I laughed out loud while reading about Ms. Koncilja's "fears," particularly the highlighted quote that "public radio has a responsibility to all of its listeners." I have to wonder if the board spends time on fairness and balance so that all political points of view are heard on public-radio programs? Now, that would be worthwhile — but, of course, we know the answer to that question about public radio and its slanted, far-left progressive viewpoints, almost all the time on my taxpayer nickel.
To air politically right and/or conservative views would show that public radio does show responsibility to all of its listeners.
Charles Hanes
Louisville
Off Limits, June 14
The naked riders who were arrested/ written up for indecent exposure may (or may not) be shocked when they realize that it's considered to be a sex crime. They will be adjudicated into treatment to deal with their issues around why they think it's okay to ride their bikes in their birthday suits and will find themselves on the sex-offender registry. I'm not exaggerating; I heard about a young man who mooned a security camera and is now a registered sex offender as a direct result. In slight hope of escaping this fate, the accused must bring expensive lawyers with them and keep their clothes on at the courthouse. Nudity there may result in felony indecent-exposure charges and incarceration for contempt of court.
I like to be naked as much as the next guy, but there is a time and place. The law does not get the joke, to say the least, and deals with this harshly.
Pat Desrosiers
Denver
As a lawyer, I believe that the indecent-exposure charges are probably unconstitutional as an infringement on the right of free speech — just as flag-burning charges were similarly addressed in the '60s. They may also be able to get help from the American Civil Liberties Union. I happened to be in Madrid, Spain, on the Saturday when they had hundreds of naked riders going down the main drag of Madrid, and, being a fellow cyclist, thoroughly appreciated the protest.
Andrew Rosen
Boulder
"No Place Like Home," Adam Cayton-Holland, June 7
Perhaps those in Stop Lost and Found are just too isolated up there at the end of Bear Creek Canyon — lost in that snowcapped, tunnel-vision paradise, forgetting how to give back, to share, to empathize.
Mary Semcken spends six hours a day working to stop Lost and Found. Just think what she could accomplish if she spent six hours a day turning all that energy and paranoia toward giving — instead of protecting herself against the imagined threats of pollution, fire, rape and mayhem that she believes will descend if Lost and Found is allowed to inhabit the same beautiful, peaceful location as she. I hope those in the Stop Lost and Found organization continue to enjoy the "heaven" that is Bear Creek Canyon, because living next to the Semckens sounds like hell to me.
Yvonne Barcewski
Littleton
As I was reading Adam Cayton-Holland's "No Place Like Home," I found myself at first sympathetic to residential homeowners faced with having a troubling development nearby. But I quickly pulled my head from my urban-living ass and realized that these mountain-living folk moved out into them thar hills to escape all of us and what the rest of us call "humanity." Now, back East, where I grew up, this is all fine and dandy, as they can live out there and leave us to dwell in the problems of what comes with major cities — and in return, we do not need to hear from them. However, out here in Colorado, these same NIMBY cranks have decided to move out to fire country. And there is nothing more hypocritical than someone moving out to environmentally sensitive areas to get away from us, all the while asking us to come to their rescue (both physically and financially) every time nature decides to spark up a little.
So how about we make this deal with the Semckens and their pals up in the forest: We will leave you guys alone and ensure that Colorado's social problems do not come within a twenty-mile radius of your little castles among the pines. We will even let you continue to overdevelop what was once a beautiful natural setting (i.e., Colorado's Front Range). But in return, please pay for your own protection the next time a catastrophic fire runs in your neighborhood, and do not continue to expect us or any non-forest-dwelling taxpayer to fund your lifestyle. Maybe we can even use those savings to fund better social services to give these kids a better chance at life.
Brad Towne
Denver
I am a former employee of Lost and Found — a statement I make with pride, for I wholeheartedly support the mission of the Found and believe its success to be a blessing of the Lord. I, too, once believed that sex offenders, drug addicts and other such offenders should be locked up, far away, throw away the key! That was before my in-depth training and experience with this particular residential treatment facility. You must understand that the residents are never without supervision, even when sleeping, and that every resource is used to change the thinking, attitude and actions of these young people. Coping tools are provided where none before existed; love and safety envelop these lost children as never before.
In the history of our world, when has reacting in fear and ignorance ever resulted in positive change? I beg the people of stoplostandfound.com: Open your hearts and minds to the possibility that welcoming this facility into your midst may have a beneficial impact on your community. Like your own children, these teens had no control over the circumstances of their births, but they are here now, and it would serve you and your families well to embrace the potential that each of them possesses rather than to turn your back, listing them as not your problem. I am now a mother of four children, all under the age of seven, and I would not hesitate to cohabitate as a neighbor of Lost and Found. The Found is doing an immeasurable favor to us and our children by rehabilitating these kids while it is still possible to effect change in their lives.
Tell me, and them, if not this proposed site, where do you want them to go? An internment camp, maybe? While we're at it, why not brand them with a mark to warn all of their previous sins? So long as it's not in your neighborhood, what do you care, right? That is, until it's your child, nephew, neighbor who experiments with drugs, sex, gangs, etc. Then what? Where will you or they turn for help after you've relegated the only people trained and willing to make a difference to "anywhere but here"?
Please take into consideration the track record of Lost and Found, both with its neighbors and residents. I am proud to have been associated with an organization committed to the safety and future of all our children.
Terri Soukup
Lakewood
Now Hear This, Michael Roberts, June 7
I first became aware of Richard Thompson when I stumbled into the Blue Note in Boulder with about 75 other lucky people during the Richard and Linda divorce tour. I've been a bit of a rabid fan ever since. As I read the last sentence of Michael Roberts's review, "still hasn't paid off" caught my eye. On the one hand, I agree: He's every bit the guitarist Eric Clapton is — and, in some ways, more. Although widespread fame and monetary compensation in relationship to talent haven't appeared, still...traveling the world to sold-out small shows of adoring fans, playing with a wide variety of groups and styles at a moderate pace, doesn't look like too bad of a life, either.
Yes?
Richard Ray
Denver
"TB or Not TB," Adam Cayton-Holland, June 7
At least Andrew Speaker made a conscious decision. Most people never even think about "Is my kid bothering the person in the seat in front?" or "Did I pick up the avian flu on the stopover in China?" All things considered, given the choice to be confined in Italy or come home to the most advanced medical care in the world, I would have done the same thing.
Jerry Riley
Arvada
"Kink in the System," Joel Warner, June 7
I'm behind Michael and Deb all the way. I hope that the case is taken not only to the Colorado Supreme Court, but also to the United States Supreme Court. I get tired of BDSM being considered something depraved and evil. It's about time that our voices are heard loud and clear and we can do what we do without fear of repercussions or shame.
Let's keep it safe, sane, consensual and fun!
All eyes are on this case. Please keep the great news coming, and let's hang together and win.
Darlene Thompson
Melbourne, Florida
Ask a Mexican, Gustavo Arellano
In the May 31 Letters column, prison inmate Michael Brodsky asked Gustavo — aka Ask a Mexican — why he won't answer the questions "no self-respecting Mexican would shy away from." Well, I have a solution for Brodsky. Why doesn't he just ask another Mexican inmate whatever he wants to know?
There are plenty of Mexican prisoners in Colorado. I know, because I'm one of them.
Frank Lontine
Cañon City
According to her letter about Ask a Mexican, Laurel Miller thinks that someone with the name Gallegos should be pro-illegal immigration. Guess what? Then someone with the name Miller should be against it! Prejudice works both ways! For Miller's information, American citizens of Hispanic descent are not of a monolithic thought. Moreover, anybody who thinks that someone should seek a better life at the expense of others is not logical.
Haydee Pavia
Laguna Woods, California
