Letters to the Editor

Michael Roberts spoke with an "area artist," but we (the readers) are in the dark. I'm puzzled how this individual can convince a local publication to shield his identity after he has made ominous threats of violence against community activists. The anonymous artist has a credibility problem. How can anyone generate "some kind of critical thinking" by spreading "misinformation and subterfuge"? Shouldn't this ring alarm bells in the interviewer?

The artist calls himself a "Utopian anarchist." I don't want to cast aspersions on the general philosophy of the anarchists — they're quite diverse, and some of them (Noam Chomsky, for example) are sincere and intelligent people. But after some research of my own, I wonder if "utopian anarchist" isn't a disturbingly contradictory phrase, in the same sense that Hitler's "national socialism" wasn't socialism at all.

This is because nearly every use of "utopian anarchist" on the web leads to the same source: a certain right-wing wacko, Bill White, who once suggested that the Columbine shooters were utopian anarchists, an offshoot from his own organization. Something isn't right here, and it calls for a more robust explanation. I'm guessing the fellow is either pathological or just wacko, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was a more sinister motive at work. Unfortunately, Westword's article puffs this idiot. I think you owe your readers an explanation. This guy isn't a news source; he is the source of a possibly serious threat of violence against members of the community.
Richard Myers
Thornton

Patricia Calhoun responds: Reporters negotiate terms all the time with sources, and we had no problem granting the anonymity request in this case. We know the artist and had no reason to doubt his veracity — or to suspect non-existent links to Bill White and Columbine shooters.

"Malice at the Palace," Alan Prendergast, June 26

We are so disappointed in Alan Prendergast's one-sided article. It is so obvious that there was no attempt to find the truth. No despositions that have been taken in the federal nor the Lori Stille case were reviewed; how about comparing the original complaints to the depositions or, more important, to the motions for summary judgment, which contain the lies and twisted facts in each case? You would think that after approximately fifteen years of Mike Zinna's pattern of behavior to obtain free money from the county, Prendergast would have his number. Everyone else does. It appears this article was narrated by Mike Zinna: No wonder it does not make any sense. Zinna has reveled for years in the destruction of individuals' reputations and careers with total disregard for the truth.

Right now this con man extraordinaire has the federal court's sympathy, but it is only temporary. If his case goes to trial, the court will see the true "bill of goods" that Zinna is trying to sell. We don't think the court or a jury will be impressed, nor award him for this performance and deceit.

What really angers us is how county officials can say they knew nothing of professional investigators being hired. They all knew. They ran for cover and could not wait to deny knowledge and blame commissioner Jim Congrove for everything. We have no idea how they've accomplished anything during the past four years, with all the infighting and intrigues going on. How sad that the court system continues to entertain Zinna's frivolous lawsuits at the cost of Jefferson County citizens/taxpayers. Do you realize that all of Zinna's suits are a result of him not receiving one hundred acres of Jeffco airport property to develop? He is getting even, and why not? He has nothing to lose: material, monetary or reputation.
The Daril Cinquanta Family
Arvada