California forum letters: Bee readers respond to McClintock’s Russia comments, teen vaping
GOP hypocrisy
“Tom McClintock says America is growing ‘dangerously vulnerable’ after Russia invades Ukraine,” (sacbee.com, Feb. 26)
It’s good to hear that Rep. Tom McClintock thinks the fate of Ukraine matters. McClintock supported President Donald Trump, who called NATO unnecessary, threatened to withhold arms from Ukraine unless it dug up dirt on his political rival and chose to believe Vladimir Putin rather than U.S. intelligence services. Putin aided Trump’s campaign in 2016 to sow dissension, undermine our leadership and put a vain, inexperienced, easily manipulated businessman at the helm of our country. Putin succeeded beyond his wildest expectations. If McClintock wants to safeguard this country, he should be working tirelessly to steer his party away from nominating Trump again. Trump has already demonstrated that he welcomes violence to seize power.
Al Franklin
Auburn
No to McClintock
“Tom McClintock says America is growing ‘dangerously vulnerable’ after Russia invades Ukraine,” (sacbee.com, Feb. 26)
Rep. Tom McClintock’s recent Ukraine invasion statement is nothing more than a cut-and-paste rehash of GOP talking points. After an obligatory opening paragraph denouncing Putin and praising Ukrainians, he quickly shifts to bashing the Biden administration while praising the Trump administration. He states concern about the national debt but omits his own role in creating it, such as his vote to approve the 2017 GOP corporate tax cut. He even slips one of his favorite GOP dog whistles, border control, into his Ukraine statement. After 13 years in Congress providing virtually nothing of benefit for his constituents, McClintock now wants to cash his meal ticket representing another district for two more years. His statement notes, “We are speeding into an ominous future. …” Voters who want a brighter future should look for an alternative to McClintock.
David Kane
El Dorado Hills
Protect forests
“As Californians retrofit homes against wildfires, state demands insurers cut them a break,” (sacbee.com, Feb. 25)
Extreme wildfires pose a serious threat to California. Outfitting our homes with fire-resistant materials and clearing our properties of flammable debris are sensible measures, but what California really needs are policy changes. Banning clear-cutting — a logging method in which natural forests are cut down and replaced with man-made tree plantations — is a great place to begin. Clear-cutting increases wildfire risk, contaminates our water supply, threatens wildlife and accelerates climate change. After a clear cut, the resulting tree plantations burn faster and hotter than the old-growth forests they replace. We must take actions that reflect the urgency of California’s wildfires by prohibiting clear-cutting and focusing on sustaining healthy, natural forests.
Caroline Harris
Menlo Park
Teen vaping crisis
“Living with Children: Don’t worry about teen’s vaping,” (sacbee.com, Feb. 15)
As pediatricians in Sacramento, we can attest to the fact that we are in an epidemic of teen vaping, with as many as one in five teens admitting using e-cigarettes. E-cigarette use among teens has significant detrimental health effects, primes the developing brain for future addiction and leads to increased use of traditional cigarettes later in life. Aerosols in vapes have been found to contain at least nine chemicals on California’s Proposition 65 list of substances known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. While flavorings may seem innocuous, some flavoring chemicals have been found to be toxic, damaging cells in the airways and lungs. Vape pens or electronic cigarettes like those made by Juul can contain as much nicotine as a pack of 20 cigarettes, amplifying the opportunity for addiction. We should be empowering parents to talk openly with their children about the dangers of vaping.
Dr. Rachel Caynak
Dr. Tammy Ng
Dr. Lena van der List
Sacramento
Clean up Calif.
“California officials approve plan to crack down on microplastics polluting the ocean,” (sacbee.com, Feb. 23)
California’s new plan to fight plastic pollution would be a major step in reducing plastic pollution in our state, but our Legislature needs to take action to make a plastic-free future a reality. Lawmakers have an opportunity to move toward that future with Assembly Bill 2026, which would ban single-use plastic packaging in online retail. This trash litters our streets, and much of it ends up in our rivers and oceans, where it poses a major threat to marine life. Single-use plastic packaging is easily replaced with biodegradable materials. California state leaders should vote yes on AB 2026 to clean up our communities and protect the beautiful nature of our state.
Nicolas Riani
Davis
Protect abortion rights
“California could OK abortions by solo nurse practitioners,” (sacbee.com, March 3)
A bill recently introduced by Sen. Toni Atkins that would allow some nurse practioners to perform abortions couldn’t be more timely. March 10 is Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, created to honor Dr. David Gunn, an abortion provider who was murdered in 1993. Abortion providers show up each day despite clinic protesters, personal threats and difficulties. As the nation awaits the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which could undo 50 years of legal precedent and obliterate federal protections for abortion, we offer hakarat todah (gratitude) for these providers for the good they do.
Claire Lipschultz, National Council of Jewish Women board member
Carmichael