Good schools have real value
Editor,
As real estate professionals, we consider it a privilege to work in the Palo Alto community. Throughout our careers, we have believed that supporting our Palo Alto public schools monetarily is a tangible way to express our gratitude to this community.
We are writing in support of Measure I, the parcel tax designed to help Palo Alto schools.
We are acutely aware of the link between the quality of our public schools and our local property values. Buyers with children understand that Palo Alto public schools are in a league of their own, and whenever possible these buyers consistently sacrifice space and property condition in order to benefit from our schools.
Similarly, buyers without children recognize that living in an exceptional public school district is a fundamental principle of buying property.
Investing in Palo Alto real estate has always been a wise financial decision, but investing in our children is an even better investment in our future.
Carol Carnevale, Rosemary Squires
Homer Avenue, Palo Alto
Tragic outcomes of Iraq
Editor,
If Americans want to see and be educated about the real costs to our soldiers over in Iraq, a picture is worth more than 1,000 words. We truly are reliving the Viet Nam war -- and our young kids are paying the price. In the long run, society will need to foot the bill for life-long medical treatment of these brave soldiers.
I have just viewed, and felt deep pain for the soldiers' utter devastation, that I highly recommend that people view the text/photos from a new book, "Purple Hearts" by Nina Berman -- www.purpleheartsbook.com.
We don't even know how many Iraqis have been killed and maimed because Gen. Tommy Franks (safe from the real war in Wahington, D.C.) says "the U.S. doesn't do body counts."
Excuse me, but how many lives need to be destroyed (on all sides) before this insanity stops?
It's time to bring our kids home -- is President Bush making sure that these wounded soldiers get the care and treatment they need for the rest of their lives, or don't they count either?
Donnasue Jacobi
Haight Street, Menlo Park
Time to get Iraq facts
Editor,
With more than 1,000 American soldiers dead in Iraq, Americans can no longer afford to hear Bush's sunny spin on Iraq. It's time to get the facts.
In July, the CIA completed a comprehensive report on Iraq. President Bush should release the CIA's report immediately,-with any secret information removed--- as Bush's fellow Republican John McCain and others have urged.
Our soldiers' lives are on the line. Our sons and daughters will continue to die as long as we are in Iraq. For their sake, we need know all the facts and assess them honestly.
Oliver Vogel
Lambert Avenue, Palo Alto
Several other letters stating the same points in closely similar language were also received. -- Editor.
E-mail a friend a link to this story.
