Soldier’s trial for death of detainee
Re: “Carson GI convicted in death of detainee,” Jan. 22 news story.
The trial of Chief Warrant Officer Lewis Weishofer Jr. has given me pause to reflect. What have we become? I find it amazing and disheartening that guidance was sought from superior officers on just which type of torture to employ on an enemy captive. What- ever happened to common sense and human decency? I had a similar reaction from viewing news photos of the humiliation of Muslim captives at Abu Ghraib. Is the need to gain information more vital to us than keeping our humanity?
I have been raised to believe that the U.S. is different, a cut above, that respect for human life separated us from primitive societies. There are countless examples of savagery in the news these days, but we had generally set ourselves apart by our sense of fair play. Are we now reduced to the lowest common denominator?
Since Sept. 11, the prevailing attitude seems to be anything goes as long as it’s done in the name of national security, even if it violates our Constitution or the civil rights of our own citizens. This is a scary trend. Where are we headed if we abandon our basic beliefs as a nation, the very beliefs that made us strong?
Matt Vuxinic, Bailey
Samuel Alito’s nomination to Supreme Court
Re: “Salazar to vote no on Alito,” Jan. 20 news story.
Sen. Ken Salazar announced that he will vote against Judge Samuel Alito for justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. In his announcement, the senator said that Judge Alito’s positions will take the Supreme Court “outside the mainstream of American law.” If this is so, then the majority of Americans are out of the mainstream.
Alito was nominated by a Republican president and is considered to be a conservative. Likewise, the majority of Americans are to the right of center (if you use the composition of the U.S. Congress as your measuring stick). Thus, by the reasoning of Sen. Salazar, the majority of American voters are outside the mainstream.
This is absurd. It is the senator, and his fellow Democratic senators who are also voting no, who are so far out of the so-called mainstream that they don’t even realize it. The senator should re-appraise his position and vote to confirm this highly respected, mainstream nominee.
Eric Mayer, Brighton
…
Bob Martinez, head of the Colorado Republican Party, said that because Sen. Ken Salazar will vote against Alito, “Sen. Salazar is nothing more than a partisan pawn … .” I think he has it wrong. Salazar made his decision once he had studied Alito’s record and after the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings. Republican Sen. Wayne Allard announced his decision to support Alito two months ago. It strikes me that deciding two months before any records are available or testimony heard is being the pawn. I prefer my senators to be informed before they make decisions.
Bill Murphy, Idaho Springs
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Re: “Salazar puts own stamp on Alito voice,” Jan. 22 Diane Carman column.
Diane Carman says Sen. Ken Salazar’s decision to vote against Judge Samuel Alito’s Supreme Court confirmation shows the senator’s independence. She notes the senator saying Judge Alito is “a judicial activist on the extreme right wing.” Huh? Judge Alito is the most qualified applicant to the Supreme Court in its history. Ask the American Bar Association. The senator says most Colorado voters agree with him. Not the voters I know. Salazar has fallen into Teddy Kennedy’s hip pocket. Next election, let’s vote for a senator from Colorado, not one from Massachusetts.
Charles Newton, Highlands Ranch
Fight over historic designation in Greeley
Re: “Historical proposal splits Greeley,” Jan. 23 news story.
I suggest Brad Swift of the Cranford neighborhood in Greeley take a day trip and visit the Bonnie Brae neighborhood in Denver. When he does, he’ll see firsthand what the lack of historic district designation will accomplish, and it ain’t pretty.
Several years ago, Bonnie Brae was slated to become a historic district. The majority of homeowners rejected the proposal for the exact reasons Cranford states – namely the inability of homeowners to make their own decisions on exterior home improvements.
Today, Bonnie Brae is one big construction site. What was once a beautifully unique neighborhood featuring architectural variety, winding roads, mature trees and gorgeous gardens is now a sea of stucco and fake rock siding. Across from our 1939 Tudor has risen a hideous “Mediterranean Masterpiece” (the developer’s descriptor, not mine), a gigantic blob of mixed-up materials featuring a 6-foot wall surrounding the teeny, tiny yard. A 50-year-old oak tree was destroyed in order make way for this eyesore.
It’s too late for Bonnie Brae. I encourage homeowners in all the Front Range historic neighborhoods to give serious consideration to the guidelines put forth by historic designation. This is a young state, and without the preservation of the older, original neighborhoods, all we’ll have left are beige stucco houses in homogenous neighborhoods.
Diane Vertovec, Denver
Under where?
Re: “Lads in plaid making waves,” Jan. 18 news story.
The question of what Scots wear under is unimportant – and indeed impolite. Doggone it, I know I’d be “kilt” if I got down for a Scottie’s eye view. Of greater import to me, as a deaf person, is why the word “plaid” is pronounced “plad.” Why does is not rhyme with “played” or “maid”? Or even with “said”? Answers from canny Scots?
Meanwhile, since I’m fit to be tied, I’ll stick to wearing tartan ties.
David A. Anthony, Boulder
East Colfax zoning
Re: “Of vice and yen: Get real about Colfax,” Jan. 23 David Harsanyi column.
I have an answer to the question David Harsanyi poses about why residents are not happy about a new McDonald’s in their neighborhood. As someone who grew up in Park Hill, attended East High School and regularly eats and visits different spots on Colfax, I feel qualified to answer this question. Residents do not want a new McDonald’s because it does nothing to improve our neighborhood. What the neighborhood would have liked to have seen was a nicer restaurant, small shops or some other type of business that would promote the feeling of a neighborhood instead of a strip. We were looking for things that would generate a safer community, and small, family- owned businesses have a way of serving as the building blocks for just that atmosphere.
So while the smell of the trash and fried food may be offensive, the real point of distress is that we are being zoned out of creating a safe, enjoyable focal point for our neighborhood.
Lisa Bianco, Denver
Inevitability of abortion
Re: “Is Roe vs. Wade ‘settled law’?” Jan. 20 Open Forum.
I understand Kathy Cain’s letter and agree that abortion is bad. Personally, I don’t know anyone who actually likes abortion. Whether it is lawful or just morally objectionable is not really the point. We have to face the fact that abortion is forever. No law will stop it, ever. Roe vs. Wade just provides a sterile, clinical choice for what is for most people a morally offensive procedure.
Doug Duncan, Aurora
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