Moral superiority: The Constitution or Christian Nationalists
Re: “Christian Nationalist Movement: Your religious values are not American values,” July 7 commentary
I read Pamela Paul’s column concerning the Christian Nationalist Movement with great interest. I agree with everything she wrote. However, I wish she had mentioned Article VI of the U.S. Constitution, which states, “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”
I wonder how many of the Christian Nationalists have read the Constitution and are familiar with Article VI.
— Rick O’Connell, Centennial
When did it become more important to focus on the Establishment Clause of the Constitution in our children’s schools than on the current education of Gender Dysphoria, Woke, and DEI, which is far more destructive to social survival than the Commandments? Our children are treated like pawns with limited questionable education in English, mathematics, and sciences, providing little allowance for critical thinking and individual achievements.
Only the Louisiana residents who pay the school taxes should decide this issue. Any other non-Louisiana U.S. citizen should consider their own state and its morals.
— Barb Zrubek, Windsor
Thank you for running Sunday’s commentary by Pamela Paul. I agree with the entire article, but especially the first paragraph. Whenever some Christians mention values or morals, it implies that their morals and values are superior to everyone else’s and must be acknowledged and respected, as if the rest of us are immoral and reprobates, etc.
— Michael Wear, Denver
The price tag on influence costs citizens dearly
Re: “Lobbyists were paid nearly $70M,” July 7 news story
The front page article on Sunday has Adam Smith’s ears perked.
• “The more money you have usually translates to a louder voice in politics … ”
• “Then there’s the lobby and special interests that spend a bazillion dollars … to try to prevent progress and prevent what we all really know is the right thing to be doing.”
• “Special interests are able to exercise an undue amount of influence on the legislators …”
• “Unfortunately, there’s a power imbalance, just given the wealth and political capacity …”
Smith, the named “Father of Capitalism,” wrote in his book “Theory of Moral Sentiments” his concerns regarding inherent moral flaws. One such flaw is found in the quoted sentences above, which describe the inherent behavior in capitalism towards corruption.
— Steve Morrow, Denver
For 36 consecutive days in June and July, there was not a single day when the air quality was rated as “good” in the Denver Metro area, as reported by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Many of the days were declared “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” The area’s air quality has been in “severe” violation of EPA’s standard for ozone pollution since 2022, leading the American Lung Association to find that Denver has the seventh worst air quality in the nation. In the last legislative session, oil and gas polluters killed comprehensive legislation to address Denver’s long-standing air quality problems, and the governor and legislature kicked the ozone can down the road until at least 2030.
While the politicians cower, we can all help improve air quality by not letting our cars idle while we check emails, texts, or the most recent social media posts. The alternative — opening the windows without the engine running — avoids needlessly emitting harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. This modest action will benefit all of us, especially our neighbors who suffer from asthma or cardiovascular disease and those whose allergies are worsened by air pollution.
— Ronald L. Rudolph, Golden
Trails are not race courses
I’m writing to express my deep concern about the behavior of some cyclists on Colorado’s Cherry Creek Trail and Highline Canal Trail.
These beautiful public paths are meant for everyone’s enjoyment, but unfortunately, a minority of riders are turning them into dangerous speedways. Recently, I’ve witnessed cyclists racing at breakneck speeds, refusing to yield to pedestrians or slower riders. This reckless behavior puts everyone at risk, especially families with children and elderly walkers.
The trails have a 15 mph speed limit for good reason, yet some cyclists blatantly ignore it. These trails are not private racetracks. They are shared spaces meant for the enjoyment and recreation of all Colorado residents and visitors. Cyclists must remember that they are required by law to yield to pedestrians and announce their presence when passing.
To those who insist on treating our public trails like their personal Tour de France course: Slow down, show respect, and remember that your actions have consequences. A moment of caution could prevent a serious accident.
I urge local authorities to increase patrols and enforcement of trail rules. Additionally, I call on the cycling community to self-police and remind their peers about proper trail etiquette. Let’s work together to ensure our trails remain safe and enjoyable for everyone.
— Gregg S. Hayutin, Denver
Supreme Court not as divided as portrayed
Recent articles and Open Forum letters regarding the Supreme Court show a considerable lack of understanding of the Court’s decisions. Before making accusations, a person should review the facts. Calling the Supreme Court “rogue” simply because they disagree with the results is poor judgment at best and shows a lack of understanding of the Constitution and our judicial system.
If you are going to criticize the Court, at a minimum, study the statistics. The Wall Street Journal reported that for 2023, about 45% of the cases were unanimous. For example, nine justices agreed that Colorado could not remove Donald Trump from the ballot and that pro-life doctors did not have the standing to sue the FDA.
Yet, I do criticize Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s fearmongering. Her implication that the Armed Forces will be used to assassinate members of the opposing political party is especially offensive. Specifically, she owes an apology to SEAL Team 6.
When I joined the military, I swore to defend and protect the Constitution (as my son, my father, my brother, and my uncle), not a person. We were all trained that there are unlawful orders that it was our duty not to obey per the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and federal law. Just because a president cannot be prosecuted for official actions does not mean the members of the armed forces will blindly follow a presidential order. We are not automatons. We can be prosecuted for violations. We simply cannot use the Flip Wilson defense: “The Devil made me do it!”
— José M. López, Centennial
Remembering when physicians got personal with patients
Whatever happened to our Primary Care Physicians (PCP) – the family docs that personally answered your phone calls (not texts), took care of your minor cuts and fractures, delivered your babies, and took care of them as they grew, personally examining you prior to ordering expensive tests, and spent more time interacting with you than a computer screen?
The answer: Nearly 80% of physicians are now employed by corporations and hospitals, according to a study sponsored by the Physicians Advocacy Institute (PAI). Corporate control over our medical care includes replacing physicians with lesser-trained non-physicians to maximize profits, while moral injury and burnout among physicians are at unsustainable levels.
Kelly Kenney, CEO of PAI, said, “Physicians have an ethical responsibility to their patients’ health. By contrast, corporate entities have a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders and are motivated to put profits first.”
Corporate family docs, especially in urban areas, are now instructed to refer the patients they previously administered care to, i.e., simple fractures, gynecology, multiple complaints, etc., to specialists. Time perhaps doesn’t allow returning to the old paradigm of the beloved 1970s TV doctor Marcus Welby, M.D.; however, allowing common sense patient/doctor relationships to replace profit-driven corporate medicine is in the best interest of both the physicians and their patients.
— Glenn M. Cosh, Wheat Ridge
Editor’s note: Cosh is a board-certified family physician and a currently licensed pro bono medical doctor.
“Preoccupied with football”
Re: “University of Colorado football: It’s not your daddy’s Big 12,” July 7 sports story
Your dissing of the newly constructed Big 12 Conference in a front-page Sunday Post article hit a nerve in me, a West Virginia native and Mountaineer fan now residing in Denver.
I admit to your accuracy in noting that every athletic program not in the Big Ten or SEC desires the excessive and harmful riches those two conferences deliver to their constituent schools. But I suggest you’re far too preoccupied with football.
Kansas, Arizona, Houston, and Cincinnati, for example, each possess a glittering history in men’s basketball — likewise Oklahoma State in equestrian. My West Virginia Mountaineers, inexplicably, excel in baseball. And I won’t belabor the success of today’s Big 12 in track and field, volleyball, and other so-called “minor” sports. CU by itself has won recent multiple national championships in skiing and men’s and women’s cross country.
In conclusion, I ask The Post for a measure of forbearance as the CU Buffs battle in the “not-your-Daddy’s” Big 12. It’s a conference that reflects the realities of today’s economic and practical circumstances and– dare we hope — evokes the positive achievements of young athletes.
— David E Stauffer, Denver
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