Opinion

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Gaps in U.S.-Mexico fence favor rich, well-connected

Editor, I heard in the news media about the national security fence that will separate the U.S. from Mexico. If this fence is supposed to be for the good of our country, why haven't we started building one across our northern border to separate us from Canada? After all, what's good for the goose should be good for the gander.

Reviewer's assessment of concert was close-minded

Editor, I would like to express disappointment with Carrie Leonard's cursory review of Tegan and Sara's concert published in the Daily Lobo on Thursday. Although she claimed to have gone to the concert with an open mind, having never seen or heard the band before, her assessment of the show was anything but open-minded.

Israel's ability to survive a good reason to celebrate

Editor, In "Israel's 60th birthday a muted revelry," published in Tuesday's Daily Lobo, Santhosh Chandrashekar claims "Israeli-Arabs suffer what's akin to institutional racism in the U.S." While Israel is not perfect - no country is - Arab citizens of Israel have more human rights and personal benefits living in Israel than in any other country in the Middle East.

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Farmers are dealing with an unconscientious govt.

Editor, This letter is in response to the numerous articles concerning the U.S. Farm Bill. The bill currently being considered by Congress is a multi-billion dollar farm-subsidy bill renewed every five years. It is a continuation of the 2002 farm bill. The bill first became law in 1933 as a means of preventing farmers from taking a loss on their annual production of crops, including corn, wheat, cotton, rice and soy beans.

Column: Israel's 60th birthday a muted revelry

Birthdays, for the most part, are about celebrations. But sometimes, they coincide with gloomy occasions that temper the revelry. So is the 60th birthday of Israel, as it is also the 60th anniversary of Al Naqba, or the catastrophe, the Palestinian exodus from what is today Israel.

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Campus preachers aren't trying to convert students

Editor, The preachers who graced UNM with hollers of hellfire deserve a second glance. I had the pleasure of meeting these same people at the University of New Orleans in 2005 and Virginia Commonwealth University in 2003. The sound was the same - crass accusations and dour damnations.

To win 'war on terror,' U.S. should mind its business

Editor, On April 27, the international press reported that the president of the Islamic State of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, told the U.S. and the U.K. to leave the Taliban alone. A few hours later, the U.S. media reported that the Taliban and al-Qaida had attempted to assassinate Karzai.

Disabled students deserve study area in Zimmerman

Editor, Though it is true that Zimmerman Library is open and running, it is also the case that much of the available services for students with disabilities have been negatively affected by the renovation. Over half of the Alice Clark Room was taken during the renovation of the library.

Global community should decry Burma referendum

Editor, Five years of occupation has shown that America cannot impose democracy on one country. But May 10 may reveal that we can assist elsewhere. Eastward, as the sun rises, Burma will hold a constitutional referendum on May 10 and, like the sun, its fate may set in the West.

Council chairman shouldn't enter office with an agenda

Editor, I am running for GPSA council chairman, because I believe the deliberative body needs a neutral facilitator, an officer who does the council's bidding rather than pushes the council in pursuit of a particular political agenda. We have witnessed the damage done by recent council chairpersons who advocate their personal preferences and concertedly steer meetings in certain directions.

People need to be educated about Islamic beliefs, goals

Editor, Two recent letters discussing Islam reflect contrasting opinions about Muslim religious belief and culture. The other letter published Tuesday says, "Islam is a religion that makes itself very distinct from culture." Our opinions, judgments and beliefs are based on education and personal experience - education including examination, analysis and scrutiny.

Environmental campaigns are ineffective and useless

Editor, I have become a fan of the Daily Lobo's editorial page. Without the continuously conflicting opinions, I think my mornings on the shuttle would be absolutely dreadful. Aside from that, I would like to address the letter about the environment by Samuel Chavez on Thursday.

U.S. ignores achievements of working class, activists

Editor, How sad was my first May Day here five years ago when I learned that the day was not, as in most places around the world, the celebration of Workers Day. It was explained to me that the U.S. celebrates something called Labor Day the first Monday of September.

Consuming more will not help save the environment

Editor, Green has become the color of choice as of late, but who is reaping the profits? Crayola or mother Earth? I am going to be a pessimist and complain about what our society values as important. I find it sad that the green revolution has been around for decades but could not find a voice until being exploited by politicians, celebrities and big corporations.

Prison system should focus on rehabilitating criminals

Editor, The U.S. approach to criminal justice has fluctuated throughout its history. Presidential administrations experimented with alternative programs during the '60s and '70s. In spite of this, today's prisons are overcrowded with nonviolent offenders. This is due to a retributive approach to crime and punishment.

Wheelchair basketball team could be an asset to UNM

Editor, UNM cannot afford to have the Albuquerque Kings wheelchair basketball team forced off the main campus in Albuquerque. Rigid mind-sets plague potential and possibility at UNM. We all must work together to build an inclusive campus that will attract all students to attend UNM and build a diverse learning community.

Photographer exhibited intolerance, discrimination

Editor, The recent ruling by the New Mexico Human Rights Commission against an Albuquerque wedding photographer is worrisome on several counts. When Vanessa Willock asked Elaine Huguenin to photograph her same-sex commitment ceremony - not a wedding, mind you - Huguenin declined because of religious convictions.