The letter below responds to Assemblymember Buffy Wicks' latest housing atrocity, an effort to get the 12-story southside high-end, students'-only "housing" project exempt from CEQA and stamping out the only park in a low-rise neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places shoveled through without the environmental review affirmed by the courts. The hearing is Monday, July 10th, 2023. Please let people know.
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Israel's abandonment of the rule of law and its intensified terror attacks against Palestinians, falsely labeling their resistance as militancy, is deeply concerning. The occupied land is an enemy of true democracy, with the occupiers acting as oppressors while the Palestinians suffer as victims. -more-

I am an educator. I can’t imagine how Supreme Court has devastated millions of students' desires and dreams and without feeling guilt! I am not African American but I am a preschool assistant teacher.I never learned in my schooling that depriving others can make me happier or more powerful. I feel sad that my students who must be getting ready to apply to go to reputed colleges or universities would not be able to go to enhance their learning, to fulfill their life’s mission of uplifting their own and their families socioeconomic status. -more-

I am writing to express my deep concerns about the impact that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had on the nation. While some may argue that he has brought economic progress and development, it is crucial to examine the broader implications of his actions on various sections of society. -more-

Triggering One Nuclear Bomb to Avoid a Global Apocalypse?

Unreported in the US media, a former Russian presidential advisor named Sergey Karaganov has written a controversial article arguing that the only way to stop a world-ending nuclear exchange with NATO and the US would be for Russia to detonate a single nuclear weapon to "sober up the West."

In his article on using a nuclear strike to prevent WWIII, Karaganov writes: "In 75 years of relative peace, people have forgotten the horrors of war, have stopped fearing even nuclear weapons."

Karaganov argues that what's needed to "save humanity from a global catastrophe" is a shocking, real-world "demo" detonation—"one Russian atomic weapon to shock the US into avoiding Armageddon."

The problem is real: atom bombs have become "normalized" and are no longer feared. The word "tactical" is used to minimize the concept of atomic war. In a controversial public service TV announcement, New Yorkers were instructed that "if the Big One hits," they only need to pull down their window shades and relocate to the center of their high-rise apartments.

Karaganov's op-ed has stirred up a major debate in Russia with other powerful strategists, advisors, and political leaders offering their own chilling critiques. Some of the resulting headlines include the following: -more-

A June 23, 2023 report of a U.N. investigation found conditions inside the prison at Guantanamo Bay cruel and inhuman. Roughly 780 detainees have been held at the detention center since it opened in 2002. Today, 30 remain, 19 of whom have never been charged with a crime, and 16 have been cleared for release. -more-

Two meetings last week focused on mass transit. One was the update to the City Council on the Climate Action Plan and Resilience. The other was Councilmember Taplin’s proposal, at the Facilities, Infrastructure, Transportation, Environment and Transportation Committee (FITES), to reconfigure University from 6th Street to Shattuck and Shattuck to Durant to create dedicated bus lanes, transit-signal-priority elevated platforms for AC Transport’s 51B, and dedicated bike lanes from 6th to Oxford and Oxford to Durant. -more-

I have not trained myself to have an arsenal of insulting language, or defenses from foresaid from other people ready to be delivered whenever the moment calls for it or when I think I can get away with it. I never thought it was necessary to use language as a weapon rather than a tool. -more-

Worth Noting:

Enjoy the 4th of July Holiday week

• Thursday: At 7 pm the Landmarks Preservation Commission in person.
• Saturday:
  • At 10 am the Berkeley Neighborhoods Council meets online.
  • From 3:30 – 5:30 pm is the Morchestra 17 piece Jazz orchestra in John Hinkel Park.

The July 11 City Council Agenda is posted for review and comment. Agenda Item 31 is the City Auditors report on staffing shortages and employee satisfaction (report 60 pages). Agenda Item 33 is the Adoption of the Civic Center Phase II Design Concept (Report 180 pages).

Check the City website for late announcements and meetings posted on short notice at: https://berkeleyca.gov/ -more-