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Rallies offer chance to
forge America we want

Re: “‘No Kings’ rallies glavanize region” (Page A1, Oct. 19).

“Large crowds” fails to capture this historic moment. Seven million Americans disproved the lie that these rallies were “Hate America.” The Walnut Creek rally I attended was jammed with peaceful protesters showing they love America. They want decency, the Constitution and the rule of law. They don’t want a country that is anti-science, anti-health and anti-democracy — and sicker because of it. Climate change is a prime example, a human health emergency, yet this administration is stomping out science and hiding the data, while dismantling the democracy we depend on to change direction.

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I echo the sentiments of Sen. Chris Murphy. Everyone should feel empowered now. This is not the time to stay on the sidelines. Decide what you are passionate about, then join an advocacy organization that amplifies your voice. Together we forge the America we want — a country with reality-based governance where We the People decide, and decency prevails.

Cynthia Mahoney

Danville

‘Mallard Fillmore’ offends
with vitriolic strips

If the editors of the East Bay Times need any further evidence that “Mallard Fillmore” has no place on their comics page, last week’s strips should provide the final necessary nail in the argument. Each day we open the comics page to wonder, who will be Mallard’s target of the day?

Perhaps there is humor in the malicious skewering of scientists, Hillary Clinton, supporters of Bernie Sanders and the state of California. Maybe not.

Mallard’s strips remind me of the schoolyard bully who thumps you on the back or twists your arm until you cry out in pain, then sneers and asks, “What’s the matter? Can’t you take a joke?” The issues we face today do not deserve the ridicule or snarky “gotcha” jokes on your comics page. This is not a joke. How can the editors of the East Bay Times pretend otherwise?

Retire “Mallard Fillmore.”

Martha Toppin
Walnut Creek

Extra-judicial killings
at sea illegal, immoral

In the course of normal duties patrolling international waters, if the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard encounters a vessel that they suspect of transporting illegal drugs and that appears headed for the United States, they could, under well-defined protocols, intercept, board and search the vessel. If criminal activity was observed, they could impound the vessel and detain the crew members, charge them and bring them to the U.S. for trial. If these crew members were ultimately convicted of felonies, sentencing for their crimes would not result in execution.

To summarily kill people on the open ocean without giving them due process is clearly illegal, is a violation of our Constitution, is a violation of international law, and is a violation of universally accepted moral standards. The instigator of these unpardonable acts, if charged, would not have immunity for crimes committed on the high seas.

Glenn Kirby
Hayward

We must demand state
protect coastal waters

California’s coasts support nearly 2,000 unique species of fish, seabirds, marine mammals, invertebrates and algae. Our “blue economy” contributes $44 billion to California’s GDP. Native Californians have developed maritime culture dating back 8,000 years.

We cannot overstate the importance of California’s coast. Unfortunately, we do undervalue it.

From 2014 to 2019, California’s kelp forests declined by 93%. From 2007 to 2021, gillnets unintentionally caught 230,000 animals, with over half dead before being thrown overboard. Pollution has made 79% of California beaches unsafe for swimming.

We must stop unsustainable marine practices immediately. By expanding our network of Marine Protected Areas, and by updating State Marine Conservation Areas to State Marine Reserves, we can maintain the biodiversity that supports California and show our coast the love it deserves.

I urge Gov. Newsom to uphold his commitment of conserving 30% of California’s Coastal Waters by 2030.

Vincent Chen
Berkeley

Keep mind reading
off the High Court

Do you believe you can read the minds of the long dead? If you do, Republicans on the Supreme Court have a job you should consider. Republican “originalists” on the court believe they can read the minds of the creators of our Constitution. They believe that nothing that conflicts with their understanding of those minds is legal.

Yet those same creators installed a process for changing the Constitution. It’s amending, and has been done nearly 30 times. They knew their creation wasn’t perfect. They expected change. Let’s not base our laws on the beliefs of those who claim to read the minds of the long dead, who had often disagreed with each other.

Let’s limit mind readers to carnivals and street corners. Otherwise, we’ll be bringing back slavery, ending equality for women, and taking away the vote for almost everyone, because almost no one voted in the original republic.

Michael Steinberg
Berkeley