Lin Loftus: Eastman: Fact and reason

In response to Charlie Danaher’s letter to the Editor (May 24th) asking for fact and reason for the signed petition to oust Mr. Eastman.  There are many, but one stands out in particular.

Eastman was at the Insurrection on the Capitol Jan 6th.  He gleefully clapped as he shared the stage with Giuliani, while Giuliani promoted the Big Lie to the rioters. Capitol police were beaten by the rioters, and lives were lost.  That is fact and reason.

Lin Loftus

Boulder

Eira Testa: Four leaf clovers: A rare talent

My name is Eira Testa. I am 8 years old and a 2nd grader at Mesa Elementary School.  Over the last year I have had a talent for finding rare clovers. I have found 97 four-leaf clovers and 12 five-leaf clovers. Just a week ago I found my first six-leaf clover. I was amazed. I had a couple of friends recount the leaves for me, and they all came up with the number six. My family thinks that one reason I may have found so many is because when my big sister was 5 she found a four-leaf clover and wished for a little sister. Nine months later, I was born! I have made many wishes on these clovers, and many of which have come true. I’ve even given wishes away to friends and family. Finding clovers is one of my favorite ways to spend recess, and I think more people should try it. So while the spring grass is still green, go outside and find some clovers!

Eira Testa

Boulder

Benji Silverman: Parking kiosks: Another hassle in life

I am sure lots of things have changed since I fully engaged with the world.  I’m close enough to downtown for an easy walk but parked on the street for a couple of minutes yesterday to stop into Bliss to get a birthday card.  Thought I would put my quarter into the kiosk to get my receipt to put on my dashboard.  But no, you have to program it now.  It asked for my license plate and how much time I wanted.  I just wanted to put my quarter in and go!  I don’t need to know my license plate number in everyday life and I didn’t want to walk a half block to get it and then back to the machine. I took my chances and didn’t get a ticket but I’d like to know how much extra money the city is making by adding this one more small hassle to life.  I bet it’s not much.  It didn’t get my quarter.

Benji Silverman

Boulder

Glenn Selch: Cars and guns: We should register both

We require cars to be registered, with the VIN number recorded and a title prepared.  If a car is given from father to son, the title and registration must be changed.  We impose speed limits on cars.  We require cars to stop at stop signs.  We require drivers to wear seatbelts and be sober.  We require prospective drivers to pass a test and get a driver’s license.  We require cars to pass inspections.  But no one is screaming “they want to take away our cars!”

We don’t require any of those restrictions on the ownership or use of guns.  But, wait, cars are not mentioned in the Constitution.  Hint, hint – cars hadn’t been invented yet.  Back then a reasonably well-armed population of a group of oppressed colonies had just barely outgunned their oppressor, who had a few bigger guns but too long a supply line (the Atlantic Ocean).  So, the leaders of the freed Colonies provided, in the Second Amendment, the right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain “A well regulated Militia”—read it!!  The well-regulated militia no longer exists.  The once state-controlled militias became the federally controlled National Guard.  For those who haven’t noticed, the present government also has overwhelming fire-power and short supply-lines.  If we can maintain a democracy, we will not again become oppressed by our government and need to have a revolution.

I challenge the NRA to show where the Second Amendment even vaguely implies our right to kill a deer for food, help the police stop a mass killer, impress our neighbors with our gun collection, play wannabe John Wayne to scare strangers or commit suicide with a gun.

If we won’t change the Constitution, at least we might make a few safety rules, like those for cars.

THINK ABOUT IT!

Glenn Selch

Boulder

Charles A. Brock: Cyclist death: Crosswalk does exist

In response to the tragic death of a cyclist at the intersection of Manhattan and South Boulder Road, a Boulder police department spokesperson was reported by the Daily Camera as saying that there is no designated crosswalk at that location. While probably not pertinent to this awful crash, it’s important for both drivers and pedestrians (and evidently, police) to understand that an unmarked crosswalk does in fact exist at this intersection and many others. Colorado Revised Statute 42-1-102(21) defines a crosswalk as “that portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of the lateral lines of sidewalks at intersections OR any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other marking on the surface” (emphasis added). So, at any intersection with no light signal and sidewalks on both sides, a road user is legally required to yield to any sidewalk user (pedestrian or cyclist) attempting to cross the road within the alignment of the sidewalk, whether or not crosswalk markings are present. This includes Broadway and Cedar, for example, or 30th and Euclid. Or Manhattan and South Boulder Road. Let’s all drive, bike, and walk carefully and following traffic laws, be alert, and stay safe.

Charles A. Brock

Boulder