Monthly Archives: August 2011

In response to Thomas W. O’Rourke (Camera, 8-27-11). Perhaps Chuck Patterson was referring to real scientists, not the pseudo scientific community. You are right that Darwin was not playing with a full deck, and very few people are presently. He did good work, but he did not consider a source of life or that life is not necessarily biological.

Nearly nothing endorsed by the scientific community is accurate or of consequence, and this is a worldwide situation. Science died about 150-years ago, but technology took off and the change went unnoticed. We could be approaching another renaissance that will awaken the world and everything will be better until we think we know more than we know again.

Global warming is real, but the cause appears to be false; radiation from the sun is increasing. We cannot alter the radiation received and an attempt to reduce warming allows us to feel that we are in control. You must admit that doing nothing makes one feel a bit helpless.

Humans have great and powerful minds that should be used to enjoy learning and understanding all that is available to them. Accept nothing as fact, to include facts; question everything that is supposedly known; make it known and understood in your own terms. Your mind is capable of more than you imagine.

Herman H. Marshall
Louisville Continue reading →

The August 22nd debate at the West Senior Center about the creation of a municipal utility was certainly an eye-opener. The proponents, both volunteers and unpaid for all their work, provided real data about how well a city light and power utility could perform – a 60% (or possibly greater) reduction from Xcel in carbon dioxide emissions (that cause global warming), 40% of the energy from renewable sources (far more than Xcel, and making us less sensitive to fossil fuel price increase), all with no increase in rates.

They also pointed out how consultants hired by investor-owned utilities (like Xcel) can be way off –when Winter Park FL recently municipalized, their actual cost was about a third of what the utility’’s consultant had predicted. Xcel’s fancy high priced utility consultant, who was a presenter at the debate and tried to speak convincingly about the financial risks, didn’t even seem to know Xcel’s rate of return on capital (which of course makes it hard to do any accurate comparisons) and was off on other critical financial points as well.

The opponents of municpalization (there were two, both paid presenters) also brought up once again the (inaccurate) notion that Xcel will have to be compensated for its business loss, called “ongoing concern” value. But only last week I heard Boulder’s city attorney pointing out that under Colorado law, this only applies when a rural electric cooperative is taken over, and Xcel is decidedly not that. (This was also discussed months ago at a city council meeting when council member Ken Wilson brought up the same issue.)

If I needed more convincing that municipalization is the way to go, this did it.

Thank you,

Sara K. Sims
Boulder Continue reading →

Dear Editor,

Good Night Irene, to the tune of 7 billion dollars dealing with the aftermath. Heck, we might have to not start another war some place in the world in the next while to cover that. Oh wait, it’s not “some place in the world,” rather a particular place with some particular people, to the strains of “Onward Christian Soldiers” and V-8 engines as the back beat.

Rocky Hill
Denver Continue reading →

Any politician can tell you – and too many follow their own advice -
that in order to get attention from America¹s low-information voters, you
have to say stupid things.
Rick Perry said that Texas might secede from the Union, and that Social
Security is a Ponzi Scheme, Michelle Bachmann equates natural disasters
with punishment from God, and takes tons of government money that she so
abhors, Mitch McConnell says that bringing down Barack Obama is more
important than doing right for the country, and Mitt Romney says ( in order
to justify his actions) that corporations are people.
But the most stupid remark of all – which certainly verifies the
definition of insanity – and which was made by the supposedly most
cerebral candidate, is that the Republicans in Congress could be dealt with
on a bipartisan basis.

R. Kiefer
Arvada Continue reading →

Can someone please tell me why the Boy Scouts, an openly discriminatory organization, get a Colorado state license plate? Thanks in advance.

Hilary Reynolds Burton
Nederland Continue reading →

I have been watching the debate on the municipalization of Boulder’s electric utility with much interest. Before I retired I managed Boulder’s Division of what is now Excel Energy and have some experience as to what is involved with such an undertaking.

I find a lot of optimism in the city model and little consideration for the downside of the operation of such an endeavor. Much can go wrong and it is very costly when it does. As one example, an early or late snow storm can cost millions of dollars that can only be recovered through rates charged to customers.

So why are we considering municipalization? A year ago, the city indicated that the municipalization alternative was only a means to an important end – more renewable energy and a reduced carbon footprint. I have to wonder about this now. The City’s feasibility study doesn’t contain any funding for more renewables or an energy supply mix with lower carbon emissions. The study also omits funding for energy efficiency programs (Xcel spent $5.6 million in 2010 on Boulder’s Demand Side Management), and the City has no budget planned for solar rebates to continue the rooftop solar installations in Boulder (Xcel has spent over $38 million toward Bolder solar since 2006).

I have often said that a Company’s or City’s Soul is its Budget. Locking in the initial rates is just a ploy to get votes but over time the rates will go up considerably. Remember, the only ones to pay for all of the operating coats and materials are you-the rate payer.

I am skeptical of pie-in-the-sky promises. Facts are facts. Xcel and Public Service Company have 120 years of service, knowledge and commitment to Boulder. Consider the response to the Four Mile Canyon fire last year. They know how to run a system and customers are assured to receive reliable and cost effective service.

Please vote NO on 2B and 2C.

Thank You,

Earl McLaughlin
Boulder Continue reading →

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jdreyfuss2@comcast.net via dailycamera.com to openforum

show details 8:33 AM (48 minutes ago)

Well now that the storm has passed the critics have come out of the woodwork to criticize the hyping of Irene. Mostly complaining that the storm wasn’t as severe as the media portrayed it or cynically suggesting that President Obama wanted a bad storm to help his ratings. Perhaps it was a slow news week or the press was just looking for relief from the bickering congress. NOAA did a good job of fore warning the public of the severity of the storm and predicting land fall within a 10 mile radius FEMA pre-positioned supplies up and down the east coast to be ready when needed. Alas under the present and future budgets both of these organizations will have their funding cut. Sometime in the near future both government organizations will be ham stringed, unable to react and make the predictions that surely saved many peoples lives. This is a victory of sorts for the anti science folks who believe that science and help for people in need are expenses we can ill afford and not the function of government. After all government is all bad and sinfully wasteful. I guess those people who believe that government should get out our lives will have their way and we can only hope that the private sector will step up and get some satellites airborne and emergency supplies cached in time for the next catastrophic event.

Jeff Dreyfuss
Boulder Continue reading →

Editor;

The German village of Wildpoldsried (pop. 2,600) produces 321% more energy than it needs which produces $5.7 million in annual revenue from renewable energy. It started in 1997 when the village council decided that it should build new industries, keep initiatives local, bring in new revenue, and create no debt.
Mayor Zengerle said, “The mitigation of climate change in practice can only be implemented with the citizens and the village council behind them 100% of the way. This model cannot be forced from only one side. We often spend a lot of time talking to our visitors about how to motivate the village council (and mayor) to start thinking differently. We show them a best practices model in motion and many see the benefits immediately. From the tour we give, our guests understand how well things can operate when you have the enthusiasm and conviction of the people.”
http://inhabitat.com/german-village-produces-321-more-energy-than-it-needs/
The article also has a link to its mission statement about their innovation leadership. It is great news.

Sincerely,

Thomas Mooney
Aspen Continue reading →

I see nothing hypocritical about asking a government to stay out of the minutia of our daily lives while expecting a certain level of service from that government. There is nothing hypocritical about asking government to remove job killing regulations on an industry while protecting us from that corporation or industry. As organic farmer Joel Salatin lamented in the Local section, “invasive regulations…are stifling the innovation” necessary for organic farming to become more mainstream. I agree with him, but I would not call for the elimination of the USDA. The trick is in finding the correct regulations that are best for a society in the long run, not simply those that allow politicians to survive through their next election cycle.
Nor do I find it hypocritical to ask for a government that is as inconsequential in our lives as possible while demanding protection and relief from catastrophe. The Obama administration’s actions before and after Hurricane Irene were call the “Federal family’s” response. The response has been laudable. The trick in any free society is to make sure that when the Federal family comes calling it isn’t Orwell’s Big Brother knocking on the door.

Mark Saunders
Boulder Continue reading →

The closing lines of a front page news story on August 26 we read about a Boulder developer who wants to develop a 30 to 60 acre sports training complex on property in the Planning Reserve. The developer is quoted saying he “has warned officials that he will take the idea somewhere else if it doesn’t gain traction soon [in Boulder].” The proposed sports training complex, hotel and shopping center do not seem to meet any existing needs in Boulder. If built, this development would make it necessary to raise taxes in Boulder to pay for the problems the development would cause because development never pays for itself. Boulder should not miss this opportunity to have the development go elsewhere.

A disturbing aspect of this story is the report of breaking by the Boulder City Council of an intergovernmental agreement made some years ago that requires the Council, the Boulder Planning Commission, the Boulder County Commissioners and the Boulder County Planning Board all to agree to new developments in this planning area. It sounds as though the Boulder City Council no longer wants the wisdom and counsel of the county groups.

City or County, we’re all in it together. The growth is destroying our environment and we have to all work together if we are going to have any hope of moving the City and County toward sustainability.

Sincerely yours,

Albert A. Bartlett
Boulder Continue reading →

American soldiers are committing suicide in record numbers (average 18 per day) due to PTSD and multiple deployments. A soldier recently committed suicide to avoid being deployed for the ninth time.

Maybe we need to have a conversation about reinstating the draft. Currently, only 1% of the population bears the burdens of war – these wars have been beneath the radar of most Americans. Just because these brave men willingly volunteer doesn’t make it right that they (and their families) bear the total costs.

Our politicians, (of whom most don’t have any loved ones serving — and if they do — they often get special treatment) send these brave and honorable troops to these wars and disregard their humanity. Perhaps if more of the population were involved, we wouldn’t be engaging in these wars in the first place.

Barb Adams
Parker Continue reading →

If you are considering replacing President Obama with any of the Republicans now running (or thinking of running) for their nomination, then think about what most or all of them would like to do for you and our country: no regulations; no tax increases (preferably no Federal taxes); no Federal Reserve; no Environmental Protection Agency; no Department of Education; no respect for science or scientists; no abortions; no civil rights for labor, gays, minorities, or women; no separation of church-state; no Social Security; no Medicare; no Medicaid; no unemployment insurance; no retraining funds; and no federal aid to education, research, or health care. And if states are further starved of federal funds, there would be further reductions in police forces, fire departments, public education, road maintenance, courts, and other vital services.

Would you like to live in such a country?

The current leading Republican candidate is Texas Gov. Rick Perry. He has been open to Texas seceding from the United States. He believes Social Security is a “Ponzi scheme,” and he is not convinced that Social Security and Medicare are constitutional. He doesn’t accept overwhelming scientific evidence of global warming. He supports teaching “intelligent design” to children in public schools. He is anti-abortion, and anti-gay marriage. He opposes the federal income tax (which provides 45% of government revenue). He described the 1913 passage of the 16th and 17th Amendments as “a great milestone on the road to serfdom.” The New York Times (8/25) claims that he wants to make government “inconsequential,” even though “he has made government very consequential – for his political career.” And there is a great deal more about Gov. Perry that is just as scary or worse.

So again I ask, would you want to live in a country in which Rick Perry is the President?

Joel Selbin
Boulder Continue reading →

I enjoyed Thomas ORouke’s letter (Camera Open Forum, Aug 27) – it captured a healthy grumpiness with the authorities that has existed throughout American history. Mr. O’Rouke is indeed entitled to his carefully-considered opinions, but as a citizen of this great country, when it comes to laws and taxes, he can’t opt out of the ones he doesn’t like.
It would be nice to think that society’s rules were based on facts rather delusions, but even in the face of overwhelming evidence, people (including our politicians) often believe what they want to believe. Freedom is unquestionably good, but it is abused by those seeking to perpetuate delusional beliefs. Science has been extraordinarily successful is discriminating fact from fiction because it is intolerant of ideas that cannot be supported by empirical and measurable evidence.
However, society is often slow to pick up on scientific discoveries (especially when the truth is inconvenient), and beliefs with no more supporting evidence than for “fairies at the bottom of the garden” continue to plague our society. I’m thankful that the GOP position on tax increases means that a tax on fairies is unlikely, because I worry about how many fairies some of its presidential hopefuls might find in my garden.

Andrew Wilson
Longmont Continue reading →

It’s that time of year when I relish nightly walks knowing that Fall and cooler temperatures are not so far off. Unfortunately, my walks are often spoiled when I see wasps frantically trying to escape the yellow torture tubes that hang from many neighborhood trees in Boulder. Fortunately, there are great alternatives to the yellow traps which attract wasps to people’s yards only to be caught and starved to death. There are two products sold at McGuckins that deter rather than attract wasps. One is called “The Waspinator” and the other is “Bee-Free Natural Wasp Deterent”. They work on the principle that wasps are territorial and won’t build a nest near other wasps’ nests. They see what they think is another wasp nest and avoid your yard. Both are inexpensive and don’t require messy refill packets of wasp attractant. I’ve given them to a number of friends and everyone is amazed at how well they work. So I ask the humane and eco-concious in Boulder to switch over to the compassionate option for keeping wasps away.

Thank you!

Barbara Bear
Boulder Continue reading →

I see that House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R VA) has vowed to deny disaster relief to states hit by Hurrican Irene unless there are offsetting cuts in government spending. What a great idea! Let’s start with Eric Cantor’s salary.

Mike Ryder
Louisville Continue reading →

Three cheers to State Senator Rollie Heath for having the vision and courage to bring to Coloradoan’s attention the need to save and improve our public schools. His success in obtaining sufficient signatures to place on the ballot, in November, an opportunity for us to vote on what I believe is a very modest tax increase for a limited five years. Passage will result in $3 billion available to bolster our desperately needed education system. It would raise the income tax from 4.63 percent to 5 percent and the sales tax from 2.9 percent to 3.0 percent. Already, the critics are saying we should not raise taxes during a recession. Undoubtedly, these are the same critics who would say we should not raise taxes when the economy is booming because it will curtail the economic growth. To the critics I would say this is not a tax increase this is an investment in our state’s future. We can not compete in this highly competitive market place for jobs and economic growth without a well educated population and that requires a willingness to invest in education. I would hope the business community (large and small business owners and corporate executives) will rally around Senator Heath and give him the support he needs to have this legislation enacted. It is in their best interest. Indeed it is in every citizen’s best interest.

Dennis Rezendes
Boulder Continue reading →

On Sunday Michael Whited wrote requesting a fire ban, over the weekend I received several e-mails about this as well. I thought it might be instructional to explain the rules once again concerning when the county may impose a fire ban.

The county may impose a fire ban, under the constraints imposed upon it by state statute. The state law allows the county to impose a fire ban when the risk of fire is deemed to be “high”, supported by “credible evidence”, the statute goes on to specifically cite the National Fire Danger Rating System as “credible evidence”. We rely upon this fire danger rating system as a threshold to trigger a ban, and we also look at forecasts, as it is very difficult and confusing to impose and rescind fire bans on a daily or weekly basis.

The fire danger rating today at Sugarloaf mountain is “moderate”. The higher stations are reporting “low” fire danger ratings. The fire danger rating crossed into the high category for the first time lately on last Friday, on Saturday it was moderate, on Sunday it was high, today it is moderate to low. The fire danger rating is heavily influenced by Relative Humidity, so even the next couple of days look like fairly safe days regarding fire behavior.

When and if we get several days of “high” fire danger ratings, with predictions supporting a trend, we will absolutely impose a fire ban. The resolution is written and waiting to be dated and signed. We are as fire wary as everyone, and ready to be proactive when and if we meet the legally defined minimum thresholds to support a fire ban.

Sheriff Joe Pelle
Boulder County Continue reading →

I was disappointed that the article “Headlines can prompt private profiling” did not even reference the six women who were traumatized by the robberies and sexual attacks. I did not see, read, or hear any “false connections” based on ethnicity, but did appreciate a clear description of the suspect. Would being admonished to not profile actually change the opinion of a person who was prejudiced?

It would have been helpful to hear how to support the women who were victimized, and how or where help is available to them. We’ve learned a lot over the years of how to support people who are grieving, it would be helpful to hear how to support someone who has been through the recent events.

Louise Padden
Boulder Continue reading →

Hey everybody in Colorado: Sept 15 is a big day in the struggle for Palestinian Rights. It marks the 29th anniversary of the Shatila Refugee Camp Massacre when Israel was responsible for the of killing 2000 Palestinian refugees. It also is a day for protest and demonstration against the apartheid state of Israel as per the call to action by the nationwide movement September15.org http://september15.org/. And here in Boulder we are fortunate to have Norman Finkelstein speak to us (7pm, Eaton Humanities, CU): https://sites.google.com/site/cudivest/project-updates/finkelsteintospeakatcu . Come to CU Thursday night, September 15 and stand in solidarity for a free Palestine. Tell the University of Colorado: No, don’t invest in Israeli apartheid! Sign the petition: https://sites.google.com/site/cudivest/home

Michael Rabb
Boulder Continue reading →

I don’t understand the lack of perspective that seems to have led the increase in, what seems to me to be, self-centered whining in our community. The recent Open Forum letter titled ‘Noise Pollution From Airplanes” is just one recent example. Longmont is a city. It has an airport. When you live in a city with an airport there will be noise in general (including airplane noise). I think its similar to the lack of perspective that leads people who move into the mountains and then complain about the deer eating their landscaping. I’m not a skydiver but nonetheless, having the community hosting an event such as the Mile-Hi Skydiving event is cause for community celebration not complaint.

Similarly, this spring I ran in the Sunrise Stampede 10k in Longmont and at one street crossing overheard a car driver just ripping into the officer holding up traffic over the “inconvenience”. The fact that the race is a long-running annual event and was well publicized (including the expected traffic implications) didn’t appear to matter to the driver at all.

And then there are the regular letters complaining about being inconvenienced by bicycles on the road (or horrors, groups of them!). There are lots more examples which I won’t list here.

There are those who think it’s selfish to be doing something different than what they do (and, perhaps, cause them inconvenience). I suggest, instead, that it’s selfishness that drives the complaining about the little inconveniences that come from our different choices in activity. And that these little inconvenience are more than made up for by the increased richness in our community which comes from the wide diversity of activities people enjoy.

Stephen C. Stearns
Boulder Continue reading →