March to fight against climate change
The California fires are a fearsome sight. San Francisco and the East Bay from Richmond south have been spared so far, but for how long? These fires, horrendous hurricanes and floods east of California, immense and destructive typhoons in the Philippines and elsewhere in the western Pacific, burning heat in India and Africa, are all ultimately caused by global warming. Those words are unmentionable in President Trump’s America. But if we don’t act very quickly to try to stop the continued rise in the temperature of our climate, these problems will worsen indefinitely. I had hoped California would lead the way to stop all use of fossil fuels, stop fracking, forget about “natural” gas, as well as giant agribusiness, another huge global warmer. But all this is still going on in California, all contributing to the rising temperatures. Concerned? There will be a march for the climate in San Francisco on Sept. 8, starting at 10 a.m., beginning at Embarcadero Plaza. For more information, visit https://350bayarea.org.
Jean Nandi, Berkeley
Illogical thinking
Concerning “Wildfires make GOP vulnerable on environment” (Page One, Aug. 13): It’s shameful that GOP Rep. Tom McClintock, whose district includes the area where the Ferguson Fire is burning, has voted for cuts to the Forest Service and no funding increases for fighting wildfires.
The anti-science, global warmingdenying Republican Party will have to defend its illogical thinking in the November midterm elections, especially to traditional supporters who have lost their homes, property, or loved ones to these horrific infernos.
Henrik Lundquist, Larkspur
Commend the staff
Regarding “Five-star service” (Letters, Aug. 10): I would just like to second the author’s letter. I had almost an identical experience when I renewed my drivers license at the Vallejo Department of Motor Vehicles in June. I had an appointment for 3 p.m. I was also greeted at the door and again once I got inside, and everything was explained to me in a kind, helpful manner. I can top the author’s experience, however, in that I was in and out in 30 minutes! I then received my license in the mail less than a week later. I don’t know if the Vallejo DMV is the exception or the rule, but I certainly had no complaints, and would like to commend all the hardworking, helpful staff there. Suzanne Thompson, Benicia
Give alternatives
Regarding “Lenient court puts burglars back on streets” (Page One, Aug. 12): We have a broken prison system. Yes, this criminal with a prolific criminal record is back on the streets without doing time.
What would time in prison have done? What we know is that it hardens criminals, so that they get back on the street with better techniques, better networks, and are better able to do more serious crimes. It does give them a criminal record, so if they want to get a good job and start over, it is very hard to do. Instead, we need to give people alternatives. We need to give them job training so that they can get a decent job.
We need to have that basic income that liberals keep talking about, so that folks can buy food and pay rent. We need to be taking care of each other.
Amy Dewey, Oakland
Wait for perp walk
Regarding “Trump belongs in ‘Walk of Shame’ (Aug. 12): I agree with the letter regarding President Trump’s Hollywood Star moving from Walk of Fame to “Walk of Shame.” But personally, I’m holding out for a perp walk.
Larry Coy, Palo Alto
Food delivery
This might not work for large companies, but my company in Palo Alto has found a solution to the office cafeteria problem. We have a local restaurant deliver delicious food on Tuesday and Thursday.
On Monday and Friday, we have food delivered from a larger company that sources from a variety of restaurants. On Wednesday, we go out to nearby restaurants in small groups (Walk Out Wednesday). Good wholesome food, variety, and we support the local restaurants. Ann Maier, San Francisco
Growing tension
Regarding “Trump meets his match in CNN correspondent” (Aug. 13): While I agree with columnist Ruben Navarrette Jr. that the current exchanges between journalists and the White House occur in a circus-like atmosphere, I don’t fault CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta for speaking out against a president who calls the free press the enemy of the people. Trump’s inflammatory words are what caused Acosta to experience physical and verbal threats during his coverage of a political rally in Florida.
When journalists have to worry about their own physical safety in reporting news in the U.S., they might — as Acosta has — feel defensive.
It’s unfortunate (and revealing) that White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders would not refute President Trump’s assessment of the press, since calming words might help de-escalate the growing tension between our government and the Fourth Estate. Carolyn Crawford, San Francisco
Strong fire reporting
Regarding “Claimed by fire, alive in his heart” (Page One, Aug. 12) and “Few recruits as volunteers dwindle” (Page One, Aug. 12): Thank you for the real and pulsating description of Ed Bledsoe’s gripping grief after the fires. Please keep reporting on the reduction of recruits for firefighting in California. This needs to be placed squarely in our faces and those in government.
Katy Byrne, Sonoma
Homeless space
Regarding “Costly transit center seeks way to pay bills” (Aug. 13): I read that it will cost an annual $8 million to police the new Transbay Transit Center so that San Francisco’s homeless population doesn’t colonize the park on the roof.
Given the shortage of shelter beds for homeless men, and, after all, they have to sleep somewhere, why not re-purpose the empty space waiting for the trains to arrive — that will take years— as a shelter, perhaps with a breakfast program, showers, and washing machines and dryers? It is a large space.
Kaaren Strauch Brown, San Francisco
Lend some expertise
As a native of Stockholm, I was saddened to read “Wildfire-ravaged Sweden looks to state” (Page One, Aug.7). Like California, Sweden is now experiencing wildfires due to unprecedented heat and drought. I hope that the Golden State can lend its expertise to my home country to deal with these catastrophic fires.
This news story truly shows that the warming occurring on our planet is global. Barbara Sandstrom, San Francisco