Immigrant workers
Re: “Employing immigrants,” July 30 Open Forum.
Letter-writer Robert Glasker of Aurora writes about the plight of the illegal immigrant and how wonderful it is that some companies are making their life easy during their unlawful journey in our country. Glasker says that these companies abide by the rules. If that is true, why do so many of them hire illegal immigrants, who are in this country without documentation? They encourage this invasion, which in turns adversely affects the lives of the working poor American who cannot afford health insurance.
Chuck Bibee, Denver
Crisis in Niger
Re: “Locusts pushed Niger’s poverty into crisis,” July 31 news story.
Yes, locusts were the tipping point, but Niger’s plight was already the perfect Malthusian storm: population outgrowing food supplies.
Nikos Alexandratos of the Food and Agricultural Organization recently assessed Niger’s food sufficiency as “scant agricultural resources, barely sufficient to support its year 2000 population,” and its potential for expansion as “virtually nonexistent.” Meanwhile, the United Nations expects a full doubling of Niger’s 2005 population in the next 20 years alone and almost another doubling by 2050, and the underlying assumptions include a rapid drop from eight children per woman to fewer than four.
There’s no question that Niger’s plight has been exacerbated by a plague of locusts, but the Associated Press story you printed did not even mention population or that avoiding Niger famines hereafter will require increasingly massive annual food donations. America and the rest of the donor world must expect many more years like this in the future.
John R. Bermingham, Denver
The writer is past president of the Colorado Population Coalition.
National park funding
Re: “Recreation fees help national parks,” July 31 guest commentary.
Fees paid by national park visitors are useful, but will never fully address all park needs, such as ranger-led education programs, back-country safety patrols, and wildlife research. Fee revenue is also far below the investment needed to eliminate our parks’ multibillion-dollar backlog of deferred maintenance projects.
However, the innovative, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Sens. Ken Salazar and John McCain, and supported in the House by more than 50 members, including Rep. Mark Udall, can help to restore our national parks. The National Park Centennial Act would enable Americans to give to the parks through a voluntary check-off on their federal income tax form; proceeds from the check-off and from the general treasury would provide new funding for, among other needs, visitor center upgrades, the preservation of historic buildings and museum artifacts, and the removal of invasive species.
Interior Secretary Gale Norton was right: Americans do expect the best in our national parks. Congress and the administration should meet those expectations and support the Centennial Act.
Steven Bosak, Washington, D.C.
The writer is director of the National Parks Conservation Association’s National Park Funding Program.
Accusations of abuse by Catholic clergy
Re: “Colorado priest accused of abuse,” July 29 news story.
Regarding your stories about sexual abuse by priests, where were you before the Catholic Church decided to finally do the right thing? Now that the church has a strict policy, now that they (and we) understand the unfortunate truth about pedophiles, you decide to make headlines, which in no way could be construed as helpful, just hurtful. It’s not news, it’s not investigative reporting, it’s just sad, and I’m sad that you are a part of it.
Francie Haberman, La Junta
…
I applaud The Post for its efforts in reporting on the sexual abuse by priests. I also was molested by a priest in Granby who was a “friend” of the family, and have remained silent about it for many years. My silence was due in part to shame and also out of respect for my elderly parents, who are still very committed Catholics. I was saddened by the letter from Lucy S. Lowrey, who wrote in and kept commenting negatively about the “alleged” abuse (July 29 Open Forum). For those of us who were abused by priests, it is much more than “allegations,” it is an everyday reality that has affected our lives greatly, and is a continuing struggle well into adulthood.
Roger Colburn, Strasburg
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Letter-writer Lucy S. Lowrey has apparently no idea how widespread and common it is for Catholic priests to molest children, maybe because Colorado has yet to experience the hundreds of lawsuits that have been brought and settled in other states. She expressed dismay over your paper’s coverage of a 30-year-old case. Let me just say, I couldn’t disagree more, but of course that’s probably because I’m one of the “survivors” of a priest’s molestation. I think I can speak for the thousands of survivors of child molesters who hide in the Catholic Church, waiting to find their next unsuspecting victim. Your neighbor is absolutely correct – he shouldn’t let his sons go anywhere closer to a Catholic priest than attending services in the church or receiving confession, but then only under escort by his parents.
Ben Tarver, Denver
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The story of repeated molestations and cover-up by the Catholic Church in Colorado just makes me sick. The statement by The Rev. James E. Kane – “It’s sad that Father White has to be dragged through this stuff” – is indicative of how the church has always looked at the molestations: Don’t embarrass the perpetrator!
Vivian Taylor, Aurora
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If we had married men for priests, there would be no shortage of clergy, and the archdiocese would not have to deal with the pedophiles, alcoholics and those who cheat and have secret love affairs. If a young man chooses priesthood, why shouldn’t he be privileged to marry? If he chose to remain celibate and not marry, it should be his choice.
Aileen Murphy, Denver
Life (and death) after Roe vs. Wade is overturned
The probable confirmation of John G. Roberts Jr. to the Supreme Court and the (likely) overturning of Roe vs. Wade got me thinking about punishment for those who would be subsequently convicted of ending a pregnancy.
Perusing the various websites of organizations dedicated to the sanctity of stem cells and zygotes, I noticed very little space given in their propaganda to punishment of the miscreant mother or doctor should abortion be banned. A few sites recommended mere counseling for the wayward female and most endorsed a long prison sentence for the surgeon who would violate current Christian dogma by terminating any pregnancy. But there are a few associations that proudly proclaim the gallows as retribution for depraved mother and abortionist alike.
Some “culture of life.” Some “pro-life” stance.
In any event, it seems that the great majority of anti-choice zealots would just as soon let someone else exact retribution for abortion while they go on their merry way prescribing their ethics for mankind on this and other issues.
After Roe, it’s going to be very interesting to read the spin various anti-choice organizations put on the increase of deaths from back-alley and self-induced abortions, not to mention their excuses when it is discovered that rich conservatives are sending their wives and daughters to foreign lands to partake in the forbidden procedure.
In the end it may be prudent to let Roe vs. Wade stand, leaving abortion as an effective “wedge issue” for Republicans, while preserving reproductive choice for women – even for the wives of anti-choice congressmen.
And it may be just as wise for the holier-than-thou set to leave revenge to the gods.
Jan Sershen, Pine Grove
Donation of kidney by Denver attorney’s son
Re: “A Denver power broker’s life-or-death drama,” July 31 business news story.
I read with interest the story of Steve Farber’s journey to a new kidney, as I am a dialysis nurse of 29 years. I am extremely happy for him, and wish him well. He has a great son who stepped in when he was needed, without hesitation.
But for me, the real heroes are those who wait for years on the transplant list, undergoing dialysis either in a center or at home. Indeed, these folks show courage above and beyond as they hang in there, waiting their turn. It’s a difficult life; lucky are those who have family members who are willing to donate an organ for them.
Donated organs are scarce, whether it be kidney, pancreas, liver or any other. Please, don’t hesitate; be an organ donor. It doesn’t cost you anything. Give the gift of life.
Terri Weinkauf, Morrison
Taxes, tax rates and state Referendum C
Re: “ADWATCH: ‘Saving Colorado,”‘ July 31 news story.
The Post’s article is totally misleading about the proposed largest tax raise in Colorado history.
First, The Post wrote that “The ads’ assertion that the referendums do not raise taxes is true insofar as the measures do not increase the state’s tax rate.”
That is a grossly misleading obfuscation in that it compares apples and oranges, speaking as though “taxes” and “tax rates” are the same, which they are not. I could not care less what the “tax rate” is, but I do care grandly what the “taxes” are, in dollars of mine, that the state gets. Referendum C gives the state more of my tax dollars to spend. That is a tax increase.
Second, the article completely ignores the largest part of the tax increase, which, admittedly, is hidden. This occurs because Referendum C would raise forever the base authorization for state tax money spending after 2010 – that is, taxes.
Further, I am absolutely certain that I know better how to spend my money than Gov. Bill Owens, House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and all their nefarious cohorts.
God save TABOR!
Lou Schroeder, Englewood
To kneel or not to kneel
Letter-writer Allen Murphy (July 31) writes, “The Vatican requires all Catholics who do not have a physical impediment to kneel during the consecration.” I suggest that he become more familiar with the teachings of Vatican II.
As a member of Parish Council at an eastern Catholic parish immediately after Vatican II, I was intimately involved in an education program concerning those teachings as our parish undertook the task of planning and building a new church structure to be in compliance with those teachings. The education program was conducted by a series of local, regional and national experts, lay and clergy, on all aspects of Catholic theology, history, liturgy, art and environment, etc. The church was built with no kneelers and under the guidance of a nationally known Catholic Church architect, and is very similar to the Pax Christi Church, as described recently in The Post.
One of the items that was emphasized in the education program was that standing was the proper position for the Eucharistic Prayer, a prayer of celebration. The people were to join with the celebrant in this celebration and should remain standing from the Preface until after Communion and the priest has returned to a sitting position. A few years ago, the Council of American Bishops chose to ignore this teaching from Vatican II and decreed that we should return to the medieval practice of kneeling during the celebration of the Eucharistic Prayer.
Bob Becker, Cortez
Colorado Springs’ evangelical image
Re: “Colo. Springs’ evangelical image out of focus, officials believe,” Aug. 2 news story.
In a story about the image of Colorado Springs, The Post thought it necessary to feature Focus on the Family on the front page. As a former resident of the Springs and former member of the religious right, I am surprised The Post would accede to their insidious agenda.
Any effort to counter the image of Colorado Springs as a city that is not controlled by religious extremists is pathetically naïve. The fact that fewer people claim membership in churches than the national average is insignificant. Not all evangelicals, and not all Christians, go to church. I know. I was one.
But thankfully, not all evangelicals and not all Christians are controlled by the religious right, and a lot of them do in fact lead honorable lives. The fact that such a beautiful city is viewed around the world as an ugly example of social intolerance is unfortunate. But I have no sympathy for a city that directly contributes to its own negative image by electing officials at both the municipal and state levels who espouse the intolerant agenda of the religious right.
We are all deluded if we don’t recognize that Colorado Springs is the center of the ultra-conservative political movement that rules this country, for now.
Gabe Martinez, Lakewood
TO THE POINT: Short takes from readers
Conservatives rant about judges who “legislate from the bench,” but, as in the Terri Schiavo case, do not hesitate to adjudicate from the floor of Congress.
D. Ferrel Atkins, Estes Park
The July 27 news brief “Karen Hughes to lead State Department PR” caught my eye. Her job description: reverse anti-American sentiment around the world. Such a simple job. She just needs to get her buddy, the president, to resign.
Debby McGlathery, Arvada
According to the latest Gallup poll, more than half of Americans believe that President Bush deliberately lied to the American people about his reasons for going to war in Iraq. So, where is the outrage? If Americans truly believe that the president lied about such a serious matter, they should be calling on their senators to begin impeachment proceedings immediately.
Lucinda Gerlitz, Bailey
I was pleased to hear Sen. Ken Salazar has supported a bill that would prohibit victims of violent gun crimes from suing gun manufacturers. I firmly believe in the principles and rights of the Constitution as it was intended, including gun rights. And guess what – I’m a Democrat.
Richard Cope, Denver
After months of scatter-shot attacks on immigrants, Tom Tancredo finally managed, with a large-caliber weapon aimed at Muslims, to shoot himself in the foot. The prognosis is possible long-term damage to his political career. (One can only hope.)
Barbara Martin, Manitou Springs
Tom Tancredo speaks for Colorado as well as the whole U.S. We, the people, are tired of illegal aliens invading, occupying and destroying America. As for it costing too much to deport them, any of these illegals who have assets should have to pay for the trip themselves, and the people who hire them illegally should also have to pay their deportation costs.
S.K. Depoe, Penrose
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