Letters for August 14, 2014

Free Sabrina?

Re “Bag lady” by Nick Miller (SN&R News, August 7):

Guilty until proven innocent. I am a fan and viewer of Fox40, and I used to enjoy watching Sabrina Rodriguez. Unfortunately, when a person who works as a public figure is accused of committing a crime, that person is guilty until proven innocent. The thing that makes matters worse for Rodriguez is that this crime has made national news. Her chances now of ever getting a job in the media are slim to none, even if she is found not guilty of all charges, or the charges are dropped.

I used to enjoy her segment called “Don't Be That Guy,” but in the end, maybe it should be “Don't Be That Reporter.” But I still believe in Rodriguez, since I know she would not be that ignorant in getting caught up with [incriminating] cellphone text messages. She is smarter than that. She was crying for help in her own way. Even during her Emmy Award speech, she talked about her house burning down and people were shocked. I want to believe, but still, this is just one person's opinion.

Peter Garcia

Stockton

Happy, good

Re “The science of being happy” by Melinda Welsh (SN&R Feature Story, August 7):

Great article on the science of being happy! Many people in the United States are turning to cohabitation, or cohousing, a type of intentional, collaborative housing in which residents actively participate in the operation of their neighborhoods, as a means of achieving a stronger sense of community. See more at www.cohousing.org and for those interested, a cohousing community is now forming in Fair Oaks (see more at www.fairoaksecohousing.org).

Ivan Greene

Carmichael

Bike safely …

Re “Human speed bump” by Raheem F. Hosseini (SN&R News, July 31):

Bicyclist John Bontemps had a bad accident crossing Arden Way against the light. The mixing of cars and bikes is dangerous. I had an accident on my bicycle without auto contact crossing Fair Oaks Boulevard at Howe Avenue, hitting a patch of leaves, causing the rear wheel to fly loose from the ground and send me over the handlebars onto the pavement. When radical groups like San Francisco Critical Mass go out on their bikes in packs to deliberately harass cars, that’s just wrong. Traffic planners are now putting cyclists out in the traffic lanes for left turns. This different from the days when bicycles had to be walked across the street in the crosswalks.

Motorists did not invent the automobile paradigm, and the USA is not going to become Denmark. So when bicycling, be very careful of cars, but even of payment conditions.

Steve Otis

Sacramento

… and follow the damn rules

Re “Human speed bump” by Raheem F. Hosseini (SN&R News, July 31):

As a bicyclist who crosses Arden Way at four different points depending on my commute, I found your story of interest. Having been in a few auto-bike-related traffic accidents years ago, I searched for the root cause in this story. The only thing I can come up with is this: The rider approached the controlled intersection too fast, without any intention of slowing down or stopping. We can also assume he either ran through a red light or did not stop at a stop sign, one of which can be found at every cross street on Arden.

Are we supposed to sympathize with someone who thinks he is above all other road users? Or are we supposed to be outraged by all the pain and suffering and demand improved bike facilities that in no way would have prevented this? It’s very simple people: Follow the rules. Life does not have to be so scary.

Brian Lambert

Sacramento

Bottled water is the problem

Re “Nestlé and drought” (SN&R Editorial, July 24):

Nestlé isn’t the problem. The city of Sacramento isn’t the problem. Mayor Kevin Johnson isn’t the problem. The folks who want, purchase and consume municipal water in petroleum-based, one-use plastic bottles are the problem. Zero demand equals zero production equals zero profit. Class dismissed.

Walter Miller

Fair Oaks