Cultural differences and measuring achievement
Re: “Lamm’s remarks stir anger,” July 28 news story.
Dick Lamm and I have some major disagreements about the causes of differential minority group success in America. But I’ll say this about my University of Denver colleague: He runs an excellent and inclusive discussion seminar. I discovered this when Dick graciously invited me to address our differences in a graduate public policy class last spring. We had a very respectful and useful dialogue that included many energized students. It was everything a college class on a controversial topic should be.
What’s more striking to me is the difference between the context and substance of public talks we gave on successive Mondays last month. While Dick spoke about minority economic and educational underperformance to 120 presumably well-heeled citizens in Vail on July 24, the previous Monday I spoke about Hispanic and African-American contributions to the great struggle for industrial freedom and workplace justice that culminated in the Ludlow Massacre – to eight people in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church in Glenwood Springs.
This summer, as we scurry to and from relatively safe workplaces and enjoy weekends (and even entire weeks) away from work, it might be good to remember – or study up on – the enormous sacrifices made by minority groups in winning some very basic rights that Americans of all colors today take for granted. Cultural success, and differential achievement, can be measured and explained in many ways. We need public conversations that generate less heat, and more light.
Dean J. Saitta, Denver
– The writer is an anthropology professor at the University of Denver.
The effects of logging after forest fires
Re: “Leave burned forests undisturbed,” July 28 guest commentary.
William L. Baker’s column speaks in opposition to Senate Bill 2079, which would facilitate logging and planting after forest fires, hurricanes or other large disturbances. The column does not mention any measurements or data collection, but makes statements as to the detrimental effects of post-fire logging regarding vegetative recovery, soil movement and other factors. Learned though Dr. Baker and his colleagues may be, these assumptions, without field measurements, are only a best guess.
The use of paired study locations to measure the effects of management activities is traditional in forestry. In this procedure, sample plots are established prior to treatment; half are in the area to be treated and half in the area not treated. Measurement and analysis of the differences between the two sets of plots then provide a sound basis for future management activity. Dr. Baker’s opposition to the proposed legislation without such a study appears shortsighted and unscientific.
The economic effect on local communities is equally as important as the ecology of the forest. Logging the fire-killed trees will affect the number of jobs produced and the number of homes built with the lumber produced. These factors may be far more significant than the amount paid to the government for the trees removed.
Edward J. Gryczan, Lakewood
The world’s policeman
Last week, our top military commanders admitted to a Senate committee that conditions of sectarian violence are getting much worse and that the likelihood of an Iraqi civil war is very possible. The Bush administration’s war against Iraq is a dismal failure and the reasons for going to war in the first place were false. It’s been proven there was no imminent threat to our national security posed by Iraq since there were no weapons of mass destruction. Further, there was no connection between Saddam Hussein and Sept. 11, as implied early on. Attempts to impose Western-style democracy on medieval cultures at gunpoint will not work. Systems will only change when the people will it from within. It’s time to cut our losses and time for the U.S. to turn to the international community for help in finding a solution. This is the approach we’re taking with the Israel-Lebanon conflict, and it’s the approach we should have adhered to with Iraq from the beginning. We cannot continue to assume the burden of world policeman; there are real threats to our national security festering and there are too many domestic needs being unmet due to limited funds.
Larry Carnes, Trinidad
TO REACH OPINION EDITORS
Phone: 303-820-1331
Fax: 303-820-1502
E-mail: openforum@denverpost.com
Mail: The Open Forum, The Denver Post, 1560 Broadway, Denver, 80202
Letters guidelines: The Post welcomes letters up to 200 words on topics of general interest. Letters must include full name, home address and day and evening phone numbers. Letters may be edited for length, grammar and accuracy.
