Your Letters

John Salazar is now the voice of Nancy Pelosi

If Congress can mandate all citizens must purchase Health Insurance, what material goods can it not force the people to buy against their will? I implore anyone to cite a clause in the Constitution that offers Congress that power, or a Supreme Court decision where such has been interpreted. Neither of these circumstances exist; they never have and they never will. How remarkable that this upcoming weekend, it's likely that a majority in the House of Representatives, including our own Congressman, John Salazar, will vote in direct contrast to the oath in which they have sworn to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. Congressman Salazar has made it quite clear that he proudly supports H.R. 3962. I believe it to be a very sad day when a man, who represents some of the most beautiful land America has to offer, takes such pride in casting a vote in favor of something so blatantly un-American.

Before Congressman Salazar's appointment to the Committee on Appropriations, his actions seemed to be in lock-step with the general interests of Colorado's Third Congressional District, and the American People as a whole. Since that prestigious promotion, however, Congressman Salazar seems to be a stalwart representative of the leadership of his party, rather than the people who elected him to office. It has become quite clear to me, that John Salazar is now the voice of Nancy Pelosi, without whose approval, he would not have received such a coveted committee assignment. Lest he be reminded that without the votes of Coloradans from the Third District, he would have no business in Washington, D.C. at all. I would like to remind the Congressman that he represents those of us here on the Western Slope, and we, here, love the Constitution. We have ways of dealing with Representatives who do not oblige their promises to protect that sacred document against all enemies, foreign, and domestic. Mr. Salazar has 48 hours to come to his senses, and stand against tyranny. Should he not, I believe in 48 weeks, he will begin to understand the consequences of his misplaced representation.

Bryan Holloway

Glenwood Springs

The absence of evidence is not evidence either

The documentary film, “Split Estates,” depicts various people who attest that their health and well-being have been adversely affected by their living close to natural gas drilling and fracturing. These individuals live in Colorado, yet such testimonies are not unique to persons residing here. Such reports are numerous and come from many areas in our country where such practices are occurring. Are these reports of ill effects of natural gas drilling a symptom of mass hysteria? Or are they real enough for us to consider them seriously.

Some have argued that the documentary is based on “emotion and not facts.” We do not have numerous systematic empirical studies of the effects of the gas drilling and fracturing process. However, there was one local study which demonstrated a relationship between fracturing and potential health problems.

And there are these many self reports of ill consequences of natural gas drilling. Should we take them seriously? There are many situations where we take self reports seriously. Think of the many times that subjective reports are admissible evidence in a court of law.

We should not dismiss these reports as meaningless. This dismissive attitude is disrespectful of the courageous persons who have chosen to reveal their misery to others. Perhaps, instead of disregarding these numerous reports, we should think of them as a starting point for further investigation. With the paucity of empirical evidence, we should not conclude that there are no ill effects of the drilling and fracturing processes. The absence of evidence is not evidence either.

These reports should be taken quite seriously by public officials charged with protecting the public welfare. No gas drilling should be undertaken near homes until we have clearer evidence regarding the effects of these natural gas drilling practices.

Robert Warehime

Battlement Mesa