Focus on Christian leader James Dobson
Re: “Dobson seen as driven, divisive,” April 27 news story.
In its article, The Denver Post asserted that Dr. James Dobson has become “driven” and “divisive” in his widely publicized disagreement with Sen. Ken Salazar. Focus on the Family and Dr. Dobson disagree strongly with this characterization, pointing out that what The Post refers to as “more confrontational rhetoric” is unfair and inaccurate. Dobson has not referred to the senator in disparaging terms. He has, rather, informed the people of Colorado that Salazar made campaign promises to permit up-or-down votes on judicial nominees, but then reneged on the commitment.
By contrast, Sen. Salazar has referred to Dr. Dobson as “un-Christian,” “un-American,” and to Focus on the Family as “the anti-Christ of the world.” It is Sen. Salazar who has escalated the issue into an ad hominem attack, rather than explaining why he broke his promise to the people of the state.
Tom Minnery, Vice President, Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs
Devastating civil war in Uganda
Although it receives little attention in the mainstream media, the civil war in Uganda continues to devastate the lives of millions of people. In what U.N. officials have described as the “largest neglected humanitarian emergency” of our time, 90 percent of the residents of northern Uganda have been forced from their homes. The Lord’s Resistance Army, led by Joseph Kony, has committed innumerable atrocities, including the abduction of 20,000 children. These children are forced to serve in the rebel army and are abused in unconscionable ways: many of them are raped, murdered, or tortured physically and emotionally. Kony’s soldiers have been known to force children to kill other children or even their own parents.
At the very least, the United States and the United Nations should pass resolutions calling for the end to this terrorism. The United States should be at the forefront of an effort by all civilized countries of the world to decry the barbaric practices of Joseph Kony and the LRA, and to call for an end to the Ugandan civil war.
David Thomson, Boulder
U.S. energy policy
Re: “Energy policy left us high and dry,” April 28 Froma Harrop column.
Froma Harrop writes that there has been no leadership in Washington regarding energy policy. There is no doubt about that. First, they have to understand the problem, which is simply that there is a finite amount of oil in the ground.
The only administration proposals that have been offered would be counterproductive. Drilling for more oil in the U.S. and building more refineries would only use up the reserves faster. We must really start to reduce burning these finite oil reserves so that we will have them for other uses in the future, such as the production of plastics.
I suggest we institute a 50-cent gas tax, or even a greater one. And let’s accompany this with a tax credit based upon the number of miles driven and fuel efficiency, as much as $200 per vehicle. The tax rate, miles per gallon and the annual mileage are negotiable, but this example would discourage driving a gas-guzzler, and excessive driving.
The revenue from this could be used to develop more efficient and alternate sources of energy.
David Paul, Denver
Amendments to Colorado smoking ban
Re: “Workplace smoking bill takes a big hit,” April 29 editorial.
I disagree with The Post’s recent endorsement of a watered- down smoke-free law in the state Senate. After the Senate amendments, the bill would require only restaurants to be smoke-free. Bar workers would not be protected, and they are exposed to more secondhand smoke than anyone in Colorado.
I understand that The Post would prefer a stronger law that includes bars. But the time to do that is now. This window of opportunity may not open up again for some time.
The Colorado legislature needs to do the right thing, which is to protect all bar and restaurant workers from secondhand smoke.
Chris Sherwin, Denver
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