Rubio’s policies are a betrayal of American diplomacy

In 1985, Secretary of State George Schultz supported the integrity of the State Department and its employees. He told President Reagan that he would resign rather than enact a Reagan administration plan to have State Department employees take lie detector tests to keep their security clearances.

The American Foreign Service Association says of Schultz: “First, while he was a fully committed Cold Warrior, he instinctively understood that not every trade-off of liberty for security is warranted. He was intensely loyal to his employees, and they trusted him to have their backs.”

Current Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in contrast, has ordered State Department employees to snitch on each other for perceived and arbitrary “anti-Christian bias.” Reports to this anonymous tip line should be “as detailed as possible, including names, dates, locations.”

And rather than Schultz’s patriotic, pro-America, anti-communist policies, Rubio is surrendering to China. He has ordered a slashing of American diplomatic presence and programs overseas — which is the unilateral disarmament of American global soft power.

This includes his wimpy acquiescence to Elon Musk’s illegal and unconstitutional dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID (used to) advances American interests by doing good, for example, preventing pandemics by strengthening health systems. We are all more at risk from an Ebola outbreak thanks to Rubio and Musk.

China is laughing at us. They are doubling down on foreign aid and investment, and their “wolf warrior” diplomats vigorously push Chinese interests. Meanwhile, betrayed American diplomats are ordered to snitch on each other and are fired from their jobs.

Matthew Gillen, Glenwood Springs

Thanks to the supporters of KDNK Community Radio

On behalf of the board and staff at KDNK Community Radio, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible community members and businesses who helped make our Spring Membership Drive a success. We raised over $88,100.

Your support ensures that KDNK continues to be a platform for local voices, diverse music, news, and storytelling that reflects the heart of our community. Every phone call, online donation, and shout-out of encouragement reminded us why community radio matters.

We’re also grateful to the local businesses who stepped up with challenge grants and in-kind donations. Your partnership shows the true strength of a community that supports one another.

KDNK thrives because of our listeners, members, and community partners. Thank you for standing by us and for believing in the power of local, independent radio. Also, it’s never too late to join the family; if you have a lapsed membership or are not yet a member, we encourage you to contact us today at KDNK.org or 970-963-0139.

With gratitude,

Erin Hollingsworth on behalf of The KDNK Board of Directors, Carbondale

Public lands are for families, not just fossil fuels

As a mom who loves to explore the outdoors with my family, I am deeply concerned about recent efforts to undermine public lands management and protections. Recent actions jeopardize the very places that families like mine treasure and rely on for recreation, natural beauty, and teaching our children the importance of the outdoors.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s and Congressman Jeff Hurd’s push to open up more public lands to oil and gas drilling is an assault on our community. These lands belong to all of us and should be managed for multiple uses including conservation and recreation uses — a balance that the Bureau of Land Management worked hard to reach in two resource management plans for the Western Slope adopted last year after years of stakeholder input. Now, Congressman Hurd seeks to overturn these carefully considered plans that earned broad community support to please an industry that sits on undeveloped leases while raking in profits hand over fist.

Further, Secretary Burgum’s illegal firings and forced retirements of federal land managers is deeply troubling. Cutting agency personnel puts our national parks, other public lands, and our surrounding communities at risk from wildfire and vandalism. These are beloved natural places, offering an accessible option for families to escape to nature and teach children about the importance of conservation. Fewer agency staff on the ground means reduced safety, fewer educational programs, and a less enjoyable experience for visitors. This is a direct threat to the future of these precious spaces and our gateway communities that house many of these dedicated public servants.

I want my children to grow up exploring these important community landscapes like the Thompson Divide that have been stewarded and passed down through generations in their natural states. Burgum’s and Hurd’s policies would destroy these opportunities for the sake of short-term corporate gain. Our congressional delegation in Colorado must stand up for our parks, our lands, and the future of our communities.

Lindsay Fallon, Carbondale