The First Amendment and Lodi

Re "Pray away – but not as part of council meeting" (Viewpoints, Aug. 11): Bruce Maiman argues against public prayers in Lodi by quoting the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." The Lodi City Council is not the Congress! The First Amendment prohibits the federal government from establishing a national religion.

I agree with Maiman that government-endorsed prayers of a particular religion (Christian) are poor public policy. Equally poor policy would be prayers specific to Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu or any number of religions likely found in Lodi (or anywhere else in the United States). If any public body feels the need for divine guidance, it should simply pray to the god that all religions have in common.

Our founding fathers were probably not all Christian, but they were most certainly deist. That is not a religion but a philosophy. Look at the money in your pocket: "In God We Trust." I agree.

– Don Petron, Sacramento

Out on the road, you never know

Re "On simple trips, death can lurk" (Our Region, Aug. 12): Marcos Breton's powerful piece resonates with my near-death experience on Interstate 80 nearly two years ago.

I was eastbound just beyond Arden Way when a sedan heading west shot over the embankment, knocking me into the path of a truck and two other vehicles. After being pried out of my car semiconscious, via the Jaws of Life, I was rushed to UC Davis Medical Center, where I spent several days in intensive care and the trauma center.

My leg and ribs were broken. I sustained multiple contusions, a deep gash on my elbow and a slight crack in my sacrum that thankfully did not require surgery.

The state policeman who investigated the accident and the medical staff were amazed that I survived, much less was not paralyzed. The driver who hit me was drunk and had traces of drugs in her system.

There has not been a day since then that I fail to give thanks for my good fortune. Breton's perceptive column should be required reading by drivers everywhere.

– Alan Miller, Sacramento

Freeways are safer in Seattle

Re "On simple trips, death can lurk" (Our Region, Aug. 12): This article described the dangerous conditions on our freeways and roads leading to the recent death of a young mother.

The reason we have this danger is that our speed and safe-driving laws are not enforced. An example is Highway 50 from Howe Avenue into the city. It's become a raceway. I often have cars passing going 90 mph, tailgating and switching lanes back and forth. Almost never is anyone apprehended.

Seattle is a sharp contrast; you seldom drive there without seeing patrols issuing tickets roadside. Certainly, their revenue is more than covering costs. So traffic there is moving at a sedate speed, without any tailgating or lane switching. You feel very safe.

It's time Sacramento eliminates dangerous raceway conditions on our freeways.

– Merick Chaffee, Sacramento

Colorado walks the talk

Re "Pedestrian risks can be reduced" (Editorial, Aug. 13): While traveling in Colorado last summer, I was impressed by the state's "awareness" campaign regarding pedestrian rights of way at intersections and crosswalks. At the edge of many crosswalks, there are prominent signs to inform drivers that Colorado state law gives pedestrians the right of way.

This is similar to signs around Sacramento, letting drivers know the size of the fine for red-light running. Adopting the Colorado signage approach to pedestrian rights should be part of the "Start Seeing Pedestrians" campaign recommended in The Bee's editorial.

And since it is more than a local problem, something similar should be done at the state level to increase driver awareness of pedestrians.

– Jim Hare, Sacramento

City exec touts water efforts

Re "Amid drought, city waters more" (Page A1, Aug. 9): The city of Sacramento certainly recognizes the need to improve its water conservation efforts. However, The Bee failed to investigate many ways the city is already making progress.