Letters to the Editor

Cover, Dec. 3: “Winter Guide”

Night Light Fight

With the holiday season among us, we have to again address the friendly debate of luminarias versus farolitos. This issue is almost discussed as much as the state question, "Red or green?" It has been said that traditionally Northern New Mexicans refer to them as farolitos, where southern New Mexicans call the lights luminarias. Farolito directly translated from Spanish means "little lantern" and closely related to the word farolillo, which refers to the traditional lanterns hanging above the streets during fiestas and verbenas. The English translation for luminaria is an illumination, which ambiguously could mean any type of illumination, and many believe it to be the proper term due to its tie to the Christian Christmas tradition. Northerners will only refer to luminarias when talking about festival bonfires. As it may seem, both terms seem appropriate depending on whom you talk to. But it is interesting that this debate has been highlighted for many years even outside the state.

I found an article talking about this dating all the way back to 1965 from the Milwaukee Journal! Regardless of where you are from, or what you call it, we can all be proud of this old and beautiful tradition!

Debbie Chavez
via Facebook

News, Dec. 3: “On Camera”

Go Lapel Cameras!

There is nothing to consider. This technology will protect police and citizens alike and needs to be implemented.

Kathy Smith
via Facebook

Tables Have Turned

One may wonder how a law officer may react to a citizen's use of a lapel camera during an encounter—especially if the citizen requests clear view of the officer's credentials for the purposes of recording. Many of us have encountered, in phone calls a statement like, "this call may be recorded for quality assurance purposes." Yet when I state to the human agent in such a call that, "This call may be recorded…" and ask for a full name and employee number, invariably I receive a weird reaction. Fair play?

Albo P Fossa
Santa Fe

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Santa Fe Reporter