Time to change wrong decision

Our politicians have called for the completion of the

Nor thwest Rail Line to Boulder. They have forgotten the first lesson of management, which is when a decision shows itself to be wrong, you don’t continue with the wrong decision, but rather change the decision.

The cost is estimated at $1,500,000,000 and daily ridership at 4,100. Using a 30-year life to the $1.5B cost, that is $50,000,000 a year, or $33.41 per rider per day, with estimated operating costs of another $13.41.

A better estimate is likely 1,000 riders who would not take a bus, or $137 a day per rider, plus operating costs of $56.44. That subsidy is irrational.

A train would yield few, if any, benefits. Thousands of commuters would travel by bus or car to a few train stations to catch a few trains.

At the end of their train ride the person would then likely have to take a bus or train to their destination to complete a long and unpleasant commute. In contrast, buses run multiple routes where people can walk or have a shor t drive to a bus that takes them close to their destination.

Gov. Jared Polis says we have to have the train because it was promised, and people will not vote for future specific taxes if the train is not built.

The answer to that is to have better government that gives people accurate information in the future, not to waste $1.5 billion dollars. The Nor thwest region having paid $250,000,000 in R TD taxes does not entitle it to a

$1.5B project.

To those who want government spending to address climate change, you should want your tax dollars spent where it will do the most to reduce greenhouse gases.

That is not spending huge sums for a diesel train carrying a few people. GEORGE WILLIAMS

Boulder racism.

In May 1921, a 17-yearold white girl accused a Black teen of assault in downtown Tulsa. White terrorism ensued. Reportedly, 300 or more were murdered. Forensic archaeologists recently used ground-penetrating radar at three sites, finding probable mass graves. A successful, vital Black community was destroyed.

Media downplayed destruction of the “Black Wall Street.” The Black district of Greenwood was one of the most af fluent African American U.S. communities in the early 20th centur y. From May 31 through June 1, deputized whites killed more than 300 African Americans.

They looted and burned down 40 square blocks of 1,265 African American homes, including hospitals, schools and churches.

They destroyed 150 businesses. White deputies and members of the National Guard arrested 6,000 Black Tulsans. They were released only when vouched for by a white employer or citizen. Nine thousand African Americans were left homeless and lived in tents well into winter 1921.

There were many race “massacres.” In 1898, Wilmington, N.C., was thriving with a majority Black population. “The threat of Negro rule” created white resentment. One newspaper said, “If it requires lynching to protect woman’s dearest possession from ravening, drunken human beasts, then I say lynch a thousand negroes a week … if it is necessar y.” A “white declaration of independence” was proclaimed. They overthrew the Wilmington government, destroyed the printing press, forced out the mayor, and a mob of white men attacked Black residents. Between 60 and 300 were murdered.

Imagine these terrifying murderous rampages. We should keep this in mind when folks say, “my Irish ancestors had it hard too …butwemadeit…socan they.”

D.R.MAYER Boulder