Animal Writes
Recently, I have noticed a quarter page ad with a close up image of a black & white spotted bull that simply says, “The Animal is Lurking.” What is this ad about? There is no website or contact info attached to it … Where is this statement coming from?
Nicole Kinsler, Carbondale
Editor’s note: To answer Nicole’s inquiry, which other readers were surely wondering about as well, the ad in question is in reference to “Animal Writes,” a quarterly publication planned in partnership with The Sopris Sun that is due to launch on March 21. An article in last week’s issue, “The Animal is approaching,” provides more details.
Trump v. Colorado
Colorado referenced Section Three of the 14th Amendment as a means for disqualifying Trump from appearing on the state’s primary ballot for his insurrection on Jan 6, 2021. Trump took it to the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard arguments on Thursday, Feb. 8. All of the justices made arguments against the use of Section Three. Their arguments revealed a lack of knowledge of Section Three and of the trial that was conducted on the matter in Colorado.
One of their most specious complaints was that it should not be left up to a state to exclude a candidate. That is ridiculous, because the states run their individual elections independent from federal control. It is their responsibility to qualify candidates for the ballots. Ironically, the SCOTUS has in recent years been moving formerly federal functions to the states. Voting, abortions and environmental issues are examples.
There was just one brief question about whether or not there actually was an insurrection. Trump’s lawyer said, no, that it was just a riot.
If the SCOTUS reverses the Colorado case, they just kick the can down the road.
Should Trump win the presidency, he will be challenged immediately. Can you imagine what a mess that will be? Martial law? Could our government even function?
Here is another surprising fact. Four members of this court participated in the 2000 Bush v. Gore lawsuit, siding with former President Bush. Justice Thomas was on the court and voted for Bush, and justices Roberts, Kavanaugh and Barret were on Bush’s legal team. The Florida Supreme Court voted unanimously to continue the ballot counting, but SCOTUS voted 5 to 4 to stop the voting. There were thousands of votes still uncounted. So much for the rights of states to conduct their own votes. As they say: politicians in black robes.
Patrick Hunter, Carbondale
Eagle County property tax
The 24.8% increase in 2024 for Eagle County property taxes represents one of the most spectacular failures in political leadership that I have seen in my lifetime.
From the Governor and state representatives, who did not act aggressively enough to address the problem before it hit us, all the way down to the county commission and various taxing districts within the county, which were remiss in not adjusting millage rates to offset the 51.2% increase in property values, this is literally one of the egregious unvoted-upon tax increases since Boston Tea Party times.
Rents will go up and more families will be placed in jeopardy of losing their homes, making Eagle County even more unaffordable for working class citizens than it already is.
Do us all a favor. Don’t wait for the November elections, RESIGN NOW, so that you can be replaced with capable leaders pledged to reverse this incalculable damage to our democratic system of fair taxation in the State of Colorado.
Mike Meehan, Avon
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