Letters: After dropping lawsuit, California should drop high-speed rail

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After dropping lawsuit,state should drop HSR

Re: “State pulls high-speed rail lawsuit” (Page B1, Dec. 29).

So, having abandoned a lawsuit against the federal government, a spokesperson said in an email that the California High Speed Rail Authority has declared the federal government is not a “reliable, constructive or trustworthy partner in advancing high speed rail in California.” Really.

The state of California has squandered billions of tax dollars and most of two decades of planning and construction in a failed attempt to build high-speed rail in California. We initially voted for it, so when do we, as taxpayers, say enough is enough and tell the governor and the Legislature to stop this wasteful embarrassment? We have endured years of misleading statements and broken promises. Even if completed, it will become just another California government-run entity that would swallow more limited public transit tax dollars and operate at a deficit.

Stop the high-speed rail debacle in California now.

Bruce RankDiscovery Bay

Mayor should resignover antisemitic posts

Re: “Richmond mayor champions underdogs” (Page A6, Dec. 23).

Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez should resign. He furthered antisemitism by reposting comments that Israel caused the Bondi Beach tragedy, shades of anti-Jewish conspiracy theories in history. He said he was mistaken, but an elected official should know world affairs.

If Martinez opposes violence, why didn’t he condemn Hamas’ brutal attack in Israel in 2023? Why hasn’t he condemned the Hamas charter, which calls for eradicating Jews?And why, at a conference this year, did he wear a hat advocating death to Israel’s defense forces? Imagine his supporters’ outcry if his hateful remarks libeled other ethnic groups. His supporters tout his record in uplifting oppressed people. But American Jews have been at the forefront of those efforts.

Jewish people live in fear because antisemitism is at a worldwide high, and Jews have been murdered merely because they are Jews. A mayor should foster an environment that makes them safer.

Karen Lee CohenWalnut Creek

Postal Service isn’tfor turning a profit

Re: “Mail carriers see murky future” (Page C7, Dec. 26).

After reading the story, I had to respond to the continuing nonsense about the USPS’s financial issues.

First of all, USPS is just that: a service to America. It is not there to generate a profit; it is there to service every address in the country, every day, except Sundays and holidays. And the USPS was not buried in red ink until the Bush administration, in 2006, required it to prefund its pension for 75 years. It is the only government entity to have this insane requirement, and it caused massive red ink.

The postmaster general should never try to make it turn a profit, and Louis DeJoy shut down hundreds of sorting machines to deliberately slow the mail. Now we have a FedEx board member running it into the ground as well. Put a lifelong USPS employee in charge, not these bean-counting businessmen.

Rocky FortSan Lorenzo

Demand we preserveour diplomatic service

Americans deserve the best ambassadors and public officials to protect America’s interests and citizens. The Trump administration is, however, recalling 30 experienced career ambassadors well short of a normal three-year tour and with no likelihood of replacing them in any near term. Contrary to administration statements, this is not normal and puts at risk American embassies’ ability to protect America’s interests and American citizens.

Our foreign service officers and career ambassadors serve our country without regard to political party affiliation. I served as a foreign service officer under seven presidents of both political parties and was appointed ambassador by one Democrat and one Republican president. I took my oath to support and defend the Constitution under whoever was president.

A professional, career diplomatic service keeps America strong by providing trained, experienced diplomats ready to serve around the world. We need to preserve our professional diplomatic service and avoid undermining its effectiveness.

Joseph SullivanWalnut Creek