Sen. John Kerry’s comments on troops in Iraq
Re: “‘Botched joke’ referred to Bush’s intellect, Kerry says,” Nov. 1 news story.
My oldest daughter studied hard and did her homework. She also got great grades, which are the kind you need to be successful at the United States Military Academy. She has already served one tour in Iraq with distinction, and will likely be back for a second tour next year. Sen. John Kerry owes people like my daughter and her men a major apology for his indiscreet remarks. Perhaps he should also remember how he modified his Vietnam War service to his advantage. There is a reason he was not elected president.
Art Stiffey, Aurora
…
Let me get this straight: President Bush is demanding an apology from John Kerry? If anyone deserves an apology, it’s the families of the brave military personnel and the journalists who have sacrificed their lives in an ill-advised crusade to advance the agenda of Greedy Oppressive Profiteers who are in control of the Republican money machine that orchestrated the Iraq debacle in the first place.
Tommy Holeman, Boulder
Disproving possible conspiracy on Sept. 11
Re: “Backers hail 9/11 theorist’s speech,” Oct. 30 news story.
This article should have mentioned non-government websites also debunking Sept. 11 conspiracies, such as 911myths.com. Their refutations show how conspiracy arguments typically rest on shoddy evidence cobbled together by amateurs. But celebrated “Sept. 11 truth” experts like physicist Steven E. Jones don’t do any better: Jones omits alternative explanations for his pet theory of a controlled demolition of World Trade Center building 7, namely that measured emissions could have resulted from burning PVC plastics. Overall, if Sept. 11 had been an inside job, a large number of people would have been in the know; don’t tell me none of them would have come forward to unburden their conscience. This debate deflects attention from a political plot for which, in contrast to the Sept. 11 myths, plausible motives and solid published evidence exist: President Bush’s attack on Iraq under false pretenses.
Martin Voelker, Golden
Post’s coverage of CU study on fossil feces
Re: “Inside poop; CU experts in fossilized feces may be first to find proof of worms in dinosaur innards,” Oct. 30 news story.
I was disgusted to see on the front page of Monday’s Denver Post the heading “Inside poop” in half-inch bold print. I expect higher standards than that of you, but you regularly disappoint me. You are part of the vulgarity in which we in America are all immersed.
Hollywood and TV have lowered the standards of decency through the decades, and you endorse their smutty behavior. I rarely watch TV (no cable for me) and occasionally flip the channels, and in the space of three minutes I recently heard four three- and four-letter barnyard words before turning off the set. The coarsening of our language should be an embarrassment to you and to all of us. Our children deserve better from us.
Jean Witte, Lakewood
Nuns’ fines for breaking in to missile facility
Re: “Nuns pay and pay, but not money,” Oct. 25 Jim Spencer column.
The Post once again gives these nuns more print space in their appeal to avoid paying restitution for their crimes in the nuclear missile facility break-in. They chose to break the law and should have thought of the consequences. Their double standard is outrageous.
Someone paid for the fence they destroyed. The taxpayers, perhaps? Did I want my tax money wasted repairing a fence that three nuns decided to destroy? Not really. I would have preferred the tax money feed the homeless, give a child a vaccination or repair a road.
Jim Spencer calls these women religious role models. Real religious role models would have run for public office and effected change through legal processes or staged a protest outside the site without a break-in.
I am a Catholic who graduated from a Dominican-run college. I am ashamed that these women are so dishonest about their decision to commit a crime and bear the consequences. They are not above the law.
Hannah Martin, Englewood
Denver’s new recycling containers too big?
Re: “What’s a mix of purple and green?” Oct. 31 news story.
The new recycling containers are for the City of Denver’s convenience so that it can save money by automating recycling pickups. In old Denver, where most of the houses have no driveways, the container must be rolled down multiple steep steps to the street for pickup. These unwieldy, top-heavy bins present an extreme safety hazard to users. Beyond that, the new, tall, bright purple behemoths are an eyesore to our otherwise neat and nicely maintained neighborhood.
With great regret and after many years of recycling, I have written to the mayor and our City Council representative indicating that we must decline to participate in the new, improved recycling program unless some other alternative is provided. How sad.
Susan Parrino Hester, Denver
Catholic archbishop
Re: “Chaput: Examine abortion stances,” Oct. 24 news story.
Encore, Archbishop Charles Chaput, encore! Would that every bishop in the nation – and in the world – shout to his people, “Act Catholic!” Religion is not like frosting on a cake, to be scraped off at preference. It is like cream in coffee, as impossibly inseparable from life as cream is from coffee, flavoring and enriching every sip.
The archbishop of Denver is informed and involved in life, courageously facing issues with the truth in which he is grounded. Fortunate Denver!
Theresita Polzin, Denver
Where has GOP gone?
As a longtime liberal Democrat, I have to say that I truly miss past Republicans. Where are the former values of government non-intervention and a fiscally sound U.S. budget? Where are the beliefs of Theodore Roosevelt’s fierce independence and conservation ethics, Eisenhower’s sound military leadership and, yes, even George H.W. Bush’s correct budget decision to raise taxes, knowing that he had promised “no new taxes”? Unfortunately, the “new” Republicans have abandoned their former ideologies and our national ship, and I’m sorry that the old ones are gone.
Bruce Huey, Fort Morgan
Mexican border fence
Politicians say we need a wall along the Mexican border to prevent foreigners from taking our low-paying jobs. Some say security is the reason, but they never explain why we suddenly need to protect ourselves from Mexico.
Mexico has been disintegrating for years. It lost Chiapas to the Zapatistas in 1994. The government is fighting indigenous groups for control of Oaxaca. The 2006 election sparked protests that have repeatedly shut down parts of Mexico City. Discontent is turning into revolt. The Zapatista leader is now on a tour of Mexico, challenging the legitimacy of the government.
Building a wall between the U.S. and Mexico is an attempt to prevent cooperation and solidarity with revolutionary movements across the border. It is the old divide-and-conquer trick, veiled behind the thin disguise of racial resentment.
Brian Quade, Denver
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.
