UC leaders should resignfor promoting out their very own
Re: “Cal gives names of students, staff to feds” (Web page B1, Sept. 13).
Because the UC system asks its supporters to “stand up” in opposition to the federal authorities’s demand for $1 billion from UCLA, it throws 160 of its personal beneath the bus. In a cynical act of self-service, UC’s management has given the names of those that practiced free speech, endangering their lives and livelihoods.
As a Berkeley alum, I’m appalled by this choice. One would suppose that the regents, president and senior council would know their historical past sufficient to acknowledge the second we’re in and know that this presidential administration doesn’t act in good religion. Ever.
Nothing in need of the resignation or removing of your complete UC management staff can rectify this. An establishment that fails to guard its personal just isn’t worthy of continued existence. No, I cannot “stand with UC” if UC is not going to stand with its personal.
Andy SpivackEmeryville
Pension plan profitsfrom rising well being prices
CalPERS is closely invested in non-public fairness (over 17% of its portfolio), and it studies a wholesome 11.3% return. However all too usually, non-public fairness thrives by elevating costs or pushing pointless providers. That’s very true of its substantial involvement in well being care amenities and medical practices.
As a result of non-public fairness companies implement silence on their buyers, it’s unimaginable to know the way a lot CalPERS invests straight or not directly in well being care, but it surely’s most likely substantial.
What we do know is that a big systematic assessment discovered that PE possession of well being care amenities is mostly related to larger prices to sufferers, in some circumstances, as much as 32%. As for doctor practices, charges elevated considerably in lots of specialties.
Meaning our pensions revenue from growing our well being care prices. It’s worse for non-pensioners who don’t get the elevated earnings, simply the elevated prices.
James WolpmanWalnut Creek
Progressives’ speechthreatens democracy
Re: “Masked agents a step toward dictatorship” (Web page A6, Sept. 12).
Sen. Chuck Schumer has uttered some very divisive rhetoric over time, together with calling Donald Trump and his supporters “threats to democracy” (as President Biden and plenty of different Democrats have performed). However after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, I give him credit score for calling it an assault on democracy. That is true it doesn’t matter what you consider Kirk’s views and his affect.
So, it was fairly disturbing that the day after the assassination, the Occasions printed a letter restating a not too long ago widespread progressive rallying cry that progressives “should not bring a knife to a gun fight.” Nicely, Kirk’s murderer introduced a gun and used it. However he introduced it to not a gun battle or a knife battle or any sort of battle. He introduced it to an open debate led by an American exercising his First Modification rights. And there’ll by no means be something extra anti-democratic than that.
Christopher AndrusDublin
If colleges enable God,whose will it’s?
Let’s focus on one thing hardly ever overtly talked about. A lot has been made in some quarters of the “loss of God” in public colleges, and legal guidelines have been handed in some states to submit the Ten Commandments in all school rooms.
My query is, whose God? The Christian God? Are Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and atheists all forbidden? These arguing the loudest for a return to God ignore the truth that most individuals on the planet usually are not Christians. I encourage additional thought on the matter.
Chris AckermanCastro Valley
Kirk’s legacy miredin divisive speech
Re: “Story ignored full measure of Kirk” (Web page A8, Sept. 14).
In his letter to the editor, Michael Macfarlane assigns an apt — if unintended — moniker to Charlie Kirk: “the Pied Piper of the conservative movement.” Within the authentic story, the Piper has a grievance with a village that doesn’t pay him for providers rendered, so he lures away the kids of the village, they usually’re by no means seen once more.
Political violence is rarely the reply. Kirk’s assassination will solely additional divide Individuals. As Macfarlane implies, we should always replicate on “the great things this man stood for.” His “incredible movement within the Republican Party” included homophobic, racist, sexist — and sure, antisemitic — rhetoric.
Only one instance of his overt bigotry: “Black women do not have brain processing power to be taken seriously. You have to go steal a white person’s slot.”
How most of the village’s youngsters now espouse that perception? That’s Kirk’s legacy.
Robert VorkapichWalnut Creek
Trump gives nationa poor function mannequin
We at the moment have a president residing within the White Home who has demonstrated the next character traits: liar, cheater, one who makes enjoyable of one other’s look, one who makes enjoyable of one other’s identify, one who blames others for his actions and the listing goes on.
As a retired elementary trainer for nearly 40 years, I’m proud to say our workers members labored diligently to assist nurture constructive traits in our college students, college students who would develop as much as be productive, accountable residents who respect others and who can be keen to be held accountable for his or her actions.
It’s apparent our present president failed the course on humanity and beliefs of democracy. He stands earlier than us as an ideal instance of a citizen who doesn’t show the traits of kindness, frequent decency and manners.
Voters, change is important.
Roxanne Le BlancAlameda
