Letters

All Vets Are Off
After reading Gayle Worland's March 25 "Doctor's Orders," about a distinguished physician dying in his own hospital, I've decided to take the necessary steps. Instead of sending my ailing body for treatment to Presbyterian/St. Luke's, I'd investigate the possibility of a good veterinary hospital close by, since, according to your story, problems were encountered in all areas--not only professionally, but also administratively.

Don Hamilton
via the Internet

The article pertaining to Dr. Karl Shipman is a fine example of how bad our health care in the United States is. There is no accountability from anyone in this profession, and having immunity from the law only adds to the seriousness of the problems with our health care. Until the people of this country stand up and demand accountability from their lawmakers in every state, health care in this country will continue to erode and more people will die at the hands of incompetent, reckless and dangerous treatments, drugs, etc., from medical people.

Stop the immunity from the law, and you will see improvement in health care.
J. Mayhew
via the Internet

Every Dog Has Its Day
Regarding Julie Jargon's "Dog Eat Dog," in the March 25 issue:
Why are we so fascinated by these little varmints? My suspicion is that we see something in prairie dog colonies that is entirely missing in the human habitat nowadays: charm, order and even an element of civility. The horrifying development on the Front Range is just the opposite. It is grotesque and antithetical to humane and civilized values. One ordinary colony of prairie dogs is more interesting than any grouping of high-consumption Republicans with their SUVs and kitschy villas.

Walter Hall
via the Internet

From Julie Jargon's story: "Just look at what [animals] do to each other." Yes, just like man, who bombs, shoots and in any other way destroys his fellow man and, when that is not enough, destroys whatever else he can, then has the gall to call it "sport."

"Man is a part of nature." Yes, he is. And when these so-called men get done destroying everything they can and polluting everything they can, then we won't have to worry about nature or man, because nothing will be left. These natural killers will have ruined it for everyone else and then probably blame it on something other than themselves. It makes me sick. Perhaps we could all get together and "thin" their herds a little. Seems these militias are overpopulating things these days--we would not want the little critters to produce more than their environment would support, after all.

Keith Edward
via the Internet

Clothes Call
Opponents of the proposed concealed-handgun permit bill currently in the legislature are concerned about increased social violence and "shootouts" should the bill become law. This naive premise is reflected in Kenny Be's March 25 Worst-Case Scenario, "Concealed Weaponwear." It is doubtful that incidents depicted in the cartoon panels would occur should the bill become law.

Opponents of the measure overlook the fact that social violence on the streets was the result of people carrying concealed weapons despite a law prohibiting that activity and presumably carrying that concealed weapon with criminal intent in mind if the situation presented itself. It is highly unlikely that after passage of the law, people with a concealed-weapon permit would be inclined toward such random violent acts while legally carrying a concealed weapon--especially after the requisite firearms training as a condition for obtaining that permit. Anyone who did not previously carry a concealed weapon because it was not within the law to do so and waited until getting a legal permit would probably also have the character to use discretion in carrying the weapon. Violence with a firearm is a matter of character and civil attitude. Merely possessing a firearm does not automatically result in the individual using it to commit a violent act.

If anything, the law could result in less violence in the streets, because people illegally carrying concealed weapons would not be certain their intended victim would not respond in kind. People inclined toward violence with a handgun may not be so brave when faced with the possibility that they may be looking down the barrel of a loaded weapon.

Richard Becker
Broomfield

You continue to do such exemplary reporting, and we all thank you for raising the level of Denver journalism far above what it would be otherwise. And could you do a profile on Representative Doug Dean in the legislature, as you did (alas, with no effect) on Bill Owens? Here's the real dealin' Doug: anarchist about laws and law enforcement against speeding, a baby-face Heston on guns for all. Help!

Pat Bourgeron
Lakewood

Graven Images
I cannot believe all the people who are writing to complain about your comics. I enjoy Jesus of the Week and think Jesus himself would understand that its purpose is to point out the peculiar ways people have chosen to depict Our Lord--not to make fun of Jesus himself.

Joni Rogers
via the Internet

I find Westword to sometimes be an interesting and informative paper. But I have to wonder about Jesus of the Week. If this is supposed to be a comic, I fail to see the humor. Blasphemy is not funny. If it's supposed to show freedom of speech, why not really be daring and make fun of Buddha or Allah, etc.? Better yet, make fun of a stereotype. Putting down a minority might be fun.