Colorado’s attorney general had to sue to protect airwaves
Re: “State should stay out of legal challenge to Nexstar-Tegna merger,” August 22 guest commentary.
I was baffled when I read Robin Rossenfeld’s op-ed in Saturday’s Post. The argument that she made for allowing the Nexstar-Tegna merger seemed absurd. “Predictable rules matter,” she wrote. But, as I’ve followed this dispute, the predictable rules have been openly violated. The Federal Communications Commission has long-standing rules about how much any one company can dominate the airwaves. Both Nexstar and Tegna were close to the limit on the number and size of TV stations they control. Predictable rules should say the merger was impossible.
But, in March 2026, FCC Commissioner Brenden Carr – who has been blatant in his Trumpian meddling in TV programming and licensing – waived those rules, without a vote of the commission. Trump’s Department of Justice signed off on “the competitive implications of the deal”, even though many other broadcasters had protested the proposed merger and described the likely distortions of such monopoly control. Lawsuits have put the full merger on hold.
It took me a few days to understand the case being made by corporate lawyer Rossenfeld. She is naming the realities of business in the era of Donald Trump, where predictability has nothing to do with legal processes and established precedent. What is predictable is that a wealthy corporation which has aligned itself with Trump’s version of “the news” will get what it wants, no matter what the laws and the rules say.
With that definition of “predictable,” she tells Colorado’s attorney general not to interfere with corporate privilege by filing pesky lawsuits.
I refuse to accept that corrupt definition of predictability. I applaud Colorado for joining the lawsuit challenging the Nexstar-Tegna merger.
Peter Sawtell, Denver
In her August 22 opinion piece, Robin Rossenfeld tried to make the case that the state should stay out of the Nexstar-Tegna merger because businesses rely on regulatory certainty. She stated that the merger went through a thorough review and that such mergers raise complex legal issues.
She also emphasized that the media market has changed dramatically, and local markets must continue to adapt. All of these are hollow attempts at support when the rules of the game were fundamentally changed to accommodate the merger. When the Federal Communications Commission voted in August 2026 to repeal the long-standing national cap, they threw out any sense of regulatory certainty.
A single broadcast company was previously prohibited from owning television stations reaching more than 39% of U.S. TV households. The proposed merger could reach up to 60% or even 80% of the market. With virtually no attempt to hide the underlying purpose of increasing conservative-leaning ownership of media markets, the current administration has asserted its political will at the peril of a free and open media market that would better serve the citizens of Colorado. The attorney general has a legitimate interest in preserving open markets within the state on behalf of open-minded Coloradans.
John Miles, Greeley
Where was “woke” when I needed it?
Re: “Yes, woke 1.0 was crazy; now where’s the accountability?” August 19 guest commentary.
Thank you, Bret Stephens, for reminding us about the recent crazy actions of some institutions responding to “woke” ideology. But I’m sorry there was not sufficient space in your article to mention the numerous instances of an “unwoke” culture, some way before you were born.
When women, people of color, LGBTA+ people were discriminated against because of the policies developed by white men. Being over 80 years old, I remember when women were denied a loan without a husband’s signature; reading history books that did not reflect certain groups’ contributions to our country; not being recognized because of gender; not receiving the same pay as a man in the same position; receiving medical care that did not match the same care given men; being refused a college admission because the place was reserved for men. The list could go on and on for millions of us growing up in an “unwoke” culture.
Will we ever find a balance of respecting each person’s contributions to our country instead of pointing fingers at others?
Andrea M. West, Centennial
The left should be held accountable for “woke”
I can only assume that Bret Stephens was asking a rhetorical question regarding accountability from the left when considering the pervasive damage done by Woke 1.0. If itap one thing everyone should know by now, itap that the left rarely holds itself accountable for any policy or action taken, regardless of the consequences.
Besides, why should they? Liberals in general only care about results and are quick to dismiss any failures. Itap “damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead” with the next ill-advised action or policy. I suppose the follow-up column of anguish by Stephens will address the failings of the leftap acquiescence to the lunacy put forth by the DSA’s stated policy positions.
David Oyler, Canon City
Griswold’s records problem must be investigated.
Re: “Jena Griswold’s latest scandal should get voters to look seriously at her opponent,” August 23 opinion.
I must admit that I too was deeply disappointed by the outcome of the Colorado Attorney General primary. What frustrates me most is not simply that Jena Griswold won, but that I believe Colorado voters had three other exceptionally qualified candidates before them — candidates whose professional experience and legal backgrounds, in my judgment, better prepared them for the responsibilities of Attorney General.
My frustration is perhaps with all of us. We have a responsibility to look beyond party label, name recognition, political alliances, and campaign rhetoric and ask a very basic question. Who is genuinely the most qualified person to do the job? I find myself asking whether we, as voters, are paying enough attention to competence, experience, judgment, and qualification when choosing people for some of the most consequential offices in our state. For this race, I would say, we failed.
Juanita Chacon, Denver
Krista Kafer alleges in her Sunday Post column that Jena Griswold is suppressing a $25,000 report about the functioning of the Secretary of State’s office. If proven true (and Kafer makes a strong case), Griswold should immediately resign her candidacy. She gained the nomination under false pretenses. Her administration has not been smooth, but rough and bruising to the people who worked under her.
Since, as Kafer pointed out, Griswold’s main qualification is her Secretary of State tenure, she is obviously not qualified to hold the Attorney General’s office. Her legal background is sparse at best, and now her administrative background has been called into question. We need people of integrity in public office. The national scene proves this over and over.
If Griswold is suppressing the report to cover her shortcomings, she doesn’t deserve to hold any office, let alone that of attorney general. Phil Weiser has demonstrated its importance in these troubled times.
Democrats deserve a qualified candidate. Either of Griswold’s opponents in the primary would suffice.
Bob Stephenson, Englewood
Trump’s land grab is based on greed
Re: “Paving paradise: Dismantling the Roadless Rule,” August 23, commentary.
Donald Trump’s thinly veiled excuse to open 59 million acres of national forest for “economic development” is another example of total disregard for the environment for the benefit of corporations.
As a native, a backpacker, and a photographer, I have seen firsthand the benefits of our national forests to all our emotional, mental, and physical health. This is nothing more than a land grab by an administration that values money over people and the environment. Will the next step be to close access to our National Parks? How many greedy millionaires and billionaires (maybe reading this) would love to have Rocky Mountain National Park as a gated community with signs reading, “No Trespassing, Violators Will Be Shot.”
Will Americans make a stand against a president when Congress and the Senate have no backbone to do so, instead sitting slack-jawed in front of their screens? Our national forests and national parks are some of the last examples of a great America.
Put down your fatty burgers, your nachos, and your six packs of beer. Turn off Twitter, TikTok, Meta, game shows, talk shows, sitcoms, and start thinking for yourselves. And if you can’t do it, or forgot how, ask Alexa for help. This land grab is based on greed, and greed is a form of fear.
John C. Gentile, Lakewood
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