Removal of CU’s DEI web page is disappointing

I was extremely disheartened to see the recent CPR article describing how CU Boulder has — seemingly of its own initiative, without prompting from the current federal regime — removed its DEI page from its website. Given especially CU Boulder’s explicit statement that the shift “captures the campus’s strategic priorities under the leadership of Chancellor Justin Schwartz,” I have to say I’m saddened to see that Chancellor Schwartz’s priorities apparently include pre-emptive obedience to a president who doesn’t have the interests of Colorado or Coloradans anywhere near his thoughts, much less the interests of those in our community most vulnerable to federal overreach and abuse.

Having met and seen Chancellor Schwartz at multiple Boulder events focused on building opportunity for all in the growing quantum science field, the impression I’d gained of him, as someone interested in building educational and workforce systems that work for everyone, seems at odds with the decision to attach his name to this move, especially without consulting with or reassuring any of the campus’s employees who are doing the hard, on-the-ground work of supporting the development of diverse groups of students, and are on the front lines of dealing with the impact of this and the President’s other executive orders on real humans.

Of course, we’ll continue doing that work no matter what, but — with respect — I would urge Chancellor Schwartz to reconsider obeying in advance and to begin a dialogue with CU Boulder’s workforce on how to proceed in these unprecedented times. Otherwise, one is left to wonder whether actions like this are meant to protect CU’s workers and students, or to protect its administration.

— Mike Bennett, Boulder

Trump doesn’t understand California’s water situation

Last summer, at his SoCal Rancho Palos Verdes golf course, Trump first mentioned the fictitious “Giant Faucet” that Gavin Newsom is using to divert water to the ocean; starving L.A. of water. Let’s be clear: This is simply complete B.S. There is no “Giant Faucet.” California’s watersheds and water infrastructure is complicated; far too complicated for Trump’s attention span and intellect. I imagine somebody tried to explain it to him and he cut them off after 10 seconds, so the guy said something like — “Look, just think of it as a giant faucet.” And like a preschooler that’s something he was able to grasp.

Here are some simple facts about L.A.’s water. First water flows downhill. L.A. is a desert for a few reasons; one of which is that water does not naturally flow from Northern California to L.A. For one thing, it’s blocked by the Tehachapi Mountains. Water is pumped from California’s Central Valley, over these mountains to L.A. Further, it is necessary to allow sufficient fresh water to flush the Sacramento-San Joaquin river delta near San Francisco in order to prevent tidal sea-water encroachment and contamination of parts of the Central Valley’s and L.A.’s water supply; not necessarily to preserve smelt habitat. The complete story can’t be covered in 300 words or a few minutes. Zeke Lunder’s YouTube channel, “The Lookout,” does a pretty good job of covering “The Geography of California’s Water” in 50 minutes youtube.com/watch?v=W42WB4gO6j0.

— Tom Chapin, Lyons

What’s the difference?

Nazis deported Jews. Republicans are deporting immigrants.

What’s the difference?

— Dennis McDaniel, Boulder

I’m embarrassed to be a Camera subscriber

The kindest word I can think of for the Camera’s habit of printing a few paragraphs from popular syndicated columnists and then telling readers to look for the rest in the Washington Post is a “scam.” I’m embarrassed to be a subscriber. But then, I already canceled my subscription to WaPo over their cowardly failure to endorse a candidate in our recent electoral fiasco, helping give the world four more years of Donald Trump.

Years ago, I got a journalism degree from CU. I feel like canceling that, too.

— Earl Noe, Boulder