Is re-creating 1968 DNC riots the best idea?
Re: “Taking umbrage; Activists berate council for dropping DNC free-speech edict,” June 12 news story.
Maybe Mark Cohen’s group would have had more success without the name “Re-create 68.” For those of us who lived in the Chicago area during the 1968 Democratic National Convention, the name conjures images of teenagers with cracked skulls and nuns and priests beaten unconscious in a terrifying police riot. Many of the victims weren’t even participating in the protests, just trying to get home from school or work. Mayor Richard J. Daley quite deservedly bore the blame for the disaster and never recovered from the humiliation of having so completely lost control of his city. Small wonder the Denver City Council was not enthusiastic about the possibility of being seen as wishing to recreate anything of the sort.
Felice Sage, Littleton
Plans for drilling on the Roan Plateau
Re: June 13 Mike Keefe cartoon.
If Mike Keefe would only read your paper, he would not make such a fool of himself and expose his cartoons as being totally biased.
In your briefing column on the same day (“Salazar, Udall try to delay Roan drilling”), the article reads of congressmen John Salazar and Mark Udall trying to delay the funding for drilling on the Roan Plateau. The next-to-last paragraph states, “After seven years of study, hearings and comment from state agencies, the Colorado office of the Bureau of Land Management finalized a plan last week that authorizes up to 1,570 new natural-gas wells on and around the Roan Plateau over 20 years.”
Mr. Keefe’s cartoon shows the natural gas team’s truck headed for the Roan Plateau with the caption “Drill first. Ask questions later.” I would guess seven years of study and hearings are not enough for Mr. Keefe.
And we wonder why energy and fuel costs are so high.
Chuck Wright, Northglenn
Reopening of Denver’s Manual High School
Manual High School reopens in August. As a DPS graduate, parent, employee and taxpayer, I too am eager to see if the resurrection will fly. And it just might. Parents, students and teachers must agree to the school’s mission before entering the building, encompassing character, behavior and student achievement. Agreeing to stricter rules and higher standards is the cornerstone of any successful charter or private school. If any party fails to uphold the mission, they are “asked” to leave. They return to their neighborhood school by default.
Maybe that’s where Denver Public Schools has it backwards. Maybe they should run the neighborhood schools like private schools: high standards for the students, clear expectations for the parents and firm commitments from the teachers. Anyone unable or unwilling to rise to the occasion could default to a K-12 school in their area. Minimal expectations, minimal requirements, minimal results, minimal pay. Enough for the status quo and the legal requirement of an education for all. The rest of the schools, now the mainstream, would be freed up to teach to those wanting to learn.
This was originally a tongue-in-cheek idea. But the more I knock it around, the more sense it makes.
Patricia Scott, Denver
Auto manufacturers and fuel economy
Re: June 13 full-page advertisement opposing congressional fuel-economy increases.
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers has pulled a fast one again. Instead of spending its time and resources manufacturing cars that won’t cost consumers a ton of money to operate, it has managed to convince a few elected officials from Colorado to support its misguided, anti-consumer agenda once again. These poor (or maybe not-so poor?) gentlemen have been duped into thinking that constantly refueling their SUVs at today’s gas prices is a good thing. They must not live on a budget like most families do. More efficient pickup trucks, minivans and SUVs will make sure that Colorado families will stop lining the pockets of Big Oil with their hard-earned cash. If the public wants to drive more efficient versions of these vehicles, why can’t we require automobile manufacturers to make them? Say “no” to gas-guzzling vehicles because Colorado deserves better.
Kirpal Singh, Denver
The writer is staff attorney for the Colorado Public Interest Research Group.
Review of DCTC’s production of “Forum”
Re: “The funny thing is, this is one ordinary ‘Forum,”‘ May 29 theater review.
The review of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” was disparaging and unfair. Over the years, the Denver Center Theatre Company has brought a variety of productions to its theaters, from Shakespearean tragedy to 21st century reflections on forgiveness (“September Shoes”), illegal immigration (“Living Out”), and Middle Eastern politics.
When the repertory company mounts a frothy, funny musical, your critic’s review attempts to compare the production with other productions, rather than view this version with the vision of its director in mind. The critic ignores what is unique and hilarious about this particular show and cast.
Sally R. Gass, Denver
Golden tower dispute
Re: “Stealthy alliance behind tower,” June 11 news story.
Your reporting on the Lookout Mountain towers debacle continues to be one-sided and flawed. The Lake Cedar Group was presented with acceptable alternative sites for the towers and incentives to move. If they would have accepted the move, there would have been no interruption of service to anyone. The Lake Cedar Group was presented these acceptable alternative sites for the towers and decided to throw attorneys and lobbyists at the issue instead.
As reported, the Lake Cedar Group paid big money to go to Washington to kill what had been a 10-year effort by local citizens to have the towers moved to a more suitable location. Moving the towers would have shown our kids that the individual can have a positive impact, and win-win solutions can be found. Unfortunately, just the opposite occurred. Shame.
Stephen J. Vall, Golden
Ideas for the State Fair
Re: “Should State Fair move north?” June 14 editorial.
Moving the State Fair in Pueblo closer to the population center makes a lot of sense, but why has no one considered another easy option? Change the dates of the fair.
Today, most schools open in mid-August, a week or two before the State Fair opens. The fair is appealing to children and families with children, but who can go when the kids are in school? Scheduling the fair in late July or early August would be more family friendly.
Fred Rosa, Lakewood
Half-baked reporting?
Re: “Mile High cuisine; Top Denver chefs show Aspen what’s cooking,” June 13 Food story.
Your article had a glaring error in it. With all due respect to Jennifer Jasinski, Amy Vitale, Rebecca Weitzman, Elise Wiggins, Sheila Lucero and others, the correct title would have read, “Top male Denver chefs.” There’s already a lot of gender discrimination in chefdom; do we really need The Denver Post adding to that bias?
Ilene Kasper, Denver
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