Future of Puerto Rico
The future for Puerto Rico must be completely different than the past. If we just Band-Aid the wounds without a new strategy for the future, we are doomed. There is no future in rebuilding the past. Puerto Rico’s infrastructure must be resistant to future vulnerabilities through sustainable solutions to support energy, telecommunications and small businesses, the backbone of our economy. Our task is to create a new model that is not only resistant to climatic events but that also addresses the best solutions for a viable economy.
Foundation for Puerto Rico understands the island’s future depends on new technologies and systems. Initiatives are under way to drive smart infrastructure change but must be aggressively pursued and meticulously managed. The absence of power paralyzed Puerto Rico, causing systems heavily relied on to fail. The supply chain was disrupted, crippling small businesses. Energy is key to economic stability, and the absence of it is catastrophic. We must look to renewables. While short-term fixes are executed to restore power, long-term solutions are essential. Although a new energy grid with smart technology will take years to complete, there is no alternate option.
Jon Borschow, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Kudos to ‘billionaire activist’
Concerning “Wins show Steyer’s best role may be behind the scenes” (Nov. 9): Kudos to “billionaire activist” Tom Steyer for using his largesse to fund grassroots movements that encourage more Millennials to vote, supporting pro-environmental legislation and running an ad campaign calling for the impeachment of President Trump. Unlike his fellow billionaire in the White House, Steyer is the individual who is truly helping to “Make America Great Again.” Didier Dubois, San Francisco
Reconsider gun rights
After yet another shooting, it’s become obvious that guns are, indeed, the problem. It’s time to reconsider the Second Amendment. This amendment is no longer relevant and needs to be removed, in its entirety, from our Constitution. Then, Americans must rid the nation of these instruments of slaughter. A federal and state buyback program would be necessary. After that, anything other than single-shot rifles or shotguns would be banned. Possession of anything else would be a felony.
Anyone wishing to own a pistol or multi-shot weapon of any sort would have to submit to (and pay for) a complete background check, as thorough as if they were applying to a police academy. This would include neighbors being interviewed, criminal background check, review of former addresses and reasons for moving, credit, employment, everything. Only then, and after extensive training and testing, should they be permitted to possess a truly deadly weapon. James Thurber, Mountain View
Address fundamental causes
The problems that led a young man to fire an assault rifle, killing 26 people, in a small church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, had deep roots that were planted long before Sunday morning’s attack. At so many points along the way, systems and people failed to intervene or did so unsuccessfully. Our investments in preventing domestic violence, improving mental health care, and reducing gun violence in California make this story feel particularly familiar and tragic.
In the wake of the Texas tragedy, there is a rush to identify a single problem and then suggest simple often theoretical solutions like “We need to improve mental health services” or “We must address human data entry errors.” Instead, we need to support programs that address the fundamental causes and explore potential solutions that could prevent this carnage in the first place.
We owe it to the 26 people who died on Sunday and the countless others before them who have died from domestic and gun violence to do that hard work and implement enduring solutions so that we don’t repeat this grisly scene next week or next month, followed by the same hollow rhetoric. We can do better than this.
Peter Long, San Francisco
Ruined view from cruise ship
As a former resident of the Bay Area and a frequent visitor, I was dismayed to see, of all things, a massive cruise ship parked at one of the piers on the city’s waterfront, directly below Coit Tower from my Bay Bridge perspective. What a way to ruin a perfect view of San Francisco!
City leaders must find an alternate place to park these unsightly behemoths. Herb Caen is rolling over in his grave! John Depman, Bel Air, Md.
Steyer is a breath of fresh air
Regarding “Wins show Steyer’s best role may be behind the scenes” (Nov. 9): I disagree. It is so refreshing to have an ad featuring a low-key gentleman speaking clearly, logically and convincingly.
Tom Steyer’s message gets across far more effectively using his style than having someone bombard a worn-out public with fiery rhetoric. Steyer is a breath of fresh air and clear thinking in these whirlwind days.
Vivian Imperiale, San Francisco
Honoring the veterans
Regarding “Honor vets by living American values” (Nov. 9): I wish to thank Kelsey L. Campbell, not just for her service to our country but also for her reasoned and heartfelt comments on how we can best honor all veterans on Veterans Day 2017. She provides a timely and specific reminder on what makes, and will keep, the United States a country to be proud of: our Constitution. Alison Burke, Oakland
Protect LGBTQ rights
Regarding “A tribute in light and art to Harvey Milk” (Page One, Nov. 9): Many thanks for the front-page photo and article about public art commemorating the 40th anniversary of Harvey Milk’s election to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. It’s ironic that this event is occurring at a time when the rights of LGBTQ people are being threatened by a president who thinks transgender soldiers are unfit to serve in the military, and by a Republican-dominated Congress that supports “religious freedom” legislation allowing businesses to deny service to gays and lesbians.
Milk was a courageous and outspoken individual who, no doubt, would be decrying these actions if he were alive today. To honor his legacy, we must also protest against leaders who are trying to deny equal civil rights for the LGBTQ community. Sasha Englander, San Francisco