Letters to the Editor

cover story,
Nov. 20:

"Adam & Charles vs. the man"

paid dues

Just finished reading [the article] in SFR. Great article, and I really appreciate the unbiased (if not somewhat empathetic) take on the whole situation. So often Adam has been painted as a maniacal and a dangerous political extremist. I had the honor of finding out differently in a very personal way. I had a chance to talk with Adam (in a recorded interview) the week before his solo march on DC. I'm glad that [the author] has taken this topic seriously, done his due diligence in researching the issues, and has provided the public with a portrayal of Adam and Charles that leaves the negative stigma to those unconcerned with the facts.

braden anderson

santa fe, nm

cover story,
oct. 30:

"Black in santa fe"

history lesson

Disappointing that an otherwise thoughtful story on Black people in New Mexico by relatively newcomer Darryl Wellington distorts some historic incidents:

Estevanico, best known as Esteban, the Moor, was born in Morocco in about 1500, not "probably born in sub-Saharan Africa." Dark he may have been, but writer Wellington is too ambitious in claiming full Negroid ethnicity. Esteban was indeed killed upon entering Hawikuh (Zuni). His over-confidence and presentation of a red feather (war symbol) most likely led to his demise.

In 1850 the people of New Mexico voted overwhelmingly for a first State Constitution that declared in no uncertain terms: "Slavery…with its general evil tendencies, we have unanimously agreed to reject – if forever."

The proposed New Mexico Constitution failed in Washington, however, because that one statement about slavery ran afoul of the "Compromise of 1850," an unfortunate effort to equalize new free and slave states. Consequently, New Mexicans had to wait 62 years before America accepted our legitimate statehood!

Thank you, SFR, for making these key historical elements clear to your readers.

richard polese

santa fe, nm

news, nov. 13:

"stationary promise"

free zone

I recently moved to Santa Fe to a location where I have a close view of the 20 or so Rail Runner trains passing by each day. The trains appear to be a reliable way to travel but unfortunately, as I observe, the trains are empty except for the times when the state government employees use it to go to and from work. At other times the trains are empty. What a waste.

It has been admitted that the Rail Runner system is a project that loses large amounts of money. There is no hope of a profit. This was expected as it was promoted as being a public service. But, at this time, it is not serving most of the taxpayers of New Mexico who are paying for it.

We might turn our thinking around and recognize that the Rail Runner is a public service, paid for by the taxpayers. It is not a business run for profit; it is a service the same as are the freeways which are paid for by the taxpayers in the form of the gross receipts taxes; sales taxes, gasoline taxes, and income taxes. The Rail Runner should be viewed in that way, also.

To market it, we should use that most dynamic of marketing tools; the word free!

Why not eliminate the zones and the fares and just let everyone ride free?

This would increase usage dramatically. The people from the cities and towns along the route would then be able to travel and shop in neighboring towns. Families could travel at no cost. Crowds of people from Albuquerque would then come to Santa Fe to shop while, likewise, crowds of people from Santa Fe would ride down to Albuquerque to sample the offerings a larger city provides.

The idea, in the beginning, was to unite the two cities; Albuquerque and Santa Fe. We should put that idea into practice.

Steve conn

sfreporter.com

movies,
nov. 20:

"a life, close up"

real time

Just saw the film [Blue Is The Warmest Color] and your [reviewer David Riedel's] comments are perfectly worded. It is indeed about so much more than the sensationalistic sex, though rather explicit. It takes us to a much deeper level of exploration into Adele and allows us the luxury of what seems like "real time" to experience what she experiences; personally, emotionally and socially. A real, in-depth film. I left missing her, wanting more of her in my life.

Victoria

sfreporter.com

news, nov. 13:

"hunger games"

apples to apples

Most of the people who get food stamps or are on disability have a

larger food budget than I do. Yet I eat largely organic and local. While it's been some time since I closely monitored my food budget, I believe it's around $120- $200/month. But, I'm educated. The apple you show in your photo is no way for a poor person to eat. The frost killed our apples this year, so that means I'm paying someone to truck that piece of fruit many thousands of miles. That's not only insane, it's expensive. And the ramen next to it is actually a food-like substance, not food.

Again, poor choice, leading to obesity, diabetes, chronic nutritionally based illnesses. Poor people all over the globe know that a grain-based diet is the sane way to eat, supplemented with local, seasonal fresh foods. If it's not in season here, or it doesn't grow here, it's not only of poor nutritional quality, having been brought from afar and bred for appearance, shelf life and shipping qualities rather than flavor and nutrition, but it's also an expensive food choice. I hope you don't feel defensive about my critique.

Ignorance about food is so ubiquitous, food-related illness is killing us, and malnutrition is so unnecessary in America that I had to speak up. To sum up: Eat Food, Not Shit. Simple. Affordable. Delicious. Fun. Revolutionary!

j michael combs

santa fe, nm

SNAP judgement

I so appreciate the informative article you published about the proposed cuts to SNAP and the implications those cuts would have for New Mexicans.

I have been reading articles and editorials about this situation for months, and it remains painfully difficult to believe that those in power would consider adding to the challenges that the most needy of our communities face on a daily basis, by taking food out of the mouths of those children, seniors and the working poor who too often do not know where their next meal will come from.

Right now in Congress members of a Senate/House conference committee are negotiating a new Farm Bill and the level of SNAP cuts. The Senate Farm Bill has $4.1 billion in cuts to SNAP over ten years. However, if the House gets its way, it will cut $40 billion from the SNAP program over the next 10 years, forcing nearly 4 million people off the program, denying 210,000 low income children free meals at school. Hungry children cannot learn.

Mothers and fathers who are desperately focused on finding a way to put food on their tables cannot pull themselves and their families out of poverty. This is a destructive cycle that is not good for individuals, families or our communities. How can we as a country allow the budget to be balanced on the backs of the poorest among us?

As a member of RESULTS, a grassroots advocacy organization working to create the public and political will to end hunger and poverty, I ask all of us to speak out against these unconscionable cuts. Call or write Senator Heinrich, Senator Udall and Congressman Lujan today.

lesley diamond

santa fe, nm

Mail letters to Letters, Santa Fe Reporter, PO Box 2306, Santa Fe, NM 87504, deliver to 132 E Marcy St., fax them to 988-5348 or email them to editor@sfreporter.com.

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Santa Fe Reporter