Letters for September 28, 2017

The saga continues

Re “Tit for tat” (Letters, by Linda Furr, Sept. 21):

In her vague response to my [Sept. 14] letter, Linda Furr takes on neocons Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Perle, etc., as being pro-Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.

These men worked for none other than George W. Bush. Did they, like Bernie backers, stab little brother Jeb Bush in the back by nominating the real “pro” Russian comrade Trump? Jeb Bush lost to Trump in a landslide, yet Furr somehow thinks it’s the fault of George W. Bush cabinet members?

Furthermore, Furr never mentioned one word in defense of the 2016 Ralph Nader Award-winning Bernie Sanders. Like I said in my letter, the independent Sanders does indeed need to run as an independent, instead of a Democrat, which he denies being vehemently. These GOP trolls never cease to amaze, or is it just another Hillary-hating white woman?

Ray Estes

Chico

I thank Linda Furr for defending me, in response to Ray Estes’ Sept. 14 letter.

The editor’s choice of “header” for Linda’s letter, “Tit for tat,” trivialized the necessary and important debate among Democrats over values and the direction of the Democratic Party.

Ray, I take it that you support the corporate, Wall Street, warmongering wing of the Democratic Party represented by Hillary Clinton. A candidate like Clinton is what made it easy for Trump to win the presidency.

Obviously, I want a Democratic Party that reflects Bernie Sanders’ values, a vigorous approach to huge and growing inequality, a less militaristic foreign policy, affordable health care for all, and tuition-free public higher education.

A better educated citizenry would make a future Trump-type president less likely.

There should be acknowledgment that some education beyond high school is necessary for all citizens as preparation for life in a democracy, not just for job skills.

The CNN health care debate Monday evening was a model of what a good debate should be! Bernie was great, strong and sensible, in promoting a better health care system.

Bernie’s slogan, “A Future to Believe In,” matches his vision and continues to inspire.

Lucy Cooke

Butte Valley

Good story, but …

Re “Greener acres” (Greenways, by Howard Hardee, Sept. 14):

While I appreciate Howard Hardee’s fine article on the Comanche Creek Greenway and the city’s application for an Urban Greening Grant, there was an error that I found distressing. Howard wrote that I ask campers to move along. I did not say this, and, in fact, I have never in my life asked anyone to move along.

The Greenway is a public space, and although camping there is illegal, and the sanitary issues and fire danger associated with campers is distressing, I would not presume to have the authority to confront anybody. However, I did say to Howard, when we walked on the Greenway, that I have always been treated courteously in my encounters with the seemingly homeless persons I have met there.

Janet Ellner

Chico

Editor’s note: See Correction below.

GOP’s health care plan

These older people, who will soon enough include me, need us to help them through their last day—not hurt them, make them afraid. Try other options like going solar for our planet! That will make “hecka” jobs and a greater future for all.

Susan Ogburn

Oroville

Republican Congress = Death Panel

Robin McCollum

Chico

Government largesse?

Yet another incident of your taxpayer dollars hard at work. There is an alley between Stewart and Bidwell avenues. While in county jurisdiction, there was never any maintenance done on this alley. It was never considered a public alley. Now, after being thrown into the city jurisdiction, the road/maintenance department comes in and spends two days clearing vegetation. City workers, water truck, back hoe and gravel truck. The finished product: a beautiful alley for use by one resident. How can the city justify this at a time when our streets are in the worst shape they have ever been in? I guess that old saying: It’s not who you know …

Martine Stillwell

Chico

Things POTUS says

Did I miss something, or did Mr. Trump say something that amounted to only the wealthy elite should be entitled to manage our country’s resources? Is he a classist as well?

Robert Andersen

Chico

Eco-car adventures

This summer, I drove my Chevy Volt (electric and gas car) between RV parks (tented at them to get the electric outlets) and chargers up both the Oregon and Washington coasts and down I-5 to/from my destination of Bellingham, Wash. (the beginning of the Alaska Marine Highway).

I made very slow time, but got very good mileage. In Alaska and the Yukon, I rarely got to charge off buildings and was only on EV 30 percent of my journey there. Overall, my whole trip mileage (to/from Valdez, Alaska), minus the ferry, was 97 MPG averaging gas and electric. The best charger I found was in Willow Creek, Calif. There was signage to find it and it was conveniently located near the park and library. It worked off my debit card, giving me a written receipt at the end of the charge, like a gas pump.

My range is only about 60 miles, but many new electric cars have over 200-mile range and work on 20-minute “super-chargers.” We are just at the beginning of the electric car evolution. Around town they are the perfect vehicle and subsidies to help with purchase are still available.

Chris Nelson

Chico

Correction

As noted in a letter to the editor this week, the recent story about the Comanche Creek Greenway (see “Greener acres,” Greenways, by Howard Hardee, Sept. 14) incorrectly reported the nature of Janet Ellner’s interactions with people who camp there. Ms. Ellner occasionally informs them that doing so is illegal. We apologize for the error, which has been corrected online. —ed.