Nuclear deal, Comcast merger, assisted suicide, water

A ‘big step’ in which direction?

Re “A big step to stop Iran’s nuclear bomb ambitions” (Editorials, April 3): In celebrating “a big step,” The Sacramento Bee’s editorial board chose to ignore the reaction of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who accused the Obama administration of misleading the American people and Congress. At the end of negotiations, he claimed that the latest agreement allows Iran to keep operating its nuclear program.

In an earlier press conference, Zarif bragged that the U.S. had tentatively agreed to let it continue the enrichment of uranium, the key component in a nuclear bomb. “None of those measures include closing any of our facilities,” he said. “We will continue enriching; we will continue research and development.”

In allowing Iran to keep centrifuges at Fordow, a former military site, the concern is that it could ramp up its nuclear work.

As usual, the editorial board is immune to some facts, however glaring, that contradict the misrepresentations of the Obama administration.

Let peace grow

Re “Iran nuclear deal reached” (Page A1, April 3): Opponents of the nuclear agreement with Iran should consider two old quotations.

“They have a right to censure, that have a heart to help: The rest is cruelty, not justice.” (William Penn, 1644-1718).

“Distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful.” (Friedrich Nietzsche, 1844-1900).

The agreement can grow peace in one part of our violent world. Let’s not destroy it before it blooms.

Facts on Comcast merger

Re “Regulators must keep Comcast under control” (Editorials, March 20): As a business organization that supports free enterprise, the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce would like to address the problems in The Sacramento Bee’s editorial. And yes, Comcast is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

After combining with Time Warner, Comcast will serve only 4 million households in a state with 38 million residents – not an 80 percent monopoly. And as consumers know, broadband competition is not only alive but growing. The marketplace offers options for DSL, high-speed wireless and multiple ultrafast fiber options including AT&T, Verizon and Google.

The claim that Comcast will impede a thriving video market is also unsupported. Comcast carries more than 160 unaffiliated networks, including 60 focused on Hispanic audiences. SomosTV’s CEO attests, “No company has been a better partner to independent and diversity programmers in this country.”

Don’t allow assisted suicide

Re “Panel OKs aid-in-dying bill” (Capitol & California, March 25): I am a doctor in Oregon, one of the few states where assisted suicide is legal. I have been following the progress of California’s assisted-suicide bill with alarm.

Here in Oregon, our Medicaid program steers patients to suicide, which is covered in lieu of treatments for cure or to extend life. Private health plans and providers have this same ability.

I first became involved with the assisted suicide issue shortly before my first wife died of cancer in 1982. We had just made what would be her last visit with her doctor. As we were leaving, he suggested that she overdose herself on medication. I still remember the look of horror on her face. She said “Ken, he wants me to kill myself.”

Protect your health care. Don’t let legal assisted suicide come to California.

Here’s a water-saving tip

Re “When in drought, conserve and preserve” (Special section, March 28): I appreciate the seven water-saving suggestions and The Bee’s continued emphasis on the seriousness of our current drought.

One tip I never see mentioned is the hot water pump. In our house, the water heater is a considerable distance from the bathroom and shower. If we had not installed a hot water pump on our plumbing, a lot of water would run down the drain waiting for hot water to arrive at the shower head.

Ours was installed during construction, but they can also be retrofitted. Even when I wash my hands, warm water is there instantly. Ours has a timer that turns the pump off at night or while we are away.

A hot water pump should be installed in all new house construction as a water-saving device.

It’s the water, silly

Just to the west of California lies an ocean. Only 150 miles inland lies the Salton Sea at 234 feet below sea level, adjacent to hundreds of thousands of acres of vacant, sun-baked land. The world’s largest seawater desalination plant has just ramped up production 10 miles south of Tel Aviv, Israel. It cost $500 million and produces 20 percent of the household water consumed in Israel.

The costs of desalination are primarily energy costs. Between the hydroelectric power generated by water flowing downhill and the potential for unlimited solar power, this location could supply fresh water to much of Southern California as well as divert ocean water into the Salton Sea to refresh and replenish it, thus creating a vast new inland resort.

We can’t afford to build a pipeline, however, since the cows in Fresno need a new high-tech, low-tech train to ride.

This story was originally published April 5, 2015 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Nuclear deal, Comcast merger, assisted suicide, water."