Contact Us Advertising Information Online exclusives Cover Story Buzz Feature In Case You Missed It Vote 2009 Boulderganic Fall 2009 Student Guide 2009 Boulder Weekly Sweet 16 Anniversary Boulderganic 2009 Summer Scene 2009 Email Newsletter Legal Services Best of Boulder 2009 Annual Manual 2009 Newspaper of the Future Kids Camp Guide 2009 Wedding Marketplace 09 Jobs available Student Guide 2008 Best of Boulder 2008 Annual Manual 2008 Join Our Mailing List
|
editorial@boulderweekly.com
• See Jim Hightower
• Uncensored
True independence
(Re: “Danish’s troubling ideas,” Letters, Feb. 26.) Over the past two weeks, the letters section has been inundated with outraged readers over Paul Danish’s columns. First, let me say that with his writing style, I take his words to be satirical, very tongue in cheek.
More importantly, even if he believes what he is writing, it is a different viewpoint from the majority of the columnists, therefore providing balance — which truly fits the billing of an independent voice. To those who would choose to believe otherwise, judging by some people’s use of “independent” in quotations, it does not mean progressive, conservative, liberal or whatever. I quote, independent is an adjective that states: “not influenced or controlled by others; thinking or acting for oneself.” In a political sense it is defined as “free from party commitments,” and cites Independent voters as an example.
So, in closing, Boulder Weekly is practicing its independence by providing differing viewpoints, and if you don’t like what Danish has to say, you don’t have to read it. It’s a simple case of free speech, and I would hate to see the people that rally to the defense of civil liberties campaigning for the censorship of someone’s First Amendment right.
Chris Kovack/Longmont
In defense of Danish
(Re: “Task Force Detroit rolls with the Rising Sun,” Danish Plan, Feb. 26.) After ripping him a new one last week for arithmetically challenged war planning, I’m delighted to pat Paul Danish on the tush for his funny and perceptive column, “Task Force Detroit rolls with the Rising Sun.” More like this, please.
Seth Masia/Boulder
The truth about FDR
Though conservatives want to revise the history of FDR’s administrations, the fact remains that Roosevelt pulled the country out of a deep, dark hole starting in 1933. The government put a ton of money into circulation, burying some sticky problems. The Dow Jones average climbed more than 60 percent during FDR’s first year in office. But a funny thing happened on the way to prosperity.
Beginning in 1936 (FDR’s team may have been concerned about re-election), stimulus was pulled back. At once unemployment climbed again, precipitously, remaining higher through 1940. The dollar was allowed to devalue, too; but that’s another story.
Greg Iwan/Longmont
Don’t let Iran go nuclear
Though our economy dominates discussions nowadays, we cannot afford to allow Iran to go nuclear while we are “distracted.” There are many things we can do to try to dissuade Iran from becoming a nuclear nation. If Iran gets nuclear weapons, nuclear capability will proliferate. There is a great likelihood Saudi Arabia, Egypt and others throughout the region will follow suit quickly.
The world’s most combustible region will become even more unstable. That is against the U.S.’s interests as much as Israel’s. Iran must be engaged fully with carrots and sticks so they are stopped now before they master the fuel cycle and achieve industrial capacity in their efforts to enrich uranium.
Iran is facing an economic perfect storm with falling oil revenues, spiraling inflation, poverty and high joblessness. The Iranian economy is in dire straits — the Iranian government is trying to drive down its unemployment numbers by counting students and housewives as employed.
Now is the time to use economic diplomacy to help prevent war. Americans should be aware of corporations that stabilize and fund Iran during a time when the Iranian economy is so susceptible to international pressure. Only five companies provide Iran with important refined petroleum — Total, Vitol, Trafigura, Reliance Industries and British Petroleum. U.S. diplomatic efforts must include asking these five companies, Russia and China to cease doing business with Iran. The efforts must succeed in convincing all that they each have more to lose in security than to gain economically by cooperating with Iran.
Iran takes comfort in our distraction with our economic crisis, and is using that to their advantage. Unfortunately, we do not have time to “talk”.
Jennifer Schrutt/Denver
Respond: letters@boulderweekly.com
Back to top
|
| |
