San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Make sure to vote wisely
I am worried about so many people who refuse to vote because they do not like either candidate. That is how tyrants like President Trump are elected. One of those two is going to become president for four more years.
If you can’t decide, then pay attention to records, statements and actions and try to make an informed decision. In a democracy our vote counts. Use it wisely, but vote.
Marjorie Afterman, Sonoma
Civility key in politics
Responding to “Feinstein must go” ( Letters, Oct. 17) regarding Sen. Dianne Feinstein and her hugging Sen. Lindsey Graham and congratulating his running of the Amy Coney Barrett hearing, I’d like to say that I agree it is time for Feinstein to retire.
However, I don’t disagree with her civility in this instance. Angrily handling the opposition to Barrett’s nomination gains no ground and only points to the futility of resisting what is likely her inevitable appointment. While many of us would prefer not to see the Republicans take this backward step in our courts, we need instead to be thinking about the election, and how to win at every level of government. Behaving rudely, like the current administration and most Republicans, isn’t the answer.
It’s unfortunate that it seems likely that while people age out and need to learn to leave the scene gracefully, we can’t seem to accept gracefulness and civility as the norm it should be any longer, and only seem satisfied with rancor and division. Graham is expert in that field, and I would suggest it’s also time for him to “retire.” Let’s hope his opponent is victorious at the polls.
Absurd situation
This renaming situation is really getting out of hand. Born and raised in San Francisco, I am a dedicated Democratic progressive, who believes in equal justice and equal rights for everyone, so I come from a very liberal background. Removing Civil War statues, done legally, I can agree with, but removing the names of naturalist John Muir, former President Abraham Lincoln, and poet James Russell Lowell, for example, is absolutely absurd. We think we are all so high and mighty, that we are all better people than many of those we seek to wipe from our history. We are not.
I just remember what a great man once said, with words that should echo through our souls every day: “Let you who is without sin cast the first stone.”
Trump’s farewell tour
President Trump is now running out his campaign almost entirely via performances in front of adoring crowds, and he has nothing to say about specific plans for a second term.
He may call that politics, but we know better: He’s invoked his inner rock star, and he knows this is his farewell tour.
Virtual Halloween
Because of COVID19, people all around the world are not authorized to do routine activities such as going to the theaters, restaurants, and supermarkets. We didn’t celebrate July Fourth with bands and parties. Halloween is almost here and trickortreating would also be risky.
The fun parts that all the kids love, myself included — like wearing pretty costumes and collecting candy from every house — would give everyone a higher possibility of getting the coronavirus. In this case, I would propose that friends virtually meet using apps such as Zoom or FaceTime. We could all dress up in glamorous Halloween costumes to stun each other. The celebration won’t be left out while we could chat, play games, dance, sing songs, and show pictures we draw, with background music.