SPEAK !?! UP!

SO POLITICS rears its ugly head in the vaccine priorities. I am 80 years old. I would gladly give up my place in line in order for a teacher or first responder to get their vaccine. LM

I CAN’T believe that after almost 11 months APS doesn’t have a plan in place to get the students back in school. How is it that the Catholic and private schools have been able to accomplish this with a minimal budget and staff? I wish on my property taxes I could opt to send my money to the Catholic schools instead of APS. AM

JUDGE RENEE

Torres showed reckless disregard for the safety of our community by releasing repeat offender Jose Mercado without bond, on his own recognizance. I hope she is required to explain her poor judgement to his next victim and run him down herself when he doesn’t appear for his court date. JMH

(JAN. 27) I received my first COVID vaccination at Expo New Mexico. Major kudos to the people who handled the logistics for the event. In spite of the hundreds of cars lined up, the time from arrival to departure was just over an hour — a remarkable feat in my opinion. Every “staff” person I dealt with was pleasant and professional whether they were directing traffic, answering questions, vaccinating or sanitizing the chairs that had been used. The IT folks who created the text and email alerts received throughout the process are also to be commended. Thank you to all who created a “good” COVID experience. JJG

THE NMDOH should explain why, with the exception of those 75 or older, our elderly citizens in the 60 to 74 age group are receiving no special priority for COVID vaccination. This despite the fact that NMDOH itself reports 80% of COVID deaths occur in this group. RJ

MY SCHEDULED vaccination was cancelled without reason. “View and update your registration” at blah, blah site. Even with an event code this can’t be done because the site blocks you. Very big on cancellation but myopic on assistance. Another incompetent mess by the DOH and the state of New Mexico. GLK

MY WIFE and I are in our 80s with health problems. We played by the rules and registered on the state registry for our turn to be vaccinated for coronavirus. In the meantime the prisoners, the homeless and politicians worked their way ahead us in line. Now the school teachers’ union wants to crowd ahead of us en masse. It’s taken me over 80 years of playing by the rules to learn I’m an idiot. I suggest the teachers’ union receives a position in line based on their national rankings of schools. 50 out of 50. GWR

HOW MANY people in this state that have had and recovered from COVID-19 got their vaccination shot under the state’s “random choice” algorithm? Let me guess. The state has no clue that they might be giving a vaccine to someone who really doesn’t need it. MAL

“WE ARE in this together” say the bureaucrats and politicians. Well, over 600 N.M. businesses and thousands of taxpayers have lost their incomes as a result of COVID government-mandated closures. How many bureaucrats and politicians have lost their incomes and jobs? JCG

I AM thoroughly disgusted Mayor Tim Keller and his executive appointees have received the COVID vaccine ahead of frontline city employees like police and firefighters. I urge everyone else who disapproves of this mistaken inequality to remember it later this year on Election Day. DM

THE ALLEGATIONS made by (Patricia) Martinez in her whistleblower lawsuit against the Keller administration are not at all surprising. It is pretty obvious to even the casual observer that staffing decisions in the city are skewed in favor of young, goodlooking applicants. Anyone else is wasting their time applying. Skills and experience seem to be irrelevant. I’m looking for a home in a city far away where all my tax money isn’t wasted on lawsuits for ineptness. HJS

PERHAPS THE mayor of Albuquerque could conduct an “enforcement blitz” directed at the surge of homicides occurring. VE

AS A

former nurse, I know some terminal pain cannot be controlled by medication. It breaks my heart that Vince Distasio could not get aid in dying (Journal Jan. 29). No person or family should have to suffer this way. Please do not use your religious beliefs to inflict such suffering. Our Constitution is based on separation of church and state. Aid in dying offers hope and dignity for those dying. You, yourself, might want it, someday. BC

... IT’S TIME for the Democrats in D.C. to stop the charade of being scared of some kind of attack. I understand what happened Jan. 6, and it’s being dealt with, however, making our nation’s capital look like a Third-World capital with razor wire, National Guard troops is just flat-out ridiculous. If it’s that bad, are the senators and Congress people getting escorted to their work place? No. This charade has lasted far too long . ... RET

IN ORDER for the nation to heal and end this hate and anger is for former President Trump to concede he lost fair and square by 306 to 232 electoral votes, 81,281,502 to 74,222,593 popular vote and that the election was not rigged or stolen — common sense figures don’t lie. LB

VERY PLEASED to see Sam Vigil is suing the mayor and city over our foolish “sanctuary city” status related to his wife being shot and killed by a (person in the country without permission) attempting to rob her. Such legal challenge is long overdue. How many more lives must be lost and crimes committed by individuals being harbored in our city because of this city policy before the policy is terminated? ... DC

HEY, CAN I get in line to get vaccinated as a teacher? I’ve been teaching third grade to my grandchild for 10 months now while paid APS teachers are hiding at home. Seems fair to me. TC

(ALBUQUERQUE’S) SANCTUARY city policy is illegal, meaning, against the law. If (the city) had not chosen to harbor violent criminals, Jacqueline Vigil would be alive today. Ordinary citizens are robbed, threatened, killed, and afraid to leave their homes, largely due to violent illegals. Mayor Keller and council members who voted for this policy (have) betrayed the trust of the voters who believed (they) would represent us and fight crime. We’ve had enough and it’s time for (Keller) to go. JCL

WHY ARE employees at Sandia National Labs getting the COVID vaccine before my 78-year-old mother with underlying conditions? They are a subsidiary of a private company. Really? Stop treating them like a sacred cow. JR

THANK YOU for publishing the column in the (Jan. 24) Sunday Journal written by Elizabeth Groening. It was very heartwarming and a pleasure to read a positive and uplifting opinion. On another positive note, I would like to give Kudos to my paper carrier. Last week when the wind was blowing, he was kind enough to put my paper in my courtyard so it wouldn’t blow away. Thank you. POC

A TIP of the hat and many kudos to (Sam) Vigil. Personally I hope (he) bring(s) the city to its knees with this suit. I am tired of this California sanctuary city (nonsense). And I hope one of the local stations will have the guts to notify national of this. Maybe other states will join in. BK

JERRY PACHECO’S

article in “True patriots don’t bear the flag while spreading lies” in the Jan. 25 Business Outlook was

GOOD JOB superb concerning, among other important issues, the shame the miserable insurgents brought on themselves and our country during the Capitol uprising. Many thanks for expressing our feelings in ways we cannot. Pacheco was a tremendous help to us over 10 years ago while taking youth across the border to work at the Arbol de Vida Orphanage. JWH

THE HOUSE and Senate passed legislation authorizing about $2.2 million to cover security expenses at the Capitol/ 200 police officers and the National Guard. The Roundhouse was almost empty, the public barred as a precaution to limit the spread of COVID-19, so if it’s empty, what’s the $2.2 million for? DC

(SEN.) MIMI Stewart already taking heat for her choice of committee leaders from progressive members. Pay your dues and do the work you’re expected to do in Santa Fe and stop whining. And, seriously, “COVID cohort?” Another ridiculous and unimaginative label. PKC

I HAVE noticed that since I have stopped reading Argus Hamilton’s Lighter Side “jokes” each morning my day seems much brighter. GPM