GOP must embrace multiculturalism
Concerning “California screaming” (Editorial, Dec. 11): If the state’s Republicans are dissatisfied with their showing in the 2018 midterm elections, they must do more than distance themselves from the toxic nationalism of the 45th president. Rather, they must publicly embrace California’s multiculturalism and promulgate policies that benefit all of its citizens, regardless of gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
The lesson that the state’s GOP should have learned in 2018 is a proverb that first appeared over 250 years ago in Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac: “He that lieth down with dogs shall rise up with fleas.”
Jennifer Erickson-James, San Francisco
No excuse for shortfall
Regarding “As 1,267 people wait for beds, a solution?” (Dec. 11): In reading Heather Knight’s article in The Chronicle this morning, I couldn’t help wondering why, after all the years and dollars and concern and outrage, there is any shortfall (1,267 people without beds referenced in the article) in places for folks to stay. There is no excuse.
Dave Wickum, San Francisco
Russian meddling
Regarding “Wisconsin underscores rigged system” (Letters, Dec. 10): The letter was spot-on in regard to Republican efforts to game elections: Electoral College, gerrymandering, voter suppression, and now scorched-earth strategy in Wisconsin and Michigan. He forgot one important Republican election strategy: Russian meddling.
Eric Neel, Cloverdale
Seats for cyclists
Bike theft on Caltrain is a serious problem with a simple solution: Provide enough seats to accommodate cyclists in the bike car. When a person must sit in another car, their bike becomes easy picking for a bike thief.
Before Caltrain orders new cars, they must make sure these cars will not force cyclists to abandon their bikes and sit in an adjacent car or in a space where cyclists are unable to monitor bicycles. It’s so simple to do this before Caltrain orders the new cars.
Terry Rolleri, San Francisco
Not so carefree
Regarding “Educators, students stage walkout” (Page One, Dec. 11), “In fire aftermath, Paradise hospital workers struggle” (Page One, Dec. 11) and “Supervisor wants all juveniles questioned to have attorneys” (Page One, Dec. 11): Northern California kids are dealing with overcrowded classrooms and underpaid teachers, the loss of homes due to wildfires, and the issue of having legal counsel if they’re in the juvenile justice system. All of these troubling articles lead me to ask the following question: Whatever happened to the joys of a carefree childhood?
Josephine DiCostanza, Burlingame
Accountability matters
Regarding “The victimization of California” (Nina Salarno Besselman, Insight, Nov. 25): It is disappointing that so often those who want to take public safety in California backward use false and misleading arguments. An investigation commissioned by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors found the horrific shooting of a Whittier police officer last year was largely the result of a breakdown in communication and coordination by local prosecutors, the court and the Probation Department, not the fault of justice reform as the author claims. Likewise, the Fresno Police Department made a discretionary decision to “cite and release” versus arrest and book a suspect officers encountered along with three other individuals in a local hotel room who was in possession of narcotics, cash and multiple weapons. The cited suspect was later suspected of committing a murder. The senseless murder of a police officer or an innocent juvenile is a tragedy by every definition. But reform shouldn’t be wielded as a political excuse to distract from accountability.
The best way to advance sound policies and safety is by using facts. The status quo of wasteful government spending on mass incarceration does not work to keep communities safe. We know from research and data that investments into trauma recovery, recidivism reduction and addiction treatment keep crime from happening in the first place and break the cycle of crime. Thomas G. Hoffman, Deputy Chief, West Sacramento Police Department (retired), Director, Division of Adult Parole Operations (retired), California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Folsom
Curb air pollution
The air pollution that the Bay Area recently endured because of the Camp Fire gives us a taste of the changes ahead. What can we do to protect ourselves other than keep a stash of N95 masks? Stop carbon pollution at the source. The recently introduced HR7173 Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act works at a national level, reducing emissions by 40 percent over 12 years, because by then, we’ll need much more than masks.
Cecilia Palmtag, San Francisco
Fox News White House
According to “Nominees need hard scrutiny” (Editorial, Dec. 10): President Trump has chosen Fox News personality Heather Nauert to be his next U.N. ambassador. And recently, the tweeter in chief appeared with another Fox News mainstay, Sean Hannity, at a campaign rally. What’s next, an announcement that Trump will be replacing Mike Pence on the 2020 GOP ticket with Laura Ingraham?
Agatha Abernathy, Palo Alto
Front license plates
Regarding “Wary property owners turning to plate readers” (Page One, Dec. 9): I understand why so many cities and people are using license plate readers to protect their property and lower crime rates.
However, the first item that needs to be done is enforce the front license plate requirement. Otherwise, plate readers are often an useless exercise.
Joe Lowry, Milpitas