Juneteenth celebrates freedom
As America celebrated Juneteenth, let us reflect on a decision that did more to shape Republican values than any other decision in the party’s history. Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves during the height of the Civil War — a move not supported by everyone at the time.
Lincoln is widely considered the father of the GOP and was instrumental in the formation of the party that it is today.
He was attracted to the Republican Party because of the ideals outlined in the Declaration of Independence, even when struggling with the demands of the Civil War. He put the freedom of all the people ahead of his own popularity.
Years before, when Lincoln was nominated for the U.S. Senate, he debated his opponent, Stephen Douglas, over the morality of slavery and yet was defeated in that race, and the pro-slavery candidate won.
Lincoln would later go to win the American presidency and become the leader that ensured slavery would soon end in America.
On this June 19, we honored the fight for equal rights for all. This celebration is important to the descendants of those freed slaves as the day when many learned of their new freedom from Union soldiers in Texas and should be important to all of us, as supporters of the freedom that we all enjoy together.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” — U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Jim Welker
Loveland
Bigger is not always better
I am writing in regard to the 36-story apartment building in consideration for construction in downtown Colorado Springs. Surely, the city can negotiate with the builder for a more appropriately sized building for that site.
Bigger is not always better. As representatives of our city, it seems to me, that the City Council is obligated to provide what serves our community best and enriches our lives.
This size building does neither.
I suggest that this issue appear on the November ballot so that the citizens of Colorado Springs can let the council know their vision for our city.
Marsha Schwartz
Colorado Springs
Hateful demonstrations
I can’t understand how we are allowing all these demonstrators against Jews in this country!
Didn’t we fight a war to remove Adolf Hitler and now we have so much hate toward Jews in America! We need to rethink free speech …demonstrators aren’t just peacefully protesting!
What is happening to America? It’s crazy.
Paul Garcia
Colorado Springs
Seek to understand one another
A response to Kimball Shinkoskey: Your letter highlights a concerning trend in political discourse. It’s clear that you identify somewhere left of center based on the flippant characterization of Republicans. If you believe your Republican neighbors care only about “protecting corporations and the wealthy”, I suspect you’ve never had an honest conversation with someone whose political views differ from your own.
I invite you, challenge you, to have that conversation with a Republican. Maybe even lead off with, “Hey, I’ve heard that Republicans are about protecting corporations and the wealthy. Is that true?” I bet you learn more than you ever expected.
My point is this — let’s stop these rhetorical, loaded questions and seek to actually understand one another.
Lisa Bell
Colorado Springs
Principles matter, too
The Gazette says when it comes to picking between presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump, “the choice should be about policy — nothing more, nothing less” (Americans deserve substantive debate, June 23). But there is another ‘P’ that is equally if not more important. I refer to principles — the values and ideals that define our nation’s character. Biden is fond of referring to this as the nation’s soul. It matters how a candidate treats these principles.
It might be said that the paramount principle for a president is contained in the oath of office. It is to protect and defend the Constitution. In so many words, to revere it. Contrary to his oath, Trump abandoned this principle on Jan. 6, 2021, when he sat on his hands while a mob stormed the Capitol in a bid to overturn an election and keep him in office. He called these insurrectionists patriots.
Trump also has suggested the Constitution could have been “terminated” on his behalf due to what he alleged was “massive irrefutably proven” election fraud that was never found to be massive or proven. Actions such as these by Trump are in keeping with his expressed admiration for tyrants. But they do not reflect American values.
Yes, policy is an important consideration when picking a president. But so are principles. To paraphrase the biblical query, what will it profit our country if policies gain us the world but we suffer the loss of our soul?
Ken Burrows
Colorado Springs
Correction
A technical glitch resulted in the duplication of two previously published letters in Monday’s Letters to the Editor. The Gazette regrets the error.
