Trump’s executive order ‘show’; prevent misinformation with media literacy; bring a women’s hockey team to Colorado

Trump’s executive order ‘show’

Along with the new Trump regime comes the return of the ubiquitous executive order signing ceremony. No other president, in my recollection, has been nearly so fond of this “show.” Perhaps, the folks who make his beloved black Sharpies are providing some sort of monetary kickback. The image that comes to mind for me, with each of these photo ops, is that of a chubby, orange-haired toddler, flanked by his proud parents and grandparents, as he points to what he just made in the potty chair. Little has changed about him in the intervening seven decades!

Bob Luhr, Boulder

Prevent misinformation with media literacy

“Fake news” is a term we have all started to hear more and more within the last few years. During my sophomore year of high school, the COVID lockdowns were in full effect and so was the panic over the “possible effects of vaccines.” Many dangerous unfounded claims were spread about the vaccines, like that they gave children autism, or even crazier some said they are a way for the government to control us. I began to ask myself, how could people have such opposing views from experts?

In my studies for the answer, I found that the Dunning-Kruger effect can be used to explain this lap in people’s judgment. The effect states in the simplest terms that the less you know, the more you think you do. This effect explains why some of the loudest voices on vaccines were those who are uneducated on the subject. An echo chamber was created where the misinformed were preaching to the uneducated causing many to fear vaccines and therefore not getting them. The effects of this misinformation were very real with the National Library of Medicine saying, that over 232,000 adult deaths in the U.S. were preventable with just the primary series of the vaccine.

To prevent future disasters fueled by misinformation, CU Boulder and universities worldwide should implement required media literacy and critical thinking courses. These classes would teach students how to assess sources, recognize bias (including their own), and separate fact from fiction in today’s overwhelming information landscape. Taking such proactive steps like this can save lives and cultivate a well-informed society.

Joe Harrington, Boulder

Bring a women’s hockey team to Colorado

Currently, Colorado is home to five major men’s professional sports teams but not a single professional women’s team. This gap in representation is a missed opportunity. As a female athlete, the lack of professional women’s sports in Colorado is not only disappointing but represents the bigger issue of the gender barriers that remain in sports for many women and girls.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), launched in 2023, has rapidly grown, gaining national attention and fan support. The league set a new attendance record with 21,105 fans in Montreal, enough to fill Denver’s Ball Arena. The PWHL brings visibility to women’s hockey, inspiring a new generation of athletes.

Hockey remains a male-dominated sport; according to USA Hockey’s membership statistics, only 15% of the registered players are female. In Colorado, the number is slightly higher — around 18%. Representation matters, and bringing a professional women’s hockey team to Colorado would give young girls in the state visible role models, helping to grow female participation not only in hockey but in sports across the board.

Despite the Colorado Avalanche ranking among the NHL’s leaders in average attendance, Colorado is not among the top five states for youth hockey participation. Bringing a PWHL team to Colorado could bring growth to the hockey community in Colorado. The league is looking to expand in the next few years, so reach out to the league expressing interest in a team in Denver, and watch their games on TV to support the league and expand the fan base.

It is time for Colorado to lead by example and bring a professional women’s hockey team to Denver. Doing so would be a meaningful investment in the future of sports, gender equity and community.

Sydney Albrecht, Boulder