{"id":1320474,"date":"2020-06-11T22:29:29","date_gmt":"2020-06-12T04:29:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/?p=997204"},"modified":"2020-06-11T22:29:29","modified_gmt":"2020-06-12T04:29:29","slug":"friday-letters-climate-change-menconi-justice-method-to-remedy-the-outdoors-americas-soul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/local-news\/friday-letters-climate-change-menconi-justice-method-to-remedy-the-outdoors-americas-soul\/","title":{"rendered":"Friday letters: climate change, Menconi, justice, method to remedy, the outdoors, America\u2019s soul"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image p402_hide\">\n<div class=\"caption-container\">\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/11\/Letters-Graphic-1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/11\/Letters-Graphic-1.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/11\/Letters-Graphic-1-300x169.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Individual actions will not solve the warming problem<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>418 ppm is the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air at Mauna Kea in Hawaii. The earth has not seen this level in ages \u2014 archeological that is. This number is going up even as the pandemic has pushed down the daily emissions, and by an amount more than we have seen in years. What will be done about this?<\/p>\n<p>Let me describe a similar problem about the will to make painful changes. The Ogallala underground reservoir runs north and south from Texas to South Dakota. Huge amounts of water are pumped up to water crops. The water level is declining rapidly at an ever-increasing rate. More wells are going dry. As wells dry, the farms will stop producing. Everyone there knows about this, and practically nothing is being done. Individuals are locked into making a living. Individual actions will not solve the problem.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The coronavirus pandemic has given us a pause to see a significant change. But the overwhelming pressure is to get the economy going again as fast as possible, and then some. In other words, to keep doing all the things that have brought us climate change, and then some. We are missing a great opportunity to re-frame the paradigm. Again, individual actions will not solve this problem.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col\" readability=\"6\">\n<div class=\"row gspi-donation gspi-donation-mobile p-0\" readability=\"7\">\n<div class=\"col-xl-4 p-2\">\n<div data-bg=\"url(https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/03\/PI-logo-white.png)\" class=\"p-0 mt-2 mb-2 h-75 text-center rocket-lazyload\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/03\/PI-logo-white.png\" class=\"logo m-0 p-0 invisible\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"d-inline mr-3\">Support Local Journalism<\/h3>\n<p><button class=\"btn d-inline\" type=\"button\" onclick=\"handleDonationButtonClickMidArticle()\">Donate<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Locally, in Carbondale and the rest of the valley, building projects are cranking, more are in the pipeline, and the population is increasing rapidly. Community leaders are demanding more housing, which will force more development and more population growth.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>I have been fretting and writing about our little problem for years now. (The demise of life as we know it.) Locally, we are going the wrong way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>I am open to suggestions: What will we do about this?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pat Hunter<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Carbondale<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Menconi embodies integrity, maintaining focus on greater good<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Your ballot arriving soon gives you a clear opportunity to vote for change. The Democratic primary contest for Colorado Senate District 8 is an important opportunity to send a voice of conscience to Denver. Arn Menconi embodies integrity, maintaining focus on the greater good of all people and our planet. He\u2019s well-acquainted, over decades, with many of our current leaders in Denver, as he was an Eagle County commissioner for eight years. Arn Menconi founded and ran a nationwide nonprofit designed to mentor at-risk youth. An avid recreationist and father, Arn has become increasingly involved in the effort to safeguard our environment.<\/p>\n<p>I attended a debate here at Durango Public Library in 2018, among Arn and two other candidates for U.S. House (one of whom is his current opponent). Everyone was unanimous in saying that Arn won the debate, including folks who had shown up in T-shirts from his current opponent. They all cited his broad knowledge of issues, as well as solutions, his articulateness, his ability to inspire and his commitment to be of service.<\/p>\n<p>Please vote Arn Menconi in the Democratic primary for Colorado Senate District 8.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Laurie Roberts<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Bayfield<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Not revenge \u2014 justice<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Annette Roberts-Gray\u2019s letter on Wednesday really sums it up. Addresses every one of the attributes a president should not have. Like Steve King\u2019s Republican defeat yesterday in their primary. Defeated by a man who couldn\u2019t care less who Donald Trump is. Trump used to like Steve King when he was in Iowa. He used to re-tweet some of King\u2019s idiotic tweets. So the people of Iowa woke up. Glad to see it. Great news. Not fake news, just good old news reported by Republicans in Iowa\u2019s 5th Congressional District.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>So, Bruno Kirchenwitz from Rifle, the number of \u201crogue\u201d policemen in Minnesota who killed George Floyd is now four. One now has a second degree murder charge (mandatory 40-year minimum sentence), and the other three policemen are charged with aiding and abetting a murder \u2014 mandatory sentence 40 years for all.<\/p>\n<p>Now, the other important bit of trivia is that Minnesota\u2019s African American population comprises only 7% of the general state population. but Minnesota\u2019s prison system has 51% of the population being African Americans. Guess what happens next? 40 years for those former cops in solitary confinement for their own protection.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>My heart goes out to George Floyd\u2019s family. I could only watch the video once, that\u2019s all.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>My heart soars knowing where these relatively young police officers in Minnesota will be for the next forever. Not revenge. Justice.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Steven Gluckman<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Glenwood Springs<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>There is a method to remedy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As we go about our diverse methods of taking it to Church this Sunday, let us consider there is a method to remedy. If we do wish the Enlightenment ideals and Biblical truths that formed the ethics of our justice system to come forth from the feudalism that remains its dissonant structure, we too must come forth to accept our portion of remedy.<\/p>\n<p>In the Western world, and not missing or omitted from our Constitution but the unintended consequences of this condition of governance brought about by warring factions, is spelled out in the chapter Matt 5, of the Bible. Something AA people somewhat understand but misapply to keep the recovering stuck in the structure of fearing their nemesis; the molecule of alcohol \u2014 much as does military style training leaves cops in fear of going home to their family via flawed application.<\/p>\n<p>The correct way to approach the Beatitudes is as a ladder of concentric spheres of influence. Each is operable only by the fulfillment of the lower, more intimate level within the coaxial relationships. First, to address any grievance, upset or injustice one (be they victim or the accused) one must admit being poor in spirit; admit one is trying to solve dualities by remaining effected by them, thus one is availed to properly grieve the grievance, placing one in the inheritance that be our terrestrial struggles in proper balance as to ensure our hunger and thirsting for righteousness is at a level that can effect the change needed, within a pure heart then capable of being the peacemakers of those of us (as humanity) remain persecuted by the Son of Cain and the outcomes of his poor offering, given in that first school of ethics and justice, forming their and thus the tribe\u2019s, and later the society\u2019s, constitution.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Eric Olander<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Glenwood Springs<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>The outdoors is everyone<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Some questions challenge us. Some questions divide us. Some questions we debate.<\/p>\n<p>But there\u2019s one idea that is not at all challenging.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Nor is it divisive.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not even debatable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>This question is simple and its answer easy:<\/p>\n<p>Who is the outdoors?&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The outdoors is you. The outdoors is everyone.<\/p>\n<p>For 25 years, Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers has built, maintained and restored trails through the efforts of community members like yourself. All our volunteers sweat together, regardless of age, ability or background. Every hiker, biker and horseback rider who then uses our community\u2019s trails gets to experience what we share: nature.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Yes, there are stormy days \u2026 or even stormy months. Rain can erode the fine-packed dirt. But when clouds darken the sky, we plan for the fruitful work that sunshine will allow.<\/p>\n<p>Whatever the national weather, our trails remain. And although our nation\u2019s map may seem confusing, we know that our local trails will always lead towards greater community.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Our open spaces are public spaces, and they\u2019re public for every person. That\u2019s the reason RFOV is proud of you: By taking care of a trail, you ensure that our region will have a pathway to find ourself, wherever we may be. Join us as we make community with our own hands.<\/p>\n<p>And when you ask the question \u201cWho is the outdoors?\u201d please remember to answer:&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The outdoors is you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The outdoors is everyone.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ron Rash<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>executive director<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Selling the soul of America<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Almost every day of the last three and a half years of the Trump presidency, my friends and I would be in conversation on the phone and one of us would say, \u201cCan things get any worse?\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s finally happened. It cannot get any worse, unless some foreign power bombs the U.S. of America, We are now living in all of the following times: 1974 (corruption in the government), 1918 (pandemic in America), 1929 (the Great Depression \u2014 we are heading for it), and now the race riots of the \u201960s, specifically 1968.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>To top it all off, President Trump is the worst combination of George Wallace and Richard Nixon. In the middle of the protests of George Floyd\u2019s murder by the Minneapolis police officer, President Trump is now threatening to send out the military against the American people. We have tolerated his 18,000 lies and all the other corruption of the last three and a half years, his cussing and insulting everyone who doesn\u2019t agree with him or praise him, rolling back all the good that President Obama did for our country, and I am extremely concerned that he may start murdering Americans any day now.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>People of the Republican Party, please wake up. This isn\u2019t Democrat against Republican anymore. This is truth against fiction and right against wrong. Can you be so scared of the black- and brown-skinned people that you are willing to sell the Soul of America to the devil? Please turn your TV channel to any of the other channels, other than Fox News, to hear the truth of what is happening in our country.<\/p>\n<p>I am praying continually every day for something positive to come out of all of this. It\u2019s so very hard to see it now, but we must all vote in November of this year and pray for some civil and honest leadership in our country.<\/p>\n<p>God help us, and God bless America.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Linda Carr<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Eagle<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/opinion\/friday-letters-climate-change-menconi-justice-method-to-remedy-the-outdoors-americas-soul\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: Post Independent<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Individual actions will not solve the warming problem 418 ppm is the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air at Mauna Kea in Hawaii. The earth has not seen this level in ages \u2014 archeological that is. This number is going up even as the pandemic has pushed down the daily emissions, and by an [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[160],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1320474","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-local-news"},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-25 22:19:37","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSKE Ski Country","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1320474","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1320474"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1320474\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1320474"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1320474"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1320474"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}