A profound story on addiction and recovery
Regarding “Advice on city’s woes from man who knows” (May 2): I would like to thank Gary McCoy for sharing his profound story of addiction and his road to recovery. It offers hope to those in crisis and gives the public a better understanding of the crisis. Nancy Oliveira, San Francisco
A heartfelt perspective
Regarding “A Black son needs an extra lesson to get driver’s license” (April 28): I have been an avid fan of Kevin FisherPaulson ever since The Chronicle had the wisdom to give him the Wednesday slot in Datebook. Last week’s piece on preparing his Black son to get his driver’s license was the best ever.
I loved it primarily because of his perspective on the extra burden and worry parents of Black males face to keep their sons safe, especially once they start driving.
But the column was equally important because of the author’s perspective as a police officer. While conceding that there are too many jerks among the police and too many dangers inherent in “cop culture which glorifies machismo,” FisherPaulson also explained that there are also far more good cops who truly care about the safety of all members of their communities.
Unfortunately among too many liberals, that point has been lost in all the silly — and selfdefeating — clamor for defunding the police.
As soon as I read this column, I hoped that FisherPaulson and/or The Chronicle would find a way to syndicate it to newspapers all over the country. Both messages need to be understood by conservatives and liberals alike.
Nancy Gill, Los Altos
Keep saving water
Regarding “‘Extreme’ drought with little hope seen” (April 30): Periods of drought are expected in California but with climate change, they are becoming inevitable. We who have lived through these periods remember vividly the measures we were subjected to in order to save precious water by not flushing the toilet with each use, turning off automatic irrigation systems, emptying swimming pools, etc. Even now, I collect the coldwater runoff from faucets while I’m waiting for the hot water flow.
Then, I use it to flush toilets or water plants. We learn fast how much potable water gets wasted, going down the drain while brushing our teeth or washing dishes. Yet, 1⁄3 of the world’s population has no access to clean water.
The climate crisis exacts extreme weather in California, swinging from droughts to floods, and their concomitant impacts. We need immediate, aggressive actions if we want to safeguard vulnerable communities. I’m heartened that a carbon fee and dividend bill (HR2307) has been introduced in Congress which will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30% within the first five years.
Combined with other legislation, America can significantly move the dial toward net zero by 2050. Saving water, meanwhile, is our new normal for the foreseeable future.
Barbara Jue, San Francisco
Training won’t help
I will never get a prize for having been the perfect teacher or the perfect parent. Children model behaviors and attitudes witnessed in their homes in their early years.
Their moral fiber is established by the time they are 3. Many thrive and become realistic, just and compassionate adults. Others become hateful, angry bigots who mask their lack of fortitude and sensitivity with bravado, misuse of power and a false sense of superiority, like former President Donald Trump, some religious zealots, insurrectionists and police officers. Not all.
The sad truth is that enhanced training will do little stop these folks and all of their negative “isms” unless the slate is wiped clean and everyone who is brought into the world is taught from infancy to believe that diversity is something to celebrate.