Senate ban on torture
Re: “Senate adds torture ban to funding bill,” Oct. 6 news story.
I just wanted to publicly congratulate Sen. Wayne Allard on being one of nine senators in the United States who voted for torture during Wednesday’s vote on an amendment to this year’s military spending bill. While 90 senators wisely voted to ensure detainees or prisoners of this “war on terror” not be subjected to inhumane or cruel treatment, Allard voted against setting strict standards.
How else can he embarrass Colorado?
Mike Sattler, Littleton
Busy forests, no funding
Re: “Nurtured nature,” Oct. 2 news story.
The Post’s article was a wakeup call on the all-but-unnoticed chaos that is overtaking Colorado’s national forests. Out of sight, out of mind, our national forests are slowly being crushed by a juggernaut of budget cuts and unmanaged use. Where quiet camping and hiking used to be the norm, Colorado’s backcountry is becoming a noisy, high-traffic urban zone. Trails and campgrounds that used to be havens of respite are empty of Forest Service personnel due to staff cuts and starved budgets, and are degrading into misuse and abandonment.
The article tellingly evokes the factors that are squeezing our forests to death: too many people, too little money, forced cuts in personnel and essential services. Surely our leaders in Congress and the Bush administration will not let these ruthless budget cuts stand. Where are we as a society when we allow federal deficits combined with blatant military spending to steal away our birthright: the natural heritage of Colorado’s national forests?
Sara Duniven, Longmont
Poker tournaments
Re: “Poker tourneys a risky bet,” Oct. 2 business news story.
Poker players present a positive impetus for pubs in Colorado, and state Attorney General John Suthers should recognize that most poker games are games of skill with an element of chance, not merely games of chance. You’ve got to know when to hold them and when to fold them to be truly successful with most variations of poker.
Our state has a proud and colorful history associated with the game of poker, and our leaders should embrace it and capitalize upon it. The days of the Wild West – where the likes of Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp played poker in small-town saloons – still reverberate in the minds of many throughout the state and across the nation. Our politicians could better serve their constituents, and boost our economy, by completely legalizing the game rather than looking for ways of shutting it down.
J.D. Brown, Aurora
Guns and gun laws
Re: “Who is responsible in shooting by 14-year-old?” Oct. 5 Open Forum.
I find it telling that letter-writer Tom Mauser proposes we pass new laws restricting firearms before authorities “thoroughly investigate” how 14-year-old Eric Stoneman acquired his mother’s pistol. I, too, used to support gun control – until I thoroughly investigated the matter. I suppose Mauser spends too much time proposing legislation anytime someone dies to bother with investigating.
Morgan Johnson, Centennial
