America’s train system is an international embarrassment | Opinion

America’s train system is an embarrassment

“America is finally falling in love with Amtrak. The tracks can’t keep up,” (sacbee.com, Nov. 26)

Fifty-five years ago, in 1970, when my dad was stationed in Japan, my parents and I took a high-speed rail train from Tokyo to Osaka and back for the World’s Fair at 150 miles per hour. I can only imagine how incredulous Asian and European tourists must be when they come here and figure out that this country — the first to put a man on the moon — has such slow trains.

It should be an embarrassment to us all how primitive the rail system is here.

Don Knutson

Sacramento

What can be done to restore equity?

“Modesto, Stanislaus DEI programs face uncertainty following Trump’s executive order,” (modbee.com, Feb. 1)

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed Executive Order 10925, directing federal agencies to take “affirmative action” to safeguard equal employment. Kennedy’s initiative has grown to what Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is today, assisting in employing and protecting individuals against discrimination based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and veteran status.

However, on Jan. 20, on his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 18985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal Government,” requiring federal agencies to terminate all DEI policies, programs and employees.

What can be done to preserve the dream of equality for all?

Miguel Gonzales

Lathrop

Protect our housing needs

“Newsom suing Trump over planned federal cuts to housing,” (sacbee.com, Nov. 25)

As a California citizen, recent news regarding Sacramento programs facing federal housing cuts is extremely concerning. Sacramento cannot spare the price of losing housing security that thousands of citizens depend on.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to safeguard against these changes. If these measures go forward, it will undoubtedly displace over a thousand residents in Sacramento County alone, many of whom are seniors, families and people with disabilities.

This lawsuit isn’t just about fighting politics, it’s to ensure that Sacramento doesn’t regress.

Elsa Lock

Stockton

AIDS awareness

“National AIDS Quilt panels to be displayed at Arts Council of Kern,” (fresnobee.com, Nov. 26)

The display of the HIV/AIDS quilt in Fresno reminds us all how serious this disease still is. The United Nations reports that AIDS deaths have risen due to the halted U.S. HIV funding. When the United States paused virtually all HIV-related support earlier this year, 2.5 million people lost access to medicine, and clinics that keep people alive were forced to close. This is a matter of life and death, and even short-term shutdowns have serious human consequences.

There is encouraging news: The Trump administration recently pledged $4.6 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, reaffirming the U.S. match that has helped save 70 million lives since 2002.

Nick Arena

Fresno