There seems to be confusion among some about the First Amendment, free speech, censorship and such.
For instance, for those of us who toil at a newspaper, we have editors. If one these watchdogs of words alters our brilliant prose — or even zaps it into cyberspace — we cannot scream that our constitutional rights have been violated. Our colleagues would shake their heads in disbelief and suggest we seek another trade.
In Colorado and many other states, elected school boards are responsible for curriculum. Their review of content thereof is not cause for marches, teacher strikes or calling in the ACLU.
• • •
If some nerd could only invent workable technology, there is a foolproof way to dramatically increase voter turnouts in elections.
It is this: Once you turn in your mail ballot to election officials, a secret code would be conveyed to the voter’s TV set. The code would allow the voter to black out any and all campaign ads. Hence, peaceful Octobers would be possible for those who vote.
• • •
When The Denver Post printed its pages on pink newsprint one day last month to promote breast cancer awareness, you probably thought it was some kind of journalistic first.
Not so. Some of us geezers can remember the day when the front page and other wrap-around pages of The Post were on pink paper every day. The former publishers, the late Harry Tammen and Frederick Bonfils, began the practice in the 1920s and it lasted until the later part of the 1940s.
It wasn’t part of any awareness campaign, however. The old owners just thought it set The Post apart and gave it some pizzazz.
• • •
The next inductee into the Broncos Ring of Fame should be the late Tim McKernan.
No, he never played or coached for the football team. He was the Barrel Man, a Broncos icon who showed up at games clad only in an orange barrel and cowboy boots.
According to his obituary, McKernan missed only four games between 1967 and 2009, the year he died. Amazingly, in my opinion, he did this gig while being cold sober.
Honoring the Barrel Man could also be a tribute to all Broncos fans. After all, they are actually responsible for the team’s success.
• • •
OK, so someone has invented a car that has so many sensors and computers that it doesn’t need a driver. But has it been tested during the first snowy rush hour in Colorado?
• • •
Let’s say you are charged with hiring a new employee for your company. Of the candidates you interview, one says nothing about his qualifications, but instead bad-mouths all of the other applicants. Would you consider him for the job? No.
Will consultants for political candidates get the message? Not likely.
Dick Hilker of Arvada (dhilker529@aol.com) is a retired suburban Denver newspaper editor and columnist. He writes twice a month for The Denver Post.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit or check out our for how to submit by e-mail or mail.
