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State should be
maximizing rooftop solar
Re: “Rooftop-solar firms struggle” (Page A1, Jan. 10).
Bravo to the East Bay Times for printing a story about the thwarting of rooftop solar and a dire climate article on Page A1. The CPUC commissioners, all Gov. Newsom appointees, crushed rooftop solar, in one blow turning California from world leader to blistering failure.
2023 was the hottest year ever recorded and probably amongst the hottest in the last 100,000 years.
Maximizing rooftop solar on every viable roof is the best way to address the climate crisis, as well as to make our electricity affordable. Studies show rooftop solar could satisfy 75% of California’s electricity demand, minimizing the need for the expensive, dangerous, vulnerable transmission lines from faraway power plants, that also put billions in guaranteed profits into PG&E coffers.
PG&E and the electrical workers union bought Newsom. His CPUC made a terrible decision at the worst time. Shame on them all.
Doug McKenzie
Berkeley
Hard to tell economy
is on the mend
Re: “Is the U.S. economy truly on the mend?” (Page A7, Jan. 9).
I respect Paul Krugman and I understand his carrying water for Bidenomics, especially in light of the already-seen alternative. His recent column touting the improving economy, however, was disconcerting.
We Americans have been encouraged for years to spend as a demonstration of patriotism. Additionally, our spartan existence during COVID has caused an overcorrection on the other end. Krugman states, “I find it most useful to point out that whatever American consumers say about the state of the economy, they are spending as if their finances are in good shape.” To make that claim without simultaneously showing growing credit debt and shrinking savings, especially for retirement, reminds me of a horse wearing blinders.
With costs for energy, insurance and many other necessities soaring, I find it difficult to see the mending to which he refers.
Louis Ascatigno
Concord
Liberals must learn
to see the good in U.S.
Re: “Is the U.S. economy truly on the mend?” (Page A7, Jan. 9).
In Paul Krugman’s latest column, he does what he’s been doing for basically the whole Biden administration and trying to play cover for him by downplaying his missteps.
He seems at a loss as to why Americans think things are so bad here, especially in regards to the economy and crime. I find myself agreeing with him but in a much different way. Liberals like him seem to shy away from patriotism and seem fixated on always focusing on the bad parts of America, and anytime someone tries to point out how good we actually have it here, they are scoffed at by the left.
Maybe liberals should learn to acknowledge once in a while that, overall, America is still a great place to live no matter who is in charge at the moment.
Max Ritter
Livermore
Berkeley should join
calls for Gaza cease-fire
Re: “Israel designates a safe zone in Gaza. Palestinians and aid groups say it offers little relief” (Dec. 7).
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It is time for the city of Berkeley to join Detroit, Atlanta and San Francisco in calling for a cease-fire. The attack by Hamas was despicable, but it is not antisemitic to be critical of what Israel is doing. Looking at a map of the West Bank vs. 20 years ago, it is clear why Archbishop Desmond Tutu said the situation facing the Palestinians was far worse than anything under apartheid.
Everyone in Gaza is at risk for “catastrophic hunger.” Most of Gaza’s 2.4 million people have been forcibly driven from their homes, but then were bombed by Israel in areas they were told would be safe. The U.N. Secretary-General has repeatedly called for a cease-fire and stated, “The attacks on Israel can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.” Cities need to send a message to the Biden administration that we want the carnage to end.
Micky Duxbury
Berkeley
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