“Over There” and the reality of combat–
Well, kudos to TV producer Steven Bochco on his new undoubted money-maker, “Over There.” Now all the warrior wannabes can have their war experience from the comfort of their air-conditioned living rooms with drinks and dips and chips near at hand.
I do not think I will watch, however, because I can only too readily recall my memories of my year in Vietnam. And I know that the one thing “Over There” is not going to be able to duplicate is the smell of war and killing and death. I remember the sickening, sweet “grab-your-guts-and-pull” smell of gas gangrene wafting up from a shattered thigh. And always, the tangy, salty, coppery, sharp smell of blood, always the blood.
Granted, that was Vietnam, an old war, and this is Iraq, a nice new war. But I will bet you it still smells the same.
Too bad more folks who supported this war did not volunteer for the services, so that they could enjoy the real experience, instead of having to get it vicariously through the boob tube.
Jayne Bowman, Englewood
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Should youth driver be tried as an adult?
Re: “Families set aside grief to plead teenager’s case,” July 29 news story.
My heart goes out to all those affected by this tragic accident, yet prosecuting young Todd Stansfield, who was 16 at the time of the accident, as an adult will only make life worse for all those involved.
As a public defender, I had a very similar case recently. A 16-year-old with no criminal history was driving her cousin back from Wal-Mart, when she swerved to avoid a car that had stopped to make a left turn. There was no alcohol involved. It was a combination of speed and the rollover SUV factor that killed her young cousin.
My client and both families were devastated, yet totally united in their opposition to an adult prosecution. The prosecutor was unmoved and insisted that society would only be vindicated if an adult felony plea was entered. Fortunately, the jury felt otherwise and this sweet young lady had a second chance at life.
The prosecution in Stansfield’s case has the power to prevent another tragedy from occurring. I hope they make a wise choice.
J. Brandeis Sperandeo, Denver
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Todd Stansfield, the driver in a crash that killed three teenagers and another man, should be tried as an adult.
I drive for a living and see daily that most people in this area have blatant disregard for traffic laws and drive very selfishly and recklessly. If Todd chose to put the lives of his friends and others at risk, which he did, throw the book at him. Those victims cannot “get on with their lives,” as Todd and his family wishes. How selfish!
The longer I live here, the more I see that people think they can do whatever they wish behind the wheel. Then they want no tickets or consequences. Driving is not a right, but a privilege.
Michael M. Nelson, Lakewood
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If Todd Stansfield is too young to be tried as an adult for causing the death of four people, perhaps he is too young to drive. We should raise the driving age to 18, and then teen drivers may be old enough to take responsibility when they kill others through their negligence.
Louretta Lofdahl, Littleton
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Comprehensive immigration reform needed
Re: “Who speaks for Colorado? Surprise” July 27 Al Knight column.
Al Knight purports that the majority of Coloradans are in support of Rep. Tom Tancredo’s views on illegal immigration, and supported his conclusion with a Gallup poll question.
However, the same poll points out that 61 percent of Americans think immigration “is a good thing.”
Another poll conducted by Tarrance Group showed that nearly 75 percent of Americans would support comprehensive reform, including providing undocumented immigrants an ability to become legal.
At issue is not whether Coloradans think illegal immigration is a problem – but how are we to solve it?
Tancredo’s solution is to apply excessive enforcement.
However, a recent study by the Center for American Progress estimates it would take $41.2 billion annually to rid the country of illegal immigrants – well over the current budget for the entire Homeland Security Department.
This is clearly not a realistic solution.
We need comprehensive immigration reform to create a legal flow of immigrants.
Doing so will allow families to reunite, maintain a valued labor supply for U.S. businesses, and enable us to properly screen immigrants.
Catherine O. Brown, Denver
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Effect of school woes on Colorado economy
Re: “Colo. school woes hurt economy, panel told,” July 27 business news story.
Business leaders say that Colorado’s inadequate funding for schools harms our business climate. Kids in other states prepare to be skilled workers, technicians and professionals, but a minority of Colorado students do. We do well with our brightest students, but do less than other states, and Colorado’s economy is not competitive with other states.
The article says teacher salaries here, which affect the quality of education, are relatively low. If you could go someplace else for more money, would you come here? Have low taxes, low school funding, the CSAPs and an anti-education climate brought Colorado success? Business leaders don’t say so.
Shouldn’t we hire enough quality new and experienced teachers to get teachable class sizes? How about focusing our schools on education? Could we teach our employment-bound youth job skills to help them be employed? This is 50-year-old stuff that worked other places, folks – maybe it’s time for us to try it.
Where are the parents and businesspeople demanding the governor call an emergency education summit? If we don’t begin to plan for change now, when will we begin? Business as usual isn’t working; why accept it?
Robert Gunnett, Morrison
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Patriot Act extension
Re: “House votes to extend Patriot Act,” July 22 news story.
After Sept. 11, 2001, Congress passed the Patriot Act, but wisely placed 16 “sunset” provisions in the act to fully ensure that congressional oversight would remain, since these provisions trashed the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Now, however, Reps. Bob Beauprez, Tom Tancredo, Marilyn Musgrave and Joel Hefley have voted to make 14 of these provisions permanent, and renew the other two without any congressional oversight for the next 10 years.
Since these provisions trample the civil rights of all Americans, these representatives have violated their oaths of office to protect and defend the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.
Hopefully, Sens. Wayne Allard and Ken Salazar will be more thoughtful when voting on the act’s renewal when it comes before the Senate.
Ron Hagmeyer, Golden
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Maternity-leave policies in the U.S.
Re: “Maternity leave in U.S. is far cry from world norm,” July 27.
I read with interest the article about maternity leave. The article stated that the Bush administration shot down an effort by the Clinton administration to let states use unemployment funds to pay mothers on maternity leave. This from a president who talks about “family values.”
In the same issue of The Post, there were two more articles – “Shield for gun industry in fast lane” and “Chances dim for Democrat health plan for veterans” – that, once again, show the utter lack of “respect for life” that the Bush administration continually touts.
The average American just doesn’t get it. They elected a president who talks the talk but doesn’t walk the walk.
Elizabeth Middleton, Littleton
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