Letter of Thanks
I would like to thank all the people who sent cards, flowers, gifts, and who visited. My thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Toller, Carmen Walechek, Nancy Villalon for taking me back and forth to the doctor and therapy.
God bless you all,
Angie Felice
Support for Perkins
Dear Editor,
We, the undersigned, have all worked with Steve Perkins for a number of years. It is our first hand experience of Steve as an outstandingly competent manager and fine human being that compels us to ask for community support for Steve to be a Huerfano County Commissioner. We know well his commitment to Huerfano County and his desire for it to be Colorado’s best place to live and work. Steve’s interest, intelligence, and compassion are necessary for Huerfano County to successfully enter a new era in leadership and conflict resolution. The extraordinary challenges of this time in history call for extraordinary people to step forward. We believe Steve is answering that call. Please vote for Steve Perkins for County Commissioner on November 4th.
Signed,
Tony Marostica, Polly Hill, Jan Tucker, Mark See, Lynette Omer, Mary Cope, Jose Luis M. Camacho, Sherry Freese, Vicki Barnhouse, Michelle Archuleta, Charlene D. McArthur, Art Loeffler, Mark S. Schultz, Shelly Chambers, Darcy Saint- Peter, and Sandy Dolak.
There have been several letters to our community over the last few weeks from citizens acknowledging the fine work and many accomplishments by Steve Perkins, particularly at the hospital that benefit all of us.
Since 2000 I have gotten to know Steve through his tireless and effective volunteering for organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Cuchara Chapel and the Hermosa Club which is aimed at beautification of the community, financial support to entities such as the La Veta Library and the Cuchara Community Association which provides a non-profit venue for recreation and community activities. He and his wife Pam always step forward to help whether it is Steve being the master of ceremonies at a community silent auction to raise funds for several worthy causes or attending meetings and lending support to the seeking of emergency services and funding for new emergency vehicles.
As a member of the Cuchara Chapel Board of Directors over the last several years, Steve’s selfless involvement has been constant. He has been the Treasurer of that organization since 2003. He also has led and served on the organization’s Scholarship Committee which typically provides up to 16 $1,000 scholarships per annum to deserving students from Walsenburg and La Veta High Schools funded by the generous congregation of the Cuchara Chapel. He has often personally presented these scholarships and continually demonstrates his ongoing commitment to bettering our community by helping to further the education of our next generation.
He has taken the lead in a grassroots effort to get a non-profit organization launched that will enhance the recreation experience in our beautiful valley. The centerpiece of that effort is the ski area which sits there going to waste when it could mean economic benefit and jobs for our communities.
There is a theme here; Steve works hard for many causes that benefit all of our communities across Huerfano County. He has demonstrated effective leadership time and again. I cannot think of a better candidate to be County Commissioner for Huerfano County than Steve Perkins. I hope you will join me in supporting Steve in this year’s election.
Jim Littlefield – Cuchara, CO
Vote No on 46
I am writing today to raise awareness about Amendment 46. As a student who works in a college admission office, I have heard Amendment 46 spoken about with great concern. While it sounds like a good idea, I strongly encourage the citizens of Huerfano County to VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 46. The wording of this amendment is deceptive. While it purports to end discrimination by not giving anyone preferential treatment, it will actually be eliminating affirmative action. If employers or admission officers at public institutions are not allowed to consider race or sex in their decisions, minorities and women will be discriminated against. Employers and admission officials will not be required to consider valid candidates who are racial minorities or women and as a result these people will have trouble finding a place in public institutions. For more information on this deceptive initiative please visit http://www.rmicc.org/opposeAmendment46.pdf and please VOTE NO ON AMENDMENT 46.
Sincerely,
Brenna Gomez
Are Americans Intolerant? Sometimes the words of others express our thoughts better than our own words can…
A case in point: When Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama for President he issued a no-nonsense statement of wisdom and insight with military precision and clarity… He told Tom Brokaw on "Meet the Press", "I′m also troubled by, not what Senator McCain says, but what members of the party say, such things as, ′Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim.′ Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he′s a Christian. He′s always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer′s no, that′s not America. Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president?"
The endorsement was for Obama, the question for the rest of us… What kind of nation are we it asks? What kind of people are we it begs? Can we, a nation of immigrants, no longer recognize or tolerate our ancestors? Are we, as Sarah Palin and John McCain call us, "True Americans", "Real Americans", superior to other "Americans" and intolerant of other races and religions? Or are we "All Americans" as Barack Obama calls us?
Unless Native American, we are all from somewhere else, from many nations, of many races and many beliefs…. Have we forgotten what made America great in the first place? Are we still "One Nation, under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all?
Ken Back
Response to Gnaizda
In response to Mr. Gnaizda’s letter, there are a few flaws in his logic, which I feel need to be corrected.
First, he assumes I’m a Republican by opening his letter "Dear Republicans." I didn’t give a party affiliation. Strike one.
Next, he writes that it is obvious my Magna cum Laude degree was not in Logic. How does he know? I don’t recall meeting him. In fact, I have no idea who he is, other than the chairman of the Democratic Party in Huerfano County. Strike two.
To clear things up, Magna cum Laude is an honor given a college graduate for a GPA of 3.8. It is not a degree. Degrees are for concentrated study in a particular field. Strike three.
Mr. Gnaizda assumes I see Obama as a destitute and derelict. I said: "Many people with PhD’s have become destitute and derelict. Without the common sense to utilize their education properly, all the education in the would does not guarantee success." No reference was made to Obama in this statement. Strike four.
As far as telegraphing strategy to the enemy, McCain said, "I know how to get Bin Laden." But he didn’t say how. Obama said, "If the Afghans don’t get Bin Laden, then we will." The enemy knows he’s going to use foreign troops; and, if they don’t succeed, we’re going to be involved in another war. Strike five.
Lastly, Mr. Gnaizda assumes I’m supporting John McCain by referring me to a YouTube site. As I recall, I didn’t support any candidate. I alluded to them; but didn’t support any of them. If Mr. Gnaizda reads his ballot correctly, there are fifteen candidates running for the office of president. I could be supporting any one of them, and not necessarily one of the top two. Strike six.
That’s two outs on Mr. Gnaizda. Assumptions are not facts and should not be treated as such.
V.A. Blaine
My response to D. Gnaizda.
Hey buddy, I wanted to call a truce because good people often disagree. What did you do? You accused me of "Making stuff up"! I don;t need to make stuff upwhen it comes to Obama. If you get your head out of the fog and evaluate him objectively, as Hillary Clinton said, "He is the most unqualified presidential candidate in modern times!" Now let me make it clear. I’m not overly enamored of John McCain either. On a scale of 1-10, I would give him maybe a 5 or 6. Compared to Obama’s 1 that makes him the best available candidate, but he still isn’t great. As usual, we the voters must choose between "the lesser of two evils".
If you checked out my references, you would have found out that every syllable is true. Just because you don’t want to believe the unpleasant truths about Obama does not mean that those unpleasant truths are LIES! As far as referring me to YouTube, many sources have repeatedly declared that the internet is totally unreliable as a documentary source. So if the only documentation you have is the internet, "you ain’t got nuttin"!!!
As far as not knowing what "clanked up" means, I did not know that you were that ignorant (that means uneducated) Allow me to educate you. "Clanking up" refers to the reactions of a person when confronted by a frightening or shocking situation; such as in a debate, or emergency, they cannot respond. They cannot think, talk, act, or respond and some of them break out in a cold sweat.
As far as not using the word "perfect" in your writings, by failing to admit Obama’s flaws, you hold him up as "Perfect".
What am I afraid of? I’m afraid of people like you who cannot separate facts from fiction. People who believe whatever they are told and never question anything. People who paint the good guys and the bad guys with the same brush. People who cannot honorably disagree nor tolerate an opposing view point. People who pursue with fanatical zeal a chosen ideology and deny others the right to their own opinion!
Do not bother to respond. I will no longer read your writings. You are not worthy of my consideration.
As Confucius would say, "Those who do not know what they are talking about, shouldn’t"
Jerry Price
Obama right for our time No one can tell me that America is better off now than 8 years ago. No one can convince me that we′re headed in the right direction. We are tarnished, our reputation bruised, our economy battered, our future path unclear, all the result of a mistaken and destructive economic philosophy that, even according to its most ardent supporters, is fundamentally flawed. Alan Greenspan now realizes that greed does trump self-preservation on Wall Street; and unbridled self-interest does not create the greatest good.
I believe that Barack Obama is the right man for our time. I have read his writings. I have listened to his speeches. His message has been consistent. I know he is not some radical revolutionary. I know that he is not the person that the smear campaigns try to make him. I know he is a masterful manager. I know that he supports the fundamental premise of democracy that the role of government is to improve the lives of its citizens.
Barack respects and supports the right of all people to political and religious freedom, to a living wage, a clean and safe environment, quality affordable health care and a secure retirement. He honors every citizen′s right to privacy. He accepts our responsibility to pursue policies that are sustainable and maintain or improve global well-being. As a Professor of Constitutional Law he affirms the precepts of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, including the individual right to bear arms as enumerated in the Second Amendment.
Barack Obama calls for an end to the war in Iraq and the safe, responsible withdrawal of all U.S. combat troops. He believes that public education must be a major priority to insure America′s future competitiveness. He calls for the restoration of a progressive tax system, similar in rate structure to Ronald Reagan′s, and the repeal of tax regulations that benefit only the wealthy. He believes that science, not ideology, should be the management tool of government. He believes that regulation and transparency must be restored immediately to our financial system. He believes that America′s infrastructure must be modernized and the utilization of fossil fuel alternatives must be prioritized.
These are just a few of the things that Barack Obama and the Democratic Party believe we must accomplish if we want to restore America′s rightful place among the nations of the world as the embodiment of humanity′s unending quest for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If you believe as we do that America must change direction and return to the ideals that made us great, vote for Barack Obama, Mark Udall and John Salazar. Vote Democratic.
David Gnaizda, Chairman
Huerfano County
Democratic Party
Vote McCain/Palin
“And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” John F. Kennedy (1917 – 1963), Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961
When you read these quotes from the Democrat John F. Kennedy and look at the current Democratic candidate and people’s thoughts that support him today, it is amazing to see how far this great country has come and how far this great country has fallen. When the main dictates of our Democratic candidate are what he will give to the American people and what some Americans want and think they need. In Obama’s America, we’ll finally be able to break free of the “constraints that were placed by the founding fathers in the Constitution” — and in so doing, achieve “social justice” through “redistributive change.” Barack Obama (2001)
The vote for Obama is based on free health care, tuition for college, or what next, is it a guaranteed job, guaranteed house or fill in your own government program giveaway here? How things have changed, we have gone from a country that is full of rugged individualists that desire and work for advancement of their careers, financial betterment, and their spiritual lives, with little government intrusion, to an entitlement based, big government, give me attitude.
Hope and change: change to what? Obama has changed alright, he has changed his mind on FISA, NAFTA, public financing, meetings with McCain, offshore drilling, nuclear and coal power, capital punishment, gun control, the military surge, how to deal with Iran, the future of Israel. Change to a man that opposed the tightened regulation of Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae when most Republicans and John McCain tried to avert this financial crisis in ‘05. It just so happens Obama was number two in money received from Freddie and Fannie, hmm. His associations with very questionable “citizens” and endorsements by rogue dictators should question his character.
“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.” John F. Kennedy, speech at Vanderbilt University, May 18, 1963 Voters for Obama continually state, “our country is done, we are the cause of all the problems in the world, if we were just nicer to people they wouldn’t hate us, etc.” We are in a war, with an enemy that is working on a 1000 year schedule and we get wobbly after five years. Perhaps Bin Laden was correct, we are a paper tiger with people that are more focused on what is in it for them, not what we can do for our country. We seem to follow historical precedents, where the population can vote for the public purse to supply them with everything they want and we will go down the path of fiscal irresponsibility and bankruptcy; Ronald Reagan stated, "I don′t believe in a government that protects us from ourselves”.
Be responsible to our founders and to the country’s true best interest and vote for the real historical reformers John McCain and Sarah Palin. And may God Bless the great United States of America.
Karl Sporleder
McCain has changed
Dear Journal Readers;
Please consider that in 2000, John McCain was against those tax rollbacks for the super wealthy that the Bush administration put into place. Not now. (This is the policy Obama wants to reverse) Trickle down economics hasn’t been working.
McCain used to take a strong stand against torture/breaking with theGeneva convention… but not recently.
McCain was greatly wounded by lying slanderous Robo calls used against him in 2000, now, his campaign uses them. He stands behind Roe versus Wade, and believes rape, incest and health issues are valid regarding abortion decisions. You wouldn’t know that now from the focus on Palin.
Also, the Plumbers Union supports Obama. “Obama’s for the working man”.
McCain has turned into everything he used to stand against and his campaign has become dangerously divisive to the country he loves. He must be hurting inside.
We always used to like and admire him. “If it’s a Republican, I hope it’s McCain.” Now he just looks used by that big machine in power in Washington.
Roberta Cookingham
Need more hunting details I agree with Ms. Cookingham’s letter to the editor that Darrell Arnold’s writings are tabloid in the sense that they are compressed. Maybe Mr. Arnold should explain his ideas in greater detail. I don’t think that any subject concerning public issues and political ideas by any writer should be suppressed in the newspapers.
Then I note that the Huerfano Journal excuses Mr. Arnold’s journalistic contributions because they are merely news from La Veta. Fine. However, an article by Mr. Arnold defending hunting appears two pages later. It’s not news from La Veta, and thus, the Journal’s explanatory note to Ms. Cookingham seems contradicted.
"To Hunt or Not To Hunt" could use a lot of expansion since it contains peculiar ideas that don’t help hunters. For instance, the notion that deer and elk need population control because they might surpass the carrying capacity of their habitat lacks integrity without the additional information that vast amounts of habitat have been usurped or destroyed by another species that also surpasses its carrying capacity.
Calling wolves savage is hypocritical in the extreme when it comes from a species that has excelled in killing everything from microorganisms with poisons to entire cities with nuclear weapons. Mr. Arnold admits that much of the justification for hunting is human entertainment, whereas wolves must hunt in order to live. People have pizza, beer, and Halloween candy to rely on if the weather is too harsh to go hunting.
The possibility that hunters might miss and end up with a gut-shot "game" animal that suffers for days isn’t considered.
There is considerable evidence that other species are conscious of what death means. The idea that animals give up their lives for the sustenance of hunters is absurd.
Mr. Arnold’s article is the first place I’ve encountered the idea of a gender bias in facing the idea of death. This would be a good topic to elaborate.
If this article is a defense of hunting, then hunters should be concerned.
Larry D. Bullock
Take Responsibility What a shame that the hardworking, self responsible people of past generations are few and far between in this once great country. Our forefathers did not depend on the government to solve their life or their financial issues. They worked hard and were, for the most part, rewarded according to their effort. Even in those times, something beyond their control would happen, but they did not turn to the government for comfort and resolution. And, they didn’t sit around and whine about their situation expecting someone or something to take care of them. They continued through life being responsible and making their situation better.
If every adult would take responsibility for themselves and their families, the government could be left to protect our country and conduct only government business that does not fund special interests, or research projects that will never benefit anyone but the people conducting the research.
Unfortunately we are becoming an “entitlement country” which in truth is Socialism. It is sad that we have a political party that wants change for this country that makes its citizens even more dependent on the government, Socialism. They espouse this ideology under the banner of caring about your fellow man. “Sharing the wealth” is put forth as only hurting the “rich”. Who determines who is rich in a Socialistic country? The government, who has become the ruling class in a socialistic country. Under this type of government, the middle class is ultimately forced into nonexistence as the government ruling class, gets more and more powerful and the rest of the citizens become what is referred to as “the working class”. More and more dependency on an institution such as government is another form of slavery destroying the individual’s desire to be as unique as he or she was intended to be
Maybe you have heard candidates or their spokesman make comments such as “a brave new world”. There is nothing brave or courageous about living off the government. Furthermore, there is not a government anywhere in this world that has furnished a better life for its people than the people could have achieved on their own. Look outside the United States at the people of other countries who so desperately want to come here to have the freedoms so many born here take for granted. In fact some of those born here are the ones wanting to change those freedoms. Vote Republican to keep yours and your neighbor’s right to be free to make your own life decisions.
C.J. Chenault
