The San Francisco skyline looms over the beach at Crissy Field in the Presidio in 2025. The Presidio was once an Army base.
Stephen Lam/S.F. Chronicle
Regarding “The S.F. Presidio is a jewel, but there are better uses for prime real estate” (Letters to the Editor, SFChronicle.com, April 15): The letter writer rightly stated that the Presidio is “a wonderful place and a gift to San Francisco,” but then contradicts that by advocating that this public treasure be sold to private developers.
That is just what Republicans and developers wanted to do with the Army base after it closed in 1994. Those plans were defeated after a fight by Bay Area legislators, led by Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
The gift of the Presidio to San Francisco was given by those who fought against turning it into condos or other private developments.
Article continues below this ad
The letter writer’s rationale for giving this public treasure away to the wealthy developers is that federal lands do not pay local property taxes. By this profoundly bad logic, we should privatize every national park in America.
We, the people, will not let that happen. The Presidio is ours.
San Francisco Chronicle Logo
Make us a Preferred Source to get more of our news when you search.
Add Preferred Source
Bruce Allen, San Francisco
Regret is normal
Contrary to the specious argument by Sara Azari, an attorney defending Eric Swalwell in his sexual assault cases, victim regret is typically a component of rape.
Article continues below this ad
Azari, attempting to denigrate a victim and dismiss her claim against Swalwell, insinuates that the alleged victims were ashamed of any sexual activity between them by saying, “Regret is not rape.”
Just the opposite is true.
According to a 2010 report by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 51% of female rape victims report being raped by an intimate partner and 41% by an acquaintance.
Why shouldn’t Lonna Drewes, who accused Swalwell of rape, regret knowing him? Any one of us would feel the same way. Regret does not preclude rape, but is often part of it.
By courageously seeking their own justice, Swalwell’s alleged victims are helping dismantle the power imbalances inherent in American society. They should be applauded.
Article continues below this ad
Marc Bruno, San Francisco
Keep it old school
Regarding “I’m an Oakland high school teacher. I discourage my students from using AI” (Open Forum, SFChronicle.com, April 16): Kudos to Lara Trale, the English teacher at Oakland Technical High School, for testing her students only with paper and pen.
Handwritten, printed or scribbled work can be harder to read, but it is so essential. I teach physics, and students learn best with a pencil in hand, to draw diagrams and write equations. This is true in math and chemistry as well, and students must learn more by hand-drawing a cell than by looking at a diagram.
Another essential skill is talking to the text, which my best students use now on their assignments. They underline key words in the instructions, add marginalia, and generally make sure they thoroughly understand the problem before attempting to solve it.
Article continues below this ad
Cynthia Cudaback, Oakland
Fryday ready to serve
I have known Josh Fryday since he was 5.
I watched him walk into kindergarten, and I watched him grow up through our Marin County schools, go on to law school, serve his country in the Navy and become one of the most respected leaders in this community.
Article continues below this ad
Not many people can say they have known a political candidate that long. I can, and that is exactly why I am supporting him for lieutenant governor.
What I have seen over decades is consistent: a young man who grew into someone with real integrity, genuine curiosity, and a deep commitment to the people around him. Those qualities do not appear overnight. They are built over a lifetime, and I had a front-row seat.
Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership.
Read more about our transparency and ethics policies
When I was superintendent of Marin County schools, I worked with many elected officials. Josh understands, at his core, that education is the foundation of everything else we care about as a state. As lieutenant governor, he will bring that conviction to the University of California and California State University boards, where he can make a lasting difference for the state’s students and families.
I have believed in Josh Fryday for a long time. California should, too.