Let senators share the honor
Regarding “Rename that Senate office building after John McCain” (Last Word, John Diaz, Aug. 28): I am all in favor of renaming the Russell Senate Office Building as urged by John Diaz. For all his other virtues, Sen. Richard Russell was an unrepentant racist and therefore unworthy of such an honor. But why rename the building after Sen. John McCain alone?
An Edward Kennedy-John McCain Senate Office Building would be a monument to two lions of the Senate and the bipartisanship and patriotism they stood for. They died of the same disease and on the same day of the year. I think they would be proud to have their names joined together on a building of the United States Senate, an institution they both loved. Keith Raffel, Palo Alto
Housing growth
Regarding “Smarter growth” (Editorial, Aug. 27): We’re thrilled to see The Chronicle’s Editorial Board take a strong stand in favor of AB2923. This smart legislation provides a common sense path toward ameliorating the lack of homes people can afford in the Bay Area. And by bringing new homes to the vast parking lots near our transit stations, it will allow residents across the income spectrum to have access to a wide array of transportation choices. This will not only help cut traffic and shorten lengthy commutes, it’s also an essential step to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
At the same time, prioritizing growth near transit within our cities and towns will help relieve pressure for auto-oriented sprawl development on the natural and agricultural lands that are so essential to the Bay Area’s character and quality of life. The Chronicle got it right in calling for passage of AB2923. We must all call on our state legislators to ensure it passes.
Matt Vander Sluis, San Francisco
Fossil fuel benefits
In “Mayors urge governor to put an end to fossil fuel production” (Open Forum, Aug. 23), Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson and Richmond Vice Mayor Melvin Willis castigate the fossil fuel industry while ignoring the benefits fossil fuels have brought to our nation. As U.S. District Judge William Alsup wrote in his ruling dismissing the climate lawsuits brought by San Francisco and Oakland, “Without those fuels, virtually all of our monumental progress would have been impossible.” All of us have benefited. Energy development has benefited every city in California. Ironically, they call for the end of fossil fuel production in our state while at the same time acknowledging the jobs the industry provides for their constituents.
Should their demand be granted, the result will be lost jobs and lost revenue. California’s economy and citizens should not have to pay the price of decisions made by politically motivated lawmakers. They also fail to mention the progress manufacturers in the Bay Area have made in reducing their environmental footprint. Californians need well thought out energy policies, not political stunts, to meet the economic and environmental needs of the state. Tim Shaw, La Habra, Orange County
Full investigation
After 30 years of waiting for the Catholic Church to do the right thing and clean house of predatory priests and those involved in the cover-up, it is time for all 50 states to do what Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro did and order a grand jury investigation into this clergy sexual abuse scandal. Why are our civil authorities holding back on investigating the Catholic Church on these criminal matters? Do we naively think that what occurred in Pennsylvania is an anomaly? What the grand jury exposed is most likely happening in dioceses across the country. The only way to get to the truth is to face the reality that the Catholic Church is incapable of investigating itself. It’s your move, state attorneys general.
Patrick Gannon, San Francisco
Bear the burden
Regarding “The bailout that wouldn’t die” (Editorial, Aug. 28): Why should ratepayers bear the burden of Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s liability in last year’s devastating wildfires? If this public utility’s failure to properly maintain its power lines sparked these blazes, causing dozens of lost lives and thousands of lost homes, then fine its executives and also make its shareholders pay. It should not be allowed to escape culpability for its part in recent wildfires simply because of the efforts of its lobbyists in Sacramento.
Eileen Fitzgerald, Pacifica
Probe the mind
Regarding “Candidate boasts unique biography — alien abduction” (Aug. 25): Well, if former actors and wrestlers can run for political office in our country, then why can’t someone who claims she was abducted by aliens? And if U.S. House candidate Bettina Rodriguez Aguilera really can (as she claims) communicate with extraterrestrials telepathically, then could she please ask them to abduct a certain egomaniacal man who’s currently living in the White House? I’m sure these aliens would want to probe the mind of someone who describes himself as a very stable genius.
Demetrius McDaniel, Oakland