Train the youth to battle wildfires
With the worsening of these fires, like many of us, I have to fight off a sense of impending doom as this becomes the “new normal.” I think now is the time for creative solutions and communities coming together. One idea is for California to use the existing infrastructure of the reserves, the training programs for incarcerated firefighters and the California Conservation Corps to design a new environment corps, that conscripts 18-year-old males and females, without a college exemption, to a summer of service.
Young people would get a basic training and participate in supporting firefighters, evacuations, forest management and fire prevention, fire cleanup, and reconstructing and reforesting burnt-out areas. This would bring our urban and rural youth together in the tradition of the military, build a sense of common purpose and pride in our state, and expose young adults to careers California will need in the future: careers in health care, aviation, forestry, fire management, etc.
Aryn Faur, Berkeley
Huge hidden costs
The current California wildfires show the huge hidden costs to society of keeping beautiful trees, and allowing people to live among them. To prevent such fires, some effective but likely controversial steps should be considered. First, there should be clear-cut fire breaks in vulnerable forest areas. In the first half of the twentieth century, Oregon had fire breaks a half mile wide running for tens of miles through the forests. Unsightly? Perhaps. But charred tree stumps are worse. Next, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. gets the blame for its wires causing the fires. A new rule could mandate underground electrical service in forested areas. No more wires on poles near trees. Third, people who want to live out in the woods should pay more of the direct costs.
Perhaps have a fire protection district tax established at the state level. Finally, those living in the forest should pay higher premiums for their homeowners fire insurance, simply to discourage building in vulnerable areas. James Eyres, San Francisco
Problem at the top
Trying to ameliorate income inequality by prohibiting companies from serving free or subsidized food is really stupid. Tech workers (and the industry) are not the enemy. Tech workers are not making money off of high rents — landlords are. Tech buses keep traffic down, but should be regulated as to not block streets and bus stops.
Blaming tech is the same as President Trump supporters blaming immigrants for the loss of jobs and low wages. The true problem is at the top.
Marty Bigos, San Francisco
Raise the foreign aid
Regarding “Companies must align political contributions with core values” ( July 29, Insight): I agree that companies should take action that matches their proclaimed values. I also think that the United States government should act according to the values they present. If President Trump’s administration really wanted to protect the U.S. from terrorism and help U.S. citizens get jobs, it would support poverty-reducing legislation, like the Reach Every Mother and Child Act and the Global Health Innovation Act. By mitigating global poverty, the U.S. economy would be strengthened due to the growing market for our exports found in developing countries.
Helping other countries out of poverty would be much more effective in protecting our country than deportation, because many aspects of global poverty contribute to terrorist regimes and political unrest. Instead of spreading hate, our government should be increasing foreign aid and making the world a better place, which we have the ability to accomplish.
Miranda Hayes, San Jose
Expensive project
Regarding “Transbay center ready to roll at last” (Page One, Aug. 6): I was very gratified upon reading The Chronicle piece about the new Transbay Transit Center. Certainly, there are many major improvements for the community to enjoy!
However, reading that the project, so far, cost over $2 billion and that a connection to commuter trains and the future high-speed rail would add a further $4 billion leaves me shaking my head in amazement! Surely, there are better alternatives. Admittedly, just supplying a link between the two would be a little more cumbersome but the cost savings would be astounding! Systems such as Personal Rapid Transit (PRT, also known as podcars) are no longer a fantasy and several are successfully operating around the world. Don’t take my word for it — an internet search reveals substantial information, as well as supporting the huge cost savings. Let’s get the badly needed transit connection done, but not just throw unnecessary funds that could be used more effectively elsewhere at the simple problem! Fred Geiger, Santa Cruz
Laughingstock
There may be some truth in President Trump’s griping that U.S. is becoming a laughingstock among other countries. But the reason is entirely different from what he claims. I would think the reason is that our country elected a person to the White House who is damaging its credibility and in turn that of our nation.
The latest insulting/bullying of CNN’s Don Lemon and NBA star LeBron James clearly indicates Trump is extremely unsportsmanlike taking any criticism. It is about time that respectability, dignity and honesty are restored to the White House. We can only hope the upcoming midterm elections will reconstitute Congress so it can stand up to the bully that is occupying the White House.
Raghavendra Rao Loka, Palo Alto
Pick up the bikes
I am happy to see so many people using bicycles instead of cars. I am not happy, however, to find rental bikes laying on the sidewalk. One kind in particular, white and green, I think, is particularly careless. Anyone on a cell phone or engrossed in a conversation with a friend could easily fall over one of them. This is not a public service, it is bad business and negligence. What can we do to get rid of them?
Ruby Long, Oakland