Opinion

By JOEL M. WILLIAMS

Einstein, being probably the most famous modern scientist, has many quotes. While pictured as deeply involved in mathematics as a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, he had some critical opinions of “mathematicians.”

A couple of quotes make the point: “As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality” and “Since the mathematicians have invaded the theory of relativity, I do not understand it myself anymore.”

The veneration Read More

Idealism vs. Idealism

By KHALIL SPENCER
Los Alamos

Interesting contrast in idealism.

For Jihad Recruits, a Pipeline From Minnesota to Militancy https:////www.nytimes.com/2014/09/07/us/for-Jihad-recruits-a-pipeline-from-Minnesota-to-militancy.html

Los Alamos Native Seeks Help For His International Battalion https://ladailypost.comcontent/los-alamos-native-seeks-help-his-international-battalion

In one case, Minnesota youths become radicalized Islamists and join an international assortment of young men fighting for ISIS; later two die in service of their Read More

By GEORGE CHANDLER

I respond to Ken Milder’s letter of Sept. 5.

The County Charter was passed nearly a half-century ago. The provisions governing the utilities department are flawed because they:

(1) do not allow effective oversight of the utilities operations by the council, which is accountable to the voters and the law for these operations,

(2) there is no way for the council to hold the utilities board or the utilities director accountable for mismanagement or poor performance, and

(3) most important, there is no way to resolve disagreements Read More

By KEN MILDER

The most important, long-term decision facing Los Alamos voters is not only choosing candidates but the proposed major changes to our County Charter, our county’s constitution. Ballot Question 2 proposes to gut Article V, Utilities, by repealing that section in its entirety and replacing it with new language. That is, Charter language that has served Los Alamos citizens quite well for over 45 years must be “fixed.” Go figure: Something that ain’t broke needs “fixing!”

Be wary. The so-called “fix” will actually break something that Read More

By RICHARD SAUNDERS

The last few weeks have shown Los Alamos to not be the quiet little village many often seem to claim it is. Sadly, our Magistrate Court judge has seemingly done very little to help local law enforcement keep what safety we have in place.

One example of the failure of our Magistrate judge to protect this community is her dealings with Steve Porter. Granted, the man is innocent until proven guilty, but clearly our Magistrate judge is loosing whatever effectiveness she may have once had with our local criminals. 

Judge Casados released  Mr. Porter on bond, Read More

By KATHERINE WATSON

To hundreds of locals and visitors, the face of PEEC has long been a smiling boy in an orange sweatshirt looking delightedly at a bird perched in his hand. 

This picture sums up everything that PEEC wants to be for the community—a source of joy and delight in nature.

We at PEEC were heartbroken to hear that the model for that joyful picture has passed away. Ryan Pappas’ smile has meant so very much to us for many years. It’s hard to comprehend that he is no longer out in the world, spreading the delight that his smile reflects. 

We can’t imagine Read More

By MARLENE GRAY

The Los Alamos community recently lost a good person in the passing of Gil Butler.

Not being a resident of Los Alamos myself, I was first introduced to Gil the afternoon that the tall, slender gentleman with silvery hair appeared at my office door in the Adult Learning Center at UNM-LA. I had been told earlier in the day that “Gil” would be dropping off a check, but I had no idea who “Gil” was. 

This gentleman introduced himself, told me the purpose of his visit, and then we sat and talked about the GED® program at UNM-LA and about the diversity of Read More