EDITOR: Driving in the Bay Area is no longer fun. The drivers encountered on many of our highways and city streets leave much to be desired; impetuous, impatient, distracted and just plain belligerent. Doing anything but paying attention to defensive driving.

The momentum of a collision can happen in a moment of distraction. That’s right! Death, serious injuries, destroyed vehicles, and then all the bad stuff; loss of life, lawyers, loss of driver’s license, high insurance rates and vehicle replacement. Not to mention bad feelings towards the other driver. Sorry, it doesn’t go too far in a serious accident that could have been prevented.

As winter weather approaches, now is the time to evaluate your driving habits.

Drive safely and courteously.

PAUL A. WAGONER

Santa Rosa

Why did I vote for Trump?

I have always believed that a businessman should rule our country. I was too young to vote for JFK, but when I was old enough I registered as a Democrat. When Obama was nominated, I voted for him twice. From where? Because it would change our country for the better. I felt like Joe Biden was a real politician by telling you what you wanted to hear and doing nothing to protect Americans. When Trump got off that elevator, I re-registered for REPUBLIC and I’m glad I did.

Four years ago our country was better off with his economic leadership, world politics and the absence of war. Kama-Laugh-Alot never gave me hope with his constant laughter at serious issues regarding the betterment of our country and our citizens. There is no direct answer on how to govern the country. Can you actually see him across the table from Kim Jong Un or Putin, giggling, laughing, and making double-talk at them, not answering their questions? How could he speak in realistic terms to protect our country?

Everyone forgets about families who want to have children. No to abortion. It’s a life. This is killing innocents. China no longer allows babies to be given up for adoption to foreigners.

Don’t even rationalize the women and children raped and killed by unvetted illegal immigrants invading 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 our country’s customs. Five of my uncles and aunts served in World War II. My grandparents were very proud to be Americans.

My greatest fear for my children and grandson is that there are terrorists in the country waiting to inflict lethal harm on us because they are allowed to cross our unsafe borders. We are sheep ready for slaughter!

My daughter and I prayed every day for President Trump to be re-elected in this election. God heard and answered our prayers.

Marian Weber

Sonoma

Grateful Dead’s local ties

EDITOR: Thanks for the article about Grateful Dead connections in the Redwood Empire (“Grateful Dead’s roots run deep into the county,” Nov. 10). I shed some light on the details, but it doesn’t matter. A quick search will turn up Dead performances at the Santa Rosa veterans hall on June 27 and 28, 1969, and a show at the fairgrounds, probably that wonderfully acoustically awful Grace Pavilion, on December 12, 1970. The whole thing can be listened to online in just a few clicks.

Jerry Garcia played numerous shows with the New Riders of the Purple Sage, JGB and Merle Saunders at the Inn of the Beginning in Cotati from 1969-1974. He also played at least five times in Petaluma with the JGB in Phoenix from 1981-1983.

The coolest connection is the unnamed Petaluma science teacher who comes across huge cassette tapes (“Bettys”) that are dizzying when finally heard.

ANDREW HAYNES

Petaluma

A new step

EDITOR: This may be the first letter published in The Press Democrat supporting Kamala Harris for governor of California. The position will be open when Gov. Gavin Newsom leaves office in two years. It would be fascinating to see what kind of campaign he could mount if he had a two-year head start compared to the three months he had for the presidency. It would be reassuring to have a strong, experienced prosecutor in this position who knows what needs to be done to protect California’s right to be California.

BRIAN ERWIN

Santa Rosa