A look back at the year’s best letters to the editor

Santa for their Fe citizens strong opinions. — often readers And they of The are not New shy Mexican about letting — are the known world know what they think. For that, we are grateful. Our Opinions pages are discussed and debated not just for the editorials, but for the Letters to the Editor from readers. To end 2017, we are presenting a look back at the year in letters. You will see familiar topics: Trump, politics, the soda tax, the controversy over the Entrada at Fiesta de Santa Fe, as well as quirky takes that could only come from Santa Fe. To all our readers, a Happy New Year and here’s to more letters in 2018. Keep them short, and keep them coming.

Remember, always

During the holiday season I like to remind myself of the true meaning of this time of year. It is about our presence rather than presents. It is about the great opportunity to offer our gifts of time and service. Rudolf Steiner said that the winter season is our “in breath,” a time to reflect on what is working in our lives and be grateful. Most of us do not remember what presents we receive from year to year. I had one exception — when our son, Julien, surprised us, along with the help of his brother, Perry, by flying over from Geneva, Switzerland, for the holidays. I will remember this always.

I am hopeful that each of us can make a difference in others’ lives and find peace in our hearts and generosity of spirit. It will be kindness, acceptance, tolerance and a deep appreciation of the sacredness of each being on the planet that will help us heal, enriching each heart and mind. Kim Schiffbauer

Santa Fe Jan. 1

More peas, more dessert

Early in life, I learned a valuable lesson that I will never forget. The lesson — compromise. Here’s how it worked: My parents wanted me to eat vegetables. I didn’t like vegetables. So they told me that if I didn’t eat my vegetables, I would not get dessert. Fine. I missed a few desserts. Then one day, we had green peas for dinner and chocolate pudding for dessert. Chocolate pudding happened to be my favorite food. So, I made a suggestion: I proposed that I would eat half of my peas if I could have half of my pudding. “Great,” my mother said. The peculiar side effect was the peas were not all that bad. So going forward, I ate all of my peas, and I got all of my dessert. Win-win. And it all came about because of our willingness to compromise. We need to convince more politicians and countries to give it a try. All I am saying is — give peas a chance. Bob Thornburg

Santa Fe Jan. 10

Journalism: Truth, not ‘alternative facts’

Recent attacks on the media by President Donald Trump are more than worrisome. They are terrifying. To call journalists “among the most dishonest human beings on Earth” is disgraceful. Mr. Trump, tell that to the parents of video journalist James Foley, beheaded by Islamic State militants in Syria in 2014, or to reporter Roxana Saberi, imprisoned in Iran for more than 100 days in 2009 on false charges of espionage. Tell that to the families of the more than 2,200 people listed on the Newseum Journalists Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., who all died while doing their jobs. I spent more than 40 years in the journalism world, including 16 as a professor. I predict that young people will apply in record numbers to journalism schools around the country, just like they did after Watergate, seeking the truth instead of the “alternative facts” being offered by our new administration. Mary Coffman Santa Fe Jan. 27

Heartfelt thanks

My heartfelt thanks to the organizers of the Women’s March on Washington-Santa Fe, to the speakers who shared their stories and concerns, to the people who carried signs, and to the thousands of others, like me, who simply showed up. I felt so empowered just being a small part of this momentous event. Hopefully, the march will be only a first step in making our narcissist-in-chief aware that the people of our country are mightier than he is; that our truth is stronger than his fiction; that his job is to be president of the United States, not just president of the chosen few.

The Women’s March is a wake-up call for you, Mr. Trump. The women, and the men who support their causes, are voicing their complaints and concerns. Be assured that, if you choose ignore them, they will “not go gentle into that good night.” David B. van Hulsteyn Santa Fe Jan. 29

Handy reminder

Having recently relocated to Santa Fe from New York, I am not exactly in the loop on school bond issues or really even the upcoming votes. Thanks to the anonymous mailing I received Saturday afternoon (“Anonymous mailer urges ‘no’ vote on bond,” Feb. 6), I was made aware of both of these. Of course, my wife and I voted yes on it, as school upkeep, maintenance and building are vitally important to all communities and schoolchildren. A big thank you should go out to our “anonymous mailer” for making so many of us aware of this important vote. Please, by all means, keep sending your anonymous propaganda our way. William Brazill Santa Fe Feb. 9

Yes to pre-K

As a person of faith, I strongly support Santa Fe’s initiative to provide prekindergarten programs to all children in the city, and to pay for it with a tax on soda (“Council sets hearing on soda tax plan,” Feb. 9). We are called to live in faith, in love and in hope. Our children are at the heart of all three of these. The way to show faith and hope for the future is to love our children by giving them the best possible start in life, as well as to help them to fend off habits that will hurt them. Santa Fe’s proposal does both. Martha Franks

Santa Fe Feb. 15

Healing soda

As an alternative healer, I passionately oppose the tax on soda. The ginger in ginger ale is a tonic; when ill with nausea, belly ache or seasickness, ginger can be a great remedy. Root beer is made from roots, which also works as an herbal medicine. The fizz in soda is known to relieve an upset stomach. The internet tells us Coca-Cola has a number of medicinal purposes, including helping to control nausea, removing blockages in the esophagus and intestines as well as being great to perk up one’s mind on a long afternoon. The soda tax would put a major damper on those with a lower income. We need our sodas — please do not deprive us. Tobi Wilde

Santa Fe March 7

Stop whining

My dad always said, “Any problem is really an opportunity in disguise.” So, Santa Fe, why not use the new glass recycling “problem” as an “opportunity” to be good citizens, showing your civic pride. Stop whining, haul your glass and haul some for a neighbor who needs help. Maggie Odell

Santa Fe March 27

In the same boat

James Cardwell from Albuquerque sends a snotty letter (“Rolling along,” April 5) to The Santa Fe New Mexican saying, in effect: Ha ha, you sad liberals, our side is winning it all. This nyah-nyah attitude is not just childish. It’s lethally illogical. Republicans have to breathe air and drink water, too, don’t they?

Dismantling every federal protection of our planet’s finite resources is not just some political game. This is about survival.

People like this hate progressives so much that they are really excited to punch a hole in our boat. They won’t notice they are sitting at the other end of the same boat until it sinks. Sasha Pyle

Santa Fe April 17

Who wins?

What would you rather have — better educations for your children and grandchildren or unhealthy drinks that create health problems (“Soda tax fizzles,” May 3)? Obesity and corporate power: 58 percent; improved education: 42 percent. City Different or City Indifferent? Trudel and Dave Gifford

Santa Fe May 7

Growing up unwanted

The only way to understand the importance of safe and legal abortion is to grow up as an unwanted child, as I did. Without parents, no one really cares if a child is successful or loved. Without family, orphans and foster kids often end up homeless as adults. If asked to choose between a life of suffering or death as a fetus, I would choose death. Real choice should consider the costs of the harsh lives led by many of those born to unwilling parents. Life can be great, but let’s not pretend that it is great for everybody. Kelita Smith

Santa Fe May 19

Roads, not racetracks

If you don’t want the speed vans back, then stop driving the streets of Santa Fe like you’re racing in the Indy 500, and stop tailgating and bullying people who do drive the speed limit (“Panel backs proposal to revive speed vans,” June 6). Jean Wegner

Santa Fe June 14

Needing answers

Santa Fe County commissioners: As a member of Santa Fe Power, a watchdog group of residents (both city and county), we are concerned about how our governments are trying to go on a raising taxes spree — first the city, then the state and now the county. In each case, there has been little input from the constituents who are impacted by all these tax increases. There has not been enough of a description of how these taxes are going to help each of us continue to survive in this expensive city or county, which was affordable at one time.

When is the last time Santa Fe County employees received a decent raise? When is the last time the county cut from the top? Our municipalities are not being frugal with our tax dollars, and taxes are not being used as they should be. Give people a better opportunity to participate. Gloria Mendoza

Santa Fe June 15

Pancakes and potholes — our beloved Santa Fe

I am a lactose lackey, a confirmed glutenist and a bone-gnawing meat eater. And I am more than a little intolerant these days of pancake poobah-ism, virtuous veganism and the frequently selfdiagnosed subgroups of hypochondriacs and neurotics that have puddled in Santa Fe (“No more pancakes,” Letters to the Editor, July 26). These passively pushy people are like potholes — plentiful, unavoidable and in need of constant attention. Now one of them wants to save us from the reeking pancakes “of segregation and divisiveness” on the Santa Fe Plaza. A “social justice issue?” Please. Even in an age of huffy history and boutique-style “inclusiveness,” this is too much. So pass the syrup! After a tasty breakfast, we can go out — if it makes you feel better — and save a prairie dog or rescue a pooch from the pound and tether him on a short leash patiently braided from our own neuroses. You know. Fun, Santa Fe style. Meanwhile: Our Plaza, our pancakes, ourselves. Walter Howerton Santa Fe July 30

During his four-year tenure at The New Mexican, Ray Rivera oversaw the shaping of a quality newspaper that serves this city day in and day out by holding the rascals to account with an ongoing commitment to local, investigative reports, by on-the-ground reporting of community and regional interest, by truth-telling editorials augmented by an open forum for reader opinion pieces and by culling from the best wire stories and commentaries for addressing national news coverage. He did his job well during an era when chain-operated newspapers turn out generic pap sapped of passion and meaningful connections to the communities they serve.

This community is blessed to have a strong, locally owned and operated newspaper that aspires to put its widespaced fingers on the multiple pulses that emanate from many heartbeats within this culturally diverse city. Noted journalist Pete Hamill once wrote, “If newspapers do what only they can do, we will have better cities, better citizens, and a smarter, more humane country.” Mr. Rivera sought to fulfill that promise. I wish him well at his new posting at The Seattle Times. He earned our high regard and gratitude. Barbara Allen Kenney

Santa Fe Sept. 22

Solving the annual Fiesta controversy

For many of your readers, the Fiesta de Santa Fe’s Entrada is a confusing issue. I worked 20 years for the Santa Fe Police Department and have been retired more than 20 years. Seven of those years, I was involved with special events. This argument has been going on for as long as I can remember, and the Santa Fe Fiesta Council insists every year that it will have the Entrada. So let’s make this simple. The Fiesta Council has to apply for a city of Santa Fe use permit. The city can approve the permit but not allow the Entrada portion. This event is going to get someone hurt, and [disallowing the Entrada] gives the city of Santa Fe a way to control any future problems. You can’t change history, and it’s well-documented what occurred. Jeff Dieringer

Santa Fe Police Department, retired Santa Fe Oct. 1

Bed bargains

Is there ever a day when mattresses are not on sale? Richard Rindone

Santa Fe Oct. 6

The power of Dolores Huerta

What an honor to meet Dolores Huerta, see her life’s story on screen and hear her powerful words (“The activism of Dolores Huerta,” Pasatiempo, Sept. 29) at the Center for Contemporary Arts celebration Oct. 5.

We were so blessed to spend this time with this incredible Latina woman who has spent her life fighting for truth and justice. She has made a positive, lifechanging influence because she had the boldness at a very young age to stand up for what is right and not give up despite the trials and tribulations that came her way. When you show courage, people are drawn to it as you are speaking truth to power. Please take the time to go see her movie, Dolores. It opens our eyes on all that she has done, and it will touch your heart and soul in a wonderful way.

We all have a calling; be aware of your effect on the world. We can all make a difference in an amazing way, and make this world a better place. Sí, se puede — Yes, we can! Doris Vigil McBride

president/CEO Santa Fe Computer Supplies Inc. Oct. 18

A better Fiesta

I applaud Sunday’s editorial for its expansive analysis of the Santa Fe Fiesta and your positive recommendations for achieving community peace on this issue (“Expanding Santa Fe’s story,” Our View, Sept. 24). Most of the Fiesta program is culturally rich and fun for locals and tourists. But the Entrada part of the program, which dramatizes hurtful myths about the reconquest of Santa Fe, spoils the spirit of Fiesta and is irritating to many in our community, especially our Native people and schoolchildren.

For all the reasons presented in your editorial, I urge our mayor to consider appointing now, within a month, a wellbalanced Fiesta commission, representing the diversity of our greater community. This blue-ribbon Fiesta commission of outstanding, caring citizens should be charged to study and analyze the present problems with Fiesta and make recommendations by early spring on how to make Fiesta better — with no conflicts and more enjoyment for all. Tencha Avila

Santa Fe Oct. 27

Voter requirements

If voters are so incredibly stupid as to believe posts on Facebook (or for that matter on Twitter, from a former TV reality host), then we need more stringent requirements — not for voter ID but for voter IQ. N.M. Pyne

Santa Fe Nov. 6

Idolatry of guns is a national shame

The headline (“Error allowed man to buy guns,” Nov. 7) blared, two days after 26 people were slaughtered in a Texas church by a man armed with a militarystyle rifle and at least 450 rounds of ammo. Yes, the Air Force made a grievous mistake in not reporting the man’s domestic violence history to the FBI. But the real error of this and every mass shooting in this country is the fact that elected officials, from Congress and the president to state and local governments, lack the courage to ban the purchase of such weapons and ammunition.

There is no sane reason for anyone, other than military or police personnel, to have AR-15s or AR-15 variants. Our national error — and shame — is our idolatry of guns and bowing down to the lobbyists and others who promote them. Rev. Talitha Arnold

senior minister The United Church of Santa Fe Nov. 12

If the adult in the house is allowing a high school student to stay up until midnight or 1 a.m. on school nights, how is the student ever going to learn to be an adult himself (“Rise and shine at a later time?” Nov. 28)? And how is he going to learn the self-discipline needed to get enough rest to be good at a job? The time that school begins is not the problem here. Nina Butts

Santa Fe Dec. 4

Are you kidding me? Pecos High School senior Carlos Cordova has not overcome enough difficulty in his life — now the New Mexico Activities Association could strip him and the team of all the victories in which Carlos participated? Who are these people? This young man has dealt with more adversity in his life than most can imagine. Yes, there are rules. But is it the spirit of the rules or the letter of it that these folks want to enforce? Good Lord. Have the hearing and grant the kid a waiver. Such tremendous academic and athletic achievement should be rewarded, not punished. The mentorship of Dominick Baca in Carlos’ life should also not go unrecognized. Let’s not punish great behavior with the stick of “rules.” Shame. Cathlynn Groh

Santa Fe Dec. 4