Senate’s agreement to avoid “nuclear option”
Re: “Senate averts showdown,” May 24 news story.
It’s thrilling to see Colorado Democratic Sen. Ken Salazar, after only five months in office, joining other senators in a leadership role in helping cooler heads prevail by avoiding the “nuclear option,” which had been threatened by the Republican majority.
The American public wins when both parties work together, and all Coloradans, regardless of political affiliation, owe Salazar a big thank you for his participation in the group of 14 senators working together to preserve the rights of the minority. It’s what compromise is all about.
We should also encourage Sen. Wayne Allard to adopt a similar attitude – working together with all senators, for all state citizens. In a politically divided country, this is an opportunity to bolster our reputation as a highly educated electorate that understands that everyone is important, not just those who voted for one candidate or another.
Dennis Obduskey, Bailey
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The recent Senate compromise on judicial appointments is a true indictment of the incompetence of lawyers trying to run a huge enterprise (our government). Any entry-level employee could easily see that the true issue is that one branch of government (judicial) has assumed the lawmaking function of another branch (Congress). It is obvious that both parties want judges appointed who will further the agenda of their side.
The true issue that needs to be debated is whether we the people are satisfied with Congress abdicating its responsibilities, and allowing nine judges to amend our Constitution without input from Congress or voters. The amendment process was made arduous and difficult for a valid reason, because the Constitution is an extremely valuable document to our government. No one can deny that Supreme Court decisions are an implicit amendment to the Constitution.
We need an extended debate of this issue. The recent filibusters are a canard to hide the partisan ideologies which are pushing for judges of one persuasion or another. We need senators to debate whether social issues like abortion, gay rights, religious rights and any other “rights” that might germinate from idle judicial minds are acceptable, or whether we want some mechanism to ensure that such issues are decided by elected representatives and confirmed by voters.
Miles Musselman, Denver
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Catholic archbishop’s support of president
It is extremely hypocritical for President Bush to say, “The best way to honor this great champion of human freedom (Pope John Paul II) is to continue to build a culture of life where the strong protect the weak,” when he ignores a big part of the late pope’s vision of a culture of life: the absence of war.
For Denver Catholic Archbishop Charles Chaput to cozy up to a man whose misjudgments have caused the deaths of tens of thousands of people, in support of a culture of life, adds an additional bit of irony and his own hypocrisy.
There is nothing wrong with praying for things; however, Bush has the power to make a culture of life happen.
Abu Ghraib does not seem to bother the president. He promotes and retains the people who are responsible for that policy.
Uzbekistan is still an important ally to the president, despite the recent slaughter. Bush has not condemned this action, yet wants to be seen as a man who supports a culture of life.
Despite his talk of supporting freedom and democracy, the president supports repressive governments around the world.
Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words.
Mark Benner, Hugo
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Quality of education
Re: “Neediest students get greenest teachers,” May 23 editorial.
I was pleased to read the following in your editorial: “Good results rarely come from forcing someone to work somewhere they don’t want to be.” Having taught for more than 10 years in public and private schools, I’ve seen this time and again. When placed in unsatisfactory school situations, students and teachers respond similarly: Many seek to get out as soon as possible.
Why don’t we try something new? Why don’t we let students attend schools they actually enjoy, schools adapted to their individual needs and geared toward preparing them for the future?
Better schools will be driven by choice and respect. To paraphrase your editorial: Good education rarely happens when students are forced to learn somewhere they don’t want to be.
Bruce L. Smith, Wheat Ridge
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Sending kids to college
Re: “Principal’s plan misses mark,” May 21 editorial.
Lincoln High School’s principal, Scott Mendelsberg, has provided one of the very few bright spots in an otherwise dismal, depressing public school landscape. You criticized his use of state monies to fund his innovative program to keep more of his kids, mostly Hispanic, in school by sending them to community college. His biggest sin? It works!
Why not direct your political attacks to principals and administrators who are operating the schools that have 50 percent dropout rates and 50 percent proficiency rates? Mendelsberg is a true hero and deserves our praise, support and gratitude. Many of his peers would do well to emulate his commitment and results. If they did, there would be less justification and demand for vouchers, a goal on which just about everyone can agree.
Steve Schuck, Colorado Springs
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The American worker
Re: “Deterioration of the American dream,” May 20 Open Forum.
Letter-writer George F. Hope wondered about the deterioration of the American worker and what is happening to us. What happened is they made the mistake of voting for Republicans who don’t give a darn about the American worker, and the results of that are now being exhibited. The American workers have no one to blame but themselves.
Thomas Taylor, Aurora
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Role of local law enforcement in immigration
Re: “Immigration excuses need some work,” May 23 David Harsanyi column.
Thanks to David Harsanyi for pointing out the hypocrisy that’s spread thick over the subject of illegal immigration.
Recent events, such as the suspected killing of a Denver police officer by an illegal immigrant, and older events, such as Sept. 11, combined with grassroots efforts and media publicity are slowly moving some of our glorious elected leaders into full compliance with the law. Some have a learning curve equal to a trip from here to the moon, but even they can learn that there are indeed things within the scope of their authority that help to discourage illegal immigration. One way is letting cops ask about immigration status. This might be unnecessarily intrusive if we only had a few hundred thousand illegals in our nation – but when the numbers reach the tens of millions, it’s long past due for local officials to step up to their share of the problem.
Barbara Vickroy, Escondido, Calif.
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