Letters: Recording in court | Worn-out argument | Few candidates | Growing protests | Biden reaction

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Bay Area courtsshould allow recording

I applaud Los Angeles Superior Court’s decision to allow electronic recording of certain court hearings. This addresses an unconstitutional failure in California’s justice system that has long denied many their right to appeal.

For years, a shortage of court reporters has left hearings unrecorded, effectively barring appeals for those who can’t afford private reporters. In the past 18 months, 525,000 people in Los Angeles had no record of their court proceedings. This has drastic consequences for domestic violence survivors seeking to challenge dangerous custody decisions or denied restraining orders.

Los Angeles still prioritizes court reporters, but when they are not available, the choice between an electronic record or no record at all is clear. Allowing judges to press “record” when reporters are unavailable prioritizes constitutional rights and ensures everyone has a fair chance at justice, regardless of their ability to pay. I urge Bay Area courts to follow Los Angeles’ example.

Erin SmithBurlingame

Second Amendmentargument is worn out

Re: “Concealed-carry fees jump to $540” (Page B1, Sept. 9).

I don’t want to hear any more nonsense about “the Second Amendment right” to carry a gun.

Gino Borgioli, Morgan Hill councilmember, neglects to mention that “a well-regulated militia” member has no need to conceal anything they might be carrying.

Innocent people are dying daily in this loony country. Get a grip, gun owners — and I don’t mean on your guns.

Robert WahlerSan Jose

Social media causingshortage of candidates

Re: “Why are some cities canceling contests?” (Page A1, Sept. 8).

While I appreciate the article, it has failed to address what I believe is the number one reason that people (at least here in Milpitas) choose not to run for office, and that is social media.

We have three or four people in the city who engage in personal attacks rather than policy discussions. The negative effect on the city is long-term.

I can’t tell you the number of people who want to run for office but don’t because of how personal attacks on social media will affect their children or their own lives.

Joseph WeinsteinMilpitas

Netanyahu’s approachis growing protests

Re: “Israelis protest in the streets again as the toll in Gaza grows” (Page A10, Sept. 8).

For those who no longer keep up with the news due to the despair and genocidal acts being committed by the state of Israel against the Palestinians, you may be asking yourself, “What can I do?”

While we can’t do much of anything, our nation continues to fund Israel and provide weapons. However, we can peacefully resist by signaling our opposition to what history will certainly deem a genocide.

To be clear, the first victims of Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies are Israeli citizens. His theocratic approach is seeding resistance movements that risk Jewish livelihood all across the globe. We need to ask our elected representatives to stop supporting genocide.

Akeem MostamandySan Jose

American’s death shouldbring Biden reaction

Re: “Israeli soldiers allegedly shoot, kill American woman” (Page A3, Sept. 7).

Thank you for covering the murder of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was shot in the head by Israeli troops while participating at a peaceful protest in the West Bank.

I traveled to the West Bank myself this summer; like Eygi, I provided a protective presence to Palestinians under attack by Israeli settlers and the military. I was shocked by the impunity with which Israelis assaulted and terrorized Palestinians, often with military, settlers and police acting in concert. Violence has escalated throughout the summer, against both Palestinians and international activists. Earlier this summer, Israeli settlers severely beat another Bay Area resident and shot and wounded an American citizen.

The Biden administration failed to take any action or even make a statement in response to these savage attacks, reinforcing a deadly culture of impunity. And now a vibrant young woman has lost her life. Will Joe Biden impose any real consequences now?

Alice RobinsonRedwood City