Bringing attention to the crisis in Darfur
Re: “Step in to save Darfur region,” March 1 editorial.
I thank The Post for your continuing efforts to bring the genocide in Darfur to the attention of your readers. As you point out in your recent editorial, the tragedy is expanding both in intensity and into neighboring regions. The United States, for all of its talk about the need to act to end the genocide, has been curiously ineffective in achieving this goal. For instance, our government had a golden opportunity to make a bold and positive step by using its term as president of the United Nations Security Council to introduce a resolution authorizing the UN takeover of the African Union peacekeeping mission; however, Ambassador John Bolton did not take this action.
On Feb. 17, Sens. Joseph Biden, D-Del, and Sam Brownback, R-Kan., introduced a bipartisan resolution calling for significant NATO assistance to the African Union peacekeeping force and the quick transition to a UN peacekeeping force in Darfur. I hope that Colorado’s senators, Wayne Allard and Ken Salazar, will endorse this resolution, which will help put pressure on the Khartoum government to end its unacceptable policies in the Darfur.
Chip Carnathan, Lafayette
Exemptions to proposed state smoking ban
Re: “Smoking ban needs few exemptions,” March 1 editoriai.
In its editorial, The Denver Post stated it would hate to see the statewide smoking ban bill die. So would I. But I’d also hate to see common sense die as well. I’m a non-smoker. I frequent places where people don’t smoke. But I also have friends and acquaintances who do smoke. They should be able to go out and socialize.
Bars have traditionally been smoky places. I think exempting bars and taverns whose predominant source of income is from alcoholic-drink sales is common sense. As far as employees are concerned, Colorado’s district attorneys haven’t prosecuted a bar owner in quite some time for holding a gun to the heads of potential applicants and forcing them to work there. Employees are free to find a less smoke-filled environment, such as restaurants.
The cultivation, distribution, sale, possession, personal transfer and use of tobacco products is still perfectly legal in the state of Colorado. That being the case, common sense should prevail in a uniform statewide smoking-ban policy.
Peter Gross, Denver
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Your editorial was on the money. Our elected representatives should be supportive of overwhelming public demand not the special-interest lobbies.
I’m tired of clothing reeking of tobacco after a visit to a restaurant or cafe and I don’t agree with the argument that passage will hurt business. On a recent visit to a local establishment, The D Note, which has a no-smoking policy, business was brisk and has been historically. Those wanting to indulge simply step outside and do harm only to themselves.
Ed Crouse, Parker
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I thoroughly support the idea of banning smoking in public indoor spaces. However, I do not support the idea of banning smoking in places such as mom and pop restaurants, bars, bowling alleys and private clubs, and I question the constitutionality of such a ban on something which is not illegal. It sounds like Big Brother to me.
As adults, we have the option of not patronizing places that permit smoking. Businesses should be allowed to write their own smoking rules. Perhaps some casino might choose to advertise itself as a non-smoking place and reap rewards for that action.
M. Putnam, Englewood
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How hypocritical can politicians be? What was once a great bill that represented the overwhelming majority of voters’ desire to eat and drink in a smoke-free environment has been watered down to the point of being worthless. With all the pandering about a foreign war and arguments over how to best use public lands, an obvious health hazard for most Colorado taxpayers has been bought out of existence by a minority whose only interest is in selling more cigarettes and forcing their secondhand smoke into the rest of us.
Shaun A. McMaster, Broomfield
Hypocrisy in support for UAE ports deal?
Let me get this straight. The Palestinians have a free and fair election. Our government is unhappy with the election decision and says that in order for the U.S. to recognize Hamas, it has to recognize the right of Israel to exist and give up terrorism activities and support for terrorism. The U.S. won’t give them any money and will encourage other countries to behave toward them the same way.
Now, we have the United Arab Emirates. They want to acquire the right to operate ports in the U.S. and will pay to do that. But they will also make a lot of money, probably both private and public, for the privilege to do that. The United Arab Emirates does not recognize Israel or its right to exist.
Am I missing something here or is there a logical disconnect? Perhaps the United Arab Emirates has oil and the Palestinians don’t.
Jim Hidahl, Denver
The choices mothers make – or can’t make
Re: “What about those who can’t breastfeed?” Feb. 28 Open Forum.
I was so greatly encouraged by the letter regarding women who are unable to breastfeed, until I reached the line where the writer mentioned that at least she didn’t “plop them down into day care.”
I am so tired of women criticizing other women for the choices they make. We know next to nothing about the lives and beliefs of women, yet we are willing to make assumptions about the decisions they make. Rather than criticize, maybe women could start supporting the decisions made by other women.
Regardless of whether or not women choose to stay home or return to work after having children, they do what they feel is best for their families. There is plenty of research that indicates children do best in school and in life who are raised in loving, attentive homes, regardless of whether their mothers stayed home or worked outside of the home.
Ultimately, parents want what they feel is best for their children. Those decisions are not for the rest of us to judge.
Michelle Lind, Denver
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Letter-writer M. Hahn is missing the big picture when she says, “I couldn’t care less about Senate Bill 167 … . It doesn’t affect my life.” What she doesn’t realize is that the health of children and the economic benefits associated with breastfeeding affect all of us one way or another. Surely, Hahn’s tax dollars support the programs available to women who do not breastfeed, yet purchase baby formula with food stamps. How does this not affect her life?
Nicole Coffelt, Denver
Legislators’ opposition to sex convention
Re: “GOP lawmakers criticize sex convention,” Feb. 28 news story.
Were these lawmakers forced to buy a ticket and see the Sex and So Much More Show at the Colorado Convention Center? If so, I didn’t hear about it. I did not attend the convention, but I’m glad that I could have if I had wanted to. This is a free country, as long as we can keep these zealots from taking away our rights. Furthermore, when will they realize that one of the reasons porn is such a lucrative business in this country is because it remains a taboo? Someone telling us we can’t have something makes us want it even more.
Doug Graen, Denver
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