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Plan inconveniences many for a few cyclists

Re: “Bike lanes plan generates outcry” (Page B1, Aug, 18).

Public officials repeatedly misstate several important “facts” about Hopkins Street. There have not been 46 pedestrian and cyclist crashes on Hopkins; the phrase ‘Hopkins Corridor’ is used to mislead everyone. It has allowed the city to attribute to Hopkins accidents, including fatalities, that occurred blocks away.

The $20 million measure Councilmember Rashi Kesarwani sponsored requires city staff to plan all street upgrades in the context of cycle tracks, thus precluding any consideration of safer alternative routes for bicycles. The cycle tracks will cross over 100 driveways and cross streets, endangering cyclists at each intersection. It poses dangers for the elderly and disabled in the city’s oldest demographic area. Removing all parking creates problems for garbage pick-up, deliveries and aid workers. Floating bus islands are dangerous for the sight-impaired.

And for what? So cyclists don’t have to go one-half block out of their way to avoid the street’s two-block-long congested area.

Donna DeDiemarBerkeley

Lincoln sailors should have expected sacrifice

Re: “New aircraft carrier heads to Middle East” (Page A4, Aug. 14).

I am surprised to see all the concern about the Lincoln’s 240-day deployment. I believe every sailor on board is a volunteer and their service is appreciated. If you enlist in the Navy, one might expect a lot of time at sea.

I was stationed on a ship during the Vietnam conflict. In two years, the ship was away from home port about sixteen months, including nine months in Vietnam.

Friends served “in country” for 12- to 13-month deployments. One said he lived in a doorless hooch with several others along with rats and bugs. Being on a ship is plush compared to that. Another friend was in the Army in WWII in the Pacific away for “only” three years.

Wearing the uniform often means sacrifice for the USA. Thanks to all who have ever worn the uniform serving the USA.

Michael EricksonWalnut Creek

It may be time for Israeli reparations

Re: “Settler charged in death of Palestinian activist” (Page A4, Aug. 7).

In the Iran-U.S.-Israel war negotiations, the idea of reparations has surfaced, like the over $90 billion Germany paid after World War II, and continues to pay, to Jews via individual pensions, property restitution and ongoing welfare support to survivors.

I’m not sure which way they’ll go between Iran and the United States, but with the promised rebuilding of Gaza, Israel’s ongoing taking of land and killing of Palestinians in the West Bank, and its invasion of Lebanon, perhaps Israel should pay reparations to its victims in those invasions via pension, property restitution and ongoing welfare support.

It could be the start of Israel fulfilling its obligation as the occupying force to care for and protect the occupied people.

Congress should support a weapons (including nuclear) ban on Israel and a move to reparations for survivors of the occupations.

Elizabeth FisherPleasant Hill

Change out a Congress that fails constituents

I’m an old Blue Dog Democrat from Danbury, Texas, now registered independent, because neither party represents people like me anymore.

Congress’s approval rating has been stuck in the teens, at times barely above single digits. Yet more than 97% of incumbents get reelected. That gap is the whole story: Americans overwhelmingly agree Washington isn’t working for them, while the people already there almost never lose their seats. Both parties have let public service become a wealth-building exercise — stock trades, revolving-door lobbying, donor-written bills — while working families get campaign promises instead of results. This isn’t a right or left problem. It’s an everyone problem.

Real fixes exist: term limits, a real ban on congressional stock trading, longer lobbying cooldowns and redistricting reform. My daughter and granddaughters deserve a government that answers to them, not one that already thinks it knows best. Drain the swamp — all of it.

Dennis NolenClayton

GOP must remove Trump to salvage future

As the physical and mental abilities of our president continue their decline, it is daily more apparent that his presidency is a ship adrift. With percentage approval ratings undeniably in the thirties, it is evident that the American public has lost confidence in Donald Trump and his MAGA lapdogs’ capacity to lead the country. As the midterms approach, it is increasingly clear that voters are opting for anything and anyone non-Trump. The legendary lyrics of Sam Cooke — “A Change is Gonna Come” — now seem apropos.

At this juncture, the last hope for the feckless Republicans lies in stopping all things Trump — his vanity projects, his war and, ultimately, his presidency. Removing Trump from office using Section 4 of the 25th Amendment could salvage some closely contested races. Failure to do so will result in a lame duck remainder of the term and Democratic leadership in the House and Senate.

Jon JamesPleasanton