Election observers, rigged outcome, pot economy, tunnels permit

Getting it wrong on election observers

Re “Trump is encouraging mayhem at the polls” (Insight, Oct. 18): Foon Rhee shows an appalling lack of knowledge of our voting system in his attack on Donald Trump supporters who want to assure there is no election fraud. “We need more impartial poll workers – not partisan poll watchers, and certainly not poll stalkers working for Donald Trump.”

If Rhee were to read the law and the Secretary of State’s web page he would find that Trump election observers have an absolute right to be at the polls, as do partisans for Clinton. “Poll workers should be made aware that people have the right to observe the election process, even if they are not voting.”

Rhee and The Bee’s editorial board may hate Trump all they want, but they cannot take away his right, and that of any partisan election observer, to be at the polling place and to make sure only qualified voters are casting ballots.

Trump rigged the outcome himself

Re “Trump’s new claims of ‘rigged’ voting draw rebukes from elections officials” (Page 1A, Oct. 17): Donald Trump is correct is saying the election has been rigged. He did it.

By using the knowledge from “The Apprentice” that the media craves controversy and bombast, he rigged the primary so that anyone with actual ideas on governing was basically ignored by the media. For example, John Kasich got a fraction of air time in the primary debates. The media was so bent on giving time to Trump based on the premise that controversy sells, that the more absurd his statements became, the more time he got. The media gave him free time every day in hopes that he would spew forth more hyperbole and insanity.

Trump is right, the system was rigged. It was rigged by a media frenzy to cover controversy over policy, and bombast over preparedness. A person who was never qualified to be a candidate became one by knowing what the media wanted.

Pot initiative is all about money

Re “Marijuana economy could soar with state legalization” (Local, Oct. 17): Here’s how marijuana legalization would work in California: It’s really about big money. A lot of money. Sadly, big money and greed will nearly always triumph over what’s right.

Back to the big money. Proponents have raised nearly $20 million to support pot. You can bet that they expect something in return. Sure, it might be fun to get high and relax with a few friends. But will smoking weed really make you a better parent, grandparent? A better husband or wife? A better worker? I almost never agree with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, but on this issue we are in total alignment.

State applies for tunnels permit

Re “Brown’s projects doomed?” (Capitol & California, Dan Walters, Oct. 16): Gov. Jerry Brown’s legacy project, the controversial California WaterFix, is becoming increasingly unpopular among Californians, since it could be one of the most environmentally destructive public works projects in state history.

Brown and other state officials have constantly claimed the Delta tunnels project will “restore” the Delta ecosystem, but they revealed their real plans Oct. 7 when the administration applied for a permit to kill Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon, Central Valley steelhead, Delta smelt and other endangered and threatened species with the project.

The Department of Water Resources submitted an “incidental intake” application for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in alleged “compliance” with the California Endangered Species Act in order to build and operate the tunnels.

The tunnels project won’t restore the Delta, but will only drive these struggling fish populations into extinction while costing the ratepayers and taxpayers nearly $16 billion.

This story was originally published October 19, 2016 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Election observers, rigged outcome, pot economy, tunnels permit."