Letters: UC Berkeley offers too little security at conservative event

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Berkeley offers too
little security at event

Re: “UC Berkeley in Fed crosshairs” (Page A1, Nov. 12).

Regarding the protest at UC Berkeley outside a TPUSA event, why is there not more security at the university to prevent violence at protests? Why is freedom of speech at UC on only one side of politics? If I were a student and did not like an event, I would just stay home.

I feel that universities should do a better job of presenting all sides of an issue.

Marianne Haas
Berkeley

Federal agents’ actions
cloaked in mystery

Re: “Federal agents conduct visits” (Page B1, Nov. 9).

Apparently, it is unknown specifically what agency the agents represented, nor what questions they were asking. It is not known how many there actually were. These door-to-door interviews took place in Fremont.  The mayor seemed not to know these “knock and talk” visits were taking place before the morning they started.

If Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, house cleaners, landscapers, environmentalists or political campaigners come to the door, they identify themselves. Were these agents wearing badges? What if someone opened their front door, saw no identification and closed the door? Would there be repercussions for not answering questions? What questions were asked? What was the intent and objective of these door-to-door interviews? Were they all in one part of the city? Were any of the residents who were interviewed questioned later by the city or the newspaper to find out what the agents were looking for?

Mike Tracy
Oakland

The fact is, Trump wants
Epstein files hidden

Re: “New links to Epstein continue to roil Trump” (Page A1, Nov. 13).

Our president is so tied to Jeffrey Epstein that you can’t say one without the other.

Donald Trump continues to deny there’s a relationship, but Trump’s history says otherwise. He insults women, has been adjudicated of sexual assault, bragged about grabbing women by their lady parts, walked into pageant dressing rooms while ladies were undressed, is accused of cheating on his wives, paid off multiple women to hide his affairs and has participated in Epstein’s parties.

Did the president have relations with underage girls at Epstein’s? It sure fits his profile, doesn’t it? Now you understand why Trump is so adamant about hiding the facts. And no, Kellyanne Conway, there are no alternate facts.

Stuart Shicoff
Martinez

Opposing Trump is
Democrats’ one policy

Re: “Democrats were on a roll. Why stop now?” (Page A7, Nov. 12).

I agree with New York Times columnist Ezra Klein. Although Democrats have few constructive ideas of their own, exemplified by the sad and pathetic performance of the Biden administration, they should be complimented for their consistency of policy.

Prior to Donald Trump being elected the first time, Democratic policy was, “Oppose Trump No Matter What The Issue (OTNMWTI).” After he was elected the second time, the policy was: OTNMWTI. Now, after nearly a year of serving as president, policy continues: OTNMWTI. And for the remainder of his term, Democratic policy is likely to be: OTNMWTI.

Some of us, not necessarily Republican, consider Democratic policy consistently stupid and short-sighted. And with Zohran Mamdami heading up New York City, it’s likely Democratic (Socialist) policy will change and be even worse, especially for the middle class and below.

Chris Kniel
Orinda

State must expand
MPAs to restore kelp

Northern California’s kelp forest coverage has decreased by 95%. Kelp forests are a key part of Californian identity, and it would be heartbreaking to lose this aspect of nature.

When I was in elementary school, we learned about local geography, and my class did a project about kelp forests. Each student did a project about a different animal, from fish to sea otters, and we made a collective classroom display about the diverse ecosystem as a whole. Since then, our kelp forests have been decimated, beginning with a 2014 ocean warming event.

We must work to restore kelp forests and preserve this special aspect of the coast. California supports a network of Marine Protected Areas, which provide the protection needed for coastal regions to recover and thrive. I urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to expand and increase our MPA network to protect our remaining kelp forests for future generations.

Clara Castronovo
Piedmont

Santos commutation
comes as no surprise

Re: “Santos’ release frustrates ex-colleagues, constituents” (Page A14, Oct. 19).

I find the outrage over George Santos’ prison sentence commutation quite interesting, with some calling it an attack on the rule of law.

Have people forgotten Donald Trump’s pardoning of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists who attacked, injured and maimed Capitol Police officers? He called them patriots, and it won’t be at all surprising if they end up receiving reparations for their time spent in prison. That’s an attack on the rule of law.

Mark Gabin
Concord