Visas for Crime Victims
When being mugged trumps education: Wow, just wow ["The New U Visa," Lauren Smiley, Feature, 3/16]. I've been trying to get a visa to build a company in the U.S., and the issue is that despite [my] raising funds and creating work, the Immigration Department doesn't like the fact that I don't have a degree — you know, like George W. Bush, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, etc. Next time I go over there [to the U.S.], maybe I should just get mugged.
Kosso
Somerset, U.K.
To Snip or Not to Snip
It's not about cultural differences, it's about human rights: For once, a good law may be enacted in S.F. Circumcision is a barbaric practice, and its victims have no choice ["The Unkindest Cut," Joe Eskenazi, Sucka Free City, 3/16].
I'm sick of the stupid identity politics always played around here. When the city tried to outlaw the barbaric treatment of chickens in Chinatown, [state Sen.] Leland Yee cried bigotry. Now presumably the Ashkenazi community, or some members, may cry anti-Semitism. There are very few things that are legitimate subjects of government intervention. Stopping unnecessary pain and cruelty is one of them.
Mike
Web Comment
Government should focus on larger issues: As a woman, I hate uncircumcised penises. I really can't believe that something historically practiced for health reasons can be seen as something worth banning.
I also can't believe that this is the kind of crap S.F. government wastes its time with. What about the homeless problem? Our troubled public transit system? Housing? The closing of schools due to lack of funding? And yet we are worrying about circumcised penises. Just ridiculous!
KeepEmSnipped
Web Comment
It's about religion: It's in the Torah or the Bible (aka the "Old Testament" to Christians) that Jews should circumcise their boys. The Torah was created by God. So if San Francisco wants to go against God, it is free to make that decision. The city does that at its own risk, though.
David
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Blog Comment of the Week
In response to a blog post about San Francisco possibly giving Twitter a tax break if the company stays in S.F.: Supervisor Jane Kim's attempt to keep Twitter from leaving is admirable but also shortsighted ["Twitter Promises to Stay in San Francisco — If City Gives Tax Break," Erin Sherbert, the Snitch, 3/16]. Focusing on one company, Twitter, or one geographical area of the city, Mid-Market, does little to solve San Francisco's unemployment or budget problems.
Giving a tax holiday to any business that wants to locate or expand in San Francisco, regardless of industry or neighborhood, will produce greater rewards for the city. Lowering or abolishing the payroll tax would produce more new jobs and budget relief than a short-term tax holiday.
Howard Epstein
Web Comment
Corrections
In our Eat article, "Frontiers of American Sushi" [Jonathan Kauffman, 3/16], we misspelled the name of Cassor Trenor, Kin Liu and Raymond Ho's partner at Tataki.
In our cover story, "The New U Visa" [Lauren Smiley, 3/16], the nonprofit Immigration Center for Women and Children was mistitled. SF Weekly regrets the errors.
