Feinstein’s civility should not be a liability
Regarding “Feinstein won’t seek Judiciary leadership” (Nov. 24): I am amazed at some of the criticism Sen. Dianne Feinstein has received in recent weeks. Brian Fallon, director of Demand Justice, is quoted in The Chronicle chastising Feinstein for clinging “to a bygone era of civility and decorum that Republicans abandoned long ago.” When did acting with civility and decorum become a liability rather than an asset?
Perhaps Fallon would prefer Democratic leadership to act like President Trump and throw a temper tantrum when things don’t go their way. It may be time for Feinstein to retire from the political scene, but if it is, it is not because she is polite and wellmannered.
Kenneth Jones, San Francisco
Exercise not contagious
Regarding “Mask up for exercise” (Letters, Nov. 24): The letter writer’s shrill comments are wrong on two levels. First, he incorrectly suggests that most joggers and cyclists don’t wear masks.
As a cyclist who bikes daily through Oakland and Berkeley, I beg to differ. The vast majority of the people I see exercising do in fact wear a mask or bandanna! I personally wear a bandanna when in proximity of other people and pull it down when I’m alone on the road. I would estimate that the degree of mask compliance by joggers and cyclists is the same as the general population.
The letter writer also suggests that the danger of virus transmission by people who exercise is greater than normal, when in fact it’s just the opposite. In April, a Belgian and Dutch study claimed that cyclists could spread droplets of the virus up to 65 feet away and many people freaked. This has since been debunked, and the science now indicates the likelihood of transmission from a onesecond brush by with a jogger or cyclist is practically zero.
Jim Buser, Oakland
Biden shows his elitism
As Presidentelect Joe Biden announces members of his upcoming administration, it’s quickly becoming clear that for all the talk about diversity, it’s going to be the restoration of the incestuous cesspool of Ivy League oligarchs.
One must also assume it means the restoration of endless military conflicts, widening inequality and more trade agreements to serve the benefit of a global elite.
And in four more years, it’s another wouldbe authoritarian to capitalize on the tone deafness of the Democratic Party establishment.
Bernie Corace, San Francisco
Judge by competence
San Franciscans tend to vote based on whether their candidates are progressive versus liberal. The headlines of the last few months suggest that it would be better to judge candidates based on their administrative competence.
Hand it to The Chronicle for reporting on the Muni delays and overruns, on the corruption in our city contracted housing department and public infrastructure projects, and the cronyism of grant awards.
We San Franciscans are generous people and vote to provide money for all types of affordable housing bonds and other community improvement projects — what we never hear is whether the units or projects promised are ever delivered.
Let’s stop arguing over who is more progressive, as we are all wellmeaning, and start evaluating which politicians get voters’ money’s worth for their liberal bond approvals.
William Pomeranz, San Francisco
Celebrate remotely
Many have experienced sadness or disappointment over a holiday or occasion when they were unable to celebrate as planned due to some misfortune.
Because of COVID19, this Thanksgiving could be such an experience, but it can also be a creative and memorable way to enjoy a large circle of family and friends remotely, being thankful that we have those people.
Stay at home this year and relax with immediate family! Call someone who lives alone. Then, whenever it actually does become safe for all your group to gather, do it with renewed exuberance and without concern that your contribution to the party was COVID19. It doesn’t have to be on a Thursday! Thanks every day for being part of keeping us COVID19free.
Edith Drewek, Mountain View