Let the buyer beware

Regarding “Hundreds of dietary products tainted” (Page One, Oct. 13): This will largely be ignored by those individuals who swear by dietary supplements. But here’s a question all consumers should be pondering: Is it worth putting your health at risk by purchasing pills that promise sexual enhancement, weight loss, or muscle gain and that are sold on late night TV, usually for the uniform price of $19.99 (plus shipping and handling)?

As a college economics professor once told me, a good rule of thumb for too-good-to-betrue offers is this: “Caveat emptor” (Latin for “Let the buyer beware”).

Charles Carrington, San Francisco

Consider Yemen’s casualties

Joseph Stalin supposedly said “a single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic.” It appears to be true in concerns over our government’s relationship with Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of the possible murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of a Saudi hit squad.

While tens of thousands of Yemeni civilians have died and countless more face starvation because of ongoing Saudi Arabia military actions, all with the consent and technical support of U.S., we are told that the death of one journalist should now make us question our dubious relationship. If only the poor and nameless inhabitants of Yemen had such standing.

Bernie Corace, San Francisco

Brilliant move for residents

Proposition C would be a brilliant move for San Franciscans to take to reduce homelessness and address the issue at the root through preventative and long-term care.

The businesses in this flourishing city have funds flowing out of their ears, and using a small amount of those excessive profits would do drastic things for a city with one of the highest homeless populations in the U.S. As the cost of living and class distance increases in this city, more and more people will face homelessness and housing issues.

Preventative programs are more effective in addressing the homelessness crisis than treating symptoms or consequences and the activities facilitated from Prop. C’s funds will do just that. Michaela Nee, San Francisco

Judged by size of wallet

Concerning “Selling out to Saudi Arabia” (Editorial, Oct. 13): Let’s face it, President Trump judges others by the size of their wallet, not the content of their character.

Thus, Trump will continue to do business with Saudi Arabia’s super wealthy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, even if this royal family member — of a regime that severely restricts human rights — ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. When Trump makes his next campaign rally speech, he should end his remarks with these soulbearing words: “God bless the Almighty Dollar.” Eleanor Fischbein, Alameda

Give animals space to move

Current standards do not allow for a pregnant sow to so much as turn around in her gestation crate. On average, pregnant sows spend around four months so tightly confined that they can hardly move. In addition to being unbearably uncomfortable, such confinement is psychological torture.

Pigs are complex and intelligent beings, often cited as being as smart, if not smarter than dogs. If you would not confine a dog in a cage so small it can hardly move, why do it to a pig? Proposition 12 will raise the minimum space requirements for pregnant sows, veal calves, and egg-laying hens. Giving these animals enough space to move somewhat freely is the very least we can do. I will be voting yes on Prop. 12 and I encourage my fellow Californians to do the same. Gabrielle Ruxin, San Leandro

Little chance of winning

Regarding “Why didn’t de León go after Feinstein?” ( Joe Garofoli, Bay Area, Oct. 19): I hope it’s because 2016 taught us that progressive Democrat candidates who have little chance of winning their races should not attack their liberal Democrat opponents lest they risk disastrous results. If that was his thinking, kudos to state Sen. Kevin de León! Ellen Obstler, Petaluma

A rapper name for Trump

Regarding “Trump’s wild West show” (Last Word, Josh Gohlke, Oct. 13): Now that President Trump has decided to spend time with fellow vapid reality TV star and rapper Kanye West — who now wants to simply be known as Ye — might I suggest a new rap moniker for our egotistical president? How about “Stable Genius D.”? Vernon Greene, Oakland

Reuse treated sewage water

Regarding “Plan to restore rivers pits S.F. against state” (Page One, Oct. 14): Nature does not supply enough water to meet the needs for the entire state of California. This means that we need to be more thoughtful with what we do with the water that we get. Every urban water district should be required to reuse treated sewage water and not simply dump it to the sea.

The technology exists, but the stigma needs to be overcome. This is a far more efficient method than desalinization, and one that can be done nearly immediately. Doug Williams, Richmond

Silly rebranding for tissues

Concerning “‘Mansize’ gets excised” (Daily Briefing, Business, Oct. 19): Now that Kleenex has rebranded its “Mansize” tissues as “Kleenex Extra Large” after complaints that the product name was “sexist,” I wonder if consumers will demand similar rebranding for Manwich Sloppy Joe sauce or Hungry-Man frozen dinners. And maybe those Brawny paper towels shouldn’t be featuring a lumberjack on their plastic wrappers, either. Although I consider myself a feminist and strong supporter of the #MeToo movement, this business news item is one of the silliest that I have read in many years. Richard Fairchild, Walnut Creek