Youth need to join the march
As a Vietnam veteran, I remember in the 1960s and early ’70s when protest rallies were breaking out throughout the country, most of them on college campuses, expressing rage about the Vietnam War and other issues. The youth of the country was alive and vibrant. Today, while our democracy, institutions, and form of government are being eradicated, they, who have the most to lose, do not seem to want to get involved.
I have attended most of the protest rallies taking place in our area, and, I am sad to say, witness mostly seniors attending. This brings to mind two songs from the ’60s and ’70s. One is by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young — “Ohio” — about the four students who were shot and killed by National Guardsmen during a protest on the Kent State University campus. The other is by Pink Floyd and seems to be a good description of today’s youth, “Comfortably Numb!”
Steve Nash, Centennial
A barrage of bad news followed by some good recipes
Another beautiful day in Colorado was marred by reading the first section of The Denver Post. “ICE to open 2nd state facility” was the top headline of the front page. The news didn’t get any better as I proceeded through the pages:
• Sending the National Guard to Washington, D.C. for law enforcement in the city with a declining crime rate;
• a budget shortfall in Medicaid for Colorado due to the “One Big Beautiful Bill” signed by President Trump;
• research projects at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (in Boulder) canceled and employees laid off;
• order by the White House for a review of Smithsonian exhibits to be sure the exhibits align with Trump’s interpretation of American history;
• Trump’s selection of an underqualified person to head the Bureau of Labor Statistics;
• fires on the Western Slope;
• the meeting of Trump with Vladimir Putin to discuss Ukraine, among other topics, without Zelenskyy present;
• Israel discussing resettling Palestinians;
• climate changes bringing droughts that have long-term ramifications, including groundwater depletion; and,
• the interesting thoughts of a Jackson, Wyo. resident checking out the cost of living in Aspen vs. Jackson Hole.
Important news for all of us to consider as we look forward to how these events will impact our lives and think through what our responsibility is in relation to these stories. Any suggestions? Anyone interested in joining a discussion group to explore solutions?
P.S. Thanks for the delicious recipes in the third section!
Andrea M. West, Centennial
Too hot for school
This time of year, just like every year, people will be complaining that the school classrooms are too hot for the students. When I was young, we started in September. Now they start in the middle of August. All the educated people who are running the school still don’t have enough sense to start it two to three weeks later.
Leroy M. Martinez, Denver
How about a round on the house?
Rockies owners Dick and Charlie Monfort are missing a golden opportunity to increase attendance at their sandlot-league games. There wouldn’t be an empty seat if every time the visiting team scored seven or more runs, we got a free beer.
Jeffrey Stroh, Denver
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