Letters: Bail out BART | Ethnic studies | Ceiling on age | Legal route | Catholic outrage

East Bay Times Letters to the Editor for June 8, 2023

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Public bailout ofBART is sensible

Regarding the editorial, “BART refuses to make cuts, accelerates toward ‘fiscal cliff’” on May 26 (Page A6), Daniel Borenstein is convinced the only way BART can continue is further cuts to service. Somehow, the idea of a Sacramento bailout of BART smacks of “financial irresponsibility and political arrogance.”

We in the United States have subsidized automobile use in so many ways, it boggles the mind: from federal highway subsidies to local government road programs, we have effectively granted untold billions in “bailout” money to our car-based industries: automakers, the oil industry, etc. The net is that the cost of owning and driving a car in the United States is artificially low.

Many Western European countries have vibrant and healthy transit systems, and government funding is part of their success. Yet Borenstein would rather cut service and close stations, rather than get any government bailout? I’m not buying it.

Barry SchamachOakland

Ethnic studies can makewell-rounded students

Re: “Put high school focus on practical classes” (Page A6, May 31).

Regarding the letter written by Mike DeMontoya suggesting it was an inappropriate use of public funds to educate students regarding “ethnic studies,” after my first six years in Texas public schools, and later graduating from high school in San Jose, I knew virtually nothing about the African American experience other than the basics: civil war and slavery. The sad history of the Jim Crow South, as well as redlining, the realities of employment and economic discrimination were never explained or discussed except in the most superficial ways possible.

I believe it is imperative that all Americans be educated regarding the issues faced by African Americans, as well as all the ethnicities that are part of the American historical experience. We will all become better citizens of this great country.

Steven RhodesMartinez

Put a ceiling on ageof presidential hopefuls

I have been reading Mr. Roadshow’s segments concerning getting a DMV driving license renewal after age 70. We have just experienced it. You have to jump through all kinds of hoops starting with online pre-registration for the renewal. Next, a mandatory appearance at a crowded DMV, a vision test, a written test and long lines.

We allow people to run for president who are a decade past 70 for a more critical, complex job than driving a car. When is America going to demand a change? The Constitution requires a president to be at least 35 years old. We need to amend that to state no one over age 70 can run for the office, as well.

Obviously, California figured out long ago that those past 70 are no longer at the top of their game. We need to put pressure on our representatives to fix this.

James RoeslerSan Ramon

Take legal route tohalting migrant flights

Re: “Second flight of migrants arrives” (Page A1, June 6).

Gov. Gavin Newsom,  Attorney General Rob Bonta need to fix the arriving immigrant problem economically: find the legal means to detain the vehicle used for the “unlawful transportation” of migrants to California. Seize the plane subject to finding the carrier not liable. A carrier, losing the use of their planes (or buses) for two or three weeks at a time, will stop carrying migrants.

This will fix the problem quickly. A carrier who loses their livelihood for weeks at a time will refuse to accept such cargo after a couple of instances. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and others won’t be able to find legal means to transport migrants to other states.

This is also an easy way to try a solution. You will know if it works in a month to two months, and it should work for any mode of transportation.

Dev MahadevanCastro Valley

Migrant flights shouldoutrage Catholics

I hope I’m not the only one who finds it ironic that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who bills himself as a “practicing Catholic,” used his state’s funds to have a private plane fly migrants fleeing Venezuela to Sacramento, and dropped them off at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento.

I hope other practicing Catholics in America find his treatment of migrants (who have not even entered his state) outlandish as well as cruel.

Shannon EricksonWalnut Creek