Murder-suicide by mother of two
Re: “Calls for help brushed aside; Suicidal Springs woman kills self, 2 kids after hospital release,” April 26 news story.
Three people died tragically this week when mentally ill and suicidal Julie Rifkin of Colorado Springs was hastily released from a hospital. Her pastor said about the hospital, “What were they thinking when they released her? She would have gotten better care at K-Mart.”
I hope that instead of blaming individuals, this tragedy can serve as a wake-up call to all of us, as this case is not particularly unique. Virtually any of us who have sought help for mentally ill loved ones knows that this is how we treat our mentally ill.
The majority of so-called “help” available in Colorado entails hospitalization in facilities belonging in the Dark Ages, experimental drugs, abuse and neglect. And even all of that is unobtainable for countless people with mental illness. Until more of us are willing to open our wallets and, most importantly, our hearts, our neighbors will continue to suffer and to die, and K-Mart-quality care will remain something most disadvantaged people can only dream about.
Robyn Parker, Grand Junction
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A major flaw in fundamentalist thinking is the reducing of issues to super-simplicity. A good example is the tragic murder/suicide committed by Julie Rifkin in Colorado Springs, who shot her sons, Gabriel and Nathan, ages 13 and 12. Earlier in the day, she bought a .38-caliber revolver at a pawnshop.
In defending the absolute fundamentalist interpretation of the Second Amendment, the NRA and gun advocates effectively killed any waiting period for gun purchases. Apparently a three-day waiting period is too much to tolerate for law-abiding gun owners. Tell that to Gabriel and Nathan. Maybe with the three-day waiting period, Julie Rifkin would still have committed the same tragic act on her sons and herself, but there may have been some chance for intervention. It is far easier to lay the blame on the hospital for releasing Rifkin than to critique the ignorance that has overcome our political society concerning gun rights. I would expect the NRA, as a response to this incident, to advocate the arming of the two boys so they could protect themselves against their mother in their sleep.
Hal Lenhart, Lakewood
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Unemployment benefits for low-wage workers
The Colorado Senate has an opportunity to help low-wage workers when it considers changes to the unemployment system. House Bill 1020 would help 877 of our most vulnerable workers by allowing them to use more recent wages to qualify for unemployment benefits.
Eighteen other states and the District of Columbia use a similar approach and studies have shown that it primarily helps workers earning about $9 per hour. People who recently entered the workforce – such as women who have gone back to work after raising their kids – benefit the most.
The Legislative Council determined it will not raise overall business taxes but could increase taxes on the few firms whose workers would get unemployment under this bill.
This potential tax increase should be considered in context. First, Colorado’s unemployment insurance taxes are lower than those in 41 other states. Second, the legislature is about to pass House Bill 1208 to reduce businesses’ unemployment taxes by $50 million in fiscal year 2005-06 and $112 million in fiscal year 2006-07. It is only fair that workers who barely make enough to get by should also benefit.
Rich Jones, Denver
The writer is director of policy and research for the Bell Policy Center.
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Opposing the death penalty for all
Re: “Iraq debates death penalty,” April 23 editorial.
According to your editorial, “The Denver Post has opposed capital punishment for four decades – even for disreputable characters like Saddam Hussein.” Too bad The Denver Post hasn’t taken the same stand for innocent human lives during the same 40 years. When a government allows the deaths of the most innocent of all human lives among us – the unborn – where is The Denver Post? The Denver Post hasn’t opposed all capital punishment for 40 years; it has only opposed some capital punishments – the ones given to those found guilty in a court of law.
Robert E. Forman, Lakewood
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Botanic Gardens’ concert ticket policy
I have just written the Denver Botanic Gardens and asked them to refund my membership, which I had just renewed for the coming year. The reason is that I disagree with their policy to sell almost all their Summer Concert Series tickets to big-buck members before regular members have a chance to purchase any.
I have gone to the summer concerts since I arrived here seven years ago; they are an important part of my summer entertainment. Those with higher-priced memberships always get first crack at buying the tickets, which is fine, but I think some should be put aside for the family and general level of membership as well.
This year, when the tickets went on sale for the lower-level members, there was almost nothing to be had – just a few tickets for one or two concerts.
Maybe next year, if enough people complain, there will be more tickets for everyone.
Penny Jackson, Denver
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Opera Colorado s production of “Rigoletto”
Re: “Music and singing in ‘Rigoletto’ overcome flaws,” April 26 opera review.
I applaud Denver Post fine arts critic Kyle MacMillan for commenting on the awful whine heard within Boettcher Concert Hall on opening night of the Opera Colorado production of Giuseppe Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” I hope that the problem is already fixed. And I agree that the singing and acting were impeccable.
However, I disagree with MacMillan’s terse criticism of the set and direction. The act of leaving characters onstage helped me to feel the intimacy of the family apartment and the shock attached to murder, and the modern dress and set with a Mafia feel gave the opera an even darker feel than it would have had if it were cast in a traditional setting.
I believe Opera Colorado should be applauded for this interesting and riveting update of a timeless classic that most of the audience has probably already seen in a classic rendition.
Geoffrey Brinker, Lakewood
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Employees’ rights vs. costs for employers
A bill pending in the state legislature would impose a nearly impossible burden on Colorado’s business community. House Bill 1115 would require Colorado businesses to grant current and former employees access to their personnel files, and would impose onerous requirements in response time, a right of rebuttal, penalties and attorneys fees. Employers would have to provide this access to every interested employee and former employee, up to twice a year.
If passed, this bill will result in an increase in employment litigation for Colorado’s already overburdened courts. The bill’s requirements will be virtually impossible for many employers to comply with. Employers, especially struggling start-ups with small human-resources departments, will face significant new administrative expenses.
Colorado’s Senate has approved the bill and sent it back to the House with some suggested changes, such as lengthening the employer’s required response time. Even with these changes, the bill is bad for Colorado businesses. It could be a major disincentive to new businesses considering relocating to Colorado. Although the bill’s authors may have been motivated by genuine concern for employees’ rights, the likely real major beneficiaries will be attorneys flooding courts with lawsuits, with little or no benefit actually accruing to aggrieved employees.
Elizabeth Rita, Denver
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