Opinion & Letters to the Editor

‘Push for higher standards’ at hospital
Opinion

‘Push for higher standards’ at hospital

April 23, 2023

As a local, independent physician, I found the April 16 news story in The Durango Herald report on Centura-Mercy Hospital inappropriately billing Medicare patients for claims that insurance already paid…

‘Slap in the face?’
Letters to the Editor

‘Slap in the face?’

April 23, 2023

In response to the letter on April 16 with the headline, “ ‘9 mm handgun’ at Cortez school auction?” where the letter writer says, “It is, in fact, a slap…

Guard pets during satanic gathering
Opinion

Guard pets during satanic gathering

April 20, 2023

The largest satanic gathering in our nation’s history will be held in Boston on April 27 through April 30. Satanic cults across the country, in every county of every state,…

Gun show ‘right’ after mass shootings?
Letters to the Editor

Gun show ‘right’ after mass shootings?

April 20, 2023

According to the Gun Violence Archive, by Saturday, there have been 160 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2023. Saturday was the 105th day of this year, which means we…

Yes, danger from gas wells
Opinion

Yes, danger from gas wells

April 17, 2023

In response to George Sharpe’s recent guest column, he’s wrong that there is not evidence of oil and gas posing danger to people’s health, and the industry doesn’t need further…

On public input: ‘Irony is rich’
Opinion

On public input: ‘Irony is rich’

April 17, 2023

Acting against the thoughtful input of 16 former City of Durango mayors, the expressed concerns of the Multimodal and Parks & Recreation Advisory Boards, and numerous local citizens, on Tuesday,…

‘9 mm handgun’ at Cortez school auction?
Opinion

‘9 mm handgun’ at Cortez school auction?

April 16, 2023

It has come to our attention that the Lewis-Arriola Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization has a 9 mm handgun as an item to be auctioned off at the annual Hoedown…

Wendt: ‘Durango in good hands’
Opinion

Wendt: ‘Durango in good hands’

April 16, 2023

Over the last four months, I have had the honor of getting to know both Dave Woodruff and Gilda Yazzie. Let me tell you this: Durango is in good hands.…

Poem: Internal Dust
Opinion

Poem: Internal Dust

April 16, 2023

In spring she moves from her old space underground to the stairs curving straight to the attic door. Her path strewn with books, books falling past her and before her,…

‘Boebert: Silent about dead kids’
Opinion

‘Boebert: Silent about dead kids’

April 16, 2023

The GOP has become an entirely performative, own-the-libs clown troupe. I give you our own Congressional sad harlequin, Lauren Boebert. In her time in Congress, she hasn’t sponsored a single…

‘Choice between political parties clear’
Opinion

‘Choice between political parties clear’

April 16, 2023

On the one hand, Colorado Democrat U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen has recently proposed legislation to understand and stem the import and flow of illicit drugs, such as fentanyl via a…

Focus on ‘suitability’ of gun owners
Opinion

Focus on ‘suitability’ of gun owners

April 16, 2023

I read the three letters on gun control on Sunday in The Durango Herald. One letter made a very good point, which encouraged me to think about this issue in…

Consider Russ Andrews for CD3
Opinion

Consider Russ Andrews for CD3

April 16, 2023

Carbondale resident Russ Andrews has tossed his hat into the ring as a Republican contender against Lauren Boebert. Andrews is not an “ultra-MAGA” follower. He believes Boebert is a “dividing…

Oppose Boebert’s wolf bill
Opinion

Oppose Boebert’s wolf bill

April 16, 2023

Over a year ago, local papers welcomed a family of wolves reintroducing themselves in northern Colorado and having pups. Early this year, three were tortured and killed by Wyoming hunters,…

Poem: In The City
Opinion

Poem: In The City

April 16, 2023

See men feeding upon men like so many fevers incubated from concrete. Birds with beaks of filth force through the haze escape. Mind, the Great Mind, and as her lover,…

Poem: Hiking Feet
Opinion

Poem: Hiking Feet

April 16, 2023

Toes up, heels down. Toes up, heels down. Dusty ankles left, dusty ankles right. Pesky pebbles, prickly pine needles. Toe stub, heel rub. Frigid wade in mountain creek. Toes down,…

‘Dems inching closer to police state’
Opinion

‘Dems inching closer to police state’

April 16, 2023

The Democrats started the game of “lawfare,” as it came to be called, with the serial indictments of Republican Tom DeLay. Basically, if you get a Democrat prosecutor to empanel…

‘Rule to force’ people to buy EVs
Opinion

‘Rule to force’ people to buy EVs

April 16, 2023

Showing the Democrat administration’s bent toward authoritarianism, the Environmental Protection Agency is proposing new rules governing tailpipe emissions. The new rules are not proposed because of pollution or risk of…

‘Vote like rights depend on it’
Opinion

‘Vote like rights depend on it’

April 12, 2023

A local meeting was supposed to be a community discussion about gun violence. It turned into a “patriots” circle jerk. They took over the meeting. The patriots are very much…

‘Why do those in power fear Trump?’
Opinion

‘Why do those in power fear Trump?’

April 12, 2023

When will this madness stop? The Manhattan district attorney indicted former President Donald Trump on charges that at least two left-leaning federal and state prosecutors previously passed on after looking…

‘Higher risk’ living near wells
Opinion

‘Higher risk’ living near wells

April 12, 2023

Published on April 5 in The Durango Herald, George Sharpe said, “There is absolutely no evidence that people living near those wells are in any danger whatsoever.” He has no…

‘Make abortion safe and legal’
Opinion

‘Make abortion safe and legal’

April 12, 2023

Over 20 years ago, the FDA approved the use of mifepristone, a very safe drug used in more than half of U.S. abortions. On Friday, a single Trump-appointed judge, Matthew…

‘Don’t ignore generous, valuable citizens’
Opinion

‘Don’t ignore generous, valuable citizens’

April 9, 2023

A letter to the editor and city councilors: As a former member of Durango’s Library Advisory Board, I respectfully write to share my thoughts directly with the councilors about their…

Drag shows ‘modern minstrel shows’
Opinion

Drag shows ‘modern minstrel shows’

April 9, 2023

Minstrel shows are outlawed because they depict a minority group in what some claim is an unflattering way. Professional sports teams are spending big bucks to have mascots that mimic…

‘Problem not the weapon’
Opinion

‘Problem not the weapon’

April 9, 2023

Assault rifle by definition: a rapid-fire magazine-fed automatic rifle designed for infantry use. An AR-15 is not an assault rifle. Just to educate the unknowing, AR does not stand for…

‘Laws only affect law abiding people’
Opinion

‘Laws only affect law abiding people’

April 9, 2023

When politicians and others call out for more gun laws, they seem to forget the simple fact that laws only affect law abiding people. If laws stopped people from doing…

Don’t raise age to buy gun
Opinion

Don’t raise age to buy gun

April 9, 2023

Our right to keep and bear arms is clearly stated in our U.S. Constitution. “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of…

The Love I’ve Found with You
Opinion

The Love I’ve Found with You

April 9, 2023

(To Linda, for our 55th) Like a sailor facing wave and wind Yet holding steady to a course that’s true I am safely bound for journey’s end Anchored in the…