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State bill could have impact
global textile waste
Re: “Fast fashion returns to roost in Chinese landfills” (July 10).
When I saw the July 10 headline about textile waste in Chinese landfills, my first reaction was guilt. I have made many purchases from fast fashion companies that contribute to this growing waste problem. I feel like every purchase I make is worsening the climate crisis and that I have little power to do anything about it.
I was able to find hope in a bill in the California Legislature that could reduce wasteful practices in the fashion industry, not only in California but around the world.
The Responsible Textile Recovery Act (Senate Bill 707) would establish regulations that would hold apparel companies accountable for creating a statewide textile recycling program to keep their clothing out of landfills.
This bill has the potential to change the entire fashion industry as it sets a precedent for similar legislation around the world. As Californians, we have the opportunity to start a sustainable fashion movement by asking our representatives to pass SB 707.
Radha Feist
Berkeley
Promoting vaccines
The foreigner protects the United States
Subject: “U.S. Must Honor Vaccination Promise” (page A6, July 26).
Ricardo Narvaez’s recent letter on vaccines excellently highlights their value.
The abundance of air travel to any part of the world makes our planet seem smaller and smaller. To protect ourselves and our families from the many contagious diseases, we must encourage our representatives to support GAVI, the international vaccine alliance.
Florida has lost over 404 cases per 100,000 people to COVID in recent years, while California has lost 256. This is due to our state’s high vaccination rate. The more we protect the world, the more we protect ourselves.
Bill Nicholson
Martinez
Like Trump, Vance is
racing for himself
Re: “The disconcerting changeability of JD Vance” (Page A7, July 30).
In her column, Michelle Goldberg suggests psychological factors that could explain JD Vance’s political transformation.
I think the appeal of choosing to be Donald Trump’s running mate is much simpler.
If Trump wins and JD Vance becomes vice president, by certifying only an election result that he approves, he alone will choose the president who will follow Trump.
If he runs for office, he will be able to certify his own victory.
Chris Brown
Oakland
Liars in both parties
make Haley the best choice
On the right, we have Donald Trump’s big lie that he won the last election.
And now the left has its own big lie: Joe Biden was perfectly healthy and fit to serve as president. Kamala Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee, helped spread that lie.
The fact that both major presidential candidates are proven liars shows how the lust for power has corrupted our major political parties. The Democrats went so far as to disregard any democratic process in selecting Harris. Neither party deserves the presidency, and neither Trump nor Harris are qualified or fit to be president.
Our democracy is in trouble, on both the Democratic and Republican sides. The solution is a new moderate party. Without it, the only viable presidential candidate emerging is Nikki Haley. In November, write Nikki for President.
Dick Patterson
The hill
Harris cuts a fine figure
example for young people
My 4-year-old grandson doesn’t subscribe to the old adage that “children should be seen and not heard.” Lately, he’s been saying, “Excuse me, I’m not done talking.”
I am proud of him. I am also proud of Kamala Harris, who embodies a heart and soul and who I am confident has the courage, experience and wisdom to create a positive trajectory for all people in our country.
Kamala speaks and I listen.
Sharon Brown
Walnut Creek
The Harris Administration
would offer a hard lesson
I can understand why many young, first-time voters, especially those fresh out of high school, are turning to Kamala Harris. It gives them an exciting opportunity to make history by electing our first female president, with the promise of lots of free stuff and a comfortable life.
It will take them a few election cycles to understand that all politicians lie and that nothing is free. They will also learn that most presidents do more harm than good, and that some are so bad that their policies and decisions result in deaths.
Right now, our voluntary military commitments are falling short of their goals, and the world has become a tinderbox, in part because of our country’s perceived weakness. How the bad guys behave under a Harris presidency rather than a Donald Trump presidency could cause a radical change in the plans of these new voters of volunteer age.
Bill Behan
Brentwood
The local delegation must
Support the Vaccine Pledge
Subject: “U.S. Must Honor Vaccination Promise” (page A6, July 26).
Thanks to Rick Narvaez who reminded me in his letter of a time when I trusted the United States to lead in many areas, including funding lifesaving vaccinations.
I thought polio and measles were over. But these and other diseases return in times of war, compounding poverty and climate stress.
I suspect that my California senators, along with my representative, Representative Barbara Lee, and the rest of the representatives from the San Francisco Bay Area, will support keeping the United States’ promise to the GAVI Alliance and vote for H. Res. 1286 and S. Res. 684. I just want to say that this is important and we should remember to vote for it.
Susan Oehser
Oakland
