SLO can lead California toward carbon-free future by investing in nuclear technology | Opinion
California’s clean energy future
“PG&E files application to keep Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant running another 20 years,” (sanluisobispo.com, Nov. 10)
As world leaders gather for the COP28 climate summit, it’s time for San Luis Obispo to step up and lead California toward a carbon-free energy future powered by next-generation nuclear technology.
As home to Diablo Canyon, the last operating nuclear power plant in California, we have a depth of talent and experience in safely harnessing the awesome power of the atom. Nuclear energy has proven to be one of the safest forms of energy production with far fewer deaths per terawatt hour than many other energy sources.
Rather than let Diablo Canyon close in 2025, we should work with PG&E to build next- generation reactors that are smaller, safer, more efficient and create less waste. With inspiring leadership, we can reinvigorate San Luis Obispo as a hub of nuclear innovation and usher in a new era of clean energy leadership for California.
Trey Lauderdale
San Luis Obispo
Choose compassion
“New program to let SLO County agriculture students work with local animal sanctuary,” (sanluisobispo.com, Aug. 15)
Isn’t it time to choose compassion over animal suffering?
The sale of all new fur products is now prohibited in California. However, there are still many other brutal clothing industries. You no longer need to support cruelty when there are numerous comfortable stylish alternatives to fur, leather, down and wool.
Please join compassionate members of our community as a voice for animals who are used for clothing at our Annual FUR FREE FRIDAY gathering in front of Mr. Michael’s, at 746 Higuera Street.
Peggy Koteen
Animal Emancipation, director for SLO County
Opinion
Fall of the empire
“New Speaker Mike Johnson formally endorses Donald Trump, a step beyond predecessor Kevin McCarthy,” (sanluisobispo.com, Nov. 15)
The House of Representatives newest entrant in its spurious leadership tournament, Mike Johnson, has been very forthright about divulging his less-than-sophomoric (moronic?) thoughts about our rapidly fading democracy.
First, he admits that he really believes that our government should look to the Christian Bible, not the Constitution, as its guiding document. We can all now forget the past centuries of struggle to create and maintain an enlightened, secular democracy. The Founding Fathers must have had their heads in the clouds.
Then, he opines that the Roman Empire disintegrated because it tolerated, even sanctioned, homosexuality. The hard truth, Mr. Johnson, is that they allowed monstrosities like Nero and Caligula to rise to leadership. Now, America is cursed with its own examples of that grotesque lineage: Donald J. Trump. It was not too hard to see just where this particular incarnation was leading the nation during his all-too-long sojourn in the White House, and it’s easy to foresee exactly where giving him another crack at power will lead us.
On the bright side, it will provide a market, in some new millennium, for the next Edward Gibbon to write his Decline and Fall of the American Empire.
Gene Strohl
San Luis Obispo
Don’t let Hamas survive
“SLO County residents react to Hamas attack, Israel airstrikes,” (sanluisobispo.com, Nov. 7)
Hamas is a terrorist organization opposed to peace. We can’t allow Hamas’s cynical strategy of intentionally provoking destruction in Gaza on their own people to morph into an early ceasefire. That would only let Hamas return yet again to trigger more catastrophe.
Hamas documents promote holy war as divinely ordained; state that killing Jews is required until Judgement Day; reject political solutions and compromise; and call for instilling these genocidal views in children.
Israel has been doing everything possible to prevent future Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel while simultaneously striving to minimize civilian casualties. This is exceedingly difficult when Hamas hides its fighters, rockets and command centers in densely populated civilian areas including under hospitals. Peace could come today if Hamas would release the 240 hostages and surrender completely.
Jeffrey Auerbach
Arroyo Grande
Contemptible response
“SLO County residents react to Hamas attack, Israel airstrikes,” (sanluisobispo.com, Nov. 7)
As a 93-year-old Holocaust survivor, I have always been proud to be a Jew. I have no desire for that pride to diminish. However, a unique opportunity has been lost forever. The inhuman barbarism that Hamas released on Israel on Oct, 7 provided an ideal chance to show the world that Jewish values of life had developed from six years of death and destruction resulting from WWII. But our revengeful and destructive responses prove to be equally contemptible.
Israel is now helping Hamas achieve Hitler’s ultimate goal: to breed worldwide hatred against all Jews. For me, the concept of God is a force, a belief and a trust in each of us for justice, fairness and goodness. I would like to assume that this aspect of God is shared by most faiths. The destructive Jewish/Palestinian conflict is a highly complex issue among neighboring faiths. Now we desperately need a “time out” to focus on hostages and the prevention of more deaths and destruction.
It is high time to understand and respect the faith of all our neighbors.
Paul Wolff
San Luis Obispo
