LETTERS

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Where’s the Boulder grand jury in this crime?

[District Attorney] Stan Garnett was quoted on Feb. 22, 2014, “Philosophically I have a real belief that the grand jury process is valuable.”

If that statement is still true and correct, the question must be raised as to, 1. Why the grand jury did not conduct an investigation?

According to the Fifth and Seventh amendments, a grand jury must be empaneled “… at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed 20 dollars….”

2. Why would the district attorney state that he is bringing forth counts on “pregnancy statutes” when statutes are not law?

Additionally, a map of state fetal (baby) homicide (statutes, not) laws was removed to avoid confusion. Suppose the people within Boulder County, our society, truly had a grand jury “…over whose functioning the courts do not preside…” Justice Scalia, is it possible that a true bill, an indictment would be handed down for a prosecution of murder? Laci Peterson was eight months pregnant (as Michelle) when her and her unborn son Conner were murdered by Scott Peterson, who was sentenced to death in 2002, and remains on death row.

3. Does deceased baby Aurora have a value less than 20 dollars? Or does a district attorney have authority to decide to prosecute under statute rather than law?

Charlie von Schlesien/Boulder

Middle East equilibrium 

Due to indecision by the Obama White House to support moderate Sunni rebels in Syria, Islamic terrorists in Syria (ISIS) were able to reposition forces and attack the Iraqi Army, which folded and abandoned its U.S. equipment, including many Humvees and 155mm guns. The Iraqi government requested air strikes against ISIS, but President Obama ignored the request, referring to ISIS as the “JV Team.” The result was ISIS captured our military equipment and established territory from which they can launch terrorist attacks. We belatedly decided to send advisers to assist the Iraqi Army, and we launched air strikes against ISIS.

We appear to be fostering equilibrium in the Middle East with Shiites of Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq counterweighted by Sunnis of Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, Syria and Iraq. We should continue to conduct air strikes, training and covert operations in Iraq and Syria to counter ISIS. The Kurds, who are reliable Arab allies, should be well armed. Other Arabs, including so called moderates, should be sold used equipment without spare parts.

With the decrease in our depen dence on Middle East oil, containment of turmoil and fighting by Arabs in the Middle East could translate to increased security for the U.S. and other countries.

Donald A. Moskowitz/Londonderry, N.H.

College of Political Knowledge 2015

Is there a local issue that has you fired up? Are you ready to step up and run for office, be a campaign manager or campaign volunteer? Or maybe you’d like to encourage someone with leadership potential.

Running for office may seem like a big step, but the College of Political Knowledge will give you the tools to help ensure your success.

For over 20 years, the Boulder Chamber’s College of Political Knowledge (CPK) has stood alone as the launching pad for local campaigns, providing those interested in running for office the opportunity to learn first-hand from successful candidates, from winning candidates, election officials and media experts. Our illustrious alumni include elected officials, campaign managers and candidates from every level, local to state-wide.

At the Boulder Chamber, we believe that elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, and we promote broad civic participation as part of our mission. Accordingly, we offer the CPK as a nonpartisan, inclusive seminar series free and open to the public. The series is in two parts, “So You Want to Run for City Council?” on April 13, and “School Board and Regional Candidates” on April 20. We hope all interested parties will consider attending one or both sessions to fit their needs.

The College of Political Knowledge has been promoted by the major political party organizations and is widely recognized as Boulder’s premier political seminar. Both sessions will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Boulder Chamber on 2440 Pearl St. For more information, visit http://boulderchamber.com/events/.

Angelique Espinoza, public affairs director, Boulder Chamber 

Respond: letters@boulderweekly.com