Here are a sampling of recent letters from Gazette readers:

Playoff game had everything

Wow, Broncos fans! This one was beyond a nail-biter; it was nearly cardiac arrest. I said last week that to beat the Pats the defense would have to play lights out and the offense to recapture some of its past magic. The defense played beyond lights out, and the offense had just enough magic to win by 2 (thanks again, defense).

The game had everything: classic QB matchup, drama, assault and battery (on Tom Brady) and a cliff-hanger finish. The defense held off most of the Pats’ big playmakers (Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola) but nearly got beat by the Gronk monster. During the trophy award ceremony, Peyton Manning gave his usual humble, classy, give credit to the team speech, but he sometimes looked a little sad, like he knows that he’s probably on his last ride but has one more shootout to face before he trots off into the sunset.

Jim Anderson – Colorado Springs

Solution is needed nationwide

Since its inception five years ago, National School Choice Week has put the spotlight on many civic-minded Americans who advocate for freedom of educational choice. Among the most exemplary grass-roots organizations engaged in the more than 16,000 events of this year’s Jan. 24-30 NSCW is surely the one you featured in your editorial, “School choice helps parents help kids” (Jan. 21).

The vision of business leaders Steve and Joyce Schuck in creating the nonprofit Parents Challenge to lend a helping hand to underprivileged families in exercising school choice is something that is needed in communities nationwide. Having the hard-won right to choose a good school is one thing; having the knowledge, means and gumption to transfer your child to a new school is something else entirely.

Good for the Schucks for helping parents gain necessary confidence and a sense of independence. Governmental agencies do not perform this kind of service. Indeed, all too often their policies erode parents’ confidence and keep them in a dependent state.

Robert Holland – Arlington Heights, IL

Problem keeps getting worse

As an aspiring writer/artist trying to work from home, it is extremely irritating and frustrating having to listen to the barking and howling dogs of inconsiderate neighbors in the Old Colorado City area. It’s very stressful not being able to concentrate on the thing I love due to the disruptions of my neighbors’ pets. I’ve lived in this area for over 20 years, and this problem keeps getting worse and worse. I’ve counted numerous neighbors who leave their dogs out and let them bark/howl for hours on end. I’ve left notes and spoken to many of them, but none have the decency to address the issue.

We have laws on the books concerning this, but getting the Humane Society to enforce them is like pulling teeth. I shouldn’t have to risk my safety by having all of my personal information stamped on a complaint nor should I have to have video proof to get the Humane Society to act, as getting close enough to record would cause additional barking and therefore skew the case.

With that said, dog owners, please consider your neighbors, and Humane Society, do your job.

Elias DiFiore – Colorado Springs

Real statistics on older drivers

In his or her letter to the editor (“Just do the right thing,” Jan. 22), Kelly Jordan notes that “Senior citizens are notorious for horrible driving!” However, the facts, according to the United States Census Bureau, are that the safest drivers in terms of accident rate by age group are those 65 to 74 years old. Although the rate of fatal accidents is very high, the total rate of accidents for that age group is the lowest of all.

The most dangerous ages are those under 25. (Licensed drivers and number in accidents by age: 2009, U.S. Census Bureau).

Robin Speiser – Colorado Springs

Should have penalized Iran

The news reports briefly mentioned that we now owe Iran $1.7 billion in debt and interest payments. This came about because Iran won its suit against us in the international Claims Tribunal at The Hague. Apparently, we’re meekly agreeing to pay. President Barack Obama assured us that this was the right thing to do and that it was “much less than the amount Iran sought.” By the way, there are additional Iranian suits pending against us in the same court.

How differently this might have gone down if we had a president with traditional American guts and backbone. For example, even if we agreed to pay, we would have subtracted a hefty amount as reparations for Iranian weapons and covert military activities that killed and wounded American soldiers during the Iraq War. Next, we would have subtracted $10 million per day for every American unjustly held in captivity by Iran. Similarly, we would have subtracted more funds for various other Iranian transgressions and provocations.

No wonder that someone like Donald Trump has resonated so successfully with the American people!

Robert Vegvary – Colorado Springs

Great dilemma for Republicans

Who would ever have guessed that the Hollywood elitist liberals, i.e., Jane Fonda, Whoopi Goldberg, etc., would be on the same page as Thomas Sowell, Bill Crystal and Cal Thomas? They all denounce Donald Trump! Strange, isn’t it? I’ve long admired many of these conservative voices and have many of their works, but I will venture some advice for these esteemed deep thinkers. If Trump is your only date to the Big Dance, then you better dance with him! (Like it or not and regardless of his lack of pure conservative credentials.)

Moreover, many voters don’t make up their minds who they’re going to vote for until about a week before the election! Does this conservative coalition really think that their pronouncements have the slightest effect on these folks?

Here may well be the great dilemma for Republicans, either support Trump or face another four years of socialistic rule, which might result in the total crumbling of the Republican Party for a generation or more and far worse, the loss of our country and constitutional form of government as we know it! If Trump is the man, I would suggest that you take half a loaf for now while retaining the hope for a full loaf down the road.

Purity of thought might get you to heaven, but it won’t win this election here on earth!

Len Bentley – Colorado Springs