Letters - Wednesday
PAPERS, PLEASE
Proof of citizenship just makes sense
This is in response to the Nov. 10 letter pertaining to voter ID, “Using scarce funds to make a point is irresponsible.” Laws apply to all persons equally. If the U.S. and Colorado functioned on an honor system, with everyone adhering to the law in good faith and conscience, that would be ideal. We know, however, that there are people who have broken laws and would do so again, and who would lie on an affidavit, or use stolen or purchased false documents.
The County Clerk and Recorder didn’t cause such people to be in El Paso County.
During the first century or so of the republic, citizens knew one another by name, family and reputation. Today, there are too many of us to know and recognize individuals. The U.S. population is very mobile. El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Bob Balink is protecting my voting rights. Voting is a duty I take seriously and do not want canceled or contested by a law breaker or overzealous partisan. I will not, as the letter suggested, “rise up and purge” our county clerk. I support and applaud his initiative.
I cannot imagine that “the poor, minority, disabled or otherwise socially and economically disadvantaged citizens” will be disenfranchised for lack of a pertinent ID. Would the letter’s author have us voting with a thumb print?
Ruth Taylor
Colorado Springs
HOLIDAY TRADITION
Trick-or-treaters were polite visitors
We had many young trick-or-treaters at our home on Halloween, and were very impressed with the politeness being taught to these youngsters. It was a pleasure interacting with these children.
Good job, parents and kids.
Andrea and Jim Arthurs
Colorado Springs
FOLLOWING A TREND
Young people’s politics spring from postmodernism
On Oct. 23, more than 5,000 people crowded around Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton during her Colorado rally. A surprising number of college students and young people were present, boldly proclaiming their support for this Democrat. It seems that a large percentage of young citizens have gravitated toward liberal principles. What has sparked this? The answer may be related to the rise of postmodernism in the younger generations.
Generally, postmodernists believe that life is fragmented and has no ultimate meaning. This leads to the common belief that one can do whatever one wants, whenever one wants. There can’t be any true consequences if nothing means anything, and right and wrong are subjective.
Many liberal views are rooted in this belief. For example, Clinton slammed the efforts of the Bush administration in Iraq and declared, “We cannot leave our brave young men and women as the referees of the Iraqi civil war.” This shows her lack of acknowledgment of consequences. Events such as 9/11 and other terrorist attacks must always have consequences.
And although most Democratic candidates claim that they will immediately remove troops from Iraq, most realize that, in reality, it would be unrealistic and dangerous. But this isn’t portrayed correctly to the young citizens of America. The media constantly blast their biased ideas into the minds of citizens, portraying it as fact and feeding the liberal views of the country. Therefore, America’s youth is submerged, almost by default, in liberalism and postmodernism.
Will this mindset continue to rise in popularity? One would certainly hope not.
Haley Smith
Colorado Springs
A DEEP WOUND
Terror attacks strike at heart of nation
In a recent interview, 2007 Nobel Literature Prize recipient Doris Lessing expressed a controversial opinion. She claimed that the Sept. 11 attacks were “not that terrible” compared to the fighting that resulted from the Irish Republican Army conflicts in Britain.
About 3,000 people were killed on 9/11, and almost 3,700 died from the actions of the IRA. But the fatalities of Sept. 11 occurred in a short period of time. The IRA deaths accrued over a period of 30 years.
Is Lessing’s view really valid? Can these two events be measured on the same level? Both brought about death and sorrow, but the violence inflicted in the United States went deeper than just a physical or geographical disruption. The Twin Towers and the Pentagon represent more — they capture the influence, essence and aspirations of Americans.
The persons responsible wanted to damage more than just our buildings and bodies; they wanted our morale as well. It is for this reason that the Sept. 11 attacks were much more terrible than other disasters.
Hannah St. Louis
Colorado Springs
SCHOOLS AND THE PILL
Many want choices without the consequences
When a middle school in Maine gave its students access to birth control pills, it shed light on a very serious issue in today’s society (“Maine middle school plans to offer the pill,” Nation & World, Oct. 18). The obvious issue is teen and even preteen sex and pregnancy, but even deeper is the belief that we as Americans can make decisions but not have to take the consequences.
If a girl chooses to have sex, she has the option to avoid the consequence of becoming pregnant through birth control and abortion. The decision to allow access to birth control in school offices tells American youth that the government and society both endorse the belief that we can live with choices and without consequences.
This is a deadly serious and incredibly influential decision, not just a minor news item, because of the impact it has on American children.
Charles Mueller
Colorado Springs
