Clem is a favorite teacher at SFCC
Ireally enjoyed reading the story about James Clem, who is alleging discrimination against Santa Fe Community College (“SFCC mathematics instructor alleges age discrimination,” May 3). I recently started attending classes there at 55 years old and was fortunate to have Jim as my math teacher for two remedial classes. Jim also was the tutor at TRiO (student support services) to which I belonged. Jim is a stand-up guy who is loved by his students. I was shocked to see the college treat him so poorly. Jim was instrumental in helping me gain an understanding of algebra, which allowed me to move onto a college-level math class required for my degree.
My experiences at Santa Fe Community College have always been extremely positive — until this. The school certainly didn’t discriminate against me as a student going back to college at age 55, so why single out a teacher who has taught there for 21 years? I hope the powers that be at the college will do the right thing concerning Jim. I have one more semester there, and I hope I don’t have to leave college with a bad taste in my mouth because my favorite teacher was forced to resign. John Deschenes
Santa Fe
Mother’s milk
Dairy products are laden with cholesterol, saturated fats, hormones, pathogens, and antibiotics, leading to obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Most adults even lack the enzyme for digesting dairy products. Humans are the only creatures drinking the milk of another species.
This Mother’s Day, let’s honor motherhood and our natural compassion for animals by rejecting the dairy industry’s cruelty and disease. Let’s replace cow’s milk and its products with delicious, healthful, cruelty-free plant-based milk, cheese and ice cream products offered by our supermarket. Sam Lostus
Santa Fe
More clowns
The Trump clown car has added more passengers: his new personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and congressional members who have never heard Donald Trump lie. The clown car is now so overloaded, the tires are flat. As the passengers clamber out of the car and thumb their way back to the big tent, remember what we have learned: Don’t pick up hitchhikers. Marcia Wolf
Santa Fe
Prepared and dedicated
I write this letter in support of Maria Sanchez-Gagne to be elected as District Court judge for the state’s First Judicial District Court. I have known Sanchez-Gagne since 1996, when she began working as a prosecutor before the courts. She was always wellprepared and presented her cases with passion and dedication, and she never lost sight of her obligation to do justice. SanchezGagne then went on to lead the Border Violence Division of the Attorney General’s Office. In that capacity, she drafted the New Mexico human trafficking law and helped shepherd it through the legislative process. Sanchez-Gagne has a track record of working effectively with legislators, courts, foreign countries, surrounding border states, as well as law enforcement and community organizations. Her experience has prepared her well to assume the responsibilities of a District Court judge. The Hon. Michael E. Vigil
District Court judge, retired Santa Fe
Mean-spirited?
The letter by Bill Brown (“A gold toilet for Air Force One?” Letters to the editor, May 4) about the gold toilet scenario is disgusting. I find it unconscionable that the paper prints this type of ridiculous speculation and disrespect for leaders of countries, let alone a rear admiral in the service of his country. Just because someone sends a letter to you doesn’t mean it should be printed. Is it helpful or just mean-spirited? Jane Vander Velde
Santa Fe