Doulas have a lasting impact
To the editor,
I had only vaguely heard of a doula when I became pregnant with my son 15 years ago. I knew I wanted to try to have a natural, unmedicated birth and heard a doula would be helpful. When I found a doula in Santa Fe, I felt relieved and supported in a way that I didn’t feel from my doctor or the staff of nurses at the hospital. She was informed, nurturing and interested in me and my family. We met prenatally, and she was the first person I called when I went into labor. She stayed by my side; encouraged me and informed me about my options. She helped both me and my partner know how to relax, move, breathe and meet the challenges of labor. At the hospital, my doula was there with us the whole time. We felt more confident asking about alternatives and choices during the labor. I was able to have the natural birth that I wanted, and I partially credit the wonderful support I had from my doula.
Since then, doulas have become much more popular. They are mentioned in pregnancy books, childbirth classes and in resources online. Culturally, we are realizing that birth is a very important event in a woman’s life – physically and psychologically – and her choices have consequences for the health and wellness of her baby. Doctors and midwives have the tremendous job of monitoring the bloodwork, growth, tests and medical responsibilities of pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Doulas are non-medical support for women and her family. Doulas are trained to offer support regarding fears, expectations, emotions and physical discomforts of pregnancy, birth and postpartum. The role of a doula is much like the worldwide historic practices of midwives, aunts, mothers, sisters and grandmothers that tended to laboring women. Doulas receive professional training and certification to understand, support and care for women and partners during this precious time in their lives.
Now more women can pursue this professional certification to become doulas. What an incredible opportunity to do work that has a lasting impact in family’s lives!
– Abby Bordner, formerly of Durango, now living in Santa Fe
Stop glorifying the nation state
To the editor,
How have people worldwide allowed nation-states to present themselves with pomp and grandeur?
I stopped at Napoleon’s tomb and saw his epitaph: “I want my ashes to rest on the banks of the Seine, amongst the French people whom I loved very much.” Napoleon sent almost a million French soldiers to their deaths and caused death and suffering for millions more. Is that love? I wonder what the widows, orphans and bereaved parents of France would have to say on the topic?
Why do states persist in building edifices and monuments to themselves? Washington is full of white marble buildings that look suspiciously like mausoleums.
Indeed the Taj Mahal is seen as a symbol of the glory of India. But it’s just a very large tomb.
When will people stop glorifying war? Instead it should be treated as what it is: shameful. War is the societal equivalent of incest. You wouldn’t stage a parade or celebrate incest with barbecues and fireworks, would you?
When will people stop giving the state prestige and kneeling before leaders? The rightful place of the state is as an appendix, or appliance of, the people. Now don’t get me wrong. I love microwaves and refrigerators. They perform a useful function. But I will not salute them, assign them sentience or personhood, or worse yet, create flags with a big Kirby vacuum or Frigidaire and wave that around while chanting slogans.
Politicians strut around in hand-tailored Savile Row suits, hold galas and banquets. Instead, they should wear shapeless gray suits similar to what prisoners wear. It will remind them of their submissive status and give them much-needed humility.
The state worships and fetishizes death; the people, in turn, worship and fetishize the state. And people characterize the Aztecs as barbaric??!!
– MK Swinderman, Durango
Nothing ‘natural’ about leakage
To the editor,
Thanks for running an article on the important issue of methane leakage and hotspots in our region. Unfortunately the article lacks any historical knowledge and thus gives seriously inaccurate impressions.
The article on the methane hot spots focuses on the outcrop of the Fruitland Formation near Carbon Junction. The article states, “The prevalent readings are clear evidence that natural sources are playing a key role in regional methane levels.”
While it is true that the Fruitland Formation outcrop has probably been a source of methane leakage from the earth to the atmosphere for centuries, it is also true that this leakage has been greatly increased, exponentially increased, due to the actions of the natural gas industry during the past 35 years. This is not a radical or opinionated statement. It is agreed-upon fact.
The Fruitland Formation is the primary source of methane (natural gas) developed in La Plata County during the past 35 years. This coal-bed methane was developed by pumping the water out of the Fruitland Formation. This pumping not only allowed the gas to move off the coal to the well heads, but also to move up the formation to the outcrop.
Since coal-bed methane development began, there have been many acres of Fruitland outcrop vegetation that has died off due to oxygen starvation of the plant roots as methane pushed up; there have been numerous coal seam fires due to the increase in methane concentration; and there has been a huge increase in methane seepage from outcrop areas, like Carbon Junction.
The methane leakage at Carbon Junction was a natural leak that has been hugely increased by industry’s actions. To claim that the Carbon Junction methane is just part of the region’s “natural” leakages is just flat hot air.
– Dan Randolph, Durango
Beware end-of-life insurance scams
To the editor,
In the Durango Herald, an interesting and powerful article called “End-of-life Choices” was in the Opinion section July 10. After reading about difficult scenarios about how to deal with your own death or loved ones, I flashed on what I heard from a hit man almost 40 years ago.
A bouncer in a cocktail lounge received several phone calls during my shift and I said, “How nice for you to get so many calls welcoming you home.” All I knew at the time, with no details, was he just got out of jail and had a lot of drinks (loose lips sink ships) when he replied, “Oh, those, they were new clients.” Later on, I listened on how the desperate benefit off of family, friends or strangers, from scams, including life insurance policies, and he made most of his money on double indemnity.
I truly believe the Universe warned me to be more aware of my surrounding, way back when, for I was shocked and horrified by this lost soul. Over the years, I have not hesitated to hire a private investigator when my gut tells me something is not right. Most of the time I made a wise move and don’t regret the costs, especially when a situation was worse than expected. A picture paints 1,000 words and today’s newer technology validated my concerns. Hope this message helps some good souls and keeps others from darkening my front porch.
– Sally Florence, Durango