Proposals for Colorado’s future water use
Re: “Water plan could cool East-West feud,” May 13 editorial.
I agree with The Denver Post that we should consider all potentially viable options for future Front Range water supplies, including Aaron Million’s proposed 400-mile transbasin diversion.
However, increasing conservation and efficiency as well as investing in re-use and water sharing between cities and farmers should be considered first. The 2005 report, “Facing Our Future: A Balanced Water Solution for Colorado,” shows that Colorado can meet its water needs through a combination of strategies: conservation, re-use, enlargement of existing systems, development of a few strategic new reservoirs, and cooperative water supply management. New diversion projects like Million’s could be part of this vision, as long as they are “smart” – integrating public opinion and economic, financial, environmental, and recreational needs into the planning and development process.
Also, if we truly want to protect Eastern Colorado farms, open space, and environmental and recreational values on the Western Slope, Front Range citizens need to look at where we get our water, how we use it, and the effect this has on other parts of Colorado. Our focus must be on making full, efficient use of existing in-basin and imported water and re-using return flows before we turn to additional huge transbasin diversions like the Million proposal.
Stephanie Thomas, Clean Water Advocate, Environment Colorado, Denver
First class, coach and the cellphone section
Re: “You can’t hear ’em yet,” May 13 editorial.
I just read your editorial on cellphone usage on planes. As a frequent airline passenger, I have watched this situation with great interest. The solution is simple. You need to see just how badly people want to use them, and it will only cost airlines two sheets of Plexiglas.
Make the last three rows of the plane a designated cellphone area, separated by Plexiglas from the rest of the plane. People in those seats can blab all they want, the Plexiglas partition keeps the noise level down for the rest of the passengers, and everyone is happy. My guess is that the cellphone user won’t want to sit in the back of the plane and be the last to get off at the end of the flight. They also won’t want to hear their fellow cellphone users shouting into the phone, just as they are doing.
Vern Kaufman, Elizabeth
The amnesty “solution” all over again
Many won’t remember, but 20 years ago we had an immigration crisis. There were an estimated 2 million people in this country illegally. The congressional parties “solved” the problem by compromising – citizenship for those already here, and more money for border patrol.
Today, we have an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants. Congress wants to “solve” the problem with another compromise – citizenship for those already here, and more money for border patrol. Sound familiar?
In another 20 years, we can go through this all over again. Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.
Joe McGloin, Sheridan
Death of Jerry Falwell
Re: “Powerful, polarizing preacher,” May 16 news story.
While it is appropriate to acknowledge the Rev. Jerry Falwell’s passing, it is disturbingly clear that some are rushing to canonize a man who would be ill-deserving were he still alive. Consider:
Instead of obeying Jesus’ commandment of “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” Falwell chose to foster a spiritual and political climate of division;
Instead of ministering to the “least of these,” as per Matthew, Falwell allied himself with modern-day Pharisees who have led us into war, debt and ecological disaster; and
Instead of moving to heal a nation after Sept. 11, 2001, Falwell scapegoated people for little more reason than because he could.
As a Christian, I wish peace to Falwell and his family. Moreover, I wish peace to those who have been marginalized because of his political and spiritual choices. Most of all, I wish our country will put to rest political and spiritual divisiveness that was perfected by Rev. Falwell.
Jeri D. Shepherd, Greeley
Online extras
For more letters to the editor, go to blogs.denverpost.com/eletters
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
