Dangerous drivers

EDITOR: The fun of driving in the Bay Area is gone. The drivers encountered on many of our highways and city streets leave a lot to be desired – rushed, impatient, distracted and just belligerent. Do everything but pay attention to defensive driving.

The momentum of a crash can occur in just a moment of distraction. Just like that! Deaths, serious injuries, wrecked vehicles, and then all the bad stuff – loss of life, lawyers, loss of driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and replacement vehicles. Not to mention the bad feelings towards the other driver. Sorry doesn’t go very far in a serious accident that could have been avoided.

As winter weather approaches, now is a good time to evaluate your driving habits.

Drive safely and politely.

PAUL A. WAGONS

Santa Rosa

Why I voted for Trump

I have always believed that a businessman should rule our country. I was too young to vote for JFK but registered as a Democrat when I was old enough. When Obama ran, I voted for him twice. Why? Because he would change our country for the better. I felt that Joe Biden was a true politician by telling you what you wanted to hear and doing nothing to protect Americans. So when Trump came down that elevator, I re-registered as a REPUBLICAN and I’m glad I did.

Four years ago our country was better off with its leadership economic, world politics, no war. Kama-Laugh-Alot gave me no hope with her constant laughter on serious issues regarding the betterment of our country and citizens. No direct answers about how she would rule the country. Can you really see her across the table from Kim Jong Un or Putin giggling, laughing and giving them double talk – without answering their questions. How could she realistically speak in terms of protecting our country?

Everyone forgets the families who want to adopt children. No to abortion. It’s a life. It is murdering innocents. China no longer allows babies to be released for adoption to foreigners.

Don’t even rationalize the women and children being raped and murdered by unchecked illegal immigrants who have invaded our borders. I am a second generation legal immigrant. My four grandparents came to this country legally, worked hard AND learned our language AND adopted our country’s customs. Five of my uncles and aunts served in WWII. My grandparents were so proud to be Americans.

My greatest fear for my children and grandchildren is that there are terrorists in the country just waiting to do us mortal harm because they were allowed to cross our insecure borders. We are sheep ready for slaughter!

My daughter and I prayed daily that President Trump would be re-elected in this election. God heard and answered our prayers.

Marianne Weber

Sonoma

The Grateful Dead’s local band

EDITOR: Thanks for the article on the Grateful Dead’s connections in the Redwood Empire (“Grateful Dead’s roots run deep in the county,” Nov. 10). A little light on details but regardless. A quick search will reveal Dead performances at the Santa Rosa Veterans Hall on June 27 and 28, 1969 and a fairgrounds show on December 12, 1970, presumably at the wonderfully acoustically awful Grace Pavilion. All can be listened to online with a few clicks.

Jerry Garcia played many shows at the Inn of the Beginning in Cotati with the New Riders of the Purple Sage, JGB and with Merle Saunders during the period 1969-1974. He also played at least five times in Petaluma with JGB from 1981-1983 at Phoenix.

The coolest connection is the unnamed Petaluma science teacher who stumbled upon the massive amount of tapes (“The Bettys”) that turned heads when they were finally heard.

ANDREW HAYNES

Petaluma

A new step

EDITOR: This may be the first letter published in The Press Democrat endorsing Kamala Harris for governor of California. With Gov. Gavin Newsom stepping down in two years, the position will remain open. It would be fascinating to see what kind of campaign she could run if she had a two-year head start on the three months she had as president. It would be reassuring to have a strong and experienced prosecutor in that position who would know what to do to protect California’s right to be California.

BRIAN ERWIN

Santa Rosa