What does the district attorney do, anyway?

To the editor,

Many of us have watched “Law & Order,” or “CSI,” or “The Good Wife,” but how many actually know what a district attorney does? What does the office do? How do personal experience and philosophy affect the decisions made? This year, Democrats have two excellent candidates – Christian Champagne and Ben Lammons – who will be formally debating on Thurs., Feb 18, 6:30 p.m. at the Durango Public Library. They will discuss why each thinks he would be the better DA come November. We're doing it now because we'll be beginning their nominations March 1, the same night we all caucus for Sanders / Clinton. Come join in!

–Anne Markward, Durango

You say you want a revolution?

To the editor,

Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton face off right here in La Plata County on March 1, the Colorado Democratic Caucus, starting at 6:30 p.m. It’s the candidates’ first step toward becoming the Democratic nominee. Please come out, meet some neighbors, and Caucus for Bernie!

Some say that Bernie is not what the United States needs right now, that he’s too progressive. I disagree. Clinton has a tremendous resume, no question. But she is a manager, not a motivator. If you think our country is on the right track, then she will manage it well, and probably not much will change. She is, after all, beholden to the big-money contributors financing her campaign. But if you worry about the growing financial inequality; staggering student debt; overpriced drugs; banks too big to fail; bankers too big to jail when they break the law (and the rest of us pay the price); and above all, climate change, then Sanders is your choice.  

His message is striking a chord with Americans, especially young people. Bernie energizes his audience with a resounding message that “enough is enough.” It is time to take our country back from the big corporations and billionaire class running it into the ground for their own personal gain and at our expense. The polls confirm that Bernie is sending the right message at the right time; he is gaining popularity and supporters every day. What Bernie is calling for is nothing short of a political revolution and, increasingly, the people are on his side. When we set aside our differences and come together as a nation, anything is possible. 

Please, help nominate Bernie Sanders on March 1. Call 970-382-6280, option 3, to find your caucus location. Show up, have fun, get counted and together we will bring about real change.

– Lin Alicia Martin, Bayfield

Ending violence against women

To the editor,

Women have long been on the battlefields fighting to end domestic violence and sexual assault. The successes have been many, like the landmark Violence Against Women Act that was passed by congress in 1994. This law requires mandatory arrests of the perpetrator when there is a report of domestic violence. Then there is the recent Senate Bill 128, which allows victims of sexual assault to report anonymously when seeking medical care. The law ensures victims receive the necessary care they need after a sexual assault, with the option of anonymity. Laws like these are just a fraction of the victories we have seen.

Unfortunately, current statistics reveal that the many successes are still not enough, as one in four women will still experience sexual assault or domestic violence in her lifetime. Many have long been asking, what can we do to bring these numbers down further? Part of the answer may be hidden in the shifting of cultural norms happening right now.

On a global scale, we have men uniting to end violence against women and girls. We have organizations popping up around the United States like Men Stopping Violence and A Call to Men. They tout impactful programs like “Because We Have Daughters” and “Breaking out of the Man Box.” We see other male leaders speaking out, like former President Jimmy Carter who was recently on the TEDX stage and also wrote the bestseller A Call to Action: Religion, Violence and Power, where he addresses what he calls “the world’s most serious, pervasive and ignored violation of basic human rights: the ongoing discrimination and violence against women and girls.”

The tides are certainly shifting, so what is going on here, locally?

Here in the 6th Judicial District we are launching the “White Ribbon Campaign,” which started after a group of 14 female students were killed by self-proclaimed anti-feminist Marc Lepine at a university in Montreal. The campaign’s aim is to raise awareness about violence against women and girls, with the motto being men working to end men’s violence against women. Currently, the campaign is utilized in over 60 countries worldwide and now it’s here in Durango, Pagosa Springs, Ignacio, Bayfield and Silverton.

As the tides change and men continue to speak out against violence, the impact will be huge. Why? Ultimately, boys listen to men and men listen to men, and let’s face it, men perpetrate 90 percent of the violence. One man standing up against violence in a community creates a ripple effect.

Here are 10 things you can do to prevent violence in your community:

1. Don’t fund sexism. Refuse to purchase magazines, watch videos, subscribe to websites or buy music that portrays girls or women in a sexually degrading or abusive manner. Boycott sexism in the media.

2. Be respectful toward women, girls and other guys. Sexism, homophobia, transphobia, racism and other forms of oppression hurt us all.

3. Understand consent, whether it’s holding hands, kissing or more, it’s important to communicate and get consent.

4. Never use coercion, threats or violence in your relationships with others.

5. Pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls.

6. Develop the ability to recognize myths that support violence against women. Avoid victim blaming.

7. Be a good role model and share with the boys and young men around you the importance of respecting women, girls and yourself.

8. Challenge and speak out against hurtful language and sexist jokes in your school, community, workplace or place of worship.

9. As a father or a family member, teaching the boys in your life about healthy equal relationships helps you do your part in creating healthy families and strengthening family bonds.

10. Learn about the impact of violence against women in your community. Volunteer or donate to a local shelter or a women’s organization in your community.

If you would like to learn more, get involved or if you are in need of services, following is a list of local organizations serving victims of violence: Volunteers of America: The Southwest Safehouse, (970) 259-5443; Sexual Assault Services Organization (SASO), (970) 247-5400; Alternative Horizons (Domestic Violence), (970) 247-9619.

– Misty Fowlds, outreach coordinator, 6th Judicial District

Just say no to handshake deals

To the editor,

I would like to extend a heads up to the community. There is a new business in the area seeking help and inclined to make handshake deals with their workers. Don’t do it! Get a signed contract. The legal headache that often follows the folly of such a deal is a nightmare.

– Sincerely, a sadder but wiser cowgirl, Patty Mason, Pagosa Springs