Debating the future of immigration in America
Re: “Immigration: accentuating the positives,” March 23 David Harsanyi column.
David Harsanyi bombed by falsely and glibly referring to the supposed “widely discredited idea of a population bomb.”
Because of mass immigration-driven overpopulation pressures, we are irreversibly bulldozing tens of millions of acres of land, including prime farm land, mining into extinction our underground aquifers, and pock-marking and polluting our state with an unnecessary energy depletion binge. That’s very bad news for future generations of Americans and Coloradans among whom the bomb will ultimately explode.
Dr. Albert Bartlett, the venerable University of Colorado professor emeritus of physics, is one of the country’s leading experts on the inherent unsustainability of continuous population growth. For decades, Bartlett has posed, without respectable challenge, the following: “Can you think of any problem in any area of human endeavor on any scale, from microscopic to global, whose long-term solution is in any demonstrable way aided, assisted, or advanced by further increases in population, locally, nationally, or globally?”
I look forward to Harsanyi, in an upcoming column, responding to Bartlett’s challenge.
Mike McGarry, Lakewood
The writer is director of the Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform.
…
David Harsanyi says his parents immigrated here, therefore immigration must continue now. Fifty years hence, the children of today’s immigrant flood could use the same reasoning. And when the nation reaches a population of 1 billion at the turn of the next century – due to unremitting immigration – the influx will still have to continue because it’s a “great tradition.” By this logic, once you allow any immigration, you have to allow it to continue in perpetuity, no matter how conditions may have changed. Sounds like a good argument against allowing any immigration in the first place.
Paul Nachman, Bozeman, Mont.
Remembering Rwanda by defending Darfu
In approximately two weeks, we will remember the 12th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, and promise that we will “never again” allow genocide to happen on our watch. Yet, in these weeks, thousands will die in the ongoing genocide in Darfur, where the Sudanese government and its janjaweed militias have successfully destroyed 80 percent to 90 percent of the villages. As the humanitarian crisis deepens and security collapses in the western region of Sudan, the genocide has expanded into neighboring Chad, where the janjaweed are systematically slaughtering targeted ethnicities. The international community has a responsibility to protect people from genocide. The government poised to initiate international action is that of the United States, giving each of us a unique power to protect. Let us remember Rwanda by defending Darfur.
Carl Christopher, Wheat Ridge
Defibrillators for life
Re: “Parents push for lifesaving gear,” March 21 news story.
As a teacher, I am hoping that the Schmidts are successful in their campaign to get automatic external defibrillators in every school. Kudos to the businesses that have already contributed to their efforts. I was stunned to discover that this priceless piece of equipment is rarely found in a school setting. There is an obvious need, as in the cases of the two boys dying on school grounds where one of these machines could have meant all the difference.
If only more schools and principals would have the sense to make the time to ensure all teachers, not just the coaches, were updated on their first aid and CPR certificates. (Often, the teacher is expected to spend his or her own money and time to get certified, even though certification is required for certain positions.) As our instructor stated, within three years there have been a number of changes to the techniques employed in lifesaving efforts. If we all knew these methods and all had access to a defibrillator, teachers or anyone else, a young life or two could be saved.
Anthonette K. Klinkerman, Castle Rock
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