Letters to the Editor

Cover, May 30: “SFR Endorsements”

Conspiracy Theories

Our society is experiencing an historic shift. More and more victims of sexual violence are finding the courage to declare #MeToo, and people are listening. It's not happening just in Hollywood or Washington DC, but also right here; in the New Mexico legislature. The weather is changing—for the better. As men, we need to change as well.

When men are accused of sexual misconduct and raise the alarm of "False Allegations!!" the only thing I can hear is a stubborn denial to look at themselves and take stock. As a group, we men have been taught to view women as less value, objects and property. It is present even among those of us who have been taught to be gentlemen. Each of us men are responsible to make a change in ourselves to ensure that the violence ends.

I would hope that our state leadership would set an example and face accusations of sexual harassment with humility and a true desire to make amends. I would hope that these leaders would recognize the courage it takes to speak up—especially against someone who holds public office. Claims of "conspiracy" are not only ridiculous, but are also disrespectful and harmful to survivors.

The real conspiracy has been men keeping our mouths shut while we see and hear our brothers abusing women in word and deed. Not to mention the times we ourselves have participated.

Scott Davis
Española

News, May 14: “Uncertain Future for Teen Arts Center”

What’s in a name?

After 21 years, Warehouse 21 was labeled the "Studio Center" by a fresh board of directors. That name sounds so generic to me and hardly memorable. I was relieved to see W21 signage still in place there for past six months. Just recently came key changes on the board, and news that the original name hadn't been legally switched. I'm assured that this place may continue to serve as Santa Fe's Teen Arts Center.

Recognized often as a "Best of Santa Fe" Youth Program and Recording Studio by Reporter readers, the Warehouse has nurtured enthusiastic young people to become talented achievers in several arts disciplines. How Santa Fe can you get?!

The Warehouse now needs urgent support from Santa Fe adults and our City Hall so our youth will have a spot right here in the artistic heart of Santa Fe where they can grow in their creative passions. Here we are, living one of the world's most vibrant arts centers. Let's help make it possible for our young people to become the recognized artists of tomorrow.

Richard Polese
Former Board President, W21
Santa Fe

Web Extra, May 27: “Ssssssss”

Snake for the record

Thank you for the story about Eldorado Snake Relocation Volunteers (ESRV). However, there are two errors that need to be corrected.

[You reported] that snakes do not like water. The fact is that snakes like and need water as much as they need food and shelter. …

[As for who to contact when you find a snake,] snakes move quickly, so the available volunteers must be in close proximity to the resident requesting a relocation. … We [in Eldorado] are in our seventh season of successfully educating residents about the value of snakes and relocating snakes as needed. We are available to help other neighborhoods set up a similar program.

Lyn deMartin
Eldorado

Editor's Note: When we reported that snakes don't like water, what we meant was you're not likely to find a rattlesnake choosing to live in your toilet tank. But, either way, the phrasing has been changed online.

Claytoons, May 16

Let there be light?

The Santa Fe Reporter's May 16, 2018 editorial cartoon depicts the smiling caricatures of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ivanka Trump, as the Prime Minister holds his coat over the blood of dead Gazans so that Ms. Trump does not soil her boots. Representing the Prime Minister and Ms. Trump—proxies for Israel and the United States—as taking pleasure in the deaths and wounding of people in Gaza is a gross and unfair fabrication. It presents a very difficult and complex situation in a simplistic light: ignoring the role of Hamas in mobilizing the breaching of the border and Israel's very real dilemmas in trying to defend that border. All involved—including Israelis and Americans—unquestionably recognize it as a horrific tragedy that so many people have been killed and wounded at the Gaza border. The editorial cartoon's biased view makes light of a very serious and complex situation.

Scott L Levin
Anti-Defamation League, Mountain States Region
Denver, Colorado

Shoe = Other Foot

This cartoon was shocking for its blatant anti-Semitism, disguising itself as "mere anti-Israel" political comment.

How would you and your readers have reacted if "mere anti-Obama" commentary had been delivered in the form of a caricature presentation of Little Black Sambo from 60 years ago? Would you have published and defended such a cartoon as a simple political statement?

The depiction of the democratically elected leader of the only democracy in the Middle East, using the traditional iconography employed by the Nazis 80 years ago demonstrates a truly depraved taste and an utter lack of historical information on the part of the creator of the cartoon, and a total lack of editorial responsibility on the part The Reporter.

You should apologize in print and on your website for disseminating this disgusting cartoon.

Kristina Harrigan
Santa Fe

Reality

Thank you for your courage in standing up for Palestine in your recently published cartoon. I'm sure you're getting blasted with accusations of anti-Semitism, but how can portraying reality be anti-Semitic?

Naomi G Harrison
Santa Fe

Spade

I applaud the Reporter for printing the cartoon lampooning the horrors of the Gaza massacre as Ivanka Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu celebrate the move of the US Embassy to Jerusalem; a clear violation of the status of the city as determined by the UN to be a multi-national/cultural city. …

While many would call the cartoon at least anti-Israel, more will call it anti-Semitic while ignoring the definition of Semitic. … Not all of the people of Palestine are semitic, including many Jews. But what users of the term mean is "anti-Jew."

It matters not one wit if the Israelis led by Netanyahu are Jews, Arabs (some are) or bananas, the same international ethics and morality apply. A massive amount of blood was spilled by Israel's actions. Ivanka Trump made the presentation at the new US embassy while the massacre was going on and Gazans died and bled per Israel's decisions. …

Don't be afraid to call a spade a spade.

Brian O'Keefe
Santa Fe

Correction

John Rysanek and Sam Sena ran for Santa Fe Magistrate Court Judge Division 3, not Division 2 as was stated in our cover story last week ("SFR Endorsements," May 30).