Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.
Oakland cops behaviora disaster for the force
Re: “Murder conviction charges overturned” (Page B1, March 29).
It’s amazing (and disgusting) that the horror stories about the Oakland Police Department just keep coming. The latest is a Detective Tran paid thousands of dollars to a supposed witness before and after a trial where an apparently innocent person was convicted of murder. The witness now admits she was blocks away when the crime happened.
Worse yet — the same detective is still at work. It won’t be much longer that juries — or the public — believe anything the police say when the bad apples continue to be paid and accepted in their departments.
Fred GeigetSanta Cruz
Richmond developmentis a bad proposal
The Richmond Planning Comission approved the proposed development of the PG&E site on Brickyard Cove Road even though there is no project-specific EIR, it will require 130,000 cubic yards of dirt fill, and it will cut into a hill that is currently unstable and sliding behind Seacliff Estates. At the hearing an alternative project that satisfies all of the city’s goals was proposed that has none of the above and which results in higher density. That proposal wasn’t even considered.
The concerns articulated by the cove residents are real. Mudslides are real. Broken pipes and cracked foundations caused by settling are real. The health effects of dust and truck pollution are real. The City Council should reject Republic’s proposal and consider alternative designs that not only do not jeopardize the health of Richmond residents but also are more appealing to the wholeness of the cove.
Pat ArmerPoint Richmond
Climate change fightdemands our attention
A brilliant cartoon on the Opinion page (“Something must be done about TikTok,” Page A6, March 28) captures the central dilemma of our age: We’re diverting ourselves with short-term pleasures while ignoring the ticking time bomb threatening long-term survival — climate change. We respond quickly to rewards and threats immediately before us but falter when faced with dangers we believe to be far-off.
But there are actions we can take today that will avert catastrophes tomorrow. The most critical is to quickly curb the burning of fossil fuels. The fastest, fairest solution is a tax on carbon with all revenues rebated as dividends to every household to offset price increases. The tax will drive innovation aimed at reducing the carbon content of products and services. Write your legislators and tell them you support a carbon fee and dividend system. Time is ticking away and, as the guy in the cartoon says, something must be done.
Nick DespotaRichmond
Liberal parents alsoneed reining in
Re: “What the Republican push for ‘parents’ rights’ is really about” (Page A6, March 29).
While I mostly agree with what Jamelle Bouie writes regarding the problems with allowing a small group of parents to censor and dictate curriculum I feel as if he paints it as a conservative problem.
There are plenty of instances when a liberal group will want to censor a book such as “Irreversible Damage” which discusses girls jumping the gun and becoming trans, or blocking Ben Shapiro from speaking on campuses.
Bouie should also turn to his liberal friends and encourage them not to try to block books or speakers from entering the public space and let both sides discuss their ideas.
Max RitterLivermore
Gun safety requirescareful compromise
Re: “Repeal 2nd Amendment to make nation safer” (Page A6, March 30).
Imagine a country — our country — where non-law enforcement citizens have illegally acquired guns and prey on law-abiding citizens. Imagine countries that do not allow their citizens to own guns and exert control on what citizens can do and think — China and Russia.
Let’s rather imagine Democrats and Republicans doing the job of politics and reaching a sensible compromise on gun control: 60 days waiting period for necessary background checks; gun magazines limited to 10 rounds. Vote for funding for the establishment of armed security in every school district which desires to have such security. Jail repeat offenders of crimes committed with the use of guns.
Only with sensible compromise from both sides of the aisle will we begin to stem the carnage while protecting people’s right to bear arms.
Rick SilvaniLafayette
