Frustrated with deliveries

I’m at my wits’ end with all the UPS, FedEx, and Amazon delivery drivers. It seems that since the pandemic ended, they have gotten lazy.
They don’t ring doorbells, and lately I’ve had packages delivered in front of my garage doors in the rain.

I was home at the time. Is it so hard to walk up the sidewalk to the porch, put packages next to the door (don’t just throw them), and ring the doorbell? They have time to take a picture of the delivery, what’s an extra 5 seconds? Be mindful that not everybody monitors their cameras all the time. Get my point?

Martin Sobieraj

Colorado Springs

We all need a little hug

Recently, I was a church usher when, at the end of the service, I was standing in the narthex saying goodbye to people. A very young boy came up and gave me a very big hug, and then continued to the post-service fellowship area with his mother. I did not remember ever seeing them before, and I’m not sure what that was all about, but his hug made my day.

I looked for them later, but they apparently had left. The point here is that a little gesture from that little boy will be remembered by me for a very long time…and with a smile on my face. A close friend had just died and the thought of him was lingering. So, for me, that hug is something I think the Lord had his hand in. Whether one is a believer or not, and in this time of national and world turmoil, I would suggest we all consider a similar kind of gesture to pass on-we all need a little hug from time to time.

Terry Hjelkrem

Colorado Springs

Concerns about legislation

I am reaching out as a nurse practitioner because I have serious concerns about H.R. 5629, which would repeal the 2024 Final Opioid Treatment Program Rules, and undo years of progress in making treatment more accessible without compromising safety standards.

The 2024 Final Rule allows patients to begin treatment through telehealth, receive take-home medication when they are stable, obtain appropriate dosing that reduces cravings and supports long-term recovery. These provisions are not about lowering regulatory standards, they are about making evidence-based treatment more accessible while maintaining strong safety protections. I am concerned that repealing the Final Rule would move our nation backward at a time when we are finally beginning to make meaningful progress in the fight against opioid misuse and overdose deaths.

Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the largest single-year decline in overdose deaths on record, with approximately 79,000 lives lost in 2024. While this number is still too high, it marks the first time overdose deaths have fallen below 100,000 since 2020. Importantly, early data from opioid addiction treatment providers shows that the flexibilities in the OTP Final Rule are delivering measurable improvements in patient outcomes.

One national network across 27 states has reported significant gains following implementation of the rule, including an 80 percent reduction in fentanyl use among patients in their first 30 days of treatment. I urge everyone to reach out to their representatives in Congress to oppose this bill.

Joseph McDonald

Colorado Springs

Just change the channel

It’s obvious that Donald Trump doesn’t believe in the Constitution that he swore to uphold, or at least in the 1st Amendment. Trump wants ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel because the late-night host said some things about him that the president didn’t like.

If Trump or anyone doesn’t like what’s on television, all they have to do is change the channel or turn off the TV. Trump has no right to tell Kimmel’s boss what to do. ABC will get rid of Kimmel if the network thinks his ratings are too low or his audience is unhappy with the entertainer. Obviously, that isn’t the situation.

The 1st Amendment gives Kimmel or anyone the right to say what he wants about anyone, including the President of the United States. By threatening ABC to remove Kimmel, Trump is showing his dictatorial powers and distaste for democracy. This action is among the many reasons why Donald Trump is considered one of this country’s worst presidents.

Kimmel is too good a comedian to let Trump intimidate him. He’ll continue to make fun of this country’s leaders. That’s his job, something that fools like Trump don’t understand.

David J. Baker

Colorado Springs