Marin IJ Readers’ Forum for July 16, 2024
Supreme Court rulings emphasize inequality
It has been quite alarming to watch the U.S. Supreme Court flex its muscles in recent weeks. Being skeptical of governmental regulations as some of the justices are reported to be, they have cut back even more on environmental and business regulations. However, they did not cut back on the regulations they have imposed on what choices women have about control of their own bodies.
Immunity has now been granted for presidents in their official-capacity actions. It is clear to me that the Supreme Court is doing its best to protect former President Donald Trump. Regardless, I would like to point out that immunity is not on the table for everyone equally. Women who go out of state from a banned state for an abortion won’t get immunity when that state bans that travel (as well as the abortion itself). Doctors in banned states won’t get immunity when they help women with nonviable fetuses get the medical care they need.
Hypocrisy rings loud and clear for this Supreme Court. It doesn’t seem to faze the majority of the justices, but it certainly should the rest of us.
— Vickie Settle, Tiburon
Tompkins’ stories trigger more Mays memories
I would like to thank IJ Sports columnist Barry Tompkins for his two commentaries sharing his thoughts and memories of Willie Mays (“Long-ago Mays interview led to lifelong friendship,” June 20, and “More Mays, more ways, and no more — please,” June 22).
Growing up in Marin when the Giants moved to San Francisco from New York in 1958, I was able to attend many games at Candlestick Park with friends. It was a joy to watch Mays play. It was especially great to be there when he hit the home run in the 16th inning to beat the Braves 1-0 in 1963. I also saw his 3000th hit against the Expos in 1970.
No. 24, you will truly be missed.
— Dave Lenzi, Corte Madera
Democrats need to replace Biden as nominee
The dithering, wait-and-see, ducking of responsibility of the Democratic leadership in calling for President Joe Biden to pass the torch seems premised on the faulty hope that he might string together enough strong public appearances to right his campaign. We’ve already seen and heard the highlight reel of his “sharp as a tack” moments, and they’re already baked into the evaluation that his “good days and his bad days” condition is not what the job demands.
Further, the proffered excuses for his performance in last month’s debate only hurt his case. Some have said he was still wiped out from travel that wrapped up a week before the debate. If that’s true, then he is too old for this job. If the common cold lays you that low, your constitution is too weakened to be president.
No spry appearances now can change the perception that the low points render Biden unfit for another four years. The party leadership needs to see that writing on the wall and respond immediately. Failure to call for Biden’s withdrawal for the sake of party decorum will yield another four years of Donald Trump — a fate to be avoided at all costs.
— Stewart Johnson, San Anselmo
We need to look past bad debate, support Joe Biden
How alarming that staunch Democrats can’t see past one poor performance in a debate and are calling for President Joe Biden to pass on his expected nomination. Biden is not focused on debates, he is focused on his job. He administers a complex organization full of dedicated professionals heading the various parts of that organization.
As voters, we should be thinking not only about the president but also about whom the president appoints to do the complicated jobs of Cabinet members.
Former President Donald Trump talked about “all the best people” in his first term. But if he is elected again, I suspect he will appoint only loyalists and lackeys. I am concerned that he will follow the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025” plan and strip the federal government of dedicated professionals. He could expand our position as a fossil-fuel-based economy. I worry that he would support a national ban on abortion.
One weak debate should not erode voter support for a second Biden administration. What we stand to lose if Trump wins in November could be our democracy.
— Elaine C. Johnson, Greenbrae