Consolidating E.J. and Chaparral just makes sense

John Moeller (“E.J. rebuild called a ‘boondoggle,’ ” Letters to the Editor, March 20) and The New Mexican (“Take a hard look at the decision to rebuild E.J.,” Our View, March 24) are correct that a rebuild and reopening of E.J. Martinez Elementary School is a very bad idea. Why is it that only small schools in well-off neighborhoods are worth saving, but three other small schools (Kaune, Alvord and Larragoite) were unceremoniously closed and never reopened, and all three school populations summarily dumped into the vacant, hastily remodeled Alameda Middle School?

We all know why: Their student population consisted of children from low-income families. Why is Acequia Madre Elementary School still open? Why did Carlos Gilbert and Tesuque elementaries, with tiny numbers of students, each receive multimillion-dollar remodels and stay open? Their higher-income families fought hard to keep them open, that’s why. Combining the students from E.J. with those of Chaparral Elementary School is not a tragedy. It is a sensible idea with much merit.

Lynn Osborne Santa Fe

Not necessary

In the piece (“Picking up pieces after toppling of the monument,” My View), author Mark Cross stated that “on the eve of a planned protest, Mayor [Alan] Webber appeared on the Plaza with the protesters and called for the Soldiers’ Monument and two other memorials to come down.” This reminds me of President Donald Trump giving a speech at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., where he urged supporters to march to the Capitol. Webber’s incitement and extremism aren’t needed in Santa Fe.

Tom Skyes Santa Fe

Stand up

What will it take for us, Americans, who profess a belief that “all men are created equal, entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” to rise up against our current policy of support for the Israel of Benjamin Netanyahu? Why does our government not extend this creed to the poor and innocent children of Gaza? Do all Americans really view them as less than human?

These children are being killed by the thousands, with thousands more injured or orphaned by the bombing.

Wake up, Americans, and demand that President Joe Biden use his power, his economic leverage, and his position as leader of the most powerful country in the world to assert himself and threaten Israel with a total stop to any further military assistance. This weakness, this fear, this unwillingness to cross Netanyahu, will be a permanent stain on Biden’s and our country’s reputation. We may never recover that reputation in the eyes of the world. Certainly the Palestinians will never, can never, forgive us.

Don Clark Santa Fe

Help New Mexico

An open letter to Elon Musk: You have several businesses in New Mexico and, therefore, an economic relationship with our state. New Mexico has the highest child poverty rate in the Unites States. Twenty to 25% of the children here go hungry. A cry from a hungry child should not be ignored. The cost of feeding these children nutritious meals might be, as a guess, $100 million a year.

Mr. Musk, isn’t it time to think of your legacy? Wealth gives you the power to do good for others — to lessen their suffering. Tremendous wealth gives you tremendous power. I urge you to this good, be on the right side of human nature, and cover the cost of feeding hungry children in our state.

Stephen Berger Santa Fe

One-sided

Free speech for me but not for thee.

Roberto Gallegos Santa Fe

More, please

The editorial (“Protect free speech, or prepare to lose it,” Our View, March 22) troubles me. The sentiments of the article are spot on, but the problem is this: How can someone pretend to advocate for free speech one day and then keep conservative opinions to a bare minimum the rest of the time? I would hope that more opinions like this would be written, but I expect them to be extremely rare.

Raymond Lopez Santa Fe