Readers write about elections, dangerous driving and local Grateful Dead ties

EDITOR: The fun of driving in the Bay Area is gone. The drivers you encounter on many of our highways and city streets leave a lot to be desired: harried, impatient, distracted and just plain combative. Do everything except pay attention to defensive driving.

The momentum of a crash can happen in just a moment of distraction. Just like that! Death, serious injuries, destroyed vehicles and then all the bad stuff – loss of life, lawyers, loss of driver’s license, higher insurance rates and vehicle replacement. 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.

With winter approaching, this is a good time to take a closer look at your driving habits.

Drive safely and courteously.

PAUL A. WAGONER

Santa Rosa

Why I voted for Trump

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

Four years ago, our country was better off economically with his leadership, global politics, no war. Kama-Laugh-Alot did not give me hope with her constant laughing about serious matters regarding the betterment of our country and our citizens. No direct answers about how she would run the country. Can you really see her across the table from Kim Jong Un or Putin, giggling, laughing and double-talking – without answering their questions? How could she realistically talk about conditions to protect our country?

Everyone forgets about the families who want to adopt children. No to abortion. It’s a life. That’s killing innocents. China no longer allows babies to be offered for adoption to foreigners.

Don’t even rationalize the women and children raped and murdered by unvetted illegal immigrants who 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 the customs of our country. Five of my aunts and uncles served in World War II. My grandparents were so proud to be American.

My greatest fear for my children and grandchild is that there are terrorists in the country waiting to do us deadly harm because they were allowed to cross our uncertain 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.

Marian Weber

Sonoma

The local bands of the Grateful Dead

EDITOR: Thanks for the article about Grateful Dead connections in the Redwood Empire (“Grateful Dead roots run deep in the country,” Nov. 10). A little light on the details, but that doesn’t matter. A quick search will turn up Dead performances at Santa Rosa’s Veterans Hall on June 27 and 28, 1969, and a show at the fairgrounds on December 12, 1970, probably at that wonderfully acoustically awful Grace Pavilion. It can all be listened to online with just a few clicks.

Jerry Garcia played numerous shows at the Inn of the Beginning in Cotati with New Riders of the Purple Sage, the JGB and with Merle Saunders from 1969 to 1974. He also played at least five times in Petaluma with the JGB in 1981-83 in Phoenix.

The coolest connection is the unnamed Petaluma science teacher who stumbled upon the massive trove of audio tapes (“The Bettys”) that sent minds into a frenzy when they were finally heard.

ANDREW HAYNES

Petal

A new step

EDITORIAL: This could be the first letter published in The Press Democrat in support of Kamala Harris as governor of California. With Governor Gavin Newsom stepping down in two years, the position is open. It would be fascinating to see what kind of campaign she could run if she had a two-year head start versus the three months she had to become president. It would be reassuring to have a strong and experienced prosecutor in that position who knows what to do to protect California’s right to be California.

BRIAN ERWIN

Santa Rosa