Citizen’s right to resist

Regarding “UC Republicans strike a blow for free speech” (Open Forum, Dec. 12): I’m sure Naweed Tahmas and his College Republican friends feel great about settling their lawsuit with UC Berkeley. But Tahmas needs to respect citizen’s right to protest the free speech coming out of conservative pundits he idolizes. College is a place where young people seek higher learning, greater understanding and a more evolved consciousness.

Obviously, diverse students, of different ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds are going to protest right-wing vitriol coming from the likes of Milo Yiannopoulos, Ann Coulter, David Horowitz, etc. Students are well aware of their conservative ideas, that’s why the protests are so intense in places of higher learning. We’re all exposed to conservative ideas on the internet, our AM radio stations and cable news networks.

It’s really sad to see what has happened to conservatism in the Trump era. Republicans used to admire goodness, virtuousness, righteousness, morality, integrity, dignity, rectitude, honor, decency, respectability, nobility, worthiness, purity, etc.

But that’s all gone now and young people have to stand up for what’s right through protest and civic engagement. Maybe one day conservatism will be respectable again. But, until then, we’ll resist and protest.

Dean Houghton, Pacifica

Protected salmon populations

Regarding “Late twist threatens state’s salmon” (Open Forum, Dec. 11): Noah Oppenheim’s op-ed contained numerous inaccuracies about the proposed extension of our California drought bill, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act.

There is no evidence that salmon populations have been harmed since the WIIN Act was passed three years ago. In fact, the bill increased our ability to protect fish populations through better pumping methods that are consistent with the Endangered Species Act and federal environmental guidelines.

The WIIN Act extension provides an additional $200 million for habitat restoration and would allow the Interior Department to collect additional funds from water contractors to pay for more water and habitat restoration for salmon. This bill will actually do more to help vulnerable fish populations than the state water board’s proposal.

The WIIN Act protects salmon further by requiring water projects to comply with all federal and state environmental laws. Additionally, Congress, not the Trump administration, determines which projects receive WIIN Act funding. Any project that harms the environment would be blocked by the Democraticcontrolled House next year.

Climate change is making drought worse, so we must start preparing now for the next major one. Extending the WIIN Act will ensure we have enough water for our communities and for salmon and other wildlife during those dry years. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Washington, D.C.

“Tear down this wall”

Am I wrong? Wasn’t there a call to some country to “Tear down this wall!” by a president of the U.S.? I think he was a Republican. Where have all those Republicans gone? Theresa Lipton, Berkeley

‘Russian Apprentice’ show

After reading “Soundstages sold” (Daily Briefing, Business, Dec. 12), about the sale of the Television City home of the famed game show “The Price Is Right” and soap opera “The Young and the Restless,” I wondered if a post 2020 election show about a real estate mogulturned-reality TV show host-turned politicianturned indicted co-conspirator might be produced there called “The Russian Apprentice Goes to Jail.” Finn MacLaughlin, Daly City

Don’t roll back WOTUS

Regarding “Water wrangling: Latest moves stoke controversy” (Page 1, Dec. 12): So the Trump administration wants the Environmental Protection Agency to roll back the 2015 Waters of the U.S. rule, known as WOTUS, and allow for the development of fragile ecosystems? Well, those of us who care about protecting the environment — including wetlands and streams — from becoming more polluted and also favor having clean drinking water think the plan by the POTUS to roll back WOTUS is “all wet.”

Charlotte Robertson, Richmond

Pulitzer Prize-worthy story

We, the members of the Mill Valley Seniors for Peace, congratulate The Chronicle on Lizzie Johnson’s “150 Minutes of Hell” (Page 1, Dec. 9). Her proof that the horrific consequences of global warming are with us right now, in our own back yard, is an invaluable service to your readers and one that should be shared with the rest of the country. Let President Trump deny this reality all he wants — Johnson’s Pulitzerworthy story reveals the truth in a way that cannot be denied. Helen Giambruni, Mill Valley