Prioritize protection of Jewish citizens
Regarding “Fairfax swastikas may lead to hatecrime charges” ( Bay Area, Nov. 27): The Livermore Nazi who made it a point to travel to Fairfax, to put up Nazi swastika stickers all over town, most likely did so because Marin County has a large Jewish population. This is another example of the growing antiSemitism in our country. It follows the recent social media attack on Jewish students at Redwood High School in Marin, threatening rape and violence against Jews. It is the second social media attack targeting Jewish students in Marin County. The perpetrator published the names of several Jewish students.
Holocaust deniers and others perpetrate these crimes. A robust education about antiSemitism from the past and into the present for our students in our public and private schools, in all its forms is essential to stop the hate. While Jews account for less than 2% of the U. S. population, the FBI Hate Crimes Statistics report found that more than 60% of religiousbased hate crimes in 2019 targeted Jews, an increase of 14% over 2018.
If the district attorney won’t prosecute these incidents as hate crimes, then we need better laws to protect our citizens.
Dorothea Dorenz, Berkeley
Skating on thin ice
Regarding “Russia: Record number of new cases” ( Coronavirus Roundup, Nov. 24): Last Sunday, I watched the Russian component of the Grand Prix figure skating competition in Moscow.
I was shocked to see quite a lot of people in the audience, most of them masked but some not. ( The U. S. component of the competition held a few weeks before had no spectators, but cardboard cutouts in the seats and canned applause after each performance.)
Shots of the coaches on the sidelines showed varied use of masks, often covering the mouth but not the nose. ( U. S. coaches were strictly masked and maintaining distance.) Skaters waiting for their scores were joined by their coaches, who removed their masks, sat close to the skater and often shared hugs.
( U. S. skaters donned masks and sat alone.)
Quite a lot of individuals in the U. S. ignore masking and distancing advice, but that’s not condoned for official sporting events. No wonder there has been a rapid coronavirus resurgence since September in Russia, if the official attitude is so limp.
Carolyn Hunt, Livermore
Matter of public health
It has always been my understanding that freedom of religion ends when it harms another person. The recent Supreme Court decision appears to say that freedom of religion trumps ( pun intended) public health. Gatherings in such places as auditoriums, theaters and churches put people at risk to the coronavirus. This is a public health issue.
Richard Hewetson, Mountain View
Needless animal cruelty
Regarding “Culled mink resurface” ( Coronavirus Roundup, Nov. 27): Just one more example of the needless cruelty we inflict on other species was heartbreakingly evident in the photo of the minks peering out of their cage, their little paws on the ledge. They look so sweet and curious, like some of our pets.
We think of Denmark as one of the more enlightened nations of the world. Surely, they know there are many alternatives for keeping warm than a mink coat.
Andrea Faber, Oakland
GOP’s quest for power
Republicans are certainly not students of economics or science, but they have learned how to cover up crimes. Former President Richard Nixon resigned after aides gave detailed evidence of the president’s role in the Watergate coverup, and revealed the existence of the tapes. Don’t believe the myth that Republicans turned on the president. It was key staffers, some of whom were honorable and some of whom were mitigating their legal jeopardy, who came forward and told the truth.
When former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush were caught in the IranContra scheme, the lesson had been well learned: Protect the president by protecting the aides. The scandal didn’t reach either man, but Bush’s pardons for six aides, encouraged by Attorney General William Barr, ensured that we still don’t know the truth. President Trump’s pardon of Michael Flynn, assumed to be the first of many, demonstrates again how far the Republican Party has moved away from constitutional governance and the rule of law in the service of stealing and retaining their power.
Michael Moore, Walnut Creek
Season of charity
Rather than engaging in a shopping frenzy this holiday season, those Americans who are financially able to do so might want to stop and reflect. This year’s coronavirus pandemic, which has left millions of citizens jobless or homeless, and killed more than 260,000 people, has not yet ended. If you’re fortunate enough to not have been adversely affected, please consider donating to a worthwhile charity like Meals on Wheels or the American Red Cross. Make this a season of sharing and caring.
Kenny Wasserman, Oakland
A risk to congregate
As of the ruling of the U. S. Supreme Court on church attendance during the COVID19 pandemic, you may now attend church services at your choice and possibly enter heaven sooner.
Earl Frick, San Francisco