From the week of March 12, 2009

"Trial Beat," Kenny Be, March 5

Kenny Be is a genius who gets better all the time. But he outdid himself with "Trial Beat," his epic work devoted to that ultimate cartoon character, Ward Churchill.

Kenny captured this circus perfectly. Denver is lucky to have him on the job.

Ray McDonald

Denver

To me this article represents the "apolitical idealism" that has exploded out of so many youth subcultures. While I enjoy seeing hilarious distortions of my fellow students' faces, am thoroughly infatuated and disgusted by the appropriation of the culture-jamming methodology for the creation of this publication, and finally, pleased aesthetically — let's face it, this article has nothing real to say about the issues concerning academic freedom, nor does it prove to commit itself to investigating thoroughly or philosophically the issues at hand.

Andrew Jay

Boulder

I am laughing with anger! I think Westword, given the "coverage" of the Ward Churchill case, should soon be bought out by Mile High Comics.

You have made journalistic integrity seem like a piece of nostalgia. Your next issue should certainly make as professional a case out of the idiots who once called your publication a magazine. I am no longer part of that group.

To suggest that the suppression of a native American's academic freedom is a joke, comedy suitable for comics, should stir you with the horrors of the past that Churchill has spent his life bringing to light. When will there be time to discuss the genocide of the indigenous Americans when propaganda like this is allowed to be disseminated through your press?

I think that Westword's readership should get serious about freeing the native people from their oppression -- and closing the doors on your yellow rag!

Travis Hugh Culley

Posted at www.westword.com

Ward Churchill wasn't and never really has been an academic worth the money or prestige that the University of Colorado gave him. His sloppiness in research, plagiarism and misstated facts wouldn't pass muster in any graduate coursework, let alone be considered "professorial." We don't even have to consider his radical past and his unethically passing himself off as Native American to see the absurdity of his "free speech" case for being unlawfully terminated. Whether or not you agree with what he said, his speech is free speech. But his actions as an academic under the purview of CU is where he failed.

The Kenny Be cartoons do a service in showing the absurdity of the trial and thankfully bring a sense of levity.

B.P.

Posted at www.westword.com

Editor's note: For more, lots more, on Kenny Be's "Trial Beat," go to westword.com.

"Double Trouble," Patricia Calhoun, March 5

I'm sorry that Westword has to deal with Steve Horner, but that does not mean that any of us want to hear about this rodent ever again. Please, spare us all.

Kyle O'Rourke

Denver

I have heard of Steve Horner and his anti-ladies'-night allegations and feel that he just needs to be silenced. I feel pity for him, for he doesn't seem to have anything better to do than to search out establishments offering/marketing what society enjoys and just ridicule and attack people for it. I feel that the more recognition this person gets, the more he will continue to push the boundaries and waste everyone's time. There is nothing wrong with advertising, and I feel there is a fine line between civil rights and catering to the public. 

Steve Horner is just bored and has nothing better to do. I hope that you and many other companies will be able to win against his ridiculous lawsuits.

Kristine Y.

Denver

"Crush Hour," Alan Prendergast, February 19

Thank you for another excellent article concerning transportation planning. Last weekend I rode the commuter rail line "Rail Runner," boarding in Santa Fe, New Mexico (population 75,000). This hundred-mile-long route took just five years from artistic conception to service. Contrast this to metro Denver (population 2.5 million) where, after more than four and a half years of increased sales-tax collection (.04 percent), not one inch of rail has been constructed to Denver International Airport (forty miles).

I also note that Colorado ranks behind New Mexico and 47 other states in stimulus funding. What does all this mean to the average citizen, commuter, job seeker, etc? More excuses. The cowtown approach from the legislature is costing us dearly, and not just in the 300 percent increase in auto registration fees. This state and its cities need to understand what local matching funds need to be raised, the requirements of the FTA regarding buffer strength, and a whole host of issues regarding transit. Until they do, we will remain Omaha with mountains.

Richard Weber

Denver

In a world where good news is rare, it is nice to read an uplifting article. I was interested and delighted to hear about the accomplishments of Brad and Libby Birky and what they are doing for the community. Jared Jacang Maher's story about SAME Cafe left me wanting more.

It was interesting to read about the steps and hardships that Brad and Libby endured in order to make their dream come true. I felt that this article was the "kick in the pants" that young entrepreneurs may need to get their own businesses started. Even in these rough economic times, a young couple can own a restaurant and still stay afloat, even with pay-what-you-can pricing.

This article was inspiring, interesting and uplifting. Congratulations to Brad and Libby for making a difference in Denver.

Olivia Garcia

Denver