Time for Congress to listen to pope
I note that Congress is putting together a letter to Pope Francis suggesting he speak to issues of importance to them when he visits the U.S. Ironically, I wonder how much the pope will benefit from congressional coaching regarding his narratives in light of his soaring popularity contrasted with the dismal approval ratings of Congress. Given the transformative effect and beneficial influence of Pope Francis’ commentaries not only for his church but the world at large, perhaps this is a good time for Congress to just listen.
Curtis Mallegni, San Francisco
Wine train mediation
Regarding “Higher taxes a roadblock to governor’s pothole plan” (Matier & Ross, Sept. 6): So Willie Brown (of all people) has been asked to mediate the Napa Wine Train brouhaha. He has either been asked or is considering joining this dispute (unknown) to give instruction to the Wine Train personnel in cultural diversity. Perhaps this course should include the instruction to the book club members in public civility awareness training commonly referred to as “common sense and respect for others” in a public venue. One group’s fun does not trump other patrons’ wishes to have a quieter ambiance and experience. As it was reported, the book club members were informed of other passengers’ complaints, yet chose their own agenda to ignore a request for a little more respect for others. When they refused, or did not heed the train’s requests, they were asked to leave. Enter the race card, threats and so on. Do the book club members travel on a life track that contains only a one-way loop? Just wondering.
Larry Monti, San Carlos
Contrast in New Yorkers
Regarding “New Yorker in White House would cut world down to size” (Insight, Sept. 6): There is a stark contrast between bluff New Yorker Donald Trump and bluff New Yorker Bernie Sanders. One appeals to the ingrained prejudices of the lizard brain of white paranoia, while the other appeals to reason. I’ll take the latter.
Tom Miller, Oakland
Political profiles needed
The first Democratic Party presidential debate is just over a month away, and California is likely to remain solidly Democratic in the 2016 presidential election. Yet, the media have been so mesmerized by the antics of Donald Trump that we know almost nothing about the Democratic candidates. We know more than we care to about Hillary Rodham Clinton’s server problems but little or nothing about her more relevant positions and plans for the future, domestic and international. We know that Bernie Sanders is a socialist but very little about just what his ideas mean to the average person living in today’s USA. We know almost nothing about Lincoln Chafee, Martin O’Malley or Jim Webb, also plausible leaders of the free world. As a daily reader of The Chronicle for more than a decade, I would like to ask for an ongoing series of in-depth profiles on these fine people, with the first installment of each to appear before the first debate, and to continue through the entire debate series. Written well, they could be picked up by media across the country. In this way The Chronicle could provide a national service.
Jeff Cuzzi, Los Altos
Putting trust in Trump
Regarding “Nuclear Trump” (Insight, Letters, Sept. 6): The writer rhetorically asked readers if they could sleep well knowing that President Trump has his finger on the nuclear trigger. My answer is a resounding yes! Why? Because I want America’s enemies to know that our president would not hesitate to push the button in retaliation for a nuclear attack on us or our allies anywhere in the world. It’s called mutually assured destruction and has been the key ever since the end of World War II that has prevented nuclear war from devastating our planet.
Do you really think that Hillary Rodham Clinton, knowing she failed to provide requested security for her ambassador in Libya, would actually press the retaliatory nuclear button? Keep in mind that she has already demonstrated to the world that she cannot be relied on in a crisis. Keep in mind that Russia and China are now probing U.S. defenses for weakness. And if history has taught us anything, both Russia and China seem to instigate a new world crisis whenever there is a change in the U.S. presidency. I’ll take Trump over Clinton any day.
Whit Bollier, Mill Valley