Vaccine hotline helped Marin senior citizen Setting record straight about filibustering history

After spending weeks trying unsuccessfully to get a vaccination appointment, I tried the county’s vaccine appointment phone number for nondigital residents: 833-641-1988. A very patient person (not a robot) answered, took my information (I’m well within the eligible age range), and immediately gave me an appointment for two days later.

The vaccination process at the Marin Health and Wellness Campus in San Rafael was very well organized, with lots of volunteers to help. I was interviewed several times and was asked to show my driver’s license to prove my age and address.

The whole process, including the 15-minute post-shot waiting period, only took about 30 minutes. It was almost 5 p.m. when

I finished, but even though it was near the end of their long day, everyone was pleasant and cheerful throughout: great people, good show. Thank you, all.

— Bert Katzung, San Rafael

A recent letter published in the Marin IJ inaccurately claimed that Republicans used the filibuster to block civil rights legislation in the 1960s. Instead, the infamous 74-day filibuster of the 1964 Civil Rights Act was led by Democrats. Republican Everett Dirksen led the push to overcome the filibuster.

When it finally passed, 82% of Republicans voted in favor, versus 69% of Democrats; it could not have passed without Republican support. Of the four bills mentioning civil rights passed between 1957 and 1968, Republicans in both chambers of Congress voted in favor at a higher rate than Democrats in all but one case.

Additionally, it is laughable to complain that Republicans have changed the rules to entrench power. In the meantime, House Resolution 1, the For the People Act (which should be titled “for the Democrats”) is all about entrenching Democrat power.

— Larry Galetti, San Anselmo