The Cortez Journal

more Guest Columns

• All human-caused fires are preventable

The Montezuma County fire chiefs want to help you make it safely through another wildfire season. There is a lot of potential for devastating fire out there, but if we all do our part, wildfire can continue to be a healthy part of our landscape in Southwest Colorado.

Consider that about half of the fires in Montezuma County in 2012 were...

• Keystone Kops

If you are over 60, you will remember these characters. They were a Mack Sennett creation of the silent movie days. The original movies were shot from 1912 to 1917, but there were revivals in the '30s and Buster Keaton appeared in "Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops" in 1955. So what prompted this stroll down memory lane? It was partly a...

• Get marijuana laws right, now

Coloradans spoke loudly last fall by legalizing recreational marijuana through the approval of Amendment 64.
We now have another chance to make our voices heard.
Amendment 64 painted with broad strokes, giving the Colorado Legislature and local governments wide latitude to implement it in a way that makes sense for the state.

• A western approach to deficit reduction

Up here in the Rockies, we have our own perspective on the budget debate in Washington. It’s shaped by our keen awareness of the beauties and dangers of nature; our relationship with a federal government that owns much of the land around us; and our straightforward, Western approach to shared responsibilities and fair dealing.

For...

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  The Constitution above all else

When I took my oath of office, the most critical part of that oath was to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, not be part of destroying it.

• Empire Electric opposes SB 252

I am very concerned with special interests in Denver collaborating with primarily urban legislators to ram through legislation Empire's members do not agree with. Senate Bill 13-252 imposes draconian renewable energy mandates on Empire that will raise electric rates.

• Debunking myths about sexual assault

"Oh, no!" the woman exclaimed as she retrieved the mail from her post office box. "Jury duty," she explained to the post office patrons who had turned their heads in alarm at her initial outburst. Their concern rapidly turned to understanding, as was exemplified by their nods, smiles and comments.

• New jewels in the crown of treasured public lands

On March 25, President Obama added five new national monument jewels to America's enviable crown of treasured public lands. These lands forever protect the historic places of our nation and its environmental and scenic legacy. They include the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Monument in Ohio, the Harriet Tubman House in Maryland, the First State...

• A big thank-you from the Bridge

I want to thank the Cortez City Council support for the Bridge Emergency Shelter, as evident in their unanimous vote for a surcharge on every ticket written into Cortez Municipal Court.

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  Patriotism

In 2013, Private Bradley Manning spent his 1,000th day in jail. Those 1,000 days equal 2.75 years. The first 10 months were spent in solitary confinement, where he was routinely denied sleep and clothing as well as his eye glasses. The above conditions combined with psychological abuse amount to cruel and unusual punishment. All of this occurred...