Mayor Johnston’s focus, one month in
On the evening of Aug. 3, I attended an open forum at the Most Precious Blood Church in South Denver; the speaker was Mayor Mike Johnston. The conference hall was standing room only, and the attendees were obviously concerned residents and interested in the mayor’s plans to deal with the “unhoused” in Denver.
Initially, I was prepared to be skeptical and critical of his plan to provide housing for 1,000 homeless before the end of the year. Mayor Johnston referred to his plan as “home for the holidays.” The mayor was forthright, clearly responding to questions, some of which would have intimidated the best-intended speaker. He answered each question with compassion and understanding.
He provided some statistics which were not politically sugar-coated but realistic and honest. He admitted that the City of Denver — we — all have a challenge and a stake in his plan’s success. Later, when reading The Denver Post, I realized that he was wearing the same clothing at our meeting as when he visited the homeless camp earlier in the day on Stout Street. It is obvious that he is covering the bases and reaching out.
I appreciated that Chief of Police Ron Thomas was also in attendance. I left the meeting hopeful and encouraged, as did many of the attendees. As he indicated, he is trying to build a safe harbor for all; we need to support his efforts.
Philip Arreola, Denver
Mayor Mike Johnston already has shown himself to be a one-trick pony.
He is ignoring some of the major problems in Denver, mainly crime, including auto theft and break-ins and the dangerous, excessive speeding on our streets. (Denver has one of the highest rates of auto theft in the country.) But Johnston spends his time on photo ops at homeless camps.
I have empathy for the plight of those living on the streets and understand how it negatively impacts those around them.
But auto crimes hurt way more innocent Denver residents than homeless camps do. And having their car stolen could put someone at risk of losing a job and being put out on the streets themselves. Same with having a speeding, reckless driver crash into them.
The long wait times for 911 calls can be the difference between life and death. There are not enough police patrolling to curb crime. But Johnston has not focused on these problems.
And his choice of chief-of-staff — Jenn Ridder, a political consultant — instead of someone with the experience needed to tackle all the problems in our city proves he only cares about his political future — not the residents of Denver.
Cynthia Stone, Denver
GOP leadership targeting efforts against climate change
Re: “Election 2024: A Republican climate strategy: more drilling, less clean energy,” Aug. 6 news story
The article has some amazing claims. Perhaps the most amazing is “about 70% of Republicans said global warming was either a minor threat or no threat at all.”
Good lord. Here in Colorado, recent wildfires have had tragic results. The Marshall Fire is an example. The list of serious fires and millions of dollars in loss is long. Floods, blizzards, droughts, and extreme heat are costing lives and vast amounts of money. The Colorado River is in crisis, threatening cities, industries, and living standards for an estimated 40 million people. Serious climate-related tragic events are covering the earth. Heat-related deaths alone are at staggering figures.
Common sense tells everyone that the world population cannot continue to dump millions of tons of pollution into the air 24/7 without doing massive damage to the air and to ourselves.
It is impossible to argue global warming is “a minor threat or no threat at all.” The cost in human suffering and money is beyond calculation. Our only realistic choice is to act aggressively now.
Paul Bonnifield, Yampa
Thank you for sharing the important details of the “2025” project touted by the Heritage Foundation. It’s — in a word — immoral!
Carol Carpenter, Denver
As if there weren’t enough concerns about Republicans winning the presidency next year, their so-called “battle plan” to eviscerate policies that limit greenhouse gas emissions should cause open-minded voters to consider the alternatives.
In June the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported atmospheric carbon dioxide — the most prominent greenhouse gas — reached levels “not seen for millions of years.” This has corresponded with several disturbing events:
• July was likely the hottest month ever recorded on Earth.
• In South America, where it’s supposed to be winter, temperatures reached more than 95 degrees even at elevations up to 4,500 feet in the Andes.
• NOAA reported sea surface temperatures worldwide have broken monthly records for heat in April, May and June; water off the Florida coast resembles a hot tub, recently reaching 101.1.
• The Antarctic ice sheet reached a new record low, with ice coverage shrinking in one year in area near half a million square miles.
• Recently, Beijing received almost 50% more rain in 5 days than its yearly average.
The Republican “battle plan” would encourage an accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at a faster rate, promoting greater climatic variability. It’s time to redouble efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels through greater energy efficiency and increased use of renewable energy, not reverse the laudable progress that’s been made to prevent more frequent and destructive climate-induced calamities.
Ronald L. Rudolph, Golden
Interdependent or partisan?
Re: “Legitimate inquiry or witch hunt?”, Aug. 6 commentary
The article states there are “5 ways to judge whether Congressional hearings are legitimate or politicized”. Let’s be real — every session of Congress, whether it is a hearing or other business, is politicized/partisan.
Our government has deteriorated into a hyper-partisan uncivil war between the Democrats and Republicans. Partisanship is the rot and stench of America’s government. Partisanship is the existential threat to our nation. We didn’t start this way; we don’t have to end this way.
Our government began with a Declaration of Interdependence (aka the “Constitution”). The first word of our government is “We”. “We the People.” Our great nation was founded and has endured for over 235 years based on interdependence.
Interdependence recognizes:
• We are all in this together and must work together.
• We are all equal but different human beings with different thoughts, ideas, aptitudes, and needs.
• The need for a discerning, effective government run by caring human beings for all.
It is time to end destructive partisan politics. It is time for our elected officials to work together as a highly functioning team that honors and respects each person chosen by We the People. Interdependence must replace partisanship. Optimize must replace compromise. Working for must replace working against.
Imagine the power of our elected officials working together as caring human beings to make America better than it ever was, with liberty, respect, opportunity, safety, and justice for all, forever.
Daniel G. Zang, Lakewood
Regulate health insurance
Re: “Health insurance: Colorado trying to fit round peg into square hole,” Aug. 6 commentary
While Rep. Anthony Hartsook’s opinion piece on Colorado’s health care option has some relevant points, his statement that “(t)ransparency and free market competition will allow consumers and small business the opportunity to compare prices and services that best satisfy their health care needs and budgets” is dreamy and ignores history.
We need to be able to negotiate (yes, regulate) prices on prescriptions as they do in every other civilized country. Having another option available increases competition, and if individuals choose a different (less expensive) option, that does not equate to a failed policy.
Health insurance companies are reaping huge profits, and regulations are needed.
Sorry if this affects Hartsook’s political contributors.
Michael Richardson, Lyons
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