Another reason to support renewable energy
Re: “Colorado mercury emissions higher?” Dec. 11 news story.
Though it was a sobering read, I was pleased to see that your article about mercury emissions from Colorado’s coal-fired power plants made it onto the front page of The Denver Post. That mercury emissions “could be far greater than previous estimates” provides one more reason to support renewable-energy projects like wind and solar power. While we wait for the Environmental Protection Agency to protect our air quality, food supply and drinking water, we consumers need to demand clean energy alternatives.
As market forces are the most effective means through which consumers can be heard – and while these clean energy projects are not yet as cost-effective as the coal-fired ones – we need to support renewable-energy programs by signing up for them and encouraging their expansion. According to the non-profit Western Resource Advocates, we have several “green power” options here in Colorado from green power marketing companies and public utilities. (My family recently signed up for Xcel Energy’s Windsource program, which is currently open to new subscribers.) Consumers can also purchase carbon offsets that support wind and solar energy projects and help compensate for those carbon emissions for which we are each personally responsible.
Karen Dunne, Centennial
Stage union’s holding up of convention bid
Re: “Dems put city pick on hold until ’07,” Dec. 20 news story.
The majority of Colorado’s labor movement supports Denver’s bid for the Democratic National Convention in 2008, and many of their governing bodies passed resolutions that were forwarded to DNC officials. I believe having the convention in Denver is important to all of us and would like everyone to know that Colorado’s labor movement is working hard to make it happen, in spite of reports to the contrary.
Labor leaders support the efforts of affected unions in Denver to gain respect for workers and their unions. It is generally acknowledged that some reasonable concessions should be made to earn the support of labor and in exchange for their endorsement of such an important event as the DNC.
Looking at the bigger picture and the impact that the convention would have in the West, the executive board of the Colorado AFL-CIO voted to support Denver’s bid for the convention. This is our position; however, there are still one or two labor leaders who need attention and additional reassurances to bring them on board with the rest of labor. There are always a few glitches in something this big; and with a little massaging we will work things out.
Steve Adams, President, Colorado AFL-CIO, Denver
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I am incensed that the committee to bring the Democratic National Convention to Denver in 2008 and the Local No. 7 International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Union cannot seem to get on the same page. If it is true union leader Jim Taylor’s concerns were made known early on in the process, then why didn’t the committee take heed and work to resolve the problem before finalizing their bid?
Regardless, Mr. Taylor, are you willing to deprive Colorado the chance to reap millions of dollars for the economy and, more importantly, jobs just to make a point?
We are at the final hour, and much is at stake here. If Denver loses the convention because of this sticking point, then the union will have failed the very people it purports to represent: the workers. And the committee will have failed Colorado and the surrounding Western region.
Becky Brady, Arvada
The refusal of Jim Taylor of the Denver stagehands union to sign a no-strike pledge as part of a deal to bring the 2008 Democratic National Convention to Denver highlights the chilly climate for labor that exists in Colorado. While Colorado isn’t one of the 22 states that have Right To Work laws – which could more honestly be entitled Right To Work For Less Pay laws – it is not particularly friendly to labor.
In Washington, incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has promised to fast-track the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) and bring it to a vote by spring. Passage of EFCA would lead to increased unionization and would be a positive step for all working people in America.
Here in Colorado, Democrats control both houses of the Colorado legislature and the governorship for the first time in more than four decades. Leaders in the Colorado House and Senate should make it a priority to introduce legislation making the state more labor-friendly.
Over the past 25 years, as union membership has declined across the country, real wages, benefits and job security have declined. Union membership in this country has declined to 12.5 percent of workers, while 53 percent of workers say they would join a union if they could. It’s past time to bring democracy to the workplace and allow workers the freedom to choose.
Michael Adams, Lafayette
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Union leader Jim Taylor’s resistance to a Denver Democratic National Convention is a shameful display of thuggery. And it’s shameful of The Denver Post to include favorable comments regarding this bully. He’s not supporting his union employees by his obstinacy, but merely continuing the arrogant, uncompromising attitude responsible for America’s diminishing union rolls.
Don’t cave in, Pepsi Center! The people of Colorado support your free choice in hiring. If the stagehand union can’t give you skilled workers at a fair wage, but others will, then you have the right to remain non-union.
If the Democratic Party bows to this tactic, it will be one more reason for voters like me to turn my back on the party – just as I was warming up to a new, more centrist Democratic Party.
Clarence Williams, Monument
Gay evangelicals
Re: “Evangelical and gay? Believers find self-acceptance,” Dec. 17 news story.
We are ministers, choir directors, praise singers.
We play the piano, organ, harp and guitar in your services.
We are nursery staff, volunteers, bus drivers.
We design church additions, classrooms and choose the carpet colors.
We are teachers, secretaries, choir members, ushers.
We teach your children about Moses and David, Peter and Paul.
We are the faithful believing God honors tithing.
We support missions, Gideons and Wycliffe.
We box food for the needy and stand beside you wrapping Christmas shoeboxes.
We are passionate writers, musicians, artists.
We create Bible curriculums, publish hymnals, write songs.
We are the sunshine committee, deacons, elders.
We bake pies, send cards, visit nursing homes.
We are youth pastors, counselors, and teen sponsors.
We organize cars washes and coach volleyball.
We counsel your children when they get in trouble.
We pray with your parents when light fades from day.
We show up at funerals.
We grieve your losses.
We work, we worship.
We give, we love.
We intimately know Jesus Christ.
We are the Redeemed.
We know you. You know us.
But what you don’t know:
We are gay.
Beverly Davidson, Denver
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“Did God actually say … ?” This is a question that each of us must grapple with in our own lives. Prior to the exposure of his homosexual trysts, Ted Haggard stated that homosexuality was somehow genetic and not a behavioral choice. This is completely contrary to what the Bible says. Haggard did not run from himself, but from the way he was designed.
Now lay people are claiming that they can be “evangelical” and homosexual at the same time. When we make the Bible fit in with our feelings, there are drastic consequences for us and for others. In our rebellion against the God who made us, we question, “Did God actually say … ?”
J.D. Moyers, Centennial
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