Dear Editor,

If I were to write the president concerning our recent situation in the Middle East, here is what I would ask:

Do we supply nuclear material, and have we for some time, to Iraq, Iran and Pakistan?

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Do not both France and the Soviet Union supply Iraq with nuclear material for reactors?

Has the U.S., since 1975, not been able to account for 536 sources of (potentially weapon grade) plutonium provided to some 33 other countries?

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Has the U.S. not supplied radioactive plutonium and uranium to some 60 countries around the world as part of the Cold War Atoms for Peace project started in the 1950s by President Eisenhower for use in nuclear energy and research?

Has not the last decade of U.S. on Iraq economic sanctions, started by your father, ended up killing more innocent civilians (about 1 of every 23) than have all of the chemical, biological and nuclear weapons used in all of human history combined, while costing the Iraqis over $160 billion in potential oil revenues?

Did not the Reagan-Bush administration initiate supporting Iraq against Iran for the first five or six years until Iran fell?

Is not Iraq sitting on top of the second largest known oil reserve in the world?

Can you explain to me how our going to war with Iraq is about nothing but oil, as was taking Alaska over as a state?

Sincerely asked,

Doc Philip

Carbondale

Dear Editor,

I am writing to correct a few misconceptions that may have resulted from statements in the My Side commentary by Steve Shute that appeared in the GSPI on Jan. 6.

First, Mr. Shute states that the “Colorado Aeronautical Division [of the Colorado Department of Transportation] has designated Glenwood Springs a critical `reliever’ airport for Eagle and Aspen.”

A review of the Colorado Aeronautical Division’s Web site (see http://www.colorado-aeronautics.org/aeromap.htm) makes clear that Glenwood has not been designated as a critical reliever airport but is merely a general aviation airport.

There are, in fact, only four reliever airports in Colorado, which are intended to “alleviate airspace congestion and operation levels in the metropolitan areas around Denver and Colorado Springs.” Thus, maintaining Glenwood Springs’ airport is not crucial to Aspen’s or Eagle’s services.

Second, Mr. Shute stated that the Glenwood Springs airport “is also on the National Air Transportation Association’s list of America’s 100 Most Needed Airports.”

While that statement is true in that the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) included Glenwood’s airport in its list, it is critical to recognize two things.

First, NATA is a national trade association for pilots and other aviation service providers, designating itself the “voice of aviation business.”

Second, the list is comprised of submissions by members and intended to designate those airports that needed improvement or faced opposition from their community. Indeed, in addition to the geographic and demographic attributes that Mr. Shute mentions as criteria for such a designation, NATA also included those airports that faced “hostile political circumstances.” (See http://www.nata-online.org/2GovWatch/Archive/S.20010105.100Arpts.htm)

Is it any surprise that someone with aviation interests would have felt compelled to nominate Glenwood’s airport to this list? Contrary to the implication, however, this designation was not made by any governmental authority or independent and disinterested third party on the basis of need.

Finally, I want to remind those interested in the subject that the Glenwood Springs City Council will hold a special meeting inviting public comment on the future use of the airport space.

All those interested in sharing their opinion regarding the best use for this space should plan to attend the meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 6 p.m.

Sincerely,

Kristin Taylor Randall

Glenwood Springs

Dear Editor,

During Christmas, Glenwood Springs, my hometown, shifted closer together as a pack of animals keeping warm so that there were no cracks through which the grieving might fall. Glenwood revealed its sweetness and faithfulness to me during the sad holidays. Inspiration is not a true enough word to express what I felt from the Rippy family and everyone around them.

My future husband and I want to have lives that enrich our community and society, in the hope that our lives and others’ will have meaning, and hope to raise children with those same values.

We do not always know what choices to make or how to pursue this somewhat abstract desire.

The Rippy family, on the quiet afternoon of Stuart’s service, showed us how in the truest way anyone can – by demonstration.

They shared intimate memories of their life and family so that we might understand Stuart, a gesture that showed trust and love for the place where they have raised their family and built a home. They are a cornerstone in this community because they love and trust others, plant gardens, play, travel, invite travelers into their home, participate in the community, teach their children acceptance and peace, and live life enthusiastically.

Beauty and goodness, which often occur in the midst of suffering, are not enough to explain why we suffer. Perhaps the reason for human suffering will never be explained.

More importantly, beauty and goodness explain why we want to live and love each other, and there is so much goodness here, thanks to people like the Rippys.

Love,

Sarah Evans

San Francisco