While we in the Bay Area value diversity we must not forget that we are still one nation. The balkanization of communities and the lack of assimilation by the recent waves of immigrants from the Middle East, India and other parts of Asia is contrary to the American Spirit. The insistence on creating separate ethnic enclaves only serves to create a divisive wedge between long-time residents and the recent waves of new arrivals.

A case in point is the Oct. 15th issue of The Sun celebrating ethnic women's clothing. While beautifully made and full of heritage, such clothing is also a symbol of ethnic separatism, ethnocentrism, and the repression of women. Using such dress can also be interpreted as a symbol of cultural rebellion and a refusal to integrate into mainstream American society.

Worse, many times such clothing is used by third world societies to repress women. Let's not forget that the Taliban and other murderous regimes dictated that women wear such garments.

Moreover, the pallid excuse for such ethnic clothing (that one reader gave, Nov. 5 Sun) reflects a total lack of appreciation for the freedoms espoused by our society. His inflammatory insinuations that women today are sluts or immoral because of their dress, represents a complete ignorance of American culture.

People must come to realize that in our society, people have the freedom to dress as they wish. The importation of third world customs with their sometimes repressive, sexist, and discriminatory philosophies only serve to undermine the several hundred years of democracy that this country has enjoyed.

Respect and tolerance are a two way street. Those coming to our country are entitled to their choice of clothing. However, to pass judgment on American morality and values, or worse, to import their repressive treatment of women is not something that society will idly accept.

—Mr. Rene-Francois, Sunnyvale


City needs to make limits two terms in a lifetime

Did you know that the term limits for the Sunnyvale City Council are for two consecutive terms only? This means that the three folks who were thrown out by term limits yesterday could be back in the next election.

Would you want Walker, Vorreiter, and Vallerio back on the city council? I don't.

Look at the legacy they have left us. The redevelopment agency is completely out of control and issuing more debt. That redevelopment agency created the very smelly Mozart deal where favoritism towards one developer left us with a triple-office-tower-white-elephant eyesore.

What is the city doing buying property from one private party and then selling it to another (Mozart)?

I wouldn't have been surprised to see the city council rename a street in honor of their beloved Mozart.

Our departing city council members also leave us with a bad plan for a new monster downtown that was created through a squirrely "stakeholders" process.

And as if Mozart isn't bad enough by itself, this plan calls for building Mozart-style office towers down both sides of Mathilda Avenue.

It's time to update the law so that city council members in Sunnyvale can only serve two terms per lifetime.

—Karl Rowley, Sunnyvale


City needs a venue to question public safety

I strongly respect and trust our local public safety officers who work so hard to insure that we are safe and secure in Sunnyvale. However, the election and the events leading up to the recent election have created some concerns in my mind and maybe in the minds of other Sunnyvale residents.

If the Public Safety Officers Association finds it distasteful and offensive to have to answer the questions concerning actions by our public safety officers put forth by the vice mayor and submitted though an appropriate chain of authority consisting of the city manager and chief of police, what are the chances of getting answers to questions and concerns addressed by John Q. Citizen?

If the leadership of the union is so concerned about review of public safety's actions that it generated hit pieces and errors in presentation to election materials just prior to the city election and contributed large sums of union funds to get their candidate elected to the city council, what do they expect in return and what is their agenda?

Are they trying to keep something from the citizens of Sunnyvale? Where has the union leadership been on the sexual harassment suit against the city? If union leadership had been proactive for its members, could the city and public safety have avoided the bad publicity and expense associated with these claims?

I would propose that the city council make an agenda item for next year to put in place a clear policy that allows any employee of Sunnyvale or any citizen or council member to bring forward questions and complaints regarding Public Safety's actions.

It is vitally important that the citizens of Sunnyvale have complete trust in their public safety employees by being able to question and receive answers for actions undertaken or not taken by Public Safety.

A standing commission made up of citizens and officials to review and address possible problems might be appropriate in view of the last few months' events. As a minimum, a prescribed written procedure needs to be in place regarding these issues in the future to avoid further bad publicity and embarrassment to the city and its citizens.

—Charles Shoemaker, Sunnyvale


Does PSOA endorse sleazy low-ball campaign tactics?

Sunnyvale voters have elected Melinda Hamilton to City Council Seat 7. Thanks to the mailings of the Sunnyvale Public Safety Officers Association, she will take office under a dark cloud.

I do not know Hamilton personally, but I do recognize lies, half-truths, and deception in the numerous mailings on her behalf. Most of these letters and mailings originated with Hamilton's permission from the Sunnyvale PSOA.

My few experiences with Sunnyvale police officers have been very positive. They responded to situations promptly as competent professionals. Therefore, I found it hard to believe, at first, that their association was crafting and spreading the half-truths that were taken out of context to intentionally deceive. This points to sleazy leadership.

Do Sunnyvale Public Safety Officers endorse these low-ball tactics? Unless I read otherwise, I must conclude that they do.

—Dale Bracey, Sunnyvale