Lost compassion and empathy
An article was written regarding Colorado Spring’s homelessness and the negative impacts this issue has on the city. The opinions and experiences shared were valid, despite having a negative spin.
My experience is valid, too, and has been an overwhelmingly positive one. I have worked with and around people experiencing homelessness for over a year, and we are not doing this population justice. In my time, I have learned so many interesting facts, I’ve watched people light up as they reminisce about their childhood, I have seen strangers turn into friends due to their shared struggle, I have seen humanity. Every population has its bad moments, but when it comes to homelessness, our media only harps on the negative.
We live in a society that has lost empathy for those struggling with housing. We have placed such an emphasis on the “homeless” part of someone’s identity, that we seem to forget the human identity. We complain that people are sleeping on the sidewalk, yet we only have one homeless shelter for single adults. We complain that people are using the bathroom in public areas, yet many of our public bathrooms are closed.
We complain that people are loitering on benches and public property, yet our city spends money to create hostile architecture, rather than addressing the root of the problem: housing. The fact is, we as a city, as a state, and as a country are not doing enough to address homelessness. Criminalization doesn’t work and neither does not batting an eye. Somewhere along the way, we have lost empathy and compassion for our neighbors. A majority of Americans are closer to being homeless than being rich, so I think we are aiming our frustration and anger at the wrong people.
Patrice Schnierle
Colorado Springs
Should be driving a Tesla
After reading an opinion letter decrying the number of Tesla EVs failing to display front Colorado license plates, I began watching for these scofflaws. The writer was correct. By my count, the vast majority do not have a front plate! I don’t believe owning an EV exempts one from complying, but it appears they seem to believe they are privileged.
Come on, CSPD and Chief Adrian Vasquez, get on this if only for the satisfaction of all of us who do comply with the law, no matter how ridiculous we might believe that law is. Besides, we could repave a couple of miles of streets with the cash! While you are at it, get on the speed problem as well.
By the way, an acquaintance, having recently purchased a new truck was waiting for his front plate mount to arrive, and in the meantime was displaying the front license in his front window; he was, despite his effort to do the right thing, ticketed for failure to properly display a front license. He apparently should have been driving a Tesla.
Bert Bergland
Colorado Springs
Fairness and elections
I read Val Milly Tenhaeff’s comment regarding the fairness in elections. Why is it so hard to believe the Democrats will do anything to remain in power? The trial today in New York is perfect example. Former President Donald Trump has been accused of something but they still have not said what crime he is being charged with. Democrats tried keeping him off the ballot in some states. Hillary Clinton still today proclaims she was robbed of her election by unfairness at the ballot. Stacey Abrams still proclaims she should be governor of Georgia except for the unfairness at the ballot.
Growing up I remember when you had to go to polling stations, that were maintained by police officers and poll watchers, from both parties, and you had to provide a valid ID to ensure the accuracy. Mayor Richard Daley, in Chicago was quoted in 1955 saying, ‘VOTE EARLY, AND VOTE OFTEN’ might not be far from the truth today. Mail in ballots is the norm, so who challenges whether these are authentic? How many deceased still vote, because they have not been removed once they pass?
I would love to believe today’s elections are fair, but I do not trust Democrats. Democrats once represented the working class but not today. They also supported slavery until President Abraham Lincoln signed the proclamation, but times change. I was once a Democrat, but also once believed in Santa Claus, then I grew up.
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Larry Guerin
Colorado Springs
What message are we sending?
Can you believe that the Joe Biden administration sent condolences to Iran for the death of President Ebrahim Raisi, the “butcher of Iran” who is responsible for the deaths of thousands of his people plus Americans and anyone else who questioned the Iranian theocracy. It makes me sick! A terrorist who has no regard for human life.
So, instead of condemning Raisi we send condolences. What kind of message are we sending! Oh, wait this is the same administration that sent Iran $10 billion ostensibly to be used for humanitarian purposes — right. How naive can this Biden administration be and how many Americans were killed as a result of that money. I am absolutely disgusted with Biden and his left wing, progressive handlers. Shame on you Joe!
Retired Barry S. Oswell, Lt. Col., Air Force
Colorado Springs
Rebel flag surrogate
When Donald Trump makes a reference to Nazis, as he repeatedly does, one explanation is that it’s only to “pown” the libs. But you know what? I don’t think so. What is it?
Essentially, it’s a rebel flag surrogate. The rebel flag isn’t working for them anymore. Even Mississippi had to get rid of it, and their Civil War sculptures are being taken down everywhere. One of that flag’s benefits, to them, was to intimidate and insult nonwhite people.
So they are searching for a replacement for their racist emblem. The rebel flag replacement must be just enough to intimidate brown and black people, and yet have just enough ambiguity or deniability to prevent accountability.
In fact, “powning the libs” is just a cover for them so that they can put their racial hatred on full display, and deny responsibility for it at the same time. So it’s a win-win for them, they think.
At this point, MAGAs are merely looking for that precise balance of intimidation and deniability that once was their beloved, racist banner called the rebel flag.
The warmongers under both the rebel flag, and the swastika, lost. So they’re going from one lost cause to another. In the end with both cases, they had to resort to putting down their flags for a white one, ironically.
Mark Tillman
Colorado Springs