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New dams must keep up
with population growth
California has a very long history of repeated droughts, some lasting several hundred years. Studies of tree rings, sediments and other evidence have shown that in the year 850 there was a 240-year-long drought, later followed by a 180-year drought.
California experienced droughts in 1841, 1864, 1924, 1928-35, 1947-50, 1959-60, 1976-77 and 2006-10. The period of modern habitation has actually been an unusually wet period, compared to the very long term.
The high risk of continued droughts should motivate us to demand a return to the late-Gov. Edmond G. Brown’s far-sighted state water plan. He planned new dams that were carefully designed to be added in phases with population increases. Since then, no new dams been constructed despite a 43% population increase to date. Water shortages are actually of our own making.
Mark Fernwood
Danville
Prioritize vaccines over
stadiums, theme parks
We should prioritize vaccinations over reopening of stadiums and amusement parks.
It’s naïve, selfish and greedy to open now with 20% of the U.S. population having been fully vaccinated. Dr. Fauci suggests at least 80%, preferably 90% be vaccinated. That’s an enormous gap.
And with the Giants baseball team this past weekend saying that their compliance with checking fan’s documents on testing or vaccinations will only be a small percentage because it is too onerous to check everybody, one wonders why make rules or regulations at all.
Rene Boisvert
Oakland
Pause school reopening
until all are vaccinated
Re. “Science backs opening Alameda schools fully,” Letters to the Editor, Page A6, March 30 :
I am very concerned after reading about the urge to reopen schools so quickly. With new COVID-19 variants surging, and an increase in cases the past seven days, we must shift our focus on the continued health and safety of our teachers, school staff and children. Minority families who have been affected the most during the pandemic remain concerned about sending their children to school.
We are approaching the finish line, and soon enough we will be back at school when it is safe for us all. In order to get there, we must continue to act with caution, not with urges.
Vivianna Solis
San Jose
If you don’t like comic,
then stop reading it
Sydney Stull wants the “Mallard Fillmore” comic strip pulled for being too conservative in content (“Comic strip spreading right-wing propaganda,” Letters to the Editor, Page A12, April 4).
For years “Doonesbury” has spewed liberal propaganda. It upset me that a comic strip could be political and so one-sided, so I stopped reading it. I suggest Sydney do the same with “Mallard Fillmore.” Many of us enjoy it.
Dorothy Lewis
Vallejo
Replace ‘Fillmore’ strip
with rational conservative
I would like to second Sydney Stull’s opinion about the “Mallard Fillmore” cartoon (“Comic strip spreading right-wing propaganda,” Letters to the Editor, Page A12, April 4).
This cartoon does not represent the conservative point of view. It merely repeats the usual lies and distortions of the Trump cult and promotes hostility among us based on White grievance. All conservatives are not like this.
It’s good to present a variety of opinions, and I would like to encourage you to find a rational and reasonable conservative cartoon to take the place of “Mallard Fillmore.” I have stopped reading it.
Jeanie Egbert
Alameda
Pitch for D.C. statehood
rooted in nation’s DNA
One of the simplest principles this country was founded upon was “no taxation without representation.” The original 13 colonies had roughly 1.5 million people. We separated from England and founded this country to secure the rights of 1.5 million people to determine their own destiny. Washington, D.C., has about half that many people just on its own.
A litmus test for representation, such as what industries a prospective state has, what color its citizens are, its citizens’ income level, or their political affiliation, is absurd and offensive. The residents of Washington, D.C., deserve representation.
People who live in the United States and are subject to its laws, taxes and borders should have a voice and representation in the U.S. government.
That is in the DNA of our country. It is who we are, and who we have always been.
Joseph Proctor
Walnut Creek
Carbon fees bill
will help Biden plan
President Biden’s infrastructure plan is bold and makes good on his promise to tackle climate change with urgency. Predictably he immediately received criticism from both ends of the political spectrum.
Mitch McConnell vowed to oppose the plan “every step of the way.” Criticism from the left included “it includes gimmicky subsidies for carbon capture, fantastically wishes the free market will save us.”
The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2021 (HR 2307) was just reintroduced and received bipartisan support in both previous Congresses. It puts a fee on carbon pollution, creating a level playing field for clean energy. The money collected from fossil fuel companies goes to Americans in the form of a monthly ‘carbon cash back’ payment so that everyone can afford the transition.
Karl Danz
Los Altos
