Schedule a real town hall, Rep. Boebert
When we elect someone to represent us, we expect them to show up — not just in Washington, but here at home.
With Congress on recess this month, our representatives should be holding real, in-person town halls. Not tele-town halls where questions are screened and scripted. Not closed-door meetings with a select few. Real town halls where every voter has a chance to be heard, ask questions, and get straight answers.
Lately, it feels like too many politicians would rather hide behind press releases and social media posts than face their constituents directly. But public service isn’t supposed to be easy — it’s supposed to be accountable. That’s what town halls are for.
There are real issues facing our community that deserve open and honest discussion. We deserve to be part of that conversation, not shut out of it. I’m urging Lauren Boebert in Colorado District 4 to schedule and show up for a town hall this month.
Show up. Listen. Answer questions. That’s not too much to ask. That’s democracy. Do the job we hired you to do!
Joshua Richards, Castle Rock
Unannounced inspections: federal law for a reason
Re: “Questioning the purpose of Crow’s visit to ICE facility,” Aug. 7 letter to the editor
The letter writer apparently is not aware of the federal law that explicitly granted members of Congress the right to visit immigration detention facilities operated by or on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the purpose of oversight. The Aurora ICE Detention Center is operated by GEO Group. This right includes unannounced visits, meaning that Congressional members are not required to provide prior notice to facility staff or DHS. Rep. Crow chose to visit on a Sunday without prior notice in order to see how the facility is operated when “guests” are not expected.
Harriet Mullaney, Denver
This is not big league baseball
Re: “Canada sigh: Gausman shines as Jays complete historically lopsided sweep,” Aug. 7 sports story
I supported Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer through thick and thin (mostly thin) this entire miserable season, but he blew it all to pieces when he inserted catcher Austin Nola to pitch the ninth inning of what ballooned from a 12-1 drubbing to a 20-1 destruction.
“What’s the harm in this?” you may ask. Well, first, there’s the increased possibility of injury — mostly to Rockies, but also to spectators — with balls being hammered hither and yon. Second, I paid $100 for nine innings of Major League Baseball; Nola is an MLB catcher, not pitcher. Third, and most egregious, the career statistics of every Rockie and Blue Jay will be forever warped by the insult of Schaeffer’s cynical ploy, which is beneath even Little League level. His managerial career should be terminated.
David E. Stauffer, Denver
What’s happening to the judiciary?
A judge is supposed to be unbiased, neutral and impartial when on the bench.
Their job is to read and understand the case. Then listen to any testimony, and then read the arguments for and against the issue at hand. Lastly, based on the law only, decide the outcome of the case.
This does not seem to be happening today in this country. It seems that oversight of the judiciary is now nonexistent and partisanship runs rampant. The judiciary is one-third of our government. If its neutrality and objectivity are gone, then the country is in danger.
Decisions should not be made by judges because they don’t like or believe in the issue, or because of gifts from friends or donors, or because they do not want to upset the guy or group that got them their job.
Candace Lehmann, Peyton
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