Methods to help wildfire preparation
Every year, wildfires affect Californians, and last year was horrific for Santa Rosa residents dealing with loss of life, destroyed homes and unhealthy smoke. Proposals to log forests to save them from wildfire will not make wildfires go away and will only destroy public forests. Wildfire area burning is increasing in California, mainly because of more extreme fire weather brought about by climate change acting in concert with human-caused wildfire ignitions and logging that leaves dense slash and tree plantations that make forests more prone to higher-intensity burns.
We need to switch to clean renewable energy, store more carbon in older forests, stop building in fire-prone areas and plan communities for the eventuality of a wildfire using proven home defensible-space methods. The problem isn’t wildfire per se but where we build our homes, how we use our energy and what we do to our ecosystems. Congress needs to pass legislation to help communities prepare for wildfires, not give away public forests to timber companies.
Dominick DellaSala, Ashland, Ore.
Anti-theft trunks
Here’s a thought: Why don’t car manufacturers discontinue the feature that allows the opening of a car’s trunk from inside the car? Instead, why not make it so that the only way a car’s trunk can be accessed is either by a “chip” in the key fob or by such a “chip” along with a passcode, old-fashioned key or some use of an “app”?
Many times, it seems, windows are broken in order to access the trunk release. Although this may not prevent thieves from trying to pry open the trunk, such an endeavor would take longer and would cause more suspicion when viewed by passersby. Windows would not be broken as often, and whether the car was locked would not be a concern. Trunks would always be locked. Last, maybe a device can be designed and installed in current car models that would effectively do the same thing by disconnecting the internal trunk-release until manufacturers can implement the new feature. Anyway, that’s my thought.
Rene Anderson, Menlo Park
Abuse of power
It becomes more obvious with each passing day, and each presidential tweet, that Donald Trump is trying very hard to undermine the institutions upon which this democracy was founded, including freedom of the press and an independent judiciary. It’s equally apparent that the current Republican leadership in Congress is either complicit in that effort or afraid to stand up to the White House. Given those realities, there is a very real risk that special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into possible collusion with Russia and obstruction of justice by the president will be compromised, effectively ending any chance that Trump will be removed from office. All of this means that the 2018 election may be the most important in our nation’s history. Democrats must regain control of Congress to preserve American values, check this abuse of power and thwart a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism. Gary Cavalli, Danville
Not far enough
Regarding “How Trump is destroying GOP and all of its principles” (Insight, Jan. 28): Robert Reich’s excellent column didn’t go far enough. He only mentioned three GOP principles: Shrink the deficit, defend states’ rights and be tough on Russia. To that, I would add the following three items: First, Republicans used to be staunchly in favor of free trade, but President Trump has withdrawn from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, criticizes NAFTA and has instituted tariffs on solar panels and washing machines. I guess protectionism is the new free trade. Second, Republicans used to tout family values but now are using deportations to split families apart. Shameful. Third, Republicans used to claim the high moral ground, with the support of Christian evangelicals. Trump has five children with three different women, boasts about grabbing women by their private parts, and apparently paid hush money to a porn star to keep quiet about an affair. Imagine the Republican outcry if that described former Presidents Bill Clinton or Barack Obama instead of Trump. Ron Hoverstad, Stockton
Inadequate rainfall
Concerning “Dry weather plunges much of California back into drought” (Feb. 2). Some city residents might be enjoying the latest warm and dry spell, but I worry that another winter without adequate rainfall will increase the chances of more wildfires occurring throughout this state. And while our “Dear Leader” in Washington, D.C., continues to dismiss global warming as a “hoax,” Californians realize that these once unusual periods of drought are now becoming a disturbing new normal. Former Chronicle writer Herb Caen might have indeed been prescient when he chose to call San Francisco “Baghdad by the Bay.” Xavier Betancourt, San Francisco
Oakland reporting
Regarding “Oakland City Council has its own Donald Trump” ( Jan. 31): The article that Otis Taylor Jr. wrote was so perfect. Although the concerns Oakland City Councilwoman Desley Brooks has for people of color in Oakland is admirable, her methods are not! It is illegal for her to ignore laws and to manipulate or try to ramrod her plans through the Oakland City Council. I am so glad that Taylor is keeping watch and reporting to us. My respect for him continues to grow. Gretchen Hayes, Oakland