Destroying our friendly relationship with Canada

From Trudeau to the man on the street, it’s becoming clear that Canadians take the disrespect from our Whitehouse very seriously, from the comments about a 51st state, their prime minister being a governor and the, for now, threatened use of tariffs to destroy their economy. They are quite angry about it and rightly so. It made me think about neighborliness and the importance of maintaining good relationships with those around you in case you may one day need some help. It made me consider the idea of one’s neighbors just deciding to move into your home uninvited but acting as if they had a right to do so based on their proximity. Interestingly, those that seem to support this idea also portray themselves as proponents of freedom and personal rights. Perhaps, for me but not for thee, is their new motto. Anyway, having traveled a bit in Canada and having experienced the friendly folks who live up north it is with great regret that my country is destroying what was a very friendly relationship with our dearest neighbor and we will come to regret it!

— Albert Petersen, Boulder

Support the safety net we all rely on

Change is happening all around us — both in our local communities and across the nation. These shifts can bring feelings of uncertainty, discomfort and concern about what lies ahead. While these emotions are completely valid, it’s equally important to recognize and appreciate the constants that remain. For the Early Childhood Council of Boulder County, that constant is our early childhood community.

Every day, despite challenges, these dedicated individuals work tirelessly to support children and families. During the pandemic, they were rightfully recognized as “essential workers” — indispensable to our nation’s recovery. But let’s not forget they remain essential today. They are the foundation of our economy and the backbone of our collective well-being. This community extends far beyond child care providers. It includes health professionals, social workers, community resource centers, libraries, museums, parks and recreation departments, school districts and many more. Together, they form a network committed to ensuring that all children under the age of five have the support they need to thrive. At the heart of this community are child care providers and educators who nurture, educate, and shape future generations. They are not just caregivers — they are small business owners, nonprofit leaders, families, friends, and neighbors. Yet, they are often overlooked. Statistics show that they are chronically underpaid, receive fewer professional development opportunities, and experience higher turnover rates than most professions. And yet, despite these systemic obstacles, many dedicate their entire career to doing this essential work.

So today — and always — we ask you to join the Early Childhood Council in honoring those who stand steady during turbulent times, those who are the safety net we rely on. Let’s lift them up, express our gratitude, and honor their critical role in shaping the next generation of leaders, innovators and thinkers.

— Kaycee Headrick, Longmont

Is anybody back there?

Last Sunday, I left the instant on the shelf and took the time to perk a pot of coffee, pour a cup, and read the paper (well, nobody can afford a printed paper so I actually read the e-edition). Skipping through the boring parts, I paged ahead in search of the colored comics — but there were no comics. Well, OK, so I paged back to the NYT crossword instead only to find that several rows of clues were missing on the bottom and others were chopped off at the left. Sad to say, but a good deal of the value of the Sunday paper never made it through the ether that day.

Brings to mind the old political ad (on broadcast TV, imagine that!) where the little old lady asked, “Is there anybody back there?” That’s my question to the Daily Camera staff: Is there anybody who actually looks at the content and format of your paper before you send it out or should I be appealing to some AI computer that sits in the corner of the production office?

— Loren Pahlke, Boulder