The petroleum blockade on Cuba; BVSD must address bullying of Jewish students (Letters)
The US petroleum blockade on Cuba
Last December, due to high winds and wildfire risk, Xcel cut power to many parts of Boulder County for three to five days. As we live in the foothills and rely on an electric pump for well water, we drove into town to shower at our local gym. We purchased a 3kW generator to keep our refrigerator running, power a few lights, and charge our cell phones. Many Boulder restaurants still had electricity, so we were able to eat dinner in town. The outage was inconvenient, but for most of us it was temporary and manageable.
Last January, the U.S. government began imposing a blockade on all petroleum imports to Cuba. Cuba is a sovereign country and did not provoke the United States in any way that would justify this immoral action. Eight months later, the blockade continues. The effects are severe: Grocery stores struggle without reliable refrigeration, hospitals cannot consistently operate life-saving medical equipment and families face prolonged power outages during record-setting summer heat. Yet our local and national news have given little attention to these restrictions or to the hardships they are causing our Cuban neighbors. This policy deserves serious public scrutiny.
Many U.S. citizens choose to practice a religion that teaches compassion, mercy and concern for others. I have yet to learn of a religion that supports imposing suffering on people in other countries. Can you imagine our outrage if Xcel chose, for any reason, to cut our power supply for eight months?
At our best, the United States has been known for generosity, humanitarian concern and goodwill toward people around the world. The U.S. should end this cruel energy blockade and support the Cuban people. Cooperative trade and goodwill are easily implemented by the wealthiest democratic country in the Americas. It is not difficult to be kind.
Readers who want to evaluate the U.S. petroleum blockade policy on Cuba should ask their elected officials and news organizations to explain the legal authority, scope and stated purpose of these restrictions.
Roger Larson, Boulder
BVSD must address bullying and harassment of Jewish students
The articles by Amy Bounds on the bullying and harassment of Jewish students in the Boulder Valley School District have been spot on.
On Aug. 11, Dr. Anderson, BVSD’s superintendent, did offer an apology to the student and his family who are the subjects of the Anti-Defamation League’s June 11 Title VI complaint to the Dept. of Education Office of Civil Rights. While deeply appreciated, this comes way too late. Student A was the subject of numerous and repeated instances of bullying (physical assault and mental) and harassment throughout the 7th and 8th grades at Southern Hills Middle School. These were repeatedly reported by his parents in writing. Despite the district’s clear policies and website pronouncements, the perpetrators were given only a few slaps on the wrist. Policy JDHB (Bullying Prevention), Board Policy AC (Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity) and Colorado Law SB23-296 were all in place.
We DO NOT need more expensive bureaucratic garbage on this! No new advisory committee, no creation of a district team, and no more sugar-coated reports from the Complaints Investigator — get rid of the position; the district already has multiple complaints investigators — teachers, principals, numerous administrative personnel. Those in charge must correct this at once or be dismissed (or resign), including Board Members who are ultimately responsible.
The alternative: When I was in college, I was attacked and beat up outside my dorm for holding bible and prayer meetings in my dorm room. The next morning my father cancelled all his scheduled surgeries and drove two and a half hours one way to the college to meet with the dean. The two thug perpetrators were told that day that if they participated in any more such activities against anyone, they would be immediately and permanently expelled. Listen up: That solved the problem.
Joe Turnbow, Louisville
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