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Chronicle sports columnist Scott Ostler wears a \u201cSELL\u201d T-shirt at an A\u2019s game in 2023. The shirts are meant as a protest against the team\u2019s move to Las Vegas, and Ostler wanted to see how Oakland Coliseum officials would react. Ostler\u2019s last column for the Chronicle was published on Monday.<\/p>\n
Santiago Mejia\/S.F. Chronicle<\/p>\n
Regarding \u201cFrom the all-time sports OG (original goofball), it\u2019s time to say goodbye\u201d<\/a> (Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, March 16): I was sad to hear about sports columnist Scott Ostler\u2019s retirement from the Chronicle.\u00a0<\/p>\n Scott\u2019s wit and insights into the personalities and activities brought our sports heroes to life and made us feel like we were there on the bench, in the locker rooms and always in on the action.\u00a0<\/p>\n It was always great to start the day with Scott\u2019s funny impressions of self-absorbed athletes and coaches, and his strong opinions about the people who ran the business of professional sports, for better or worse.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Now, who is going to hold hypocrites like A\u2019s owner John Fisher and Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred accountable as they run our beloved teams and sports into the ground?\u00a0<\/p>\n My sincere thanks to Scott for helping us see humor in all the disappointment. He will be sorely missed.<\/p>\n San Francisco Chronicle Logo<\/p>\n Make us a Preferred Source to get more of our news when you search.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Add Preferred Source<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Keep religion separate<\/p>\n A U.S. military commander reportedly told troops that \u201cPresident Trump has been anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran to cause Armageddon and mark his return to Earth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Military Religious Freedom Foundation<\/a> has received over 200 complaints about commanders across every branch of the military making similar statements, filed by troops of all faiths, including Christians.<\/p>\n Put yourself in the place of those troops \u2014 or their families. Imagine being told, before deploying into combat, that you are God\u2019s instrument for triggering the end of the world. These young men and women cannot speak out against their commanders \u2014 so let us be their voice. Contact your congressional representatives and demand an investigation.<\/p>\n House Democrats have already requested an investigation. Where are the Republicans who claim to champion our military?<\/p>\n There is a critical reason the Constitution separates church and state. When military commanders use their authority to impose a theological mission on troops whose lives are at stake, we have crossed a dangerous line.<\/p>\n A military driven by apocalyptic prophecy is not a defender of democracy \u2014 it is indistinguishable from the theocratic regime we claim to oppose.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Kathleen Wood, San Francisco<\/p>\n Reform e-bike laws<\/p>\n Regarding \u201cParents of Burlingame boy killed in crash sue city, driver and 11-year-old e-bike rider\u201d<\/a> (Bay Area, SFChronicle.com, March 12): Ayden Fang\u2019s death would be far less likely elsewhere in the world.<\/p>\n Many nations require electric bike riders to be at least 12 years old, and the 750-watt throttle e-bike<\/a> involved in the crash exceeds the allowable motor power in almost every other country, many of which do not allow throttles.\u00a0<\/p>\n Expecting an 11-year-old child to fully understand the rules of the road and navigate a motorized bike through busy streets is unrealistic. Perhaps manufacturers and retailers can find ways to promote safety beyond a product insert.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Deepest condolences to the Fang family; I applaud their efforts to honor Ayden by pushing for changes in the system to prevent repeat tragedies<\/p>\n John Maa, governor, American College of Surgeons, San Francisco<\/p>\n Oakland needs accountability<\/p>\n Regarding \u201cOakland Mayor Barbara Lee vows to cut street homelessness in half in 5 years. Can she do it?\u201d<\/a> (East Bay, SFChronicle.com, March 14): The story buried the real lead in the second-to-last paragraph: The city auditor found that Oakland spent nearly $69 million on contracts for homelessness services from 2019 to 2021 but did not track outcomes.\u00a0<\/p>\n That, in a nutshell, explains Oakland\u2019s leadership failure to execute projects and the city\u2019s budget problems.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Drive more driverless cars<\/p>\n Regarding \u201cWhy are cars still killing so many people in San Francisco?\u201d<\/a> (Opinion, SFChronicle.com, March 14): A Waymo kills a cat<\/a> in San Francisco, and everyone, including politicians, is seemingly up in arms over the tragedy.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n