Mai Vang should run for Rep. Doris Matsui’s congressional seat | Opinion

Vang should run for Matsui’s seat

“Sacramento councilmember Mai Vang weighs running against Rep. Doris Matsui | Opinion,” (sacbee.com, Aug. 29)

I was heartened to read that Councilmember Mai Vang is considering a challenge for Sacramento’s congressional seat. Rep. Doris Matsui has done good work for Sacramento during her time in Congress. Still, the threat to democracy posed by the present administration demands more than a shrugging, “Well, I tried” approach exemplified by Matsui’s recent visit to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility downtown.

We need someone willing to sit down and not budge until their demands are met. Stage a hunger strike, get arrested, make a scene, force the other side to do something they aren’t comfortable with — that is the kind of leadership demanded by the times, and the type of leadership Matsui is not capable of providing.

Vang seems like this type of leader. I hope she is successful if she decides to challenge for the seat.

Geoffrey Fattig

Sacramento

AB 715 censors classroom discussion

“With rising antisemitism in California schools, here’s how leaders can act | Opinion,” (sacbee.com, Sept. 3)

As a retired Jewish teacher, I urge lawmakers to vote against the Israel lobby’s bill to censor classroom discussion. Assembly Bill 715 bars the words “Israel settler colonialism” from the classroom and equates criticism of Israel with antisemitism, thereby stereotyping all Jews as supporters of an ethnic nationalist state.

AB 715 establishes an “Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator” to police instruction beginning with 4-year-olds in Pre-K. The bill would also hold the seven members of the Sacramento School Board legally responsible for every word uttered by 1,760 teachers in Sacramento’s 81 schools.

No wonder the California School Board Association, the California Teachers Association and 100 grassroots organizations oppose AB 715.

Marcy Winograd

Santa Barbara

Where are Kiley’s principles?

“CA congressman Kevin Kiley abstains in Epstein vote,” (sacbee.com, Sept. 3)

If Congressman Kevin Kiley still had a valid teaching credential, his trademark lecture would be “Hypocrisy 101.” He asks us to believe he’s such a fervent advocate for substance over form that he’s unable to vote to support the Jeffrey Epstein investigation because he’s focused on preserving democracy. Where were these principles when his authoritarian mentor insisted Texas redraw its districts to disenfranchise voters in Democratic-held areas?

Kiley only found his allegiance to democratic norms when California responded with its own plan. The voters in California — unlike those in Texas — have the opportunity to decide. And that’s what frightens him.

Barbara Smith

Auburn

Oppose the Delta tunnel

“Lawmakers decline to audit $20 billion Delta water tunnel,” (sacbee.com, June 18)

California Forever plans to exercise its water rights to take water from the Sacramento River. This and other “Voluntary Agreements” by powerful water agencies reduce the ecologically and economically critical freshwater flow that the Department of Water Resources (DWR) seems to view as an unnecessary waste.

DWR claims the tunnel meets the needs of our population. Its newly released State Water Project Adaptation Strategy is a self-serving effort to justify the project. It claims that benefits outweigh costs by 2.5 to 1, minimizing concerns about Delta communities, habitat, unsustainable water use and investing in much-needed levee improvements.

Consider supporting the 40-organization coalition opposing the tunnel.

Bob Panzer

Fairfield

AT&T won’t leave customers behind

“We cannot let AT&T abandon its obligation to serve California,” (sacbee.com, Aug. 28)

Assembly Bill 470 ensures that no one is left behind. Nothing changes for people in rural areas who depend on copper-based voice services and don’t have three alternative options, including a wireline service and affordable options.

AT&T will not allow any customers to lose access to voice or 911 services because of updates to state law. Plus, the bill includes a historic investment in fiber-based broadband benefiting hundreds of thousands of Californians.

Over 150 California organizations support AB 470 because it balances progress with protections for rural, public safety and disadvantaged communities.

Susan Santana

President, AT&T California

Misuse of CHP by Newsom

“Report: California to provide Kamala Harris with security,” (sacbee.com, Aug. 30)

In years past, the California Highway Patrol was ubiquitous on the freeways, roadways and streets of this state. Today, however, the CHP is conspicuously absent. The prior deterrent effect of their “in view” patrolling has faded, and violators run amok on our roadway systems, virtually unchecked.

Now, Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered the CHP to provide protective services to former Vice President Kamala Harris. The use of the CHP is a disingenuous strategy to make Harris appear relevant and buttress her standing as a future presidential candidate.

While the motoring public goes without the protection of the CHP, Newsom chooses politics and personal agendas over public safety.

Robert D. Bond

Retired CHP

Sacramento