Letters: Loud leaf blowers | Prop 50 | Proactive AI stops bad actors | I’m disgusted | Power of organ donation | Thanks for concert suggestion

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Loud leaf blowers

Section 9.06.030 of the Pleasanton Municipal Code states:

“Beginning June 1, 2024, it is unlawful for any person to operate a gasoline-powered leaf blower at any time in the city.”

Section 9.06.050(A) adds:

“A violation of this chapter may be documented by an administrative citation … issued by a police officer or community services officer of the police department, or a code enforcement officer of the community development department.”

I invite members of those agencies to visit any residential neighborhood in the city on any weekday to witness how extensively these code provisions are being observed.

I’ll supply the earplugs.

– Glenn Evans

Prop 50

The MAGA crowd must be quaking in their boots after getting shellacked in these off-year elections. Your regular writers have double downed on their hero president’s childish name-calling. Stupid, ignorant, communist, imbecile, and my favorite, scalawags!

I would bet that most people would look at my diploma from the U.S. Naval Academy, my work at the Naval Postgraduate School and my decade as a Naval officer and conclude that I am neither stupid nor ignorant. And yet I voted for Prop 50.

Contrary to a writer’s justification of the Texas gerrymander mid-census redistricting is extremely rare. Over and over Gov. Newsom said he would call off Prop 50 if Texas abandoned their partisan gerrymander. But with Trump-leaning on Greg Abbott that wasn’t going to happen.

Most independent, non-partisan redistricting committees are in blue states. Until Republicans give up their gerrymandering power, why should Democrats disarm? What is needed is a national standard requiring non-partisan redistricting committees. Think that will fly in a Republican Congress?

After all the name-calling, and to cite J.D. Vance, the pearl-clutching, only one writer correctly identified our political system. The U.S. is not a pure democracy. We don’t vote on every law proposed. At least Ms. Kirby knows we are a Democratic Republic.

– Brian Sanborn

Thanks for concert suggestion

There are many ways to appreciate Pleasanton all year, but one that might be overlooked by many is the Firehouse Arts Center.

Your What A Week column two weeks ago highlighted some upcoming shows, and the Bee Gees Tribute Concert suggestion for last Sunday arrived just in time to celebrate my wife’s birthday.

I might also note that this is a perfect example of local independent journalism at its finest. Thank you, Pleasanton Weekly.

– Terrence (Tj) McGrath

Proactive AI stops bad actors

Newspapers are responsible for their own demise because they allowed biased content, which in turn unleashed bad actors throughout the industry, sensationalism and fake news which captured the advertising dollar.

Gone are the stalwarts in the industry, the likes of Daniel Pearl, Marie Covin and Chauncy Bailey. Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow. They were committed to truth, courage under fire, and their impact on society. Fortunately, we have Tim Hunt writing for Pleasanton Weekly, a nonprofit newspaper with some of the best editorial content around.

Bad actors will destroy America with artificial intelligence publishing fake stories and videos. AI is a double-edged sword. While bad actors use it to fabricate convincing fake news, counter AI systems are evolving rapidly to detect and neutralize misinformation.

The challenge is ongoing, but with the right tools and awareness, individuals and organizations can significantly reduce the harm caused by fabricated stories.

Easy to use: NewsGuard, SurfSafe, Google Fact check Explorer, Botometer.

Intermediate: Claim Buster, Hoaxy, inVid & WeVerify, AdVerit.ai.

Advanced (best for organizations and professionals): Microsoft Video Authentication, Realty Defender, Deepware Scanner.

Track and locate tools are available, many are free, few require a fee. Proactive AI stops bad actors, changing the paradigm.

– Michael Austin

I’m disgusted

As a Christian I’m disgusted

My president a serial sex abuser

Elected by a majority of Americans

Filling his government with similar goons

Misogyny now reigns unconcealed

But he promises to protect women

By creating a climate of aggression and domination

My daughters and granddaughters less secure

– David Peterson

Honoring the power of organ donation

On behalf of the Donor Network West Foundation, we extend our sincerest gratitude to the nearly 1,000 community members who stepped up to support those impacted by organ donation at the 15th Annual Run/Walk in San Ramon Saturday, Sept. 13.

Together, we raised more than $240,000 and counting, which will enhance post-transplant resources, grief support services, clinical innovation, and research and education initiatives.

In its 15th year, the event gathered transplant recipients, organ donor families, living donors, hospital partners and supporters who, together, made vital strides for organ donation.

More than 10,000 people in northern California and northern Nevada are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. Events like these inspire hope for those waiting and honor organ donors and their families.

One person can save up to eight lives through organ donation. Learn more about joining the organ donor registry and how to support community resources at DonorNetworkWest.org.

– Janice Whaley, Ph.D., president and CEO, Donor Network West

– William “Bubba” Paris, executive director, Donor Network West Foundation

The impact of AI on kids in the next 5 years

My name is Advaith John, and I am an 8th grade student at Stanley Middle School. I am writing to share my thoughts on how artificial intelligence (AI) will impact children over the next five years.

AI is already becoming a part of education, games, and daily life, and I believe it will continue to shape how kids learn, socialize, and develop skills. While AI can provide personalized learning and creative tools, it also brings challenges like screen time management, privacy concerns, and the need to develop critical thinking alongside technology.

I hope my perspective can contribute to a discussion about how to help children use AI responsibly and benefit from its opportunities.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be thrilled if my thoughts could be shared with your readers.

– Advaith John

Shopping center for sale

The San Ramon shopping center for sale article is filled with false assumptions about people shopping and living in the area. Incomes of residents cannot be verified as claimed. Secondly Subway, McDonald’s, Starbucks etc are not representative of tenants in a high income area.

– Berton Kanne

On ‘Psychology of Cults’

At the core of virtually every cult is a singular, unyielding prime directive: recruit and retain. Recruitment is not just a goal — it is often framed as a moral or spiritual imperative.

Cults thrive on expansion because each new member brings not only validation to the group’s ideology but often material resources — money, labor, or influence — that fuel the cult’s survival. Leaders instill a sense of urgency and righteousness in spreading the message, framing recruitment as an act of salvation or truth-telling.

This mission is often cloaked in noble language — “awakening others”, “liberating minds” or “sharing the light” — but it serves a critical functional role: fortifying the cult’s structure by expanding its base of psychological and financial support.

Once a person is brought into the fold, however, the rules change dramatically. Cults are notoriously resistant to letting people go. They use emotional manipulation, isolation, indoctrination and sometimes threats to make exit feel impossible or catastrophic. Leaving is often portrayed not just as betrayal, but as a descent into moral failure or existential doom.

Members may be told that outsiders are dangerous, that dissent leads to punishment, or that abandoning the group severs them from love, safety, or even eternal life. In high-control groups, individuals are systematically cut off from former support systems — family, friends, outside institutions — making reintegration into mainstream life profoundly difficult.

This dual strategy of aggressive outreach followed by suffocating containment is what allows cults to grow and persist, even in the face of external scrutiny or internal collapse.

– John Williams, via online comment