Black community’s appraisal of candidate Ritter
Re: “Blacks still sizing up Ritter,” Aug. 7 news story.
The Post’s article is well-rounded but a waste of good ink. Eighty to 90 percent of the black community will vote for Bill Ritter for governor in November. The insignificant 10 percent of black voters who do not vote for Ritter will not determine whether or not Ritter defeats Bob Beauprez. So it doesn’t matter if blacks, whites or any other group size up Ritter. Like all Democratic candidates, Ritter already has the black vote. Prejudiced comment? No. Statistical and historically inarguably so. Gimme a break. What are black voters going to do – vote for Beauprez?
Scott Johnson, Gunnison
…
I believe most people are capable of thinking for themselves; they don’t need community leaders to tell them how to vote. Therefore, it is unfortunate that the news media continue to perpetuate the myth that blacks will vote how their community leaders say. So, for the independent-thinking blacks and others, please consider all of your choices for governor.
Libertarian candidate Dawn Winkler is the only gubernatorial candidate who believes in a woman’s right to choose. Plus, she supports a parent’s right to choose their child’s education and how their education dollars are spent. And she believes in holding all people to the same standards under the law regardless of their position in the community. In addition, she supports major reform of our judicial and prison system. And, most important, Dawn favors limited government because she recognizes that big government programs force people to become indentured servants to the programs and the community leaders behind them.
Free-thinking people can send a clear message regarding their disapproval of “Bill and Bob” by voting for Dawn Winkler for governor.
Dan Cochran, Windsor
Coverage of local Tri for the Cure triathlon
It was with great disappointment that I found no coverage of the Tri For The Cure event held this past Sunday.
More than 3,000 women participated in this event, raising more than $90,000 for the Susan G. Komen foundation. Add to that the supporters who showed up at Cherry Creek Reservoir in the early hours Sunday, and you have a crowd of 5,000 caring people. Women’s sports are given lip services by the newspapers and TV media, but this event went beyond just a sporting exercise. Those women trained countless hours to participate in this event, demonstrating the selfless caring and commitment that are much-needed in today’s society. That the Denver media, including The Denver Post, so glaringly ignored the entire event is a sad comment on the good that happens in our city every day.
Sharon Langfeldt, Westcliffe
Is bigotry widespread in Hollywood?
Re: “Hollywood bigotry isn’t uncommon,” Aug. 4 Cal Thomas column.
I found the column by Cal Thomas on Hollywood bigotry interesting, to say the least. Thomas cites three movies to prove his case that “it is always open season on Catholics and conservative Protestants, political conservatives, Republicans and pro-lifers” in Hollywood.
I will set aside the fact that “The DaVinci Code” was a tremendously best-selling novel long before Hollywood got its hands on it. And since any book that sold 40 million copies has obvious potential to be a blockbuster movie, I am not sure how you can blame “Hollywood” for discrimination since the plot outline was created long before anyone in Hollywood ever saw it.
But Thomas elaborates on Hollywood’s “problems” by describing the plot from the movie “The Priest.” Why he would pick out a movie from 12 years ago in order to make a point about Hollywood today is a bit of a mystery to me. And why he would pick a movie that no one ever saw is a further puzzle.
But perhaps the most intriguing fact is that since “The Priest” is a British movie, it cannot possibly be cited as evidence of anything Hollywood. If the British film industry is prejudiced against Catholics, then why didn’t he write that column?
Michael Black, Durango
If high school students can build a hybrid
Think hybrid cars are slow, boring toys for snooty treehuggers? Think again. A hybrid built by West Philadelphia High School sports 350 horsepower and does 0-60 mph in 4 seconds – as fast as a new Corvette. Called the K-1 Attack Hybrid, it’s a diesel-electric that gets 50 miles per gallon.
Listen up, Detroit. Nobody wants to pay a huge premium for a hybrid SUV barely getting better mileage than the base version. But the hybrid technology is good for more than just improving mileage. Add a 200-horsepower electric motor and lightweight lithium-ion batteries to a car and it’s like a shot of nitrous. Want power? You got it. Without killing you at the gas pump.
In fact, instead of letting the diesel recharge the battery pack you emptied drag-racing to work, plug it in at night and save even more on fuel. Research has shown that plugging in at night really does save money and fuel. Electricity generation is still cleaner and cheaper than the cleanest car engines – even if the source is coal.
West Philadelphia High School has shown that we can have our cake and eat it too – so why won’t Detroit give it to us?
Mark Woolston, Fort Collins
Use of the word “pimp”
I was off put by The Post’s use of “PIMP YOUR DORM ROOM!” at the top of the front page of Thursday’s paper. It’s clear what you meant to say, and that you intended to use the vernacular. However, in the frenzy newspapers all over the country are engaged in to lure and retain subscribers, this type of pandering is a dubious move. It would have been less offensive if the phrase “pimp up” had been used, in quotes, in the text of the article.
I am reminded of my all-time favorite headline from The Onion: “Lowest Common Denominator Continues to Plummet!” Newspapers, like all of us, have the responsibility to lead; the use of this phrase is sleazy.
Cynthia Merrill Tamny, Golden
West Denver bridge
Re: “High-level linkup,” Aug. 9 business news story.
In its coverage of the new Highland bridge, The Post wrote a nice story about the reinvigorated Platte Street, but forgot to highlight the most important aspect of the bridge: the neighborhood on the other side.
For the past two years, the independent merchants along upper 15th Street have been transforming their neighborhood into a quaint destination for upbeat salons, cafes, boutiques and artists. Without this vital neigborhood (created by true Denver pioneers), the Highland bridge would be a bridge to, well, nowhere.
Jay Solomon, Owner, Jay’s Patio Cafe, Denver
In defense of Taser use
Re: “Suspect dies after struck by Taser,” Aug. 6 news story.
It is surprising to see how often law enforcement is questioned about using Tasers. Maybe it is time to take another look at the situation. An officer of the law yells for you to stop, and you make the choice to run or resist even though you’ve been told to stop once or maybe numerous times. These officers have put their lives on the line to protect us. How is the officer supposed to know what you are going to do next?
People need to start taking responsibility for their own actions and quit blaming others for their mistakes. You choose to defy the law, you pay the penalty.
Thank you to all the officers everywhere who are protecting our lives.
Denise Puckett, Montrose
TO REACH OPINION EDITORS
Phone: 303-820-1331; Fax: 303-820-1502; E-mail: openforum@denverpost.com (only straight text, not attachments)
Mail: The Open Forum, The Denver Post, 1560 Broadway, Denver, 80202 or PO Box 1709, Denver, 80201
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.
Archives: Missed your favorite columnist or the latest Mike Keefe cartoon? Archives available at The Denver Post Online (www.denverpost.com)
