An American hero in an unadorned grave
I recently returned from a wonderful trip to Denver. As a Welshwoman inhabiting a medieval town called Ruthin, North Wales, UK, I was interested in learning more about the history of Denver, and I came across the story of the Sand Creek Massacre.
Visiting the History Colorado Center and viewing photos and reading the first-hand accounts of what happened left me angry and speechless. As an inhabitant of a country (Wales) which was colonized by the English, generally with brutality and bloodshed, I felt a kinship (though I cannot pretend that our experience is totally parallel), but in all the carnage and slaughter, one man stood out, his name was Silas Soule.
Not only did Silas refuse an order and tell the troops under his direct command not to obey the orders of the colonel in charge, but he went on to what we would call a “whistle blow” or “upstand” about the events that happened that day. The price he would pay would be his own life some months later.
We visited this man’s grave in Riverside Cemetery. Surprisingly, no ribbons, no epitaph, no note of what he had done, just one plastic flower leaning on its side and a single pebble placed on the top. We left him our flowers and whispered our thanks.
In a world where principle is sliding, when the world is dimming voices of the marginalized and the oppressed, Silas is a beacon, an icon and a true ‘American Hero’.
Jude Traharne, Ruthin, North Wales
Not so fast with the PFAS scare tactics
Re: “Protect food from all contaminants,” July 24 open forum.
A letter in The Open Forum on Friday, July 24 contains an uninformed opinion about “contaminants” in food packaging. The writer states that public health is not being protected from hidden risks and stronger regulations are needed to protect public health. The writer does not give any facts to support these positions. Not one example of an illness is provided.
The facts are, no authoritative, comprehensive review of PFAS; the example used by the author shows a direct cause of any human illness or condition, only links or associations. The FDA announced in 2024 that no grease-proofing materials containing PFAS are sold for use in food packaging and all safety approvals were revoked.
State-level laws (such as one in Colorado) have prohibited any intentionally added PFAS to food packaging. Major fast-food chains have successfully eliminated PFAS from their packaging. Blood levels of PFAS in the population have declined by more than 70% in the past 25 years.
I am not downplaying the potential risks of PFAS or other chemicals in food packaging. What I am pointing out is that regulators, the food industry, and governments have been doing their jobs. As a result, even though PFAS still exists in food packaging, mainly due to migration from recycled materials, exposure is low and poses no safety concerns. Additionally, when new and credible information comes forward, appropriate steps are taken (e.g., phthalates in packaging). Thus, despite what was written, the safety of the food supply is maintained.
Let the public health agencies work on real issues, like cyclosporiasis. Unscientific scare tactics only drain resources and divert attention from important health issues. Leave imagined risks in one’s imagination.
Richard Lane, Broomfield
Wake up, Republicans; America is on fire
While this administration spends time and money on witch hunts and litigating and relitigating the past, the planet is burning up. It’s hotter than hell or flooding. Living expenses are rising, tariffs are hurting businesses, regular citizens and innocent people are being jailed or killed or deported to countries where they will be endangered, our food is less safe, our healthcare is more expensive, our public lands are being gutted, experts who have devoted their lives to public service are being derided or worse, our voting rights are being threatened, and Social Security will soon be bankrupt!
Wake up, Republicans and do the job you are elected to do. Improve our present living conditions, improve our safety, protect our democracy and create a better United States for tomorrow. Be brave and work across the aisle for a better future for all.
Nancy Litwack-Strong, Lakewood
Dems are turning Colo. into Eastern California
The people running this state are continuously looking for a problem to fix when no problem exists. Earlier this year, someone came up with the bright idea to legalize prostitution; that went away. The Democrats in office have continually tried to legislate away shootings, but that isn’t working. I bet the gun shops are very happy with all the guns they are selling before the new law is in place.
Then someone decided there should be a bus-only lane on Colfax. Wow, what a mess that is. Businesses are suffering and going out of business so that less than full busses can have their own lane. I assume they must still stop for the red lights. Whatever happened to driving less and not idling your car to keep pollution at bay? I am quite sure there will be lots of idling cars on East Colfax because of the new bus lane.
When will these people figure out that if people move here, they don’t do it to ride on buses or trains. They want to get in their car and go fishing, hiking, rafting, skiing, hunting, mountain climbing, and driving through our national parks. That is the biggest allure of this state.
Now, I read Democrats are not happy with their majorities in the House and Senate. They want a supermajority so they can do even more damage to this once great state. I was born and raised in this state, and trust me, this is not the state I grew up in. It has become eastern California.
Dennis Lubbers, Denver
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