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Food shouldn’t be guessing game

To the editor,
The question for Proposition 105 is strictly whether to label GMO foods in Colorado. The proposal in no way argues GMO safety. It simply asks that food labels list genetically modified ingredients. American manufacturers already label GMO exports to 64 countries – but none within the United States.

GMOs are already everywhere in American foods – unlabeled. Currently, no one, not even journalists, can know if they are eating GMOs. The industry spends millions lobbying against labeling in the U.S. while people like me spend hours of precious life energy trying to decipher labels. How is it we have laws for labeling everything from allergens to additives, but somehow a call for labeling genetically modified foods is categorically unscientific or political? What could be more personal or fundamental than the food we eat; regardless that innumerable scientists, farmers and organizations around the world more than ever censure the GMO industry?

I have spent 10 years healing from a deathly health condition by figuring out foods – including non-GMOs without synthetic chemicals. I don’t need any scientist to verify what my own body has told me. But I do need accurate labeling so buying food is no longer a fiasco. In this, I know I’m not alone. 

The U.S. Consumer Bill of Rights protects citizen rights to be informed. Food manufacturers oblige – continuously changing labels – dazzling consumers with details: Heart-Healthy, Organic, Gluten-Free ... the list is endless. But any of these mainstream foods can still contain GMO ingredients because the industry refuses to label them. Even if GMOs were distinctly proven 4

safe, it remains they are distinctly different species – patented since they cannot occur in nature. Any armchair citizen should be able to know, for instance, a corn or soy ingredient has been genetically modified at some point in a lab into a new species, whether containing DNA of a bacteria-virus or even the DNA of an animal. We are consuming transgenically manipulated organisms for the first time in history. Not to mention astronomical levels of synthetic pesticides GMO crops are designed to withstand – the latest being the infamous D-2,4 ingredient in Vietnam. These are facts not included in most propaganda, but the right for every citizen to know.

Prop. 105 does not keep anyone from choosing GMO foods. It simply labels them. Let’s create a fair market where choice drives price. Food should be life’s most basic joy and primary source of health – not a guessing game at the whim of proprietary profiteers.

Vote YES on Proposition 105. It’s neither a scientific nor a political issue. It’s a human need to know what we eat.
– Gina Alianiello, Littleton

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Substance over popularity

To the editor,
Local elections sometimes perversely and insidiously resemble those from high school. Mindless minions vote for Joe So and So, the son of Joe So and So, out of some vague sense of tribal loyalty; perhaps expecting some crumbs of acknowledgement and recognition tossed their way by the popular guy on his way to the homecoming dance. That is precisely how Bobby Lieb’s campaign for county treasurer feels. Vote for me and you may just get a chance to sit at the cool kids table. For the majority of us who may or may not be nostalgic for those halcyon high school days but whose lives since then are significantly more memorable, substance is more important than crude popularity or simplistic affiliation. This should be abundantly clear to us adults when it comes to our hard-earned money. We want to preserve it and ensure that our finances enhance our growth and independence. Preserving and prudently managing our tax dollars is equally vital. I don’t know where Allison Morrissey went to high school or whether she sat at the cool kids table. What I do know is she is intelligent, strikingly astute and abundantly qualified to manage the county’s finances. She is the clear and obvious choice to be our next county treasurer.
– Patrick Owens, Durango

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J. Paul will have significant impact

To the editor,
There are many reasons to vote in November. For those who believe the state, and the country, are on the wrong track, it is an opportunity to begin correcting past errors.

In Colorado, we have let outside interests gain political advantage and push their agenda on Coloradans. We in the 59th Colorado House District have an opportunity to help change course by electing J. Paul Brown as our representative. It’s easy to feel that, somehow, your one vote doesn’t count, but it does. And, J. Paul Brown’s one vote in the Colorado House will have significant impact on the future of our state.

J. Paul Brown is close to the land and close to the people. A life-long rancher near Ignacio, he has served in the Colorado Legislature and in numerous leadership positions in Southwest Colorado. He understands issues vital to the entire state, such as stewardship of our water resources so agriculture can continue without limiting inevitable urban growth along the Front Range.

As a businessman, J. Paul Brown understands that businesses, families and individuals cannot flourish under constantly increasing taxes.

Here are a few other qualities that J. Paul Brown will bring to the Colorado Legislature:

- Strongly supports the U.S. Constitution and will defend the Bill of Rights.

- Favors the wise use of our natural resources to benefit our economy.

- Knows that schools are best governed locally, not from the state capital.

- Supports multiple uses of public lands to benefit citizens through recreation, agriculture, mineral extraction and logging.

- Has a plan to support the long-term viability of the Public Employees Retirement Account for the future security of hard-working public employees.

- Forthrightness and honesty. He’ll do what he says he’ll do.

There are many interesting political races this year but, if real change is going to happen, it has to start at the local level. And for us in Ouray County, that means electing J. Paul Brown.
– Gary L. Bennett, Montrose

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Vote Dems vote for environment

To the Editor,
I am writing to voice my support for Sen. Mark Udall, Gov. John Hickenlooper, and Congressional candidate Abel Tapia, especially because I care about climate protection.

In the last several years, Colorado has experienced repeated natural disasters: the two most destructive wildfires in state history and a devastating flood. Locally, in the last month we had an extreme rain event that produced more than 2 inches of rain in a few hours, more than we receive in most months. Projections of global climate disruption from ever-increasing concentrations of heat-trapping gases in our atmosphere indicate that such events will become increasingly common in the coming decades. They already extract an economic toll, and without preventive action the burden will just keep growing in the coming years. A recent report – criticized in a leading economic journal as being too optimistic – concluded that the cost of mitigation efforts grows by 40 percent if delayed by 10 years. Further, the economic losses from climate disruption increase by about 1 percent GDP for each degree Centigrade above the consensus target of 2 degrees C. 

Ninety-seven percent of climate scientists concur that human activity underlies global climate change.  Republican Party remains in denial and the resulting inaction in Congress threatens our long-term future. We cannot change the whole Congress, but we can elect Mark Udall and Abel Tapia to ensure that our representatives support a rational climate and energy policy.

During Hickenlooper’s administration, Colorado has updated its greenhouse gas emissions inventory, developed the first-in-nation regulations of methane emission from natural gas production, updated the Climate Change in Colorado report, and developed a new climate change vulnerability assessment. If you are concerned about the Governor’s attempt to seek a politically balanced approach to fossil fuel resources, please do not make the mistake of supposing his opponent, who denies human contribution to climate change, will be sympathetic to climate action.

If you care about the future of the planet, join me in voting for Mark Udall, Abel Tapia and John Hickenlooper.

And continue down the ballot to vote for all the excellent progressive candidates on the Democratic ticket.
– Richard E. White, Durango

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Roebuck rises above competitor

To the editor,
I recently had the opportunity to converse with Cynthia Roebuck, candidate for county commissioner, 30-year resident of La Plata County and land use planning consultant for 15 years. The conversation was an unfolding of the breadth and depth of her knowledge and experience, which makes her an excellent candidate for La Plata County commissioner. Her understanding and professional relationships with multiple county departments and processes are astounding to find in a candidate.

Cynthia spoke from professional experience of the Land Use Code; the re-emerging Comprehensive Plan; intricacies of planning, permitting and enforcement; business licensing; city water annex issues; Fire and Rescue Authority; and beyond. She now has or has had working relationships with surrounding towns and counties, CDOT and the Southern Ute Tribe. Trained through the Colorado Bar Association as a mediator, Cynthia’s work has focused on liaising between city and county government and the needs of private citizens in land-use planning and permitting. Her nonprofit volunteer and leadership positions within our county are too numerous to list.

Cynthia Roebuck intends to be a full-time commissioner. She will not have the distraction of private businesses. It is clear she would hit the ground running, fully ready to represent county citizens. Her resumé should be at the top of the “hiring stack” for voters. Before you vote, take into account the qualifications of both candidates. There is essentially no comparison. The choice could not be more clear. Mail in ballots will be sent out the week of Oct. 13 to all registered voters. Please register, investigate and vote.
– Kathleen Adams, Durango

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Ask what gov’t can do for you

To the Editor,
Before you vote, please consider what each of the two parties have done or are likely to do if elected. Which of these issues are going to affect you? Which of these issues will help you and your loved ones have a better life?

Republicans:

- Shut down government
- Sue the president
- Repeal Obama Care
- Tax cuts for the rich
- Act for the 1 percent
- Require voter ID’s
- Abolish Consumer Protection Agency
- Reduce unemployment benefits
- Oppose campaign finance laws
- Climate change deniers
- Voter suppression
- Reduce Social Security benefits
- Increase retirement age to 70

Democrats:

- Raise the minimum wage
- Expand voting rights
- Immigration reform
- Close corporate loop holes
- Act for the 99 percent
- Protect Social Security benefits
- Improve Medicare benefits
- Support investment for roads etc.
- Implement campaign finance laws
- Support pay equity
- More jobs, infrastructure spending
- Rebuild the middle class
- Will act on climate change

– Richard Podlesnik, Durango