Make privacy rights a priority
Re: “Battle lines forming as U.S. privacy law fight looms,” Jan. 28 news story
Once upon a time, in the land of the free, everyone knew who the Big Three were. They were General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. Those companies sold products that afforded Americans the ability to obtain freedom. You could get behind the wheel and go wherever you wanted and do whatever you wanted and it was nobody’s business but yours!
Today, the Big Three are Facebook, Google and Amazon. They sell services and products that Americans just can’t do without, although America functioned well without any of them just a generation or so ago. Their products are the equivalents of the electronic ankle bracelet. Americans believe these products also provide great freedom. Except that the new Big Three know where you’re at, what you’re buying and whom you’re communicating with, and, they sell some of this information to interested third parties. Who knows where it ends up?
Len Bentley, Colorado Springs
For many years, the right to privacy was an important concept in this country. It always should be. No business should be keeping and using someone’s information for any reason whatsoever. Consent to do so should not be included in the fine print of any contract. Legal requirements or a person’s express written consent should be the only exceptions, and these should be for specific situations only. A person should be able to answer “no” to such a request or, better yet, just ignore the request and know his or her information is safe.
Just because a business has spent millions to build a system to collect and use this data does not create a “right” to do so. The right to privacy should always be more important than a company’s ability to make money using our information. If they want to use it perhaps they should pay us.
Carl Christensen, Arvada
Beautiful horses, beautiful music
While being dazzled by the beautiful horses and their riders at the Stock Show, the audience at last Wednesday evening’s “Dancing Horses” was treated to the most extraordinary and beautiful music from Denver School of the Arts’ orchestra. These students filled the stadium with the most lovely music for all to enjoy. Bravo. Well done!
Kathleen A. Keville, Denver
Fallout from shutdown
Why is it that the media does not report the compromises that President Donald Trump has offered? No wonder a faction of the people in America are blaming Trump. No, no, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will not budge and she is the one who doesn’t care about the struggling Federal workers.
Kay Robbins, Denver
President Donald Trump agreed to reopen the government until Feb. 15 while Democrats and Republicans negotiate about a wall on the southern border and other issues related to immigration. Pundits, the media, critics, supporters and voters have used words to describe the presidentap decision as “caved,” gave in,” “beat by Nancy Pelosi.” In addition, Chuck Schumer stated, “never underestimate the Speaker.”
Rather than using win/lose terminology the focus should be on how to prevent this in the future and pass legislation that is relevant to the situation. While Democrats and others want to gloat, in truth they underestimated Trump. This “how does it affect me” president needs to think he won, or his next actions will create greater harm.
The 35-day shutdown cost billions. This administration is completely out of touch with the average American.
Joyce Jappelle, Denver
