Denver Post

Denver Police Shooting
Take responsibility

Tuesday, October 21, 2003 - Re: "Cop cleared in shooting; DA's decision in killing of 15-year-old Paul Childs brings outrage," Oct. 17 news story.

Regarding the police shooting of Paul Childs, are there no laws concerning the responsibilities of caregivers? While I can sympathize with anyone who loses a child, this family must examine its own actions (or lack thereof) which led the police, when called, to act with deadly force.

A mentally challenged teen wielding a knife in a threatening manner is no less capable of murder than anyone else with a knife. The police should be commended for preventing injury or death of family members by this armed and unpredictable teen. They performed their duties to protect and serve in a right and justifiable manner.

PATTY ADAMS

Arvada

We need a new DA

I don't think that only the black community disagrees with Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter's decision not to prosecute Officer James Turney in the death of Paul Childs.

I am not black; in fact, I live in a mostly white, affluent neighborhood. And I am outraged with Ritter's inability to ever make the Denver Police Department accountable for its actions. Justice wasn't served in the Ismael Mena case. And now this. The rationalizing about facts and events has reached absurd proportions. Why not let a jury decide? The DA again has failed to win justice for the people.

It's time for the people of this city to demand accountability. Denver needs to elect a DA who is committed to the pursuit of justice for all, not just to protect the interests of the police, who obviously are a protected class in this city.

The DA's office apparently will risk the ire of the minority voice in this city at the expense of prosecuting the Denver Police. I would suggest that Denver beware when no action is taken against a dangerous cop, that it's not "just" a minority problem. Too bad it takes something like this to open everyone's eyes to the gross failures of Denver's law enforcement and the DA's office.

MARY J. RUSSELL

Lakewood

Typical activists

Re: "Residents demand justice in death of 'innocent kid,"' Oct. 17 news story.

I noted with particular dismay civil rights activist Alvertis Simmons' call for a "citywide boycott on Monday in which people would stay home from work and pray and teach their children about civil disobedience." It seems infinitely better for people to go to work to support their children, and to set aside time to teach them about obedience - civil and other.

Similarly, Simmons' call that "Officer Turney be fired today, not through a civil service process and not through a court action" is a telling display of activist thought. It demonstrates the comfortable lack of any thought, which also goes by the names "mob rule" and "anarchy."

The Rev. Reginald Holmes was not far behind in characterizing District Attorney Bill Ritter as approaching the case "too legally and clinically." Really? What were the alternatives, less legally and less clinically?

BUD MARKOS

Grand Junction

Most athletes 'clean'

Re: "U.S. track athletes test positive in 'designer steroid' scheme," Oct. 17 news story.

. I was a member of the U.S. Olympic team in Sydney, Australia, as a swimmer, and I came home with a gold medal. I believe that in our sport, those who take drugs are pretty visible. They tend to come out of nowhere, burst onto the scene, set world records or win Olympic medals and world championships, and tend to never be heard from again. At least that has been my experience.

At the 1991 World University Games in Sheffield, England, I was putting my suit on in the locker room when I heard a man's voice. I grabbed my towel and turned, and saw one of the "female" athletes from another country. Anger and a feeling of futility washed over me when I realized I had to race that thing.

I experienced the same feeling reading your article. Though these things happen, and though there are people out there with no sense that life exists after the Olympics, not all athletes are in this boat. It makes me mad, but at the same time fills me with a sense of "What can I do?" The answer while I was swimming was always to just work harder and be better. Beat them anyway.

I'm finding it difficult to express my thoughts today. I acknowledge the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and those who strive to keep this playing field clean. I want to congratulate the man who had the backbone to send in the sample (albeit anonymously), and I want to defend most of the athletes who go to the Olympics, because I still believe that the majority has never taken a performance-enhancing drug.

If you have not earned your spot on the Olympic team of your own accord, you have no right to be there. By cheating, the spirit and the dreams of those who DO qualify cleanly are belittled and diminished. I just want to speak for the athletes who are out there who still believe in the ideals of sport. One man, woman or team against another on a given day to choose the winner. No cheating, no drugs, just a race.

B.J. BEDFORD MILLER

Fort Collins

Read the 'blue book'

There are several important referendum and amendment votes in this fall's election. It's important that we all vote, using objective, unbiased information. That has become very difficult to do these days.

For instance, you may have noticed a series of television and direct mail advertisements in opposition to Amendment 33, which would allow video gambling terminals in Front Range racetracks and would fund tourism promotion in Colorado. These anti-33 ads are funded by an organization called "Don't Turn Racetracks Into Casinos." Voters should understand that this organization is a representative voice of the Black Hawk and Cripple Creek casinos, which stand to lose substantial gaming revenue. Their voice is anything but objective, and I dare say contains little concern for Colorado as a whole.

I am not necessarily endorsing Amendment 33. This is simply an example of the kind of advertising we see every time there is an election or vote.

The Colorado Legislative Council produces an analysis of ballot items before each election. Colorado residents have most likely received this "blue book" in the mail already. Development and production of the blue book is funded by our taxes.

Read it. It provides a very even and unbiased evaluation of each voting initiative, along with the basis of arguments for and against each measure. It is a far better source of information to support your voting decision than anything you see on TV or hear on the radio.

WILL GREER

Castle Rock

Mail ballots fraudulent

Many Coloradans are voting now for the November election by mail. These voters don't have the choice to vote the traditional way.

Traditionally, anyone who wants to vote by mail can choose to do so with an absentee ballot. When given the choice, most voters vote in person at their precinct.

About 60 percent of Colorado voters said "no" when asked to expand mandatory mail-ballot voting to partisan elections such as the presidential election.

Election officials' claims that mail-ballot elections cost less, increase turnout and are preferred by voters have all been disproved. And none of these measures are important when the side effects are considered.

Voting by mail ballot is not secret. It is subject to voter intimidation and vote selling, and it is filled with fraud and error. Hundreds of documented cases back this up.The results of mandatory mail ballot elections cannot be trusted.

Voters have a right to vote with a secret ballot that they know will be counted and that will not be negated by an ineligible ballot. Mail ballot elections should be prohibited.

AL KOLWICZ

Boulder

The writer is executive director of Citizens for Accurate Mail Ballot Election Results.

Summit a 'fix'?

Re: "Democrats announce plan to fix the budget; Pair urges changes in process of allocation," Oct. 17 news story.

So the Colorado House Democrats' plan to "fix" the state budget includes spending millions of dollars in federal relief funds to study cost-saving measures, as well as convening a summit ... to create a process ... for developing goals?

Interesting. Confusing, but interesting.

State Sen. ROB FAIRBANK

Littleton