Skeptical of solution to climate change

Regarding “Hysterical hype isn’t helping to make climate change case” (Insight, July 16): I agree with Jonah Goldberg that overblown predictions of the effects of climate change are not helping and will not convince skeptics. Unfortunately, there is no amount of genuine science that will convince the majority of skeptics. Goldberg insinuates there remains doubt that the world is and has been warming.

It is an undeniable fact, confirmed by direct observation and the work over many years by thousands of climatologists from governments and industries all over the world, including the U.S. military and even many oil companies. In an effort reminiscent of the tobacco industry’s successful campaign to delay public acceptance of the relationship between smoking and cancer, an entire industry now exists for the sole purpose of sowing confusion regarding climate science. They have succeeded in turning climate change into a political issue characterizing scientists as just another bunch of politicians mangling data to support their cause. As for Goldberg’s solution to the problem, which seems to be “Don’t worry, someone will think of something and fix this thing,” I have to say, I’m very skeptical.

Bill Hildebrand, Sunnyvale

Big Oil lawsuit

Regarding “2 area counties sue Big Oil over climate change” ( July 18): I was so glad to read in The Chronicle that Marin and San Mateo counties are suing the big oil companies for climate change. After all, they have all those refineries in their counties.

Gerald Graham, Walnut Creek

Frightening speech

Regarding “Trump real leader overseas” (Opinion, July 14): I agree with Andrew Malcolm that too much negative press is not helping, but how then do we oppose what threatens the American ideal of liberty and justice for all? Malcolm sees a real leader overseas who speaks of universal ideals. He then mentions the speech in Poland, which frightened me because I heard it as an appeal to favor one civilization above all else, which is the opposite of unity and therefore the opposite of universal ideals.

He then compares it to speeches by former Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, who I cannot imagine ever giving such a speech. They were more inclusive. He then mentions what some people in Poland went through in the times of oppression. I saw in his speech the option of oppressing others as the solution to fear. History tells us of the cruel consequences of that approach.

Margaretha Derasary, Oakland

Trump’s trickery

Regarding “Don’t call Trump an isolationist” (July 18): Ruben Navarrette Jr. makes the same mistake most President Trump supporters do. They don’t realize that he is a con man. A snake oil salesman. They actually believe him when he says things. Here’s what a con man does, Navarrette. He lies. He tells you things he knows that you want to hear, no matter how far removed from the truth they are, so that he can maintain your confidence. That is what he did at the G-20 summit. He gave flowery speeches (without actually insulting and giving childish names to anyone. Boy, has that bar been lowered!) that are 180 degrees removed from things he has said, off the cuff, in the past. This way, he gets people like Navarrette to say, “He’s actually kind of presidential and not the isolationist we thought he was.” Believe me, he’s still an isolationist. He just tricked you into thinking he isn’t.

Roy Dieckman, San Francisco

GOP, get over it

Regarding “GOP health bill collapses” (July 18): Look, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Affordable Care Act is not a “failure” as you keep saying. Get the hell over it! And if it’s not asking too much, just give us Medicare for all, which would totally work. Or is that just asking too much? Honestly, this whole thing is so silly!

Ken Malucelli, Daly City

Tax alcohol more

Regarding “A tax that works” ( July 17): If a new excise tax on the sale of cigarettes reduces the number of smokers in California, that will certainly have a positive effect on the health of our citizens. But why isn’t our state Legislature taking the same action for the sale of alcohol? The liquor industry has prevented any tax increases on the sale of its products in our state for many years, largely because of its lobbyists in Sacramento. Meanwhile, incidents of drunken driving and underage drinking continue to plague our state. The time is long overdue to address these problems by increasing sales taxes on alcohol and cigarettes.

Xavier Betancourt, San Francisco

Choices for voters

“Partisan rift opens as new vote-by-mail law rolls out” ( July 15) missed the mark. The first error was in describing the California Voters Choice Act as a simple vote-by-mail measure instead of the multifaceted election reform it actually is. Yes, the VCA provides everyone with a vote-by-mail ballot, but it also provides voters with choice. They can select how to vote (by mail, at a drop-off box or in person) and they can also select where and when to vote based on their needs.

Implemented carefully, the VCA will give voters greater flexibility, increase services for voters with special needs and reduce the use of provisional ballots, saving counties precious time and money. The article also drew a false equivalency between baseless accusations of voter fraud and logistical hurdles, choosing to view VCA primarily through the lens of party politics instead of the voter experience. The rhetoric about voter fraud deflects from the real issue, which should be conducting elections in a way that fosters participation and engagement.

Helen Hutchison, Oakland