Tesla tagger

Judge Debra Shopteese was wrong in dismissing the case against Harrison Grant Randall who placed stickers on a Tesla vehicle. Randall allegedly claimed in a video that placing stickers on the car was a form of “free speech.” No it isn’t. Defacing another persons property is not protected by law.

The only car defaced with stickers was a Tesla.  Therefore, it was a deliberate act against the specific owner of the Tesla.  Based on Judge Shopteese’s decision, I can cover her car with President Trump stickers and walk away facing no repercussions.  Not so, judge.

Don Houghton

Quincy

Climate tax

Stephen Moore’s attack on shipping taxes (“Moore: Stop the UN global climate tax on US ships,” 10/16) overlooks a crucial fact: American families are already paying for climate damage through their tax bills.

Moore calls international carbon pricing “foreign interference,” but Hurricane Ian cost Florida taxpayers $112 billion. Texas families paid $195 billion for the 2021 freeze. These aren’t abstract future costs. Rather, they’re real money coming out of American wallets right now through disaster relief and insurance.

The shipping industry Moore defends gets special treatment that other businesses don’t enjoy. Ships burn the dirtiest fuels available while avoiding pollution rules that apply on land. Meanwhile, taxpayers foot the bill when climate damage hits.

Moore worries about China beating us in shipbuilding, but his approach guarantees we’ll fall further behind. Other countries are developing cleaner shipping technology while we protect yesterday’s polluting ships. The carbon tax Moore opposes would simply make shipping companies pay some of their real costs instead of dumping them on taxpayers. That’s basic accountability.

Conservative principles should mean the polluter pays, not the taxpayer. When industries profit while families pay for the damage, that’s corporate welfare disguised as free market policy.

Frederick Hewett

Cambridge

Donald Trump

If the 2024 election is an indicator of “where the wind blows” it is quite obvious that Donald Trump was blowing in the wind. All the swing states; the popular vote; the minority vote; the anti-illegal vote.

Nine months in and, so far, things look good. Border secured, economy growing, troops having to do what local police won’t do. Trimming down government fat.

The NO KINGS people should realize that they wouldn’t be able to protest this idea in a country ruled by an actual king because they would be eliminated post haste.

Jack Zaccardi

East Boston