the information that was reported is incomplete and inaccurate. For example, statements that were attributed to a Palo Alto detective consist only of incomplete excerpts of responses to specific questions asked during a lengthy deposition. These excerpts were taken entirely out of context of the 181-page deposition transcript. The way the article was written and excerpted statements were chosen, it appears as though the newspaper intended to discredit the Palo Alto Police Department and impugn the reputation of a highly regarded detective sergeant.

The Galbraith case was an investigation into an unattended death, and like all unattended deaths was investigated as a case of suspicious circumstance. A criminal case goes to trial only after many agencies and their personnel have reviewed the case, contributed their expertise, conducted a thorough analysis and determined that the evidence has stood up to that intense scrutiny. There is never only one investigator assigned to a case, rather a team made up of police department detectives, the District Attorney's Office and its investigators, the Coroner's Office and its investigators, and potentially other agencies.

The police department strictly adheres to this standard investigative protocol and followed this process on the Galbraith case specifically referenced in recent news accounts.

I am very proud of the dedicated members of the police department who work tirelessly 24/7 on behalf of the Palo Alto community. Many officers, including Sgt. Michael Yore, have received awards and commendations for their bravery, expertise, hard work and investigative skills, talents that my staff utilizes every day in the line of duty. The community is fortunate to have such competent employees working tirelessly on its behalf.

Lynne Johnson,

Palo Alto police chief



Saving amphibians

Dear Editor: Your article about Stanford's attempts to save the spotted salamander reminds me of an Elderhostel trip we made to southern Holland in April more than 10 years ago. We stayed in a hostel in a wooded area with a narrow, paved road running by, and my husband who was a Stanford-trained herpetologist (amphibians and reptiles) noted some strange cans embedded in the ground on one side of this road. We learned that in this season, the local frogs needed to cross the road to reach water to lay their eggs. The cans were traps to catch as many frogs as possible for volunteers to monitor and carry them safely across. Thank you to Stanford for finding a more high-tech solution across the Foothill Expressway.

Jan Brown,

Palo Alto



Helping schools

Dear Editor: I was pleasantly surprised to see the "Top shelf help" article on the front page Tuesday. This is exactly how a local newspaper can best serve its community. The hope for our schools and children is not more funding via higher taxes, it is concerned citizens getting involved and helping out any way they can. Campus cleanup, yard duty, light construction and after-school mentoring are all ways that we can best assist our troubled schools and students.

The problem with trying to fix our schools by raising taxes is not just the additional burden on the taxpayer. It removes the personal responsibility of the average individual. The greatest resource we could give to our schools is not our money but our time. Volunteering in the community is profitable for all involved, giving you a sense of purpose, giving kids a friend and a role model, and lifting burdens from our public institutions. During this time of economic downturn, when Bay Area cities are failing to meet their budgets, perhaps grass-roots volunteering can help close the gaps, save public programs and even public jobs. If you already volunteer in the community, thanks. If you are not volunteering, give it a shot; everybody wins.

Chris Davidson,

Redwood City



The Mideast conflict

Dear Editor: Khaled Meshaal, the Hamas leader living in Syria, is reported to have said that Hamas is willing to allow Israel to exist within its 1967 borders and suggested offering a 10-year truce. He stopped short of recognizing Israel's right to exist.

I challenge any reader of this paper to state truthfully that anyone has ever told them they don't have a right to exist. If they did, what would you do? Would you be naive enough to think that after a 10-year truce, they'd change their minds and recognize your right to exist?

Let's not split hairs about "you" as a person or "you" as a country. Israel has existed as a viable country for 60 years and no other country's right to exist has been questioned for that long in recent memory.



That is why neither Israel nor the U.S. should talk to Hamas. Because it is absurd to suggest that Israel's right to exist is negotiable. And anyone who says so cannot be taken seriously by Israel except as a deadly and devious enemy not to be trusted under any circumstances.

Desmond Tuck,

San Mateo