Letters

A Big Zero
Regarding Michael Roberts's "Double Trouble," in the March 26 issue:
One would have to be a masochist to call the Jay Marvin radio talk show, particularly if one doesn't agree with the so-called leftist's rantings and ravings. The man can't have a reasonable conversation with anyone with a differing point of view. Rather, he habitually insults, offends, screams at and usually hangs up on people who have opposing opinions--even those who are thoughtful and sensible.

I am sorry Marvin is so popular with listeners--even winning a broadcasting award--for his occasionally juvenile, frequently gutter-level, often illogical and always high-decibel manner of running his program. Unfortunately, this (along with lowest-common-denominator TV talk shows like Jerry Springer and Sally Jessy Raphael) is what passes as entertainment these days. I listened just long enough to Marvin to figure out what he was really up to, but I don't tune in any longer. I wish all Coloradans would demand better and kick this guy's (considerable) can out of this state.

Carol Carpenter
Denver

I did find one thing in your overly sympathetic portrayal of Jay Marvin with which I agree: There are "people who might agree with him if he lowered his voice." I am one of those people. I share his left-of-center politics but have little respect for a man who, when challenged, merely screams and hangs up on people.

Simply put, Jay Marvin is a bully. That he gives lip service to progressive causes does not remedy the fact that he is a mean s.o.b. He is absolutely unwilling to debate, and he bristles with thin-skinned responses to those who question him. I would much rather hear him skewer the bigots and others he claims to oppose with incisive wit, hard facts and intellectual repartee.

I also fail to comprehend any devotee of the politics of compassion who dishes out unsavory insults toward the elderly ("senile old farts") or the overweight ("fat cows"). Rabbi Foster was right.

Julie Tolleson
Denver

A Boy's Life
I am appalled at the lack of Shaun Kaufman's resourcefulness in defending Jacob Ind as indicated in Alan Prendergast's article, "The Killer and Mrs. Johnson," in the March 19 issue. Surely Kaufman knew it would be nearly impossible to convince a jury of a self-defense plea for young Jacob when Jacob had planned for several weeks to murder his parents. Why didn't Kaufman use an insanity plea? Facts to support such a plea could have included:

1. Jacob was suicidal. He stated that if he didn't kill them, then he would die by his own hands.

2. Jacob had difficulty in deciphering right from wrong--evidenced by the fact that he believes that killing his parents was the right thing to do.

3. Shortly before the murders, Jacob exhibited irrational behavior when he threatened another kid with a pair of scissors.

4. School counselors and teachers were aware of severe problems at home and noticed his deteriorating demeanor. The counselor had arranged a meeting for Jacob with a mental-health specialist.

5. Jacob told the school counselor that he wanted to harm his parents.
Why wasn't Jacob given a psychological evaluation immediately after the murders rather than months later? Jacob suffered fifteen years of abuse from his parents, and his so-called defense attorneys failed to see beyond their own predetermined opinion of Jacob's tragedy. Kaufman denies any lack of diligence and is only remorseful about the outcome of the case. Give me a break! That's nothing compared to how Jacob must feel--especially since they wouldn't allow him to testify on his own behalf. What a travesty!

Nancy A. Doty
Littleton

They Auto Know Better
Regarding Stuart Steers's "Plans, Trains and Automobiles," in the March 19 issue:

The City and County of Denver once again will prove to be complacent in its civic duties. The dereliction of a building such as the old streetcar power plant may in fact be the responsibility of the Forney family. However, in our world of greedy retail-swamping developers, the city will bend over backward giving tax incentives to business endeavors less likely to attract "genuine class" to our fair city. How 'bout we build another few million square feet of starving retail space? That should go well with the inadequacy of parking! Capital idea!

The roof of the Forney Museum nearly fell in with the deteriorating material. That is neither the city's fault nor its responsibility. The preservation of such an endeavor as the transportation museum seems to be a much more worthwhile and urgent prospect than replacing a stadium that has no roof at all, though. Football history can, and most likely will, repeat itself. The Bigboy locomotive that sent black smoke into the skies, providing heavy transport to develop our region, will be left for dead without appreciation. The old steamer never did bitch about getting parking proceeds. Maybe if she had, some dickhead in city hall could have figured out a way to nail on an out-of-code roof similar to the one they put on my house just prior to my buying it!

I can only sleep well knowing that my hard-earned tax dollars are in good hands. I will always feel better stopped at the train crossing waiting for the last car to pass than I will jammed up on I-25 for some asshole blocking the highway en route to the Pat Bowlen follies.