Letters to the editor

Coloradans and illegals

If it were not so outrageous, it would be laughable that in the wake of the passing of anti-sanctuary legislation here in Colorado, the Mexican consul general has self-righteously inserted his “concerns” about policy into the domestic affairs of the United States (“Anti-sanctuary law sets off consular tiff,” Nation, May 7). This is an odd stance for a high-level official to take, considering the glaring fact that the Mexican government has failed to elevate the quality of life for the 40 percent of its citizens who live below the poverty level. Consul General Juan Marcos Gutierrez also seems to forget that Mexico has not yet achieved its goal of “reconquista” and that America, at least for the moment, is a sovereign nation based on laws his government continues to encourage its citizens to violate, which it aids and abets them in doing.

It is high time that Denver and other Colorado cities protect their citizens rather than its illegal aliens. I applaud state Sen. Tom Wiens and the Colorado Legislature for finally awakening to what Colorado’s citizens have known for years: We have reached the breaking point in terms of the social, economic and educational impact on life here in Colorado.

TRISH NELSON

Pueblo, Colo.

Remembering the Bambino

I really enjoyed “Everlasting legend” (Sports, Saturday), extolling the incomparable legacy of Babe Ruth. Indeed, Barry Bonds may soon create a number for himself, but he will not create a name for himself — at least none to rival that of the great Bambino and his “Ruthian” achievements.

Writer Ron Kroichick demonstrates in several ways the uniquehome-run-hitting prowess of the Babe. But I would like to add one more example because it involves our old Washington Senators ball club.

Washington entered the 1924 World Series — the only one it would ever win — with the fewest home runs ever produced by a pennant-winning ball club: a paltry 22 homers for the entire season. The capital ballplayers must have found it intimidating, therefore, to look across home plate at the New York Giants’ dugout. There sat first baseman George Kelly, who had wrapped up the season with 21 homers, just one shy of the whole Washington team.

However, had all gone according to plan, the Washington ball club and George Kelly could have lifted their eyes to the press box, where they would have seen a man serving as a syndicated reporter for the World Series. With his 46 home runs, Babe Ruth had ended that season with more than all of them put together. Unfortunately, the Babe missed his appearance that day, as he was in the emergency room with appendicitis.

VANCE GARNETT

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