Commerce, not courage
EDITOR: Columnist Leonard Pitts says Nike took a risk by featuring Colin Kaepernick in its most recent advertisements (“Nike’s rare act of corporate courage,” Sept. 6). I disagree with this conclusion.
Kaepernick is widely regarded as a hero by the mainstream media, and he has a massive amount of support from sports fans, liberal political activists, professional athletes, celebrities, etc. Kaepernick is perhaps the most talked about sports figure in the country.
Nike isn’t taking a courageous stand against police brutality; Nike is capitalizing on Kaepernick’s clout for publicity.
JADIN ELLIS
Santa Rosa
Justice for seniors
EDITOR: I am writing in response to Friday’s article about the Fountaingrove care homes (“State seeks to revoke licenses of care homes”). I am a registered nurse who works for health care regulatory agencies for the state of California and the federal government (ones not responsible for licensing the Oakmont Senior Living facilities). All I can personally say is: what a victory for humanity over unconscionable greed.
LORI MORATTO
Santa Rosa
Bring back the doldrums
EDITOR: Michael S. George (“Out of the doldrums,” Letters, Friday) wrote, “What (Donald) Trump has delivered cannot be denied.” Boy, ain’t that the truth. But not as George means it.
The recovery of the economy was actually spurred by the Obama administration. The Trumpian tax cuts have added a whopping $17 a month to people’s incomes. The trade-off? Record deficits and debt. Estimates are the deficit will be $2.2 trillion higher in 2027 than what was forecast. Speaking of deficits, in Barack Obama’s last year, the deficit was $666 billion. This year, the forecast is $890 billion.
Then there’s this administration’s abhorrent lack of morality, decency and character. The shameful policy of separating parents and children at the border, cozying up to dictators and despots, insulting all who dare to disagree, dismantling environmental protections while freeing corporations to run amok. Some inconvenient facts: Under Obama, 11.6 million jobs were added, unemployment dropped, weekly earnings for all workers rose 4 percent, illegal immigration declined (better build that wall fast!), and the number of people lacking health insurance dropped by 15 million.
I suppose when your “leader” shows a pathological aversion to the truth, pesky things like facts are irrelevant. As for me, I say, bring back the doldrums!
STEVEN DAVID MARTIN
Healdsburg
Harris for mayor
EDITOR: While working for the American Cancer Society, I reached out to Mike Harris to join a small group of men to spread the awareness of breast cancer. He instantly said yes and asked how he could help the group. His can-do spirit helped get the message out about this disease and raised money for our cause.
I’m thankful for what he has done in the past, and I’d be excited to see him be our next mayor. I’ve gotten to know him more since the last project, and I’m very hopeful for our city. I encourage others to get to know Harris by going to his website, harrisforpetaluma.com, and join me in supporting Mike Harris for mayor of Petaluma.
JEN SOUSA
Petaluma
Fireproof homes
EDITOR: I’m an architect and have practiced in the North Bay for more than 30 years. Some of my house designs burned in Fountaingrove. It was a joy for me to design homes with redwood and cedar exterior woods, as the building harmonized with nature. Now I look upon them as future bonfires.