Gay-marriage laws
America’s greatest tragedies are its inability to apply constitutional laws of equality to groups that society did not consider including at the time said amendments were written, and its persistence in discriminating even despite such amendments. Both non-white and female citizens suffered from such short-sightedness. Today, our courts and legislatures refuse to believe that equal protection of the law applies to non-heterosexual citizens. What our country needs, unfortunately, is yet another constitutional amendment to give them what they should already have: equal rights.
Raishel Wasserman, Englewood
Not acting your age
Re: “Despite the denials, 40 is still the same old 40,” July 9 Cindy Rodríguez column.
Poor Cindy Rodríguez. Apparently turning 40 has been so traumatic for her, she now feels it her responsibility to coerce others into believing they should “act their age.”
If I don’t look 62, and don’t feel 62, why should I limit myself on what I can do? Granted, wearing clothes designed for a 20-year-old is something best left to the 20-year-old. Other activities should not be limited simply because I’m not 20 any longer.
Open your eyes, Cindy. Lots of older people are enjoying their lives doing things right along with younger people.
Sharon S. Taylor, Littleton
No conflict of interest
Re: “Regulator rambles; industry foots bills,” July 10 news story.
What was neglected in the article about Public Utilities Commission chairman Gregory Sopkin was the fact that he is a national leader on energy matters, and that is why he is in such demand as a speaker. This is fortunate for Colorado, which benefits from his expertise and the balance he brings to decisions at the PUC. He is open to market solutions like renewable power projects and IGCC clean coal plants.
Innovation in the energy business is very much the province of the private market represented by members of the Colorado Independent Energy Association. Our members have been among the strongest supporters of Amendment 37, renewable projects and IGCC plants. And these are the best solutions for the mercury pollution problem that a Denver Post editorial expressed concern about on the same day (“Mercury: It’s not for dinner”). The irony is that because of the openness of Sopkin and the PUC to bidding, innovation and market solutions, these solutions are now occurring in Colorado in spite of entrenched resistance from utilities.
Nicholas G. Muller, Executive Director, Colorado Independent Energy Association, Denver
Effects of smoking
Letter-writer Kathy Franklin (July 9 Open Forum) asserts that since those “twits” in the statehouse have passed a law banning smoking, they next are going to go after property rights and other personal rights. The connection escapes me. Frankly, I am glad those “twits” had the courage to pass such a law. I have personally witnessed the horrific deaths of three people due to lung disease. All of them were smokers. Now, smokers will say, “But it is our choice.”
True. But those choices are costing us, you and me, enormous amounts of dollars in health care costs. If smokers won’t stop smoking for their own benefit and the benefit of their family and friends, then the rest of society wants them to quit because they are costing us, big-time.
Becky Brady, Arvada
