Opinion

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Punishment was too lax for ASUNM election violators

Editor, This is in response to the punishments issued to the ASUNM election violators. Although I lack knowledge of every detail of this situation, I witnessed violations and know what arguments were heard in the student court hearing. I feel the penalties given by the Elections Commission lack sufficient severity.

Anti-abortion advocates need to broaden their perspectives

Editor, Upon reading the latest addition to the debate on abortion, I thought it might be useful to broaden the discussion to include the rest of the world's population and to address the specific issue of our health dollars that go to international programs to alleviate suffering.

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Smoking the hubbly bubbly not as safe as it may sound

Editor, It is known as shisha in the Arabic world and hookah in the U.S. It is also called narghilä, turca, hubbly bubbly or simply water-pipe smoking. Whatever name one may call it, it's the same. This popular activity is an old pastime in Arabic and East Indian cultures.

Transgender people shouldn't force views, situation on others

Editor, I was disappointed to see a one-quarter-page ad in the Nov. 21 Daily Lobo issue alerting readers of "Transgender worship: Creating a trans-inclusive campus." To begin with, I personally don't have a problem with anyone who claims to be transgender.

Abortion prevention should be based on culture, not law

Editor, I feel abortion is immoral. I also feel it would be irresponsible and naive to outlaw abortions in this country. The problem with outlawing abortion is that it doesn't solve the problem. Even if we were to outlaw abortions, women would still receive them.

Obama's administration will end lies about medical cannabis use

Editor, One change we can expect to see in president-elect Barack Obama's administration is the end of government lies, half-truths and propaganda concerning medical use of cannabis. Due to many government-recorded and verifiable facts, some Americans know the Bush administration's Garrison Courtney, spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration, is not telling the truth when he claims "There is no such thing as medical marijuana.

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Schrader's lifestyle not an issue; government the real problem

Editor, Andres Saenz, Don Schrader may be called an Albuquerque fixture. What's interesting is that your response fixates upon and into individual style or level of thinking that has held us back from progress and momentum of which we are or all can be equal in.

Clinton's cabinet position conflicts with 'change'

President-elect Barack Obama's previous competitor is now teaming up with him as his secretary of state. It was very nice that Obama asked his rival to work with him. He probably recognized the positive influence she could have on the American people and the added effect that she could have on the female population.

Fewer abortions would happen if people exercised self-control

Editor, This letter is in response to James Letterhos' column published Monday. I have been reading the back-and-forth letters and columns on abortion printed in the Daily Lobo for many years, and I have finally decided to take part in the discussion. I am a Christian but will try to make my arguments from a mostly secular point of view.

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University's focus on retention sacrifices quality of education

Editor, Our government created the housing bubble by insisting that lenders extend mortgages to low-income buyers. Our policy induced greedy loan practices through the quasi-public companies Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, which backed millions in shaky mortgages.

Ask Dr. Peg

Dear Dr. Peg, I have been addicted to heroin for more than six months now. While I have never used the drug intravenously, I still must smoke every day to function normally. I have wanted to quit since school started, but I'm so scared my schoolwork, job and general life will suffer.

Column: Abortion is a woman's choice

Abortion is perhaps the most dangerous subject in modern conversation. While some say it is a moral gray area, there are others who claim it has no place in today's society. The real question is, Why should the opinions of those who want abortion outlawed make the decision for every person in the nation? To bring some readers up to speed, abortion existed for years before it was legalized.

Admissions Office works hard to make transfer process easy

Editor, I disagree with GPSA President Chris Ramirez. As a former staff member of the Admissions Office and someone who worked on transfer articulation, I know Admissions and the transfer articulation team works very hard with the community colleges and branches in New Mexico, as well as other states.

Freshmen need basic skills more than they need 'real professors'

Editor, I read with dismay the statement that freshmen need "real professors teaching" as opposed to "graduate students," a statement attributed to Manzano High School counselor Ronald Smith in Wednesday's article on admissions. This is very offensive. I have taught more than 200 students at UNM for the past four years and at three other institutions of higher education.

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