Museums should keep art collection
Concerning “Unlock artworks we can’t see” (Insight, Jan. 14): Because most major museums only show anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of their permanent collections, why not suggest creating tours of their storage facilities, rather than advocating the sale of their “unseen masterpieces”? This is already being done at places like the State Hermitage Museum and the Brooklyn Museum of Art.
Or why not send touring exhibitions so that residents in more cities can view them? Major art museums should not be seen as banks, where paintings are like funds that can be deposited or withdrawn. They are important cultural institutions whose works should be seen by as many visitors as possible in as many ways as possible.
Annabelle Devereaux, San Francisco
Find common ground
In response to Daniel P. Beckmann’s “How San Franciscans ruin Leibovitz, and the electorate” (Insight, Jan. 14): I wholeheartedly agree. I am very progressive and I may have also been involved in the hooting and booing during Annie Liebovitz’s talk.
That is a shame precisely for the reasons Beckmann states. In defense of my fellow progressives, I think there is a feeling of being frightened and very angry with what we see in this country. Those images presented that remind us of this horror we feel is difficult to contain.
Somehow, it is satisfying to be among others who feel the same as you and emote together. Liebovitz’s talk was not the best place to do that, but the need is there, and when opportunity arises most who feel this despair will have a tough time containing it. If it is our goal to find common ground in this country, we would be wise to find better ways to deal with our feelings in public so we can progress to the more united and inclusive nation we say we aspire to be.
Paula Capocchi, Corte Madera
Diverse candidates
Regarding “There’s plenty to admire in this field” (Insight, John Diaz, Jan. 14): The thing I admire most in John Diaz’s profiles of the candidates vying to become our next mayor is their diversity. Angela Alioto, Jane Kim and London Breed are successful female political leaders, each from a different ethnic background. And Mark Leno, who also has an impressive political resume, would, if elected, become San Francisco’s first openly gay mayor. While the president continues to make racist remarks and embrace policies that adversely impact the LGBTQ community, we’re fortunate to live in a place where diversity is respected and embraced.
Didier Dubois, San Francisco
Moving journalism
Regarding “Berkeley’s pioneer for disabled rights” (Datebook, Jan. 17), “High school wrestler remains paralyzed” (Bay Area, Jan. 17) and “Dog on a journey to I don’t know where” (Kevin Fisher-Paulson, Datebook, Jan. 17): I cried three times while reading The Chronicle. I am disabled, a paraplegic, which likely strongly colors two of my three powerful reactions.
Hale Zukas is amazing, I see him frequently around town and his life is astonishingly difficult (I am guessing much more than even is apparent), yet he is still going strong at 74 years old. The teenaged wrestler with the spinal injury, Ryan Joseph, if he survives, will have unimaginable hardships ahead. And Kevin Fisher-Paulson’s story of loss, sadness and family is priceless. Thank you to The Chronicle for printing non-fake news. The President Trump reports just make me want to punch a hole in the wall.
Ned Fielden, Berkeley
Doomsday Clock
I give President Trump points for reminding us all that nuclear weapons never went away but are waiting for the call. In fact, he wants more of them and bigger ones; they are that insecure man’s Viagra. Whatever his own mental state, we should ask about our own for having entrusted one person the power to end life on Earth within minutes.
We are all parties to what looks ever more likely. The Doomsday Clock now stands at two and half minutes to midnight. It should be moved forward to one minute while there is anyone left to do so.
Gray Brechin, Inverness
Moral hypocrisy
Columnist Jonah Goldberg opines that “Screen stars have no role preaching moral authority” (Insight, Jan. 14). However, neither does a thrice-married former reality TV show who brags about grabbing women by their genitalia, boasts about having a “bigger” nuclear button than a deranged North Korean dictator and thinks that some white supremacists are “very good people.”
Richard Fairchild, Walnut Creek