#MeToo — it’s about time women took a stand
Iam incredibly pleased at the upheaval in virtually every walk of life caused by #MeToo. It is long overdue. We are finally examining the attitude prevalent in our society and evident in the pervasiveness of sexual harassment, abuse and assault visited on women by men — the primitive idea that men actually own women. Nowhere is this attitude more evident and more damaging than the movement by — primarily — men to dictate women’s reproductive destinies. They claim that women do not own their own bodies; instead, women’s bodies belong to the state or federal government that is passing the laws that limit women’s reproductive health care. This is an unconstitutional return to the institution of slavery. If you seek to limit the use to which I may put my own body, you make me your slave. The difference is that women now belong to a public entity. The difference is moot. Adele E. Zimmermann Embudo
A stable of genius
With apologies to President John F. Kennedy and Nobel Prize winners, when congressional Republicans traveled down Pennsylvania Avenue to celebrate passing the tax bill, it might have been the most extraordinary collection of narcissistic and stable genius personalities ever gathered at the White House with the possible daily exception of when President Donald J. Trump dines alone in bed with a Big Mac. Stuart L. Stein Santa Fe
No fooling
Thank you, Terry Rothwell, for your response (“Don’t you try to fool us, Rep. Pearce,” My View, Jan. 6) to Congressman Steve Pearce’s commentary on the tax bill (“Bill delivers tax relief for New Mexico,” Dec. 23) and the way it specifically will affect New Mexicans. To The New Mexican, thank you also for the honest and truthful heading. You got it right; Pearce is trying to fool the good people of New Mexico. The deceit and dishonesty is overwhelming and needs to be exposed at every opportunity. Emily Warntz Santa Fe
Another puzzler
What’s with the New Mexico Public Education Department (“Education chief ’s talk of Manifest Destiny draws ire from pueblos,” Dec. 23)? First, it tries to deny climate change, evolution and the age of Earth. Now state Public Education Secretary-designate Christopher Ruszkowski talks about Manifest Destiny. Is the Scopes Monkey Trial next? Jenny Warden Santa Fe
What reform?
I need help. Republican politicians say this new tax plan will bring unprecedented riches to this country — a chicken in every pot. If that is so, why do we keep hearing Speaker Paul Ryan and his caucus talk about “entitlement reform” — which even he acknowledges means cuts to social programs. If these massive tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations will bring economic growth and prosperity for all, shouldn’t we be talking about food for hungry children, not cutting the Children’s Health Insurance Program? Expanded Social Security, not less? Better Medicare? Heck, with our new prosperity, we should be able to afford Medicare for all. I know some Republicans read this paper. Can one of you help us understand the talk of “reform?” Shouldn’t we expect these tax cuts to benefit all of us? Or is the real agenda just to take away whatever can be taken from those less fortunate? B. J. Whatley, M.D. Santa Fe
Move to Jerusalem
In ancient times, tribal peoples worshiped trees, waterfalls and rocks. Some thousands of years ago, the Hebrews created the concept of monotheism, which led to the development of other monotheistic religions that acknowledge the same deity. In Judaism, the deity is transcendent and incorporeal. Jews are forbidden from worshiping images or objects. The movement to name Jerusalem the official capital of Israel satisfies the fever dreams of segments of the religious community — some Jews and some Christians. Thus, we have come full circle in worshiping that nubbin of rock called Jerusalem. The pronouncement that we may do so comes not from King David but from King Donald. However, King Donald studied business and finance in college; he never took Geopolitics 101. Judy Mellow Santa Fe
No decency
I am 90 years old and can’t walk. My medical expenses for helpers and equipment to get around in the home and to doctors are substantial. Now that Congress and the president have chosen to eliminate the medical deduction on my income tax, I have to restrain myself from wishing my disability on those who so voted. Maybe their mean spirit has taken over me. I would ask the famous question: Have you no decency? Herman I. Morris Plano, Texas