An important part of the story was missed in the focus on T&A and the Raptors: the open-democracy effort that the Tea Party rode in on. Lots of decent, independent people who cared about good government and responsible behavior had joined in the coalition that became the Tea Party because their rights had been trampled on. They have been left homeless by the Raptors' capture of the party for their own objectives. Joe Rice's administration was financially reckless, conspired to sell off part of the city to Denver, ignored the voters when they increased debt, failed to protect the city against an environmental polluter and lied in key city documents.
Two years later, we seem to be left with no choices unless a third way opens up between now and April.
Bill Junor
via the Internet
What a couple of clowns Dunafon and Bonniwell are. How could anyone believe they are for the people? They are major business owners in Glendale and are only in it for Dunafon, Bonniwell and Matthews. Whiskey-swilling bastards and an ex-stripper are all that they are. Unfortunately, the money they have earned taking advantage of their location in Denver has caused their heads to swell. Glendale residents should not fall for their political agenda, as there is none.
If elected, they should be held personally liable for any litigation they cause the city in their quest. The future looks and sounds very bad for Glendale. Be afraid, be very afraid: The "gangster wannabes" are on the loose.
John Rael
via the Internet
I want to thank you for exposing the all-too-true antics of the Glendale Tea Party. I lament that much of what you wrote was accurate -- a tale of a few off-kilter individuals hell-bent on transforming the city into something it never can be: San Antonio south of Leetsdale. What your article did not capture, however, is the sentiment shared by many City of Glendale employees who do not respect the Tea Party's actions -- employees who each have contributed nearly twenty years of energy, heart and enthusiasm into bettering the city in a realistic way. These employees continue to dedicate themselves to their mission despite not knowing what each day will bring under the Tea Party's irrational, senseless leadership. I would hate for your well-written piece to suggest that all City of Glendale employees share the beliefs held by the Tea Party. Such a suggestion couldn't be further from the truth.
Name withheld on request
I've lived in Glendale for a little over two years. Mike Dunafon claims he cares so much about the city -- then why has he been to just a few council meetings, and then he brings along his strippers? Mark Smiley voted against the settlement with developer Brown and voted against the new city attorney. The current council is trying to unravel what the Tea Party has done.
One more thing: Since Balano and Perry are accused of lying on their applications about not supporting taxes, then the Tea Party is against people voting -- for it wouldn't have been the council that put the hotel tax in place, it would have been the voters (per TABOR laws).
James Thiel
via the Internet
Private LivesRegarding Stuart Steers's "Ready, Willing and Disabled," in the January 20 issue:
Thanks for the incisive article pertaining to the state's treatment of the developmentally disabled. One of the great thrills of my life was meeting and getting to know Miriam. In addition, her caretakers are absolutely wonderful in every respect, and I am sure that they will tell you that she gives as much to them as they give to her in terms of love and respect.
It is unfortunate that the bureaucrats invariably focus upon such easy targets as Ridge for budget-cutting. I dare suggest that not one legislator would support an extension of the sales tax to assist the developmentally disabled. Hopefully, the views of such state representatives as Maryanne Keller and Sue Windles -- that privatization is not always desirable and that the alleged "savings" are illusory at best -- will ultimately prevail.
Hopefully, Ms. Hammons also will be better informed prior to submitting a new proposal. Meanwhile, I'm sure Miriam would love a visit from her so that she could see the very real person behind the number. Miriam was not expected to live past the age of two; she recently turned thirty. Thank you, Colorado.
Elwyn F. Schafer
Denver
Drivel Before You ShootRegarding Eric Dexheimer's "The Stats Don't Lie," in the January 20 issue:
I think Mr. Dexheimer should lighten up. People with unique talents don't follow normal patterns. Mr. Billups received enough technical training at the University of Colorado to find a good, high-paying job and start his work life. He did not need any more preparatory training before starting his career in earnest.
As for the rest of us, I wonder about the overall graduation rate at Colorado colleges and universities. I, like Mr. Billups, was raised and educated in Colorado. It took me twelve years and four colleges before I graduated from Metropolitan State College. The dropout rate at Metro was 60 percent while I was attending (1967-1970). The students at CU-Denver called us "the thundering herd from the lower third." Still, I graduated, found a good job and have a satisfying career in computer programming. I started my career a little later than Mr. Billups and will not make as much money as he will over his lifetime. But he chose a more lucrative profession than I did.
Keith Anderson
via the Internet
Signs of the TimesRegarding Harrison Fletcher's "The Mouth That Roared," in the January 13 issue:
I think it's totally fucked up that the government can take Leonard Carlo's fucking signs. If he wants to include the word "fuck" on signs stating the rules of his fucking establishment, he should be allowed to. After all, it is a goddamned bar, and many customers will use this language whether or not the fucking signs are posted containing this and other "profanities." I also find it hilarious that the prosecutors in this case do not consider "fuck" a part of normal communication. Most people have to curb their fucking language just to impress all those fucking bastards who support censorship. And...FUCK THEM for saying that no good publication would allow so-called profanity to be published.
After all, Westword publishes profanity pretty damn often, and it is still a good fucking publication.
Alison Coombs
via the Internet
In regard to Jim Hess's January 20 history lesson, the word "fuck" doesn't go back nearly far enough. It is a centuries-old Germanic word that appeared in written form even before Shakespeare's time (let alone Victoria's). If the police in old Victorian England were indeed using it as an acronym for "For Use of Carnal Knowledge," they were fitting the words to the already-established f-u-c-k format, not the other way around.
B.J. Niederhoff
Aurora
Ventura-Carlo in fuckin' 2000.
Dick Valentine
Denver
When I looked at Leonard Carlo, I thought Robert Crumb's cartoon character "Mr. Natural" had stepped out of the comic books and come to life -- albeit a little more homely and slightly more curmudgeonly.
Not a very shiny move having the various tattoos welded to the top of his pate, however. How is he ever going to get back in the good graces of Focus on the Family, just up the road a piece?
Craig Steele
Denver
What a bunch of fucking Nazi prohibitionist teetotalers there must be posing as liquor enforcers! Come on! Since when is a bar considered a venue for "official discourse" or "a formal social setting?" Bars are expressly the antithesis of those, you miserable self-righteous motherfuckers, and "the linkage" is that it's none of your damn business what adults say on their own private property! Fuck your "social norms"! The Constitution seems to indicate that government is supposed to uphold individual freedoms, or did you fucking forget? The more I think about it, the more egregious and offensive the actions of the state seem, in stealing the man's signs without even giving him a chance. In fact, really -- shouldn't the state be prosecuted for burglary or vandalism or something?
Suzanne Benorden
via the Internet
"[Leonard] intends to march all the way to the United States Supreme Court if necessary. 'I can hardly fucking wait,' he says."
God forbid this one goes all the way to that worthless fucking batch of supreme clerks. They're liable to throw out the whole motherfucking Bill of Rights in the name of Colorado's goddamn saloon-pacification plan.
Christian Schorell
via the Internet
Leonard is one colorful motherfucker. Why that son of a bitch lives in the backwoods home of those righteous, right-winged cocksuckers is beyond me. Give the asshole back his signs, you fuckin', talking-in-tongues, holy-rollin', bible-thumpin', in-the-closet, gay-bashin', don't-ask-don't-tell, no-identity bastards!
Joe Sample
via the Internet
Westword must be pretty desperate for stories to give that scumbag piece of garbage, Leonard Carlos [sic], the cover. Pathetic! When old Carlos called you a "motherfucker," that should have been the end of the interview! Where is your self-respect, Harrison Fletcher? When I read the first column, I gave up. The trash wasn't worth the paper it was printed on. The only thing Carlos deserves is an IQ test and some psychological testing.
A good friend of mine is a Ph.D. who works for the Michigan prison system. He would describe Leonard Carlos as a Freudian delight! Tattoos, for instance, indicate the desire for self-destruction, self-defecation, very low self-esteem and no respect, even for their own body. Also, I read just enough to realize that Carlos has an embarrassing "Mommy" complex, and he is narcissistic to the point of self-destruction. He talks about 150 mistresses, and he would have trouble handling one.
Carlos should try running that mouth of his on the streets of Detroit. He wouldn't want a piece of this black belt who spent half of his life on the streets. The scumbag would end up with a dent in the middle of his empty bald head! I hope Carlos faces a judge who will teach him some respect. Better yet, how about some self-respect? His self-appointed macho role really sucks! I'm surprised the "mouth" has survived this long.
J. Ryan
Denver
Blood Will TellWow. Reading Steve Jackson's January 13 "Blood In, Blood Out," this true story of the Lopez family, left me with unanswered questions. If anything, just sadness for this beautiful family and for the mother who has tried valiantly to keep her family together amid chaos and tough obstacles. All I can say is that there are no winners concerning this problem. I believe that perhaps if there was some kind of intervention with the Lopez brothers while they were growing up, things could have been different. An absent father is a recipe for impending disaster. I empathize with the Lopez family. My hope for them is that they may be able to turn this tragedy into something positive. When God closes a door, there's usually a window that's left open.
Davey Gamez
Loveland
It is cold-blooded and sick-minded people like Dan Villalobos who create violence and hatred. Where does it stop? Calling D-Ray's family immature names in his January 20 letter does not make his opinion worthwhile to print. It is people like him who should be eliminated here from earth. D-Ray Lopez is a legend. Remember, D-Ray lives through many of us. We carry nothing but a lot of good and respect for him and his family.
The Tobin family
via the Internet
Dan Villalobos's view on the article was very uncalled for. I don't understand how someone who did not even know these two loving men could be so judgmental -- not only about the two men, but also the parents and family, of which I am a member. Our family hurts every day knowing that Danny is never going to come back and show us his beautiful smile and friendly ways. Dustin hurts every day knowing that his brother is gone and died for him. If my family had the money and power, justice would be served right! D-Ray was not an animal and didn't deserve to be killed like one -- nor should anyone else be. He wasn't a hardcore gang member -- he was a loving dad who got caught up in life's hard streets. His parents may not have had the power to discipline him, but they had a lot of love for him, and that means more than anything. Mr. Villalobos, before you judge people and the choices they make, get the facts straight. My cousins may not have made the best decisions in life, but they had love. Apparently, Mr. Villalobos did not.
Dione Lopez
via the Internet
In response to Dan Villalobos:
Fuck you and your bullshit comments. No one cares about your wrong beliefs. Everyone goes through bad times. No one could be as good as you. Obviously, your parents did not do their job, because you are a coldhearted person and have such evil thoughts toward people that you don't even know. My brother gave his life to protect me, and the cops that killed him think they did something good. Good would have been to do what they're trained to do -- which is to stop him, not kill him. Anyone in his right mind knows that it only takes one or maybe two bullets to do just that, not over fifty bullets.
But only God will know and correct the wrongdoing. Now God can only bless you to understand the realities of the real world and pray that you never have to experience the pain of losing a loved one, because you probably couldn't handle it.
Dustin Lopez
via the Internet
First off, thanks for writing the article about my brothers D-Ray and Dustin Lopez. But, of course, you, like the rest of the media, took the story way overboard. D-Ray was not cremated before church; he was there in his coffin for family and friends to pay their last respects. My brother was a loving, kindhearted person to everyone that he knew. He touched many people's lives, and he will be missed dearly. My little brother is still in custody facing the impossible. The cops not only killed my brother but are now trying to accuse Dusty with all of D-Ray's charges. I never thought money had so much power. Unfortunately, we are not wealthy, so we'll leave it in God's hands.
My parents did all they could do for us growing up. I myself turned out to be what society would call a good citizen. My brothers just made some wrong choices.
Danaia Lopez
via the InternetDead BeatsThis letter is in response to the anonymous letter in the January 20 issue that agreed with Patricia Calhoun's January 6 "Things to Do in Denver When It's Dead." It sounds as if this person is not happy because Denver is not New York. New York is an older city and has its own personality, as does each city in America. New York restaurants, delis and street life are more diverse, as the population is more diverse.
Denver may revolve around sports, but it has culture, too. The 16th Street Mall has some trees and greenery, and the buses make it possible for the elderly to travel the entire length of the street from the bus station to LoDo. I was not living in Denver when the "edgy, raw, cool" hangouts existed. But probably the people now in LoDo, the suburbanites from Aurora, Arvada and Thornton, are spending money in Denver as they hang out. I don't know if you can hear a pin drop on a weeknight; I only recall a Saturday night last summer. I left a function at the Performing Arts Complex and walked along looking at all of the people sitting outside at cafes on 16th Street. They were enjoying themselves, eating and watching people go by. I loved walking among the bustling crowds and feeling this was a really comfortable city.
So, please -- direct your complaints to accomplish the things that really need changing. Rally people to work on what will improve the city. No city is perfect. Celebrate the differences of the two cities and move to New York if Denver does not suit you, though I think New York is a more expensive place to live. While you are here, you can put your efforts toward changing things you don't like, such as the lack of a mass transit system.
Julianne Fletcher
via the Internet
Well, we have the greatest celebration for humankind on the eve of January 1...and what do we see in Denver? A police state infected with donned-out SWAT teams, the governor and mayor hiding out in bunkers, and the arrest of partygoers paranoid about consuming alcohol in the streets. What a totally fucked-up state you are, Colorado! The rest of the world lives it up while your police-state government headed by your tyrant governor enforces his brand of law to keep order, when the turning of the millennium is about anything but! Still wallowing in the reptilian mind, I see, devolving into deeper idiocy and banality. How absolutely pathetic you morons are...the whole world passed you by.
Tao Jones
Nederland
Snow JobRegarding Susan Froyd's "Making Tracks," in the January 13 issue:
I'm a Western State graduate and lifelong Colorado skier. Abbott Fay was truly the most memorable professor I had in college. He wore red ties to class on days when he was giving a pop quiz. In one class (he graded on a curve), we had studied civil disobedience in depth; the night before the final, the class decided "What if?" and we all refused to take the final -- just sat and looked at him. He was taken by surprise but accepted it, and we all got the grade we had going into the test. A freshman class tried this later in the day with no success. His perspective on history and current events always cut to the heart of the matter.
I could say much more, but for now, I will say only this: Mr. Fay, you're wonderful. I'm glad you're still writing, and I wish you well!
Beryl Atchison
via the Internet
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