Federal agents: Uniforms, masks increase intimidating behavior
Re: “ICE accountability pledged,” Feb. 3 news story
When my son was four, we got him a tiger costume. He loved it and wore it almost every day. He could transform himself into a fierce animal, not only a tiger but also a bear, a wolf, a zombie, etc. His personality changed, but in a 4-year-old, it was cute and harmless. And who doesn’t love costumes at Halloween? Groups and masks enable behavior we wouldn’t otherwise exhibit.
The problem arises when grown-ups dress up in real life and lose the social barriers determining how we should behave. Until now, our law enforcement officers (“servants of the people”) have worn identity badges and not masks. By disguising its agents and dressing them in intimidating uniforms, ICE enables them to behave more aggressively than they would otherwise. Since they operate in groups of like-minded enforcers, like all bullies, they feel free to act aggressively, with no accountability. They operate like a pack of dogs, which will terrorize people where a single dog might not.
How many ICE agents are bullies and see ICE as a means to satisfy a desire to dominate other people, while in real life, unmasked, they can’t? Or is it the $50,000 signing bonus? Or do they have violent pasts? We don’t know, because we can’t identify them. Like my 4-year-old, they can hide behind their masks and behave in ways they otherwise would not.
Therefore, I support the Colorado House in banning face masks for all law enforcement personnel. Enough is enough!
Marsha Budz, Boulder
ICE agents need protection from aggressive protesters
Re: “Judge won’t halt crackdown,” Feb. 1 news story
A judge who believes in ICE agents doing their job? Amazing. The ICE officers need protection from the lunging protesters who are screaming, spitting, injuring and threatening them. Allow them to do their jobs. Stay out of the way. Police need protection as well.
These protesters are out of control. Standing with a sign? Fine. Otherwise, get out of the way.
Deanna R. Walworth, Brighton
Time for voters to embrace independence
A Declaration of Independence in 2026!
What is slowly happening in America this year is a growing pool of independent voters. As the reservoirs of the Republican and Democratic voters evaporate, independents are becoming a stream of optimism for removing the wasteful and destructive policy of the two-party war that is pushing us further apart.
Imagine a campaign built on real character and service instead of a front for the rich. Are there enough citizens willing to risk an honest campaign with only the endorsement of individual voters?
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Palantir changed its address twice this month — first to a new Denver office, then a Florida coworking space Denver ban on face coverings for ICE agents, other officers passes council committee Pushback against Flock cameras comes to Denver suburb — the latest Colorado city to enter debate Colorado deserves politicians willing to say “abolish ICE” (Opinion) Colorado Democrats ramp up anti-ICE strategy after raids, killings: ‘The community’s been calling for it’This is a measurable method to demonstrate Americans’ will to free themselves from the power of money to buy representation. In the year we celebrate independence, America should give independent candidates a boost to represent the common voter.
Experienced Republicans and Democrats have produced a political void. Let independent candidates fill that void. Blessings.
Bob Grimes, Windsor
When wealth outweighs the will of the people
The discrepancy between the public and the market views of the health of the economy harkens back to the Marxist analysis of the dynamism of labor and capital being ever at loggerheads. The majority of Americans belong to the working class and are finding their paychecks unable to keep up with the higher and higher prices of everyday needs. Corporate stockholders, on the other hand, see the value of their assets rising to record highs.
Supporting this is the Supreme Court ruling [Citizens United v. FEC] that money is integral to free speech, thereby giving wealth unlimited power in campaign spending. The laws of the land have been heavily tilted in favor of capital over labor for years. Donald Trump simply is the latest, most manipulative avatar of its power. With the Republican Congress fawning at his feet, the ideal of democracy that the will of the people governs the nation is being buried under multimedia waves of the autocratic ambition of wealth.
Robert Porath, Boulder
Paying for $20 beer is not truly captive spending
Re: “Officials targeting high cost of living,” Jan. 27 news story
In the recent article on proposed legislation concerning cost transparency, there seems to be a basic misunderstanding about the difference between required and discretionary spending.
No one chooses to end up in an emergency room. Very few people in pain are going to decline a painkiller, no matter what the cost. It is in situations where the consumer is truly captive that the legislature should focus its attention.
Sporting venues do not fall in this category. Everyone there is making a discretionary purchase and knows the price of a beer. Besides, water is a free substitute. If fans refuse to pay $20 for a beer, the price will eventually come down. The same principle should also apply when it comes to paying major league ticket prices to watch a team that is not major league.
Guy Wroble, Denver
Another assault on our voting rights
The Supreme Court has interpreted the Elections Clause expansively, enabling states to provide a complete code for congressional elections, not only as to times and places, but in relation to notices, registration, supervision of voting, protection of voters, prevention of fraud and corrupt practices, counting of votes, duties of inspectors and canvassers, and making and publication of election returns. The Court has further recognized the states’ ability to establish sanctions for violating election laws as well as authority over recounts and primaries.
Nothing in the Court’s rulings gives any legitimacy to President Donald Trump’s rantings about “nationalizing” the midterm elections and allowing the Republican Party to oversee them.
Please turn your attention to this matter and advise the deranged, demented poseur in the White House that the people will not tolerate this egregious assault on our right to free and fair elections.
Steve Peister, Aurora
Targeting journalists is not American
Re: “Lemon charged with federal civil rights crimes,” Jan. 31 news story
Fascism is knocking at our door. We have reached the point where “first they came for the journalists” is no longer a warning; it’s our reality.
The recent arrest of journalist Don Lemon and others covering Minnesota protests should alarm every American who values constitutional freedoms. This represents a direct assault on First Amendment protections of free speech and press freedom. While the Department of Justice pursues journalists who report critically on government actions, they have failed to investigate the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers. This misplacement of priorities reveals a troubling pattern.
Independent journalists like Lemon perform crucial work, especially as corporate news outlets scale back investigative reporting. The First Amendment exists precisely to protect journalists who shine light on truth and hold power accountable, even when that reporting makes officials uncomfortable.
As an attorney who swore to uphold the Constitution, it has been disheartening to witness the nation’s top law enforcement official blatantly disregard constitutional principles. Even more concerning: an appellate court initially denied prosecutors’ request for Lemon’s arrest, yet the administration persisted.
Protected speech remains protected regardless of whether we agree with its content. Once we begin targeting journalists for doing their jobs, we will have lost what makes America free.
A quote resonates deeply with me: “If America hasn’t broken your heart, you don’t love her enough.” This is not the America our founding fathers envisioned — not one where journalists face arrest for covering protests and holding power accountable.
Alyssa Kellar, Denver
Honor Alan Page, whom award was named for
Re: “NFLPA’s Alan Page Community Award: Bolles honored for work with Colorado kids,” Feb. 4 sports story
Wednesday’s article about the Alan Page Award neglected to mention who exactly Alan Page is and where he went to college. Page was a defensive lineman on Notre Dame’s legendary 1966 football team. He later became a Minnesota Supreme Court Justice. Page was an African American trailblazer in college football and the Minnesota justice system.
What a player he was and a statesman he is!
John Amari, Denver
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