Please stay at home; suspect shot on CU; wildlife is not entertainment – Boulder Daily Camera

Barbara Wood Gray: Please stay home

To my patriotic friends, I would like to express my sadness at the differences in what we think of our government.

All my life I have voted, written letters to my delegates, appreciated the fire protection, education and infrastructure that seem to come with being part of this best country in the world. Now, I’m sad because something in your education made you see government as an enemy and an oppressor when my vision of government is a partner in improving the lives of all of us.

Today, these sad differences threaten us both. For every time people get closer than 6 feet and distrust the motives of those who set the rules, there is an incredible danger and threat to all of our lives. It’s one thing if I want to risk my life; it’s another thing when you choose to risk mine.

We see in the stories of health workers and first responders and the sacrifices they make to care for the sick and dying, risking their lives for us. It breaks my heart to know that because of all the protests, it is very likely that the numbers will rise again and we will be in quarantine longer, which goes against the very purpose of your protest.

We now have the opportunity to open businesses and reclaim our lives, but this must be done in cooperation and with all members of the same team. Please stay at home and wait for further instructions from our government, which has the same long-term goals as you. But the goal must be to open up safely and without threat to all of us American patriots.

Barbara Wood Gray

Louisville

Judy Lubow: Suspicious dismissal of CU professor

Prominent UC scientist and professor Detlev Helmig was recently laid off by the university. Helmig studied and monitored air pollution, particularly the sources of local air pollution in our northern Colorado region. His research has linked our polluted air to the huge local oil and gas activities. Helmigs’ work has made Colorado a safer and healthier place. In return, it appears that CU allowed powerful interests to convince them to fire him.

Many professors from CU and other universities have private projects in progress, some of which bring them money, others do not. However, CU only dismisses the only researcher who speaks out loudly about the dangers that the oil and gas industry poses to our communities and to our world. Oil and gas production causes pollution that shortens life; the burning of oil and gas damages our atmosphere as well as our lungs. We have to give up fossil fuels, but CU has now made everyone working to reduce the use of fossil fuels less secure when they try to do so.

Shame on CU for apparently allowing the oil and gas industry to direct its personnel decisions. The public demands an independent and independent investigation into the dismissal of Helmig and his reinstatement if it is found that political and financial pressure from the petroleum industry played a role in this highly suspicious termination.

Judy Lubow

Longmont

Anna Poisson: wildlife management for “entertainment”

The stated purpose of Colorado Parks and Wildlife in the mountain lion management plan is to ensure that mountain lions continue to exist in relatively stable numbers in western Colorado for the benefit of present and future generations. of hunting, occasional observation and their science, ecological and aesthetic value.

This puts a disproportionate emphasis on “pleasure” for humans in relation to their function in the ecosystem. Lions are not there to entertain such a strange human whim and “look nice” in the landscape. They are necessary for biodiversity and the ecosystem and this should be the top priority of any management attempt.

CPW points out that it will improve management objectives in two areas, from suppression to management for a stable population. It does not mention how it affects current goals in the other 11 areas. This suggests that the plan primarily degrades the preservation of the lion population.

To support the complete suspension of hunting restrictions near Glenwood Springs, the plan cites human security and social tolerance issues that are a higher management priority. No sufficient evidence of the problems in the region is provided, with the exception of the vague definition: these incidents involving human lions vary and cover a continuum ranging from simple observations, depredations or altercations with pets or domestic animals. leisure, attack and injury or death. Livestock claims in the region have averaged 1.5 per year for the past 21 years. The last known human lion attack in Colorado occurred in 1991, far from Glenwood Springs.

The rationale is based on misinterpretations, assumptions and omissions. The 36-page plan ignores in its conclusions the lack of supporting evidence and appears to be a set of discretionary favors to hunting groups disguised as some sort of indispensable entertainment.

Anna Poisson

Gold hill

Bill Kalafus: Weren’t all in the same boat

The Boulder Daily Camera and the Denver Post have both published articles about salary cuts at the University of Colorado. Wage cuts are 5% or 10% depending on the source. The Denver Post reported some of the wages, $ 3.4 million, $ 500,000, $ 850,000 to $ 350,000; the Boulder Daily camera did not. These people will have to climb $ 3.06 million, $ 450,000, $ 765.00 for a meager $ 315,000.

There will certainly be layoffs. Many of them earn between $ 40,000 and $ 70,000. They will have to get out of it.

Given the dire financial condition of the state, perhaps the governor should cap the wages of state employees at $ 100.00 for the duration.

Bill kalafus

Rock

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