Thank you, Dr. Ford
Open letter to Christine Blasey Ford: No amount of gratitude or admiration will make up for the pain you have suffered in the past, in the intervening 35 years and anew in the past few weeks.
In hindsight, your determination to do the right thing in spite of strong reasons to remain silent might seem to have been futile, dangerous to yourself and even destructive to some of the things you cherish.
But please know that the rest of us listened and learned, and ultimately your sacrifice will not be wasted. Thank you.
Tracy Schwartz, Mountain View
Votes in question
Concerning “Decisions have consequences” (Editorial, Oct. 8): The ability of our citizenry to respond, via the ballot box this Nov. 6, to the disgraceful confirmation of a belligerent, partisan and seemingly vengeful judge — Brett Kavanaugh — to the U.S. Supreme Court, is in question.
The GOP has resorted to voter suppression tactics to manipulate past election results, and will likely do so again in 2018. It will also not be surprising if a foreign power (like Russia) seeks to hack our electronic voting systems to interfere with ballot tabulations.
While every eligible American should get out and vote, one wonders if every American voter will have the same opportunity to actually cast a ballot and be properly counted on Election Day. Herman Rivera, San Jose
Humane treatment of animals
Regarding “Vote ‘yes’ to keep hens from being confined in cages” (Open Forum, Oct. 3): I am deeply disappointed that the San Francisco Chronicle would oppose Proposition 12, when more than a hundred responsible farmers and farm worker organizations are endorsing it.
Prop. 12 would move the veal, pork and egg markets to cage-free housing and mandate that all meat and eggs sold in California come from producers who also comply with these conditions.
That means that egg-laying hens, breeding pigs and veal calves would no longer be forced into cruel confinement cages where not only are their lives miserable but the inhumane conditions breed dangerous diseases. Responsible farmers and California voters know that animals shouldn’t be confined in distressingly small cages that cause them immense suffering. Prop. 12 would support those farmers and businesses that believe in the humane treatment of animals, and would make it easier for them to compete on the market.
I trust responsible California farmers and know that it is time to give a voice to the animals who cannot speak for themselves. I’m saying yes to Prop. 12! Mia Armstrong, Fairfax
Disaster prevention
People who refuse to clear the land around their houses and buildings should be held culpable and accountable for fire damages. People who refuse to allow Pacific Gas and Electric Co. to trim or cut trees on their property should be held culpable and accountable for damage from fires. In high winds, PG&E should turn off the electricity. Period. Get used to no electricity.
Laine Buckingham, San Francisco
Understand the focus now
Regarding “Solving problems on common ground” (Oct. 7): Thank you for your article about the various San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ key projects since that’s the first time that I could see what my local supervisor, Norman Yee, was focusing on. As a longtime District Seven resident, I have found Yee to be ineffective at communication, much less accomplishments. I have written him on at least two issues, but failed to receive so much as an automated response. But thanks to The Chronicle reporter, I now know that Yee is supposedly focused on housing and supporting Proposition C. At least now I know his reported position on two issues. Rich Walker, San Francisco
Childish arguments
Regarding “Ugliness on left” (Letters, Oct. 6): Thank you for publishing the letter writer’s unhinged rant. In a few short paragraphs, he brands apparently all Democrats, almost half the nation, as being anarchists, Communists, Nazis, fascists, useful idiots, violent, complacent and as ugly as you can get.
I wonder if the writer realizes that his tirade says more about himself and his own apparently greedy, unchristian and, by implication, possibly racist and elitist worldview than it does about the people he so scorns?
His tirade is also a good example of attacking one’s opponents with exactly the same arguments they have leveled against you: a kind of childish “You do, too” argument. As I say, it was a useful message. John Puccio, Martinez
Take the polygraph test
Regarding “Polygraph test given amid joust with judge” (Oct. 7): Reading of Public Defender Jeff Adachi’s “stunt” of giving his own layer a polygraph test left me wondering: Christine Blasey Ford submitted to a polygraph test before testifying to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Did Judge Brett Kavanaugh?
Dan Dippery, Menlo Park
Secured funding
As a longtime Dublin resident, I would like to commend Assemblywoman Catharine Baker for her perseverance and leadership in securing funding for an additional parking structure at the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station.
For years, the long-awaited parking structure languished in delays and setbacks while BART commuters paid the price.
Baker came up with a solution that directly improves our daily lives. She routinely advocates for her constituents and delivers results. Baker deserves to be reelected to the California State Assembly. Elizabeth Carey, Dublin