Survivor’s brave stance
Thank you for “‘I salute you, patriot’: Blasey Ford, 2 others feted for courageousness” (Feb. 13): It’s difficult for survivors of sexual assault to come forward and speak publicly about their experiences.
One such person, Christine Blasey Ford, who testified before Congress during the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and received death threats for doing so, certainly deserved a Courage Award at the Futures Without Violence fundraising event. Conversely, those Senate Judiciary Committee members who belittled and refused to believe Blasey Ford, just like those who listened to sexual harassment allegations by Anita Hill during the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and wouldn’t allow corroborating testimony, deserve a Cowardice Award at a “Futures With Predators” event.
Josephine DiCostanzo, Burlingame
Take the ferry instead
Concerning “Busonly lane might clog bridge even more, MTC staffers warn” (Page 1, Feb. 13): I have a threeword suggestion for East Bay commuters who are upset by the prospect of more Bay Bridge traffic delays if one car lane is removed and dedicated solely to buses: take a ferry.
Gregory Tolliver, Alameda
Enough complaining
I disagree with the frequently expressed complaint that a government takeover of Pacific Gas and Electric Co. would turn it into another Department of Motor Vehicles, which would be a fate worse than death. I recently renewed my driver’s license at the Corte Madera branch of the DMV. I arrived, without an appointment, at 12 minutes to 7 a.m., and there was only one person in line ahead of me (if one person can even be said to constitute a line).
Twelve minutes later the doors opened, and 40 minutes after that I was out the door again, having completed the entire process, including the written test. Three days after that my renewed license arrived in the mail (courtesy of the also much maligned U.S. Postal Service). What’s to complain about?
Jay Ruskin, San Anselmo
Slow to build rail system
After reading “Highspeed rail costs jump up to $80 billion” (Feb. 13), about the yearslong transportation boondoggle created by political infighting and increased cost estimates for a highspeed rail system between San Francisco and Los Angeles, I’m betting that Elon Musk’s futuristic Hyperloop transit project will get built first.
And who wouldn’t rather get from Northern to Southern California in 30 minutes by Hyperloop instead of 2 hours and 40 minutes by highspeed rail?
Raneesh Patel, Redwood City
Awareness for Real ID
Regarding “For the California DMV, it’s about to get real” (Feb. 11): The California Department of Motor Vehicles is actively promoting Real ID to our residents. In anticipation of a Real ID rush, we’re streamlining processes to increase capacity in our offices, reducing wait times, and implementing solutions to nudge Californians to get their Real ID. While demand has been less than expected to date, we are still aggressively targeting likely Real ID candidates and encouraging them to come into our offices.
Real ID is not mandatory in California. A Real ID is not necessary for domestic flights in October if you have a passport, military ID or other federally accepted document. If you do not intend to fly or enter a federal facility, you will not need a Real ID.
Oct. 1 is an enforcement date, not a deadline. The DMV will continue to issue Real IDs after October. People may indeed be waiting for a driver’s license to be up for renewal before they get a Real ID.
One of the things that concerns us is that people who want to visit family for Thanksgiving or travel by plane over the holidays will have an “oh, snap!” moment as travel plans come close and they are not prepared. That is why we continue to encourage Californians to fill out the online application, gather their documents and come in now. I would like to point out that Bay Area residents are some of the most prepared. They have complied with Real ID in greater proportion than the rest of the state. I thank The Chronicle for helping us increase awareness about Real ID. Now that your readers are aware, please help us get them to a DMV office. They don’t even need an appointment — walkins are always welcome. Steve Gordon, Director, Department of Motor Vehicles,
Sacramento
Shocking racist propaganda
When you have a president who says there are “fine people on both sides” of a white supremacist march and engages in racebaiting, you get news stories like “White supremacist groups expand their message” (Feb. 13). It’s shocking that meetings and the distribution of pamphlets, posters and stickers with propaganda titles such as “America Is Not for Sale,” “One Nation Against Invasion” and “Reclaim America” are being used to promote white power multiple times each day in this country. As an African American citizen, I have become more frightened for my personal safety while living in “One Nation Under Trump.”
Wanda Robinson, Richmond
Pardons for everyone
Regardless of the court’s sentence of President Trump activist Roger Stone, we can expect that after the election, win or lose, Trump will pardon Stone, Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort and himself.
Bill Collins, Pacifica