Fiscal responsibility?
Last Sunday, The Post reported on votes of the Colorado congressional delegation that would end the “earmarking” of spending items and tax breaks. They also voted on whether to restore pay-as-you-go rules that require tax cuts and entitlement-spending hikes to be offset elsewhere in the budget. All Colorado Democrats voted “yes” to adopt these rules. Of those Colorado Republicans who voted, all voted “no.”
Let’s see now: Which political party is it that has been telling us for decades that it is the party of fiscal responsibility?
Jim Muhm, Englewood
Higher education in Colo.
Re: “Transforming higher education in Colorado,” Jan. 7 Perspective article.
Most of us have known for some time that our system of higher education is in crisis because it is hugely underfunded. In terms of appropriations, we rank near the bottom among states. But somehow no one can figure out the cause. Taking a leaf from Orwell, your guest editorialists [presidents of nine of Colorado’s universities and colleges] refer only to “circumstances” that “have prevented Colorado from fully capitalizing on its historic investment in its colleges and universities.” Those “circumstances” consist of a state legislature dominated for the last few decades by tax and government-hating Republicans. Now that the results of their labors are clear, they should stand up and take full credit for them.
William Blackburn, Boulder
“Green” or extravagant?
Re: “Developer hoping earth-friendly ‘flagship’ home has big impact,” Jan. 7 business news story.
The Atucha House in Denver was praised as a model of energy efficiency. But the green aspects of this house are squandered by its extravagant size – 3,917 square feet. This is like promoting the energy efficiency of a hybrid engine in a Hummer.
To use so much in the way of building materials – all of which have embedded energy costs – and to heat and cool that much living space is no green model to emulate. The average home size in the United States is now 2,340 square feet, up from 1,400 square feet in 1970 – when families were larger.
Yet one of the standards in the U.S. Green Building Council’s “Rating System” – to which the house is compared – is a “Home that is Smaller than National Average.” On that point, this house fails spectacularly.
This house is a resource debacle, and should be a cause of dismay for anyone concerned with humanity’s impact upon the Earth.
Casey Frank, Denver
Home Depot CEO pay
Re: “Home Depot logic has screw loose,” Jan. 7 Al Lewis column.
Al Lewis wrote a very good column regarding the outrageous compensation and golden parachute Home Depot gave to departing CEO Bob Nardelli. The board members of companies who agree to these executive packages do a great disservice to their employees and consumers, and should be replaced themselves.
I’d like to see The Post run more articles on the subject of grossly overpaid executives and the lucrative retirement and severance packages they are often given. It certainly is a subject that needs more attention and at the same time would enable consumers to weigh that into their decision of where to shop. I am a longtime and frequent shopper at Home Depot who will now make the switch to Lowe’s.
Jim Malec, Littleton
Animal protection
Re: “Animal protection a just cause,” Jan. 7 guest commentary.
Congratulations to The Denver Post for publishing Wayne Pacelle’s guest commentary. So many of us have been fighting for so long for humane treatment of animals, and your publication of this piece is encouraging. Now, how do we get the large number of folks who don’t read newspapers to get the message? It is my hope that those who do read this piece and who previously hadn’t given much thought to the treatment of animals will become involved at the state and national levels to demand humane treatment for these creatures.
Bev Engstrom, Littleton
Accused U.S. soldier
Re: “GI seen as threat before savagery,” Jan. 10 news story.
In the case of Pfc. Steven D. Green, who was charged with murder and rape in Iraq, it has become known that the Army tried to control his anger with a powerful, controversial psychotropic drug called Seroquel.
AstraZeneca, the maker of Seroquel, faces civil and criminal court cases over misrepresentation, doctoring tests, off-label marketing and kickbacks to doctors and institutions. They have already paid out millions in settlements, but they are still making billions.
In April 2006, I was hospitalized on account of the side effects of Seroquel. My doctor wouldn’t listen to me and even tried to insist that I continue taking the drug. I refused. Does the Army listen to its troubled soldiers or does it send them into battle doped up?
Chris Webb, Denver
Reacting to Bronco’s death
I watched the funeral for Darrent Williams last Saturday and found myself in admiration of John Lynch and his call for a change in our culture to one that values life. I felt a sense of hope that Mr. Williams’ death would not be in vain if this message could find a way into each of our lives.
It was with dismay and sadness that only hours later I sat in a high school basketball game warm-up session to listen to 20 minutes of violent, death-oriented music. As the young men got ready for their game, the music loudly exclaimed the messages that led to Mr. Williams’ murder.
It is up to each of us, each day, to embrace and exhibit life-affirming actions. It would be a positive step if individual high schools and the Colorado High School Activities Association would require a positive, affirming tone be set from the music that is played to the language that is used by the coaches on the sidelines. The arena that is sport is such a driving force in our culture and should be a target of change if we are to see Mr. Williams’ life honored.
Tracy Murnan Stackhouse, Denver
…
The killing of Darrent Williams was a tragic and senseless loss for his family, the Denver Broncos and the city of Denver. We are being asked to contribute to the Darrent Williams Children Fund to benefit Darrent’s two children for future educational and health needs. But let’s think through this. Williams received a $1.6 million signing bonus two years ago, his annual salary was more than $1 million, and the NFL is refunding a $15,000 fine to his family.
We should make our contributions with our heads, not our hearts. Much-needed contributions should be made to the funds of fallen police officers and firefighters who were killed in the line of duty, protecting us day in and day out, who left families behind.
Jacqueline Moorhead, Denver
…
Thanks for allowing the people of Denver and Colorado (and beyond) to take part in the grieving process for Darrent Williams. The Denver Post’s and Rocky Mountain News’ coverage of the wake and funeral allowed all of us in Colorado to be with him and his family during this tragic time and go through our own grieving process.
We will all be grieving with the Williams family for a long time, but thank you for including the general public just by printing the outstanding but very delicate and respectful pieces that you’ve published.
C. Duale, Aurora
A touching, uplifting moment has risen from Darrent Williams’ tragic death. I was extremely moved by Broncos coach Mike Shanahan’s public response to this shocking and horrible incident. Shanahan was clearly deeply hurt by the death of Darrent Williams. His reaction was not as a coach saddened by the loss of a player. This was a man devastated by the senseless death of a fine young man.
I have always viewed Coach Shanahan as a class act. His sincere, heartfelt response to this incident elevates my opinion even further. I am very proud to have Mike Shanahan as a member of this community and as a very visible role model for my children.
Mike Anderson, Centennial
…
Re: “Peril rules even fringes of gangs,” Jan. 5 Jim Spencer column.
I’m sorry that Darrent Williams was killed, but I agree with Jim Spencer’s opinion that the hip-hop/gangsta culture that is so popular today is not far removed from this incident. The demeaning lyrics and themes used by the so-called hip-hop artists seem to justify and encourage crime.
I continue to believe that this culture has set back progress for some minority groups and sets standards for violence, sex discrimination and low goals. Let’s hope that someone, including leaders of the community, points out the flaws of this immensely popular way of life that does nothing to help our youth. It does promote and encourage the acts of violence that engulfed Mr. Williams, however.
Frank Charubin, Steamboat Springs
To the point
Now that Denver has secured the 2008 Democratic National Convention, we will have, at least, a target date for getting snow off the residential streets.
Joanne Marie Roll, Denver
Just wondering: Is Carmelo Anthony going to urge witnesses to Darrent Williams’ murder to “Stop Snitchin”‘?
Chuck West, Thornton
Thank you for sharing just a small part of the cruelty of greyhound racing (“Dog track’s demise recalls day of darkness,” Jan. 7 essay). Perhaps we can become a compassionate enough society to completely eradicate all forms of greyhound racing – and the cruel people who perpetuate it.
Kathy Hixson, Lakewood
If a Christian (however slight the chance) was elected to public office in an Islamic country, would he/she be allowed to be sworn in using the Bible?
J.D. Moyers, Centennial
President Bush politicized the Iraq war prior to the 2002 elections. He politicized it prior to the 2004 elections. He did it again in 2006, but Americans seemingly woke up. Will we let him do it again?
Bud Gordon, Colorado Springs
To have your comments printed in To the Point, please send letters of no more than 40 words to the address below. Writers are limited to one letter per month.
To send a letter to the editor
E-mail: openforum@denverpost.com (only straight text, not attachments)
Mail: The Open Forum, The Denver Post, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, 80202; Fax: 303-954-1502
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.
To reach us by phone: 303-954-1331
