Punishing drug offenders
Re: “Reform sentences for drug offenses,” Feb. 10 Bob Ewegen column.
Why punish adult citizens for the potential harm they do to themselves? In a drug transaction, there are willing buyers and willing sellers. Do we punish sellers or consumers of potentially unhealthy foods? No.
It seems to me that we should reserve our jails and prisons for those who intentionally harm others against their will. Not gardeners. Not people who use, produce or sell “unapproved” substances to willing buyers. A free country’s government cannot protect its adult citizens from themselves. A free country’s government has no right attempting to do so.
Kirk Muse, Mesa, Ariz.
Failed state abortion ban
Re: “Senate panel rejects ban on abortions,” Feb. 13 news story.
I testified on Monday during the state Senate hearings about how the abortion I had at age 15 devastated my life. Many of the people who testified that abortion hurt them endured ridicule and personal attacks by a few of those who condone abortion. I’m saddened that the apparent lust for the blood of the innocent is so pervasive in our society. People who make comments like these reflect the attitude of those who don’t respect any human life.
Many women came forward to tell their stories – not for personal gain, not for fame, not because it was easy, but to try to protect other women, men, children and families from the devastation they experienced. Their stories deserve to be told.
Lolita Hanks, Littleton
…
Thank you, Colorado, for protecting my right to choose. I am very glad, and very relieved, that Senate Bill 143 was defeated. SB 143 would have forced me to carry to term a pregnancy that resulted from rape or incest. What? Are you insane?
I am insulted, appalled and angered at Republican State Sen. Scott Renfroe for introducing such a woman- hating bill. SB 143 would do nothing to reduce the need for abortions. SB 143 would only punish women for being women.
If Republican lawmakers want to reduce the number of abortions, then reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. How? How about the use of emergency contraception? Under Senate Bill 60, an emergency-contraception bill that was introduced last week, information on emergency contraception would be available to sexual assault victims in emergency rooms to prevent unintended pregnancies, thereby reducing the need for abortions.
Karen A. Dolan, Boulder
Obama and Honest Abe
Re: “Obama vows unity, change,” Feb. 11 news story.
I’ve been reading about how Sen. Barack Obama is comparing himself to Abraham Lincoln, in that both had only served a short time in Congress before running for president. He really drove the point home by announcing his candidacy at the old state Capital in Springfield, Ill., where Lincoln made his famous “House Divided” speech in 1858.
“We’re just hoping to borrow a little of that [Lincoln aura],” said Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs.
Oh, this is rich! Remember what happened to Sen. Dan Quayle when questioned about his experience to be vice president? He said JFK was also relatively inexperienced when he ran for president, and the Democrats and the media tore Quayle apart for that remark. I doubt Obama will ever draw the same criticism, even if he were to show up to his next speech wearing a stovepipe hat.
Richard Colwell, Parker
Global warming report
Re: “Global skepticism,” Feb. 11 Open Forum.
Letter-writer Stephen Holben’s logic regarding the recent study on climate change makes no sense. He claims that the report is “completely non-scientific” because the conclusions are “by consensus, thereby rendering them non-science.” Since when does consensus make something non-scientific? Science is by consensus, it turns out – a group of people agreeing on the most logical cause for an event based on evidence.
No, there is no proof of our effect on global warming. But then, there is no proof that the Earth revolves around the sun – only a theory supported by an enormous amount of evidence. Human-caused global warming is similar – a logical theory supported by a vast and growing amount of evidence.
As a 12-year-old, I don’t want my children to grow up in a world without New Orleans and Manhattan. I don’t want my grandchildren growing up in a world without Great Britain and Florida. We must act now to end the phenomenon that most believe we have started. It is time for people to stop saying, “There is no proof,” and start saying, “What can we do?”
Kelsey Piper, Louisville
NASCAR in Denver area?
Re: “Ready to race?” Feb. 14 news story.
It is just inconceivable to me that in this time of tardy acknowledgement that global warming is human-caused, yet another NASCAR racetrack would be constructed. Is there any activity that Americans pursue that is more unpatriotic than NASCAR racing? Considering that 1) driving gas guzzlers around a little oval for hours is an utter waste of precious fuel; 2) more than half our fuel comes from unfriendly foreign sources and even our enemies in some cases; and 3) burning it in the first place only adds to a critical pollution situation, then what is the justification? Entertainment.
I say let the people who find this entertaining look for another, more patriotic way to use their time.
I strongly urge our state legislators to enact a ban on the construction of any more automobile racetracks in Colorado.
J.F. Haley, Lakewood
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