Letters to the Editor

"Give It Up!," Luke Turf, May 24

I found "Give It Up" very interesting. To start off, I would like to say that I sympathize with anyone mistreated by the police. That being said, I have to applaud the police in their efforts to stop people from giving to the homeless on the streets. As a bleeding-heart liberal, I have always felt that it is our duty as the more fortunate to help those without such fortune. However, recently I was moved to a new bar/restaurant on the corner of a busy street. The first thing I noticed here were the homeless on the corner. After a few weeks, I noticed how they work together with a series of signs that are obviously full of lies. These people make the neighborhood look very dirty, and that has a negative effect on the businesses in the area. These are not people who have been struck with misfortune. They are deliberately lazy and dishonest. They do nothing to help themselves. They expect us to give to them when they are unwilling to even try work.

Over the past few weeks, I have been telling these people that they need to move off our corner, and if they do not I will call the police. This tactic seems to work for now. The unfortunate truth is this: Citizens who give money to these people are contributing to the decline of the neighborhood. By enabling these people, we are giving them an excuse not to help themselves.

I understand that not all homeless are this dishonest or terrible, and that some are legitimately down on their luck, but for now, I must side with the police. Do not enable dishonesty and laziness.
Name withheld on request

I'd like to commend Luke Turf for the informative "Give It Up!" It was courageous to confront such a suppressed issue. It's sad and frightening that completely functioning members of society with no criminal backgrounds are allegedly being intimidated and even outright bullied by "peace" officers, simply for trying to be kind people and doing what they believe is right. It's great that Internal Affairs is looking into at least a few of these cases. It is critical that police understand that they, too, are subject to proper conduct in society. They are certainly not above basic morality. If an officer cannot live by simple rules of ethics, then that person should never have chosen such a demandingly difficult profession.

Maybe next time, instead of arresting a good Samaritan, they should try coughing up a 99-cent double cheese from Mickey D's to a homeless person and tell them to have a nice day. Remember, the motto is "to serve and protect," not "to harass and arrest."
Candy Susan
Denver

Now Hear This, Michael Roberts, May 31

Michael Roberts: I don't usually write to idiots, but I can't help myself. After reading your so-called review of Elliott Yamin, I am embarrassed for you, since you come across as a mean-spirited person who enjoys writing absolutely ignorant comments about someone's appearance. I hope they don't pay you for this. No big deal if you don't like his CD — that's your opinion — but the ugly personal attacks from people like you are uncalled for and probably the reason Elliott had work done on his teeth, you idiot.

Why don't you meet him if you have the nerve to talk to him after writing this unprofessional, petty piece of garbage? He is a decent, humble, extremely talented individual, and I'm sure you would enjoy seeing his concert.
Judy Powers
Lakewood

"Home Alone," Dave Herrera, May 3

In response to the plight of Suburban Home Records, while I greatly sympathize with a struggling independent business, I'm not sure that people singing along with songs at a Drag the River show serves as clear evidence of illegal downloading. Upon learning of Drag's demise as a band, I rushed to order its discography from the good people of Suburban Home. Outside of a few seven-inch singles, this is the first time I've purchased any of Drag's music. I have seen them countless times over the years, however; they were easily one of the most awesome live bands out there. It's through their live performances that I became familiar with their music and learned the lyrics — not from illegally burned discs.

At any rate, the folks at Suburban Home Records should be commended for their dedication to such awesome local independent music. The fact that Drag's fans could sing along with their songs should perhaps be seen as a compliment for Suburban Home Records, in that it was able to back one of Colorado's most beloved bands.
Dorian De Long
Arvada