Sacramento memories, youth services, moderate Dems, Hot Creek, etc.

Fond memories of the Alhambra

Re “It’s harder to recall fond memories as downtown Sacramento changes” (Forum, June 19): There’s surely a passel of fond memories Susan Sward recounts for all of us who grew up in the Near East of East Sacramento in the 1940s and beyond, where every conceivable business and service was then in walking distance from home.

I lived just behind the crown jewel, the Alhambra Theatre, which by often changing the double bill weekly was like having Netflix housed in an exotic palace next door.

A youngster exiting the showing of some costume epic could recreate their own version of the adventure just seen in the sumptuous gardens and Hollywood settings outside.

The most valued experience of exposure to so many films was the seeding in this fan at an early age an appreciation of movies beyond mere entertainment.

Imagine the anchor it may have become as Sacramento culture evolved, had it survived.

Changing city resonated deeply

I’d like you to know how much I enjoyed the article by Susan Sward. She gave voice to emotions I’ve felt for a long time. The places she mentioned, the feelings she expressed, resonated with me deeply as a longtime Sacramentan. Susan was able to put into words what I feel but did not know how to describe. Now I understand: Not only do places change their face – they change their pace. There is nothing left to validate those memories of another time.

I look forward to seeing more of Susan Sward in The Bee.

Support funding of youth services

Re “A proposal to fund youth programs in Sacramento” (Viewpoints, June 19): I read with interest the op-ed by three City Council members about providing more services and support to Sacramento youth. I totally agree that the city of Sacramento needs to do more to provide services to our youth. I did not support Measure Y because it would have directed a specific revenue stream to a particular activity in the city. I do not believe it is prudent to use “ballot-box budgeting” to provide services to Sacramento. I also did not agree that this specific revenue stream would be directed only to nonprofits without any definition of what would constitute appropriate entities.

Sacramento currently has good programs that support our youth such as the 4th R and START. These entities would not have received any of the Measure Y funds. Establishing a Department of Youth Services within city government is a step in the right direction to provide valuable services and programs to the youth of Sacramento. This will allow the City Council the ability to establish appropriate services and the flexibility to make changes as the future dictates.

Whining about loss of Measure Y

The three City Council members who collaborated on this Viewpoints article were disgruntled by Measure Y not passing. They wove their disappointment over this loss into a story about Deston Garrett’s tragic death. All they needed was 1 percent more votes. A new department of services for youth could have been built from revenue collected from taxes on marijuana cultivation. How disingenuous.

First, the measure lost. Second, there are plenty of youth services for those in need. And now they are determined to overrule this loss on July 19 at a City Council meeting.

Whining about losing is a waste of the council’s time.

More vitriol than facts on Mideast

Re “Forget victory in Middle East; Obama just avoiding defeats” (Viewpoints, June 19): Andrew Malcolm’s op-ed needs more key facts, less vitriol about President Barack Obama. Example, President Dwight Eisenhower in the mid-1950s began committing military “advisers” into Vietnam as the colonialist French left. President John Kennedy later had to decide what to do about the mess.

Malcolm flashes forward to taunt Obama: “The U.S. combat role in Afghanistan officially ended almost two years ago.” Please remember that the Afghan president ordered us to pull out our military forces. Please subtract the “intermission” years when Bush-Cheney-Wolfowitz chose to divert the U.S. military into Iraq. Malcolm’s nastiness toward Obama increases toward the end. “Obama, who’s on another family vacation this weekend … is simply trying to avoid defeat.”

Unbecoming a veteran correspondent.

Moderate Dems are Republicans

Re “Voters deliver a markedly moderate message” (Viewpoints, June 19): I live in Assemblyman Jim Cooper’s district, but he sure doesn’t represent me. “Moderate Democrats” are what we used to call Republicans, prior to the top-two open primaries. These are people who are supported by Big Oil, Big Ag, and anti-labor lobbies, and who vote accordingly. People such as Cooper. By the way, I am well over 60.

2nd Amendment an ancient text?

Re “A rebuke to those who preach hate” (Forum, June 19): Reuven H. Taff cites Deuteronomy 21:18-21 as inappropriate to modern-day treatment of naughty children, i.e. stoning them to death. He writes that “taking words literally from the ancient texts would be morally wrong in today’s world.”

Could we apply Taff’s caveat to NRA use of the 18th-century Second Amendment in the 21st century?

Enjoying the magic of Hot Creek

Re “Envision witches stirring Sierra pools” (Forum, California Sketches, June 19): Thank you for the paintings and story by Stephanie Taylor. Ever since Taylor’s stories and beautiful illustrations of our state’s wildly varied landscape began appearing in The Sacramento Bee, I’ve looked forward to her next installment.

This piece about Hot Creek near Mammoth Mountain reminded me of a spring break ski trip to the area in the early 1970s, while the color drawing brought to mind Chiura Obata’s drawings and prints of Yosemite and the Sierra. I am amazed to hear that the hot springs are now too hot to bathe in. Encore, please.

Need change from Grand Oil Party

Re “Deception on climate change is fraud, not free speech” (Forum, Another View, June 19): Not only have Exxon and other oil companies invested in a decades-long campaign to deceive the public on climate change, they continue to buy political influence as well. Recently, House Republicans introduced a resolution decrying a carbon tax. All of the criticisms in the resolution could be overcome by rebating the revenue to taxpayers.

Exxon supports this type of revenue-neutral carbon tax, but they continue to fund anti-climate lobbyists and congressmen. Ninety-four percent of House Republicans voted against taxing carbon pollution. Voters must demand change, or we should rename the GOP the Grand Oil Party.

This story was originally published June 26, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Sacramento memories, youth services, moderate Dems, Hot Creek, etc.."