Editor, I'm writing in response to a couple items from Sara Grover's letter in Wednesday's paper. First, I'd like to address the part about mandatory teaching of creationism in schools. I am a Christian. However, that doesn't affect my viewpoint on teaching creationism in schools.
Editor, I just watched the ABC interview with Gov. Sarah Palin. She seems scarily ignorant and yet scarily certain in her views. Perhaps she is too ignorant to know she is ignorant, much like Condoleezza Rice, who has the brains but is always impeccably confident and must always be right in interviews while defending her boss.
Editor, According to an article published by the Albuquerque Journal on Sept. 7, UNM now spends 71 percent more on executive salaries than it did in 2002. Tuition and fees have also increased by more than 52 percent since 2002. It disgusts me to see that as I pay more every semester to attend UNM, the University asserts it cannot afford to pay custodians for a five-day work week.
Editor, I want to take a moment to echo a few ideas that were presented by Lila Sanchez in her Sept. 10 letter to the editor. Voting for the lesser of two evils in politics will result in exactly that: evil. Voters need to realize if we really want to change the course of the nation, we cannot keep voting with this insane mentality that a lesser of two evils will actually be beneficial to our country.
Editor, John McCain and Republicans around the country have been quick to call any criticism of Sarah Palin sexism. The latest accusation stems from a comment Barack Obama made regarding McCain's claim to be a force for change in Washington. He used the phrase "You can put lipstick on a pig; it is still a pig," which is a well-known and often-used term in politics.
Editor, I probably speak for most students when I ask: Since when did UNM get the audacity to ask that we live on campus rather than commute? Wednesday's article about the struggles of a commuter campus hacked me off, and here's why: Student tuition and course fees account for only 3 percent of UNM's gross income per fiscal year.
Editor, There is an often-quoted statement attributed to the Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville: "America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great." If, in fact, Tocqueville made that statement, he did so a few centuries ago.
Editor, In Wednesday's issue of the Daily Lobo, Lila Sanchez points out some of the problems with America's two-party system. The candidates are very much like the ones that have come before them. The nominees of both major parties are monetarily influenced by big donors and corporations.
In Brittany Barker's letter on Wednesday, the Daily Lobo printed Barker saying "religion has a separate place from science and education." Barker said religion has a separate place from science education.
Editor, I just learned that all the recycling bins in Mesa Vista Hall have been permanently removed because of fire code. While I recognize that fire safety is important, I also think it reflects poorly on the University to remove recycling options from its buildings.
Editor, Politicians like Steve Pearce have learned they can feed students empty promises and lies and get away with it. Why? Because while young people may work to get their voices heard, they don't back up their activism with votes. We will inherit a mismanaged economy, a shrinking job market, a polluted planet and mountains of debt, both for ourselves and for the country.
Want to vote this year? Revved up for Barack Obama or John McCain? Either way, guard your rights. There are people who don't want you to show up at the polls. As reported in Inside Higher Ed, students at Virginia Tech were told in the closing days of August that if they voted, they could lose their scholarships, have their driver's licenses voided, lose their health insurance and lose their tax status.
Editor, I want to thank UNM Parking and Transportation Services for its effort in obtaining free ABQ Ride bus passes for staff and faculty. On Oct. 16, 2007, the Staff Council passed a resolution asking the administration to work with the city to extend the free bus rides that were already in place for students to staff and faculty.
Editor, As our nation and our people prepare to remember and memorialize the seven years that have passed since the tragic events that terrorized our nation, I wanted to share an event all Americans should recall and contemplate, and, more importantly, feel grateful for living in the great nation we do.
Editor, Regarding the "Christian fraternity turns away Mormon" story on Tuesday, I think it is unfortunate that a freshman student's first experience on the UNM campus involved discrimination. Regardless of what regulations are or are not published regarding this discriminatory practice, this action is contrary to UNM's goal of student retention, and it's certainly not very Christian.
Editor, I am shocked custodians are being asked to lose money in order for UNM to save money. Forty cents an hour if you earn $8 an hour is a drop of 5 percent. Couldn't President David Schmidly donate some of his salary to increase the hourly rate of custodians? I cannot believe our top administrators earn so much money, and they think nothing of picking on the lowest-paid employees.
Editor, I appreciate that Andres Saenz is getting involved in the political process and that he is taking time to educate himself on the choice that lies before him. I also appreciate that he seems interested in engaging in a dialogue. When we take the time to try and understand the issues and perspectives of others, we all come out on top.
Solutions by The State News
