Letters to the Editor

Prices Will Rise

I generally don’t find journalistic reporting on the subject of turquoise to be accurate (to my experience), but Charlotte Martinez did a pretty good job [cover, Aug. 14: “How to Spy a Turquoise Lie”]. What I do find objectionable is that once again, turquoise, the stone, is taken out of context. Oversimplified.

What is important for people to understand is that turquoise is like all other gemstones of value. There are fakes and alterations in all categories, from diamonds on down the list. Rarely will one see a ‘natural’ red ruby, for instance. Nor would the average person be able to afford such! I find that with turquoise, even the novice wants to think they can understand it. Even though I have worked with vast quantities of turquoise for over 40 years, it would be a ‘lie’ if I said I know all about it, or could even identify every altered stone! It’s surprisingly complicated! One thing for sure is that prices for turquoise will rise (have risen!) due to worldwide mine depletion, as it continues to be the world’s most popular semiprecious gemstone.
Douglas Magnus

Shit-Show

What’s your beef with old people? I am 60 years old (thus qualifying as a senior by most criteria). I think I drive just fine when I am not riding my bike (yes, in designated areas). [I] work out almost daily and enjoy a great restaurant as much as anyone. So, what everyday inconveniences do I cause for you that, with the influx of tourists (who support our city, thankfully—if we had to rely on the taxes paid by a food writer, I would probably have to add sanitation engineer to my résumé), make your visits to the Plaza a shit-show?

I think if you are going to refer to the everyday inconveniences [caused] by those of all ages, than you should refer to them as blockheads, dumbasses or whatever, but to lump all seniors into perpetrators of a massive inconvenient shit-show is hardly fair. You should apologize. Cathlynn Groh

Yuppie Mentality

I have no comment on the restaurant referenced in that article. It’s probably a nice restaurant. However, I feel I really need to respond to the article author’s pretentions and “crummy” attitude, claiming annoyances by resident seniors causing him inconveniences, and the tourists contributing to the downtown plaza “shit-show.” I have seen sad changes downtown in the past 20 years, and would never defend tourists. But summer tourists spend money, and locals make money for the winter, and to stay in business! Some day, we all, God willing, will become “senior citizens.” For the senior folks who live that long, cut ’em some slack for makin’ it.

Oh, I feel so terribly sorry for the author of that article when he shared with us that business “forced” him “to enter the downtown fray,” but he was lucky to be “soothed in spirit” by a nice restaurant. Suppose he was “forced” to apply for welfare and food stamps because business was so bad, or because he didn’t have any business going at all? With due respect to, and separate from, the specific restaurant cited, in my opinion, the attitude and demeanor of the opening part of that article is a typical example of post-modern, self-absorbed, yuppie mentality. John Moreau
Santa Fe
¡Viva!

In response to Mr. C Marcus Chino’s “Sweet Exhortations” Aug. 7 opinion, he did not bother to address my suggestion of a round-table, friendly discussion.   Therefore,  all I can say now is I am truly hoping for: a very successful Indian Market; a very successful fundraising effort for the purchase of the statue of  Tribal Revolt leader Popé (Po-Pay) for the Indian Cultural Center; and as well, a very successful Santa Fe Fiesta—Y Que Vivan Los Indios, Y Que Viva La Fiesta! And just as important and truly significant would be a future “joint statues of Leader Popé and Governor Don Diego de Vargas embracing and shaking hands.”

Saludos, Elmer Maestas
Santa Fe
Non-Natives

Thank you for the great article on wild hogs, otherwise known as feral hogs [cover, July 31: “Wild Hogs”]. I grew up in south-central Texas, and even back in the 1960s, my grandparents warned me about feral hogs, and how dangerous they could be. If I was out walking with my brothers or sisters, we were told to always have a tree in sight in case we were chased. Russian boars are particularly scary as they can reach many hundreds of pounds and the tusks are unbelievable.

Feral hogs are a non-native species that do incredible amounts of damage. My relatives have spent countless amounts of money to repair the damage to fences and crops. These hogs will eat anything—pecans, corn, oats, chickens, roadkill, etc. I know people who enjoy the meat, and others who wouldn’t eat it if you paid them.

Feral hogs are very intelligent. To say that it is barbaric to hunt them either by air or with dogs is coming from people who are ignorant of the animal and the situation. Feral hogs can breed several times a year, and sows can breed before they reach one year of age. The numbers are constantly growing. I applaud Animal Protection of NM for realizing just what an onslaught these animals have become and keeping them out of NM as best as possible.

They look cute, but compare what these hogs are doing to pythons and other constrictors that are overrunning the Florida Everglades. Something must be done, as the native species are ingrave peril.

Victoria Seale

Santa Fe Reporter