Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for July 17, 2024

Time for Americans to stop hating one another

The recent Fourth of July holiday was a time to celebrate being American — not “this type” or “that type” of American, all Americans (regardless of religion, race or gender).

This country was founded on doctrines of inclusiveness not exclusion. The flag is not just for those displaying it on their trucks or lawns, the flag represents all Americans. The flag is in our hearts and souls.

We battle among ourselves, forgetting that there are nations waiting to see our internal wars implode and tear the fabric of our foundations apart. There are nations trying to manage our downfall and insert dangerous doctrines of hate and separatism in place.

There is no room for hate; we have let hate infect us to the point that we are “hating” our peers, doubting our beliefs and our Constitution. We no longer stand apart as an independent example of the success of our beliefs. We are on a brittle precipice. As Americans, we need to wrap the doctrines sown in the fabric of the stars and stripes and share those beliefs.

We need to accept the differences among us and listen together. We need to seek balance and use democracy as a shield against hate while remaining independent. I can only hope that somehow common sense will rule the chaos that is laid before us. I cannot let fear become a serpent of my faith.

To borrow a phrase written by one Englishman (Nick Lowe) and popularized by another (Elvis Costello), “What’s so funny ’bout peace, love and understanding?”

— Brian Auger, Fairfax

Soulajule’s original size is right for environment

This summer, to mitigate the damage to the people and environment surrounding it, members of the Marin Municipal Water District staff and their consultants are studying ways to “rightsize” the Soulajule reservoir (“MMWD explores projects to add storage capacity,” March 27).

I wonder if the proposed additional 20,000 acre feet is actually the “right” volume for that site. Maybe it should be less. I think the answer lies in the past.

When the reservoir was built in response to the drought of 1976, MMWD directors at the time figured that they could construct a dam to create a 10,000 acre-foot reservoir without causing undue harm. In other words, Soulajule is already the right size right now, according to those plans.

Instead of expansion, I think MMWD officials should restart the project to electrify the Soulajule pump station. At the relatively low project cost of $7 million, Marin gains access to 10,000 acre feet of water that has been heretofore rarely accessed.

MMWD should keep Soulajule at its present size. There is no need to increase the size of this reservoir at such high cost to the environment, the adjacent neighborhoods and to MMWD ratepayers.

— Carol Dolcini, Berkeley

Wimbledon champ was known as real gentleman

I am writing to share my memories of Vic Seixas, who died recently (“Vic Seixas, longtime Marin resident and former Wimbledon champion, dies at 100,” July 7). Seixas was one of the most wonderful people in my life.

I was fortunate enough to have met him while he was bartending at Harbor Point tennis club, near where we both lived. We dated for many years. He was a terrific dancer and loved to show our neighbors and friends how much rhythm we had together.

He also loved to sing. We would go to the local restaurant with a piano and he would sing his favorite song — “My Way,” popularized by Frank Sinatra.

Vic Seixas was always the most handsome man in the room, at any age. He was kind and sweet to everyone who would stop by and say hello. He was a real gentleman and he will be missed by all.

— Sandy Broner, Delray Beach (Florida)

SMART having negative impact on Transit Center

A news report in the IJ (“San Rafael Transit Center plan hits snag,” July 5) discussed a proposal for the Transit Center to be moved one block north from its current location.

“The estimated $60 million to $65 million construction plan would move the transit center one block north of its location between Third and Fourth streets in downtown San Rafael,” the story read. “The relocation is being pursued to address concerns about pedestrian safety and traffic flow that have arisen since Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit district train tracks were built directly through the transit center in 2019.”

Think about that: $65 million to move it one block north of its current location. Why is this necessary? Because of concerns about pedestrian safety and traffic flow, as the article states, caused by SMART tracks. I’m putting that $65 million in the “SMART boondoggle” category with all the other wasted public money.

It’s true, the SMART project endlessly sucks up public money. In reality, I suspect the only way people will ride SMART is if it is free.

Having driven in that area of San Rafael, I can say it is a nightmare. I don’t think I’m the only one who avoids going to San Rafael, if at all possible, because of the SMART station. We have to be crazy to allow this SMART idiocy to continue.

— Terry Keehn, Novato

Supreme Court immunity decision was wrong path

I am writing about the recent Supreme Court immunity decision (“Supreme Court sends Trump’s immunity case back to a lower court in Washington,” July 1).

The conservative majority said they were concerned about future presidents prosecuting their predecessor, and that a sitting president might be inhibited in their actions by that prospect. From my perspective, the argument is deeply flawed for several reasons.

First, it is not a legal argument, it is a policy argument. Judges are supposed to base their decisions on the Constitution and the law, not on their preferred policy outcomes.

Second, if a former president were to be unjustly prosecuted, the judicial branch is there to stop it. They themselves, as the Supreme Court, would be in the ultimate position to stop such things, so a lack of immunity poses little risk. The country has gotten by without it for almost 250 years.

Third, it completely ignores the other side of the coin, which is the significant damage that a president can do if they cannot be prosecuted for crimes. And the key point: there is no recourse or mechanism to stop them.

Finally, the actual case before them involves a president who both committed crimes while in office, and who has promised to abuse his power if he returns. The conservative justices seem completely unconcerned.

I was appalled by this decision.

— Stephen Schmid, San Rafael

For sake of the country, Biden needs to step aside

After nervously watching President Joe Biden’s recent interview with George Stephanopoulos and twice reading the transcript, there is only one conclusion — Biden must step aside for the good of the country, the Democratic Party and his legacy.

He looked frail. Several times his answers seemed confusing and meandering. He said he never rewatched last month’s debate with former President Donald Trump (that’s shocking). Biden is in denial about his deep decline in virtually every poll predicting his ability to win the popular vote and the Electoral College.

When confronted with numerous key allies, members of Congress and big donors with concerns about his ability to defeat Trump and govern for another four years, Biden appears dismissive, stubborn and, at times, arrogant.

The Stephanopoulos interview was a testament to good journalism and the questions were tough, straightforward and fair. When it came to questions about his mental and physical health, Biden was evasive. He emphatically declined taking a cognitive and neurological test saying he did not need one and he dismissed reports about the frequency of his lapses of attention.

He was certainly clear and coherent about the numerous accomplishments of his presidency and the acute danger Trump poses to our democracy. But none of that matters if he is unable to defeat Trump and govern for another four years.

— David Glick, Fairfax