Letters - Friday online

State dragging its feet on restoring rights

The Colorado Constitution provides for the restoration of all rights of citizenship upon release from sentence following a state conviction for any criminal offense. This provision applies only to Colorado convictions. Colorado Revised Statute 18-12-108 ["Weapons possession by previous offenders"] has provided for a 10-year period of disablement of the right to keep and bear arms following release from sentence for defined convictions.. This period is affirmed by both Colorado and federal courts. In short, when a person convicted of a felony [or a domestic violence offense] under the laws of the state of Colorado has demonstrated good behavior for 10 years following release from sentence, their right to own and possess firearms for lawful use, including the defense of home, person and property is fully restored.

This may be subject to debate as to the efficacy of the provision, but not to the fact. So what is the problem? The problem is that this provision of Colorado law is being ignored primarily by the various state law enforcement agencies. Lawful possession of a "weapon" (a firearm specifically) by a person whose right to do so has been restored by Colorado law will result in arrest, jail, and a court date, at which time the case will be dismissed. This is due to the policy of our law enforcement agencies to operate under color of law using the shield of "prima facie" judgment. That translates to guilty until proven innocent. It is also harassment and a civil rights violation under federal law.

The rationale for this totally illegal practice is the understandable concern for the danger that violent previous offenders pose when armed with a gun. Understandable, but not rational, because the only people affected are the defenseless law-abiding persons whose rights and personal safety are being jeopardized. The criminal will not be deterred.

I suggest the state demonstrate some honesty in dealing with the people they are elected and appointed to serve. Colorado law enforcement must enforce the law as written, not as they would prefer it to be . Thousands of law-abiding citizens who have had their rights restored are intimidated by state police agencies, and denied free exercise of their right to possess a means of ensuring their personal safety from criminal threat. Why? Because relevant state agencies are stuck with the Colorado constitutional and statutory provision for restoration of civil rights and they correctly perceive that the people will not approve any change in the State law. Sadly, it boils down to sloppy, lazy law-enforcement policy, a violation of the sworn duty to uphold state law, and good cause to bring federal criminal, as well as civil damage, actions for violation of civil rights.

Jim Douglas, Colorado Springs

Gay activists can't have cake, eat it, too

I am fascinated by the uproar from the gay and lesbian community over the California State Supreme Court stating that Proposition 8 will stand. They started out claiming that government had no role in deciding what two consenting adults do in private. The government has no role in determining morality. Morality is between two consenting adults. They worked to overturn sodomy laws that were symbolic of the government being in the bedroom. They want government out of the bedroom. Their mantra was simply leave us alone.

Well, we as a society and/or government have left them alone. Now, the same people who wanted to be left alone now want the governments blessings on their union. They do not want to be told that their lifestyle is against God's law for marriage. They want society's blessing of marriage for their relationships. They have lived their lifestyle and people of faith have not condoned their relationship, but no one has stopped them from living this lifestyle choice.

Now, they want the same people of faith to condone their lifestyle choice with marriage. We in Colorado voted on this issue and we said marriage is reserved for one man one woman. The people in California held a similar vote and the people voted that marriage is between one man and one woman. Both ballot initiatives were done in response to court decisions that promoted the gay marriage agenda.

You cannot have it both ways; you cannot on the one hand say just leave us alone and on the other hand promote the gay agenda with the government sanction of marriage.

Fr. Bill Carmody, Respect Life Director, Diocese of Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs

Skate park good for kids, community

I read Denise Bockman's comments to editor with great interest ("City loses important event," Letters, May 21). I feel the money that went toward building the new skate park was well spent. I would much rather see our tax dollars going for something lasting instead of for a few minutes of fireworks. After all, the Fourth of July is the celebration of our freedom and the opportunity to be with family and friends - fireworks are not essential for that. For those who do need fireworks to make their celebration complete, there are certainly many other displays in this community besides the one at Memorial Park.

As far as the skate park being in constant use, I would hesitate to make the assumption that the kids using the facilities are skipping school in order to skate. Perhaps instead the reason the park is such a popular location is that there are few parks available in the area for skaters. If we don't want kids just sitting inside playing video games, we need to provide places for a variety of physical activities, including skate parks. As a parent, I'm grateful we now have a facility for those who choose to participate in this activity.

Lynette A. Sabin, Colorado Springs

Cheney Democrats' secret weapon?

When George W. Bush left office, he pledged to confine his criticisms of Barack Obama to broad-based policy speeches and essays. He joined a long tradition of ex-presidents, vice presidents and members of cabinet avoiding day-to-day critiques of their successors on radio, TV and the Internet. Such criticism would amount to a shadow government looking over the shoulders of the ones in the White House. So what happened to Dick Cheney?

Cheney certainly does no favors to the Republican Party with his constant harping, since party leaders are in agreement about the need to expand the base by appealing to moderates. Opinion polls show he can't be trying to strengthen his hand for a 2012 presidential run, since his approval rating drops every time he opens his mouth.

Either he's so full of sour grapes he can't help himself, or Cheney is a secret agent of the Democratic Party, trying to further marginalize the Republicans through his actions. He's certainly on track to help the Republicans join the Whig Party, Federalist Party, and Know-Nothing Party in the dustbin of history.

Loring Wirbel, Colorado Springs