Kneeling doesn’t disrespect military
As a 22-year soldier of the U.S. Army, I would like to comment on the recent remarks made by Vice President Mike Pence on Oct. 8 after he left the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers. In his comments, Pence stated he would not dignify any event that disrespects our soldiers. The implication is that athletes who don’t stand during the national anthem are insulting the soldiers of the U.S. Army. Again, I spent 22 years as a soldier in the U.S. Army Reserve.
I was deployed to Haiti in 1995 and to combat in Iraq in 2004. I feel I served our great nation for our precious liberties, including our freedom of speech. Although I may not agree with the players who take a knee during “The StarSpangled Banner,” I wholeheartedly support their freedom to express themselves. Isn’t that one of the reasons why our courageous military members make the sacrifices they make? Our military warriors serve to defend and protect the liberties and ideals defined in the U.S. Constitution. In fact, the American citizen honors the U.S. military when they peacefully and responsibly exercise their First Amendment rights, as our NFL players have been doing.
Eric Orque, San Jose
Calm before the storm
Regarding “N. Korea waits for Iran decision” (Oct. 11): I found the piece by Andrew Malcolm to be the scariest thing I have read in The Chronicle since the presidential election returns. It is clear that I have been in a state of denial, believing somehow that cooler heads must somehow prevail, but no more. The utter incoherence of the argument leading to the breathtaking conclusion that “preventive nuclear war” is a viable, much less preferred, path for deterrence jolted me into a state of heartpounding awareness that war is more likely than I thought. The arguments, nonsensical as they are, for a nuclear first strike are being assembled. We are, indeed, in the “calm before the storm,” and I am afraid for all of us.
Larry Zulch, Lafayette
Make people pay
The Muni people are in a different world. Raising the cable car charge to $7 is stupid. Why not be aware of how few people pay any fare on the cable car? The passengers get on in back and never pay. Every time I have been on a Muni bus and sat near the driver, I hear practically everyone that gets on the bus simply say “transfer.” No one pays. Get real and make people pay and your problems will be over.
Ralph Schulz, Burlingame
Gun ownership
Regarding “Exploited gun tragedy” (Letters, Oct. 10): I agree with the letter writer who suggests that with respect to the problem of mass shootings, we should focus “our political will ... more strategically.” Half of the guns in America are owned by 3 percent of the population, and mass shootings are almost exclusively perpetrated by white men. So, let’s establish a policy whereby once an individual takes legal ownership of more than 10 guns, he receives a visit by the appropriate authorities. This would allow law enforcement to take note of those individuals who might be predisposed to plan an attack in the future.
Joel Wiener, San Carlos
Track gun purchases
Regarding “Combined strategy essential for preventing gun violence” (Insight, Oct. 8): Jeffrey Swanson’s piece regarding public safety has prompted me to simplify his thoughts on gun control. This country already revolves around the use of a Social Security number for all, so tracking the purchases of guns using the SSN for all buyers is in place awaiting use.
Anyone owning more than two guns will trigger a red flag upon attempting to purchase more. I have spent over three years, countless hours and thousands of dollars trying to legalize a unit for much-needed housing to no avail, yet I can buy a gun in two weeks’ time. What is wrong with that picture?
Tod Schlesinger, Pacifica
Don’t run again
I am unabashedly disappointed in Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s desire to seek re-election. It is time for a change. Her personal interests are out of touch with needs of California and of the nation in general. She is one more reason to put an age limit on our senators.
Barry Venditti, San Francisco
Feinstein needed
Sen. Dianne Feinstein is one of the few members of Congress who remembers how bipartisan deals are made — by finding common ground, not by attacking each other and running off to your corner. For her not to run would seal the fate of a forever dysfunctional Congress. Nancy Oliveira, San Francisco
Overbuilt city
Concerning “Dropbox swoops in for Mission Bay lease” (Oct. 11): The fact that yet another big tech company will occupy a giant new office space in downtown San Francisco is not cause for celebration. Mission Bay will soon become overbuilt and over-occupied. Our already congested city will become even more densely populated, housing costs will rise even further to accommodate more well-paid tech workers, and more longtime middle- and workingclass residents will be forced to move elsewhere. “San Francisco 2.0” is not something to cheer about.
Hortensia Delarosa, San Francisco