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Seven Hills needs
a reliable EIR
The draft Environmental Impact Report recently released for the Spieker project at Seven Hills Ranch is inadequate in assessing the true environmental impacts to a virtually pristine and bucolic natural environment by a proposal that effectively demolishes every living thing on the 30-acre property, and paves over and flattens all but one hill of, ironically, the Seven Hills Ranch.
The draft should be recirculated for a more serious, realistic and authentic evaluation of the impacts of the Spieker proposal. In addition, I request that the county further deny the General Plan Amendment request included in the Spieker proposal for Seven Hills Ranch.
Sarah Kalin
Walnut Creek
Pro-choice, pro-life
are not exclusive
I think there should be some clarity in the use of the term pro-life. To deny me the use of pro-life because I am pro-choice is wrong.
Words and labels are powerful and when the news media, among others, exclusively uses pro-life for one group a false concept is formed.
I am very much pro-life but also very much pro-choice, so I call myself pro-life/pro-choice. The other group maybe should be called pro-life/anti-choice. We have different definitions of life, but my definition of life is just as valid and should not be excluded.
Pro-choice is pro-life.
Joy Hicks
Walnut Creek
We must give women
a workable choice
Abortion represents failure: failure of contraception; of support by the fathers and grandparents of the child, “Your body, your choice, your problem”; of educational institutions that will not provide child care and flexible scheduling so that women can complete their educations; of employers who will not provide child care, parental leave or flexible scheduling. Companies are promising to transport employees out-of-state to get abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Will they support women who wish to keep their children, to protect women from sexual assault, exploitation and coercion?
I know that many who oppose abortion do not support these women. But many more support crisis pregnancy centers that are doing their best to help women in this difficult situation.
Women constitute over half the college students, workforce, union members and eligible voters. We have the voice to change this situation. Let us find a way to offer these women a true choice.
Janice Torbet
Richmond
Court term limits will
not eliminate politics
Re. “Why Supreme Court should install 18-year term limit for justices,” Page A13 May 8:
Eighteen years with the “goal” being to provide an opening every two years, or two in every presidential term? Really? Mr. Hiltzik goes on to say, “Before delving into how to fix the Supreme Court, let’s examine how it’s broken. It has become clear in recent years that the court has moved well to the right of American political sentiment.” So the Supreme Court is supposed to make decisions based on political sentiment?
How about term limits for every politician? While we’re at it, let’s throw in a background investigation, similar to what police applicants go through.
How many potential politicians do you think would pass? My guess: close to zero.
Rick Luciano
Danville
Both sides should stop
demonizing opposition
In the May 8 East Bay Times, a letter-writer submitted a commentary, “If GOP takes power, they will never give it up.” (Page A12)
I want to let that letter-writer know (along with numerous others who have submitted similar sentiments) that as a conservative Republican I can see the same thing with Democrats. California is a prime example where the Democrats are in power and doing everything they can to stay there.
My point here is not to demonize Democrats but to ask all of us to quit demonizing the other side. There are good people on both sides that are earnestly striving for what’s best for the American people. Neither side has a monopoly on the truth, and we will do much better if we work together instead of trying to tear each other apart.
Tom Shastid
Walnut Creek
After journalist’s death,
re-evaluate aid to Israel
Veteran Palestinian America journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was assassinated while covering a recent Israeli raid on the refugee camp of Jenin. She was wearing body armor and a helmet clearly marked “press.” People on the scene blamed an Israeli sniper for her death.
Reporters are unwelcomed at these skirmishes because they expose the systematic brutality unleashed on the Palestinians who are struggling for their freedom. Albert Einstein warned us about this in his Dec. 4, 1948, letter to the NYT. We have ignored his warnings and instead financially support Israel as it violates Palestinian human rights and thumbs its nose at international law.
U.S. taxpayers give Israel over $10 million a day.
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It is high time we evaluate our special relationship with Israel. After all, the Palestinians are fighting for their sovereignty just like the Ukrainians.
Forrest Cioppa
Walnut Creek
Source: www.mercurynews.com