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Hayward should pass
smoke-free housing law
A smoke-free multi-unit housing policy should be implemented as soon as fall by the Hayward City Council. The policy would ban smoking in multi-unit housing such as apartments, condos, duplexes and townhomes to protect Hayward residents who don’t smoke.
Secondhand smoke comes from smoking devices such as Juuls and smoke released from the burning end of a cigarette. Being exposed to secondhand smoke can create health problems and/or worsen the condition of those who have certain illnesses. In 2020, Hayward received an “F” from the American Lung Association for its smoke-free housing grade; Hayward was the only F in this category in Alameda County.
The health and safety of others living in multi-unit housing from secondhand smoke should be prioritized now rather than later by passing the policy as soon as possible.
Paula Carreon
Hayward
Cohen’s refusal
to debate is a bad sign
Malia Cohen’s refusal to debate fellow state controller candidate Lanhee Chen tells you all you need to know about her.
In the world’s oldest democracy, we value leaders who can stand up for their ideas, who can be transparent and who can take the concerns of voters seriously. Lanhee Chen is willing to do all of these things in a public forum: to defend his plans for the controller’s office, to let voters hear his ideas and address the needs of all citizens in this great state.
Cohen would rather cower behind extraneous political attacks on her Twitter page. She is unwilling to give her time to speak to all Californians, address our needs and show initiative for the office of controller. If she is unable to be a transparent leader now, I can’t imagine she would act any differently in office.
Drew Smith
San Francisco
Taking honorable
path is easy
David Brooks worries unnecessarily that there may be “no honorable way to alter our course.” (“Did the FBI just reelect Donald Trump?” Page A13, Aug. 14) Nonsense. Every one of us, elected or not, has the power to choose an “honorable course.” Simply behave honorably:
Honor your oath of office. Honor the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, our system of checks and balances. Honor democratic principles: one person, one vote. Honor the rule of law, equal justice and equal responsibility under the law. Honor truth, facts, science, honesty, humility, integrity, service, self-sacrifice for the common good. Vote for honorable people.
Reject self-aggrandizement, lies, fearmongering, greed, violence, racism, cheating, manipulation of your thinking or denial of due process.
Act in accord with the guidance of your “better angels” — your conscience, the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit, the “Light Within,” your inner sense of rightness, your best self.
The “honorable course” is a simple choice. As Yoda would say, “Choose wisely.”
Victor Ortiz
Walnut Creek
ADA ruling a win
for trans people
Re. “Fed appeals court: ADA protections cover ‘gender dysphoria,’” Aug. 16:
The ruling on Kesha Williams is a big step forward for trans rights. Society is not static. In the rapid development of our society and culture, the law should be adjusted accordingly. Just as Williams’ case is a continuation of the ruling in Bostock, there will be other cases that will be a continuation of the Williams decision in the future.
While gender identity disorder is protected under the ADA, transgender people also need to be respected in their lives. This is not a separate group, but a part of our society. What we need to do is to understand and accept each person’s choices. Using the correct personal pronouns for trans people is a good place to start.
Haowen Wu
Pleasanton
Intelligence chain of
custody must be probed
Intelligence information that reaches the president often takes years to obtain and corroborate at great expense and great risk. Lives are endangered and sometimes lost. Besides the obvious and egregious dereliction of oath, exposing classified intelligence poses grave danger to the nation. For the nation’s security, several questions must be answered about the documents at Mar-a-Lago.
Who removed the documents from the secured storage location? Who packed them to be shipped? Who transported them and how (AF1 or truck on I-95)? Who unloaded and stored them upon arrival? Who had access to the storage location? Who has handled or reviewed them since they have been stored? Have any documents been removed from the storage area? If so by whom and where did they go? Each step in this process could have resulted in classified information being taken or misused. A complete chain of custody investigation must be completed.
Barry Gardin
Hayward
U.S. must rejoin
Iran nuclear deal
Re. “Some optimism for Iran nuke deal arises,” Page A4, Aug. 17:
I would urge members of Congress to renew efforts to restore the nuclear deal with Iran before the republic aligns itself with Russia and China.
America doesn’t need an enemy in the Middle East and attempts must be made to undo the damage inflicted by the Trump administration.
Timothy Charles
Fremont
Source: www.mercurynews.com