Why consent matters

I have been bothered ever since reading “Deputy accused of inmate sex” (April 6), particularly “Sheriff ’s office says it was consensual, but seeks officer’s dismissal.” If one party has power (i.e. a deputy) and one party does not (i.e. an inmate/prisoner), is that really consensual sex? One definition I read was: “Use of force, intimidation, or coercion is denial of a person’s right to freely give his/her consent.” Consent is freely given without pressure, manipulation, etc. Could a deputy by the very nature of his position of authority be seen to exert pressure or manipulation?

How is this any different than the accusations of sexual assault, sexual harassment and rape being charged by high-profile women against high-profile men that is in the news today?

Doreen Minkwitz, Point Richmond

Not a ‘witch hunt’

Contrary to President Trump’s claim, the FBI raids on the home and office of his lawyer are not further evidence of a politically motivated “witch hunt” against him.

The search warrant against Michael Cohen was sought by a U.S. attorney appointed by Trump and approved by a federal judge. It had to show that there was a high suspicion of fraud or other criminal activity, particularly relating to Cohen’s payment of $130,000 to porn actress Stormy Daniels. How ironic would it be if this president was ultimately brought down not by evidence of his collusion with Russia during the 2016 election, but by lies about hush money paid to cover up a one-night stand that happened more than a decade ago?

Jenny Wong, Daly City

High-priced dorms

Regarding “Lee’s legacy: A teacher housing plan” (April 10): Sorry, but the apartments being constructed for teachers in San Francisco are no more than high-priced dormitories. This warehousing of educators is unbecoming for a worldclass metropolis, and doesn’t truly address the central issue here: poor teacher salaries. Even if new contract increases and a parcel tax bring San Francisco teacher salaries (as a deputy superintendent commented) into the “top 25 percent” of school district salaries, these educators are still not earning enough to live in the most expensive city in California. Years of intransigence by city officials, including the mayor’s office, caused this situation to worsen.

Even if a few more buildings are constructed for teacher housing in the city, educators deserve much higher salaries than what they now receive.

Phyllis Ramirez, San Francisco

Gun show protest

Concerning “Stop selling firearms at the Cow Palace now” (Open Forum, April 10): The yearly gun show at the Cow Palace may be immune from local control, but it is not immune from local protesters. The best way to object to the presence of this annual “firearms sale” is by demonstrating with signs that bear the images, names and ages of victims of gun violence.

Potential gun buyers, who claim a right to bear arms under the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment, need to be reminded that the proliferation of handguns, rifles, and military-style assault weapons in this country has resulted in the deaths of thousands of innocent citizens. Without universal background checks at these gun shows and a ban on the sale of certain kinds of weapons, there will surely be more mass shootings. Shame on the Cow Palace for continuing to host this yearly event.

Nigel Llewlyn, South San Francisco

Syria warning

I served eight years active duty in the Navy. I served 30 years as a cop in Sacramento. I’ve seen the threat of death coming from many directions, and sometimes from down the barrel of gun. I’ve looked in the faces of people who wanted to kill me, or to destroy our country. When that happens, it is wholly reasonable and prudent to take all necessary protective steps. But Syria is not a threat to the national security of the United States. If atrocities have occurred, as well they may, then it is the role of the United Nations to intervene. Any unilateral action by America will only serve as an excuse for terrorists to retaliate. Then we will all bleed.

Robert Austin, Sacramento

Undo the damage

Slow down, people, be patient. As far as things go, Robert Mueller’s investigation is traveling at “light speed.” While I am sympathetic with Tom Steyer’s efforts and I am hopeful that impeachment is inevitable, now is not the time. A successful impeachment of President Trump might not lead to Vice President Mike Pence as his successor if Pence is found to have lied about Mike Flynn and is removed from office as well. That leads us to our worst nightmare, President Paul Ryan. Enemy of the “rule of law” and the “smarts” to get his conservative agenda done.

Let us sweep this Republican congressional majority out of office and install a Democratic majority where the presidential line of succession gives us a Democratic president. It’s not too soon to lay plans for undoing the damage Donald Trump has done. Everything can be reversed with the exception of lifetime judicial appointments as there is no constitutional provision for it. An unprecedented situation like this requires a change, if only temporary, to the law to remove these judges from the bench. We must ask ourselves, how can any actions of this treasonous president be left to stand? They can’t.

Cory David, South San Francisco