Letters for March 6, 2014

Sacto problems are world problems

Re “The long game” (SN&R Editorial, February 27):

This editorial wisely laments our “unsustainable population.” Wasteful consumption and population growth contribute to the problem.

Consumption can be reduced through personal conservation, along with prudent state policies on energy, land and water use. But population growth must be addressed globally, since treating it as a state problem simply foists it onto the doorstep of another region, state or country. Californians can and should urge efforts toward equitable worldwide economic and population stabilization, family health care, and universal education and employment. We can also expose the reckless policies of governments, corporations, religious groups and cultures that discourage the empowerment of women.

It is tempting to ask, “What kind of future do we want for California?” The only effective long game is to ask, “What kind of future do we want for the world community?”

Evan Jones

via email

New Sacto motto

Re “Arena addicted” (SN&R Editorial, February 20):

I suggest a new city motto: “The Official Doormat of the NBA.”

Jan Bergeron

Sacramento

God and honesty

Re “The stigma of being an American atheist” by Dave Kempa (SN&R Essay, February 20):

I appreciate the writer’s honesty, as well as his lack of vitriol. I’m an Anglican priest, and many of my friends are agnostic at best. (I don’t know many people who identify as atheist in the classic sense of the word; most come from the perspective of just being unsure.) Honestly, I think that is healthy. Whatever beliefs you come to, they should be the result of honest inquiry on your part. And I am fairly certain the God I believe in would want that as well.

Fr. Joshua Lickter

Roseville

Midtownificiation of Oak Park

Re “Oak Park’s new kicks” by Lovelle Harris (SN&R Feature Story, February 13):

What’s termed “investment” in Oak Park is nothing more than an expansion of Midtown. As the article alludes to, the division between north Oak Park and the rest of the neighborhood grows deeper, as would-be Midtowners see north Oak Park as a cheaper alternative, close enough to the grid to meet their bourgeoisie needs.

Will the new businesses actually employ Oak Park residents? Could local businesses partner with schools and community agencies? Offer training programs, host benefits, donate funds or serve as a community space? Residents should demand nothing less of the businesses profiting from the “opportunity” presented by a struggling community and economy.

Unless these new “investors” are really committed to employing and engaging our community, this is nothing more than pushing the heart of Oak Park deeper into south Sac—an area that may actually deserve the term “ghetto”—and expanding Midtown, with the ultimate goal of keeping poverty out of sight and more easily out of mind. We can only hope that some of the benefits of these endeavors will “trickle-down” or at the very least, do no harm.

Rachel Marine

Sacramento

Corrections

In last week’s Beer Issue story on the booming craft-brew industry (“On how the Sacramento craft beer scene exploded—and will it last?” by Nick Miller), Rick Sellers was incorrectly identified as co-founder of Sacramento Beer Week. He was co-founder of Capitol Beer Fest.

In “2014 vs. 2016” by Steph Rodriguez (SN&R News, February 20), Lanette Davies has collected signatures for and supports the California Cannabis Hemp Initiative 2014.

SN&R has made these corrections in the stories online.