Being pro-America is not about hating anyone

Mr. Cox recently wrote an opinion piece to Colorado Community Media about a post that I made on my social media page.

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Guest Column

Brandi Bradley

One should note that the introductory paragraph on my page states “I love this county and I love our community, and I am honored to represent Douglas County HD 39!”

I take very seriously my obligations to represent the values of my community while serving on the state legislature. I’ve always been forthcoming about my values as a Christian, which are in alignment with the Judeo Christian values that our country was founded on as stated in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” e former appears to be in direct contradiction to the principles on which our country was founded, which elevates the rights and liberties of individuals, not groups.

My worldview is very much shaped by these values, and as such I question why there’s a push to elevate a particular group of people - those in the LGBTQ communityover others. In particular, why are we choosing to elevate a particular attribute of a group versus the accomplishments of individuals?

On my social media page, I expressed an opinion that I would prefer that Pride Month be an expression of Pride for our veterans and military. Mr. Cox chose to view that as disrespectful, which is unfortunate.

I can’t control how others interpret my words, nor will I try to deduce Mr. Cox’s motivations for suggesting that I aim to divide our community.

I welcome this opportunity to clarify for our community that I do not hate anyone. at is antithetical to my worldview as a Christian, one in which Jesus teaches us to love everyone.

In my role as a state house representative, I have stood for the rights of all women, parents and children in various bills that I have written and voted on. I certainly don’t require that my constituents on whose behalf I’m representing meet a particular moral code or t into a speci c identity group. at would be unconstitutional and frankly, immoral.

Mr. Cox took o ense to me calling out that the rainbow ag is being used by groomers. His ire, however, is seriously misplaced. He

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LINDSAY NICOLETTI Operations/ Circulation Manager lnicoletti@coloradocommunitymedia.com should be angry at the naked men prancing in our public places under that ag. Not at me for calling out that it is being done. But more importantly, he missed the point entirely. Something that is all too common these days; if he wants unity, then he should join all of us under the American ag, one that has been a beacon of freedom (not compulsion; not word police; not internet gestapo) for hundreds of years. We should rally under that one ag period.

We should be e pluribus unum provided we all still believe in those basic things that made us great to begin with. at there are certain truths that are self-evident and that from them come rights from our creator that no one can can take. But instead, we’re supposed to pander to various di erent tribes of ags, an ever growing number.

We must pledge our allegiance, even in violation of our conscience, lest we be derided in public as an ignorant hater; or otherwise shamed and booed back into compliance. Bullying is not how freedom is supposed to work. Mr. Cox may try to claim that it is he who has experienced bullying over the years, and maybe that is so, but all the more reason that he should have known to be careful with his assumptions and mindful of his real enemy.

But moreover, the Herald certainly should have been; the editor should have recognized that the editorial was not simply fair commentary but an unfair and misguided attack, an attack that was lent credence to by printing. If ever given the chance to discuss this respectfully with Mr. Cox, I would imagine that he and I would fundamentally disagree on what is best and what is intended by God for our lives, but both of us should be able to agree on which ag stands for freedom, and you should also be able to agree on who the groomers are that are now openly pushing for our kids. If you could agree on that, then you could agree on who he is really o ended by.

Mr. Cox suggests that not choosing to celebrate an identity group is akin to disrespecting said group. is is an incoherent argument. I welcome constructive feedback on my viewpoints, and strive to grow intellectually and emotionally in all interactions with constituents, community members, and fellow legislators. Lying about my intentions is not productive, and I wish Mr. Cox well in his future endeavors to communicate in a convincing, e ective manner.

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Letters To The Editor

Board should follow policies

Tammi Flemming’s letter titled “News story was lacking,” omits students from DCSD’s Parent and Family Engagement policy (KBB).

Flemming mentioned “the rights of parents” but what about the rights of students?

In June, the District Accountability Committee (DAC) wrote a resolution where they requested, “DAC would like to thoroughly stakehold KBB with SACS and other parent organizations.”

However, the board did not allow time for the DAC to contact School Accountability Committees (SACS) like the Student Advisory Group (SAG) for feedback on President Mike Peterson’s policy revisions to KBB. Board Secretary Becky Myers wrote in an email to Chester Shaw — chair of the District Accountability Committee, “Also share with DAC that I personally want SAG input o the table.” is board majority recently faced litigation following a discrimination complaint from former superintendent Corey Wise, which they settled for $832,733.61. His employment was terminated after advocating that the Board not discriminate against LGBTQ students. is spring, director Susan Meek entered a formal complaint titled “Suspected violations of Board policies,” in which she included, “President Peterson is developing changes outside of the public eye and using his authority to set board agendas to put forward a policy for rst reading for policy adoption before the entire board has had an opportunity to discuss it publicly. Again, this exceeds his authority.”

Revisions to the Parent and Family Engagement policy, speci cally language around the words “compelled” and “identity,” can directly impact students in the LGBTQ community and the board president scheduled a vote on these during summer break. SAG students have previously made public comments about recent changes to the Educational Equity policy, concerned with how policy revisions could impact this community.

Following the DAC’s request on a ursday, President Peterson revised his revisions before Tuesday’s meeting, which none of the committees had the opportunity to review before the Board’s (4-2) vote. is went against a statute that states: e Board shall work with the parent members of the DAC (District Accountability Committee) in creating, adopting, reviewing and implementing this policy.

Policy GP 1.3.1 Board President Responsibilities reads, “To lead the Board so that the Board’s performance is consistent with its own rules and policies and those legitimately imposed on it from outside the organization.”

Not following statute could lead to further costly litigation, which is an egregious disservice to all stakeholder groups. is could be avoided if the board followed its own policies.

Ti any Baker Highlands Ranch

Bradley tra cs in vicious slurs

In her July 14 opinion piece (tinyurl.com/bradleycol), state Rep. Brandi Bradley responded to a piece from Chad Cox that Colorado Community Media published on July 10 (tinyurl.com/lettercox).

Mr. Cox, who is a Navy veteran, had taken issue with a post (tinyurl. com/bradleypost) on Rep. Bradley’s Facebook page in which, implicitly referencing LGBTQ Pride Month, she stated, “Our veterans and our military DESERVE a month of celebration, not naked grown men grooming our children.”

At the end of her own CCM essay, Rep. Bradley tacitly invited “constructive feedback on [her] viewpoints.” I would like to o er some here.

Rep. Bradley stated: “I question why there’s a push to elevate a particular group of people — those in the LGBTQ community — over others.”

Seems to me that very few people who are both decent and sensible would see in Pride Month any sort of elevation of the LGBTQ community “over others.” Rather, I think people who are both decent and sensible see Pride Month as an opportunity for members of the LGBTQ community to celebrate their acceptance in the community as people deserving of basic human dignity in the face of a history and a continuing present of vicious bigotry.

Rep. Bradley stated: “Mr. Cox took o ense to me calling out that the rainbow ag is being used by groomers.”

Yes, Mr. Cox did, as all people who are both decent and sensible ought to do. To insinuate that all members of the LGBTQ community are “groomers” is a vicious slur. See Point 1 above.

Rep. Bradley suggested that in accordance with Pride Month : “We must pledge our allegiance, even in violation of our conscience, lest we be derided in public as an ignorant hater; or otherwise shamed and booed back into compliance.”

Actually, no one is demanding that anyone else do anything, apart from refrain from slurring whole communities with words like “groomer.” See Point 2 above.

I sincerely hope Rep. Bradley nds this feedback helpful.

Eric Brody Castle Pines

We deserve better than Bradley Colorado Community Media published a letter to the editor from Rep. Brandi Bradley (HD39) in response to one entitled “Brandi Bradley spawns hatred.” It should be noted that before this more “polished” version was published on July 14, Bradley initially lashed out in the

CCM comment section spewing vitriol, ending her online rant with “So if you think it’s the person who can scream the loudest who wins, buckle up …”

CCM would serve our community well by publishing Bradley’s online comments (tinyurl.com/ bradleyresponse) alongside her “polished” version, so we can see the whole picture of who she is as a legislator.

Bradley’s rhetoric often replicates that of Anita Bryant’s “Save Our Children” campaign from the 1970s, pathologizing the LGBTQ+ community and accusing them of being sexual predators. Bradley even continues to push the “groomer” narrative in her rebuttal to the original letter.

While she touts “freedom,” she notably does not support freedom for all, falsely equating individuals wanting to have basic civil rights with a desire to “elevate a particular group of people.”

Of course, Bradley is entitled to her Christian beliefs. e issue is attempting to legislate them onto others, based on what she believes is a “sin.”

Bradley’s anti-LGBTQ+ actions and a liations are well-documented, including: protesting drag shows in Douglas County, introducing anti trans sports legislation rooted in national e orts to restrict the rights of transgender people to exist, introducing a resolution for parental rights which would have increased the risk of LGBTQ+ students to experience bigotry and retaliation for their identity, and alignment with the so-called “parents’ rights” movement, speci cally the anti-LGBTQ+ group, Colorado Parent Advocacy Network.

SEE LETTERS, P26

BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

They proudly call themselves the B.O.B. from the 303, bringing the Big Easy up to high altitudes with their soul-gripping blend of music stylings with New Orleans jazz.

Known for its vibrant nightlife and colorful buildings is the French Quarter. e French Quarter is the heart of New Orleans, and jazz is its heartbeat.

Breathing life into Bourbon Street are the sounds of brass instruments and drums continuously owing out of numerous jazz clubs. With just a trumpet, clarinet, berry sax, alto sax, trombone, snare, bass drum and tuba, the Brothers of Brass are bringing that one and only soulful heartbeat to Colorado.

“It’s a cultural tradition that most of the country doesn’t have,” said Armando Lopez, a member of the Brothers of Brass.

e group’s repertoire is a simmering mix of slow and angsty tunes and fast-paced tempos with a kick of familiar melodies. e Brothers of Brass blend of other genres like R&B, hip hop and psychedelic jam rock into each set.

A day after a tornado hit Highlands Ranch in late June, the Brothers of Brass dished out a much-needed evening of fun for the community. Soon, everyone went from clapping to full-out dancing, allowing concertgoers a chance to relax.

“It was nice to see so many kids, like, actually getting up out of their seats and the older people getting up and dancing and enjoying the music,” said Khalil Simon, who is originally from New Orleans. “It’s not so often that we get to play like New Orleans brass music for a crowd like this and appreciate it, that’s pretty unique.”

Not only did the band members interact with one another on stage throughout the night, they got the crowd involved by singing along and repeating after them. Although it was an outdoor concert, there was no excuse for the crowd not being loud enough.

Among some crowd favorites were “Just the Two of Us” by Grover Washington Jr., and “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers. And of course, they couldn’t call themselves a brass band without playing the beloved spiritual hymn “When the Saints Go Marching In.” e strong, powerful notes of brass instruments and the beautiful harmo-

In true New Orleans fashion, each band member was called out to do a solo, each one emoting a di erent feeling.

As the music continued and the sun began to set, the crowd let the good times roll as more children and adults came to the front of the stage, dancing as if it were Mardi Gras.

Just when the sun went behind the buildings, the Brothers of Brass were kind enough to strap on their instruments for an encore, playing “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child.