My enjoyment and usually thoughtful consideration of Carl Heintze's column "Memories of Sgt. Poohaw" in the Oct. 30 issue of The Cupertino Courier was marred and diminished by Carl's considered but ill-chosen use of "perhaps" on two occasions.

It is inappropriate for Carl to diminish and undermine in any way the legitimacy of George H. W. Bush as president of the United States. His use of "perhaps" was patently intended to do just that. While Carl or anyone may disagree (I do) with the way President Bush is going about the nation's business with Iraq, and publicly critique that performance, Carl does a disservice to the nation by making sly aspersions on the president's legitimacyt.

Carl went past justifiable critique and used "perhaps" for one reason and one reason only. That usage was not germane to the issue he was raising, and in that regard was poor writing on Carl's part. Regardless of your politics or how you voted in the last election, such aspersions contribute to an air of distrust and disunity. While I normally admire and appreciate what Carl has to say, in this instance I was disappointed. My opinion of his future writings is (perhaps) permanently damaged.

—Carrell Killebrew, Saratoga


Heintze column was great

Thanks for running Carl Heintze's column of Oct. 30 of The Cupertino Courier regarding Sgt. Poohaw—probably, in my opinion, the best article to date. Carl need not worry about being alone in his skepticism regarding our leader's call to arms. The scent of Iraqi oil permeates the whole affair.

—Alex Bernyk, Saratoga


Reader can relate to words in column

To Carl Heintze—great column in the Oct. 30 issue! I have a president and had a first sergeant just like that.

—Vic Ulmer, Saratoga


Name change is politically driven

A city council must be intimately aware of the community's needs and strive to meet those needs for the betterment and welfare of the community. In that context, they must always be positive and avoid decisions that are counterproductive and divisive in nature. A change in the name of a street or any other public place insults one segment of the citizenry.

Changing the name of Persian Drive to anything else is a political decision done for short-run political gains. It is unwise and not conducive to mutual respect and understanding among the people.

I would like to let the city know about my disappointment and resentment with respect to the name change proposal for Persian Drive. It is a bad idea at any time. You should avoid playing politics for short-term gains, if there are any.

—Hamid Zangeneh, South Providence Road


Keep name the same

I would like to bring to your attention a proposal to change a street name from Persian Drive to Mandir Drive. Personally, I have grave concerns on this issue and would strongly object to this change.

Historical roadway names are part of a greater community, and they must not be changed. America is comprised of many ethnic groups with a variety of cultures and religions, and we must respect each other in our community. However, it doesn't make sense to change a street name to make one group happy. What if there was a proposal to change the name of Sunnyvale to Mexico City because the majority of the population is Mexican?

—Javad Fakharzadeh, Persian Gulf Task Force


Residents shouldn't be inconvenienced

I would like to voice my opposition to changing the name of Persian Drive to Mandir Drive.

It seems as though a significant level of disruption and unnecessary congestion has already occurred due to the presence of this temple on Persian Drive. While they, as Americans, have the freedom to practice their religion, as protected under the U.S. Constitution, they should also be mindful that in doing so they do not tread on other people's rights to live in conditions where they are not inconvenienced.

Changing the name of Persian Drive will further undermine the tranquility that has existed in the Sunnyvale community by promoting unnecessary anxiety amongst its non-Hindu citizens and visitors alike.

I would therefore recommend that the council veto any name change suggestions that might be made by Hindu residents and keep in place the existing name of Persian Drive.

—Reza C. Vatandoust, Sunnyvale