Lawyer on the lam
Re: “Lawyer may be on lam; Royal ‘Scoop’ Daniel, missing since April 27, accused of absconding with clients’ money,” May 9 news story.
Hmmm, let’s see: “Scoop” Daniel left his wife and kids, but he’s a Santa Claus to immigrants. He’s an avid churchgoer and sermonizer, yet it seems now as if he’s stolen a million dollars from his clients. His former lovers and girlfriends say he could never do such a thing. Are these the women he left his family for? To compare him to Jimmy Stewart in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” as one of his friends did, is a travesty. An honest Jimmy Stewart was rescued by a grateful town. “Scoop” abandoned his town and friends, and will be returned to Colorado in handcuffs. Maybe his parents should have named him “Skip.” Now that would have been truth in advertising.
L.F. Brannick, Buena Vista
Foiled terrorist plot
Re: “Clerk’s tip foiled terror plot,” May 10 news story.
We should be grateful that the accused terrorists in New Jersey weren’t very bright. Had they realized that they could have purchased a $200 piece of electronics to make that copy, rather than turning it over a store clerk, they would likely have gone unnoticed, still plotting their fiendish attacks. I applaud that store employee for smartly turning that video over to the authorities, and this incident reminds me that we all need to be vigilant when it comes to our nation, our way of life and those who would try to do us harm. The task of foiling would-be terrorists falls not only upon the FBI and the police, but on everyday citizens like you and me. We are all ultimately responsible for the defense of our great land.
Ben Busche, Highlands Ranch
Racism and Barry Bonds
Re: “Racism shadows Bonds,” May 11 Mark Kiszla column.
Mark Kiszla’s columns follows news reports of a media survey that indicated that whites are significantly less supportive than blacks of Barry Bonds’ quest to break Hank Aaron’s home run record. As Kiszla observes, public attitudes reflect underlying biases about the color of a person’s skin.
What Kiszla’s fine piece misses is the role journalists have played in nurturing public bias against Bonds. As Kiszla notes, the evidence against Bonds is flimsy, yet sports journalists across the country have not hesitated in behaving like members of a hanging posse calling for the rope to be tightened around Bonds’ neck.
The survey which has inspired attention to racial differences in support for Bonds was an indication of the effectiveness of these attacks and the willingness of new consumers to accept the hostile judgments of the press.
The difference in black and white attitudes about Barry Bonds is not just a measure of racial bias about Bonds, it’s a measure of racial confidence in journalism.
David Hallock, Bellevue, Wash.
Reasons to boycott Rox
Re: “Have we forgotten why we love baseball?” May 10 Open Forum.
Letter-writer Gary Raymond gives excellent reasons to go to your kid’s Little League game, not to spend money on the Rockies.
Should we boycott the Rockies for their losing ways? No. Boycott them because ownership won’t try to win. Vinnie Castilla and Preston Wilson led the league in RBIs and were traded. Jason Jennings had the best ERA ever for a Rockies starter. They let him go.
Eight members of the Chicago “Black Sox” were expelled from baseball for life for the crime of taking money to throw games. How does that differ from throwing season after season to save money? If the Rockies owners want to save money, they should get a savings account, not a Major League Baseball team.
Jim Kruger, Denver
Health care and humanity
In 2003, I was diagnosed with lung cancer. I had weak health insurance, and even though I received treatment and recovered, I was financially devastated. I was out of work for two years, ended up $400,000 in debt, and ultimately lost my home and had to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. I then went unemployed for two more years due to continuing health problems. Then I got sick again. This time I did not have even the weak health insurance I’d had before and did not know where to turn. Through a series of tips and discoveries, I found the Colorado Indigent Care Program, and it has been my salvation. I receive top-notch care, pay a co-pay based on need, and receive at least the same level of care I received in my for-pay system. I am deeply grateful to the citizens who pay to make this possible for me. I would be dead without this care.
I know there are people who abuse the health care system. However, I have been down at Denver Health and University Hospital, and I don’t see many malingerers. These are sick people, many of them children, who receive care because Denver cares. So what if a few idiots abuse the system? The health care of Denver is an indication that we all care, and when I see these children and single mothers cared for, not to mention receive care myself, I am awed at the humanity of our people.
Will Walker, Denver
Amendment 41 backlash
Re: “Court bashing for ethics law,” May 8 news story.
It’s interesting to read about state Rep. Anne McGihon and Arapahoe County Commissioner Frank Weddig sniveling about their inconveniences as a result of Amendment 41. I agree that are probably some over-the-top areas in the law which need fixes. However, had many of our elected representatives conducted themselves in an ethical manner over the years, or at the very least legislated safeguards to prevent the heretofore cozy relationships with the moneyed interests, this amendment never would have been necessary.
Stace Tackaberry, Breckenridge
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