Our moral failing
Re “U.S. COVID death toll hits 200,000,” Sept. 23
This week, the United States passed 200,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. It took fewer than seven months to reach this number.
In World War II, about 400,000 Americans died over a four-year period. Deaths from the coronavirus will pass this number in perhaps the next five months. Think of that: More than 400,000 dead Americans in a year.
As a teenager in 1942, I witnessed the sacrifices of the American people during World War II. Everything was either rationed or unavailable. Horse meat sold for 15 cents a pound. No new cars were built from 1942-45. Gas was limited to four gallons a week. New refrigerators and washing machines were scarce. Americans planted “victory gardens.” Women took the jobs that men usually had.
We complained, but that was it. It was truly the greatest generation. Everyone chipped in.
I am sad to say that today there are millions of selfish Americans who lack the moral character, courage and self-discipline to do the right thing. The coming election will determine what kind of America we will be for years to come. Be careful what you wish for. Bob Murtha
Santa Maria, Calif.
never have come to this. The Republican-led Senate should have the strength of character to follow the rules it established when President Obama nominated Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court in 2016, but who am I kidding? Given who the Democrats are dealing with, I find no problem with countering the hypocrisy with a completely honorable proposal to add justices.
It shouldn’t be necessary, but that’s the world we live in now. Fred W. Burkardt
Rancho Cucamonga
Goldberg is “wobbly” on confirming President Trump’s Supreme Court pick. Then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) threw a nuclear bomb in 2013 by getting rid of the filibuster for judicial appointments short of the Supreme Court, and later Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) threw one back by including the Supreme Court.
Goldberg’s solution for a return to good governance is for a few Democrats to agree to not pack the court in exchange for the Republicans agreeing not to confirm the next justice until after the election.
He avoids any discussion of how the Senate ended up in a flame-throwing battle. He picks up the story at Reid started it, and McConnell acted in self-defense. Goldberg embraces the distinction between what one can do and what one should do and mourns the loss of playing the long game. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is pilloried for his hypocrisy.
Interestingly, McConnell is barely mentioned. Goldberg laments that this quid pro quo between some Democrats and the Republicans is too hard. As he says, the detente hinges on the “ability of politicians to trust other politicians will keep their word.”
Here is what is easier than reaching a new deal to foster the health of our institutions: McConnell and the rest of his party should keep their word.
San Diego
Confirming a Supreme Court justice is very important. Shouldn’t there be clear rules in place on how it’s done?
Right now, as Goldberg perfectly states, the only rule is to “do whatever you can get away with.” McConnell is the ultimate hypocrite and purveyor of that philosophy. It’s whatever works for him and his party, not what is right for the country.
Isn’t it time to a pass rule on appointments, to
Re “Open-ocean fish farm proposed off San Diego,” Jan. 21
Of all the ways humankind devises schemes to feed its ever-growing numbers, fish farms might be one of the most troubling.
As reported, a prestigious San Diego research institute and a Long Beach social-benefit investment group are teaming up to build such a fish farm four miles off the coast of San Diego. Understandably, scientists who study such enterprises are profoundly troubled by the negative outcomes for our marine environment should this project go ahead.
Off-shore aquaculture has been shown to foul water and upset fragile ecosystems. What seems initially like an easy solution for our need to provide both employment and nutrition to our population may have disastrous consequences beyond first glance.
Many years ago, I adopted a plant-based diet after studying the dire consequences of animal consumption. Today, plant-based substitutes for fish exist to serve human needs and tastes.
Please, let us rethink and study the consequences before allowing for a large, open-ocean fish farm. Elaine Livesey-Fassel
Los Angeles
Re “Look to Baja to learn how to manage our forests,” column, Sept. 21
As I read George Skelton’s column on the supposedly enlightened forest management practices in the mountains of Baja California, Mexico, the Bobcat fire was raging on more than 100,000 acres of the Angeles National Forest, including portions that burned fairly recently, both in the 2002 Curve fire and the 2009 Station fire.
I may not be an expert in wildland fire, but the tragic events of this year strongly suggest that if there are fuels, ignition sources and the right weather conditions, there will be catastrophic fires regardless of whatever land management policies were implemented. Alan Coles
Long Beach
It is truly a pleasure to read Skelton’s commentary on wildfires. It’s nice to see there’s still one adult writing opinion pieces for the Los Angeles Times.
He also hit the nail on the head in some of his closing comments: “The governor and Democratic leaders recently failed to agree on a fire prevention spending package .... It was from lack of leadership.”
Amen to that. Vote them all out of office.
Woodland Hills
Anyone who has ever been to Mexico’s mountain parks has seen overgrazing, overlumbering and very poor land management.
There is no suburban housing amid the Baja California mountain forests. We cannot have it both ways.
I do not pretend to know the answer, but following the Mexican land practice of “let Baja burn” is questionable at best.
Malibu