Vote to impeach President Bush in Telluride
Re: “Impeachment vote reaps storm,” Aug. 7 Page 1 story.
The front-page story on Telluride went a long way toward establishing the town’s credentials as a liberal community associated with other left-leaning organizations. It certainly fans the flames of divisiveness in this country. It was unfortunate that not one sentence was devoted to the merits of impeachment proceedings. Perhaps you were saving that conversation for the opinion page or a Sunday Perspective section.
I encourage you to see “Bill Moyers Journal” on PBS this Friday when he will be rebroadcasting an interview with Bruce Fein, an author of the article of impeachment of Bill Clinton. As I recall, he states in that interview that the actions of President Bush are far more serious than President Clinton’s perjury since they damage our constitution and the shared powers between each branch of government.
Entering into yet another impeachment process cannot be taken lightly. It is distressing to read articles like the one on Telluride’s initiative. Why not try some responsible journalism by reporting on the merits of the conversation?
John D. Cooper, Arvada
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So some right wing Texans are not coming to Telluride? Good riddance. Their e-mail campaign promoted by conservative talk radio has blown back at them, by increasing the call to impeach the current administration. We may save the Constitution yet, by preserving and defending its principles, not one person’s.
Lewis Elliott, Denver
Voices column on begging well-intentioned but naive
Re: “Beggars can be choosers,” Aug. 6 Colorado Voices column.
Although well-intentioned, the support Dina Chaiffetz offered someone who “chose” to be homeless is misplaced and naive. Chaiffetz profiles a 55-year-old man who says he chooses to forgo government help to get off the streets because there are too many rules to follow. He is a father of two and takes in about $15-$30 per day in handouts plus food. Chaiffetz makes him seem almost noble for taking a stand against Big Brother. She does not address the fact that he “chose” to father two children, chooses to take advantage of government services like using the sidewalks, parks, libraries and public schooling for his children, but “chooses” not to pay taxes or support the children he fathered. This man is not an example of rugged individualism, but rather that of an irresponsible addict.
Chaiffetz admits she is aware that panhandlers spend most of the money they receive on drugs and alcohol, but she does not take any personal responsibility for being an enabler. These homeless addicts will not get help until they hit rock bottom. Handing them money to feed their addiction is not helping them make “choices.” Those with addictions will always tell you it’s their choice to continue using. My father, a strong-willed man, died from emphysema. To the day he died, he insisted he “chose” to smoke cigarettes. In reality, he had no “choice”; he was addicted to nicotine and his addiction killed him.
The next time Chaiffetz “flips a bill” to the addicts on her street corner, I hope she understands she is helping to keep them addicted and in a life of squalor. Ms. Chaiffetz, instead donate your money or your time to Mayor Hickenlooper’s Denver Road Home plan. Your naiveté is helping to kill people.
Susan Quesada, Breckenridge
Slow start for Twenty Ninth Street mall in Boulder
Re: “Boulder mall missing a throng,” Aug. 6 news story.
I am not surprised that Twenty Ninth Street is “missing a throng.” I recently went there to find a store I had seen advertised. It took me a long time to find it. Aside from the very cute “main street” area, the rest of the shopping center had fast cars driving through it, no street signs, poor store signage in some locations and very few crosswalks. Directories in two different locations had “You are here” markers in the same spots. Stores were empty. None of the buildings seemed to relate to each other.
Amy Mall, Boulder
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Boulder’s Twenty Ninth Street mall is an abject failure. If mall owner Macerich wanted it to be a “destination” shopping experience, it would not have dropped “any old mall USA” into the middle of the least conventional city in Colorado.
Why didn’t Macerich heed initial plans and create a pedestrian plaza mall integrated with residences? Why didn’t they capitalize on Boulder’s renowned backdrop (the Flatirons) and orient an outdoor pedestrian mall on the northeast diagonal from the intersection of Arapahoe and 28th streets in order to create a unique, beautiful experience? (Also, this is Boulder’s entryway. Visitors coming into town would then immediately see an inviting shopping “destination.”)
Why was Macerich wedded to building an actual “29th Street” (complete with traffic) instead of an inviting pedestrian mall where a road now sits? And why aren’t any of the entryways to underground parking located off the main thoroughfares (e.g., Canyon Boulevard)? Combined with ineffective signage, shoppers end up wandering about looking for parking when it’s available right beneath them!
I pity the poor merchants who were sold this white elephant. Not even a big-box movie theater (a dying entertainment medium itself) will boost attendance as much as they hope. Looks like Boulder will have another urban redevelopment opportunity on its hands in 10 years. Next time I hope they do it right.
William Autrey, Boulder
Pathways to success
Re: “School reform effort begins,” Aug. 5 Page 1 story.
I was delighted to read Sunday’s article on the options which Gov. Ritter’s office is proposing for school reform. It makes good sense to have “multiple pathways to graduation”: a college-bound diploma, a workforce-ready distinction or a diploma with certification in plumbing or mechanics. These options give a student choices in the direction of his/her education and takes into account aptitude, interest and motivation. The chance that this idea, if implemented, would cut down on the drop-out rate is high as many students drop out of middle and/or high school because the academic work is either too hard or of not much interest.
As a former school psychologist in the Denver Public Schools, I was in contact with many students who were in the eighth grade, for example, but were reading at the third-grade level. Who would want to sit in class daily and try to hide a lack of accomplishment in a subject? It is unrealistically optimistic to think that every student can reach grade-level proficiency in reading, writing and math. It’s better to bring each student to the highest level of their potential. Let individual differences be acknowledged. There are many trades which do not require a college education, and they should also be valued.
Harriet Turner Strong, Englewood
Salazar vote cowardly
Sen. Ken Salazar’s vote for President Bush’s illegal wiretapping program (the Protect America Act) was an act of absolute cowardice. I consider the senator to be my friend, having known him since 2004 when we met several times on the campaign trail in Eastern Colorado, but now I am so ashamed of him. I understand his need to compromise and be a man of moderation, but this is about the Constitution. You cannot make a deal with the devil over the U.S. Constitution!
The idea that he would vote to allow President Bush’s past illegal wiretaps of U.S. citizens’ phone calls to become legal and absolve the president of responsibility for all those felonies is quite stunning, to say the least.
Now President Bush can say with certainty, “I am above the law that applies to everyone else, thanks to those spineless cowards in the Congress.”
U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar wimped out, and we are not safer for it.
James Bowen, Boyero
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