Shame on the Post Independent

I found the letter written by John Hoffman disgusting and dangerous and I would think that the Post Independent would use better judgement than to print a letter condoning murder! We as a country are never better off when someone commits a murder! You can dislike Charlie Kirk and what he stood for, that is your opinion, but thousands of others supported him. Regardless, all that attended his rallies came of their own free will to hear and be heard. This should be supported without fear of violence. I would hope in the future this paper will use better discretion and not print such dangerous rhetoric.

Mary James, Carbondale

Why publish a letter ‘beyond reason’?

We actually agree with the first half of the first sentence of Mr. Hoffmann’s letter. Any rational person would be at least saddened by the act of premeditated cold-blooded murder of anyone.

But then to rationalize this act by saying Charlie Kirk asked for this to happen. Then to say “that the U.S. is in a better place now” by an act that not only violates many laws but goes directly against all norms of civilization is beyond reason.

Joe Blanc’s letter to the editor was spot on with his response to Mr. Hoffmann as was Mark Barritt’s wonderful comment when he said “The eyes are the window to the soul. Look in the mirror. Look deeply into your own eyes. Do you see love, or do you see hate? If you see hate, you can cast out that hate by filling your mind and your heart with thoughts of God and prayer. You can actually turn away from hate, and this country must turn away from hate. Charlie Kirk engaged in respectable debate in the public square. His goal was to educate people so that they could make an informed, educated decision on the facts. Since his death Turning Point USA says campus chapter requests surge over 32,000 in the 1st 48 hours after Kirk’s assassination per USA Today and the New York Post.

Lastly, we have to question the rationale of the Post Independent’s editorial review process and ethical standards. To actively participate in polluting the public discourse by providing a platform to advance an act which goes against all standards of civilization, makes one wonder. 

The day we understand that the right wing and the left wing are part of the same bird, the American Eagle…Only then can the eagle fly and America be great. 

John Harcourt, Michael Watts, William DuBois, Bill Barnes and Bruce Bennett, New Castle

USDA Farm to School grants 

The USDA’s new Farm to School grants are more than just funding—they’re a chance to transform how children eat and how they think about food. Imagine school cafeterias filled with fresh, local fruits and vegetables, offering meals that are vibrant, delicious, and entirely plant based.

This is about more than nutrition. It’s about teaching kids that what’s on their lunch tray can protect their health, safeguard our planet, and show compassion for animals—all at once. What better legacy could we give the next generation than the knowledge that food can be both kind and powerful?

Farm to School programs don’t just connect classrooms to local farms; they can set the standard for what compassionate, sustainable eating looks like. If schools seize this moment, students will carry forward the lesson that every meal is a chance to make the world better. That’s a change worth fighting for.

Fred Stoddemeyer, Glenwood Springs

Thanks to council for supporting Thompson Divide

As a long time resident of Glenwood Springs, I want to personally thank the City Council for passing the resolution reaffirming support for protecting the Thompson Divide. It’s really heartening to see our local leaders come together and stand up for this special place during such tenuous times.

The Thompson Divide isn’t just a tract of land to me—it’s where I’ve hiked, explored, and shared hearty outdoor experiences with students and friends alike. Having guided numerous wilderness trips there, I know how unique and vital this area is. It’s a place that helps us reconnect with nature and remember why we live in the Rockies. Protecting wild spaces isn’t just about preserving land—it’s about protecting the experiences that make our greater community so exceptional.

I also want to stress how important the Council’s support for the CORE Act is. The Act is a significant step forward to make these types of protections permanent and reinforces recent federal withdrawal memoranda which permanently prohibit further oil and gas exploration. I look forward to seeing the CORE Act pass through Congress so we can keep places like Thompson Divide wild and accessible for generations to come.

Kudos to the Glenwood Springs City Council for your leadership and commitment to conservation. Protecting the Thompson Divide benefits all of us—our environment, our economy, and the outdoor experiences we cherish.

Sincerely, 

Bob Campbell, Glenwood Springs