‘Voices & Thoughts’ Archives
Obituary: Mark R. Simon
Mark R. Simon January 3, 1958 – October 30, 2012 Mark Roland Simon was born Jan. 3, 1958 in Longmont, Colorado to OrLee and Dixie Simon and shortly thereafter moved to Loveland where he graduated from Loveland High School in 1976, While attending Colorado Mountain College he met Cathy Culter and they were married September 15, 1979 in Greeley. They lived in Loveland, later moving to a small farm near Berthoud that Mark thought of as his little slice of heaven and couldn’t imagine ... Full Story
Civil Discourse and The Clash of Ideas
By Lee H. Hamilton The election of 2012 has called attention to how difficult it is for Americans to talk reasonably with one another about public policy challenges. Our civic dialogue — how we sort through issues and reason with one another — is too often lamentable. We live in a politically divided country. Congress, which ought to serve as the forum where politicians of diverse views find common ground, is instead riven by ideological disagreements. ... Full Story
The “Heart” of the 2012 Presidential Campaign
What a privilege we have in this country to vote for the person who is arguably the most powerful head of state in the free world. Those of us who enjoy personal involvement in politics find these campaigns driven by high spirits, high expectations and even higher emotions. However, there has been a new element introduced to the election this year – that of hatred. This isn’t just “simple” hatred but rather the kind that is so intimidating that even those of ... Full Story
GOP plays the Christianity card
The Myth of the Christian Right By Mary Shaw (about the author) GOP politicians and their followers love to play the Christianity card. They wave their bibles and wag their fingers at anyone whose behavior doesn't pass their sanctimonious moral judgment. They call themselves Christians, but in Catholic school I was taught that Christians adore and follow Jesus Christ. These holier-than-thou Republicans don't reflect ... Full Story
New Arrival: Owen Michael Nee
Owen Michael Nee was born at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center’s Family Birthing Center on October 23 at 3:04 a.m. He weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 20 inches long. Owen’s parents are Lawrence and Sarah Nee of Buena Vista. He has a sister, Rylan, 19 months. Grandparents are Bob and Lisa Rue of Berthoud, Colo., Joe Nee of Ellicott, Colo., and Carrie Nee of Colorado Springs. Great-grandparents are Roberta Rue, and Ron and Kitty Rue, all of Denver, ... Full Story
Karen Stockley for Larimer Commissioner
Karen Stockley for Larimer Commissioner, the candidate we need. My neighbors and I are concerned about fracking near our properties. Industry representatives tell us this practice is safe. We hear about millions of gallons of our precious water chemically poisoned and pumped into wells, never to be returned to the hydrologic cycle. Is this water purchaser from municipalities? We're told that we must build water storage because the front range is ... Full Story
Republicans: Party of Rape
There has been a great deal of comment among Republicans on the subject of rape. See the accompanying articles. In all these comments, the onus seems to be put upon the woman. It is almost as if these Republican men blame the women for getting raped. Never have we heard them talk about the rapist. The obvious conclusion is that Republicans condon rape for the rapist (man) but not the victim (woman). On the other side of the Republican coin, is the attitude that sex is a sin and should ... Full Story
Washington Needs to Lead. Now
By Lee H. Hamilton A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with a group of prominent business leaders that I’m still mulling over. We were talking about the intersection between business and government, and they were pretty unhappy. The chief target of their displeasure wasn’t any of the usual suspects, though. Instead of lambasting taxes or regulations, they were most worried about uncertainty in Washington. Their ... Full Story
Obituary: Marlene Laura Hoffmann
Marlene Laura Hoffmann, 74, of Berthoud, died October 15, 2012 at her home. She was born July 19, 1938 in Leicester, New York to Thomas L. and Dorothy I. (Gilliland) Walsh. Marlene lived in Ogden, New York before moving to Berthoud. While in New York she met George A. Hoffman, they were married in Rochester on April 26, 1958. Marlene was a skilled homemaker who also worked as a telephone operator for a short period of time. She loved reading, collecting, and watching sports. Marlene is ... Full Story
Obituary: Evelyn Lure Sandersen
Evelyn Lure Sandersen August 28, 1922 – October 20, 2012 Evelyn Lure Sandersen died October 20, 2012 at the Sterling House in Longmont. She was 90 years old. She was born August 28, 1922 in Estes Park to Grover C. and Hattie Opal (Clark) Williams. On July 11, 1943 she married Edward H. Sandersen. They lived in Berthoud for a short time, and in 1947 moved to a farm west of Longmont in the community of Hygiene where they ... Full Story