Response to a nonsensical letter
I felt compelled to respond to the Feb. 11, 2016 letter from Michelle Kretzer of the PETA Foundation in Norfolk, VA titled “Beware Women Hunters.” I found it an unqualified view of hunting, filled with mostly nonsensical innuendo. But her bias is clear when she writes about this “so called sport” and yet advocates that, instead of hunting, females can hike, bike, kayak, canoe, camp, stargaze, rock climb, and swim…”, all activities that require gasoline consumption, the development of which has had far more negative consequences for wildlife here in Colo. than hunting, as a fact.
Hunting is a rich tradition, existing much longer than PETA, and for most of us, happens only a few days out of the year and it is no guarantee at all that you may harvest a delicious, lean and hormone/steroid free critter to enjoy with family and friends. Our hunting ethics are defined by law and rooted in the desire to cook great food as we are not trophy hunters. Another aspect of Ms. Kretzer’s response is somewhat disturbing and one reason, that although a hunter, I am not a NRA member, and that is, the similar blind absolutism I find in their views and policies.
Michael Ortiz/Lafayette
Wake up and smell the establishment, Polis
As a queer man who supports medical and recreational marijuana reform, as a United States citizen who did not support the War in Iraq, I must say I am appalled at Rep. Jared Polis’ endorsement of Secretary Clinton.
Perhaps he endorsed out of fear that Sen. Sanders would not gain the momentum needed to secure the nomination, but the momentum is here, right now! And with his support, we can make sure Colorado sends the same message that voters in Iowa and voters in New Hampshire sent: Enough is enough! The time for real change is now, and I encourage Rep. Polis to look deep in his heart of hearts and ask himself, “Am I ready to join this revolution and stand with Bernie to take on the special interests which dominate our political landscape, or am I going to settle for eight more years of the same-old-same-old?”
I highly doubt this letter will change his mind, but I hope it raises a few concerns for you over his endorsement of Secretary Clinton, a candidate who minimally shares Rep. Polis’ values.
Justin Braton/via Internet
No GMOs on taxpayer owned public lands
I am writing with concerns about the upcoming County Commissioner meeting on Feb. 29th regarding Genetically Modified Organisms in the Boulder County Cropland Policy. I am concerned that the County Commissioners are rushing the public process, that the county has not followed through in it’s GMO data collection obligations outlined in the 2011 Cropland Policy, and that County Commissioners Elise Jones and Deb Gardener will fail to follow through on their campaign promises to ban GMO’s when they ran for election.
The GMO issue is also a pesticide issue. All GMO plants are used in conjunction with a chemical called glyphosate, which the World Health Organization upgraded to the status of “Probable Human Carcinogen” and recognized its danger to human health as an endocrine disrupter. Additionally, almost all GMO seeds are treated with neonicotinoids, which numerous studies have shown to destroy pollinator populations, damage the soil, and contaminate our groundwater. The County Commissioners are failing to protect sustainable agriculture in Boulder County, by allowing GMOs to be planted on our public lands.
I pose 2 questions. The County Commissioners have until December to reach a decision on the review of GMO’s in the Cropland Policy.
1. Why are they giving the citizens a couple of weeks and only one hearing on such a big issue, when we have all year to get community input and sort through scientific data?
2. The Cropland policy passed in 2011 delineated that all GMOs planted on leased County land must be recorded and tracked, why has the County failed to do its job?
I insist that Jones and Gardner follow through on their campaign promises and ban GMOs on Boulder County land. I encourage my fellow Boulder County residents to engage and take action!
Gareth Hermann/Boulder County
resident and gardener
Masking lack of growth
If the creation of money out of thin air (known as quantitative easing) were really more effective than harmful, the US government would do it all the time—not just in a recession. It merely masks a lack of growth, and the more we do it the more rampant the inflation we will have. (This inflation has not happened yet, but that’s because there is a lag factor.)
Things will be better in the long run if we end quantitative easing. Thus we should elect Ted Cruz for President.
Alex Sokolow/Santa Monica,CA
Tired of greedypoliticians
We the people are fed up with the lies and deceit of the greedy politicians who think more of themselves than the people they represent. They are a group of self-righteous individuals who capitalize on every opportunity to benefit themselves.
Our voice is being heard loud and clear. Politicians, you will mistreat us no more. We will elect a person who is not a politician and cannot be bought. One who is on a mission to take this country back and restore the greatness that it once had. We will elect a one Donald J. Trump. And so it shall be.
George Devine/Kokomo, Indiana
