Fair-minded folks should write letters
Oakland Tribune
Saturday, August 23, 2003

THE AUG. 14 Talk Back column, "Views split on California domestic partner law," tallied 51 percent in favor of giving domestic partners the same legal rights, responsibilities and protections as married couples. Forty-nine percent were opposed.

Yet, of the five letters printed on the subject, all but one espoused the minority view.

When I contacted the Tribune, I learned that all the letters received on the subject were printed. That fact should have been noted.

Progressives and other fair-minded folks had better get off their duffs and write some letters, too, before the Bible-thumpers bury us all. These folks and their ilk are George W. Bush's core supporters. Wake up, America.

Eric Mills, Oakland

Joke's on California

CALIFORNIA -- our most populous state, with the best colleges, and a leader in setting rules on various subjects -- is now being looked upon as a laughingstock.

This recall of the governor who was voted in is ridiculous. We are in debt, and this recall will cost millions with new voting cards, machinery and extra help to get everything ready on the due date.

Now, if the taxpayers are to pay for this, then pull the names of people who voted for the recall and have them only to pay for it, because everyone didn't vote for a recall.

And while we are on recalling, why not recall President Bush -- who's on a 35-day vacation while our servicemen are being killed everyday. Have you ever had a 35-day vacation? And he still thinks the war is over.

As for Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gary Coleman -- that's a joke.

Doris Gaskin, Berkeley

All-persons health care

WHILE I APPRECIATE the Aug. 19 Our Opinion sentiment that the "Legislature must take step to improve health care," the information in the article does not jibe with the conclusion.

SB921, the Health Care for All Californians bill, would make quality, affordable health care available regardless of employment status. It would not provide "a minimum standard of care," but in fact give greater coverage than the most expensive insurance currently offers.

Financial experts have agreed that SB921 will save the state at least $10 billion a year, with that figure improving in time. So, the conclusion that "while a single-payer system makes sense, it isn't on the horizon," is the kind of thinking that results in so many of us complaining about the status quo when we could have encouraged and contributed to enacting meaningful change.

A case in point are those who like Congressman Dennis Kucinich's politics (who is the only presidential candidate in favor of a single payer system), but are going to support Howard Dean instead because he has a better chance.

Now is the time to boldly move forward with a true, all-persons, all-conditions health care plan, as well as a president whose values and background people can trust.

Nancy M. Friedman, Oakland

Traffic on the island

REGARDING THE Aug. 9 roundup of Alameda councilmember candidates: My original comment was that in designing Alameda Point and other commercial sites, the planners should not count on us suddenly becoming converted to public transit.

I said, "If you want Alamedans to take public transportation, the city should try something different such as free bus service on the island or some other idea outside the box -- something that grabs our attention and has us considering other options. It needs to be easy for us."

There was a time in Alameda's history when citizens could ride the trains on the island for free. There is precedent for experimenting with ideas. I was brainstorming and raising ideas, and that is far different from believing in them.

Traffic is the issue. With each development in our city, the issues become more critical: Moving people in a way that isn't frustrating for them; protecting our neighborhoods from racing cars; encouraging other ways of traveling rather than cars.

It will take quite a bit to stop my driving, but I do believe that ideas can change. Strong, positive incentives would be necessary. I suggest thinking outside what is expected.

Luann Sankey, Alameda

Another reason to stay home

OAKLAND COLISEUM management has given sports fans yet another good reason to stay home and watch football on cable.

You may have season tickets, but you will still have to leave your plastic water bottles at the entry gates for safety reasons.

However, water in plastic bottles may be purchased inside the Coliseum for around $4 per bottle.

Are 49ers fans getting the same treatment by greedy, unethical ballpark managers or are Raiders fans just thought of as more gullible?

It was announced that free water will be available and dispensed at your request, in small paper cups.

Perhaps paper slippers and paper exam gowns will also be made available in the near future to sports fans who may be asked to leave everything at the gate for their guaranteed health and safety.

Maria Gomez, Oakland

Write to us

Write to The Tribune or the Times Star at 401 13th St., Oakland 94612. Fax 208-6477. E-mail: triblet@angnewspapers.com (no attachments, please).

Please confine letters to 250 words, My Words to 550 words. Thank you.