Retired judges oppose the recall of Boudin
Regarding “Boudin recall has had key moments” (Bay Area & Business, May 8): The opinion of 17 retired California judges should be considered a fact of significant moment. Collectively, we, the below signatories have more than 250 years of judicial experience. We believe the District Attorney Chesa Boudin should be given a full term to demonstrate how his programs will benefit the city, safety and law enforcement.
The recall campaign against him is not justified and should be rejected by the voters.
Demetrios Agretelis, William Cahill, Ellen Chaitin, George Choppelas, LaDoris Cordell, John Dearman, David Garcia, Martha Goldin, Joseph Grodin, Harlan Grossman, Richard Hodge, Ken Kawaichi, Tomar Mason, Kevin McCarthy, James Robertson, Julie Tang, Daniel Weinstein
Climate change is here
Regarding “Calls to cut water use are ignored” (Front Page, May 11): There is a simple reason why water usage hasn’t gone down. It is not only a shortage of water, but dramatic weather changes.
In the over 40 years that we have lived in this area, I finally had to turn my sprinklers on at the beginning of February. In previous years sprinklers were never on in the winter because even if there wasn’t much water, it came regularly enough to avoid sprinklers.
My garden is experiencing these changes as well. Apples that I used to pick at the end of the September and early October were last year harvested in August. Tomatoes (which I am avoiding this year because of the lack of water) used to be planted in May, last year in March.
It’s here folks, we just have to adapt.
Leonard Dorin, Lafayette
Become a vegetarian
Climate change and water usage are intertwined as two articles in Wednesday’s Chronicle shows.
“State releases climate plan” (Bay Area & Business): For the first time in five years, California regulators have released an ambitious plan for tackling climate change. Hooray! One of the most important suggestions made is to reduce methane emissions from the livestock sector by encouraging Californians to eat plant- or cell-based products instead of meat.
“Calls to cut water use are ignored” (Front Page) points out that even if cities and towns boost conservation, urban water use represents just a fraction of the state’s water demand. Agriculture accounts for roughly 80% of consumption and about 47% of our water is diverted to raising livestock; it takes 1,800 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef.
Bottom line: The best thing people can do for climate change and drought is to ditch the meat and go plant-based.
Paul Sconfienza, Santa Rosa
Mercy over vengeance
Regarding “Are we blaming Boudin for the Putin next?” (Letters to the Editor, May 10: I was surprised to see you publish this letter calling support for San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin’s recall “Old Testament justice with vengeance.” Why do you think a gratuitous slur against the Jewish religion is relevant or OK?
Most bibles were written in barbaric times, but the Jewish Bible frequently refers to God as merciful, and our tradition says mercy is a higher value than justice, but both are necessary. Nor is there any hell in Judaism, but we have seen a lot of hells on earth.
Richard Hack, San Francisco
Vote no on S.F.’s Prop. A
Regarding “Help take Muni off life support” (Endorsement, May 6): After reading the information regarding San Francisco’s Proposition A transit bond, I will be voting no.
If this proposition passes it will mean another pass-through rent increase for tenants. What about the low-income tenants who will be forced to pay this?