LGBTQ diversity celebration
Regarding “Too much cake” (Letters, June 27): The letter writer who thinks there is an excess of LGBTQ coverage here in the Bay Area ought to travel to some other parts of the country.
There are many queer people living in places where there are no huge rainbow flags waving for an entire month or where newspapers provide front page coverage of “bloated” Pride Parades. They’d be fearful to openly walk handin-hand with their same-sex partners or spouses. We’re fortunate to live in a place that recognizes and celebrates diversity.
Margot Travers, San Francisco
Pain correlation
Regarding “Study links opioid use, mental health” (June 27): Lenny Bernstein’s article regarding evidence of a correlation between opioid use and mental health misses at least half the story. Yes, it is possible that people with depression feel physical pain “more acutely” than others. But unmentioned in the article is that there is lots of research strongly supporting the notion that chronic pain leads to depression.
This entirely plausible explanation for a correlation between depression and opioid use is entirely ignored in the currently growing anti-opioid public relations furor. More balanced and thorough reporting would have included this alternative explanation for the correlation observed in the Dartmouth College and University of Michigan study.
Lawrence Jensen, Oakland
Foreign aid benefit
Can someone please tell the president that his “America First” justification for slashing a third of foreign aid may not be in America’s best interest? Many people, like President Trump, do not understand how investing in developing countries can benefit Americans. Two examples are national defense and the economy. Several military officials have publicly demanded an increase in funding for the Department of State, citing evidence that investment and development are more impactful than bullets and deployment. Also, foreign aid is a huge return on investment.
As people rise out of poverty, they become consumers. With one out of five U.S. jobs being export-based and 50 percent of our exports now going to developing countries, this means more jobs. For this reason, I encourage Congress and their constituents to listen to United Nations General Secretary António Guterres when he lobbies against funding cuts to the U.N., one of the many ways we participate in foreign aid. Megan Crain, Oakland
Harmed reputation
Regarding “A victory, but not a rationale” (Editorial, June 27): The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to allow part of President Trump’s travel ban against members of six predominantly Muslim countries is damaging to our country’s reputation as a place where people from all places are welcome. An inscription on the Statue of Liberty (from the poem “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus) reads: “Give me your tired, your poor / Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
Another line should now be added: “... Unless you’re from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen.”
Xavier Betancourt, San Francisco
Overlooked deeds
Regarding “Summer of Love’s lessons ring true” (Open Forum, June 26): As a former hippie myself, I take issue with Lawrence J. McQuillan’s screed against Big Brother and government power.
He overlooks many good things that government, and particularly Democratic government, has done for Americans. Gay rights, women’s rights, clean air and clean water acts, protecting endangered species, access to health care, civil rights and financial oversight of errant banks; the list of what government has done is extensive. Apparently, McQuillan’s dislike of government in any form has blinded him to its accomplishments.
Steve Heimoff, Oakland
License to carry
Regarding “Ban on concealed guns upheld by high court” ( June 27): Count me as someone grateful that California’s century-old law requiring gun owners to get licenses to carry concealed weapons in public (especially in urban areas) remains intact.
Why would anyone besides a law enforcement officer need to carry around a loaded gun in a crowded metropolitan area like San Francisco? It’s 2017, and we’re living in the West — not the Wild West.
Mitchell Fogelberg, San Jose
Scathing TV ads
It’s time for Democrats to take the gloves off and expose the Republican health care proposal for what it is: gutting health care for millions of people and giving tax cuts to the wealthy. Since the right already has ads for President Trump’s 2020 re-election and anti-James Comey ads, it’s time for pro-Democratic organizations to advertise in red states, graphically exposing the Republican’s heartless plan.
A TV ad could look like this: A couple in a mansion discuss how the tax cut from the health care bill will allow them to buy another yacht and an additional vacation home.
The scene changes to a working class couple talking about how they can’t afford health insurance since their baby has a serious pre-existing condition and, without treatment, the baby will die. At the conclusion, the working class husband is saying, “I thought Republicans were going to improve health care, but they don’t care about us at all.” It’s as powerful as anything Republicans would air, but reality-based, and not lies. Let’s send senators and representatives who support this bill home to irate constituents during the recess. That would get their attention. Ellen Ingraham, Vallejo
Congress’ plan
Regarding “The big lies about health care” (E.J. Dionne Jr., June 26): Of course, all of Congress can show us the best they can do.
They have their own health plan that must be the best. They aren’t changing it. Why isn’t this egregious set-up called foul! It has been very unfair to “We, the People” for too long. Joan Dedo, Mill Valley