Doonesbury

The April 6 Doonesbury comic strip is disgusting. Nobody is trying to ban transgenders on or off campus. In America, you can be anything you want to identify with, be it cute furry creatures or iconic science fiction characters. But when transgenders try to impose their values upon others, that is an entirely different story.

Men and women are biologically different. Men have more muscle mass than women. So, it is unfair to allow men to compete with women in sports. You would not put a 100-pound wrestler into the ring with a 300-pound contestant. Men beating up women in sports is neither fair nor liberating.

The Doonesbury cartoon strip is barking up the wrong tree. One wonders if they have lost their taste for Women’s Rights?

— Lawrence Samuels, Carmel

Panetta and Trump

This week, our congressional representative, Jimmy Panetta, did not directly respond to questions about whether he supports impeaching Trump.

This is upsetting and I regret seeing this lack of foresight and leadership from my district’s representative.

As a concerned citizen and voter from Paso Robles, it’s obvious to me that Trump is leading the country into authoritarianism. Hyperbole about the danger of his administration, from immigration to the economy, has become reality.

He and his cabinet are lawless, unaccountable to our justice system, and have committed a multitude of crimes. If we don’t impeach him now, American democracy may not survive his path of destruction.

I’m not willing to risk that.

I am encouraging Congressman Panetta to clearly and publicly commit to upholding this most fundamental democratic role — removing tyrants from office, and hope to hear from him soon.

— Maria Lorca, Paso Robles

The Coastal Commission

Travel back in time to the pre-Coastal Commission days of the ’60s in a small town near San Diego. A developer built a 16-story building across the street from the ocean, which still stands — but it’s the only one so tall.

Who stopped that small town from becoming the next high-rise Honolulu? The movement included a powerful group of “stay at home” moms.

We mustn’t forget those women: girls who took action on the home front during WW2, then while raising broods of children were vocal and active participants in their local community. They attended board meetings, learned about zoning laws, conducted mailing campaigns and organized protests to “Fight Height!”

Many of them went on to help pass Prop 20. They understood other communities might lack the levels of organization and energy they could to bring to the task. They believed all Californians deserved protection from rampant development and everyone should have access to our beautiful coast.

The Coastal Commission is the body that limits unchecked development and makes sure all of California’s coast is open to the public. Think back to what we were before the Commission, then imagine what we might look like without it.

— Helen Spiess Shamble, East Garrison

‘Quick’ housing

A need for more housing has been in the spotlight lately. A recent article in the Herald referred to manufactured and other types of “quick” housing as innovative. Actually “quick” housing has been around a long time and episodes of “housing need” are not new. However, in light of today’s politically charged climate, nonpolitical need analysis is desirable.

When World War II ended, our nation had about 11,000,000 in uniform. Most of them were headed home. There was a need for housing. Fortunately, our nation was primarily agricultural, families were welcoming and government red tape and political infighting did not impede.

Lots bordering highways were carved out of farms. Sometimes money ran out, what would have been a first floor was tarpapered and families lived in to the basement until better financial times arrived. No one complained. Prefab homes were created in factories. Slabs were poured and utilities stubbed. The component parts arrived by flatbed truck. Even the interior walls were finished painted in the factory. The entire house was up and under a final asphalt shingle roof in 48 hours.

We all know the saying “where there is a will there is a way”. Years ago a contractor told me he was moving to Spokane, Washington. I asked why. He said “I can get a building permit in 24 hours.” He had the will. Cut the red tape and political infighting and the free market will provide the will.

— George Brehmer, Carmel