Huffman’s sentence an insufficient deterrent
Concerning “When the side door leads to jail” (Editorial, Sept. 16): The sentencing of actress Felicity Huffman to 14 days in jail (along with a $30,000 fine and 250 hours of community service) for her role in the socalled Varsity Blues college admissions cheating scandal is an insufficient deterrent. Those who are wealthy and famous will continue to believe that they don’t have to live under the same rules that the rest of us do.
They will still hide their assets in offshore bank accounts, look for ways to reduce their tax burdens and do whatever they can to make sure that their offspring become as rich and successful as they are. These morally bankrupt individuals will simply find another entrance and devise another scheme to help their kids get into top universities, even if side door admissions are closed.
Richard Fairchild, Walnut Creek
Emotional story
I was brought to tears by Lizzie Johnson’s “Daring recovery of a fallen hero” (Page 1, Sept. 15). I’m glad it was given front page honor. The report is a beautifully detailed descriptive account of the risky ordeal to retrieve Braden Varney’s remains when he was killed fighting the Ferguson Fire near Yosemite National Park.
Marie Fernandez, San Bruno
Not impressed by Biden
Regarding “Democrats get addition by subtraction” ( John Diaz, Sept. 15): I must take issue with John Diaz’s assertion that the winner of the latest debate was Joe Biden. The bar is very low for Biden to be declared the standout in the Democratic field. As do many others, I too question his mental acuity and fear that in a debate with President Trump he would fail miserably. He rambled, shifted subjects for no reason, rehashed old tired ideas, and was incoherent at times.
Biden’s personal life events, while tragic, do not translate into a solid endorsement for leadership. There were other more articulate candidates on the stage, presenting bold ideas for our disheartening times. We can and must do better than Biden.
Adina Haun, San Francisco
Revolving door
Regarding “Security adviser needed to be replaced” (Letters, Sept. 16): It is naive to believe that the 45th president’s firing of hawkish John Bolton as his national security adviser represents an opportunity for U.S. citizens to call for a true advocate of peace, international goodwill and diplomacy to replace him. President Trump, who has already fired two national security advisers, two White House chiefs of staff, one attorney general, and one FBI director, is too erratic and egotistical to hire such an individual. In his revolving door White House, anyone who conflicts with Trump simply hears him say a twoword catchphrase from his former reality TV show “The Apprentice”: You’re fired.
Vivian Wexford, San Francisco
Show some solidarity
Regarding “Fatal car culture” (Letters, Sept. 14): I agree with some of the letter writer’s tirade against fatal car culture, but I can’t accept his dismissal of the risks of reckless cycling in the name of “false equivalency.” I’ve been a cyclist for years, and I ride whenever I can. I know it’s a pain to stop for stop signs and red lights. But I do stop, and here’s why: My partner, biking down Market Street, was Tboned by another cyclist who blew through a red light. She suffered a serious shoulder separation. She had to endure months of physical therapy and years of recurrent pain. The accident changed her life. Her shoulder still hurts. That was 10 years ago. Sure, getting hit by a car would have been worse. But let’s not engage in false equivalency by pretending cyclists can’t hurt people badly, or even kill them. So, even if you hate car culture, please show solidarity with your fellow cyclists and pedestrians by stopping at stop signs and red lights.
Kevin Bundy, Berkeley
Two kinds of justice
Count me among the millions of lawabiding citizens whose kids got into college based on their own hard work and merit as being upset that actress Felicity Huffman only received a 14day prison sentence for participating in a SAT test scorerigging college admissions scandal. This sentence again confirms to Americans that there are two kinds of justice in America: one for the rich and famous, and one for everyone else.
Donna Delvecchio, Santa Clara
Stream of incoherence
Regarding “Biden again hit on racial sensitivity” (Page 1, Sept. 14): Thank you, Joe Garofoli, for your article. I felt people were sidetracked/stunned by Joe Biden’s comment on “record players” and may have missed the racism in his stream of incoherence. Thank you for reminding us of Biden’s history of inappropriate comments on race. I want to add that it is not only blacks who may change their minds about voting for Biden, but also whites who strongly support antiracist policies.
Claire Rubin, Oakland
Rules of the road
I laughed when I read “Cyclists cry foul on Berkeley fines” (Page 1, Sept. 12). Those opposed to citing cyclists for moving violations are basically saying that people who ride a bike do not have to observe the rules of the road. The rules of the road for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers are in place for a purpose: everyone’s safety. If bicyclists and drivers rolled through stop signs as they pleased, it would be chaos on the streets, leading to more injuries and deaths. It’s super simple: When approaching a stop sign, one must stop whether you’re driving a car or riding a bike. I live in a bike town where there are hundreds upon hundreds of cyclists on the road at any given time. Obviously, I’m speaking about Davis. Bicyclists in Davis break the rules of the road all the time, but because Davis is a small city designed to accommodate bicycle travel with over 100 miles of bike lanes and paths, it is far easier to avoid or work around those putting others in danger. As a cyclist, I am ever vigilant. Cyclists in Berkeley and elsewhere are a special group of folks. We aren’t better than anyone else or immune from traffic laws, though.
Stacy Goldenberg, Davis
Wonderful designer
Concerning “Designer to stars made mark on ‘Runway,’ ‘Beach Blanket’ ” (Sept. 16): Thank you for this remembrance of the wonderful fashion designer Chris March. Whether he showcased his unique talents on the stage for “Beach Blanket Babylon” or on television for “Project Runway” and “Mad Fashion,” March did so with two things sorely lacking in today’s polarized country: warmth and humor. He will be missed by his many fans.
Finn MacLaughlin, Daly City