The importance of using safety belts
Fastening a safety belt is not a personal decision; it’s a legal decision and a personal responsibility. Because citizens don’t always take the personal responsibility to ensure that everyone in the vehicle is buckled, officers spend countless hours and resources enforcing safety-belt laws.
Assuredly, officers would much prefer to handle other incidents than to write safety belt violations. But they are committed to doing everything they can to convince folks to always buckle up. Even if it means writing ticket after ticket, they would no doubt rather do that than to have to knock on one more door to tell a family their loved one is never coming home because they weren’t wearing their safety belt.
So if you really want law enforcement to spend time on other community problems, use common sense, comply with the law, and let the hard-working officers enforce other laws.
Bill R. Watada, Regional Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Lakewood
Funeral for Denver firefighter killed on duty
Re: “Fire hero’s farewell,” May 26 news story.
From the first time I noticed “Portraits of Valor,” I intended to write and thank The Denver Post for doing its part to make this war more personal. Today, I am also feeling such respect for Lt. Richard Patrick Montoya, the fireman who lost his life saving a 16-year-old girl. His story is also a portrait of valor.
Our eldest daughter and her husband, Michael, were married four years ago. A few months ago, Wendy called with great sadness to say that Michael’s best friend, Richard May, had been killed “in the line of duty.” Rich was a police officer in California, and was a member of the wedding party. Upon hearing the news, Wendy and Mike quickly arranged to leave Chicago and be a support base for Rich’s widow and three teenage daughters. Some “punk” on drugs with a police record stole the life of a fine 39-year-old public servant. Like at the funeral of fireman Montoya, fellow officers came from miles away to pay tribute to Rich.
“Killed in the line of duty”: Most professions don’t carry that possibility. “Portraits of Valor”: Each one in his or her own way. I salute them all.
Laurie Beals, Fort Collins
…
As I am writing this letter, I am watching the funeral yet another fallen firefighter, Lt. Richard Patrick Montoya, Denver Fire Department, Station No. 9. Lt. Montoya gave the ultimate sacrifice, his life for another.
Every day, firefighters, police officers, paramedics and emergency service worker all over the world go to their jobs knowing that they, too, may have to give the ultimate sacrifice, and for that, I am grateful.
My condolences go out to the family of Lt. Montoya and his fellow firefighters at Station No. 9.
John (Jake) Johnson, Sterling
Bush’s admission of mistakes in Iraq war
Re: “Bush, Blair admit to mistakes in Iraq war,” May 26 news story.
I burst into tears of relief when I read that President Bush admitted some painful mistakes in Iraq, citing the taunting language he had used. And I cried even more when he admitted the biggest mistake was the abuse of inmates at Abu Ghraib prison. Those tears released the pain I’ve carried since those words and events took place. Thank God the leader of our country finally had the courage to speak up (hopefully from looking into his own soul and not just from political motivation) so the air could be cleared, or made clearer, for many of us.
I would like to see a next step of apology, and I’m hopeful. Until then, I exult in these steps toward returning America to two of her basic strengths – those of decency and civility.
Sandra Hardcastle, Arvada
Who pays for wildfire?
Re: “Wildfire spurs evacuations,” May 29 news story.
According to The Post’s article, the Pine Valley wildfire was caused by a property owner burning slash. So, not only was the culprit burning illegally, but also shockingly irresponsibly, especially considering that the charred landscape of the devastating Hayman fire literally surrounds the town of Pine.
Please tell me that I am wrong in assuming that we, the taxpayers, will foot the firefighting bill, while the firestarter will go scot-free. Should he (or she) not be responsible for all costs and for personally replanting a tree for every tree that was killed?
What am I missing here?
Tim Mullins, Denver
Colo. smoking ban: July 1
Only 30 more days until we can walk into a restaurant with the hostess not asking if we want to sit in smoking or non-smoking. Only 30 more days until we can avoid being seated in a non-smoking section that still gets overwhelmed with secondhand smoke. Only 30 more days until I come home from the bowling alley knowing I don’t need a shower just to be around myself. Only 30 more days before I can go to a sports bar and enjoy a drink and a sporting event. Only 30 more days until Colorado can really be called a healthy state. Only 30 more days until bar, restaurant, bowling alley and bingo hall owners begin to get the other Coloradans’ money they were not getting before. The final step will be for all non-smokers to boycott casinos for six months and see if we can get them to be part of our clean air state.
Paul Bailey, Lakewood
2 cases of indigestion
Re: “Weight to go; Buffaloes defensive tackle Taj Kaynor is eating up the chance to build bulk,” May 25 sports story.
What a sad reflection of our society. The University of Colorado’s Taj Kaynor is featured on the front page of the sports section detailing his ambitious goal of becoming a big football player by stuffing himself with 8,000 calories a day. And at the same time, the World Food Program is cutting food rations because of a lack of funds and starving children in Darfur are receiving 1,200 calories a day. Both these stories should give us all indigestion.
Margaret Sobocinski, Denver
Salazar’s choice: Family time vs. D.C. duty
Re: “Salazar votes for family time; He skips immigration debate to be at daughter’s graduation,” May 26 news story.
How heartbreaking it was to hear that Sen. Ken Salazar nearly missed his flight from Washington to attend his daughter’s graduation, instead of remaining at his job to cast his (our) vote on the immigration reform bill.
Perhaps Salazar should look up the definition of “representative” once more. He was elected to represent his constituency on matters that concern the populace of his state, and ultimately on matters that affect the nation as well. The immigration reform bill grows increasingly pertinent to the voters of this state, and I find it hard to imagine that his action (inaction) “represented” the people of Colorado in the manner they expected when they cast their votes.
I understand his desire to attend his daughter’s graduation. Unfortunately, his responsibility – his duty – as a U.S. senator takes precedence. It’s called sacrifice in service to your country. I, and every other veteran out there, know all about sacrifice in the name of duty. Collectively, we have missed the births of our children, as well as their first steps and first words. We have been away from our loved ones on birthdays and anniversaries, and missed countless holidays.
But unlike Salazar, as painful as it was to miss these events, we did not shirk our responsibilities to our fellow citizens.
Mike Kelvin, Highlands Ranch
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