Berkeley sees health benefits in soda tax
Congratulations to Berkeley and its success on the soda tax that was implemented in March 2015. The citizens in Berkeley, who voted for this measure, see the benefits of decreasing sugar-sweetened beverages to improve their health.
They plan on using the money collected on community nutrition programs. In general, the goal of community nutrition programs is to focus on health promotion and disease prevention. These programs create knowledge and try to change the attitudes and behavior among individuals.
The only downfall of this tax is that it is affecting the small corner store chains, but in reality those stores never cared about the health of their customers to begin with. It is time to envision a healthier life for us today and future generations. Other cities in the United States should take on the soda tax! Victoria Freeman, Stockton
Air quality model
Regarding “Air pollution agency focuses on warming” (April 20): I was thrilled to see your front-page coverage of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s “Spare the Air, Cool the Climate” plan. Fantastic. This is exactly what they should be doing — setting up and implementing a successful and replicable model that can be picked up by other jurisdictions.
This is where it’s happening, right here, right now. I agree with the question, “If not here, where is there another location better suited to take on this leadership role?” Everyone should be asking themselves how they can contribute. Please keep up this kind of coverage. There is nothing more important.
Mariah Baird, San Rafael
Held accountable
Regarding the firing of Bill O’Reilly for sexual harassment, it appears that even after years of sexual harassment training being conducted in most organizations, many in positions of authority still don’t understand the seriousness of this type of conduct.
O’Reilly admits no wrongdoing and states the allegations (for which 21st Century Fox paid $13 million in settlements) are without merit. Recently, President Trump stated that he doesn’t think O’Reilly did anything wrong. It is frightening but not surprising that neither probably sees anything wrong with this behavior.
When Trump was recorded saying that because he was a star he was able to sexually assault women, it spoke volumes about the attitude of many in positions of power. In July, when 76-year-old Roger Ailes was removed from the top position at Fox News for sexual harassment, he admitted no wrongdoing. It is time for those in positions of authority to understand that sexual harassment is much like rape in that neither is about sex but instead is about the exertion of power. They must realize that if they engage in this behavior, they will be held accountable.
Terry Mullen, Danville
Real incompetence
“Police get flak after violence in Berkeley” (April 18) demonstrates how shameless and incompetent Berkeley public officials are. Regarding the Milo Yiannopoulos riot in early February, Mayor Jesse Arreguin boasted that nobody got hurt and ignored the more than $100,000 in property damage.
After the April 15 melee, he completely changed his tune, boasting that there was little property damage and claiming no bystanders were injured. What does that mean?
Is it the mayor’s view that it is open season on active conservative protesters? Local officials don’t seem to understand that, in some instances, the role of the police is to hurt people, not just videotape them. If someone is running around throwing punches and beating others with a stick, I don’t expect the police to be polite. We provide them with billy clubs for a reason. The people of Berkeley should demand the resignations of both the mayor and the chief of police for both their inability and unwillingness to maintain order, then actively recruit Sheriff David Clarke from Milwaukee to run the force. Bill McGregor, Berkeley
Ignore Coulter
I applaud Berkeley reconsidering its invitation to Ann Coulter. I find her positions repulsive for exactly the reasons she wants: They are calculatedly offensive and incendiary. The best response from those who reject her way of thinking (which is really a self-promotion strategy) is to dismiss it. Treat their statements as the adolescent vulgarities they are, protected by our First Amendment and worthy of little mind. Abstain from debate.
An outrageous self-promoter never “loses” a debate, because attention, any attention, is victory. The big mistake that too many on the left make is the tantrum-level outcry that these people should ever be allowed to approach a microphone. Trying to shut them down only feeds into their celebrity and cranks up their volume, and tarnishes Berkeley’s cradle-of-free-speech reputation.
Instead, channel the measured calm of President Obama and the grace of Michelle Obama. Meet voices of opposition with grace and self-confidence. Demonstrate decent behavior that might inspire the same. Coulter and Milo Yiannopoulos will never respond in kind, and it will make terrible Fox News sound bites. To the watching world, their smallminded outrage, designed to inflame, lands with a dull thud. Peter Albert, San Francisco
Speaker’s impact
Ann Coulter said she acceded to UC Berkeley’s demands to call their bluff. I believe UC Berkeley should call her bluff by allowing her to speak when and where she originally planned but revoke all security for the event. It is clear the sponsors of Coulter and other speakers of notoriety do so not for an enlightened discussion of issues but to provoke a reaction. They should be made to feel the full impact of that reaction so that, perhaps in the future, they would think twice about bluffing us all as to their true intentions. Steve Koval, San Carlos
Right to deny
If I wanted to start a meaningful dialogue on campus in Berkeley, I’d try to find good speakers with opposing politics but with the shared goal of engaging in dialogue. That person would not be Ann Coulter, whose hateful and insulting rhetoric evinces no room for dialogue. And yet that is whom the Republican students invited.
So I’ve got to think they don’t want to start a meaningful dialogue and instead want to create a confrontation that will illustrate the so-called repression of those who would spout racist views. Since their goal is to cause a riot, the university is right to deny them that goal. Clyde Leland, Berkeley
Obscene choice
Regarding “State residents like concept of vouchers” (April 20): Public education is one of America’s great gifts to the world. Its purpose is to ensure that children of all backgrounds study and learn together, to produce an enlightened citizenry with a common culture that also recognizes and celebrates diversity. The idea of “choice,” the odious euphemism for forcing taxpayers to fund selective, private (even parochial!) schools, is obscenely un-American.
Leslie Wellbaum, San Francisco
Civil disobedience
Regarding “Outrageous behavior” (Letters, April 16): The author feels that Dr. David Dao is to blame because he did not “comply” with the request to leave the airplane. This sent a “1984”-style chill up my spine. If overbooking were allowed in any other industry, there would probably be riots. Imagine the fancy restaurant calling to tell you that they are giving your reservation to some VIPs who are in town.
Dao had an absolute right (the “legality” of overbooking notwithstanding) to the seat he paid for in advance. I would love to see the author’s reaction to being asked to leave the seat. Do you “comply” with every directive you are given? Dao’s civil disobedience was totally appropriate given the circumstances. Power to him!
David Reitman, Santa Rosa
Airline fees
When did the airlines acquire the right to overbook flights at the expense of passengers and to kick them off the plane if they so choose? Anything else that you buy and pay for, you own. So why is an airline ticket conferred with such a special dispensation? Unlike the good old bygone days, when you purchase an airline ticket today you are only entitled to a cramped space.
When you check in your luggage or stow your carry-on in the overhead bin, you have to pay extra. If you are freezing and want a pillow and a blanket, you have to pay extra. Food? That’s extra, too. Pay some more, and you can get an aisle or window seat! But wait, there’s still some room for improvement. Maybe coming soon, and, yes, why not, inflight coin-operated toilets!
Carlos Tahmazian, Pacifica