Comparing libraries
A recent national survey concluded that Seattle residents buy more books per capita than people living in any other U.S. city. Credit is given in part to a strong library system in the city and surrounding King County. Seattle spends money on its libraries. In 1998, voters passed a bond issue to support expansion of 24 branch libraries and to fund the construction of the Rem Koolhaas-designed Central Library. Last week, the city agreed to spend $2.8 million of additional city funds to expand Sunday hours at all libraries, extend evening hours at the downtown main library, and reopen all libraries which have been closed Monday and Tuesday mornings. I would like to see Denver make the same commitment.
George Hagevik, Denver
Salazar’s take on Alito
Focus on the Family’s half-page advertisement (Dec. 6) attacking Sen. Ken Salazar for his position on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito was unprofessional and inappropriate for an organization that states on its website that it believes government “exists to maintain cultural equilibrium and to provide a framework for social order.”
The reason Salazar questions Alito’s qualifications has to do with maintaining balance and order on Supreme Court cases involving civil rights, women’s rights, and affirmative action. It has to do with preserving the mainstream position on the court. Salazar’s concerns have nothing to do with how much experience Alito has or how many crimes he’s prosecuted. The senator, for very good reasons, questions the judge’s ability to leave his far-right ideology in the cloakroom before he steps into the courtroom.
Linda Posson, Fort Collins
A holiday checklist
Here’s my holiday checklist:
1. Don’t go anywhere near churches or other religious events, as is my right.
2. Don’t prevent anybody from going to said churches or events – or from worshipping, or not worshipping, as they want to.
3. Don’t go anywhere near Wal-Mart.
4. Spend time with family and friends.
5. Exchange a few gifts, hopefully ones that benefit organizations that do good.
6. Watch lots of football.
7. Greet everybody pleasantly, whether they say “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays,” “Hi!” or nothing at all.
8. Don’t take any flack from the people who are spending all their time recently saying that people like me are the problem.
Chris Jenner, Denver
New air-security rules
Re: “TSA to ease small-tool ban,” Dec. 1 news story.
It is amazing to see the Transportation Security Administration rush to allow knives, screwdrivers and wrenches aboard passenger aircraft in the United States. Were not the 19 mass murderers of Sept. 11 armed the same way? Is the TSA taunting al-Qaeda to try again?
More secure cockpit doors, increased air marshal presence and a lack of attacks in the U.S. are no justification to shift resources to looking for explosives. Add more screeners and screening technology to find explosive contraband instead of surrendering to the supposed nuisance of keeping edged weapons off airplanes. I truly cannot believe the memories of the victims and heroes of Sept. 11 are already fading from the government agency sworn to protect aviation.
Matthew Hayes, Aurora
