UC Berkeley clash cuts against free speech

Re: “Violent rally halts even with speaker from Israel” (Page B1, Feb. 29).

As an alumna of that bastion of higher learning, I was disgusted to hear and read about the demonstration against the speaker from Israel.

As I recall, the free speech movement started in Berkeley, or does that apply only to those whose opinions the students agree with? I will no longer financially support UC Berkeley. — Maryann Sheridan

Walnut Creek

PUC should shine light on PG&E overspending

Re: “Profits at PG&E spark outrage” (Page A1, Feb. 23).

In this era of continuous utility rate increases, was anyone surprised PG&E earned $2.24 billion in profit last year? While some families are now deciding whether to eat or keep their lights on, PG&E is reaping a Smaug's hoard and projecting further riches in the future.

Even more insulting, PG&E continues profligate spending on massive advertising campaigns, widespread litigation and needless projects such as tree-cutting above gas pipelines. CPUC rate case filings and financial disclosures fail to fully detail the incredible waste within the company.

Elected officials should hold PG&E accountable by daylighting its massive expenditures, and the CPUC should consider rebates to hard-hit customers.

— Michael Dawson, Lafayette

Fremont road changes make driving dangerous

Fremont's “War on Cars” is continuing with great success.

Street corners have been so narrowed that making a turn often risks hitting or being hit by a car. There are intersections that no longer have right turn lanes and traffic backs up. The true genius of this is when the light changes to green so the right turn can safely be made, the pedestrians now cross. This stops the right turns and traffic continues to back up. Drivers who have been waiting to go through continue to wait and often try to escape this trap by suddenly pulling into the left lane almost hitting another car. More gas used and frustrated drivers.

An intelligent design would coordinate the pedestrian crossing by perhaps making all four corners a go with no car traffic. But this is Fremont, where cars are the enemy.

— Patty Lacy, Fremont

High court must hear Trump case quickly

I am furious at the Supreme Court. I do not disagree that the issue of presidential immunity should be decided by the Supreme Court, but they should have taken the issue up in December when Jack Smith made his request.

The parties are prepared. Scheduling arguments for April 22, seven weeks out, is partisan politics. The people deserve to have Donald Trump's trials related to the Jan. 6 insurrection and his mishandling of documents conducted and decided before the November election.

If the Supreme Court wants to regain the respect of this country they need to act on this issue now. The court should move up the arguments to March and commit to announcing their decision by the end of April. Justice delayed is justice denied.

— Darcy Johnson, Antioch

Krugman column obscures the facts

Re: “When beliefs drive what we are able to see” (Page A6, Feb. 22).

The last sentence in Paul Krugman's Feb. 22 column says it all: “How are we going to function as a country when large numbers of people just see a different reality from the rest of us?”

Rather than understanding differing viewpoints, he and his cohorts continue to view people with alternative opinions as “deplorables.” Facts? Don't confuse him with those. Crime? “Relatively few consider it a serious problem.” What a great example of altering the facts to support his opinion.

Inflation only slightly higher? The rate of inflation has dropped from its 40-year high, but have you checked prices lately? Tell the whole story, Paul. Give the American people the real facts; we're smart enough to form our own opinions about reality.

— John Griggs, Danville