CUPITMUSIC

Sen. Bennet should ‘reassess’ political goals

Re: “Bennet holds decisive lead in Democratic primary, poll shows,” June 17 news story

As a 65-year-old, life-long Democrat, I was disheartened to see that Sen. Michael Bennet decided to abandon his Senate term and return to Colorado to run for governor. Our national Democrats, who include Sen. Bennet, are good people, but they are guilty of political malpractice – the refusal or inability to effectively message. The inconvenient truth is that our current national Democratic leaders share responsibility with President Donald Trump for the mess we’re in, because they don’t effectively message. They are incapable of leading us out of it.

If Sen. Bennet is tired of fighting in Washington, then he should retire at the end of his term. He’s had his time. Name recognition is not a justification for nominating someone for governor. A new, younger, energetic generation of Democrats is necessary to take their rightful place and now is the time.

For the good of the Democratic Party and the state, Sen. Bennet should reassess his plans to run for governor in the Democratic primary, understand the historic moment we’re in and let the future take its rightful place here in Colorado now.

William C. (Billy) Compton, Lakewood

Editor’s note: Compton is the former Political Director of the Colorado Democratic Party and the former Colorado Director of Elections.

In conversations with voters about the Colorado governor’s race, I’ve heard some say they are torn between the two candidates, Attorney General Phil Weiser and Sen. Michael Bennet.

They cite Weiser’s successful work in fighting the unconstitutional overreach of the Trump administration, protecting Coloradans from fraud, stopping a corporate mega-merger that would drive up food costs, protecting women’s rights, keeping elections free and fair, bringing money into Colorado communities devastated by fentanyl, etc.

They also site Bennet’s seniority and experience in the Senate sitting on important committees such as Finance, crafting legislation including the Child Tax Credit Improvement Act and expanding it, disaster relief for farmers, federal protection for conservation areas in Colorado, ban partisan gerrymandering, and fighting to save Social Security, etc.

We in Colorado need all of these efforts from both the state executive and federal legislative branches of government.  And we have Weiser in the executive and Bennet in the legislative branch — both experts in their field.

Congress will have a different look after the 2026 midterms and will be a more inviting place to accomplish the things Bennet wants, with over two years left on his term.

Weiser knows Colorado inside and out and how the state government can work effectively for our benefit.

So, let’s keep them both for the benefit of Colorado. We elect Phil Weiser for governor and keep Michael Bennet in the Senate.

Beth Krauss, Centennial

The parade was right to honor Army

Re: “Military parade barrels through capital with tanks,” June 15 news story

The Associated Press story report on the Army parade was so intent on trying to make President Donald Trump look bad and portray the parade as a waste of money that it completely missed the point of the parade, which was to honor those who serve in the Army and make our country and our freedom possible. Without George Washinton’s army defeating the British, there would have been no United States of America.

George Washington was featured in the parade, along with a number of battles and wars that the Army has won to preserve the country and its freedom.

During the event, President Trump administered the oath that swore into the Army a large body of young men and women who are willing to risk their lives to preserve our country and freedom. The parade honored them and those who have gone before them.

John Dellinger, Aurora

Updated June 18, 2025 at 11:20 a.m. Due to an editor’s error, the wrong date was listed in print for Trump administering the oath to Army enlistees. The oath was given on Saturday during the parade.

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Don’t overlook the nuclear option

Re: “New laws on turf, wild horses, clean energy,” June 11 news story

Among many issues in this article, of note is House Bill 1040, which adds nuclear energy to be counted toward utilities’ clean-energy goals and eligible for financing set aside for clean energy.

Although most environmentalists are opposed to nuclear energy, it is capable of providing large quantities of reliable electrical energy while generating little greenhouse gas emissions. Wind and solar energy are great, but are subject to variations throughout the day and year. How will solar and wind generate enough electricity to get us through a polar vortex that engulfs the Front Range and Midwest into deep, prolonged cold, especially after gas-fired furnaces are replaced with electrically driven heat pumps?

Climate change is a huge crisis, and we need to explore every alternative we can to mitigate it. This includes nuclear power for reliable energy and the mining of lithium needed to make batteries to store electricity produced by wind and solar.

Rich Griffin, Aurora

Fascism in America

“Fascism: a populist political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual, that is associated with a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, and that is characterized by severe economic and social regimentation and by forcible suppression of opposition.”  – Merriam-Webster

I avoid name-calling, especially when politics are involved, believing that the 170,000 commonly used English language words should be sufficient to provide description and to be less provocative. So I use the word “fascism” not to provoke nor as a school-yard taunt. I am, however, at a loss to explain the difference between the definition of fascism and the actions of the current administration, which took an oath to uphold the dictates of the Constitution of the United States of America.

Dona Chilcoat, Lakewood

Another owl under threat right here in Colorado

In the 1980s, rampant cutting of old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest led to the listing of the Northern Spotted Owl as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Here in Colorado, it is little known that the Mexican Spotted Owl, the southern cousin of the Northern Spotted Owl and also listed as federally threatened, makes its home in Colorado.

The northernmost populations of Mexican Spotted Owl are only a few hours’ drive from Denver in the Pike–San Isabel National Forest. The species habitat requirements include 30% to 45% of the forest to be large, mature trees of 12” diameter or greater, many large dead trees, and high volumes of fallen trees and woody debris, which is habitat for it’s prey – namely small and medium-sized rodents like mice, voles and even rabbits.

There is about 104,000 acres of designated critical habitat for the Mexican Spotted Owl in the South Platte Ranger District of the Pike National Forest. This is the same area where the Lower North South logging project is proposed to cut and clear out some 115,000 acres, including over 4,000 acres of mature and old-growth forest – the habitat of the Mexican Spotted Owl. The Forest Service readily admits the project will likely adversely affect the owl, but has failed to include the safeguards identified in the species recovery plan into the project.

While no one seems to be watching, this secretive, threatened species has its habitat on the chopping block. Are Coloradans OK with this?

Andrew Rothman, Denver

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Non-Jews stand in solidarity with Temple Emanuel

Re: “Jewish community needs to fight urge to retreat,” June 8 commentary

As a Methodist minister, I have been a friend of Temple Emanuel for more than 50 years, inspired by the commitment of this spiritual community to liberty and justice for all. Temple Emanuel provides a powerful voice for religious freedom and solidarity with other traditions, including Christians and Muslims.

It is the leadership of Rabbi Joseph R. Black and his successors that are most needed in these times when religious liberty is being challenged by those at the highest levels of government and those who choose violence as a means to undermine our common life.

Yes indeed, Rabbi Black, we must “fight the urge to retreat.”

Bill Kirton, Denver

In response to the senior rabbis of Temple Emanuel’s call for Jewish communities to “reach in and reach out” and for interfaith leaders to speak out in support of the community, I am called as a non-Jew (who does not practice a religion) to also be a trusted and vocal ally.

We must seek out and condemn antisemitism adamantly and vocally, and constantly. I am grieved by the attack in Boulder, especially for my beloved friends. Silence is compliance.

We all must learn to fight hate and show love as only humans can. For reliable information and actions we can take to fight antisemitism, racism, and bias everywhere, I have found the Anti-Defamation League a powerful resource.

Carol Guerrero-Murphy, Denver

It is an important fact that the Jewish people are not responsible for, nor do they all agree with, all decisions of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and actions of the Israeli military any more than all Catholics are responsible for all decisions made in Rome, nor that all Muslims should be held accountable to the policies of Iran or Hamas.

And this fact is unrelated to another fact: Israel unequivocally has an inherent right to exist.

Jewish people feel compassion for the innocent people of Gaza. Unfortunately, Hamas does not.

Terri Tilliss, Parker

Why anonymously?

The Denver Post’s Open Forum is for the general public, the place where individuals can state their personal views, perspectives, etc. I’ve written twice in the last eight years, and both times, some MAGA men have gone to the trouble of finding my home address, using a stamp, and sending me a “personal letter” insulting me, calling me names, and brow-beating me with their views, all done – ANONYMOUSLY!  (I am able to state that these are MAGA believers because they always use the exact same arguments and insults, almost verbatim, and it’s the same stuff that FOX et al. spews all the time.)

My letters in the Open Forum clearly have my full name and city of residence, and my letters have not insulted anyone or called them names. The letters have just stated my perspective, which I am entitled to have. But, when these individuals do not agree with my views, they respond to me individually and anonymously. Why anonymously?

Their typed letters to me have no return address and, of course, no name on the letter. Own your views if you are so certain you are right, and use the Open Forum instead of bullying anonymously.  Sending letters to a personal address is not an appropriate use of the Open Forum.

Wendy Hall, Buena Vista

Let’s stop night racers on I-25

Every night this summer, countless lives will be endangered (and sleep disturbed) along Interstate 25 in Denver because of loud motorcycles and cars using the public highway as their personal racetrack, endangering not only their own lives but those of innocent motorists and their passengers.

In Colorado, reckless endangerment is a crime, defined as reckless conduct creating a substantial risk of serious bodily injury to another person, punishable by jail and/or a fine. There is a simple solution. Night racers must be photographed by the police from overpasses and then prosecuted for multiple counts of reckless endangerment, i.e., one count for every driver and every passenger they pass on the road. The time and place of the racing and the racers’ identities must then be posted on multiple local news websites for victims to contact police to ensure that there are multiple complainants pressing charges.

A racer can endanger hundreds of innocent people in one night. Multiple offenses for each race will mean long jail sentences and $100,000+ in fines, which should finally get the attention of these thoughtless fools.

Lee Terry, Denver

Not about religion

Re: “Colorado comes for religion again, this time targeting a summer camp,” June 8 commentary

The new protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals are small steps to provide safety against discrimination and prejudice. There are plenty of people of faith who support transgender people of all ages. Please acknowledge that this article represents your personal intolerance, and don’t hide it behind “religion.”

Margaret J. O’Keefe, Johnstown

Data centers could utilize alternative power source

Re: “Data center boom,” June 8 news story

I enjoyed the very comprehensive article on the pros and cons, benefits and challenges of the growing data center market in Colorado. One issue not addressed is the advent of the new nuclear power technology / Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and that all of the major tech giants are working to develop their own flavor of SMRs, with the theory that each mega-data center could incorporate an SMR within or adjacent to the data center and be self-sustaining. Of course, most of the SMR technology has yet to be proven feasible and could be three to five years out until it actually generates power.

Keep up the great work!

Jerry Witt, Commerce City

EVs and the true misplaced outrage

Re: “Outrage over Trump’s electric vehicle policies is misplaced,” June 8 commentary

Ashley Nunes states that the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs) increases the number of cars in a household, but even if this is the case, it does not necessarily follow that it also increases the number of miles driven or the pollution and/or CO2 produced. Many people drive their EVs much more (especially for commuting) than their internal combustion vehicles (which they may have kept), producing much less pollution and CO2, and thus helping to possibly slow or alleviate climate change.

But producing and driving EVs hasn’t helped much yet, has it? Of course not, since Big Oil, the auto companies, and our leaders, many of whom are in the pockets of these powers-that-be, have put every impediment (besides hundreds of millions of misinformation dollars) in the way of alternative energy research and development, seeking to keep the coal and oil fires burning. It has been proven (even by oil company scientists) that fossil fuel-produced CO2 (and other greenhouse gases) create and exacerbate higher ambient air temperatures in our atmosphere.

So it’s Ashley Nunes’ outrage against alternative energy — and especially electric vehicles (EVs) — that’s misplaced.

Richard Kiefer, Littleton

RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel purge is dangerous overreach

Re: “RFK Jr. ousts entire vaccine advisory committee,” June 10 news story

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s decision to fire all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel is reckless. It should alarm every Coloradan, regardless of political affiliation.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has guided U.S. vaccine policy for decades. Its experts ensure immunization decisions are rooted in science, not politics. RFK Jr.’s mass dismissal of these advisors, under the claim that they represent “conflicts of interest,” is not reform. It’s a purge designed to install ideologically aligned figures and dismantle hard-earned public trust.

This isn’t about accountability; it’s about consolidating power. Kennedy has a long history of promoting fringe anti-vaccine rhetoric. Now, with COVID-19 still a risk and measles outbreaks on the rise, we need trusted science more than ever. Instead, we’re watching an official use his federal post to settle scores and undermine lifesaving public health policy.
Colorado has always valued responsible governance and scientific integrity. Congress must act. At a minimum, oversight hearings should begin immediately. But if Secretary Kennedy continues to gut evidence-based infrastructure and jeopardize national health, impeachment should be considered.

This is not about party — it’s about protecting our children and defending the rule of law.

Ian Hancock, Colorado Springs

Lawmakers must stop the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill

If H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), becomes law, it will devastate Colorado’s Community Health Centers (CHCs) and the more than 850,000 Coloradans who receive integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health care at more than 250 CHC clinics statewide. I urge the U.S. Senate to stop this bill from moving forward.

Buried deep within the OBBBA’s 1,000-plus pages are significant cuts and changes to the Medicaid program.

If passed by the U.S. Senate, over 300,000 Coloradans are predicted to become uninsured over the next 10 years through loss of Medicaid and Marketplace coverage. Many will become uninsured because of the new confusing paperwork, processes, and added costs, not because they are ineligible.

Nationwide, nearly 5.6 million Community Health Center patients stand to lose Medicaid coverage under the work requirements mandated in OBBBA. Adding insult to injury, CHCs are projected to have revenue losses of close to $32 billion nationwide because of OBBBA.

In Colorado, about 50% of CHC patients rely on Medicaid, making it the largest payer and revenue source for CHCs. When any one patient loses Medicaid and becomes uninsured, the CHC will still provide services, losing revenue from Medicaid for that patient’s care.

With two-thirds of CHCs reporting negative financial operating margins in 2024, this bill is financially destructive for CHCs and will result in further reductions in care, staff layoffs, and closed clinic doors.

Coloradans should call their elected officials, from the House and Senate, to share where you stand on Medicaid, and demand rejection of the OBBBA.

Ross Brooks, Denver

Editor’s note: Brooks is president and CEO of Colorado Community Health Network.

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Hating on downtown Denver has become a sport for some, including recent college grads finding Denver’s cost of living to be unsustainable, anyone who has recently navigated Colfax’s construction cones, and yes, our Republican members of Congress who use the city as a political pawn in the debate over Venezuelan refugees.

But Denver is a big, beautiful city with blemishes and flaws just like any other major metropolitan area — and any small town, for that matter.

The Denver Post’s three-month-long downtown Denver project made it clear that the city has an uphill battle as it tries to recover from the COVID shock waves. The city is struggling with vacant buildings, a reduction in tourism, cratering tax revenues and other problems.

But if you haven’t visited the city recently, you may have missed some major developments.

First, the homeless encampments have been completely cleaned up. Certainly, there are still people sleeping on the streets during the day and night between Park Avenue and Speer Boulevard. But that has been an issue for every medium-sized city in this state for more than 50 years.

Gone, however, are the temporary structures with tarps and tents and grocery carts marking the territory of someone who had made a shanty structure on public rights-of-way. Mayor Mike Johnston spent millions of dollars getting people in those encampments into temporary housing, and while it wasn’t cheap, the result has been worth it. The encampments were unsightly, unhealthy, and had drawn criminal elements to the city.

A recent survey of Denver’s homeless population confirmed that while the number of unhoused people has increased, the number of unsheltered people — those sleeping on the street — dropped a dramatic 35% over the last survey in 2024.

Johnston deserves credit for this notable transformation, and he wasn’t shy about taking it.

Downtown Denver at a crossroads as offices sit empty, buildings go into default and safety concerns persist

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“We set this crazy, ambitious goal to end street homelessness in (my) first term,” Johnston told The Denver Post. “And to be almost halfway there, almost halfway through term 1, I think reaffirms that’s not an impossible dream.”

Second, while a number of restaurants have closed downtown, the city’s old favorites are still thriving, and new gems are opening daily.

The owner of Olive & Finch is giving all Denverites something to believe in.

Mary Nguyen just opened her fourth restaurant in the city.

“There’s a narrative that downtown is dead, that it’s not safe. But I’m here all the time. I see something totally different. There are new restaurants opening, the streets are active, there are interesting people looking for things to do,” Nguyen told The Denver Post. “I’m a Denver native. If I want to see a vibrant, activated downtown, then I’m going to help make that happen. I’m not waiting for someone else to do it.”

If you haven’t tried Olive and Finch, now is the time to support the budget-friendly downtown staple.

“If you look at the investment the city is making … no other city in America is spending $600 million to revitalize their downtown. Honestly, I think I’ve done a great job coming in at the beginning, because in 10 years – actually, probably just two years, or even one – Denver’s going to come back,” Nguyen said.

Smart entrepreneurs like Nguyen and Ibotta CEO Bryan Leach are betting big on downtown, for both civic and business reasons.

“We’re proud to have signed a 10-year lease in a moment where the city really needs us, where only a third of the occupancy is there,” Ibotta’s founder and CEO, Bryan Leach, told The Denver Post. “I never considered leaving downtown. It is important to have the downtown area of your community be a thriving place where people live and work.”

If you love (or have loved) Denver, now is the time to come back.

Because here’s the third and final secret about the city — the city will come back better than ever. As The Denver Post found, what is hurting the upper-central business district the most are vacant office spaces, cleverly explaining that the city has been “all work and no play” for far too long. But a rebalancing is happening, and the parts of the city where people live and play are vibrant and booming. It will only be a matter of time before that spills from Union Station and the River North neighborhood into the central business district.

The 16th Street Mall construction project is almost complete, bringing to an end a boondoggle of a project that could not have been more poorly timed.

And with any luck, the new owners of the Denver Broncos will be called by the civic duty Nguyen and Leach expressed to stay and invest in our city during its moment of need.

Denver may need a little help, but the city is certainly not dead.

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$45 million for an ego parade?

Let’s talk fraud, waste and abuse. We can’t afford to send food to starving children, but we are going to spend $45 million on a birthday/military parade to feed Donald Trump’s ego? America has lost its mind!

Sharon Winningham, Denver

What to know about ‘No Kings’ protests against Trump’s policies on Saturday

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Grandfather was a welcomed immigrant

In 1885, President Trump’s grandfather immigrated to the United States from Germany. He was welcomed with open arms. America, let’s continue to welcome immigrants from around the world.

David L Stevenson, Denver

Solar power is crucial for those living in wildfire danger

Re: “Clean energy: Colorado efforts at risk in GOP bill,” June 2 news story

Republican efforts to undermine the installation of residential solar panels couldn’t come at a worse time for a population facing public safety power shutoffs due to high winds and attendant wildfire danger. Electricity is critical to everything from life-saving medical devices to something as simple as recharging the cell phone needed to receive evacuation notices. There’s trouble ahead for us all.

John Walker, Coaldale

Editor’s note: Walker is the fire chief of the Western Fremont Fire Protection District.

Treat our children well

Nelson Mandela said, “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” The One Big Beautiful Bill Act proposes devastating cuts to programs that sustain children’s health and development — especially Medicaid and SNAP. Medicaid provides coverage for 34% of Colorado children and 36% of births. SNAP is our largest child nutrition program. Cuts to these programs will harm the health and well-being of all children in the state.

As a pediatrician, I’ve witnessed children suffer due to a lack of access to care. Kids with asthma go without preventive medication and land in the emergency department. Simple infections become hospitalizations because families delay care. These aren’t abstractions — they’re real, preventable harms that cost more in the long run.

On the other hand, when we invest in children through Medicaid, they miss fewer school days, are more likely to graduate from high school, grow up to be healthier adults, and earn higher wages. It’s not just compassionate policy — it’s smart policy.

Colorado’s children deserve better than budget cuts disguised as efficiency. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act would leave thousands of kids without essential support. If we value our future, we must invest in our children now. I urge lawmakers to reject this harmful bill and choose policies rooted in evidence, equity, and compassion. Our moral compass and our children’s futures depend on it.

Anne Frank, Denver

Cartoon: Fair comment or propaganda?

Re: Political cartoon, June 7

I was quite dismayed at seeing the Cartoonist Take likening the Congressional Budget Office’s statements on the impact of the Big Beautiful Bill to that of Chicken Little. This is pure misinformation as most of the reputable news services and economic reports state that it will, in fact, lead to an estimated $2.4 trillion deficit. This propaganda only serves to feed the conspiracy theorists and MAGA faithful the pablum that they devour. Is The Denver Post trying to show both viewpoints? If so, you really missed the mark on this one.

Jim McKeeman, Aurora

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Let’s keep the “No Kings” rallies on point

I’m planning to participate in a “No Kings” rally on Saturday, but I’m starting to worry about what the rallies might accomplish. The “No Kings” message might resonate with many Americans, and it might carry even more weight when it’s delivered in the context of President Donald Trump’s presiding — the way a king or dictator would — over a military parade. But with the ICE raids, protests and military deployment in Los Angeles, I wonder if pro-immigration messages will become more prominent in the rallies than the “No Kings” message.

I don’t think those pro-immigration messages will resonate with most Americans; they might even make many Americans look at the image of Trump at the military parade as proof that he’s strong enough to solve the immigration problems they think we have. I think Trump knows that. My gut tells me that the timing of the ICE raids and military deployment was designed to draw June 14 rally-goers away from their “No Kings” message, which has the potential to weaken support for Trump, to a pro-immigration message, which has the potential to strengthen support for Trump.

On June 14, let’s stay focused on the “No Kings” message.

Deborah Ann van den Honert, Broomfield

Colorado protesters push back after Douglas County town orders them to cancel ‘No Kings’ rally

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Not just kids on a playground: Bullies bring serious world consequences

Re: “Trump: May be better to let countries ‘fight for a while’,” June 6 news story

If two kids who are the same size are fighting on a playground and neither is in danger of physical injury, letting them fight for a short time may, indeed, teach them that there are better ways of settling disputes. But if a schoolyard bully is three times the size of the kid he is beating up, a responsible adult would stop the violence. If the adults abdicate responsibility, the playground will be ruled by bullies.

President Donald Trump told the bully, Russian leader Vladimir Putin, that he would have to keep suffering until he was ready to quit. But Putin is not suffering and does not care how many Russian lives are lost so long as he can destroy Ukraine’s people and expand the Russian empire. Instead of posturing on TV, Trump needs to shut off Russian oil shipments, arm Ukraine to the teeth, and demand that Putin stop bullying Russia’s neighbors.

Ray Harlan, Denver

Ukraine and Russia cannot be likened to two boys on the playground. “Let them fight for a little while,” says Trump. Is he the only one who doesn’t recognize a bully?

Elon Musk and Trump are the boys fighting on the playground. Now that’s entertainment!

Donna Lorene Lucero, Denver

Re: “Relationship over? Trump warns Musk to not back Dems,” June 8 news story

In the early days of this nation, when insults were publicly aired, dueling was a common practice. It was outlawed in some states, but reputation was a prized asset back then.

Today, two businessmen are updating the practice of dueling. Each contestant has a social media company. They are made of the same character. Rich, egotistical, and power-hungry. They will eventually back down. It turns out that both men are also cowards.

Government is not a business, and when fake politicians are given the wheel, they will total the Tesla every time.

Bob Grimes, Windsor

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The president’s hypocrisy is intensifying protests

Re: “Trump sends troops as protests intensify,” June 9 news story

The above headline should have more accurately been “Trump sends troops to intensify protests.” This man will not be satisfied until protesters are killed and he can declare martial law.

Shirley Asher, Denver

Where was the National Guard on Jan. 6, 2021? President Donald Trump had the power to call them out in the event of an insurrection. Oh, that’s right, the Jan. 6 folks were just happy tourists!

William Green, Colorado Springs

So let me see if I have this right. On Jan. 6, 2021, Trump asked thousands of his followers to go to the Capitol and “fight like hell” and didn’t call the National Guard to help the Capitol Hill police defend our nation’s Capitol. Many Capitol Hill police were assaulted and injured because he refused to send them help. But now he has sent hundreds of armed forces, National Guard and Marines, to defend a few federal buildings in Los Angeles without the consent of the state’s governor. This has exacerbated the situation.

Do I have this right? How can we support a president who creates dangerous chaos for his own political purpose?

J. Linden Hagans, Lakewood 

Just a suggestion to the folks out in the streets protesting against deportations. Don’t be parading around waving a Mexican flag! It gives the wrong impression. It would be a lot smarter to be waving an American flag, thus showing you want to be part of the American society.

Michael Scanlan, Arvada

President Trump’s sending the National Guard into Los Angeles is in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act. The Act forbids the U.S. military, including the National Guard, from participating in civilian law enforcement, unless there is an invasion or an insurrection — and there is not. This is just the latest example of Trump’s utter disregard for the Constitution and the rule of law. With no Republican willing to stand up to him, he represents a grave danger to the democratic form of government that the Founding Fathers created and for which hundreds of thousands of American soldiers have died.

Mark Vanderbrook, Morrison

Personal best is a fine goal for children

Re: “The evolution of Field Day: Why schools moved away from winning and ribbons,” June 4 sports story

Why does anyone do a good job? Is getting an A on a hard test enough, or do you need to be told that you had the best grade for it to feel good? If you get a bonus at the end of the year, is it less sweet knowing that some of your colleagues also got bonuses?  Is your motivation for doing well extrinsic or intrinsic?  Do you look outward for your validation, or can you enjoy challenging yourself?

I suspect that those who are nostalgic for the days of blue ribbons in school are the people who won them.  For most of the kids, participating in the fun and pursuing their personal best is a better memory than being the one who others beat.  All the way back to Aristotle, deep thinkers have recognized that happiness is more associated with achieving our personal best rather than besting others. As a teacher of middle-grade students, the old-fashioned blue-ribbon field day was my least favorite day of the year.

A. Lynn Buschhoff, Denver

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Let’s hear it for the girls

Re: “The Post announces the Roy Halladay Award,” April 27 sports story

Those who follow prep sports in The Post know that girls’ coverage does not equal that of the boys’.  And you are also aware of the annual Gold Helmet and Mr. and Ms. Basketball awards–very nice awards given by The Post. So you probably have read about the Halladay baseball award to be added this spring.

I am not opposed to these awards. What I am opposed to is that there are not as many comparable awards for our prep girls. Outstanding female athletes in many sports have gone on to represent Colorado in college or even in national and international competition.

Kyle Newman does an outstanding job covering more sports than we can count. His recent coverage of state track and girls’ soccer, baseball, DU hockey, and Valor Christian football have prompted me to ask him why The Post does not honor another girls’ sport if it is going to honor baseball. My understanding is that the issue is money. The Post needs a sponsor for each award.

So, if anyone will pony up $5,000 per year, maybe we can add the Lindsey Horan soccer award. That would be a start. Her honors and accomplishments are unmatched. And the women we watch on the National Team who are from Colorado are utterly amazing! A soccer award would be a seasonal match with baseball. Let’s get it done.

Mary Kvamme, Arvada

Get a thorough, hands-on prostate exam

I am a prostate cancer survivor. Twelve years ago (age 64) I had a prostate biopsy and was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer; had a Gleason score of 9 on a scale of 10. I had previously been given the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test with readings that were very low.

Fortunately, I had a doctor who routinely included a digital rectal prostate examination every year and found some lumps on my prostate. She sent me to another doctor who did the biopsy, confirming the cancer. I later had a prostatectomy and have been cancer-free since then.

At about the same time a coworker with a family history of prostate cancer had been getting monthly PSA tests. He came down with cancer and not long after died. I can only conclude that the PSA test is unreliable and that I, too, would not be alive now if I had not had the physical rectal prostate exam.

I thanked my GP, for saving my life by finding my cancer early. My brother-in-law (same age) recently died of prostate cancer that was discovered too late. It was a long and painful way to die.
Former President Biden was recently diagnosed with late-stage prostate cancer that has metastasized in his bones. Get tested!

Roger West, Colorado Springs

What about that money we spent sheltering immigrants?

Re: “Denver’s cuts will come at terrible time,” May 23 editorial

So, Denver has to lay off people, cut spending, retrench, and not a word in this Post editorial about the over $200 million the city and county spent on illegal immigrants, and set asides for lawsuits against the Trump administration. Was that money invisible to the Denver Post editorial board? Why waste the money of the citizens of Denver fighting with the federal government? Such utter foolishness, by another blind leading the blind, liberal democrat.

Matthew L. Henehan, Thornton

City’s crunch is from bad policies

Re: “Denver mayor says layoffs and furloughs coming for employees,” May 23 news story

Financial issues for the City and County of Denver are not a surprise when we are constantly tearing up streets for bike lanes and bus routes, putting businesses that pay sales taxes out of business, and increasing regulations for green and recycling requirements. And interestingly enough, these financial problems happen when we are now charging residents for trash pickup, recycling, and sidewalks, which we didn’t have to pay previously. It seems actions have consequences.

Gary T. Moore, Denver

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The silence ‘has been deafening’

Re: “Boulder attack should deepen support for the Jewish community,” June 4 editorial

Thank you! As a Jewish woman, I feel incredibly seen and supported by you publishing this editorial. The silence from “friends” has been deafening, and your words were unequivocal in urging the difference between supporting the American Jewish community and one’s feelings about the war.

This nuance is much appreciated; it sounds so much like common sense, and it has been so painful that others can’t seem to hold all of these truths at the same time and are so dismissive of our experience, fear, and pain.

Thank you so much.

Meridith Jaffe, Denver

The business of vetoes

Re: “Polis missed an opportunity to stand with workers by vetoing Worker Protection Act,” June 1 commentary

If Gov. Jared Polis had not vetoed the Worker Protection Act, Colorado’s Independence Institute would have garnered signatures for a ballot initiative that would have outlawed mandatory union payroll deductions. There’s a good chance such an initiative would have passed, as many Coloradans believe they should not be forced to pay union dues against their wishes. Wisconsin’s 2011 labor law changes resulted in a steep, rapid drop-off in union membership, largely due to the outlawing of mandatory union fee payroll deductions.

Since 1943, Colorado’s Labor Peace Act (LPA) has largely kept the peace between unions and employers by requiring 75% of employees to vote for union membership in a second round of voting. The LPA is a compromise, and Gov.  Polis wisely decided that neither side would get everything they wanted.

John Contino, Golden

Re: “Polis vetoes rent algorithm bill,” May 30 news story

Gov. Jared Polis recently vetoed two bipartisan bills — one aimed at protecting Coloradans from surprise ambulance bills and another seeking to regulate rent-setting algorithms used by corporate landlords. By striking them down, Polis continues to make it crystal clear who he stands with.

Polis masquerades as a progressive, but his progressivism stops where it hits his own identity. On everything else, he’s a clear-cut agent of big money, pushing libertarian policies that protect the wealthy at the expense of everyday people. To him, Coloradans always came second to big business.

The Democratic Party must end the strategy of staging themselves two steps to the left of Republicans while also wagging their tail to their corporate masters and expecting people’s votes. It obviously hasn’t been working. The Teamsters, one of the largest unions in the country, refused to endorse a presidential candidate in 2024. This followed President Joe Biden’s ending of the railroad strike in 2022. More and more are catching on.

I was a young Democrat once, excited about Barack Obama and his historic presidency, but I’m tired of being let down by the party.
We have reached the point where it is time for an anti-monopoly, pro-peace coalition that spans all political divides and refuses to be swayed by corporate lobbyists and their legal loopholes.

If the Democratic Party wants to win again, it should adopt the ‘Franklin D. Roosevelt strategy of championing social policies that truly benefit struggling American workers. This approach proved so effective that it reshaped the political landscape for generations.

Ryan Nisly, Broomfield

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