SJSU athlete sets fine example for girls Re: “Transgender athlete reveals pain” (Page A1, April 23). As a retired San Jose State University faculty member (1988-2018) and a long-time unapologetic LGBTQ+ ally I read with anger, sadness and great admiration of Spartan transgendered volleyball player Blaire Fleming’s treacherous journey. Rising above the unrelenting intolerance, hate, transphobia and lies promulgated by the right-wing media, countless politicians, including, shamefully, our current sitting president, and most damning her own teammates, opponents and one SJSU coach, Blaire carried herself with courage, dignity and grace. As the grandfather of an impressive and aspiring 12-year-old female athlete I owe an unrepayable debt of gratitude to Blaire for being such an awesome role model to countless young female athletes, both transgendered and cisgendered. Blaire Fleming, I am one of the millions in your fan club. You are, indeed, an impressive young woman. Thank you. Barry Goldman-Hall With Trump, no end to ‘madman theory’ Re: “Trump still has time for a big tariff victory” (Page A6, April 22). In Tuesday’s opinion column, Trump apologist Marc Thiessen attempts to put a positive spin on the chaos his hero has created in international economies with his reckless tariffs policy — if it can even justify the term. Thiessen hopes that Trump is employing the infamous Nixonian “madman theory,” in which countries suspect our president might be crazy, which will lead to them handling him with kid gloves for fear he might do something randomly catastrophic. The huge problem with the madman theory is that, once activated, how do other nations determine that the madman is no longer mad? When can they start believing they are again dealing with a responsible, trustworthy partner? Once a crazy president, always a crazy president, and no kind of productive relations can be established when one side is regarded as insane. Robert Mitchell Morgan Hill Trump’s appeasement of Putin disgraces U.S. Instead of renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, Donald J. Trump should change his name to Neville Chamberlain. He has preemptively capitulated and appeased Vladimir Putin by giving him all he has sought: Ukraine will not join NATO; portions of Ukraine illegally taken by force will not be returned; and the U.S. is siding with Russia, North Korea and Belarus in rejecting the U.N. resolution condemning Russia for starting the war. Chamberlain signed the Munich Agreement in 1938, declaring, “I believe it is peace for our time.” Trump believes he is today’s peacemaker while failing to realize history’s lesson that accepting assurances of a tyrannical dictator can have the opposite effect. We see the art of appeasement, not the “Art of the Deal.” Anyone can capitulate. Few have the courage to fight for liberty, freedom, democracy and sovereignty. Trump is disgraceful to America and its presidency. Jeff Braggin Colleges must do more to support single parents As a single mother in college, I face the daily challenge of balancing classes, parenting and work. Many single moms in higher education are doing the same, often with limited support. We struggle not only financially, but emotionally and logistically, with few resources available to help us succeed. Colleges must do more to support student parents, including offering affordable child care, flexible class schedules and targeted financial aid. Without these resources, it’s incredibly difficult for single moms to complete their degrees. Supporting us is not just a matter of fairness, it’s an investment in families, communities and the future. If we want truly inclusive education, we need systems that recognize and respond to the needs of all students, including single parents. Fabiola Pineda Criticism of Israel was based in bias Re: “Lessons about Gaza war did not amount to bias” (Page A6, Sept. 22). Describing Israel as a “settler-colonial state” betrays a bias. Like most states, Israel has many sides, some admirable and others less so. To the accusation of genocide, it remains to history to decide that issue. Richard Kroll America has opened the door to fascism Re: “Tested during election, United States failed” (Page A6, Sept. 22). I agree with writer David Watkins, America failed its most important test. I immigrated to this country in 1991, just months before the fall of the Soviet Union, after dreaming of being here for most of my adult life. My view of America had been shaped in part by listening to Voice of America and by my Dad, who taught me that America is governed not by people, but by laws. I came here as a somewhat idealistic 29-year-old who was in awe of the fact that having been tested throughout its history, America had managed to reject both communism and fascism and remained the beacon of democracy for the rest of the world. Sadly, this can no longer be said. A majority of American voters decided enough of that and, despite being warned, opened the door to fascism. How tragic. Alex Rozovsky