NCAA athletes deserve to be compensated
Regarding “California could be first to let college athletes profit” (Page 1, July 6): College athletes have long deserved a piece of the billions they generate for their schools and conferences. Even coaches and commissioners are getting paid millions, while the athletes who put their bodies on the line receive, at most, a scholarship. Allowing them to be compensated for the use of their name, image and likeness is long overdue, and the authors of SB206 should be commended. As for the NCAA’s threat to bar California schools from championship tournaments, this is utter nonsense. The NCAA would never ban California schools from national championships. Never. Some 24 NCAA Division 1 schools are located in California, including the schools that rank No. 1 and No. 2 all time in NCAA championships, Stanford and UCLA. The California state law, once passed, will likely start a multistate movement to compensate athletes for their marketing and endorsement opportunities. But it doesn’t take effect until 2023, which will give the NCAA time to save face by coming up with a workable national model. Gary Cavalli, Danville
Revising history
Regarding “Control the history” (Letters, July 5): The author should be more careful about encouraging the “politically correct.” Their Orwellian “newspeak” has switched the political meaning of red and blue. Now their “Ministry of Truth” is beginning to revise any history that displeases it.
George Steffner, Moraga
Treating early psychosis
Regarding “Many counties fail to address early psychosis” (Page 1, July 6): Thank you so much for the excellent article by Jocelyn Wiener on early psychosis. I hope that casting the light on such illness will help us develop programs throughout the state for its treatment. Perhaps some of those who yell “mental illness” whenever we have another horrible shooting or need to spend millions on housing for the homeless should look to programs such as the one at UC Davis to treat this illness before its victims hurt themselves or others.
Natalie Van Tassel, Oakland
Appreciate the cartoons
Regarding “Nothing lampoons like an editorial cartoon” ( July 7): Many thanks to John Diaz for his thoughts about political cartoons. Times are not particularly humorous and there is certainly “a diminished appreciation for pointed satire.” However, rarely does a political cartoon say something that doesn’t need to be said!
Joan Dedo, Mill Valley
Add signage instead
As an Asian American student entering George Washington High School back in the 1970s, I recall I was bothered by the murals that depicted cruelty to American Indians and slaves. I didn’t understand nor appreciate the art that depicted our founding fathers in a negative light. However, recent events would have the murals painted over at a considerable cost to the school district because some students find the murals offensive. There are those who wish the murals to remain. I suggest a simple compromise, leave the murals alone and simply place a sign beneath it that reads: We remember the past to ensure a better future.
Gilbert Bagaman, San Francisco
Ban drones everywhere
Regarding “Tiburon OKs drone restrictions” (Business, July 6): Why prohibit drone flights just over the schools? Can we skip all the intermediate prudent restraints that are bound to be imposed as drones invade more of everyone’s space and life, and simply ban them everywhere forever from our skies? Would people be OK with “hobbyist” neighbors building 100foot observation towers next to their back fence? How about a cameraequipped balloon stationed above every part of town? We humans need to act on many fronts to prevent technology from eroding our rights and freedoms.
Peter Smalley, Berkeley
Critical milestone
Regarding “S.F. judge upholds business tax hikes” (Page 1, July 6): At a time when basic democratic rights are being threatened in this country, it is uplifting to learn that San Francisco Superior Court Judge Ethan Schulman just upheld the passage of two voterapproved 2018 ballot measures, which established new taxes to support early education and services for the homeless. These measures were challenged by the California Business Roundtable and other antitax groups. Judge Schulman’s decision is an important milestone on the road to fully funding critical social services in our city!
Lita Blanc, San Francisco
Go underground
Usually when one has a problem, you search for how others have solved the issue. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has an ongoing problem with overhead power lines that they claim cannot be all monitored for safety, it is simply too big of a problem, but the European practice is to place lines underground. I assume they have found this method has much less failures than overhead power lines.
It would take a considerable amount of time to convert to underground lines, but they could start the process with all future lines to be put underground.
James Quinn, Cupertino
Don’t destroy the art
I oppose the decision of the school board to obliterate the Victor Arnautoff mural at George Washington High School. This mural is a depiction, not a celebration. Cover it if you must but do not destroy it. History may offer another view. Destruction of artwork has a way of biting the decision makers.
Claire Carlevaro, San Francisco