A sampling of recent editorials from Colorado newspapers:
NATIONAL:
Greeley Tribune, May 29, on immigration reform:
The question of what to do about illegal immigrants does not come with a black-and-white answer, any more than the question over segregation in the 1960s had a literal black-and-white solution.
Societal change occurs in mottled hues, as we weave compromise, compassion and humanity into what is just.
Those who cross our borders illegally negatively impact the important work and accomplishments of what generations of immigrants have accomplished. Even those who enter our country seeking a better life for themselves and their families, who engage in honest labor fall tragically into the shadow of their illegal compatriots.
The latest bipartisan congressional effort at resolving immigration reform disputes is a compilation of what all sides to this steamy issue seek. That the two major adversaries in the immigration morass—hard-nosed conservatives and naive liberals—are unhappy, frankly, signifies potential success.
Here are a few of the provisions we like:
— We continue to solidly back President Bush’s effort to establish a temporary guest worker program.
— We support a road to citizenship, albeit with a series of steps that must first be completed, including that those who are here illegally must pay a fine.
— We are in favor of the new “Z visa,” which requires several hurdles to be satisfied first, including background checks and a guaranteed job.
Here’s some of what we don’t like:
— Increasing the length of the border fence.
— Adding more restrictions on family members.
— Establishing rigid border security provisions before any other parts of the legislation go into effect.
Everyone, including the president, acknowledges there are significant splits in Congress that could damage any effort to pass this responsible immigration reform bill.
If the Washington delegates could only calmly step back and see the advantages to effective bipartisan legislation. The honor of compromise could bring this country together in solving what has become an ugly mess.
Recently, we commented on a shift in our attitude toward an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office coming to Greeley. We know that some illegal immigrants are criminals. Deportation is a must. We have seen ICE act accordingly, although we still have concerns about the agents’ methods and the indirect harm done to children.
We’re willing to make concessions; so, too, should our elected leaders.
Some historians and philosophers believe compromise waters down ideals and principles. Yet, without compromise we would be at constant impasse. Waging wars with bullets, with words, with hate.
Immigration has become as contentious and divisive as the question of segregation was a generation ago.
This is a disappointing reality for America. With all the sophistication of our technology, with the world literally at our fingertips, we seem to be no more ready to accept the cultures that cross into our country than we were 200 years ago as the United States cruelly finessed the American Indians out of their homesteads. Where is civility?
When Congress returns to work next week, it will continue the immigration debate. We beg them to bring humanity into the process.
Editorial: T
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The Durango Herald, May 29, on the need for President Bush to face realities in planning for Iraq:
Since the president won his battle with Democrats over war funding, the news from Iraq has been dominated by three stories. The first is about a Senate report that intelligence agencies predicted the problems U.S. forces are now experiencing in Iraq. The second describes how Iraq, once a Mecca for Islamic fundamentalists committed to defeating the United States, has now become an exporter of fighters to nearby countries. The third tells of a raid on an al-Qaida “hide-out” where Iraqi civilians apparently were tortured.
It is no surprise that intelligence agencies foresaw the potential mess and the related difficulties in extricating U.S. troops. It is also no surprise that the warnings were ignored in the Bush administration’s determined rush to war. Over and over, commentators pointed out the lack of measurable (not to mention achievable) objectives.
The rallying cry that won over many early war supporters who are now having second thoughts was that the United States needed to fight terrorists “over there” to avoid having to fight them on U.S. soil. The fact that they are now spreading from Iraq suggests that objective has not been achieved, and success in that regard grows ever less likely. Destabilized regions breed violence, and while U.S. rule may be more benign, at least in intent, than that of Saddam Hussein, there can be no doubt it is less stable in terms of controlling the behavior of Iraqis.
Some of the remaining supporters of the war—as distinguished from supporters of our troops, of whom there are many more—are demanding that opponents acknowledge the al-Qaida torture of Iraqi civilians as a counterpoint to U.S. abuses at Abu Ghraib. There is considerable irony in pointing to torture as evidence that al-Qaida is evil and at the same time using it as justification for the way the United States treats its own war prisoners and terror suspects, but there is also another point to be made.
Americans cannot “out-evil” their enemies, just as this country apparently cannot win through military strength. Another strategy to win over hearts and minds must be adopted, the sooner the better.
The Democratic Congress is not innocent in this mess. The Dems, too, picked a fight and then did not do what had to be done in order to win a victory.
Benchmarks are not bad—in fact, the idea that none exist is almost beyond belief. Closer to the truth may be the idea that the war effort has failed so badly in meeting benchmarks that the Bush administration refuses to acknowledge them. How can a war (or any other effort, for that matter) be managed effectively if there are no benchmarks for measuring progress and no timeline for attaining them?
No one is happy with the idea of abandoning Iraq in its current state. That is bad for Iraq, the Middle East, the United States and the world. One debate going on in Washington right now is over how bad things would get if we pulled out. That question is impossible to answer without an honest assessment of what actually is being accomplished and what we can reasonably expect to accomplish in the foreseeable future.
Then the Bush administration needs to act, and act rationally, on that information. The practice of ignoring or altering intelligence that does not support the president’s desires has to stop. Already this month, more than 100 Americans have lost their lives fighting there.
It is past time for the White House to start dealing with the reality our troops confront every day.
Editorial: n&article—path/opinion/opin070529—1.htm
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STATE/REGIONAL:
Fort Collins Coloradoan, May 29, on changing the rules for obtaining a driver’s license:
State lawmakers have taken a step backward in approving House Bill 1313, which could weaken identity requirements for obtaining Colorado drivers’ licenses.
Gov. Ritter should recognize this retreat by vetoing the bill.
What document is the most requested when seeking to verify identification? A driver’s license. In fact, driver’s licenses also are the most commonly presented form of identification when registering to vote.
And driver’s licenses are the most common ID used when boarding a commercial airliner. The cards have essentially become the national de facto form of identification.
Yet today, lawmakers are decrying election security and national security at the same time they are weakening requirements for the most used form of identification.
According to the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office, HB 1313 would allow the use of documents that are easily altered or reproduced with a computer as acceptable ID in order to receive a driver’s license.
The Secretary of State’s Office believes the legislation will increase the opportunity for individuals to obtain multiple identifications. HB 1313 will eliminate Colorado’s current requirement of proof of lawful presence in the country, and it would compel the Department of Revenue to accept documents containing nicknames or aliases.
Last year, the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement office conducted raids across the country on meatpacking plants, including one in Greeley. ICE said the raids, which proved ineffective as well as callous, were prompted by identity theft. In the end, the raids appeared to be far more punitive to illegal immigrants than those who steal and traffic illegal IDs. Yet, Colorado lawmakers appear to be making it easier for those who would exploit illegal immigrants with such documents.
The legislation also appears to conflict with the federal Real ID Act, which requires proof of lawful presence. Although the federal act may be adjusted, it doesn’t make sense for Colorado’s requirements to oppose federal law.
Colorado lawmakers would better serve residents by focusing on preventing identity theft than potentially enabling it.
Editorial: 90307/1014/CUSTOMERSERVICE02
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Reporter-Herald, Loveland, Colo., and Daily Times-Call, Longmont, Colo., May 26, on the need for continued support for two teens who lost their legs in a January accident:
The courage and strength of body and mind shown by Nikko Landeros and Tyler Carron continues to be absolutely amazing.
These two young men who were so terribly injured in an accident in January certainly have earned the respect and admiration of people throughout northern Colorado and beyond.
The response of people who have learned of Nikko and Tyler’s determination has been one of overwhelming support and caring.
Friends, strangers, schoolmates, clubs and townspeople organized and contributed to a host of fundraisers following the accident.
It has been heartening to see how this groundswell of concern and love immediately followed the accident and even enveloped the driver of the vehicle that struck the boys as they attempted to change a tire on their vehicle.
This outpouring of compassion and caring must not be allowed to change or diminish as the result of allegations of drinking that have been lodged against the two youths.
The fact remains that they suffered life-threatening injuries and now, only five months later, are well on the road to recovery.
Because the driver of the other vehicle, Michelle Berra, has been charged in the accident, she is entitled to a defense.
It is unfortunate that the investigation of the accident apparently did not receive the attention it deserved. Details that should have been part of the record have since been anonymously released to Denver media.
Whether a more thorough investigation would have resulted in a different legal course at this point is entirely speculative and can only be needlessly divisive.
As Berthoud High School graduation approaches, to be followed by a pretrial conference in the accident case, it is important to remember that nothing can change what happened that January evening.
But attitudes can change, and that must not be allowed to happen.
The caring and concern shown toward Tyler and Nikko, and also for Michelle and the other students immediately affected by the accident, must continue in the manner that it has in the school and the wider community. They deserve no less now because of what the district attorney calls “new information.”
Let healing and recovery continue in an atmosphere of encouragement and support.
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