National Day of Prayer

On Thursday, May 7, an estimated 2 million Christians in 33,000 groups across 50 states stood united for the 75th anniversary of the National Day of Prayer, which has been celebrated since 1952, when Democratic President Harry Truman first declared it. I led 100 at the Gateway Prayer Garden.

Some non-attendees complained about the word national. For example, The Gazette’s news report, which mentioned me by name, included views disparaging our religion as divisive, and used an epithet broadly comparing us to “Christian Nationalists.” Really? We gather nationwide, so we must be nationalists?

The implication is, beware those sinister gatherings of evangelical Christians, folks, they might secretly pray to bless you. Or they might (gasp) sing God Bless America, hoping their God will give us a safe, prosperous, Christian nation. They might even vote! But it wasn’t a secret. Attendees prayed openly for God to bless America, in Jesus’ name.

Like most founding fathers, Christian patriots love Jesus and America. If you don’t, it’s a free country. Some hate God and evangelicals so much that their faces contort. If you prefer globalism to patriotism, or if you lean more anti-Christ than pro-Jesus, you’re free to be an “anti-Christ globalist.” Are you an anti-Christ globalist? If you are, but that label doesn’t feel good, then stop using racist labels and hurtful epithets toward us.

At our event, we read aloud a proclamation signed by all five El Paso County commissioners, resolving that local government joins Congress to recognize the National Day of Prayer. Canada or Mexico could have declared a day of prayer, but did not. Why not? Don’t they want God’s blessings too? God has blessed America because we pray. We trust in God. It’s literally on our money.

Gordon Klingenschmitt

Colorado Springs

Take back our schools

Late last week, Academy School District 20 Superintendent Jinger Haberer was dismissed. In my view, the real issue is that she should never have been hired—or removed much sooner.

Progressives are outraged. Their reaction, once again, reveals their true agenda.

I saw this firsthand in 2022 when the Board voted to require parental approval before students could check out a particularly graphic book. Those who had long argued that “no one parent should decide for all” audibly shrieked when parents were finally given more oversight regarding what their children could access at school.

The same occurred last week when legal counsel Brad Miller stated that Colorado law allowing non-legal name changes without parental approval, which ASD20 administrators under Haberer hastily imposed, conflicted with superior statutory and case laws protecting parental rights.

Progressives claim to advocate for “all” students while secretly pushing agendas that sideline parents. They should not be allowed anywhere near children.

That said, I am also frustrated by the Board’s selective urgency. Just one month after Safe2Tell founder Susan Payne joined, the Administrative Policy ADD R (Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Procedure) was added. And, nine months later, Resolution 186-26, including Safe2Tell parental responsibility procedures, was reviewed. Yet, it took years before the discussion on the ACA (Name Changes) to ensure it complied with laws regarding parental rights.

Thankfully, attendance from the old, loud-mouth progressives at board meetings has shrunk significantly, but a new pack of wolves is also emerging. And again, board members are being overly friendly with them. This willingness to “play nice” is one reason conservatives gain so little ground. It’s time we stop paying them any heed and take back our schools.

William Sawvvel

Colorado Springs

Running on the negative

So, we have two more liberal candidates vying to be Colorado’s governor: Phil Weiser and Michael Bennet. If one were to look at their plans for the future of our once great state as advertised in their TV commercials, their main goal is very negative: stop President Donald Trump.

Even Bennet called him the worst president the country has ever had and he said it with a straight face. Obviously, he has forgotten Joe Biden, who did more to harm this country than any president. President Trump has spent most of his first two years in office fixing the mess that Biden created. However, I have heard very little, if anything, about what they will do for Colorado — very little about making the state and its citizens better and safer. Running on the negative seems to be the mantra of the Democrat party. So, exactly what do they stand for:
-Trans men in women’s sports
-Soft on crime
-Fight ICE
-Government shutdowns when it serves their purpose, regardless of the harm it does to government employees and the public
-Politics first, country second
-Support socialism
-Condemn Israel
-Sanctuary cities and states
-Open borders
-Illegal immigrants first, US Citizens second

Can anyone tell me why they would vote for a Democrat? You may not like or agree with everything Trump is doing, but he is walking his talk. The Democrats have nothing to offer. So, Colorado, are you going to vote for 4 more years of political ineptitude and financial irresponsibility (remember, they’re going after TABOR) or for someone who will do what’s best for Colorado, not what’s bad for President Trump? Your choice in November!

Barry S. Oswell, LtCol, USAF (ret)

Colorado Springs

Parents should not be powerless

Families already have enormous educational choice and involvement in this state. Parents can choose public schools, charter schools, homeschool, private schools, online programs, or open enrollment. They can attend board meetings, review curriculum, communicate with teachers, and opt students out of specific instruction. Those rights have existed for years.

What concerns me is the growing narrative from political organizations claiming parents are somehow powerless or that schools are routinely hiding life-altering decisions from families. Fear-based messaging may drive campaigns, but it does little to improve academics, school safety, literacy, math scores, or teacher retention.

Ironically, some of the same groups promoting “parental rights” are supporting policies that create more bureaucracy for parents through excessive opt-in forms, constant political conflict, and distractions from the actual work schools are supposed to do.

Parents should absolutely be informed and involved. Transparency matters. But communities are better served when conversations are grounded in facts rather than rare scenarios presented as if they are happening everywhere, every day.

Colorado families deserve honest discussions about student achievement, responsible budgeting, special education services, staffing shortages, and preparing students for the future. Turning schools into nonstop political battlegrounds does not strengthen families or help children succeed. Protecting children should bring communities together, not divide neighbors through fear and outrage.

Jeralee Gonzalez

Woodland Park