What can we do about global warming?
Dire predictions of global warming have greeted us from the headlines for some time now, and they are getting increasingly urgent. Decrease carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere to slow and hopefully reverse the damaging climate change! I heartily agree that serious actions must be taken to address this problem.
But I have a question: What actions? What exactly, specifically, are we to do to quickly turn this situation around?
What must energy companies and other large corporations do tomorrow, next week, next month? What must individuals do today to significantly contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases? The information is likely out there somewhere. Where is it?
Sounding the alarm about a dangerous situation is good. Better is giving everyone guidelines for making the necessary changes that will actually help the situation become less dangerous. When the fire alarm goes off in a building, there are maps to help people find the quickest way out to safety. In the midst of the media attention around global warming, I have seen precious little in the way of specific solutions to quickly address this serious problem.
Bobbie Jo Morrell, Morrison
Addition of 20,000 U.S. troops in Iraq
I’m at a loss as to the true reasons some people are still supporting the president’s so-called surge plan of adding 20,000 more troops to the Iraq force.
There is near unanimous agreement among experts, most politicians on both sides of the aisle and the American public that such a move will have no long-term positive effect on either the Iraqi people or the Middle East in general. This same tactic has been tried at least twice before, with zero positive results. So why will it be different this time? What has changed?
The Iraqi army is no better than it was before, maybe even more crooked and unwilling (or unable) to fight. Conditions in the country have deteriorated even further than on previous failed tries, the Iraqi people are even more depressed than before, and the threats to America have not increased from 2002 when this all began. (The threat at that time was as near zero as it could get.)
There seem to be some who are honestly in favor of this move and I have not been able to discern those reasons, nor the value of the move. No doubt even more of our troops and Iraqis will die as the result, and the Iraqis will still be in a state of civil war and chaos. The odds on the basis of sound war strategy are very poor, indeed.
John Ruckman, Lakewood
Wal-Mart proposed near South Platte Park
Re: “Littleton residents vow to keep Wal-Mart away,” Feb. 1 Denver & The West.
I urge the Littleton community to take action to prevent a Wal- Mart being built by South Platte Park.
In wiser years, the Littleton City Council sought and guided development to enhance the community, evidenced by the successful Aspen Grove development. Now they have sold an important support for the quality of the Littleton community for additional tax revenue. One can always use more revenue, but that does not mean that it is needed or that additional revenue cannot be obtained in other ways.
The mantra of the Littleton community has not been “development at any cost,” and should not be. The 24.7 Wal-Mart would be wedged between two residential communities and is adjacent to the South Platte Park. The park is a jewel of Littleton known for its variety of birds and other wildlife. A Wal-Mart spokeman referred to the wildlife as “nuisance critters.” This attitude does not bode well for this development.
Some residents will have their backyards closer to the Wal-Mart than many of the parking spaces. Is this the type of representation we expected from the Littleton government? We deserve so much better than this.
Carla Hagood, Littleton
Illegal immigration
Re: “Costs of implementing immigration reform,” Feb. 2 Open Forum.
Letter-writer Michael Worrall whines that, according to state budget analysts, statutes passed last year by the state legislature to curb illegal immigration are costing Colorado $2 million “without any measurable savings.” He’s barking up the wrong tree.
The sole purpose of the statutes was to deter illegal immigration, not to save money, identifiable or not. But if enforced over time, the laws will save Coloradans immensely more identifiable and unidentifiable tax money than they cost.
Worrall then mindlessly accuses Rep. Dave Schultheis – and, by implication, all supporters of the law – of having a “divisive agenda.”
Divisive? Tommyrot. Any nation that fails to distinguish between illegal aliens and legal citizens will not long remain a nation.
Charles L. King, Boulder
Americans’ savings
Re: “Savings take steepest dive since the ’30s,” Feb. 2 Business story.
On the heels of President George Bush’s proclamations of how wonderful the economy is doing, we learn that the rate of savings among Americans is at its lowest point since the Depression, -1 percent. Real wages have remained flat since 1997. The costs of living in areas such as health care have increased over the last decade.
All of this points up just how out of touch George Bush really is with the plight of middle- class Americans. But God forbid we should rescind the tax cut on the richest 2 percent!
Michael Kanarish, Parker
Colorado Voices
Like to write and have something to say? Then we invite you to apply for Colorado Voices, a column-writing program we created in 1999 as a forum for contributors from across the region.
Send us two sample columns, 600 to 700 words each, along with a cover letter describing your background, your interest in Voices and whatever else you think we need to know.
Deadline for entries is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20. E-mail them to us at voices@denverpost.com, or by mail to Mary Idler, Denver Post Editorial Page, 101 W. Colfax, Suite 600, Denver 80202. Provide your address, phone numbers and e-mail address.
Typically, our Voices write every other week for three months. Once published, you’ll get a modest honorarium, impressive clips and bragging rights.
Let your Voice be heard.
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