Protect the city’s natural areas
Regarding “An S.F. value worth protecting” (Open Forum, Feb. 28): I’m in absolute agreement. San Francisco’s green spaces are one of the things that make this city a unique and incredible place to live. The value of natural areas is one worth preserving not only for our cities, but also across the nation.
That’s why it’s necessary to not only volunteer in our local parks, but to push for comprehensive climate reform that would have a nationwide impact. For example, a revenueneutral tax on carbon that would help lower the usage of fossil fuels is one such measure that can find support on both sides of the aisle. Helping to stave off the effects of climate change is necessary if we want to preserve the quality of life we take for granted in our cities. Linh Hoang, San Francisco
Only for benefit
Some politicians wrap themselves in the flag, while others exploit members of the military and their families. And some do both. Recognizing Carryn Owens, widow of Navy SEAL William “Ryan” Owens, appeared to be a noble gesture during the president’s speech last night. However, let’s remember that this is the same president who studiously avoided the draft while playing collegiate sports. He ridiculed Sen. John McCain because he was captured during the Vietnam War.
He also relentlessly criticized the parents of Capt. Humayun Khan, who was killed in action while serving our country. I want to give the president the benefit of the doubt on this one, but I can’t. His track record over the past several years is clear: He does not say or do anything unless it benefits him or puts him in a flattering light. Sorry, but my heart tells me that last night was no different.
Christopher Beach, El Dorado Hills
Out of touch
Regarding “New chapter for U.S.” (March 1): One look at a photo accompanying this article shows the real problem in Washington, D.C. Both the executive and legislative branches are populated by older, wealthy white men who are completely out of touch with the concerns and needs of a multiethnic and economically diverse America. The President Trump era may be a “new chapter” for the U.S., but it’s part of an old book that is all too familiar.
Vernon Greene, Oakland
Poisonous agenda
President Trump’s speech to Congress may have been delivered in a “measured” tone, but his “new vision of America” is divisive and disturbing. There is nothing “great” about building an expensive wall between our country and Mexico.
And there is nothing “presidential” about demonizing immigrants as people who commit crimes, or removing protections for clean air and water. Trump laid down his gauntlet when he decided to brand the press as an “enemy of the people” and criticized former President Barack Obama for leaving him a “mess.” He should not expect bipartisan cooperation as he attempts to implement his poisonous agenda.
Carolyn Crawford, San Francisco
Rural division
Regarding “American Divide” (Insight, Feb 26): I’m not sure what planet Victor Davis Hanson is living on. The division between rural and urban America has always been resource based. Private corporations controlling vital services like energy and telecommunications have always built out from the urban centers to the geographic edges of profitability, leaving rural areas to fend for themselves. Where the telephone lines stopped making AT&T money, rural ingenuity in the form of cooperatives took up the slack until the federal government forced AT&T to finish the job.
Electric lines truncated hundreds of miles from rural farms, and had former President Franklin D. Roosevelt not forced the electrification of rural America in the mid-1930s, we would not have been ready to fight World War II. Today, it’s landline broadband. Comcast and AT&T have choke-hold monopolies on the Internet infrastructure in California while rural California remains severely disconnected from the modern economy because big telecommunication companies can’t make money. Rural America needs jobs, and all future jobs are connected to the Internet. Let’s give everyone, everywhere a gigabit connection first, and then start to debate about our regional values and cultural differences. Employed people always find a way to get along with their fellow man.
Bruce Vogen, San Anselmo
Past behavior
The president’s speech was seen by some as hitting a home run. He did stay on script and not play simply to his base. However, it is not business as usual, not with this president. It is impossible to overlook and accept his past behavior, his deprecation of women and the disabled, his pathological lying, his insulting the judges, his questionable relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his millionaire Cabinet. His moral compass is so lacking, his character so questionable, it is difficult to have any respect, no matter how he packages himself.
Dennis Dow, Los Altos
Israel’s concerns
In Andrew Malcolm’s “Trump’s personal diplomacy” (Feb. 24), he says he asked a close aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Israel’s “deep concerns.” Later, he mentions in passing that Netanyahu’s coalition is fragile, relying on militant ultra-right parties. Given the fragility of Israel’s ruler, I think it is folly to consider this aide’s opinion on the “deep concerns” of the Israeli people to be worth much.
Netanyahu’s iron-fisted approach is not universally accepted in Israel but, unfortunately, with the rise of nationalism around the world and especially here in the U.S., his approach is strengthened and an uncertain world becomes even more fragile — for Israelis, too. It seems former President Barack Obama had good reason to be “frosty,” and now we should get all chummy with Netanyahu again? Good luck with that!
Andus Brandt, Oakland