Hiding behind or upholding the Constitution?

Re: “My county’s GOP censured me, but my lawsuit would enforce the Constitution,” Dec. 10 commentary

Krista Kafer pontificates at length about her altruistic duty regarding her participation in the Anderson et al. vs. Griswold et al. lawsuit — the attempt to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the Colorado ballot. She seems to take umbrage at the fact that she, along with three others, has been censured by the Arapahoe County Republican Party for what she characterizes as merely upholding the Constitution.

The reality is that she is hiding behind the Constitution in a blatant attempt to subvert the will of a significant number of Colorado voters who support Trump. She cites Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution as justification for her position, but that begs a question. Although impeached by a partisan House of Representatives for “incitement of insurrection,” Trump was later acquitted of that charge in the Senate. How can the former president be denied inclusion on the ballot for a crime for which he was acquitted?

— David Oyler, Cañon City

Krista Kafer, thanks for being a plaintiff in the suit to disqualify Trump.

Your censure is a badge of courage and conviction.

— Bo Chapin, Greeley

Hip, Hip, Hooray Krista. Thank you for stepping outside the bounds of the GOP and standing up for democracy and the U.S. Constitution. You are absolutely correct, and the GOP has it completely wrong. My hope is that you will continue to defy the GOP in November 2024 and vote for democracy.

— K. Bischoff, Denver

Continued Trump support is a mystery

Re: “Colorado’s trolls are unhinged and also empowered,” Dec. 3 commentary

Most of the time I do not agree with Krista Kafer’s positions. Sometimes I do, but regardless, I admire her well-thought-out arguments and her well-crafted and skillful writings that support her contentions.

Her piece on Dec. 3 references Colorado’s trolls as being unhinged and empowered. We Dems, of course, have our own off-center “crews” to deal with and probably always will. When half of our population is represented in the Senate by 18 out of 100 members, well, simple math would suggest our Democracy has little chance of being something other than contentious. The difference, I think, is my “crews” rarely threaten the person (and their family) with whom they disagree — the people who believe Trump won, the insurrection was an inside job, that Georgia should “find votes,” Trump University did no wrong, and so many more.

And these “believers” are empowered by Trump, period. It is simply the party of hate. This party is always right, never wrong, always the victim, never guilty, never compromise. In sum, there is no longer a GOP. Only the “Trump Cult” and those who are enabled by it. Why real Republicans, thoughtful conservatives, and people like Kafer think this group is a better option in 2024 remains a mystery to me.

— Ted Cackowsky, Broomfield

What would a cease-fire accomplish?

Re: “If ‘cease-fire’ becomes taboo, what’s next, ‘peace’?” Dec. 10 commentary

Dear Iman Jodeh, I read your article calling for a “cease-fire.” And I ask, “What does that accomplish?” Hamas is dedicated to the annihilation of Israel and probably all Jews. I understand that isn’t working out for Hamas right now and they need a cease-fire to rebuild. It may take a few years, but their purpose will not change. So how does a cease-fire solve Israel’s problem?

You mention all the protests. I had the opportunity to talk to three protesters at an event. I questioned them about their signs and their reasons. They answered that the signs were handed to them at the start of the march. They really knew nothing about the details of the conflict. Some of their friends thought it would be fun, so they joined in. (Actually, I think a lot of protests are like that.)

It would be nice if Hamas and Israel could live like the United States and Canada, where both sides learned to live next door to each other in peace. I know, “Good luck with that!” Will your cease-fire accomplish that? I think not. Your call for cease-fire is not a solution, simply a pause and the next time Hamas will do a bigger Oct. 7 job. Until a cease-fire comes with a bonafide solution, the call is meaningless.

— John Hallacy, Morrison

Iman Jodeh’s thoughtful column calling out the brutality of the Israeli/Hamas war and calling for a cease-fire is right on the mark. And I share her beliefs about the sometimes ridiculous semantics in which politicians engage.

The barbaric attack and indiscriminate killings and rape of Israelis by Hamas give the Israeli government the right to respond and stop this from happening again; indeed, it is the duty of the government to protect its people. But Israel’s military response has been way out of proportion, in my view. Israel needs to consider that:

1. They must share culpability for this war. They had advanced knowledge of the attack and did nothing, and members of the government have supported Hamas in Gaza as a check against the Palestinian Authority, knowing full well of Hamas’ stated goal of Israeli destruction.

2. Because Israel is the obviously more powerful nation in the region, they have a duty and moral responsibility as a country to inflict as little harm as possible on the people who are in the same area who are not capable of defending themselves from such an over-powering force. The overwhelming disparity of deaths and destruction heaped upon the people of Gaza is immoral, and frankly, it makes Israel look like a thug, not unlike what Putin and Russia are doing to Ukraine.

— Gerry Camilli, Englewood

After surviving run-in with careless driver, student wishes we would all drive safe

Re: “A growing rage on our roads,” Nov. 26 editorial

Across state lines, the extreme up

tick in road rage has created a hostile and dangerous environment for many drivers. Statistics show that more and more drivers have witnessed a road rage incident. The article says our “heavily-armed society and undereducated, timid, distracted, and tired drivers have created a recipe for disaster.” It identifies the problem, but I’d argue the underlying cause is selfish drivers who lack respect for the privilege and rules of driving.

One recent morning, I witnessed a hot-headed parent in the student parking lot honk at an innocent kid walking into school! Ever heard of “yield to pedestrians’?” The day before, I was waiting in go-home traffic on the one-lane road when a lady carelessly sped down the shoulder and forcibly merged in front of everyone. How has society sunk to this point of zero patience or regard for others? Have we forgotten all about being the bigger person and leading by example?

From irritating people to causing an accident, “Mario Kart mentality” has real consequences. Think speed limits and traffic lights are just suggestions? Think again. This October, I was in the driver’s seat, upside-down, bleeding, and unconscious. After opening my eyes and calling for help, a gentleman helped me climb out the window and into the median. “Ma’am, somebody ran the red light at 75 mph and hit you; that’s why your car flipped. The ambulance is almost here. You’re going to be OK.”

Next time you’re on the road, relax, stay safe, and enjoy the drive.

— Jolie Walker, Castle Pines

Bullying through anonymous mail

Whoever you are:

Twice I have had a letter published in The Denver Post regarding an editorial or commentary that you disagreed with. You are free to have an opposing opinion and support whoever or whatever policy/position you choose to support. However, sending a letter-writer a letter unsigned and in an envelope with no return address is cowardly and intellectually disgraceful. The letter contained content that was factually incorrect and represented the uninformed bully tactics of the MAGA movement (it was signed MAGA 2024).

Do ignorant Trump supporters only know how to send unsigned letters and are incapable of debating issues and policies in a mature manner?

— Barbara Morton, Highlands Ranch