Punishment, forgiveness in death of cyclist
Re: “A teen’s penance,” March 2 news story.
The piece by Joey Bunch regarding Patrick Sims and his restitution for
the fatal accident was heartbreaking. The fact that the family of cyclist
Jim Price was able to forgive this young man for such a horrendous mistake
is a true gift to Patrick.
I applaud the judge in this case and the family of Price for recognizing that sending this boy to jail would have been a complete waste of his life and that imposing the sentence of community service and house arrest is a much better way for him to make restitution in this situation. If he can make just one other person think about the consequences of being distracted by cellphones or other gadgets while driving, then the purpose of his sentencing has been served.
Unfortunately, there by the grace of God go any of us.
Denise Gibbons, Denver
…
Patrick Sims is certainly to be congratulated for his courage, willingness to accept responsibility for his actions and for his humbleness. The Price family also deserves our respect and admiration for their actions since the loss of their husband, father and grandfather.
As adults, we all set examples for our children and grandchildren. Patrick’s parents and the Prices are exemplary role models. It is most unfortunate that the cyclists who listened to Patrick’s speech – and James Shankles, an advocate for mandatory jail time for careless drivers – cannot be as forgiving and kind. They are more concerned with vengeance than in helping our youth grow into productive citizens. Hopefully, for their own sakes, these people will continue to be perfect and their family members will follow suit. It might come as quite a shock to them if they err and have to face up to their mistakes.
Love and forgiveness need to always be present for peace in this life. Patrick has my admiration and very best wishes for a very long, happy and successful life.
Bobbie Chiles, Centennial
In defense of state Sen. Deanna Hanna
Re: “Legislators apologize as ethics issues roil,” Feb. 28 news story.
Politics has a lot of rough edges because of inadequate pay to legislators, little state money for running their offices, and high costs of campaigns. A lot of money from special interests is given “under the table.” Deanna Hanna is my state senator, and I have seen that she is fair, compassionate, knowledgable and honest. Perhaps she was expecting the Colorado Association of Realtors to keep their word during the last campaign. Her choice of words to them was unfortunate. She has apologized. This particular issue is now public, but very small on the scale of money contributions overall. Hanna has served the people of Colorado well; we should accept her apology and let her get on with her good work in the Senate.
Joel Leventhal, Lakewood
Deal to sell control of ports to Arab country
Re: “Globalization for everyone – except Arabs,” March 2 guest commentary.
Mohammed Akacem misses the big picture. He claims that the opposition to Dubai Ports World buying a British company and taking over the management of six U.S. ports is “nothing short of racist.” While there may be something “racist” about the whole ordeal, the bigger picture is that it is not in the United States’ interest to have a foreign country own U.S. assets, whether the foreign country is Arab or not. The opposition to Dubai Ports World is not about racism, but about national security.
Jonathan Davis, Denver
While Sen. Hillary Clinton is pillorying President Bush on the United Arab Emirates ports deal, Bill Clinton is advising Dubai officials on how to pass scrutiny and how to close the deal. Old Bill is also trying to get Dubai to hire his crony, Joe Lockhart, as a PR adviser. The mind boggles to think of Hill as prez and Bill as first man, morphing into another evolution of “Billary” and managing both sides of every issue into gridlock.
C. Paul Davidson, Littleton
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