Rescue mission takes a huge hit

The Springs Rescue Mission (SRM) provides an incredible service to the El Paso community. As of July 1, the Gazette announced the $1.5 million budget cuts to occur there. The impact was immediate as 23 layoffs occurred, although I’ve heard the number might be double that.

These programs help people find a way out of poverty, addiction and homelessness. I am no expert in the rescue mission. Six months ago, I started volunteering there a few times a month. I’ve consistently observed the kitchen workers and others’ overwhelming compassion. As I serve lunch, I’ve heard so many thank-yous from those getting a grilled cheese sandwich and soup. Conversations occur throughout the dining room developing a healthy community atmosphere.

I’ve sensed God’s presence there, and a prayer of thankfulness and needs is offered as my lunch shift wraps up at 1:30. Besides lunch, breakfast and dinner also are offered.

At times it feels awkward around the homeless, but we are each made in God’s image. A friend recently told me ”noticing, acknowledging and speaking something helpful” to those struggling should be a goal for all of us. The largest cause for these budget cuts was a reduction of donations from our Colorado Springs community. Making a donation to the Springs Rescue Mission or volunteering is a way to positively impact those right here in Colorado Springs who desperately need help. Contact www.SpringsRescueMission.org or 719-632-1822.

Doug Petersen

Colorado Springs

Changes at the EPA

By most estimates, global temperatures have risen by about 2.4 degrees since 1900. Also, it is accepted that planet temperatures have been changing throughout its history and have been much hotter than now — before the advent of man-made CO2 emissions. So, the fact that the planet is in a constant state of change, regardless of man-made effect, should be of no surprise.

The EPA has announced a proposal to revoke the “Endangerment Finding,” which was promulgated in 2009 by the Obama EPA.

This finding resulted from an assessment by the EPA that CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions were harmful to human health. This finding led to such regulations as the EV mandate and other regulations designed to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

However, Congress has never given the EPA the specific authority to regulate these gases. The present position of the EPA is that it lacks this authority, and Congress must act if they wish the EPA to have this power.

Coincident with this announcement by the EPA, the Department of Energy issued a report titled “A Critical Review of Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions on the U.S. Climate.”

This report was written by five well-known and respected climate scientists, and addressed a host of issues related to climate change. The report points out the extreme complexity of factors affecting changes in climate and the inherent inability of today’s climate models to address this effect, and thus reliability in predicting future temperatures.

These models have historically and consistently overpredicted global temperatures. Regarding extreme weather events, the authors could not identify statistically significant increases in extreme weather events associated with the recent increases in global temperatures. Further, global data show that wildfire coverage is constant or declining on every continent, however there is evidence that the intensity of fires in some regions is worsening.

Robert Duenckel

Colorado Springs

We didn’t sign up for this

With the insanity of “Trump Act II”, I’d like to point out some “surprises” he had up his sleeve for those like me who would never vote for him. And no, we never asked for this.

Many who did not vote for Trump were not in favor of his pardon of 1,500+ convicted insurrectionists. We who didn’t vote for this nightmare of a president didn’t think he’d threaten the annexation of Canada. Many are uncomfortable with airliners carrying mostly people of color disappearing to unknown destinations without due process.

Many of us who didn’t vote for this authoritarian are uncomfortable with U.S. goon squads wearing ski masks, urinating on the Constitution with their Third World tactics. Many of us who didn’t vote for this inept impostor knew of his plans for the extermination of Palestinians to make way for a new Riviera.

Project 2025? The serial liar said he never heard of it before the election.

The truth? It’s always been his MAGA marching orders. Crushing needy Americans, and, yes, worker bees, to benefit the filthy rich. Maybe saying “bye-bye” to our local hospitals? No, we all didn’t sign up for this madness.

Apparently millions did, but no mandate exists for this.

That’s a fairy tale.

Keith Riker

Mancos

The rest of the story

I am so irate at the one-sided, totally Japanese-sympathetic article printed on the front page of The Gazette on Wednesday. Nowhere in the article is there a mention of the thousands killed when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. This Japanese attack was completely unprovoked by the U.S. and started the Pacific fighting of World War II. The Japanese rulers and military were ruthless in their quest for victory over the United States.

If the atomic bombs had not been used on Japan, my father, along with an estimated half-million U.S. soldiers, would have died in the planned ground assault on Japan. Tell the rest of the story, Gazette!

Cindy Huntley

Monument