SPEAK UP!
DOES THE governor really expect all of us to believe her lifting of the traveler restrictions is not directly related to her planning a D.C. trip? This is clearly politics, not “science.” The current average number of daily cases reported is no lower than when the ban was implemented. VE
MITCH MCCONNELL at the impeachment trial voted “not guilty” and then followed up with comments on the Senate floor saying former President Trump’s behavior was “unconscionable” and he was “practically and morally responsible.” This is a perfect example of a politician speaking out of both sides of his mouth. CKB
THANK YOU Democrats and seven shameless Republicans for wasting at least $500 million of our tax dollars on this unconstitutional impeachment farce (and security) when it could have been spent on problems and issues that you were sent to D.C. to actually solve. Term limits should be one of the first of them. BM
THE CITY is getting another outside group to provide more independent police oversight. Why not hold people accountable? Effective leadership would ask why IAD officers who were “going through the motions” rather than doing their jobs are still on the payroll. Oversight can never substitute for leadership. JH
CONCERNED BY N.M.’s glacial vaccine rollout we drove to Amarillo, got vaccinated along with hundreds of others in less than 30 minutes. Lots of N.M. license plates in the parking lot. Wait, what? Texas has a GOP governor and Legislature, N.M. has our usual Democratic functionaries. Guess our politicos prioritize politicians and inmates when it comes to protecting our health. JJG
WOW WHAT a coincidence – the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, the COVID-19 infection rates and the test positivity rate reached (low) levels allowing the governor to rescind her executive order requiring travelers to New Mexico to self-isolate/selfquarantine on the day before she planned to. Lucky for her that she doesn’t need to self-isolate/self-quarantine on her return. JL
COVID-19 is a respiratory virus. Dr. Scrase, Dr. Fauci and the CDC all say it is difficult to transmit via a surface. So why do we continue to see workers in haz-mat suits cleaning classrooms? I would say that’s a good example of not following the science. One of the many inconsistencies in science versus practice. SW
ARE THERE any cases of fracking contaminating fresh water in N.M.? I know of none. Fracking is done from 5,000 feet and below. Fresh water is from 300 feet and above. Modern casing and cementing prevents contamination. If there are any cases, they should be identified. Otherwise it is scare mongering. JRM
I WANT to thank everyone involved in administering the coronavirus vaccine in Rio Rancho. My husband and I got our “jabs” ... at the UNM West campus, and I have to say that it couldn’t have gone any more slickly. We were in and done in about 5 minutes, and then sat for 15 minutes so that we could be watched for an adverse reaction to the shot, and then we were on our way home . ... I seriously encourage everyone to get their vaccinations as soon as possible. It’s free and painless, and it could save your life and the lives of your loved ones . ... DS
TO THE people tossing jury duty, please just send them my way next time. I don’t mind doing my civic duty regardless of whether I agree with whom’s in charge or not . ... I’ve never seen such a clear case of someone publicly cutting off their nose to spite their face. Don’t worry, us patriotic Americans will dutifully respond and help our community when called upon; we’ve got broad shoulders. You’re welcome. LLP
AS A female who has worked for over 40-plus years, mandating gender pay equity is not the answer. Skillful managing and coaching of hardworking employees should be the basis of pay increases. Longevity does not necessarily deserve higher pay. Demonstrated work performance, regardless of gender, should be rewarded. DP
AS AN engineer for a local aerospace company here in Albuquerque we have been trying to hire people but not having too much luck due to lack of qualifications. I see that CNM is teaching a class on how to brew beer. Maybe their curriculum should include technical studies, reading, writing, and basic math. JFG
WE NEED voter ID here in N.M. to keep (ineligible) people from voting such as (immigrants in the country illegally). As it is, a person can be (in the country illegally) and vote or any person can vote for other people near their age and all they have to divulge is the person’s name, DOB and address and they get a ballot. But as long as we have Democrats in the majority in Congress, we can forget that idea, which is why after decades of Democrat majority, N.M. is last or close to last in the nation in most categories. RC
I AM sure it has cost a pretty penny to clean and repair the Capitol after Jan. 6. Perhaps Trump and the insurrectionists should be held accountable for paying for the damages instead of the taxpayers. JMM
IT SEEMS at least one — and possibly more — members of the state Legislature need mandatory social sensitivity training. BLR
THERE IS no hope. Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver ended the opening prayer for the 117th Congress with “amen and awoman.” China will dominate the world soon and the Democrats are concerned with pronouns and bathroom assignments. Google employees unionize wanting to end government contracts. I just wanted to be the first to say, “I told you so.” CS
A RECENT letter claimed “if you know where to look,” you can find evidence of voter fraud. Well, “if you know where to look,” I’ll bet you can find evidence of witches, too. WPB
IT WOULD have been great if Trump had spent as much effort and resources against COVID and its spread throughout the country as he did fighting against the 2020 presidential election. FB
OUR LOCAL big church’s newspaper (op-ed) tries to justify its church services. Do onto others as you want them to do onto you, not expose me to COVID as I expose it to you. Rules and laws are there because sadly we don’t always do the right thing. DDB
SOMEONE NEEDS to let the immigrants seeking asylum and the immigrants looking to cross into the U.S. illegally (know they) need not bother anymore. With the Dems in control of everything, we will soon become the country they are trying to flee. KS
WHEN PNM and the N.M. governor announced we would have totally renewable energy, I thought, “No problem, I’ll be dead before the exorbitant electric bills affect me.” Now it seems PNM and its board of directors are thinking along the same lines. It’s time to sell out, take our money and jump off the gravy train before the fan is struck. WL
WHAT DOES does the governor have against the restaurant industry? I am very concerned for the thousands of foodservice workers who are currently unemployed . ... The latest evidence about COVID spread is that it is due to home gatherings, not to restaurants. Ironically, the governor wants us to stay home . ... ESJ
AG BALDERAS’ statement all Republicans are responsible for the riots at the Capitol is like saying all Democrats are responsible for the horrific riots last year, which cost lives, caused severe injuries, destroyed and burned businesses and public property and left cities in shambles. Neither statement is true and this is extremely divisive rhetoric from an elected official who swore to work for all New Mexicans. JL
SO DISAPPOINTED in Yvette Herrell’s act in Congress. She used her platform in Congress to cozy up to Donald Trump. Each state has the right to determine their voting procedures. It is not her business. I certainly don’t want California telling New Mexico how to run elections. Time to wake up, Herrell . ... It’s time for those in the Republican Party to stand up and speak the truth to your constituents. Herrell aligned herself with Trump and the other insurrectionists. A sad day for New Mexico. AD
THERE MIGHT actually be a worthwhile lesson to be had in the deficit spending the pandemic has necessitated. Even in the best of economic times, we as a nation not only tolerate but indulge in spending far beyond our means. Now we find ourselves in a situation, regardless of political persuasion, where the money larded into past budgets is desperately needed. Government money is not free money. SB
IN (JAN. 13)’S letters to the editor laying the blame for rising homicide rates on the governor is another case of sour grapes. Maybe Arizona sounds better, still allowing indoor dining with twice the death rate and three times the infection rate . ... RB
NEW MEXICO and the Journal should celebrate the value of art in education. I’m surprised that LANL and the Journal continue to emphasize only STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — education and graduates when New Mexico and especially Santa Fe are recognized as the third-largest art market in the country. Art informs science,engineering and math — and life. We need to emphasize STEAM education to recognize our spirit and make New Mexico a truly great and appealing place to live. JHH
AT A meeting with Scrase he said he was tested before his daughter arrived from MI for holidays and after she left. Thought there wasn’t supposed to be family traveling for holidays? ... BC