Abolishing Columbus Day in Colorado
Re: “Abolish Columbus Day,” April 11 guest commentary.
I agree with Glenn Morris. We should abolish Columbus Day. I’m an Italian-American, native Coloradan, who wears an AIM (American Indian Movement) T-shirt. Lest we forget, Italian-Americans were long persecuted in Colorado, the KKK was founded because Italians were immigrating to Colorado, and at one time, not long ago, Italian-Americans were the most hated minority in this state. We have much more in common with our Native American brothers and sisters than we do with the big power brokers and racists of Colorado and with Christopher Columbus.
It would be great if this state took the lead, just before the nation turns its eyes toward us for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, to abolish this holiday at its 100-year anniversary. What better way to serve notice that racism, in all its obvious and hidden forms, must end? Starting at the beginning, with the indigenous people of this country and this state, we can begin to make amends. By recognizing our Native American friends in a more honorable manner, Colorado can take the lead in bringing racism to the forefront of American dialogue.
I’m very proud of my heritage and I’m proud to be American, but I am ashamed of some of the zealots who don’t seem to see the bigger picture. I’m in favor of having an Italian Pride Day to replace Columbus Day. I’m in favor of having holidays that celebrate all immigrants and their contributions.
Tom Satriano, Golden
. . .
It is indeed time to do something about Columbus Day. Whether to abolish it, as advocated by Glenn Morris’ excellent commentary, or change it – either would be better than the current strife-ridden event.
Some time ago, a group of people advocated changing the day to celebrate the wide diversity of cultures that now makes up America/Colorado. Since Colorado was the first state to officially make Columbus Day a holiday, wouldn’t it be appropriate for our bellwether state to acknowledge that times have changed and people have matured enough to celebrate, recognize and value every culture? A parade of all cultures, perhaps led by the first culture of American Indians, would be a true cause to celebrate.
America is a melting pot, so the rich diversity of cultures that goes into this pot in fact needs to recognized before all disappears into a blah soup of cultural sameness.
Sue Haskell, Denver
Lost e-mails? Right
Re: “White House fears e-mail may be lost, including Rove’s,” April 12 news story.
Lost e-mails? How Nixonian! What’s next, a mysterious, 18-minute gap on the White House taping system?
Rob Fletcher, Castle Rock
What is driving the rising price of gas?
I’ve recently heard and read a fair amount of grousing about how gas prices are rising again. And while I may not be an economist or energy expert, I have observed that every year about now, prices begin to go up. The public at large seems to think there is a vast conspiracy to inflate prices, when actually they are determined globally and are based on cost factors and demand.
Each spring, the refineries shift production from winter blends to summer blends, in time for the warmer weather and driving season. As production is slowed to allow for this production shift, inventories are drawn down and prices temporarily rise. Also, these summer blends are more costly to produce because in order to keep heat evaporation down and octane levels up, they require more expensive inputs.
The ethanol mandate in the 2005 energy bill is also contributing to higher prices, as ethanol has less energy content and higher transportation costs than gasoline.
So as gasoline demand increases for summer driving, prices again rise in response to both market forces and production costs.
Shelley Berry, Aurora
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