BATTLE ON THE BORDER Waving foreign flags show lack of respect I have noticed that many of the immigration protesters are waving Mexican flags. This causes me some concern. Why would people wanting to become citizens of the United States wave a foreign flag? They should be burning those flags in anger. Is that not the very country they are forced to flee due to its appalling economic conditions? Why not protest against the Mexican government for not providing the people with sufficient government programs or a decent job market, thus making immigration a problem for the United States? I haven’t seen any Canadian flags at these protests. If they are so proud of Mexico, why have millions flocked to the United States illegally? I have no problem with people who want to become citizens of this country. I do, however, expect those people to show the gratitude and respect that this nation deserves. This is even truer now, when our men and women are fighting and dying overseas for the very liberties these protesters desire. Waving a foreign flag is disrespectful to America and its people. John Schreiber Colorado Springs ‘Alliance for Progress’ deserves second look In 1961, President John F. Kennedy proposed a massive program to raise living standards throughout the Americas — The Alliance For Progress. Unfortunately, we were not as inspired by this goal as we were by his proposal to put a man on the moon by the end of that decade. While we were successful in the seemingly impossible effort of a lunar landing, the goals of the less glamorous Alliance For Progress were neglected, derailed by politics at home and abroad, and (ironically, given the situation today) stifled by lack of funding. Perhaps our self-interest now would fuel a New Alliance For Progress to substantially improve the quality of life in Mexico and other Latin American countries so their citizens would feel no need to flood our nation seeking a better life. I think, in the long run, similar standards of living on both sides of the border are the only answer. J. Michael Riley Colorado Springs Current guest worker program should be continued I want to thank The Gazette for the Our View on the Mikulski-Warner Amendment (“Part-time help / One guest worker program already is working,” April 13). I was sure there had to be some kind of program such as this, but did not know whom to ask. The editorial answered many questions for me. I hope others took the time to avail themselves of this information and will contact our congressional delegation to urge them to support the passage of SB-3214 to continue this guest worker program. UnaMae Lanham Colorado Springs NEVER ENOUGH Wasteful D-49 officials have hands out again Flabbergasted beyond words does not begin to describe my reaction after reading The Gazette’s April 7 news report, “District 49 faces new budget shortfall.” D-49 just campaigned and received a significant increase in funds from last November’s elections, and is already preparing to ask for even more money? The stated reason for the November property tax increase was that the district had too many students and had to have more schools. Now officials say they lack adequate revenue to operate and staff these new schools because they did not have the expected influx of students last year. This smacks of creating the perception of a crisis to scare people into giving the district more money to waste. At its least, we have a clear, uncontested example of incompetent people getting ready to ask the taxpayers for even more money. The D-49 officials try to justify this incompetence by saying the two new charter schools are complicating their ability to budget for their requirements and that these two schools will take 500 D-49 students. That number has been known since February, because charter enrollment was decided by lottery. If D-49 has to deal with 500 fewer students, doesn’t that free the district of the requirement for the funds those 500 students would require? I find it extremely hard to believe the charter schools are complicating D-49’s revenue equations. We recently received a D-49 “newspaper.” The lead story was an extremely biased, poorly justified advocacy piece against the coming state ballot initiative that would require 65 percent of all school funds go to the classroom. The district personnel stated that the district cannot be expected to manage the schools on the remaining 35 percent of their total budget. The administration requires over a third of its budget to administrate? Mark Cravens Peyton BUTT OUT If smoking ban stands, everyone’s rights at risk I am a member of the Private Enterprise Protection Agency of the Southern Colorado Beverage Association. This agency was formed for the primary purpose of uniting bar owners and other interested persons in Southern Colorado in the effort to secure a injunction against the state of Colorado implementing HR-1175, the smoking ban, on July 1. We appreciate The Gazette’s coverage of our April 11 meeting (“Ban is hot topic in smoke filled room,” April 12). While our immediate efforts are aimed at the smoking ban, the more important purpose is to stop the erosion of constitutional rights. We are aware that some people have serious concerns about the alleged danger of second-hand smoke. There are many studies, including OSHA’s, that have found no correlation between second-hand smoke and any health risk, but we respect their position. Having said that, I must point out there is no definitive study proving secondhand smoke is a health risk. It would seem that the legislators who voted for HR-1175 were either uninformed or looking for votes. I urge the citizens of Colorado to be open minded and ask themselves this: Are unproved allegations, self-serving arguments and political expediency more important than the inch-by-inch erosion of our rights? If you think the state of Colorado has a right to control every facet of private enterprise, then be prepared for government to take control of every facet of your life as well. When people turn blind eyes and deaf ears to the victimization of others’ rights, they invite the demise of their own. Allen Campbell Colorado Springs STATE OF THE ROCKIES Annual conference an educational experience I was pleased to attend the April 10-13 “State of the Rockies Report Card” conference at Colorado College. So much was learned related to the environmental challenges faced by the eight states in the region. In addition, such individuals as Michael Stratton and Wyoming rancher and state Sen. John Schiffer emphasized the need to establish a Western voice on the national scene related to environmental issues. I especially enjoyed attending the two panels which included Dale Lasater and the Rev. Sally Palmer. Lasater emphasized the need to support local farmers and those who raise grass-fed beef. In 2002, Lasater was given the Slow Food Award for Biodiversity. The Slow Food Movement is alive and well in Colorado Springs, thanks to the growth of organic farming and the support of local natural food stores. It was inspiring to hear Palmer, a pastor with the United Church of Christ, speak about the needs of the poor in Colorado and Wyoming. Although some panelists argued that it is difficult to prove that pesticides and toxins in the water cause illnesses of low-income residents, Palmer spoke so passionately about her work with the indigent in Wyoming, it was easy see the cause-effect relationship. Colorado College continues to excel in its role as a leader in environmental justice. The spirit of William Palmer is alive and well within its walls. Janice S. Moglen Manitou Springs