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State AGs must ensure Meta rules take hold
Re: “Meta agrees to limits for kids” (Page A1, Aug. 27). The Child Abuse Prevention Council supports upcoming changes to social media by Meta resulting from their settlement agreement with 47 states and other territories.
The settlement with Meta will likely be followed by similar agreements with other platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Snap to ensure broader protection for children. The agreement requires the platforms to increase child safety by limiting the amount of time spent on platforms, prohibiting features that affect mental health issues, ceasing notifications at night or during school hours and respecting states’ child privacy and consumer protection laws.
These social media protections for children are long overdue. They will help secure children from cyberbullying, sexual predators and other vulnerabilities. Just as more than 47 states’ attorneys general pursued this settlement, we encourage them to vigorously oversee the development and implementation of these protections.
Carol Carrillo
Executive Director, Child Abuse Prevention Council of Contra Costa
Concord
Parton set an example for the wealthy
Re: “Bay Area fondly recalls an icon” (Page A1, Aug. 26). Dolly Parton has died, and America has lost one of its greatest celebrities; one who was often criticized by some for enhancing her body throughout her career as a successful entertainer.
Perhaps those critics failed to see that underneath her looks lay a person of great kindness and generosity. She never made a show of her wealth, but gave much of it away, money for health care research, books for children, and more.
She was a role model for the massively rich and successful.
I once heard a priest say in a homily at church, “The more you are given, the more is expected of you.” Dolly Parton fulfilled all the requirements as a person of means who used her success in life to benefit others.
In deciding what to do with their enormous largess, billionaires might want to consider her wisdom and ask themselves: What would Dolly do?
Teri Shikany
Danville
Pinole residents should get informed and vote
This year, residents of Pinole have some important choices to make in the upcoming November election. There are three open City Council seats, and all three incumbents are not running for reelection.
Of the five candidates who have qualified to be on the ballot, I am supporting the following three: Matt Avery, Christy Lam-Julian and Libby Duarte.
In my opinion, and in the research that I have done, they are the most qualified and will bring the most experience to the City Council. They also all have extensive professional careers and life experience.
In the coming years, Pinole will face some serious decisions and actions regarding public safety, infrastructure repair and economic vitality.
I encourage all residents to participate in the election process, do your own homework and ensure that you cast your ballot.
Stephen Tilton
Pinole
Renaming ship would continue Trump’s racism
It should sicken every patriotic American to learn that, under the Trump administration, the aircraft carrier already christened the USS Doris Miller in 2020 is under consideration to be renamed for Trump. Miller was a World War II hero during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
This is particularly ironic given Trump was a draft dodger who had five deferments. The podiatrist who gave him the bone spurs diagnosis, Dr. Larry Braunstein, rented his office space from Donald’s father. Braunstein’s daughters stated their father gave the diagnosis in 1968 as a professional favor to Trump’s father, Fred Trump, so Donald could avoid the draft and Vietnam War.
This possibility is especially worrisome given that Miller was African American. Under Trump’s second term, women and people of color have been taken off promotion lists in the U.S. military. This, along with orders given to ICE, show glaring racism and misogynistic behavior.
Kit Miller
Walnut Creek
Will Trump ever learn to be magnanimous
An incident from my kindergarten days has become a pertinent example of current events.
One recess, a group of kids joined me in building a “sand castle.” The bad boy of the class (let’s call him “Donny”) decided to compete and outdo our effort. With six or so kids on our team, Donny soon realized he would not win, and so came over and stomped on our “castle,” destroying it.
Now, a 2026 “Donny” has had his name removed from the Kennedy Center. His “kindergarten threat”: If he isn’t allowed to “win” (have his name on the Kennedy Center), he says he will tear it down.
This 2026 “Donny” needs to learn what it is like to be a responsible 5-year-old: You don’t always get what you want, you don’t get to “win” every time, and there are responsible ways to act.
Doug McClelland
Brentwood