Criticism of West Portal plan is shortsighted
Regarding “‘Save West Portal’ campaign lashes out against S.F. plan to redesign streets” (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, April 22): The response of a few merchants in West Portal to the street redesign plan is exactly what they criticize: a knee-jerk reaction.
During the more than 20 years I’ve lived in San Francisco, the mouth of West Portal intersection has always been a mess for pedestrians and drivers. It shouldn’t take a deadly crash to fix, because it’s long overdue.
I sympathize with the concerns of merchants on West Portal. As a soon-tobe father, I can’t wait to take my son to pick out his first book at Bookshop West Portal or (eventually) visit the Dubliner bar. These are vital neighborhood institutions that have been around since I was a kid, and I want everyone to be able to access them whether they drive, bike or take transit.
But what will keep me from visiting West Portal isn’t a right-turn ban or a one-way street. It’s being worried my kid will be hit by a car despite whatever I do to keep him safe. Zack Deutsch-Gross, San Francisco
Pandas don’t travel well
Regarding “San Francisco Zoo to get coveted giant pandas from China in big win for city” (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, April 18): I was saddened to read about pandas arriving at the San Francisco Zoo from China. I cannot think of a more wretched fate for these beautiful animals.
And the idea that Beijing is loaning the animals to San Francisco as a tool for diplomacy and wildlife conservation is insulting and pandering. I am sure the San Francisco Zoo will design displays with facts and figures about pandas to convince the gawking public that this is true.
I defy anyone to prove that wild animals in enclosures have made a difference in conserving wild populations. Conservation of natural habitats promotes wildlife conservation, not a parade of people who will look up from their phones long enough to take a photo or a selfie before buying an ice cream.
Let’s call the exchange what it is: diplomacy, perhaps; a revenue source for the city and gratuitous entertainment, for sure. But please don’t pretend that bringing these animals to a godforsaken, small enclosure in the city is for the good of their species.
Naomi Travers, Poway, San Diego County
English works fine
Regarding “Think you can choose any name you want for your child in California? Nope” (Open Forum, SFChronicle.com, April 18): Unfortunately, Laura Heymann’s solution for California’s official records to allow diacritics, such as accents, merely moves the restriction a little, as she remains tied to the Latin alphabet.
There are many languages in use in California that use other alphabets and writing systems; why should those not be considered? The real names of the people who use them are not the form rendered into the Latin alphabet; we have Laotian, Vietnamese, Greek, Russian, Chinese and Hebrew speakers in California — and many more scripts.
In some cultures, the concept of a personal name is different, and asking for a “first and last name” can make little sense.
We cannot all learn to read and transcribe all scripts, so some boundaries must be set. At least names written in English can be read and transcribed by many, particularly state officials. If the rules change to be more inclusive, where is the next boundary set?
The system of using a common written language undoubtedly prefers that language but it provides a single interchange system and has high social utility.
David Singer, San Francisco
Kudos to Kosman
I am saddened to learn that classical music critic Joshua Kosman is retiring from the Chronicle.
His presence in the Bay Area’s music scene was constant, enthusiastic and nearly ubiquitous. There were times when I thought there must be at least three of him.
He reviewed everything, from traditional orchestras to unconventional venues, composers and performers. His reviews were always informed, respectful and enthusiastic.
I will miss his knowledge, his attitude and his delightful writing. His retirement will leave a gaping hole in the Bay Area’s music community.
Sherry Gendelman, San Francisco