Hey there, Editor!
Readers' Letters: Suggestions on Alcatraz's Reopening by President Trump Differ
Here's a fun take on those letters regarding Alcatraz:
Wishful Thinking: I reckon Alcatraz could use a bit of a facelift, turning it into a hybrid prison-hotel for some real-life villains, right next to Trump's golf course. Imagine him giving tours in his golf cart, flashing his scariest mugshot grin while pointing at the "VIP Suites." ("Imagine Trump's Alcatraz-a-Looz hotel," May 5)
Dustin Bling, Las Vegas
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Back to the Rafters!: Trump wants to reopen Alcatraz? I wouldn't be surprised if he plans to roll out the red carpet for the Jan. 6 rioters to set up house in those notorious cells. They're already practically running the show, so why not make it official? ("Time for a comeback," May 5)
Dwayne Dupree, Hollywood
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Aw, C'mon: Trump's idea to reopen Alcatraz is just more of the same old trump cards. He pretends to be tough on crime while pardoning miscreants left and right. If he's so concerned about dangerous criminals, let him bankroll the millions needed to rebuild Alcatraz on his dime. ("Where's the beef?," May 5)
Sherry Q. Lawless, San Francisco
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History Repeats: So, Trump wants to throw some bad guys into Alcatraz, huh? Back in the day, it was closed due to exorbitant costs, and it's still an expensive mess, as a quick Google search would tell you. There are plenty of other federal prisons serving time on Earth, so let's keep it that way. ("Hold that cell phone," May 5)
Larry G. Fang, Berkeley
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A Tough Sell: Why reinvent the wheel with Alcatraz? The island is already a cultural and tourist landmark, not to mention it's a pricey fixer-upper. Let's focus on creating more secure, cost-effective prisons where the truly dangerous can be safely contained. ("Safety first," May 5)
Mike Sly, Sacramento
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Living History: With all the political division these days, opening Alcatraz could be a chance for everyone to come together. Picture it: dangerous criminals behind Plexiglas screens, like a zoo. Safe for tourists to gawk at and learn a thing or two about the side effects of corruption. ("Educational fun," May 5)
Nellie Hood, Oakland
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Tear It Down: Alcatraz is a relic of our dark past, a symbol of human cruelty and man's inhumanity to man. Demolish the decrepit structures and return the island to its natural state, as nature intended. ("Back to basics," May 5)
Edward Rivet, Monterey
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- In the realm of policy-and-legislation, there's heated debate on Trump's proposal to reopen Alcatraz, raising concerns about crime-and-justice implications.
- Some, like Burdick from Los Angeles, suggest that Alcatraz could transform into a symbol of general-news value, incorporating a hybrid business model where it serves as a prison and tourist attraction.
- However, opposing views argue that California's politics would face backlash if such a venture were to take place, given the cultural and historical significance of Alcatraz.
- For instance, Larry G. Fang, a resident of Berkeley, insists that the exorbitant costs associated with reopening Alcatraz would be more appropriately directed towards constructing secure and cost-effective prisons.
- Dustin Bling from Las Vegas, on the other hand, believes that reopening Alcatraz could provide a unique opportunity to address the ongoing repercussions of the Jan. 6 riots, suggesting that the rioters be housed there as a form of punishment.
- The idea of driverless taxis being deployed in larger cities sparked a divergence of opinions, with some, like Mike Sly from Sacramento, viewing it as a potential job loss for humans while others saw it as an opportunity to streamline urban transportation.
- In a letter titled "Back to Basics," Edward Rivet from Monterey called for the demolition of Alcatraz, viewing it as a symbol of human cruelty and a relic of a dark past, evoking the need to return the island to its natural state.
