It is absolutely incomprehensible and reprehensible to me that the district attorney is seeking to fine the protesters arrested at the peaceful demonstration last April 22 against Lockheed Martin.

These people were exercising their First Amendment right of free speech and free assembly. This is a precedent-setting case. If awarded, we will no longer enjoy our constitutional privilege without the possibility of paying $40,000 in fines.

What is happening to this country that someone with a brain good enough to get through law school would even consider such a thing? Or is it the ol' "anything for a buck" scenario? We can't let this happen. There is too much at stake.

—Etta Tyler, Redwood City


Demolished train station isn't the historic station

On the Sept. 10 Letters & Opinion page, the answer to Andy Gonzales' question about the Sunnyvale train station that was taken down recently was that it was not the historic station that was on the same spot.

The original station was destroyed by a tornado on Jan. 11, 1951.

—Chiyo Winters, Sunnyvale Historical Museum


Convenience, commerce go hand-in-hand

I couldn't agree more with Jack Nelson, whose Sept. 3 letter said that if the Sunnyvale City Council voted "solely on the input from those in the [council meeting] audience, they would never approve any new housing, corporate developments, or schools because no one wants them in their neighborhood." I think every building project in this city—housing, condos, apartments and commercial buildings—faced opposition in council meetings from those who didn't want more people, more buildings, or more traffic. In fact, I can't think of any citizen unrelated to a proposed project I've seen speak in favor of new construction.

Despite a severe budget crisis, the citizens of East Palo Alto didn't want the large shopping center off Highway 101 or the new IKEA store. Most other cities would have killed to have those stores for the convenience of their residents and the tax revenue generated. You can't have it both ways. If you want services, shopping, entertainment and employment close by, there has to be new construction. If you want businesses to pay the majority of taxes as they do in Sunnyvale, don't discourage them from locating or remaining in Sunnyvale. If you don't want new construction, be prepared to pay business' share of taxes, over 70 percent in Sunnyvale, I believe. If you want true suburban living, move to a bedroom or rural community without businesses, pay more taxes and commute longer. If we want a vital downtown, we need to build more stores, housing and amenities.

—John A. Miller, Sunnyvale


Social Security makes big business irrelevant

Social Security is a popular and successful program.

That's a problem for certain people in power and their backers because it proves that there are economic functions better served by government than by big business.

The success of the government's Social Security provides a foundation for the kind of activist government that well-to-do business conservatives—like President Bush—have dedicated their lives to destroying.

—Robert Thoen, Sunnyvale


Police scare creates fear and panic in a teen club

On Aug. 31, I went to pick up my 14-year-old son and two friends in downtown Sunnyvale about 11:40 p.m. and found a disturbing sight—police cars as far as the eye could see on Murphy Street.

It was as if the police officers had a planned strategy. One by one a patrol vehicle would turn the corner, then the next one would wait a few seconds and follow.

Worried about my son, I quickly parked my car and asked some officers what was going on. I was told "nothing."

Nothing?

They said they were just emptying out a club full of teenagers.

I have sent my son to that club every Sunday during the summer and I find it to be very safe for him.

There were somewhere between 10 and 15 police vehicles, a canine unit and several officers had what appeared to be high-powered rifles.

I asked if the club had done anything wrong and I was told no.

Parents and teens were frantic. It was total chaos.

Is this the kind of reception that we want our teenagers to have? Many of the children were scared, as was I.

Whose brainchild was it to scare these youngsters who apparently did nothing? Did the officers have nothing better to do that evening? Maybe Sunnyvale has too many police officers.

I hope as a parent I never see another sight like that again in downtown Sunnyvale unless there is just cause.

—Beth Morrisay, Cupertino


Murphy's former student recalls great memories

I just read the article about Gordon Murphy, one of my favorite high school teachers. My mom clipped it from the June 4 issue of the Sun for me.

There are several of us who still talk about the great memories we have of band and of Murph at Fremont High School. I'm composing a message to send to him and know others would like to be in touch with him as well.

Thanks for finding Murph and letting us know how he has spent his time since leaving Fremont High School.

He is someone who truly respected and inspired students—one of those teachers you'll never forget.

—Leslie Davidson, Fremont High Class of '76