Attacks on Feinstein are counterproductive Focus on transphobia
Regarding “Hearings raised Dems’ doubts about Feinstein” ( Front Page, Oct. 21): I have supported Sen. Dianne Feinstein for as long as I can remember, and she is one of the very few politicians to whom I have donated monies. More importantly, she influenced me in becoming a Democrat. Her style to the political process brings about a rational, commonsense approach to issues and seeks to work with her fellow elected officials regardless of their political affiliation. The confrontational and attack tactics used by her fellow Democrats portrays them as selfcentered individuals with parochial interests unwilling to accomplish what is in the best interests of the American people. Feinstein embodies the traits of what elected officials should possess.
Chris Loo, San Francisco
Diminished trust
Concerning “All the president’s disinformation” ( Editorial, Oct. 21): It’s tragic that the Trump White House has so diminished trust in government agencies like the Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration that Gov. Gavin Newsom would want an independent panel of experts to vet any COVID19 vaccine before it’s distributed in California. How can there still be 40% of Americans still supporting an authoritarianminded president who relentlessly attacks our free press and undermines our federal institutions? Another title for this editorial could be “All the president’s disinterest in democracy.”
Charles Carrington, San Francisco
Lift Iran’s sanctions
Regarding “Iran sets singleday record for death toll” ( Oct. 20): Iranian civilians are dying from COVID19 as overwhelmed hospitals strain to provide care in an economy devastated by unprecedented U. S. sanctions. Isn’t it time to acknowledge that the strategy of imposing endless hardship on Iran’s population is both morally bankrupt and diplomatically futile? Instead of continuing a failed policy, it is time to lift sanctions and allow Iran to obtain the resources it needs to fight the virus as a first step away from confrontation and toward reengaging in diplomacy.
Martha Winnacker, Berkeley
Although I’m glad to learn from “Chronicle series to investigate killings in ’ 70s” ( Oct. 21) that a podcast will shine a light on the unsolved case of a serial killer who terrorized San Francisco’s
LGBTQ community in the 1970s, I hope that similar attention will be given to solving the growing number of transgender murders in 2020. Sadly, the homophobia from generations ago has been replaced by transphobia ( especially towards trans women of color) today. Those of us who are members of the LGBTQ community want a real ally named Joe Biden to be elected as our next president. That is the first important step toward changing public attitudes towards transgender people.
Kai Winters, San Jose
Use the ‘ Cone of silence’
Regarding “The presidential box” ( Letters, Oct. 21): I have a slightly different solution to the Miss Universetype plexiglass box to enclose President Trump at the debate. The “Cone of Silence” device from the 1960s television show “Get Smart” may still be available. The fact that it has the word “smart” in its description might be a sufficient enticement for getting him to happily submit to its use.
Gregory Hirsch, Pacifica
Uninformed criticism
I’m disheartened to read the daily criticism in The Chronicle being directed at Sen. Dianne Feinstein. First, I find the ageist undertone offensive. Second, while I haven’t agreed with Feinstein on everything, she has a distinguished record of service to the city of San Francisco and the state of California in both good times and bad. She’s been a champion and advocate for many causes that have advanced public safety, diversity, inclusion, education and human rights. Unlike some in Washington, she has embodied traits of leadership that have made our democracy a more perfect union instead of pitting one against another. Former President Abraham Lincoln once said “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Feinstein is trying to bring us together and not break us apart. Representative democracy doesn’t demand ideological purity. I see the criticism of Feinstein as uninformed at best and a modern form of McCarthyism at worst. Just because you disagree with someone doesn’t mean they are misguided, unaware or any other pejorative description that you can come up with. It just means that you disagree.
Joseph Morello, San Francisco
Neglect of public schools
The pandemic dragged decades of neglect of our public schools into the limelight. So, too, the ignorance of what the shortchanging has wrought. Declaring that schools are like hospitals or supermarkets and the public expects to see teachers in the building is telling. Hospitals and supermarkets have the resources to stay open. Public schools do not. Most public schools have had ventilation, nursing and staffing issues for decades. Your local public school is not Stanford Hospital or Costco. Buildings are outdated, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are subpar and staff is lacking to enforce masks or social distancing. Many classrooms have been in violation of education code square footage per student requirements since the 1990s. Distance learning is frustrating, but when done well, is still sufficient. Many schools offered and promoted blended learning options long before the pandemic, touting the virtues of independent learning from home. Ironically, parents demanded this option for children who were not comfortable in crowded, dirty and noisy classrooms. Most public schools are not ready, nor equipped to bring students back, and the hybrid models are so complex and convoluted that they could end up less effective than distance learning. The consequences of bringing students back into a lacking, soon to be severely overstretched system are grave.
Mark Allendorf, San Mateo
Wary of gun violence
No matter who wins the presidential election, I’m worried about outbreaks of violence afterward. Far leftists on Oct. 17 slugged a rightwing organizer, knocking out two teeth, and wouldn’t mind getting into another brawl. Especially if Joe Biden wins, the right wing will be even more dangerous because they have more guns. Republicans have consistently opposed gun violence prevention efforts — including tracing — and seem to account for most of the recent surge in gun sales in California. ( Some illegal Republican vote drop boxes were found near gun shops. Coincidence?) Trump has condemned violence by looters but not by shooters. As Otis R. Taylor Jr. pointed out in “Illegal gun dealers prey on vulnerable” ( Oct. 19), “law enforcement is often reactive, rather than proactive,” when it comes to guns. In Oakland, there’s a push to make tracing of illegal guns the police department’s top priority. So should it be in San Francisco, which is also experiencing an influx of illegal firearms. As Taylor suggests, it makes more sense to prevent gun violence than to investigate who pulled the trigger after the crime is committed. I’d like to know: In our police department, how are resources being allotted?
Kristin Anundsen, San Francisco
Don’t wait on perfection
I am eagerly awaiting a time in the near future when every school, street, public building and place name is named in honor of a perfect person without a single flaw. It would have to be someone with unquestionable moral character who never committed a negative act against a fellow human being, animal, plant or insect. I suppose it may become a bit confusing when virtually everything is named after Fred Rogers or Mother Teresa.
Kenneth Jones, San Francisco