Bringing peace to Iraq
George W. Bush says that the U.S. must remain in Iraq to “complete the mission.” By that he means that U.S. forces must stay until the Iraqis are able to keep the peace by themselves. But when will that happen? Consider that the United States, the most potent military force on Earth, has been in Iraq for more than three years and the situation has only gotten worse. And the Iraqis will be able to do what we have been unable to do – when?
Really, it is a laughable question.
Kurt Freund, Loveland
Wilderness and population
In his Nov. 25 letter to the editor on the National Wilderness Preservation System, Steve Smith says, “Today, and 200 years from now, anybody, rich or poor, can go to these places to camp, fish, hunt, or paddle a canoe, and soak up the peace and quiet.”
The U.S. Census Bureau’s “mid-range” projection for our population in 2100 is 571 million people, roughly doubling in the next 100 years. Repeat that, and in 200 years there will be 1.4 billion Americans.
For the rich, there will also be The Townhomes at Trail Ridge Road, while the poor will paddle their canoes on the Platte – if they get lucky in the Platte Permit Lottery.
John O’Shea, Aurora
“Unschooling” movement
Re: “Kids have themselves as teachers,” Nov. 26 news story.
This is one of the strangest articles I have read in some time.
First, the writer claims that “unschooling” is a new phenomenon. In the 1960s and early ’70s, unschooling (what was then called deschooling) was very popular, producing a network of free schools and street academies around the country, and many national conferences, books, university classes and newspaper and magazine articles.
Secondly, the writer claims there is scant data on the educational results – with the mandatory quote from a college professor voicing concern about “how they [students] will transition to a structured world.” My experience as a past free-school teacher still in contact with many of my students is that these students do very well, thank you.
But what about the long-term results of today’s students, who are over-assessed and over- structured, and who lack music, art, physical development, conflict resolution and goal-setting activities in school? How will they do in an ever- less-structured and more global world?
Third, the writer claims that home- school students up until now were religiously motivated. The current home- school movement developed out of the deschooling of the 1960s and ’70s. John Holt, one of the architects of the free- school movement, became a writer and an advocate of home schooling.
But why would the writer know any of this?
Francis Wardle, Denver
Use of the N-word
Re: “N-word not OK for blacks, either,” Nov. 28 Earl Ofari Hutchinson column.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson’s column should be required reading for all people of all skin colors, but especially for African- Americans who use the N-word so freely.
I am an African-American, and I work in the Montbello neighborhood in Denver. Every now and then, I hear African- American co-workers say the N-word as if the word doesn’t mean anything in terms of degradation and hate.
I also hear African-Americans use the N-word in nearby convenience stores, restaurants and other public places in the presence of other people of different ethnic backgrounds.
Regardless of how it’s said or who says it, the N-word is an insult to all people of all skin colors. And whenever a black person says the N-word in front of other people, it gives a green light to others to inflict racist ideals, words and deeds.
Hutchinson’s last paragraph called for those who use and defend one of the most ugliest words to be called out the same way as former “Seinfeld” star Michael Richards was in his recent foot-in-mouth use of the N-word. I hope that my co- workers can read this and remember four important words: Think before you speak.
Robert J. Shelby III, Commerce City
Utilities’ DNC funding
Re: “Big bucks for DNC bid; 3 firms pledge $11.5 million to ’08 convention,” Nov. 29 news story.
Qwest and Xcel Energy apparently have such abundant funds that they can pledge millions to sponsor Denver’s attempt to lure the upcoming Democratic National Convention. Whether motivated by political or civic goals, Qwest pledged $5 million, while Xcel Energy pledged $1.5 million.
These corporation-pledged millions will be drawn from income gleaned through their special public utility status.
Public Utilities Commission, take note: Clearly these corporations mustn’t need any rate hikes.
Margaret Brady, Centennial
Global warming
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s dismissal of global warming provides evidence of a growing sentiment held by our nation’s leaders.
Luckily, here in Colorado, Congresswoman Diana DeGette is refusing to fall in line, and instead is promoting the Safe Climate Act.
Global warming is increasing Colorado temperatures, which in turn are causing heat waves, less snow, and severe droughts. Our consistent use of fossil fuels is disrupting Colorado’s environment – an environment that contains the fifth-best solar and 11th-best wind-power potential in the nation.
The public must refuse to accept opinions like those of Justice Scalia’s and support DeGette and the Safe Climate Act.
Regina Orwieja, Denver
Denver justice center
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper recently announced the creation of an architectural peer-review panel for the courthouse at the new justice center. The panel consists of a noteworthy architect, landscape architect and urban planner working with key individuals from the architectural and master planning teams already involved in related portions of the project.
The American Institute of Architects, Denver Chapter, believes the mayor’s creation of this panel is a positive step forward and a welcome demonstration of the city’s ongoing commitment to design excellence. Moreover, we appreciate the fact that the panel will offer a balance between the fresh, out-of-town perspective of its three new members, coupled with the knowledge base and local experience of Denver-based practitioners.
While design review panels cannot guarantee that any project will reach the pinnacle of achievement, they certainly can ensure that the quality of design will be elevated, provided, of course, that the panel is well-conceived, is convened in time to make a difference and is given a reasonable level of authority.
We encourage the mayor and his appointed project managers to give this process its greatest opportunity for success, which means the panel must have the time, resources and authority to make a difference.
Brit Probst, President, The American Institute of Architects, Denver Chapter
