Accelerating climate change has consequences

Not that there aren’t huge consequential issues facing us every day from this administration. From the distracting devious lesser ones that they make sure we watch every day to the huge overriding strategy to add massively to the already massive wealth of the billionaire class while taking away from the less wealthy. Add to that, internationally, the implications of siding with Russia over Ukraine and dumping our relationships with many countries.

But what could be worse than to have an administration that blatantly and openly works against taking any actions to combat, and in fact enacts policies to accelerate, the effects of Climate Change? If we don’t know the imminence and consequences of what this entails, we should be paying closer attention. The word existential comes to mind.

— Bruce Robinson, Niwot

Distinguishing between two biases is important

As a Jewish American here in Boulder since 1998 — a retired U.S. Air Force officer as well — I am saddened by the increase in hatred towards “others” in our country. I am especially troubled by increasing incidents of antisemitism. The recent horrible attack on the Pearl Street Mall by a man trying to burn people has prompted me to miss the annual Boulder Jewish Festival for the first time in many years. I personally do not feel safe.

I will digress for a moment to state that in Atlanta in 1996, after the Olympic bombing, my family and I (wife and two teen children) went to the site of that bombing within a few days.

We went to show our solidarity with Atlanta (our home at the time) and the Olympics.

The current situation in Boulder feels different. While I distinguish between anti-Zionism and antisemitism, I think most people do not. To be clear, I am ashamed of what the Israeli government is doing in Gaza. I think that Israel has committed war crimes and that key leaders there should be held to account. Does that make me an anti-Zionist? Maybe so. I am clearly not an antisemite. I do not wish for the destruction of Israel. I want her to learn to live in peace with her neighbors. That is the only viable long-term solution to many decades of hatred and violence on both sides.

I think that Boulder Councilmember Adams is correct to distinguish between the two biases (antisemitism and anti-Zionism).

Has she handled the current situation as well as she could? Maybe not; but, she is not wrong to emphasize the distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism because I do so myself.

— Ronald L. Small, Boulder