Election problems and the mayor’s leadership
The Denver Election Commission made the Three Stooges look like a precision drill team on Tuesday. The only positive outcome I see that is due to a direct result of the commission’s work is the opportunity to increase my godsons’ vocabulary as we research the synonyms for words like “debacle,” “pathetic,” “embarrassing” and “reprehensible.”
It is my greatest hope, though, that two years from now, the boys and I will be talking, in a positive way, about the words “accountable,” “ownership” and “leadership,” and how they apply to those people who worked to make Denver’s Election Day process in 2008 voter-friendly.
We are all about to see what true leadership, or lack thereof, looks like. Mayor John Hickenlooper, this is your defining moment. While those who deserve credit for this fiasco (a fine synonym for debacle) may or may not be city employees or your appointees, the role you play in fixing this mess will mark your future.
Marjorie Allison, Denver
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Denver needs to immediately reinstitute precinct voting. Spare us the litany of excuses we’re hearing and remedy what went wrong. Return us to our precincts, where hard-copy ledgers of registered voters never “went down” and never needed the attention of a technology expert while disenfranchised voters waited in line for two to five (or more) hours. Leaders know that “the buck stops here.” Leaders don’t make excuses; they correct their blunders. Precinct voting never created the debacle we witnessed Tuesday, and it is time to admit that the move to “vote anywhere you choose” was a total fiasco.
Karen Libby, Denver
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I had a decent experience voting Tuesday morning at the Tattered Cover downtown. I waited only one hour. However, I have three friends who waited more than two hours. There is no excuse for a wait of this length. I was a poll judge several years in a row in Indiana, and I know that no one ever waited for more than 30 minutes to vote – and that was when everyone was getting off work. If we are going to have to accept two-hour wait times in order to vote, then it is imperative that we do one of two things: 1) vote on Sunday (like many other democracies); or 2) declare Election Day a national holiday. It is unfair that many of us have to make legitimate choices between voting and making a meeting at work or a personal obligation. It is unacceptable to wait hours to vote in such an smart society. If people are not outraged by the experiences this election, then we are in an unfortunate illusion of efficient democracy.
Dennis Rodgers, Denver
State’s new first lady
I am thrilled that Jeannie Ritter will be the next first lady of Colorado! She is dynamic, bright and enthusiastic, and will bring such vitality to the ever-changing role of first lady. She is wise, well beyond her young years. And her sense of humor, creativity, integrity and compassion will serve her well, and will endear her to all.
I have been a fellow substitute teacher in Denver Public Schools, often working beside Jeannie. I have seen her with a classroom of students in the palm of her hand, and it’s magic. Jeannie makes each child and adult she encounters feel truly special and worthy.
Jeannie has named mental health awareness as one of her key issues to address as first lady, and for this, I am grateful. My mom has bipolar disorder, and I worked for the Mental Health Association of Colorado for five years. I know firsthand the need for this advocacy. Awareness and better treatment literally save lives.
She has helped raise a caring family, ran a food bank in Africa and teaches in a city public school district. These all show the kind of person she is. She’s my kind of first lady.
Jennifer Gamblin, Louisville
The fall of evangelist Ted Haggard
After reading the story of Ted Haggard’s crisis in Sunday’s Post (“Pastor confessed; Haggard fired after admitting ‘sexually immoral conduct’,” Nov. 5 news story), I turned to the book review section, and read the review of the “The Confession” by James E. McGreevey, the former governor of New Jersey (“Gay governor’s downfall brings self-realization”). The two have much in common: both middle-aged, successful, highly public figures at the peak of their careers, both from strict religious backgrounds, both married with children, and both probably living on the edge from hectic and stressful schedules. Then, the worst happens – their secret sexual life is exposed and the walls come tumbling down. They lose their job, possibly their marriage, their reputation. The good news is, as McGreevey points out, they have an opportunity finally to live their truth and heal the rift between their public, approved self and their secret, “shameful” self. In other words, they have a chance to rebuild their lives on the basis of integrity and honesty. Not everyone takes advantage of such a painful and difficult opportunity. McGreevey sounds as if he has. I hope and pray that Ted Haggard can follow such a path. It will surely lead to peace.
Mary Whitson, Crested Butte
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In the recent apology letter that was read to the New Life Church congregation, former Rev. Ted Haggard seems to beg forgiveness from and offers an apology to many, including his accuser Mike Jones, but his attempt falls short. Where is Haggard’s apology to the gay community? Gay Americans are due a genuine and sincere apology from this anti-gay, hypocritical bigot. Now is the time for Haggard and all evangelical leaders to stop their repugnant actions towards gays and give us a real sincere apology.
Thomas Unterwagner, Denver
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If Christianity is such a forgiving religion, why must Ted Haggard step down? Is the real sin getting caught? Or is the real sin preaching a pre-fab way of life that is supposed to suit all, even when it doesn’t – even those at the helm? What consenting adults do behind closed doors is nobody’s business. It goes for Bill Clinton, it goes for Ted Haggard, and it should go for us all. If we really want to examine the “dark side,” let’s look at homophobes, the gun-pushers, the anti-environmentalists and an administration that pursues a war which should never have happened in the first place. Please, can we get a life?
Anne Culver, Denver
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Ted Haggard has done the right thing, and the New Life Church has done the right thing. They have acted with alacrity to the benefit of all.
Perhaps they learned how not to handle this problem from the survivors of clergy abuse.
Maybe the Roman Catholic Church will learn from them.
In either case, it is too bad that organized religion had to learn to tell the truth from their victims.
Kay Goodnow, Lenexa, Kan.
Democratic leadership?
So, the Democrats are ready to lead us? The question is: where? They have presented no plan as to what they want to do or where they want to take us, and the American voters bought that, hook, line and sinker. We best be prepared for that journey. We may not like their destination upon arrival.
Bill Riedel, Aurora
Republicans and Iraq
The Republicans better wise up. The longer this war goes on, the more seats they will lose in Congress and possibly the presidency in 2008. When it comes to this war, President Bush is standing on a political island. I can’t wait to see how many Republicans call for this war to be over. They are going to fly away from Bush like pigeons from a rooftop.
As a progressive, I want this war to end now. If it doesn’t, 2008 will be another disaster for the Republican Party. Ending this war will be good for our country, and it just might save the GOP.
Jim Ciha, Aurora
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