Time to end the process of fracking
Regarding “Governor’s final agenda” (Editorial, Jan. 26): Even though our termed-out governor has advocated honoring the Paris climate accords and taken steps to combat global warming, I wish he had used part of his final statehouse address to call for a ban on fracking.
Why is this dangerous and dirty process of extracting fossil fuel being allowed to continue in “green” California? It’s been 40 years since Jerry Brown first became our governor, but oil drilling continues unabated in this state. Whoever becomes our state’s next leader should make ending the process of fracking (and ceasing the issuance of new drilling permits) a top priority.
Dylan Seeger, San Francisco
Long-term solution
Regarding “Gov. Brown joins demand for Congress to get moving on billions in disaster aid” (Page One, Jan. 25): While immediate relief is important to the communities affected by recent natural disasters, long-term solutions need to be on the minds of our country and our representatives.
Reducing carbon emissions by way of a carbon fee and dividend, as proposed by Citizen’s Climate Lobby, would in itself be a revenue-neutral strategy to curb future climaterelated extreme weather events. In addition to reducing our environmental impact, we would save future taxpayer dollars that would be spent recovering from these unfortunate events.
Adam Wold, San Francisco
Trump’s testimony
Regarding “Fibber in chief ” (Editorial, Jan. 26): I look forward to President Trump’s testimony with special counsel Robert Mueller; but we can be sure that our fibber in chief will not tell the truth even under oath. This is why he is looking forward to it.
Paul Sheeran, San Francisco
Sensitive city
Christopher Columbus bumped into a couple of landmasses as many other explorers have done across this planet. Conquerors (or whatever you wish to call them today) continue to encroach, enslave and exploit. Has this city become so sensitive, politically correct and precious to the point that we can’t celebrate anything? Taking away Columbus Day which was already designated Italian Heritage Day years ago is absurd.
The thought of renaming Columbus Avenue is beyond insane. Surely, you may have noticed there are other pressing issues in San Francisco of which I am very aware as I write my property tax check twice a year. Of Irish heritage, I fear St. Patrick’s Day will be the next target as he was Catholic and there should be a separation of church and state. Perhaps, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals will hijack the holiday as St. Patrick purportedly drove the snakes out of Ireland, which was undoubtedly upsetting to reptiles everywhere and should be rectified.
I now see troops of herpetologists marching up Market Street on March 17. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors needs to drill down into the neighborhoods while still looking out for the good of the city as a whole.
Pat Woodward, San Francisco
Turned the tables
Regarding “Complicit GOP” (Letters, Jan. 25): For 15 years, Democrats, The Chronicle, other media outlets and letter writers have been accusing Republicans of being complicit in mass shootings because Republicans oppose strict gun control laws.
We just shrug it off. So it’s rather amusing to read about The Chronicle’s feigned outrage when President Trump turns the tables and accuses liberals of being complicit in violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. Seriously, does your hypocrisy know no bounds?
Bill McGregor, Berkeley
Museum collection
Regarding “Art sales ignore museums’ mission” (Open Forum, Jan. 22): Thank you to Charles Desmarais for the excellent articles regarding the ethical issues raised by the proposed sale of the 40 most valuable pieces from the Berkshire Museums collection, including his excellent rebuttal to Michael O’Hare’s narrowminded, insensitive piece the previous Sunday in Insight. I spent last summer in the Berkshires when the firestorm hit, and it truly has torn apart the community; the majority of the people in the region do not want the sale to go through.
Let us hope that that situation never happens here, where rogue board members decide on their own, without input from the community, how the museum should be repositioned and how to finance it.
Museums are the custodians of our cultural heritage, and that should not be for sale! Desmarais, you are providing a public service by enlightening us to a situation that most people probably never considered. Please continue to keep us informed of the developments in this important matter. Bobbe Klezmer, Oakland
Less of a risk
Regarding Lois Kazakoff ’s “Time to rethink frequently-flying Fido” (Last Word, Jan. 24): I surmise you are less likely to catch a communicable disease onboard a plane from a service dog than you are from fellow sniffling and coughing passengers, and service dogs don’t kick the seat nor block your reclining it with their knees. Moreover, human traffic likely tracks in more food and safety risks (never mind olfactory challenges) into public places than a well-trained and groomed service dog.
Nina Frankel, San Francisco
A bill of hate
President Trump promised us a “bill of love” for the Dreamers. But his “take it or leave it” proposal demands $25 billion for a border wall, increases immigration arrests, speeds up deportations, cracks down on overstayed visas, ends immigration from underrepresented countries and prevents immigrants from bringing their parents to the United States. Sounds more like a “bill of hate” to me.
Gary Cavalli, Danville