Letters to the editor

Biden must avoid earlier mistakes in nuclear deal

Hopefully President Biden will make nuclear deals with Iran and North Korea. However, it is equally to be hoped that he does not repeat the fatal flaw of the first Iran deal: It imposed a waiting period for the inspection of suspected sites.

This waiting period would have allowed them to move the materials for making a nuclear weapon to a second site during the waiting period for the first site; then when the second site would come under suspicion, it would have a waiting period during which the material could be moved to a third site; and so on. That flaw is why a future president may cancel the deal again.

— Alvin Blake, Antioch

Blower bans mean little without enforcement

The news item regarding Alameda banning leaf blowers (“Alameda might ban leaf blowers for yard cleanup,” Page B1, April 6) mentions that Berkeley banned leaf blowers in 1991.

True. Berkeley looks good on paper, but such a law is useless without enforcement. Over the past 15 years, the “ban” has been ignored. Gas blowers are ubiquitous. They disturb the peace, stir up fungus on dead leaves and disrupt bird life. Every weekend, my neighbor’s gardener blasts dirt and detritus from that garden into ours, making us run to close all the windows. A dusty, noisy world isn’t good for any of us.

— Kathryn Jordan, Berkeley

Oakley residents step up for students

Back in February, a tremendous display of civic pride began in the community of Oakley. I have been privileged to witness the galvanizing strength of a true community as five new, enthusiastic school board members have been seated, while the district, teachers and staff have worked together to get their students back into the classroom next week.

It takes courage to run for public office; it took even more when, with almost no notice, more than 20 citizens stepped up to fill the void, showing their true “servant hearts” to lead their community.

I will watch from the front row now as this community and its new school board grow and learn together.

While many media outlets chose to focus on the scandalous side of this story (“Entire Oakley school board resigns,” Page B1, Feb. 21), the citizens of Oakley chose to pull up their boots and get to work. Bravo, Oakley.

— Mike Maxwell, Danville

UConn women’s perfect seasons overlooked

Wes Goldberg is incorrect to suggest that Gonzaga would have had the first perfect record in college basketball in 45 years (“Scouts laud Suggs, viable draft target for Warriors,” Page C1, April 7).

The University of Connecticut women’s basketball team had back-to-back perfect records in 2008-9 and again in 2009-10. Do only men’s sports count?

— Don Mahoney, Moraga

Astros earned fans’ jeers by cheating

In the article “After enduring fan taunts, Astros’ Baker pleads for end to jeers” (Page C1, April 7) manager Dusty Baker asks fans to relent; “enough is enough.”

It is only six games into the first season fans have attended games. The Astros have left a scar on baseball forever. Fans will let Baker know when it’s enough. Baker complains about fan hatred and says that we have all cheated. Except for cheaters themselves, people indeed hate cheaters. Especially in pro sports. The Astros stole wins, and ruined careers of earnest competitors. I don’t agree that everyone has cheated in school, sports. So that rationale in asking for empathy is bizarre.

Baker says that the Astros have paid the price. Banning the manager and GM were token moves. The players still have their rings, propped up salaries from inflated statistics, and their title. Baker has been good for MLB, making his statements disappointing.

What will the kids think? That cheating has consequences.

— Rich Arzaga, San Ramon

Confusing objections to corporate politics

I find it curious that there is outrage on the part of conservatives with corporations that have spoken against attempts to limit access to voting. That group was pleased with the passage of Citizens United, a ruling that specifically related to the idea that restricting political contributions by corporations was an infringement on their right to free speech — as manifested in financial support for candidates and causes. Hence, they were seen as “people,” able to speak with their money as is the case for individuals.

Once you allow corporations involvement in the political process, you have to accept their right to pass judgment on the laws and policies that have resulted from that participation. Apparently, acceptance of the cash is fine but that must include acquiescence to every policy, irrespective of its societal harm. Sorry GOP, those tricks are for kids.

— Ron Kuhlmann, Danville