John McCain’s support for torture ban
Re: “Bush bows to ban on U.S. torture,” Dec. 16 news story.
Where does one go to vote for Christian Man of the Year? Sen. John McCain’s relentless conviction and action concerning the torture issue reveals the precise response to the question we ask ourselves: What would Jesus do? McCain stood down the greatest superpower in the world in the cause for human dignity – for all humans. It also underscored the lip-service Christian values of this present administration.
The depth of one’s Christian virtue is not judged by how you treat those you love, but the depth of dignity you reveal to your enemies. That stance is what makes being a Christian and/or a Democratic nation so tough, but the struggle is well worth the reward in personal and international credibility.
Michael R. Duran, Denver
Vice president’s appearance in Iraq
Re: “Vice president goes to Iraq,” Dec. 19 news story.
Two and a half years since the invasion and occupation of Iraq, our vice president must still sneak into the country, due to concerns of being targeted for attack. Recent reports of other high-level administration officials visiting Iraq also note that their arrivals are not announced, due to security reasons. I believe this highlights the disaster that continues to be Iraq. When officials cannot announce ahead of time their travel intentions to Iraq, we know that the conditions continue to be unstable. I wonder when the leadership of this country will acknowledge that this war was a colossal blunder. The U.S. must have a concrete plan to exit Iraq.
James Frye, Aurora
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I hope supporters of the president who saw his speech Sunday evening on Channel 9 stayed tuned to what followed. Tom Brokaw’s “To War and Back” depicted seven young soldiers who went together to Iraq. One returned in a coffin, and the rest were maimed physically and/or mentally – possibly for life. This war was sold to Congress and the rest of us as necessary to deal with weapons of mass destruction. That pitch failed, so the billing was switched to the War Against Terror. When that failed, it was named the War to Bring Democracy to Iraq. This president has bungled it all. How much more can this nation endure?
Marvin Malk, Aurora
Profiles of servicemen killed in Iraq
Re: “Portraits of Valor,” periodic profiles of Americans killed fighting in Iraq.
Thank you for continuing to print the Portraits of Valor. It would be so easy to simply glance at the photos as I am scanning the newspaper for stories that are important to me, and perhaps that is what I did at one time. I don’t know when this began, but I now read each and every word about each and every servicemember. My son, a Marine, returned safely from a tour of duty in Ramadi, as my father did from Utah Beach, and I feel it is the least I can do to honor and respect these men and women who are tragically gone forever from their loved ones’ lives. I find it interesting to note the diverse socioeconomic backgrounds represented in these short biographies. These veterans truly represent all of us, just as veterans have over the centuries.
Claire Trotter, Broomfield
Cuban baseball team
Re: “U.S. bars Cuba from World Baseball Classic,” Dec. 15 sports brief.
I am a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Cuba. The U.S. veto of Cuba in the World Baseball Classic is another case of this nation acting like a bully. The U.S. needs to show the way of a true democratic and free society by inviting the Cuban team with open arms to participate. The U.S. should not let the personal agenda of a few anti-Castroites based in Miami with clout in Washington, D.C., dictate foreign policy. I am confident that if the Cuban baseball team would participate, several of the team’s members would defect, causing embarrassment for the Cuban government. The Cold War is over, we trade with China, time to move forward.
Arturo Gómez-Cruz, Denver
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Re: “Squeeze play on Cuban team,” Dec. 19 editorial.
The Denver Post called it right – a bonehead ruling. The Bush team struck out not only in ruling out Cuba from playing in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006. By siding with the wealthy Cuban insurgents in South Florida, Bush further alienates virtually all of the countries in the Western hemisphere and other nations overseas that are friendly and trading with Cuba. The U.S. needs more friends, not more enemies. Restoring the long-dead Good Neighbor policy toward Latin America would do more than all the billions of dollars and human lives we have spent in Iraq ostensibly to protect the world from terrorism.
Dean Farringer, Denver
Intelligent design ruling
A U.S. district judge has ruled that it is unconstitutional to teach the theory of intelligent design in science classes. In the days to come, there will be much gnashing of teeth and shaking of fists, but let’s not lose sight of this critical point: The Christian majority can have it their way! In their infinite wisdom, our Founding Fathers crafted a way to avoid “tyranny of the minority.” The U.S. Constitution’s amendment process is available to a wronged majority. In fact, that is their only recourse. If you don’t like the judge’s pronouncement, pass a constitutional amendment. Barring that route, keep your mouth shut.
Clarence Williams, Monument
Colorado Wildlife Commission appointments
Re: “Conflict of interest looming,” Dec. 18 Charlie Meyers column.
Charlie Meyers’ column is solid, useful journalism that serves the interests of Colorado citizens. One would hope that a groundswell of public reaction will follow and change the ridiculous way by which members of the Colorado Wildlife Commission are selected and appointed. Handing that political cake and candy to a governor, particularly here where sweet- tooth gamesmanship brazenly permeates Colorado, is as outdated and senseless as the Mining Law of 1872. Unless and until new state legislation is enacted to give officials of leading Colorado hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation organizations exclusive authority to screen, nominate and reject all candidates for the Wildlife Commission, the time-worn crony system will continue to infuriate resident hunters and anglers, if not Division of Wildlife professionals.
George Sura, Fort Collins
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