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Newsom should cast
a wide anti-gun net
Re. “Newsom targets assault weapons,” Page A1, Dec. 13:
I support Governor Newsom’s proposed ban on the sale of semi-automatic weapons. As our society becomes more polarized politically and less restrained by norms of social behavior, the danger from heavily armed individuals, and even marauding bands of miscreants, is becoming more severe.
Newsom’s proposed law needs two characteristics: First, a broad definition of semi-automatic weapons, to be sure to include all the variations, and second, a prohibition on carrying or using these weapons in public places.
While possession of these weapons may be protected by the Second Amendment, taking them out of the owner’s house is not protected. For everyone’s safety, let’s see this law enacted and enforced.
Bruce Joffe
Piedmont
Strengthen families
to reduce violence
The Letter to the Editor “To reduce gun violence address root causes” (Page A6, Dec. 15) rightly suggests that more should be done to reduce the causes of gun violence, such as investing in programs aimed at preventing drug use or gang participation. Treating violence with more police helps, but that is only treating the symptom. Likewise, attempting to eliminate guns is addressing a symptom, not the cause, and ignores the reality that guns will always be available to those who want them.
The real cause of gun violence and other crime, is, as President Obama said, the breakdown of families and one-parent homes. Children from one-parent homes are much more likely to not graduate from high school, fare worse in employment and unfortunately end up in prison.
We the people and the government need to work together to strengthen families and encourage parents to stay together to give their children the guidance they deserve and need.
Douglas Abbott
Union City
Water initiative would
shut out communities
Re. “Initiative to fund and fast-track water projects badly needed,” Page A6, Dec. 15:
The proponents of this water infrastructure initiative cannot hide their proposal to plunder the state’s general fund behind the guise of helping disadvantaged communities of color.
The communities we work with were never consulted about the development of this initiative and would be actively harmed by its passage. Passing this initiative means that communities will no longer have a voice in the development of water projects funded by this initiative because it bypasses the Legislature and processes like CEQA and the Coastal Act in a way that shuts the public out.
It even goes so far as to prevent state agencies from requiring funded projects prioritize benefits to the public, all while raiding the general fund, including programs to fulfill the human right to water that our communities actually need. Don’t support this scam.
Kyle Jones
Community Water Center
Sacramento
‘Culture warriors’ bind
a history of change
Alas, we’ve all become battle-hardened cultural warriors. The Dec. 7 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor spurred me to consider a unique 20-year roller coaster of epic events within our past 100 years. Appearing in descending order: First full year of COVID-19 pandemic (2021), 9/11 (2001), AIDS virus identified (1981), first human space flight (1961), U.S. enters World War II (1941), world’s first communist party founded in China (1921).
Innovators have been born into such toils: Alex Haley (1921), Bob Dylan (1941), Barack Obama (1961). Lasting legacies of those born in subsequent years have yet to be revealed. But all culture warriors parade in and out of milestones.
Our future lays entwined within time’s Gordian Knot. Each eccentric year contributes to where we are today. Culture wars remind us that people do what is most necessary at a moment. Hope for a brighter future unties time’s tangled mess.
Mark R. Clifford
Moraga
Source: www.mercurynews.com