Strong health systems could limit violence
To curb mass killings, the most vital action the government could take is to establish a strong health care system including, of course, mental health. Countries that have more guns per capita than the U.S. but no killing rampages have strong health systems that are more likely to catch those with homicidal compulsion.
Karen Crommie, San Francisco
Admiration for Kerr
Regarding “Kerr blasts nation’s lax gun laws in wake of mass shootings” (March 24): Steve Kerr has my complete admiration and support for his unequivocal and straightforward statement about the everlasting gun violence in our country. If other celebrities with such a platform and having such strong conviction would stand up and be leaders as they speak the truth about the “insanity” and numbers of guns in our country, maybe there would be movement toward a solution, perhaps some laws? Kerr is a courageous, truthful man and leader! Toni Thunen, San Jose
Don’t enable PG&E
Regarding “Tree, power lines caused Zogg Fire, reports Cal Fire” (March 23): I am concerned that Cal Fire’s report putting part of the blame for Zogg on a downed tree provides Pacific Gas and Electric Co. with justification to accelerate its program of felling trees in the vicinity of power lines, a program whose execution, until now, has proved reckless and indiscriminate. PG&E shouldn’t be allowed to cut down trees willynilly. The utility should instead be compelled to focus more efforts on undergrounding power lines, or, at least, insulating dangerous bare wires. Its antiquated infrastructure is the main culprit in the Zogg, Camp and many other destructive wildfires, not trees. Among their many attributes, trees absorb carbon, produce the oxygen that we breathe, cool the earth and create rain through evapotranspiration. Even dead and downed trees play an important role in ecosystems by cycling nutrients, aiding plant regeneration, decreasing erosion, providing habitat, and influencing drainage, soil moisture and carbon storage. Trees make our existence possible and we need more, not fewer, if we are to mitigate climate change and prevent its dire consequences. It will be unfortunate if Cal Fire’s report enables PG&E’s aggressive treecutting programs when other more sensible, environmentally sane options are available. Jennifer Normoyle, Hillsborough
Animals use more water
Regarding “Agriculture to blame for decline of salmon” (Letters, March 25): I would like to further set the record straight: Yes, diversion of water by agriculture is largely the problem. However, it is not almonds but animal agriculture that is the biggest culprit. The water used to grow alfalfa, pastureland and other feed for beef and dairy cows accounts for more than half of all water used in the state each year, completely dwarfing the water used for almonds. That is why I so appreciated the points made in “Mourning the coyote” (Letters, March 22). Our compulsion to consider everything in the world, including the bodies of other sentient beings, simply as commodities to exploit however we wish is the exact mindset that has brought us to the environmental crisis we are now in. To quote Oren Lyons, “it makes a crucial difference whether humankind thinks of the natural world as consisting of resources or relatives.” Avilee Goodwin, Richmond