Re the “No on Measure HH” ad in last week’s issue:
‘Do You Think
We’re Stupid?’
Can you please explain how you can print an election guide telling us to vote Yes on HH (Oakland soda tax) and then turn around and take money from Big Soda itself and run their filthy, deceptive “Don’t tax our groceries, No on HH” ad?
Reading your election guide, I felt respect (with a few exceptions) for your paper. And, overall, your reporting on the issues is right on.
But with this last issue, you’ve lost my respect. On page fifteen, you say “Yes on HH, the soda tax.” Flip to page sixteen, and there is a full-page ad featuring smiling Oakland mom-and-pop store owners belly-aching about the “big burden” this “grocery tax” will create for them and their customers.
It is clear that the bottom line for the Express is m-o-n-e-y, and truth and integrity be damned.
Linda Omaha, Oakland
“Tenant Activists in Alameda Test Progressive Rent-Control Waters with Measure M1” By Nick Miller, Cover Story, November 1:
Landlords are Mafia
It’s not merely an investment. It’s my home. It’s where I raise my kids. You want an unregulated investment, get into a hedge fund. You want to make money on residential real estate, you should have to negotiate tough regulations, because your investment is providing a basic need to actual people. Regulations too tough for you? Good. More housing stock for those of us who want to buy an actual roof over our head. Alameda landlords are a mafia. Straight up.
Ryan LeBlanc
Alameda Rent Control Isn’t Real
When the 470 Central Avenue evictions happened days after Alameda city council issued a moratorium on no-fault evictions, officials were outraged and rushed to close the loopholes they had opened. Months later, they drafted their rent ordinance, which now will allow mass evictions — just as long as it’s only 25 percent of a complex’ residents per year. There are no rent caps. It puts the burden on already-burdened tenants to appeal to a mayor-appointed mediation body and air all of their financial hardships into the public record.
Jason Buckley
“Contra Costa District Attorney Declines to Charge Nineteen Cops in Celeste Guap Sex Exploitation Scandal” by Darwin BondGraham, News, November 4:
Local DA Shouldn’t Investigate Local Cops
The conflict-of-interest of a district attorney having to charge and prosecute its own police is on stunning display here. Unreal.
Mike Yarmouth
“Town Business: Judge Orders Council President McElhaney to Hand Over Records in Ethics Case” By Darwin BondGraham, News, November 7:
An Officials Roadblock?
The only thing standing in the way of Oakland shining is its elected officials.
P.J. Kelley
“Don’t Give Me Popcorn, Gimme Danger” By Kelly Vance, Movies, November 1:
Stooges Live On
In the review of the Iggy Pop documentary Gimme Danger, Kelly Vance write that “all his former sidemen are dead now.” Actually, guitarist James Williamson, who joined the Stooges in 1970 and co-wrote the classic Raw Power album, is alive and well. He lives in Palo Alto and still is making music in addition to his work as an electronics engineer.
Jerry Peterson, Oakland
“Raiders’ Dominant Win Over Denver Last Night (Finally) Proves That Oakland Is For Real” By Nick Miller, News, November 7:
Playoffs, Yes. Super Bowl, Not Yet.
I too was worried if the Raiders 2016 were\are real, since the defensive stats in the previous games paled in comparison to what the offense was accomplishing. But, with last night’s game, the defense showed it is capable of delivering. So, the Raiders are definitely playoff contenders. Too early to say if they’re Super Bowl bound. Playoffs, yes. (I still think the Raiders are a stellar cornerback shy of being SB-ready; previous winning SB Raiders teams always had incredibly great corner-backs, or at least one.)
Tony Daysog
