EDITOR: The joys of driving in the Bay Area are gone. The drivers encountered on many of the highways and streets in the city leave a lot to be desired — rushed, impatient, distracted and just plain combative. Doing everything but paying attention to defensive driving.

The moment of an accident can only happen in a moment of distraction. Just like that! Death, serious injury, broken vehicles and then all the bad stuff – loss of life, lawyers, loss of license, higher insurance rates and vehicle replacement. Not to mention being mean to the other driver. I’m sorry it doesn’t go too far in a serious accident that could have been avoided.

With winter weather approaching, now is a good time to evaluate 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 lead our country. I was too young to vote for JFK, but I registered as a Democrat when I was old enough. When Obama ran, I voted for him twice. Why? Because he would change our country for the better. I felt that Joe Biden was a real politician telling you what you wanted to hear and doing nothing to protect Americans. So when Trump got off in that elevator, I re-registered REPUBLICAN and I’m glad I did.

Four years ago, our country was better off with its leadership economically, globally politically, without war. Kama-Laugh-Alot gave me no hope with her constant laughter about serious matters concerning the betterment of our country and citizens. There are no straight answers about how she will lead the country. You can literally see her across the table from Kim Jong Un or Putin giggling, laughing and double-talking them – without answering their questions. How could she realistically talk in terms of protecting our country?

Everyone forgets families who want to adopt children. Not on abortion. It’s a life. That means killing innocents. China no longer allows babies to be put up for adoption by foreigners.

Don’t even rationalize the women and children raped and killed by the uncontrolled illegal immigrants who have 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 grandson is that there are terrorists in the country just waiting to do us mortal harm because they have been allowed to cross our insecure 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.

Marianne Weber

Sonoma

The Grateful Dead’s local connections

EDITOR: Thanks for the article on Grateful Dead connections in the Redwood Empire (“Grateful Dead’s roots run deep in county,” Nov. 10). A little light on the specifics, but never mind. A quick search will turn up Dead shows at the Veterans Hall in Santa Rosa on June 27 and 28, 1969, and a fairground show on December 12, 1970, presumably in that wonderfully acoustically terrible Grace Pavilion. All can be listened to online with a few clicks.

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

The coolest connection is the unnamed Petaluma science teacher who came across the giant tape thesis (“The Bettys”) that sent heads spinning when they were finally heard.

ANDREW HAYNES

Petaluma

A new step

EDITOR: This may be the first letter published in The Press Democrat endorsing Kamala Harris for governor of California. With Governor Gavin Newsom’s term in office two years in, the position will be open. It would be fascinating to see what kind of campaign he could mount if he had a two-year head start on the three months he had for president. It would be reassuring to have a strong and experienced prosecutor in this position who knows what to do to protect California’s right to be California.

BRIAN ERWIN

Santa Rosa