Future of local journalism

I disagree with Vince Bzdek’s concerns that democracy is doomed without “local journalism” (December 29 News Commentary). Well, I agree that truthful reporting of newsworthy events is critical to a well-functioning democratic republic. But that’s not what troubles Vince.

The “hollowing out of local news” is the real threat to our liberty, and Vince’s solution is found in the pockets of American taxpayers in the form of journalism scholarships for college-bound youths. $25 million of taxpayer dollars in California alone (with a $30 billion budget deficit). I would suggest that the failures of local news organizations (broadcast journalism is apparently not journalism to Vince) are more a result of free-market forces: advertisers shy away from dishonest and incomplete news reporting. It’s an economics lesson, not a personnel problem, i.e., too few youngsters heading to journalism school.

I stayed with the article long enough to learn that 70 newly minted California muckrakers have been dispatched to the “far corners of the state,” saving democracy from utter ruin. Other states are pursuing similar programs. The real kicker in this story is that while the state is allocating taxpayer money to fund the scholarships, the state is not in charge of administering the program. The Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism is in charge. Hmmm … Is it then fair to ask about the political biases these students have been taught since their school is the most leftist university in the country? I’m sure the newspapers they are assigned to will learn soon enough.

Chuck Fowler

Colorado Springs

A bigger war down the road

As a former military man and fan of learning from history, I am appalled by Donald Trump’s lack of leadership in general, but particularly in Ukraine. Trump wants to give land to Russia, behind Ukraine’s back, if possible. That’s capitulation.

Capitulation was the precondition for WWII we said we would never do again. When Neville Chamberlain came back to England after giving the Sudetenland (part of Czech Republic) to Adolph Hitler, he declared “Peace in our time!” which merely whetted Hitler’s appetite by making him a hero to the German people. Trump will do the same and make Putin a hero to the Russian people. Trump will claim he made peace and saved lives, but he’s just punting and creating conditions for a bigger war down the road. Real leadership would be Ronald Reagan’s strategy for the cold war, “We win, they lose.” Trump doesn’t have the guts to win. He just needs to fool the American people by “making deals” and staying in power. We don’t need a deal maker, we need a leader.

John Bittner

Colorado Springs

Pot, meet kettle

In response to Ken Burrows’ opinion, “Recall Albright’s warning” on December 27:

While Ken Burrows makes a thoughtful, compelling argument comparing Trump’s actions to “classic tactics of authoritarian regimes,” I wonder if he would be willing to apply this same litmus test to many of Biden’s actions while president.

Ruling largely by executive orders? Biden signed 162, some of which were challenged and overturned as unlawful (Student Loan Debt Relief Plan and Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate come to mind). Directing the government to censor information? Perhaps Ken Burrows missed the big reports that found the Joe Biden administration put immense pressure on Big Tech to censor content and deplatform Americans. Criminalizing legitimate dissent? Perhaps he has also forgotten Biden’s Orwellein “Disinformation Governance Board,” which existed to address disinformation threats to national security and equated misinformation with domestic terrorism. And don’t forget Biden’s “debanking” and even Barack Obama’s “Operation Choke Point,” which put pressure on banks to cut off services to disfavored industries and even conservative groups.

Finally, when it comes to curtailing citizens’ liberties, I can only wonder if Burrows has conveniently forgotten Biden’s COVID-19 masking, vaccine, and lockdown mandates. More broadly, this debate exposes a human flaw; we are all blind to our own prejudices. Authoritarian actions are easy to recognize in those we oppose but far harder to admit in those we support. If warnings about fascism are to carry weight, they must be applied consistently. Otherwise, one is left to wonder whether the pot has ever met the kettle.

Kari McCabe

Colorado Springs

Colorado’s fiscal crisis

As we all know the federal government recently passed some new tax savings measures for working Americans. It states that there will be no additional tax on earned tips and overtime wages.

Each state must adopt this rule by law to put it into effect. Colorado is
not going to adopt the rule.

When the voters of Colorado think the elected officials of Colorado care
about them and the cost of living in this state, think again.

It would seem obvious to us all how we are being treated as citizens and
taxpayers. Recently Jared Polis has had to face a state budget deficit to tune the
of a billion dollars. Most likely it’s a billion five hundred thousand dollars. His
solution was to cut Medicare money to the Medicare providers.

For comparison in 2015 when Polis was elected there was a $61.5 million
dollar surplus. Through TABOR taxpayers received a 153.6-million-dollar
refund 2015.

None of the people that are responsible for the spending spree for the
last 11 years have stepped up and taken ownership for their mistakes.
There has been no accountability for any of their actions.
For the last couple of weeks, the Gazette has published lots of facts and
figures relating to the failure in our State. One thing that is a common denominator
is the Democrats have run the State and local governments. Due to over
taxation, over regulation, extra fees, unnecessary work rules, work regulations
and new unsustainable building and permitting rules. Colorado is losing to
competing States.

Next it will be lack of energy and water supply!

Trig Travis

Aurora