Safe injection sites are a welcome sight
Regarding “July plan to make city 1st with safe injection” (Page One, Feb. 6): As a grandmother and longtime San Francisco resident, I welcome the opening of safe injection sites in our city.
I have often walked my 7-year-old grandson to his school on Valencia Street. Our favorite game of searching for treasures has become less fun as I began restricting what he could pick up, such as discarded needles and other drug paraphernalia that we encountered along the way. Safe injection sites will not only benefit those who suffer addiction with access to clean needles, immediate intervention for an overdose and opportunities for treatment, but my grandson as well. Nancy Oliveira, San Francisco
Partisan memos
Any congressional memo about the investigation of Russian collusion during the 2016 presidential election, whether written by the GOP’s Rep. Devin Nunes or the Democrats’ Rep. Adam Schiff, is bound to be attacked as partisan and biased by some newspaper or media outlet. The only reports worth reading will be those issued by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, unless President Trump triggers a constitutional crisis by firing him.
Bennie Oosterhaus, San Francisco
Difficult to argue
In “Tortured logic of Muslim ban” (Open Forum, Feb. 5), the author makes passing mention of the Muslim ban in the final paragraph of the piece. But prior to that, the writer makes extensive reference to abortion and how Christian opponents of abortion have relied on the First Amendment.
While people opposing abortion are often Christians, this doesn’t mean that the First Amendment is involved. However, it has involved an opinion held by most Christians that abortion equals murder, and just about all religions take a dim view of murder. Considering how long that abortion was accepted to be murder (and is still treated differently in the later parts of pregnancy), it’s difficult to argue that Christians have accepted an entirely unreasonable position. What does require “tortured logic” is this author’s association of abortion with a “Muslim ban.”
Daniel Mauthe, Livermore
Musk’s capitalism
My incredulity is beyond words. Elon Musk is the personification (if person he can be called) of unregulated rampant capitalism gone amok. No conscience. No morals. No ethical monitor. How soon we forget the horrific, heart-stopping photograph of that little Vietnamese girl on fire ... running, running to try to escape her burning clothes and flaming flesh. Who will protect our little ones when your flamethrower buyers play their games? Musk, your profit-at-all-costs mind-set repels decent human beings.
Sondra Napell, Piedmont
License plate laws
If the city of Alameda would install license plate readers, it would only make a small indent in identifying thieves. The reason is very simple; criminals don’t use license plates when they steal. Our neighborhood has a series of cameras that we use to identify suspected criminals.
Usually, we find that the identified car in a criminal action has a missing license plate. Thieves are not stupid and do everything they can so that they will not be identified. If municipalities really want to stop thefts and car break-ins, they need to enforce license plate laws. Look around and you will find older cars (not those just bought from a dealer) with no front plates. Many also have missing rear plates. If cities want to stop this petty theft, they need to actively ticket those vehicles.
Howard Matis, Berkeley
Boycott of Tesla cars
I am at a loss to understand the motives of Elon Musk in marketing a flamethrower. This is beyond horrific. Has Musk ever seen a burn victim up close? Can you ask Musk what his thinking was in promoting such a nasty weapon?
I am curious about that. Where is the outrage over this? This is legal? It shouldn’t be. I would ask people in the market for a new car to boycott Tesla until he stops making such a gruesome “toy” and buys back (even at double the price) the ones already sold.
James Goodman, San Mateo
Convoluted logic
District Attorney George Gascón demonstrates his weak belief in the rule of law and vigorous prosecution of law breakers in announcing he’ll seek court orders to set aside marijuana convictions back to 1975 on the grounds that marijuana use is now legal in California.
Using the same specious, convoluted logic, will he seek removal of convictions of driving under the influence of alcohol back to 1933 at the time prohibition of alcohol use was repealed?
Quentin Kopp, San Francisco
Real issues in U.S.
Regarding “Trump should stop enabling victimhood” (Feb. 6): While I agree with columnist Ruben Navarrette Jr. that President Trump should stop portraying Americans as victims who need him to ease their suffering, I disagree with his comment that our citizens (when compared to other countries) only face “Champagne problems.” This country still has unacceptably high rates of infant mortality and childhood poverty, and universal health care is not regarded as a basic human right. In addition, college has become unaffordable for many Americans, while graduates are saddled with years of student loan debt.
The Millennial generation is experiencing downward mobility when compared with their parents’ generation. We also have an individual in the White House who launches almost daily attacks on our independent press, and smears political foes and federal agencies. Navarrette should reconsider his assessment that our country is truly a land of “freedom and opportunity.” Jeremy Davidoff, San Rafael