Letter to the editor

last edited: 12:59 am 02/03/2010

I must take issue with Mr. Anthony’s article, “U.S. shortsighted in neglecting its space program,” because it appears that he didn’t do enough research.

For example, Mr. Anthony stated that the sun was going to turn into a red giant star in fewer than a billion years and therefore this merits the human colonization of other planets. The sun will not turn into a red giant in fewer than a billion years; astrophysicists have determined this through examination and observation.

Because the sun is a medium sized star, it has an expected longevity of about 10 billion years. According to the University of Oregon, if we assume that the sun is currently about 5 billion years old, then it can be determined that the sun will last for about 5 billion years.

Not only this, but Mr. Anthony does not seem to comprehend the sheer distances involved in going anywhere in the galaxy let alone the universe. For example, our closest stellar neighbor, Alpha Centauri, is roughly three light years away. Therefore, colonizing planets at this point in human development would be practically impossible.

Mr. Anthony also claimed that the budgets were being cut for asteroid detection and that more should be put into it in order to ensure our planetary safety and security. This idea is nothing less than ridiculous. I think that Mr. Anthony may have watched “Deep Impact” one too many times.

Asteroids often go unnoticed by most of the earth because they don’t emit a source of light, which leaves the asteroids almost undetectable. Along with this ,there is almost no way to deflect an asteroid or comet which could cause an extinction level event due to its large mass and established inertia headed towards the earth.

Kirk Wilkinson
Sophomore
history major

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Kim Horner

02-03-10

7:43 AM

Is There Anything I Can Do?

02/01/10
I can only consider it a blessing that it was I, and not my son, who had to endure the insensitive interaction I had with Touchstone Property Management. It had been less than 24 hours since my son had learned of the sudden death of his roommate, Ericka, from a snowboard accident on Copper Mountain. In the mist of his grief and shock he became concerned about meeting their rental obligation. It was Feb 1st and rent was due. If not received by Feb 3rd, a $40 service charge would be assessed. His deceased roomate had collected the rent money a few days prior, with the intention of submitting payment by the due date. This all seemed so trivial to me, but I understood that my son might be experiencing symptoms of shock. “Is there anything I can do?” I explained to my son that people would be asking that question and he should allow them to help, for his sake and theirs. In Touchstone’s case, I was wrong; Touchstone Property Mgt was clearly concerned with one thing only… being paid on time, or collecting their additional $40 late fee. Please understand, my only request was to ask Touchstone if they might extend the rent due date a week (5 to 7 days)….to give these young adults a chance to grieve and regroup.
Apparently there was nothing Touchstone Property Management could do in a time of community need.

02/02/10
Today the owners of Front Range Nuclear Services of Cheyenne, Ericka’s employers, arrived at the property to collect her company owned car. I am told they extended their condolences, shared memories, and held a brief moment of silence with my son and a few of Ericka’s friends. “Is there anything we can do?” they asked before departing and leaving behind the kind of comfort that helps to lift the bereaved and carry them through their sorrow. They had already done so much but they did one more thing; they returned with Ericka’s rent money.