Lifeguards, super PACs, Jenner coverage
Time to fund lifeguard services
Re “Can drownings be prevented?” (Insight, July 10): Thanks to The Bee for the good coverage on the high number of drownings and near escapes every summer at our local rivers. Since the highest incidence of these tragic deaths takes place at the Discovery Park area, it seems a smart solution would be for the county and city to join forces to hire part-time lifeguards at least for the weekends from May through September.
Surely, if the city can afford to subsidize a multimillion-dollar sports arena, then it could cough up the $40,000 to $60,000 or so it would cost to hire several part-time lifeguards.
It is also a lot cheaper and compassionate to save lives than to continue to pay the search-and-rescue teams. Let’s make river recreation at least as safe as a trip to our California beaches. Come on, River City, get it done.
John W. Hammond, Sacramento
Government of, by, for the rich
Re “Most of GOP’s campaign funds going to PACs” (Page 10A, July 16): Welcome to the end of democracy. That is what super PACs mean for our future. When the Supreme Court equated money with speech, the conservative justices turned our country over to the billionaires and their agendas: Elect those who will enact laws to make them richer.
Appealing to the public for contributions is no longer necessary or practical. Bernie Sanders’ pitiful war chest of $15 million accepted only from individuals pales to insignificance when compared to the hundreds of millions of dollars donated by those who are out to “buy” a president (or any other elected official).
The Supreme Court has truly turned this government into one that is of the rich, by the rich and for the rich. Fortunately, the wealthy, too, have only one vote each. That is why it is so important that every citizen exercise his or her rights and overwhelm the flood of money with a flood of votes.
Marlene Aderman, Roseville
Caitlyn Jenner coverage myopic
It is troubling that the angle chosen by the media circus surrounding Caitlyn Jenner, and by Jenner herself, has been to focus attention on her and not the feelings of others.
Barely five months have passed since a woman was killed after her car was struck from behind by Jenner, shoved into the oncoming lane of traffic and met head on by another vehicle. Despite this fact, Jenner has reveled publicly in her new role, egged on by a media circus that seems to have just simply erased any memory, sensitivity, tact or sympathy for the dead or the bereaved family. Not even a respectful mention. Even by American standards, this story is a new low.
Mark Adams, Tahoe City
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This story was originally published July 17, 2015 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Lifeguards, super PACs, Jenner coverage."