Soapbox

While we all consider the predictable negative consequences of the overturning of Roe v. Wade by our rightwing activist Supreme Court, and the intended, negative consequences that shall obviously follow, I humbly propose this least harmful alternative as a national policy.

At the onset of puberty, all males in these United States should be required to have a vasectomy. Since this procedure is now reversible, all males should be required to have such a procedure once males are capable of impregnating a woman.

Later in life, when the male is contemplating having children with their spouse, the male should consult with their doctor, submit to an economic viability test (can you afford to raise a family?), undergo a minimum of three counseling sessions to determine suitability for parenthood, and then wait the requisite number of weeks before undergoing the restorative procedure.

Failure by parents to have their pubescent boys undergo a vasectomy would result in a substantial fine and jail time, and the citizen who reports these parents would receive a reward.

I believe that the overturning of Roe v. Wade will create a dangerous threat to the health and wellbeing of women, and that the above mentioned solution will eliminate the great harm that will obviously befall women.

Because of the zealots’ discrimination against women who do not wish to have a child, such a national policy would cause the least harm to the greatest number of citizens and could eliminate the issue of unwanted pregnancies.

– Gene Orr, Hesperus

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I wonder to what extent the baby formula crisis is fueled by the stigma against public breastfeeding. Are there women who don’t breastfeed at all because of this stigma?

I realize that some women aren’t capable of breastfeeding, but I wonder how much the formula crisis would be alleviated if it were more socially acceptable for mothers to whip out their mammary parts in public. – Laurel C. Smerch, Mancos

Coram cares

Remember the $1,400 stimulus payment we received as part of the American Rescue Plan? I was happy to get it. For many, it meant the difference between paying rent during the pandemic and facing eviction. Our congressional representative, Lauren Boebert (Republican representing Colorado’s 3rd congressional district), voted against it.

What about HR-2471, the bill that provided money for Colorado’s rural community health centers, education, law enforcement and compensation to farmers whose livestock were killed by wolves? Boebert voted against it.

And the bill to support U.S. veterans dying from toxic exposure to burn pits? Boebert voted against it.

By contrast, when Don Coram was our state senator, he sponsored legislation to fund law enforcement, improve our electric grid, support child-care programs, improve access to health care, protect our ground water, support firefighters, hire more teachers and prevent youth suicide.

While Boebert has used her office to thwart almost every bill that could help the people of Colorado, Coram has proven that he will work to pass legislation that will improve our lives.

No one above the law

It’s no secret that Congress is polarized. Rarely does an issue receive strong bipartisan support. That’s why it’s so striking that 4 out of 5 voters agree that we must do more to safeguard our democracy from presidential corruption.

No president, regardless of party, should be able to exploit weaknesses in our political system for their personal gain. That’s where the Protecting Our Democracy Act comes in. If passed, it would prevent future abuse of presidential power and corruption, increase transparency and ensure presidents of either party can be held accountable.

If the average person used their office for personal gain, they’d go to jail. If the average person could pardon themselves, there would be no rule of law. Therefore, no president should be above the law. It’s just common sense.

I’m urging Congress to pass the Protecting Our Democracy Act. It’s time we put safeguards in place to prevent a corrupt president of any party from abusing the power of their office.

– Matt Cornell, Durango

Clean up slag in Echo Basin

(Editor’s note: The following letter, which was cc-ed to us, was sent to Scott Owen, spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service.)

Dear Mr. Owen,

As you are aware, your agency has received harsh criticism as of late regarding your prescribed burn policies. The latest accident related to that burn policy has resulted in a 300,000-acre fire still burning in Northern N.M. It has decimated dozens of ancient communities and still threatens the Pecos Wilderness, Red River, Angel Fire and Taos. The logic behind the burns is to reduce wood fuels on forest floors.

Let us talk about Echo Basin, outside of Mancos. You have been allowing clear cutting operations in this area for the past several years. That’s a good thing. The dead aspen are being utilized by a local mill in Mancos to make valuable wood products.

What is alarming and unacceptable is the condition the work areas have been left in. Dozens of huge wood slag piles and logs are spread out all over the forest floor. That has added fuel to the forest floor and should be removed and cleaned up ASAP. They should not be left for another fire disaster or prescribed burn.

How is this type of log-cutting contracting being justified?

Echo Basin response

(Editor’s note: Forest Service PIO Scott Owen sent this response after talking with district staff.)

Mr. Murphy is talking about aspen timber sale units on the Dolores Ranger District. They do not look pretty after implementation for a few years.

His description is not off base – “Dozens of huge wood slag piles and logs spread out all over the forest floor.”

We do come back in and burn those piles. The material left as far as “logs spread out all over” provide a micro climate and protect the resprouting aspen shoots from grazing (both wildlife and domestic) which assists in the reestablishment of the clone.