She was a distinguished civil servant throughout her career. Through her leadership, San Francisco weathered the civic crisis triggered by the City Hall assassination. She was instrumental in identifying and managing the AIDS epidemic. Through her leadership, the city weathered critical financial storms.
Today, as a US Senator, Feinstein has continued her distinguished career in public service, working on a variety of issues too numerous to mention here. But, to cite just one example that I can speak of from direct knowledge, is her positive influence in ensuring the appointment of outstanding judges to the federal bank in California.
The Chronicle’s coverage does her remarkable career a disservice. I have no doubt that Sen. Feinstein will let us all know when she feels she is no longer able to serve as well as she has in the past. Who are these “anonymous sources” you rely on that suggest otherwise? For my money, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Alex Padilla are spot on in their support.
let her mourn
On “Feinstein’s Fitness for Duty Doubted” (front page, April 14): The extensive front-page coverage of Dianne Feinstein got to me a little below the belt. As a friend of Dianne and her late husband Richard, I have some sympathy for the stress she has faced over the past few years with his progressive illness and recent death.
It is well documented that stress severely impairs cognition and it takes a person months to a year to regain full composure after the death of a long-term spouse. I met Dick and Dianne at their home in December and found both fully conscious. Certainly no one had trouble remembering my name or previous interests.
I urge that we give this amazing, dedicated officer several months to come to terms with her understandable grief. She has provided wise guidance to San Francisco and the United States for decades and deserves far more respect and understanding than your recent article and the comments of those you quote.
double standards
Regarding “Feinstein’s Fitness for Service Questioned” (front page, April 14): Allow me to join those who point out that these attacks on Senator Dianne Feinstein would not occur if the Senator were a male. She lost her husband less than three months ago! Shame on The Chronicle for not giving her the space to mourn in peace.
Superior coverage
Regarding “Feinstein’s fitness for duty questioned” (front page, April 14): It may be that Dianne Feinstein should step down as senior senator. However, I was appalled by the “screaming” headline and oversized photo of her in Thursday’s newspaper. It was so cruel and disrespectful to a woman who has served California and our country so well.
Pass the baton
I have voted for Diane Feinstein in every election since 1976, I believe, with one exception.
That was her last area code. I voted for her main opponent. At that point, I felt that while she had served well in both San Francisco and California, given her age, it was time for her to step down and let someone else take over. I was particularly concerned about the recall election. On the off chance that Governor Gavin Newsom were removed, his Republican successor would appoint the last thing we need in Congress: another radical conservative.
I say because of her age, because I’m also a relatively old person. I know that I no longer have the mental acuity or energy that I used to have, and I certainly lack what is necessary to navigate the many crises this country is facing.
Please, Senator, let someone else do this job. It’s time.
Join the Splash Fest
Happy New Year! Before anyone thinks I’m going insane over high gas prices and Putin’s war, I’d like to quickly explain that Sunday will be a New Year’s Day for many in Southeast Asia, including Myanmar and Thailand.
The people there, and some of us here in the US, will welcome in the new year with a wonderful water throw festival known as thingjan in Myanmar and Songkran in Thailand. For me, this is the opportunity that diversity gives us. If you are fed up with 2022 and want to start all over again, you can.
While hoses and water balloons might get you in trouble, try dousing your neighbor, coworkers, or loved ones with cool, refreshing water. While the idea of cleansing oneself of all sins and entering a new year totally pure in body and spirit is not new, it seems to work for some people.
So if you see someone chasing some people with a bucket of water please do not call the police. I’m just trying to spread some New Year cheer.
Keep the cut in order
Regarding “Bakery Pruning Penalties Seeked” (Bay Area & Business, April 12): Just go to Google Street View for San Francisco’s Ambrosia Bakery and you can see the two beautiful trees as they were in June 2021 – before they were destroyed. You can also see the real reason they were probably destroyed: they partially covered the ugly Bakery sign sticking out of the building, and it probably had nothing to do with blocking a stop sign.
A fine of $2,230 per tree is far from enough to stop some unscrupulous companies from destroying a vital part of our landscape. It is quite unlikely that these trees will recover from being topped in our lifetime. The fines for this crime should be increased to really deter the perpetrators and there is no way this owner’s fine should be reduced.
Increase water prices
Regarding “America’s crops first” (Letters to the Editor, April 12): Amen to Robert Nice’s letter about our state’s almond farmers who have been on a gravy train for far too long now, maximizing their profits from overseas exports, all co-promoted Water from state and federal water projects. The quickest way to stop this waste of our water is to charge them the same rates we pay for domestic use.
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