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Readers React: California is getting a bullet train -- but not an earthquake warning system?

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To the editor: The political leaders of California, Oregon and Washington are dragging their feet on funding a modern earthquake-alert system, claiming they can’t find the money. These states want the federal government to do more even though the Obama administration and Congress have already agreed to fund half the system’s annual $16-million operating cost. (“Quake early warning system gets $3.6 million, but it’s still a long way from goal,” Feb. 3)

Earthquakes may be infrequent, but it’s just a matter of time until the next one and the ones after that strike. A warning system could save thousands of lives.

There’s an easy way for Gov. Jerry Brown to help fund it: Every time he puts $1,000 toward the bullet train, just take out 25 cents and throw it into the earthquake-alert bucket.

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David Michels, Encino

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To the editor: Thursday’s front page had two stories that together serve as a clear example of inequality in the U.S. While we erect skyscrapers costing billions of dollars, we cannot come up with $16 million for an earthquake warning system.

Maybe requiring three floors of each of these new buildings to be set aside for homeless people might free up enough chump change to pay for the warning system.

Jeff Solomon, Tarzana

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