Opposition to Planned Parenthood’s future HQ
Re: “Faceoff looms at site of new HQ,” Aug. 20 news story.
It will be interesting to see if Colorado Right to Life will follow through on protests and boycotts of the new Planned Parenthood clinic, now that the news media are covering the story. Readers not previously engaged in this debate can now evaluate their propaganda.
For instance, the absurdity of their statement that Planned Parenthood is “in the business to kill babies for profit” is exposed by the article’s statistic that of the 125,000 patients served last year, fewer than 9,000 received abortions.
This number would have been even smaller if these same people didn’t also try to discourage the use of birth control pills by claiming they “don’t work.” The pills actually do work at preventing conception, but they aren’t effective against HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. However, this is information Planned Parenthood provides to its clients. It also offers screenings for breast, cervical, colon and prostate cancers, anemia, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and rubella immunity, along with other health treatments.
Planned Parenthood has been a major contributor to the health of society for years. Articles like this will help readers realize that opponents of abortion and contraception have their own agenda.
Janet Brazill, Colorado Springs
…
In this front-page article, Leslie Hanks of Colorado Right to Life is quoted regarding her opinion that Planned Parenthood’s first concern is addicting young girls to “birth control pills which don’t work.” A conscientious news medium should provide the facts to refute this unscientific, extremist opinion somewhere in the same article.
Dorothy Leong, Centennial
Whole Foods’ buyout of Wild Oats
Re: “Wild Oats rolled to checkout; Whole Foods wins judge’s approval of $760 million buyout,” Aug. 17 news story.
I was dismayed, but not shocked, to learn that Whole Foods will be allowed to acquire Wild Oats. Clearly, letter- writer David Holcberg (Aug. 16 Open Forum) does not shop exclusively at stores such as Whole Foods and Wild Oats for his groceries. I can say with certainty that Wild Oats and Whole Foods are the main players in a unique market. When the Wild Oats markets become Whole Foods or are closed, my food bill will go up.
Three months ago, I lived near a Whole Foods. Now I live closer to a Wild Oats. My food bill is lower, because I am able to shop sales. I have never seen anything on sale at Whole Foods, nor have I seen a sale flyer from Whole Foods. Prices at Wild Oats are generally lower. I consider shopping at other stores such as King Soopers and Safeway, but often their prices are higher than Wild Oats, and they do not have nearly the selection.
Many people are either lying or turning a blind eye to make this merger “legal.”
Linda Brumley, Littleton
Fundamental problem with Colorado smoking ban
Re: “Ruling should clear up conflict on smoking ban,” Aug. 20 editorial.
The fundamental problem around the smoking-ban debate is demonstrated unwittingly in your editorial on the subject. You say that the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act bans smoking “in most indoor public places.” But a restaurant, bar or casino is no more a “public” place than is my office or even my home. They are private properties, the owners of which should have the right to permit or prohibit any legal activity as they decide best suits their business strategy, their personal moral code, or any other basis upon which they make such decisions.
Secondly, you mention “involuntary exposure” to secondhand smoke, by which I presume you mean someone who goes to a restaurant or bar and breathes in smoke from another patron’s cigarette. But such exposure pushes the limits of the word “involuntary” since nobody has forced the person into the restaurant or bar at gunpoint, and certainly nobody is keeping him there once he learns that there may be smoke present.
As someone who despises smoking, I am pleased with the effect of the smoking ban, but I oppose it nonetheless. Private property rights are more important than the wishes of a bunch of do-gooders, even if they are a majority.
What’s next, government banning trans fats? Naah, Big Nanny would never go that far, would they?
Ross Kaminsky, Nederland
U.S. offer to send Israel $30 billion over 10 years
Re: “U.S. offers Israel record military aid,” Aug. 17 news story.
“Realists” believe increased militarization of the already over-militarized Middle East is the only way to peace. I’d say it’s the only firm guarantee of at least another decade of continual war in the region and increasing terrorism around the globe. It’s like pouring gas onto an already raging fire. We were told by these same folks that invasion was the only way to peace in Iraq. Yet the now-obvious reality that such fantasies have backfired in Iraq has done little to change their thinking. The further militarization of Israeli politics will do little to secure the future of Israel, just as the continuing militarization of U.S. foreign policy has done little to secure us against the threat of terrorism.
John F. Kane, Denver
Where are the public recycling bins in Denver?
I grew up in Denver and now live in Portland, Ore. I was back in Denver last week to visit and was so sad about the state of recycling in the metro area. My kids and I went to Elitch’s, Water World, downtown, suburbs, etc., and didn’t see any glass/plastic bottle recycling receptacles. We finally saw one such bin in the airport as we were leaving.
Isn’t anyone paying attention to what Denver throws in landfills? The city of Portland is requiring all businesses to recycle 75 percent of their solid waste by 2015 (they now recycle 63 percent). I complain a lot about the rain in Portland, and how wonderful it is in Denver, but now I wonder … .
Nancy Teskey, Portland, Ore.
Traffic on Quebec Street
Re: “Get with it, Denver,” Aug. 19 Susan Barnes-Gelt column.
Columnist Susan Barnes-Gelt raises some good questions about traffic conditions on Quebec Street, but Quebec’s worst long-range problem as a thoroughfare is its narrowness between 6th and 23rd avenues. The cost of condemnation at fair market value to four-lane the busy street would be horrendous. She also objects to the new wide concrete median just north of Evans Avenue because it goes against Denver’s City Beautiful tradition of landscaped parkways. The median does save water, but she’s right. Perhaps admirers of the nearby Denver Dumb Friends League could fund small concrete sculptures of dogs, cats, ducks, etc., on the median, unless that creates a traffic safety issue.
John Davoren, Denver
Lead-paint rules for toys
Re: “White House, China fought tightening lead-paint rules,” Aug. 21 news story.
On the one hand, I’m not surprised. On the other hand, I’m dumbfounded. According to your article, the White House has fought tightening lead-paint rules pertaining to children’s toys. The article reports that a director for a government watchdog group put it this way: “The overall philosophy is regulations are bad, and they are too large a cost for industry, and the market will take care of it.” I guess that extrapolates to a belief that if enough children suffer from lead poisoning, the word will get out and parents will stop buying toys made in China. Not to worry; the market will solve the problem.
Tom Parsons, Broomfield
Online extras
Today, U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, a top Democratic leader, is expected to take the unusual step of endorsing a candidate in what is now a three-way Democratic primary for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District. How much will his support help Betsy Markey? Should he have jumped in the fray? Join the discussion at
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