PG&E has options besides raising rates

I believe PG&E has other options than to raise rates to protect its power substations and other critical electric infrastructure ("PG&E planning security measures," Page 7B, Feb. 11). At last year's annual meeting, company officials clearly were concerned about security, especially cyberattacks to the grid. PG&E and its shareholders, I argued then, should not have to bear the full costs of protecting against cyberattack from Iran or China. The government should help in this as it is government negligence that allows foreign nations to disrupt U.S. commercial and government cyber resources. Government also has an economic interest in safe operations of critical services like PG&E, and government should provide financial assistance or security manpower to safeguard power stations. PG&E should not be burdened with the full costs of protecting against terrorist attacks. Government must be an active partner in protecting our economic security from terrorists, domestic or foreign.

James Patterson

San Francisco

Blame GOP for lack of immigration reform

What happened to simple majority and democracy? There were 59 votes in the Senate cast to pass immigration legislation, but Republicans had a filibuster going on that meant a 60-vote majority was needed to pass the immigration bill. House Speaker John Boehner caved in to his right-wing fanatics who carried the day for Republicans and sank immigration reform. Republicans can't peddle lies or blame President Barack Obama for the defeat of this one -- it was all the GOP's doing. Come election time, remember why there is still no immigration reform.


Ron Lowe

Santa Cruz

We can do better than Judge Diane Ritchie

We the people deserve and expect laws that are fair and effective and judges who have mature and sound judgment.

Justice is improbable without them. Judge Diane Ritchie does not appear to have dependably sound and mature judgment. It is time to make an improvement for the good of the people.

Roberta Fitzpatrick

San Jose

Shirley Temple the Beatles of her time

During the Great Depression, Shirley Temple was as much a part of the American fabric as FDR, Babe Ruth, J. Edgar Hoover, Mae West or Bette Davis. With her blonde ringlets and unbelievable talent, young Shirley was the Beatles of her time. RIP, "Bright Eyes."

Denny Freidenrich

Laguna Beach