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Farmers are part
of drought solution
Your July 31 editorial asked officials to provide a reliable source of water for California, a sentiment I endorse, but blamed almond growers like me for the problem, which is not true.
The editorial included no facts on almond farms, so here are a few from USDA and the state Water Resources Control Board:
• Almond trees grow on 20 percent of California’s irrigated farmland but use only 13 percent of the water California devotes to growing food.
• 90 percent are small family farms, many (like ours) farmed by third- and fourth-generation farmers planning for their families to stay in farming.
• California’s almond industry employs more than 100,000 people in the Central Valley.
Farmers are not the enemy. It will take recycling, conservation and more to solve our water supply problem, not blind finger-pointing. Almond farmers are part of the solution.
John Monroe
Cupertino
Total campfire ban
needed during drought
Re. “Differing rules on forest campfires prove perplexing,” Page B1, Aug. 10:
In the midst of wildfires burning out of control throughout California (and other places), state and federal officials still allow campfires in some parks. This is insane, convoluted logic.
Their reasoning? “We’ve never had a wildfire issue as a result of authorized campfires in designated campgrounds with campfire rings,” and “In 20 years of record-keeping, there has not been a single instance of a campfire escaping from one of those sites and causing a wildfire,” and “The crackling warmth and smell are part of the experience”. Oh, that’s great. Just because there hasn’t been an incident so far, doesn’t mean there won’t be one (or two, or ten, or fifty). Allowing any kind of fire in parks, while the whole state is on fire, is idiotic. It seems our officials don’t have any common sense at all. We don’t want our entire state to become one giant, burned-out cinder.
Joseph Gumina
San Carlos
Four good reasons
to say no to recall
Don’t let the September 14th election slide past you. Pick one or more reasons to vote no on the recall attempt:
1. Governor Newsom is doing a reasonable job under the circumstances.
2. Things could be much, much worse if another of the candidates wins.
3. The recall option should be reserved for specific, grave dereliction of duty or criminal activity and not just to oust an unfavored officeholder.
4. The millions of dollars being spent on this election could have gone toward actual improvements.
The recall attempt takes the focus off his doing the work he was elected to do. A vote to recall is a vote to regret.
Edith Drewek
Mountain View
We show more humanity
to pigs than homeless
If bacon is banned in California (“Bacon may disappear in state as new pig rules take effect,” Page A11, Aug 1) I will drive across state lines to purchase it.
I find it fascinating that Californians passed Proposition 2 in 2008, to protect animal rights and how they are raised, but have failed time and time again in addressing the rights and feelings of the homeless by building them housing. This proposition, which I voted against, should have never made it to the ballot box and should have been dealt with by the state Assembly and Senate. Our food is more costly than other states due to this badly worded proposition.
It seems to me that the residents of California care more about inhumanity toward animals more than inhumanity toward the homeless.
Michael McWalters
Alviso
Competing schools lead
to better education
Re. “Activist welcomes new San Jose schools,” Page B1, Aug. 8:
Labor icon Dolores Huerta at a dedication ceremony of the Dolores Huerta Middle School said the school “…must offer an education that prepares students to address wealth inequality, racial discrimination and climate change.” Principal Sonntag, added, “… students, equity and agency are at the core of our program….”
Schools that promote equity, over equality, and victimhood is a major reason why parents choose homeschooling or, like Gov. Newsom with his children, private schools or charter schools where kids learn reading, writing, “rithmetic” and critical thinking skills in the Socratic tradition.
They also learn why millions risk their lives to immigrate here to enjoy individual freedom, equal opportunity, limited government and a free-market economy.
Children should attend schools that best meet their educational needs, and that’s why we need school competition that comes with school choice. Also, education dollars should follow the child; and not the school.
Jerry Mungai
San Jose
Plenty one can do now
to fight climate change
Re. “Earth facing ‘rapid changes’,” Page A1, Aug. 10:
If you’ve been ignoring the warnings for the last 40 years, perhaps the U.N. Climate Panel’s report has shocked you into the reality that we’re racing headlong to disaster. But we’re not helpless in this fight.
If we all took simple steps, it would mitigate the worst outcomes. Here’s what I have done and what I urge you to do now:
1. Dump your gasoline car and go electric. I have not burned gasoline in over 6 years. If you can’t afford to buy it, lease it, but just do it.
2. If you’re a homeowner, install solar. Now. There are options requiring no up-front outlay. Then charge your car at home and drive free and clean.
3. Plant trees. As many as humanly possible. They sequester carbon.
4. Support political candidates who are committed to de-carbonizing the world.
Dave Eshleman
Los Gatos
