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Sea-level rise makes
development a bad bet
Re. “Appeals court clears a path for controversial 469-home complex,” Page B1, Jan. 13:
The Sobrato Organization will easily find 469 rubes in the market for a McMansion off Newark’s low-lying wetlands, climate be damned.
The NOAA’s Sea Level Rise Viewer (coast.noaa.gov) shows the land inundated at two feet of sea-level rise. Sea levels are expected to rise 7 feet over the next century on the California coast. The city of Newark conducted no sea-level studies before approving this doomed development.
Newark should have secured a guarantee that the city will not be on the hook for new mitigation infrastructure or taxpayer bailouts, both literal and figurative, when the water comes.
Bud Miller
Richmond
Honor King by pushing
for nuclear weapons ban
Monday commemorates the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Jan. 22 celebrates the first anniversary of the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, intertwined events.
King called nuclear weapons the most colossal of all evils. “The alternative to disarmament,” he said, “may well be a civilization plunged into the abyss of annihilation.” “The development and use of nuclear weapons should be banned.”
Dr. King’s wished-for ban is now part of international law, but the United States has yet to sign the treaty. U.S. leadership could deliver the world from the threat of which he spoke.
Mary Perner
Livermore
Seniors need Prop. 13
to stay in their homes
In Dave Ruede’s letter to the editor about Proposition 13 (“Don’t shed tears for the housing rich,” Page A6, Jan. 13), he says, “Overturn Proposition 13 and make California fair and affordable.” He is obviously young and naïve.
If Proposition 13 is overturned for homeowners, there will be a tsunami of older people who are retired and will no longer be able to pay their property taxes. Proposition 13 has made it possible for me to own my condo, pay my taxes and age in place. If Proposition 13 were repealed for homeowners, many of us would be forced to move because we would not be able to afford the increase in property taxes we would pay. This would not be easy if you are a senior citizen, disabled and squeaking by.
Proposition 13 needs to stay in place for homeowners. However I wouldn’t mind seeing Amazon, Intel and other tech companies pay more in property taxes since they can afford it.
Susan Paulson
Castro Valley
Troubled Republicans
must voice concerns
I had to laugh at Jeff Johnson’s complaint about being lumped in with Republicans that believe in the fraudulent election, removing voting protections, etc. (“Don’t paint all of GOP as supporting Trump,” Page A12, Jan. 9).
If you, and your friends, are not in step with this hogwash, the GOP doesn’t hear you. Speak up. Make yourself heard in the GOP. Don’t just sit there. If you care about this country, get off your rear end and make yourself heard.
Don’t let these power-hungry fools take the reins. It is within our grasp to keep our country as it should be, free for all. Protect our voting rights.
Stephanie Wilkins
Brentwood
Heated rhetoric plays role
in threat to democracy
At this tense moment in our national history, we need perspective on the voting rights issue.
Voting should be as easily available as possible. But it’s important to recall modalities like mail-in voting without special need, advance voting before Election Day, drop boxes, etc., are all new in most locales in the last several years.
Until very recently, it was accepted that most voters had to make it to polling places on Election Day. There was no widespread talk that this placed democracy in doubt.
States have always controlled election rules locally subject to limits like the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act.
Suggesting democracy lives or dies based on whether each state allows voting by mail or voting early senselessly exacerbates tension and drives the country toward civil unrest.
Democrats, as well as Republicans, need to cool the verbal fireworks and work within the democracy we still do have.
Steve Koppman
Oakland
Election changes push
US toward minority rule
We may be witnessing the end of the American Experiment in democracy. North Carolina has established a Congressional map that favors Republicans in 79% of the seats while they received just under 50% of the vote. The former president won his first election despite getting 3 million fewer votes and almost won his second election despite losing by 7 million votes. Republicans around the country are creating processes that will result in the next 7 million vote loss resulting in a win.
A form of minority rule apartheid is being established in America. It may prevail in the short term. However, history demonstrates that minority rule never lasts and usually does not end well.
Barry Gardin
Hayward
Source: www.mercurynews.com