Scanner for voting
Re: “‘Shocking’ election omission; Voter-verification capacity never tested,” Nov. 16 news story.
Here is a suggestion to reduce long voting lines. Have a system that scans state IDs and driver’s licenses to check in voters. For the many of us fortunate enough to have these forms of ID, it would help us move along. It could speed up the initial human interface, accessing “the book” electronically. It should be as fast as the scanner of a ticket checker at a ski area. And the network would need to be able to handle the volume.
Eric Bard, Denver
Election and values
Re: “Dobson: GOP abandoned us,” Nov. 10 news story.
It’s unfortunate that James Dobson continues to behave like a short-sighted and self-serving thinker by condemning Republicans for abandoning “values voters” during the recent election. I commend the Republicans who understand that American values go beyond the issues of gay marriage and abortion and can see the larger picture of our society during an election year.
Americans care about the direction of the Iraq war, our children’s education, our sources of energy, the shape of the economy, and many, many other issues. Every person who voted on Tuesday did so according to his or her values. What Dobson is probably frustrated about is the realization that not all Republicans share his myopic definition of “values.” The Republicans abandoned nobody – except perhaps the narrow-minded thinkers who refuse to embrace our pluralistic society.
Mary Sileo, Littleton
Sexual orientation
Regarding the controversy surrounding former Pastor Ted Haggard’s sexual orientation and the belief that people like him can be rehabilitated away from homosexuality, I suggest groups proposing rehabilitation test their theory. They should take a heterosexual man and try turning him into a homosexual one. Successfully doing that would certainly bolster the claims being made by those who believe sexual orientation is a choice.
Alex Gorsevski, Boulder
Ban on Junior ROTC
As a veteran and member of the American Legion, I am insulted and appalled at the city of San Francisco with its anti- military and, as a consequence, anti- American actions. First the city banned military recruiters in the schools, and now they will ban Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC). What’s next, no members of our armed forces are to be allowed in the city?
Our leaders need to speak out and condemn the city’s actions. Silence supports this disrespectful and unpatriotic thinking. I call on all Americans, especially my fellow veterans, to boycott that city.
Tom Collingwood, Estes Park
Power of HOAs
Re: “Couple’s smoking at home snuffed,” Nov. 16 news story.
Though it’s worth exactly zilch, my sympathy goes out to the Sauves in their lost battle against the HOA ninnies. It’s preposterous that their property rights are abridged and the court says it’s OK. I’ve been in a similar situation and share their disillusionment. The argument that living in close quarters requires more consideration should go two ways, but these days it simply does not. “If you live in a hive, expect to hear buzzing” is a maxim that seems to have been forgotten in the current climate of whiners’ rule. Shame on the homeowners association and double shame on the state law that allows HOAs inordinate power.
Kathy Franklin, Arvada
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