NCAA scholarships for female athletes
Re: “NCAA rescinds boosts to Div. I scholarships,” Jan. 8 sports brief.
According to the Denver Post sports page, the NCAA decided to reverse Division I “scholarship increases approved last year.” The Post called the decision a “victory” for smaller schools, which are unable to offer large (or any) financial packages for stellar athletic performers, and may now have a larger pool of interest from high school athletes. Still, guess which scholarship programs were cut: women’s gymnastics, volleyball and cross country-track and field. Where is Title IX? The NCAA should increase women’s and men’s scholarships and sports opportunity to men’s and women’s sports programs at equal rates. The president of the NCAA, Myles Brand, called the decision “democracy at work.” I think we need a new NCAA board that will uphold equal opportunity for young female and male athletes.
Courtney Hibbard, Denver
Post’s series on soldiers returning from Iraq
Re: “Home Front,” Jan. 8-12 series.
Thank you for being forthright enough to print the in-depth interviews on the front page about the experiences of returning servicemen and women re-entering life here after their tours in Iraq.
Too often we see only eulogies for those killed in action, who deserve to be recognized for their heroic acts. We do not always hear about those, equally heroic, who serve but struggle with “reality.”
They also deserve our thanks for putting their lives, dreams and families on hold while risking their existence each day they are gone.
Alice Silver, Highlands Ranch
…
Is this “Let’s run stories about disaffected soldiers” week? I doubt many mainstream Americans can identify with former GI Jeff Englehart, who lavishes his laptop and rooms with anti-Christian, anti-American and revolutionary symbolism. He chooses to crudely juxtapose himself against the mainstream to encourage anger, not understanding. And yet somehow he is granted the credibility that comes from a headline story? This article is perhaps worthy of back-page news in the Sunday Lifestyles section – at best.
Robin J. Kearney, Littleton
…
Thank you for your picture account and story about Jeff Englehart. When he made public charges that U.S. forces used incendiary white phosphorus on Iraqi civilians, no one reported information about his political beliefs and agenda. He seemed credible even though none of his fellow soldiers backed his story. Your pictures of him standing by an upside-down American flag, an anti-Christian sign, a Che Guevara poster, and refusing to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance describe who this guy really is. His association with the Socialist Worker after the organization saw his blog is also important information. Too bad no one reported about his activities during his white phosphorus story because his honesty and credibility would have been questioned.
Stephen Cohn, Northglenn
Importance of stock show to families, ranchers
Re: “Cruelty at National Western Stock Show,” Jan. 11 Open Forum.
What’s really sad is that a letter- writer took the time to write in and complain about an event and a way of life that she knows absolutely nothing about.
The National Western Stock Show & Rodeo is a big event for many families, and it deserves the respect of the local media. It’s an opportunity for Mom and Dad to take the kids to see the animals up close, in person. It’s an opportunity to see the skills of hard-working farmers and ranchers who, when not working to feed their families and the rest of America, are rodeoing.
As a guy who comes from a generation of farmers, I take offense to the comments about animal cruelty. People I know who participate in rodeo competitions would never harm their horses. These animals are treated like a member of the family.
As far as the calves and steers, yes, they will eventually end up in the slaughter house. It’s called the cycle of life.
I have a little piece of advice for the letter-writer: Leave the hard-working farmers, ranchers and their proud traditions alone.
Corey Magstadt, Aurora
Why Hick shouldn’t run
History does not treat kindly a captain who abandons his ship in the middle of a battle. That is precisely what Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper would be doing if he decided to run for governor. His most important job right now is the reformation of the police department and city government. He has done a good job of getting the ball rolling, but his continued leadership is required to complete the reforms. His homeless initiative also requires ongoing mentoring from the top for it to be successful.
Reuben Espinosa, Denver
Just the facts
Re: “Who, what, where, why; not what next,” Jan. 11 Al Knight column.
Al Knight got it right. Reporters and the news agencies they serve should base their coverage on demonstrable fact and leave alarmist speculation to the editorial pages. Curiously, Knight fails to mention the most glaring example of irresponsible reporting in recent memory, when the mainstream media mindlessly repeated George Bush’s warnings about “weapons of mass destruction” without examining the specious “evidence” used to support them. Just think how much better off we’d be now if the press had fulfilled its proper role then.
A.J. Hill, Nederland
“Religious right”
Re: “Latest remarks from evangelist Robertson,” Jan. 10 Open Forum.
Letter-writer Janice Mowry referred to Pat Robertson as “the spokesman for the religious right.” Robertson is not the spokesman for the “religious right.” No one else is the spokesman for the “religious right,” for no such group exists. The term “religious right” was coined by liberals to demean Christians with views more conservative than their own, while boastfully labeling themselves as “progressives.” The term “religious right” is just as inaccurate and imprecise as the term “atheistic left.” Evangelical Christianity is a far more appropriate term, describing the beliefs and practices of millions of Christians within many denominations and non-denominations. Our viewpoints are not fueled by hate. They are fueled by the words of the Old and New Testaments.
Jim Sutton, Greenwood Village
Laws restricting pit bulls and sex offenders
What do pit bulls and sex offenders have in common? Both have to register, and if state Rep. Ted Harvey has his way, both will be restricted in where they can live.
Both groups are condemned by their label even though the majority of pit bulls never attack anyone and the majority of sex offenders do not reoffend after serving their time and going through mandatory treatment.
So when will Colorado and its representative legislators stop their knee-jerk reaction to the rare pit- bull attacks and the rare but highly sensationalized Brent J. Brents case? What other groups are we going to segregate and isolate?
Roberta Ponis, Arvada
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