Opinion

Letter To The Editor: This Is Not A Democrat Or Republican Thing … It’s An American Thing!

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By PHIL EWING
Albuquerque

I read with interest the opinion articles written by Anissa Tinnin (link) and Juan Jose Gonzales (link)  and came to realize (as most of us have) that we are very much a polarized and partisan nation.

We have become very isolated in our lives and politics. As President John F. Kennedy once said: “For in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.”

The Republican Party of today is not the party of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, or Eisenhower. These Read More

Letter To The Editor: My Heart Is Broken Reel Deal Is Closing

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By FRED and ZENA THOMAS
Los Alamos

I am sure I won’t be the only one saying this, but my heart is broken that the Reel Deal is closing.  

The Reel Deal was one of the LA institutions that I would lift up as to why we live here. We patronized you’re establishment often, but unfortunately perhaps not often enough.

Thank you for the many good movies and for serving this community.

We will dearly miss you.
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Letter To The Editor: Treatment Of People As ‘Other’ Is Reckless And Wrong…

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By JUAN JOSE GONZALES
Los Alamos

Regarding the words written by Anissa Tinnin (link), the executive director of the Republican Party of New Mexico on June 7, I submit the following:

Misoneism is a noun meaning hatred of change or innovation, hate, hatred – the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action. Misocainea is the hatred of new ideas.

Thank you for spelling out what you say most New Mexicans cannot see or hear and for laying out the dangers of “progressivism”.

“Like a thief in the night,” borrowed from the Bible, your words attempt to evoke feelings of fear Read More

Letter To The Editor: Hats Off To John Bartlit

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By TERRY GOLDMAN
Los Alamos

As always, when I read John Bartlit, I am aware that I should not try to comment myself on the issue he has discussed because Bartlit has already done it as well as it can be done.

However, the Sunday 7 June LA Monitor column on the uselessness (at best) of either-or (choose one) questions and stances, as opposed to finding other, creative solutions to problems, also reminded me of a surprisingly relevant skit on the old Jack Benny comedy show. (So old it was on one of only three national networks of black-and-white TV!)

In the skit, Benny is accosted by a man with a gun who demands, Read More

Letter To The Editor: Supporting Family Strengths Network

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By JACQUELINE KROHN, M.D., MPH
Los Alamos

I am a practicing pediatrician here in my home town and I have served on many community service boards. I urge the County Council to continue to support Family Strengths Network (FSN).

FSN has been supporting the families in Los Alamos since 1989. In particular, during this time of stress, people will gravitate to resources that they are familiar with and comfortable with. FSN can help fill that need. I have seen children who have been stressed because of the quarantine, and FSN has the resources and skill to support them.

Normally when I see children for Read More

Letter To The Editor: George Floyd’s Death; Small Business

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By AARON WALKER
Independent Candidate
Los Alamos County Council

First of all, I need to address the issue of George Floyd’s death. This is extremely hard for me to write as a white male. I don’t understand first hand the struggles that many people have in this country.

I feel it would be irresponsible of me not to attempt to overcome the awkwardness. This is a national issue, but I would be undermining the major changes this country needs to make by ignoring them. I was very proud to see the turnout at Ashley Pond on Sunday for the peaceful protest.

I was also heartened by the comments that Chief of Police Read More

Lahiri-Gupta: Los Alamos Is Not Diverse; Stop Pretending It Is

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By SOUMYO LAHIRI-GUPTA
Los Alamos

It was November of 2014. Gary King was running against Susana Martinez in the gubernatorial election for New Mexico. Polling stations remained busy throughout all of Los Alamos. People of all ages and backgrounds were out campaigning for the candidate they believed in. 

One of my friends had an extra Gary King sign that he wasn’t using. I grabbed ahold of this sign and held it on a Central sidewalk right next to Ashley Pond, just as I had in 2008 and 2012 for Barack Obama. The difference in 2014 was that a police officer drove by. I saw him coming and I honestly did not think Read More

Letter To The Editor: Supporting Family Strengths Network

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By HANNAH MILLER
Los Alamos

I would like to voice my support for Family Strengths Network. 

I have two little boys (and another coming in August) and FSN has been a vital resource for me during this time of life. 

It is a wonderful place to meet moms, have a comfortable and safe place for me to relax and for my boys to play, and full of resources for both myself, other moms, dads, grandparents, PTs, OTs, etc. 

I have greatly needed and enjoyed FSN and it would be a huge shame for them to lose their funding. Let’s find a way to fund this wonderful resource for our community. 

To show support, email the county

Read More

Letter To The Editor: White Rock Land Transfers

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By AARON WALKER
County Council Candidate
White Rock

Even before I made my decision to run for county councilor, I have been vocal about the need for the county to improve their communication.

The LEDA grant for the Marriot hotel was the prime example of the county not disseminating enough information to the people with enough notice. What was the result of that? 20+ people showed up to a county council meeting to oppose the proposed grant. The council even admitted that they probably hadn’t gotten enough information to the public in advance.

Now comes the announcement that the county is pursuing Read More

Letter To The Editor: Clarification Of Endorsement

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By WILLARD WADT
Los Alamos

I voted for and enthusiastically endorse Leo Jaramillo for NM Senate District #5 in the Democratic Primary. 

His campaign has highlighted my endorsement and indicated that I serve on the Board of Directors of the LANL Foundation. The latter information is accurate.

However, I want to clarify that neither the LANL Foundation nor its Board of Directors endorsed the candidacy of Leo Jaramillo, as we are a non-partisan 501(c)3 public charitable organization that does not endorse any candidates for political office in accord with IRS regulations. Read More