We must end complacency about E. coli compliance

It’s said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results. So for how long have we been cognizant of harmful E. coli levels in Boulder Creek? Look no further than decades of Camera articles, community op-eds, awareness campaigns, shuttered Waterkeeper chapters and constant lip service from city and county staff yielding no action. However let’s not concede defeat by quixotically battling for adequate signage and get to the real impediment: Where is the science? Because in all this time we’ve been offered absurd possible sources yet no meaningful evidence despite an ample body of guiding literature.

This also constitutes a crisis of environmental justice, with countless vulnerable daily creek users, yet neither our progressive city council nor the Water Resource Advisory Board are willing to advocate. This vacuum of vested authority has fostered dithering finger-pointing and scapegoat-ism that alienates allied stakeholders such as CU Boulder. The university possesses both unparalleled expertise and resources, which I certainly learned from earning three degrees there while participating in long-term watershed studies, publishing relevant research and utilizing Boulder Creek as a living laboratory for teaching. Because if our Water Resource Managers held these students’ appreciation for aquatic ecology, they’d potentially approach water quality more holistically rather than treating persistent impairments as intractable engineering problems; maybe even recognize synoptic monitoring and bioassessment as critical tools for pollution control. Though instead of effective and knowledgeable leadership, perhaps it’s preferable to keep outsourcing and dubiously delegating these responsibilities to expensive consultants for commissioned reports, which can be delivered overdue, absent open discussion or remain undisclosed. But be forewarned these conditions won’t ameliorate without intervention and are poised to worsen. Therefore, we must demand greater scientific integrity, among reevaluating a long-standing culture of complacent compliance clearly perpetuating the same mistakes.

— Garrett Rue, Gunbarrel

If you want democracy, don’t vote for Trump

The Supreme Court is a Trump Court and I consider them worthless.

Watching the insurrection, rioting and damage to the Capitol at $30 million dollars was rather frightening and incredible. Very few capitol police had firearms. Trump rioters caused deaths and destruction. What was Trump doing during this? He was apparently enjoying watching the havoc and mayhem on television. Several politicians called Trump, even his daughter Ivanka called asking him to stop this rioting.

Pence would not agree to Trump’s request to overrule the electoral vote and call the election a Trump victory. Pence had called experts and learned what Trump wanted him to do was illegal. The result was rioters putting up gallows with a sign that said “hang Mike Pence.” Mike Pence and his family were escorted out of the Capitol out of the reach of the rioters.

Legislators quickly left the floor of the Capitol and hid from the invaders. One of the legislators they were looking for was Nancy Pelosi. Today Trump turns to his Trump Supreme Court to decide whether those arrested and jailed for their insurrection should be released. The court may also decide to give Trump immunity to all crimes he has been charged with.

If any other American citizen caused this havoc and damage they would have been jailed very quickly.

Justice Clarence Thomas’s personal supporters have funded extremely luxurious vacations for the justice and his wife Ginny. By the way, Ginny was involved in planning the Jan. 6 rally. Thomas should not be on the Court and must resign.

How in the name of justice can Trump run again for president when we know the Trump Supreme Court could help him get elected again? If you want this country to be a democracy do not vote for Trump.

— Diane Wood, Longmont