The changing language of marriage law
Re: “The freedom to choose a spouse,” Jan. 20 Reggie Rivers column.
If we have only one definition of marriage and we legalize same-sex marriage, the same-sex model will prevail. That may seem trivial, but already in Massachusetts, “husband” and “wife” are being replaced with “Spouse A” and “Spouse B,” and “mom” and “dad” are being replaced with “Parent A” and “Parent B.” This shift in legal terminology erodes the traditional legal connection between biology and the rights and responsibilities of parenthood. Already, Colorado courts and law recognize “psychological parents,” though that concept is hardly sufficient to give a child in a same-sex marriage two full parents from birth. The only way to do that would be to recognize that marriage itself confers parenthood. That might lead to unintended consequences. For example, in a marriage between two women, each woman does not need the help or permission of the other to reproduce. Thus, one woman could bear a child against the wishes of her spouse, forcing that spouse into parenthood against her will. We should carefully consider the far-reaching legal and practical consequences before changing our definition of marriage.
Paul C. Robbins, Arvada
Sentence for GI convicted in death of Iraqi
Re: “No jail for Carson GI; Reprimand, loss of pay for Iraqi’s death,” Jan. 24 news story.
On Monday, a military court in Colorado Springs sentenced Chief Warrant Officer Lewis Welshofer Jr. for the killing of Iraqi Maj. Gen. Hamed Mowhoush. Welshofer was “reprimanded” and fined $6,000 for “negligent homicide.” Once again, American justice prevails.
We have seen American justice like this before, in places like Birmingham and Selma, Alabama, in the 1950s. Harper Lee’s novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” details this kind of justice, too. In that story, an all-white jury must decide whether to believe the word of a black man or a white man. The “good old boys” accept the white man’s testimony, of course. This time, the good old boys wore U.S. Army green. After all, how was Welshofer to know that suffocating Mowhoush in a sleeping bag while pounding on him was cruel and excessive punishment that might result in his death?
Holmes Brannon, Woodland Park
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I was pleased to read that the warrant officer who went on trial for the death of an Iraqi general will not be punished too severely. He didn’t restrain himself from doing something that he should have known was wrong, so I deem some punishment for what happened appropriate. But who’s taking to task the whole chain of command for not supervising, training and guiding troops in the field? Start at the top. In the very act of signing a law (Sen. John McCain’s bill prohibiting torture), President Bush declares that he reserves the right to assert at any time of his choosing that the law doesn’t apply to him.
We are in two battles, one against terrorism and the other for the hearts and minds of men and women. We are doing terribly in both.
Lynn Jamison, Lakewood
The rights of business to set smoking policies
Re: “Time has come for a state smoking ban,” Jan. 23 editorial.
The time has come to minimize government’s intervention into private business, not to add more layers of bureaucratic regulations and control. Most business owners are smart, savvy people who can recognize the trends of society and will more than willingly adjust their business practices when those trends begin to affect their bottom line.
The Denver Post touts that the time has come for a state smoking ban. The editorial in Monday’s paper claims that the dangers of secondhand smoke have been documented for decades, yet offers no documentation. It appears that the editorial is nothing more than a bunch of mumbo jumbo based on some junk voodoo science intended to give the public the heebie jeebies over secondhand smoke.
The cigarette smoker is a dying breed (literally), and many business owners recognize this trend. They seem to be policing themselves into providing more and more smoke-free locations, and don’t need the help of government intervention. If Joe’s Tavern allows smoking, and it offends you, then don’t go to Joe’s Tavern. I’m certain that just around the corner you’ll find an even nicer smoke-free bistro or taphouse to enjoy.
J.D. Brown, Aurora
Editor’s note: For information on the effects of secondhand smoke, go to the Centers for Disease Control’s website (www.cdc.gov) and type “secondhand smoke fact sheet” into the search window.
Sports allegiances
Re: “Sure you shouldn’t move?” Jan. 23 Terry Frei column.
Terry Frei is a thoughtful writer, and I think he’s launched an important sports debate about transplanted fans. But after a while, I wasn’t sure which important debate he was taking on.
Everyone can agree that boorish fans are a pain, but that didn’t seem to be Frei’s complaint. Instead, he seems to be arguing that once you move, so should your allegiances. But if loyalties were that flexible, would they even be deserving of the name?
Frei calls lifelong ties to a sports team “one of the beauties of sports,” but then laments that, for instance, Detroit natives living in Denver support the Red Wings. Ditto for Nebraska natives and their beloved football program. But that is the essential nature of fandom – being a fanatic! Take one look at Broncos fans who paint their faces, and you can see there is no middle ground.
Frei then takes on the lack of support for higher education funding in Colorado. This is a noble cause but one that is bigger than the sports pages.
Finally, it seems, Frei’s true concern is the lack of support for the University of Colorado and Colorado State University football programs. As Frei admits, Boulder is not Eugene and Colorado is not Oregon. People in the area have many varied interests, and college sports clearly are not among them.
Steve Costello, Louisville
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U.S. Postal Service
Re: “Our two cents worth,” Jan. 23 editorial.
Your editorial about the increase in the price of postage stamps comes on the same day Ford Motor Company announces restructuring based on the economic conditions and the marketplace. Quite a contrast to the United States Postal Service. What do they do? Raise their prices.
When private industry is faced with loss of volume, they have to adjust their staffing to survive. The USPS is faced with declining volume due to the Internet. Are we citizens going to have to pay more and more as volume continues to decrease? Management is sometimes “thinking outside the box” – innovative solutions. Leadership is sometimes doing what is unpopular. Adding technology and changing methods is important, but there becomes a time when maybe closing post offices in communities is necessary, creating more substations in retail stores, and, yes, even looking at the frequency of delivery for non-business/ metro customers.
I personally don’t need Saturday delivery. Let’s run the USPS like a business.
Bill Ferguson, Buena Vista
Blue vs. blue: The politics of football
The football Gods are smiling upon the Democrats. Blue state Pennsylvania (Steelers) creamed evil red state Colorado (Broncos), while blue state Washington (Seahawks) annihilated the red state North Carolina bumpkins (Panthers). As a Democrat and football fan, I’m all grins. Now don’t tell me about red state Texas (Longhorns) squeaking past blue state California (Trojans) in the Rose Bowl. Pardon the really bad pun, but that was strictly Bush league. And now my dilemma: two blue states in the Super Bowl. What is God trying to tell us? Pat Robertson, please impart your divine wisdom.
Paul Bartlett, Eagan, Minn.
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