With the weather warming up, now is the time to think about how you want your yard to serve your family, pets and wildlife. Maybe you’re aiming to have the best yard on the block, want to install an outdoor family room or outdoor office, or want to expand your space for entertaining. Perhaps your kids or pets could use a better space for play. Regardless of need, now is the time to get “backyard ready” for spring. What tools do you need?
Photo courtesy: OPEI
“Completing big outdoor jobs is always easier with help from outdoor power equipment,” said Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). “The right outdoor power equipment can help you get the work done faster and can help you safely maintain your yard.”
Here are some tips from Kiser to help you select the machinery you need to get the job done.
Plan your needs. Draw a sketch of your yard. Include any major features like trees, bushes, an herb or vegetable garden, flower beds, lawn furniture, play or sports equipment, an outdoor patio, or bird bath. Note where maintenance may be required. Will bushes need to be trimmed back from your home or garage? Do you want to put in some flow- ering bushes or a tree? Are you planning to install a fence and more grass because for your pet? Now list the tools and equipment needed to take care of your yard, and what will make the job easier.
Consider equipment needed. Visit your garage or shed and find your lawn and garden tools. Wheel out your mower and get out other equipment. Look it over and make a list of what is needed or could be upgraded. Repair anything that needs attention or identify where a newer or other machine is required. If you have a large vegetable garden, you may need a cultivator or tiller. If you have a large lawn, an upgrade to a riding lawn mower might make mowing easier. A string trimmer might make caring for bushes or trimming grass near a fence line easier. A pole pruner can help trim back limbs that are too high to reach safely with a saw, and a leaf blower can clear leaves faster than a rake.
Research equipment online before you buy. Think about efficiencies of scale. The right equipment can mean more time for other activities, and make doing yard work more enjoyable, too. Doing online research in advance will help you pick the right equipment for the job. Outdoor power equipment can be gas, electric or battery powered, and technology is rapidly impacting product design. There are even robotic lawn mowers available today. Equipment may be sized to handle a smaller job or a massive one. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your needs.\
Ask questions. Talk with the staff at the store or ask online about the equipment. In the store, ask to pick up and hold equipment to determine its “fit” for you. Discuss safety features and ask about manufacturer fueling and care instructions. Find out how often equipment may need to be serviced.
Make a plan for storage and maintenance. Store your equipment in a cool and dry place. It also should typically be serviced at the end of the fall and the beginning of the spring. Put service dates on your calendar with a reminder.
Elevators at three locations will be reprogrammed to rest with doors open as part of the 90-day pilot
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) will launch a 90-day pilot program on Sunday, March 17, at select elevator locations in an effort to limit illegal activities and address long-standing complaints from customers. As part of this pilot, three elevator locations at high-usage rail stations will be reprogrammed to rest with their doors open.
The elevator doors at Nine Mile, Colorado and Southmoor stations will remain open until a destination floor is selected, close before the elevator is in motion, and remain open at all other times.
“Since January 2022, RTD has had a laser focus on creating a welcoming transit environment that yields a pleasant and seamless customer experience,” said Debra A. Johnson, RTD General Manager and Chief Executive Officer. “I am confident that this pilot program will provide customers with a greater sense of personal safety and security, knowing that the agency’s infrastructure is being used for its intended purpose.”
The operational adjustment is part of RTD’s Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) activi- ties across the entire system. Over the last year, RTD has upgraded lights, improved landscaping, added TV monitors that display security feeds, and installed smoke detectors in public restrooms across its service area. CPTED is a multi- pronged approach aimed at reducing crime and deterring offenders at stations, stops, and facilities.
“Every month, RTD receives hundreds of calls for service and customer complaints related to unwanted and illegal activities taking place inside our elevators,” said Dr. Joel Fitzgerald Sr., Chief of Police and Emergency Management. “These activities not only impede customer access to RTD’s services but also obstruct our efforts to create a welcoming transit environment. Setting elevators to a default open status dissuades usage to anything other than what is intended.”
In January and February of this year, RTD received more than 350 reports of less-than-optimal conditions for these three stations.
Through mid-June, RTD will closely monitor calls for service, customer comments, and reports of unwanted activities occurring in and around the elevators included in the pilot. All data gathered will be collated and compared with baseline metrics provided by RTD Transit Police (RTD-PD) prior to the pilot’s launch. Additionally, qualitative data will be gathered from customers to better understand their experience.
RTD will use the data comparisons to determine if there are a reduction in calls and incidents reported, a decline in vandalism and damage to the elevators, and a decrease in customer complaints about cleanliness. The agency will then fully assess the pilot’s effectiveness and overall customer impact. Results of the assessment will be used to determine if the pilot should continue at the three locations, along with expanding the program to additional elevators across the agency’s system.
Across America, families want the same thing: the freedom to feel safe in their community. To know their kids are secure. My Administration is making it a reality. This week, the FBI released data showing that crime declined across nearly every category in 2023. Last year, we also had one of the lowest rates of all violent crime in more than 50 years and the murder rate saw the sharpest decrease in history. That’s good news for the American people.
Colorado Governor
Governor Polis and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) announced an additional $200,000 in annual awards for groups providing outdoor recreation and conservation opportunities for youth through the Outdoor Equity Grant Program. “Now more Colorado kids can explore our great outdoors, have healthy fun, and develop that shared sense of stewardship we all feel for these lands we love. I’m excited to support even more organizations who are working in Colorado communities to connect underserved young Coloradans with outdoor recreation opportunities,” said Governor Polis.
Denver Mayor
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announced a new $35.4 million federal grant to invest in the historically underserved neighborhoods of Globeville and Elyria-Swansea (GES). The funding will be used to build new infrastructure to better connect Globeville and Elyria-Swansea, including a multimodal bridge over the South Platte River and a pedestrian bridge over railroad tracks, as well as make safety improvements and reclaim vacant land for future, community-led development opportunities. The grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Program. “This direct investment in the Globeville and Elyria-Swansea communities will help keep neighbors connected and ensure the community remains vibrant for years to come,” said Mayor Mike Johnston.
The state-owned Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, the largest commercial bank in the country, is dealing with a systems glitch that allowed customers to withdraw millions of dollars. At least $40 million was withdrawn from the bank or transferred to other financial institutions when custom- ers found out they could take out more cash than they had available in their account. The bank is now working to get the money back from customers.
Refugees killed in road accident in Kenya
A road accident on Kenya’s Nakuru-Eldoret highway killed two Eritrean refugees and injured six others. The incident involved a minibus-taxi, carrying refugees, that collided with a parked truck. The truck was left unattended because of mechanical problems. Those who were injured are receiving treat- ment at a local hospital.
Asia
Teenagers arrested over student’s death in China
Authorities in the Chinese city of Handan detained three teenage boys over the death of their classmate. The victim, known as Wang, was bullied in school and his remains were found buried in an empty vegetable garden. Police are classifying the case as an intentional homicide. Those who were detained led the police to the student’s body, and authorities are investigating the motive for the killing.
Pakistan accused of killing women and children in Afghanistan
The Taliban accused Pakistan of killing eight women and children in Afghanistan. The victims died from a military attack that Pakistan described as anti-terrorist operations. Pakistan said the attack was in response to a militant attack that left seven Pakistani soldiers dead. Since the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in 2021, tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have grown.
Europe
Iceland declares state of emergency
Iceland declared a state of emergency in the southern part of the country because of a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula. It is the fourth time an eruption has occurred in the area since December. Officials said their biggest concern was the volcano’s impact on infrastructure, and scientists believe the area is entering a new volcanic era.
Whooping cough cases on the rise in Czech Republic
Officials in the Czech Republic are struggling to contain a surge in whooping cough cases. Since the beginning of the year, the country has recorded 3,084 cases of whopping cough. Vaccination for whooping cough is mandatory in the country, but there are thousands of babies that are not vaccinated. Officials blamed the surge in whooping cough cases on incomplete immunization in children and a resurgence in respiratory diseases because of the end of COVID-19 measures.
Latin America
Cubans left without power for hours
Residents in Santiago, Cuba’s second largest city, were left without power for more than 14 hours a day. People in the area staged a protest over the power blackouts and food shortages as the country faces its worst economic crisis in decades. Cuba’s economy has been in a rough spot in recent years, and the pandemic worsened the situation. Official estimates show Cuba’s inflation rate is at 30 percent, but experts said that number is likely to be higher.
Haiti Prime Minister resigns
Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry is resigning from his position as the country continues to deal with increased violence. He is currently stranded in Puerto Rico and is being prevented from returning home by armed gangs. Henry has not been allowed in Haiti since January after he traveled to Kenya to sign a deal to launch a security force to help combat violence in Haiti. His resignation was one of the top demands of the armed gangs.
North America
Gunman kills three in Pennsylvania
Police in New Jersey have arrested a suspected gunman who is accused of carrying out deadly shootings in Pennsylvania. The suspect, Andre Gordon, is accused of killing three people over the weekend. Gordon allegedly shot and killed ins stepmother, Karen, Gordon, his 13-year-old sister Kera Gordon, and the mother of his children, 25-year-old Taylor Daniel. He is believed to have used an AR-15 type of assault rifle.
Tornadoes kill three people
Three people were killed and dozens injured when tornadoes swept through parts of Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. Tens of thousands of people were left without power, including 21,000 people in Ohio. Storms have recently hit the central and eastern parts of the country. States like Texas, Georgia and Alabama were also under the threat of tornadoes last week.
It has been nearly a week since President Joe Biden delivered his third State of the Union address, and Democrats—most of them—are still giddy over his performance. Republicans—no surprise—are still calling him ‘Clueless Joe.’
But it may be Republicans who are off the mark on this one. A CNN poll conducted after last Thursday’s State of the Union address showed that more than 6 in 10 Americans who tuned in “had a positive reaction,” with 35 percent rating it “very positive.”
The President’s speech was a mosaic of aspiration, inspiration, humor and combativeness especially when Republicans, particularly Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, heckled and performed for her party’s attention. While colleagues sitting close by reacted with a slightly uncomfortable bemusement, others Republicans were critical.
Greene may not have one-upped last year’s outfit, something critics labeled either a fashion train wreck or Halloween costume, but she made sure she got camera time. Her outfit was a red jacket, MAGA hat and slogan-bearing tee shirt bearing the message, ‘Say Her Name,’ a reference to the killing of a young University of Georgia woman.
Though animated and, perhaps even boorish, it wasn’t Greene who stole the show. It was Biden. He was on point, even making jokes about his age, yet challenging Republicans to join him, especially on immigration, a potentially election-shifting issue for him and Democrats.
Photo courtesy: WhiteHouse.gov
The President made it a point to call out Republicans for their failure to pass a bipartisan immigration bill, a bill co-authored by one of the Senate’s most conservative members. As Biden enumerated the bill’s elements, 100 new immigration judges, 1,500 new border security agents and 4,300 more asylum officers, some Republicans cat-called.
With cameras fixed on conservative Oklahoma Republican Senator James Lankford, a key architect of the legislation, a nation watched Lankford mouth the words, “It’s true,” affirming Biden’s words.
Biden also reminded the chamber and country about January 6th. “The insurrectionists were not patriots,” he said, countering a long-running theme echoed by many Republicans and the ex-president. “As president, my predecessor failed the most basic presidential duty that he owes to the American people: The duty to care.”
Contrasting himself with his ‘predecessor,’ Biden reminded the country of the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade, the half-century long constitutional right to abortion and connecting it to Trump and the conservative high court majority he engineered.
If reelected, Biden promised, “I will restore Roe v Wade as the law of the land again.” He also said he would protect access to IVF, in vitro fertilization, an issue that has flummoxed Republicans ever since the Alabama Supreme Court ruled embryos have the same rights as a child.
Showing his populist roots, Biden promised to fight any effort to cut Social Security, a line that inspired shouts and boos from Republicans. “If anyone here tries to cut Social Security, Medicare or raise the retirement age, I will stop you,” he said, his voice rising in timber as he stared directly at the Republican side of the chamber.
Biden also teased Republicans for their criticism of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Many Republicans who voted against it have returned home for photo ops showing off huge checks. “You don’t want that money in your district, just let me know,” he grinned. Besides the infrastructure legislation, Biden also touted the nation’s low unemployment, record stock market and stabilization of prices on certain prescription drugs, especially insulin.
He was, however, a bit more circumspect when talking about Israel and Gaza, an issue that has caused him to lose support especially from Palestinian Americans and younger voters.
More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7th, the day Hamas fighters killed some 1,200 Israelis and captured more than 230 Israeli hostages in an early morning attack. With a cease fire still out of reach and Palestinian deaths mounting daily, many from lack of food, water and medical supplies, the conflict presents a growing challenge to Biden in November.
Overall, the President drew standing ovations and general endorsement of his address from his party. Colorado’s senior congressional member, Congresswoman Diana DeGette, said the President “laid out a roadmap for how we build on the progress of the past three years.” She also underscored his commit- ment to protecting reproductive rights.
Boulder Democratic Congressman Joe Neguse also signed off on Biden’s speech. “The President shared a clear, hopeful, and compelling message,” he said.
But a reference by the President to the killing of a young Georgia woman in which a Venezuelan emigrant is suspected did not go over well to all Democrats. The young woman, Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at the University of Georgia was murdered in late February.
The President, as Congresswoman Greene yelled ‘say her name,’ acknowledged the young woman. But he mispronounced her name as “Lincoln,” instead of Laken and referred to her alleged killer as “an illegal.” That drew a quick and strong reaction from Texas Democratic House member, Joaquin Castro.
The term “illegal,” said Castro, “was dangerously close to language from Donald Trump.” The Texas Democrat said the term “puts a target on the backs of Latinos everywhere.” Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the President could have found a better word. In a weekend interview with MSNBC, Biden acknowledged his poor choice of words and apologized.
With the election still eight months away, the President and Democrats will tout their unyielding support for women’s health care and reproductive rights to remind voters just where he stands. Republicans will counter with arguments tying Biden to the southern border and the thousands of immigrants waiting to come into the country. Already attacking is Republican Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert.
Appearing on former Trump advisor Steve Bannon’s podcast, Boebert pitched her proposed legislation called ‘Build the Wall and Deport Them All.’ “That’s exactly what we need to do,” she told Bannon. “Buses brought these illegals into our country and buses can bring them out.”
But if Boebert’s bill ever becomes law, the two-term Congresswoman may not even be in office. Boebert’s recently abandoned the state’s 3rd Congressional District and relocated to the state’s eastern plains where she hopes to win election in the soon to be vacant 4th Congressional District. Early polls show her trailing as many as four other candidates in her reelection bid.
Election Day is November 5th, 237 days from today. You may begin the countdown today.
The Denver Nuggets are now at the top of NBA Power Rankings and it couldn’t be a more perfect time for the Nuggets to assert themselves as the season’s end nears.
Last week the Denver Nuggets had a deflating loss to the Phoenix Suns in overtime at Ball Arena, but in Denver Nuggets fashion, the team stood up dusted themselves off and beat a once top Power Ranked team in the Boston Celtics lead by none-other-than Nikola Jokic who is also making a case for his third MVP in four years.
Jokic’s stat line in his last ten games is insane, averaging 13.6 rebounds, 10.6 assists, and 26.7 points per game. In Monday night’s game against the Toronto Raptors, Jokic had 17 rebounds, 12 assists and 35 points bringing the Nuggets back from a 22-point deficit at halftime.
The Nuggets have showed their resiliency in a way that should worry the rest of the league. You might steal a game at home from the Nuggets but it’s difficult to see any team outlast the Denver Nuggets in seven games.
This week the Nuggets are in Miami to face the Heat in rematch two weeks ago when Miami came to Denver and gave the Nuggets a tough win. The Heat faced the Nuggets in last years Finals, and despite losing 4-1, the Heat put up a tough fight against the Nuggets which is no different from how they’ll play Denver Wednesday night (Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat, Wednesday, March 13 at 5:30 p.m. MST.).
The Nuggets will head to San Antonio on Friday night to face the Spurs before their Sunday afternoon game in Dallas to face the Mavericks at 1:30 p.m. The Nuggets have just 17 games left on the schedule before the playoffs and the Nuggets are in the driver seat heading for their second finals appearance.
The Denver Broncos have officially moved to rebuild mode with the losses of both Russell Wilson who just signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jerry Jeudy who was traded to the Cleveland Browns for two late round picks in this year’s draft which is about a month away.
Denver parted ways with safety Justin Simmons, and immediately filled the spot, with the signing of Miami Dolphin’s safety Brandon Jones. On Monday the Denver’s offensive line took a hit when center, Lloyd Cushenberry III signed with the Tennessee Titans.
The Denver Broncos are still in the market for a quarterback and several names have made their way around the rumor mill, including Washington Commanders fifth round pick of the 2022 draft, Sam Howell. Howell threw for 21 touchdowns but had just as many interceptions. The Broncos are also favorites to draft a quarterback this season.
The Colorado Avalanche have won four of their last five with their most recent win coming over the Minnesota Wild in overtime last Friday night. This week the Avs are in Calgary to face the Flames (results of this game not available at the time of this writing).
Valeri Nichushkin returned to the Avs in their game against the Wild and was responsible for the game-winning goal in overtime. With Nichushkin’s return, Colorado gains some advantage over their upcoming opponents.
Like the Nuggets, the Avs only have 17 games left in the regular season and are primed for a Cup run with all the latest trades and return of Nichushkin.
For 75 years, the Latin American Educational Foundation (LAEF) has been a staple in Colorado for Latino students and the Latino community.
Founded by a group of men and women seeking to ensure Colorado Latinos have access to higher education, LAEF has grown to be a leader in meeting the higher educational needs of Colorado Latino students. The organization was started in 1949 and is the oldest Latino scholarship foundation in Colorado.
Today, LAEF has grown to offer ongoing support and advisement to the students and families it serves. The organization has awarded over 7,000 scholarships to Colorado Latinos and is focused on community, equity, integrity, and leadership. It is also driven to make the dreams of our ancestors come true through innovation and building the capacity of the Colorado Latino community.
Photo courtesy: LAEF.org
This Saturday, March 16, LAEF will be celebrating its 75th anniversary at its annual gala. The gala, which will take place at Infinity Park Event Center in Glendale, will include dinner and programming, dancing, and a silent auction.
Food will be prepared by Chef Dana Rodriguez of Cantina Loca and entertainment will include music from DJ Chonz and Mariachi Los Correcaminos de MSU Denver. Items available for auction include an autographed Nuggets basketball, travel opportunities, tickets to local events like Meow Wolf and other Denver museums, and much more. Proceeds from the event benefit LAEF.
Information about the gala, along with a link to the auction page where you can bid on items, can be found by visiting https://laefcolorado.org/events.
“Seventy-five years later, (LAEF’s) mission remains the same: we invest in the promise of Colorado Latino students through scholarships, educational opportunities, and community partnerships so they can achieve their highest potential. This hallmark 75-year celebration is about honoring every Latino and ally that has helped make higher education a reality for over 7,000 Colorado Latino students,” said LAEF Director of Development Sarah Alarcon. We are honored to have Dana Rodriguez, one of Colorado’s great culinary treasures, curate a culturally rich and delicious menu for our guests and honorees. At this event, we will celebrate alongside the University of Colorado, our presenting diamond sponsor. It is thanks to our higher education partners that we’re able to multiply the impact for our students.”
Last year, LAEF awarded $270,000 in scholarships to 128 Latino scholars across the state, including in the Denver metro area, northern Colorado, the western slope, southern Colorado, and the eastern planes. Around 85 percent of the organization’s scholars are the first in their family to attend college.
The organization also plans to honor its long-standing community partner, U.S. Bank, who Alarcon described as a business who believes education is the key to unlocking individual and collective power in the Latino community.
“This celebration is about connection, realizing the impact a small, but mighty group of Latinos can have on our community, and about making sure higher education is a reality for Latino students,” said Alarcon.
The lawn and garden that passersby love looking at is a source of pride for a lot of folks. It’s also a major investment in both time and money. According to the website lawnchick.com, Americans will spend nearly $50 billion dollars this year beautifying their yards. That figure also includes paying someone—landscapers—to make things look good.
But since it is that time of year again, Amanda Weidner a Pueblo-based Colorado State University County Horticultural Specialist, advises that before you turn one shovel of soil, think about what you’re planting.
“The first thing is to garden for your area,” said Weidner. “We have plants that fit here better than in other places. Look at your site carefully.” As obvious as it may seem, she said, paying attention to where the sun shines most and where the shade falls just makes sense. Also, before shelling out any money, know what you’re planting.
“I try to encourage people to seek out water-wise options,” Weidner said. “A lot of native species are bet- ter.” Because Colorado continues to attract new residents, there’s always an urge to plant those things people are most familiar with. But that’s not always a good idea.
Americans spend on average anywhere from $70 to $400 per person on gardening, everything from lawncare to gardens. You don’t want to invest in a plant, Weidner advises, that isn’t right for Colorado, a high desert and semiarid environment.
A few good choices for Front Range gardeners include Lavender Phenomenal, a bluish-purple flower with silvery leaves. Two benefits: it’s drought tolerant and disease resistant. Other good choices are roses, which come in a variety of colors, Echinacea Cheyenne Spirit, a colorful, disease resistant flower that attracts bees and butterflies, daffodils, lilacs, poppies and, of course, the Rocky Mountain Columbine, a white and lavender blossom—and our state flower.
In Pueblo, anyone interested in spring planting should circle March 30th on the calendar. A symposium covering the A-to-Z of gardening will be held at Pueblo Community College from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., said Weidner.
If you want to beautify your yard or try your hand at growing your own vegetables, Weidner said, the best first step is education. It will save you money and may even result in serving your own homegrown produce. Also, she said, you may want to think about Pueblo’s ‘seed lending’ program.
The program, which began in 2013, allows anyone with a Pueblo library card to visit any of the city’s libraries and check out—for free—seeds for planting. The idea is to harvest some of the seeds from the plants that will grow and donate them back to the library’s seed stock for the follow- ing year. The program, it says in its literature, “makes every effort to ensure that the seeds are NON-GMO” or genetically modified organisms. The seeds are for both outdoor gardens and indoor plants.
Backyard gardens are also becoming more and more popular, especially since the pandemic. Tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are the three most popular plantings. Of course, when planting these vegetables, said Weidner, consult a reliable nursery to learn how best to protect your investment and, above all, avoid using poisonous insecticides. Also ask about environmentally friendly options for controlling both weeds, bugs and, of course, squirrels and nocturnal diners.
Growing in popularity, especially in a climate like Colorado’s, is xeriscaping. The term, first coined in Denver a number of years ago, is a type of landscaping that relies on little to no water.
Across the southwest where the combination of climate change and booming populations has resulted in a more responsible approach to water conservation, some municipalities have officially endorsed this new aesthetic.
In Phoenix, Tucson and Las Vegas, three of the Southwest’s booming population centers, local governments have banned the planting of certain trees and vegetation and also prohibited planting grass. In Colorado, the city of Aurora offers rebates for replacing turf with water-saving landscaping.
Also in Aurora, single-family homes can no longer have aesthetic turf—lawns—in the front of side of their homes. There are also restrictions on city medians and curbside landscapes. Exceptions are made for multi-family and commercial developments, schools, sports fields and interior landscaped common areas.
David Conde, Senior Consultant for International Programs
The news media buildup to the State of the Union address this year included a frantic anticipation of what might go wrong in the speech to be offered by President Biden and what we could tell by his words, gestures and, most of all, his demeanor as an 81 year old leader.
His age appeared to take center stage as the commentators talked their way to the presentation at 7 p.m. Colorado time.
What we got was a fiery speech that reviewed the accomplishments of his administration, outlined the plans for the future and threw down the gauntlet against those that would forsake democracy as a cure for personal, social and political grievances. The tone and substance of the speech brought to the forefront elements that had previously been the subjects of major tasks behind the scenes.
To the disappointment of many, the history of much of Biden’s work on international issues such as the revival of NATO, the planning and assistance to Ukraine, the Israeli-HAMAS conflict, the United Nations, Iran, China, India, Russia and domestic agenda policies like the economy, immigration and social justice have been largely done in a low-key fashion.
Critics of this approach seemed to suggest that this may be because the President does not want to be seen in public showing his age and the customary gaffes that point to diminished cognitive ability. The speech appears to have erased some of those concerns.
Irregardless, the presentation also showed determination on the part of a man with extensive political thought and experience to stand strong against the forces of chaos and the loss of our freedom and democracy.
This somewhat reminds me of the story of the Prussian World War I hero, Paul von Hindenburg (1847-1934), President of the German Republic (1925-1934), who stood against Adolf Hitler and his efforts to consolidate power in a weak democracy. He stood his ground until 1933 and died in office a year later at the age of 87.
President Joe Biden is in the unique position of being the national political leader that stands between a constitutional democracy and the foundations of authoritarianism undergirded by racial preference. The accumulation of wisdom gathered by great figures of the past century such as Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan is an inspirational well of knowledge that set and led the path to American exceptionalism.
Those that are of the age to have been touched, influenced and truly bought in to the lessons offered by the rapid economic, social and political changes that led our nation to where it is today have a lot to offer in a moment when so many are questioning America’s existence as a beacon of freedom. Leading our country has never been about how old one is, but about the vision and ideas brought to the table.
It just so happens that we are in the middle of major political changes brought on by a new century, a new generational demographic majority and an emerging new covenant between ethnic and racial minorities and the long-standing political power structure in the country. This dynamic period of adjustment is dislocating many people’s feelings of identity and belonging.
Also, It is not surprising that the leadership to meet these challenges is and has been, by in large, provided by an aging post World War II generation that is completing its cycle of leadership.
Age can be expressed as a wealth of knowledge. We need that now.
The views expressed by David Conde are not necessarily the views of laVozColorado. Comments and responses may be directed to news@lavozcolorado.com.
Sofia Carolina Guerrero is a high school senior at East High School who currently holds a 4.2 GPA. Guerrero’s academic achievements include Principal’s Honor Roll, National Honor Society, published in East Spotlight Newspaper, awarded Gifted/Talented Student Cultivating Dignity Camp. Guerrero is involved in East’s Tap Club, Allergy Awareness, East Dance Company, Arvada Center Dance Academy (where she trained in Ballet), Mexican Folklorico Dancing, and Minds Matter. Guerrero volunteers for Project Helping, Meals on Wheels, Project Angel Heart, Feeding Denver’s Hungry and serves as Assistant Tap Teacher at Arvada Center Dance Academy.
Favorite Book: Mandy by Julie Andrews
Favorite Movie: Cruella
Favorite Subject: French and English
Favorite Music: Oldies, Jazz and she adds, “I am obsessed with Frank Sinatra!”
Future Career: Still exploring future career options. Guerrero is interested in journalism and political science.
Hero: “Jesus Christ, my mom Marisa, my grandma Cora and Shirley Temple.”
Favorite Hobby: “Ballet and Piano.”
Favorite Social Media Follow: Joan Collins and Nancy Sinatra on Instagram
Words to live by: “The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.” – Chazz Palminteri “The best revenge is massive success.” – Frank Sinatra
Community Involvement: “Since middle school, I have been involved in service to my community. My most recent volunteer projects are: Project Helping, Meals on Wheels, Project Angel Heart, Feeding Denver’s Hungry and Tap Assistant Teacher at Arvada Center.
Why is Community involvement important? Guerrero adds, “It is important because in everyday life especially nowadays with technology, people can be so focused on themselves that they lose sight of connecting with others. Being involved with community helps people serve others and connect to people who can at times be forgotten by society like the elderly. Working is important so they have other role models and interactions in their lives other than just playing on technology.”
