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Special blend made
state a gas island
Re. “Newsom targets drifting gasoline prices”, page A1, October 8:
Much is written about the absurdly high gas prices in California compared to the rest of the country. The discrepancy is attributed to many factors, including the big profits made by California oil companies.
Never mentioned, however, is the fact that California is a gasoline island. Because California is the only state in the union to mandate specialty gas (for cleaner air, we’re told), California is cut off from gasoline produced for the rest of the country. The law of supply and demand has been repealed; thus, we are at the mercy of California’s specialty gas refiners, and they are laughing to the bank.
One wonders if the air in the other 49 states is dirtier than ours or if we are the biggest fools in the nation. Go figure.
Kirch De Martini
Saratoga
49ers money darkens
Chavez’s intentions
Re. “49ers pay more for Cindy Chavez”, page B1, October 2:
In light of the San Francisco 49ers’ massive contribution to Cindy Chavez’s campaign for mayor of San Jose, there could be no more dangerous outcome than winning her the race. 49ers money has already corrupted the Santa Clara city government, turned council meetings into clown shows and, in many ways, pulled the city out of its pocket. For that to happen in San Jose is too big a risk to take.
The audience wonders if the contribution is payment for services already performed by Santa Clara County Supervisor Chavez or a down payment for future favors. His acceptance of the money also raises tough questions about his ethics and intentions, while questioning his respect for the office and the people of San Jose.
Guillaume Hubka
Los Gatos
Niners contribution pales
compared to black money
Re. “49ers pay more for Cindy Chavez”, page B1, October 2:
Your article about the 49ers’ contributions to Cindy Chavez’s mayoral campaign is disturbing. But that’s only a small part of the picture. His competitor, Matt Mahan actually received more direct campaign contributions ($672,914 vs. $557,679).
And that’s a small change from national and state races where midterm election spending is estimated to reach $9.3 billion, much of it ‘dark money’ where the source is legally. hidden.
Candidates know they need to appeal to Big Money contributors to be competitive, so the concept of acting for the public good is relegated to a lower priority.
The only way to solve this problem is to overthrow Citizens United. Joint House Resolution 48 proposes a constitutional amendment to achieve this and restore the principle that constitutional rights belong to the people. In the meantime, all news media should regularly publish available information on political contributions.
Brian Carr
San Jose
Warriors must deal
with disruptive green
Re. “The video of the Green-Poole altercation becomes a vial: the team tries to move on”, page C1, October 8:
It’s disturbing how determined the powers that be in the Warriors organization are to punish anyone who posted a video of Draymond Green punching Jordan Poole. They seem more concerned with protecting Green than Poole. Green is a hothead, a loudmouth who keeps getting away with crude tirades on and off the court (his podcasts), and Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr and Bob Myers keep making excuses for him. They call it the heart of the team; in reality, he is the loudmouth of the team and a liability.
We wonder if Golden State is waiting for Green to attack Kerr or another teammate. Green is a loose cannon with a big mouth and no one should want their kids to see, hear and maybe imitate his behavior on or off the pitch.
Lynda Martinez
San Jose
Get involved locally
with debate on abortion
Re. “Appeals Court Ruling Allows Abortions to Resume in Arizona,” October 7:
With the recent upset of Roe against Wade, there has been an increase in feelings among the public who believe women face betrayal and injustice when discussing abortion rights. This social justice issue is currently unfolding in many states, but with recent events in Arizona, there is hope.
An Arizona judge recently ruled that abortions could resume when the Court of Appeals ruled the right to seek and have an abortion should never have been taken away in the first place. Since June, we can slowly see progress in restoring women’s ability to have safe abortions.
It is up to us, as a community, to continue to fight against this injustice resulting from the Supreme Court’s decision. For more information and resources, visit the National Network of Abortion Funds website to learn more about funding and how to get involved locally.
Jasmin González
Morgan Hill
RETURN THE DATA CORRECTLY
A September 16 Mercury News op-ed opposing Milpitas’ Measure X term limit measure incorrectly listed the number of years a council member or mayor can now hold office. A council member or mayor can currently serve a maximum of four consecutive elected terms.
