Bipartisan answers to climate change
Regarding “Trump touts year of achievements” (Page One, Jan. 31): In the State of the Union address, President Trump called for a more bipartisan approach to government on issues such as immigration and infrastructure. He opened by praising the heroic actions of government employees and citizens in coming to the aid of victims of last year’s hurricanes and wildfires.
What he conspicuously failed to do was to even mention the climate change and climate instability that is the cause of the hurricanes and wildfires. He did not offer to bring the attention of the federal government to finding ways to mitigate climate change and reduce the rising risks of future such disasters. He would do well to look to the example set by the Republicans and Democrats on the House Climate Solutions Caucus who are seeking bipartisan answers to this most existential issue. Lee Ballance, Kensington
Lack of decency
I beg to differ with Carolyn Lochhead, whose Washington coverage I regularly read and appreciate, when she calls Trump’s exploitation of “two weeping couples” in support his vicious immigration fantasy “a powerful moment.” To me, it was a cringe-worthy moment, just like the one last year when he exploited the histrionic misery of a young war widow in much the same way. Almost as disgusting as his profound lack of decency was his characteristic dishonesty. By now, someone must have told him that immigrants commit crimes at a lower rate than the native born, and undocumented immigrants at an even lower rate.
Leslie Wellbaum, San Francisco
Candle cannons
Regarding “He’s on fire” (Daily Briefing, Business, Jan. 31): From electric cars to reusable rockets, Elon Musk has been a game-changing visionary whose innovations promise a better world. But now he’s entered the weapons business. Musk’s muskets aren’t your typical, run-of-the-military knock-offs: they are flamethrowers. Reportedly, 10,000 of Musk’s hair-trigger torches are already on order. But who buys a $500 flamethrower? You can’t hunt deer with a flamethrower. You can’t take one to a rifle range. You wouldn’t want to leave one under your bedroom pillow. Using one for self-defense would constitute a case of overkill. So how can you employ these demonic devices? To light your backyard grill? To set forest fires? To torch a neighbor’s home? To torch a neighbor? Musk says they are “guaranteed to liven up any party!” (Especially a Tea Party?) A perfect addition to an arsonist’s arsenal, “Felon” Musk’s candle cannon would guarantee that urban gang warfare would really flare up. Now (thank you, Musk), when someone yells “Open fire!” they won’t be joking. The National Rifle Association will doubtless defend one’s Second Amendment right to opencarry flamethrowers, but I hope California will quickly pass a law to snuff them out.
Gar Smith, Berkeley
Patrol garages
The two downtown parking garages on Sutter Street and Mission Street are becoming new indoor targets for car break-ins. Telltale remnants of auto glass can be found in corner stalls and near staircases. Riding in an elevator with a man hesitating until the last moment to press the floor above everyone else’s requested floor, hiding his face, and carrying a worn backpack bulging with electronics was pretty frightening. Dodging another guy on the ramp running between floors was also a wake-up call.
The security guard patrolling the Sutter Street garage just shrugged when informed about the runner, about as effective as the latest property theft warning signs on each floor. Is it so hard to patrol these garages, or at least have cameras installed?
Michael Venuti, San Francisco
Ironic statement
For those with an appreciation for irony and a strong constitution, let’s take a moment to consider President Trump’s shameless use of the phrase “sacred investigative process.”
Christopher Beach, El Dorado Hills