Concerning “Limits on tasting rooms imperil small vineyards” (Dec. 24): Here’s a two-word solution for Napa County’s small-scale family winemakers that will enable them to host and sell directly to customers despite a strict permitting process for opening tasting rooms: wine caves. They’re in the news right now, thanks to Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg’s fundraising, and a group of enterprising winemakers can take turns using them to host potential customers or politicians.

Fred Van Vliet, Petaluma

Warning to S.F. visitors

When is our city finally going to come down on the people who are breaking into cars? Especially in Golden Gate Park, where the other day I witnessed two broken windows, much glass, and talked to several East Coast visitors getting a taste of our city? There should be many warnings on poles in the park warning people about this. I have witnessed many broken windows, talked to very distressed people, mostly visitors, over the last few years.

Allan Chalmers, San Francisco

Don’t assume bias

Newly elected BART board President Lateefah Simon’s comments alleging racism, “disparities are unacceptable” in BART fare-evasion citations, are divisive and ignorant. BART police go to great lengths to avoid bias, yet she alleges racism simply because African Americans are 12% of riders and 46% of citations. She says she doesn’t believe black folks are more likely to evade fares.

Asian Americans (23% and 4%) are less than half as likely as whites (44% and 18%) to be cited. I’m not alleging anti-white bias. 93% of prisoners are male; I don’t allege sexism.

It is dangerous to assume unequal results stem from bias. Asian Americans are three times as likely as whites to make a UC and earn far more as adults and have far lower rates of homelessness or prison, because they study an average of over twice the weekly hours as children.

Solution? Kids must study more. This logic has hurt my kids’ education in SFUSD, eliminating eighth-grade algebra because not all races pass at the same rate, and outlawing willful-defiance suspensions. Identity politics ignores behavior. We must provide tutors and convince all to follow laws and study more hours, not blame or harm others.

Justin Van Zandt, San Francisco

Hostile BART rides

Regarding “Public transit a harassment trap for girls” (Dec. 23): Big thanks to Otis Taylor for describing the hostile environment facing girls and young women on BART and other public transit carriers. Our daughter is very reluctant to use public transit for this reason.

It’s not just young women of color who are subjected to invasion of personal space, threats, and being followed. White girls have to deal with it, too. Note to environmentalists who want to get rid of cars to reduce carbon footprint: Harassment of women on public transit is an issue that has long been ignored. Until police are riding BART, Caltrain, and buses, we have only two options: either drive a car, or train in martial arts and be prepared to take down aggressors.

Amelia Marshall, Oakland

Trump deserves credit

Possibly, the letter writer “Pelosi gets it done” (Dec.24) has forgotten who initiated this trade deal in the first place. None other than President Trump. No other politician had the courage or foresight to eliminate NAFTA and replace it with a new agreement. I do not recall Nancy Pelosi advocating for a better deal for the United States, she just hitched a ride once the process started. Trump skillfully negotiated a better deal, and even compromised with the do nothing Democrats in order to get the legislation passed. As the President said during his campaign, “you’re going to get tired of winning.” I am not quite there yet.

Raymond Moreno, San Francisco

Word for our times

Poltroon? Now there’s a word we should re-establish in our vocabulary (“Chronicle’s long history with impeachment,” John Diaz column, December 22). There can be no better term for those utter cowards in the United States Senate who refuse to countenance the plain truth that the sitting president is in no manner worthy of his high office.

Nancy Barnby, Menlo Park

Watch out, Democrats

The Democrats have clandestinely sowed the wind and if they reap the whirlwind, they have none other than themselves to thank.

Dom Martin, Mill Valley

Call it Trumpville

Concerning “California: The Homeless State” (Editorial, Dec. 24): This editorial provides many statistics about the growing homeless crisis in the Golden State, but few good solutions to ending the NIMBYism of many cities blocking the construction of more low-cost housing.

Here’s an idea: Rather than the Trump administration and HUD Secretary Ben Carson threatening to crack down on California’s growing homeless population crisis with various federal sanctions, maybe they should try to be part of the solution.

The 45th president, who loves attention, should put his considerable real estate background to use by offering to build a series of Trumpvilles. These residential developments, if funded by his supposed multibillion-dollar fortune, could have his name in big bold letters on every building. Imagine the publicity, with photo ops of Trump and Carson in hard hats, and at a series of ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

And First Lady Melania Trump could finally wear a jacket that says “I really do care! Do U?”

Francine Tompkins-Oliviera, Berkeley

Share the burden

“Porch piracy new holiday tradition” (Dec. 20) describes some of the burden this activity has added to our local police departments. Brick and mortar stores pay property taxes that help to support our local police. Should we be taxing porch deliveries for this additional police effort?

Robert Plantz, Santa Rosa

Premature wrap-ups

Regarding all the end of decade stories in the print and broadcast media: For those of us who are sticklers for accurate math, 2019 is not the end of the decade. 2020 ends the second decade of the 21st century. 2021 will be the first year of the third decade.

Jim Wood, Walnut Creek