‘Can-Be’ nation

To the Editors:

RE: “Can’t do nation: Multiple crises fray American optimism”Herald 6/5/10

I read this article with a mix of strong emotions. I feel deeply the pain and suffering caused by the economic downturn, the devastating effects of the Gulf oil spill and the gigantic loss of life from the continuing war in Afghanistan, crises in the Middle East and the horrific crimes against women and children in Africa and throughout the world.

This is a time of great polarity, not just in America but on our planet. While we see these things on one hand, at the same time there is a huge population around the globe committed to raising human consciousness in service to authenticity, well-being and peace – a world of human expression at its highest form. The old is breaking down and how do we live through it without, as the article title says, losing our “can-do spirit?” I say it has to come from an inner shift – instead of just Can-Do, we must look at who we Can-Be. This is about an inner change first, and part of that new mindset is stretching ourselves to go beyond the place of seeing just good/bad or everything in terms of black and white. The new paradigm means embracing it all, at once, with an open heart. If we can see things through the lens of paradox, tapping into hope when things seem hopeless, it will be the change that changes everything.

This change in ourselves takes time, devotion and an open heart. It can by supported by engaging with professionals dedicated to helping others to make the shift. It is a journey and one we all need to begin in this moment. We can look to our president to lead it, but in fact, each one of us must be our own leader in choosing what our now and our future will be.  

– Victoria FittsMilgrim, Durango  

Stick to the numbers

Hi Guys,  

I’d like to start off by saying that I’m not a climate change denier, and I study the subject with avid interest. Like most things, it is hard to sort through the fluff and junk science to find fact. You always have to consider whose funding is guaranteed as long as there is a problem.  

One of the most upsetting things to me is when someone does bad research or even worse, fudges numbers to “hide the decline” (see climategate) in order to secure funding. The reason this is upsetting is because it makes people skeptical about the real issue and sets back the work being done to remedy the issue. Bad science will ultimately hurt the cause of fighting climate change because it will arm skeptics with examples of half-truths and misaligned conclusions.  

One of the biggest things that arms skeptics is pointing at very recent weather conditions as evidence of a larger cycle. Sure, we had a windy spring, but last spring was very still. To point at a local and very recent weather condition and say “this is global warming!” is bad science. Our planet has billions of years of weather cycles, and we’ve been accurately observing them for an infinitely small fraction of that time. While there are ways of studying past weather events (ice cores, tree rings), the scientific community has not reached a consensus on how this data relates to our current climate situation.  

I believe that an article such as one you just published is reactionary, politically motivated, and simply bad science. I’m upset with it not because I deny climate change, but because I believe climate change is a serious problem and in order to combat it, we need to stick to pure science and not speculative junk science. I hope in the future, you’ll put your political beliefs aside when considering science. Please stick to numbers when discussing this issue and leave the motorcyclist from Bayfield out of it unless he happens to have a doctorate in climate science.

– Eric Kiefer, via e-mail

Talking trash in Durango

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

You can make things a lot easier for the guys who pick up the trash in Durango by placing your garbage cans at least 3 feet apart; 4 to six 6 if you have the room. Fewer cans will get knocked down, and the driver doesn’t have to climb out of the truck as often to pick them and all the spilled garbage up, risking getting cut on broken glass and such. Take a minute and line up your and your neighbor’s cans to make it easy for the robotic arm on the truck to grab them one after the next. The workers who drive the trucks will have more time left over for other tasks that make it nice to live here in Durango, less overtime is required, and believe me, the drivers are extremely appreciative of this small courtesy.  

– Thanks, Wade Nelson, Durango

A passion for La Plata County

To the Editors,

I am appalled that Bobby Lieb cannot follow the rules as a candidate for county commissioner. His signs are not compliant with the county codes. If he does not know the rules or chooses to ignore them, how can he possibly be a commissioner?

Well, I know a man that can be an effective commissioner that has impeccable credentials, outstanding integrity and a wealth of professional knowledge that will lead La Plata County. His name is Bruce Baizel. Bruce has an in-depth experience in working with federal, state, tribal and local governments. With his leadership and knowledge of water laws, oil and gas, agriculture and a passion for La Plata County, Bruce gets my vote for La Plata County commissioner. As our commissioner, Bruce understands the challenges that face all of us: jobs, housing and making a living in our beloved La Plata County.

I can trust his values, his sense of fair play, and know that Bruce Baizel is dedicated to guiding La Plata County. Rural residents and city dwellers have much in common, and that common denominator is the need to elect a commissioner named Bruce Baizel. As an attorney, rancher and good neighbor, I know that La Plata County will be in safe hands with Bruce Baizel. Bruce looks to the future with a foundation based on the heritage of our community.

– Sweetie Marbury, via e-mail

Oil as Metaphor

“A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.”     

– Henry David Thoreau

The pierced strata belches

From deep below

The black stream of death

Drifting its sheen.

It has come to this;

The endless run for more

And more.

The greed,

The negligence,

The arrogance,

The myopia,

Destroying that which

Feeds us.

– Burt Baldwin, Ignacio