Manage misinformation of diabetes
Regarding “Soda battle bubbles up at S.F. State” (Nov. 15): I applaud the students at S.F. State for their stand on “pouring rights” on campus and wanting to limit unhealthy beverage choices. I take offense, however, in the comments made by Greg Glassman, CEO of CrossFit. He says that sugary drinks are to blame for diabetes. While the simple carbohydrates found in soft drinks can put people at risk for Type 2 Diabetes, Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease and is not caused by sugar consumption in any way. Managing Type 1 Diabetes “24/7” is challenging enough without having to face the myths and misinformation associated with this disease.
Melinda Vahradian, Santa Cruz
Historical landmark
Our beloved Palace of Fine Arts was designed by the renowned Bernard Maybeck. For over a decade, the Maybeck Foundation has been steward and champion of this treasure, partnering with San Francisco Recreation and Parks to restore, protect and preserve the Palace. Our chief concern is ensuring the best outcome from the search for a tenant, one that provides necessary substantial investment in the building, now and in the future. This unique site deserves serious consideration and care, with in-depth evaluation for any proposed use. The process has been long, thoughtful, open, with opportunities for community participation and clearly defined criteria for the evaluation and selection of the top teams. All involved have been sensitive in balancing the needs of the Palace with the desires of its admiring public. In the next stages, the three selected teams will reveal additional details, with opportunities for community comment. I am confident the process will yield a tenant offering an exciting mix of uses that provide public access for all, engage and nourish the mind and spirit, and create a solid and enduring financial base. The best gift we can give the Palace as we celebrate its 100th year is to guarantee its future.
Jan Berckefeldt, San Francisco
Traffic behavior
In “No easy solution to protect walkers” (Nov. 15), Kale Williams devotes only one paragraph to an effective solution to the problem: police enforcement. He states that the San Francisco Police Department has stepped up its efforts, but neglects to offer any statistical comparisons of arrests with previous periods to document this change. If SFPD got a reputation for enforcing motor vehicle laws, drivers and pedestrians would behave more appropriately and our streets would be safer.
Don Mariacher, San Francisco
Voting power
Affordable medical insurance means affordable? Not when most can’t afford it. Why does Bernie Sanders keep touting, as part of his campaign for president, affordable medical insurance when we already have it? Because we don’t have it. It’s a smoke screen that President Obama puts out to us as being successful in finally achieving medical insurance for all. I’m not sure whether he thinks he’s finally achieved it or had to compromise (water down) it so much in any form to say we have. I think it’s taken a step backward because now if we all don’t sign up for it, we’re penalized. Through the back door of being affordable, now there’s a huge deductible out-of-pocket expense before anything is actually covered. Why do we allow Congress to have so much power over a nation of millions to protect the insurance and drug industries and not its citizens while most of the free world countries have this protection as a right?
Joel Schwartz, San Rafael
Close borders
There will never be comprehensive immigration reform as long as Democrats won’t back measures to seal the Mexico border, fix the visa tracking system and implement E-Verify immediately. The Democrats in the second debate refused to touch the issue of illegal immigration and went to the Democratic Party line for legalization and U.S. citizenship for 11 million illegal immigrants. Gov. John Kasich and former Gov. Jeb Bush got it right for Republicans. Have legalization and a path to U.S. citizenship, but secure the borders to stop illegal immigration and fix the visa tracking system. Without the second part, forget about any legalization and a path to U.S. citizenship for the illegal immigrants in this country. Democrats continue to fight implementation of E-Verify, which is used by the federal government and contractors. It’s an excellent working database to tell employers if a person can legally work in the U.S. As far as President Obama being stopped by the federal courts, this is his reality check. I would be surprised to see the U.S. Supreme Court overturn the lower federal court’s opinion.
Andrew Smith, Santa Rosa