Opinion - The Daily Lobo

Opinion

Educational exhibit should be applauded, not closed

March 7

Editor, I am disappointed that students at an academic institution would organize a protest against an educational exhibit. To paraphrase Saul Bellow, it is our business to keep open the channels of education. Amanda Lo, Jennifer Hunt and Gabriel Palley, mentioned in an article published in the Daily Lobo on Wednesday, seem intent on keeping those channels closed for an obviously shifting set of reasons.

Opinion

Meal-plan program limits students' eating options

March 7

Editor, David Martinez, in his letter published in the Daily Lobo on Tuesday, said we should take responsibility for our choices. My response is we should have a choice. Why do we not have the option to eat at La Posada only if we want to eat at La Posada? Why are we forced to buy a meal plan when I can find cheaper alternatives? We are being forced to give money to a University-imposed monopoly.

Opinion

Aramark's food outdoes competition's offerings

March 6

Editor, After reading David Martinez's letter Wednesday about his experience with Chartwells at New Mexico Tech, I felt the need to share my experience as well. I also went to New Mexico Tech a few years ago and transferred here. What I am about to say are just my experiences that I can accurately remember and generalizations that may or may not be true.

Opinion

No breaks for people who don't bow to Chavez's rule

March 6

Editor, This is in response to Brandon Curtis's letter published on Tuesday regarding how Mayor Martin Chavez's "gestapo" tactics have sent many people out of Albuquerque, and how the Albuquerque Police Department routinely harasses people. Some of you may have seen or heard me playing trombone along Central Avenue near the Kimo Theatre during the last year or so.

Opinion

Class disruptions unfair to students who want to learn

March 5

Editor, Normally, I prefer not to make personal remarks about people's behavior. In general, poor behavior earns people what you might expect. However, I have noticed a disturbing rash of disrespectful conduct among UNM students that, frankly, isn't becoming of young adults seeking to get higher degrees.

Opinion

Aramark's food isn't bad compared to alternatives

March 5

Editor, After a week of hearing people complain about Aramark, I think it's time for a little story. When I first came to UNM, I was blown away by the selection at La Posada. It was quite an upgrade from the gruel they would serve in my high school cafeteria.

Opinion

Banning guns won't cause decrease in violent crimes

March 5

Editor, I want to place a few facts surrounding the ownership of guns. Criminologists have found that citizens use firearms as often as 2.5 million times every year in self-defense, but in more than 90 percent of these defensive uses, citizens merely brandish their gun or fire a warning shot to scare off the attacker.

Opinion

Endlessly debating war won't bring troops home

March 5

Editor, Whatever one's view of the exchange between Philip Howell and Joachim Oberst regarding the war in Iraq and all its merits or lack thereof, the following information should be part of any debate worth the attention of the rest of us. The war has been either the first or second issue for the American public for the past year.

Opinion

University fails to enforce existing anti-smoking act

March 4

Editor, I'm glad to see interest rekindled in the discussion on banning smoking on the UNM Main Campus. For my money at this public institution, I want every opportunity to give my lungs and olfactory senses a break from carcinogens and foul odors. Let's face it: This is the 21st century and we now know what smoking does to both smokers and bystanders.

Opinion

Albuquerque's cronyism drives out talented people

March 4

Editor, Albuquerque is a fascist entity. What do I base this opinion on? Albuquerque's insular and parochial nature - the utilization of fear by local politicians and an unaccountable police force that is hyper-reactive. Albuquerque is a parochial town, insular and bubble-like.

Opinion

Initiative aims to improve education in Rio Rancho

March 4

Editor, Our country values and believes in education. We, as citizens, fight for freedoms that ensure our right to make choices and to be unfettered in our search for happiness and success. We, as the caretakers of the children in our society, believe in leaving behind a legacy of hope for a better life.

Opinion

Missile test doesn't prove US defense system works

March 4

Editor, You may recall the U.S. Navy successfully shooting down a disabled spy satellite over the Pacific Ocean a week ago. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said publicly that this test proved our country's missile defense system works, and that the operation "speaks for itself.

Opinion

Cutting salaries could pay for a new food provider

March 3

Editor, This letter is in response to Jamie Koch's comments published in the Daily Lobo on Monday in the story regarding the controversy over Aramark's food contract with UNM. From the comments, it is easy to pick out verbiage which reflects Koch's political past.

Opinion

Race, ethnicity shouldn't hinder access to education

March 3

Editor, I want to correct a statistical error in Alberto Belmares' letter in Monday's Daily Lobo. I just looked at the 2007 U.S. Census that he quotes. It is not that 13 percent of the college degrees went to Hispanics but 13 percent of Hispanics have college degrees, compared to 29 percent nationwide.

Opinion

Unsatisfied with Aramark? Mom can pack your lunch

March 3

Editor, As a student and an employee of Aramark at La Posada, it is interesting to me how vitriolic some people can become when the subject is their belly. First, facts, my fellow students. After all, that is why we are here, is it not, to be buried under all the tired old facts that keep this white man's institution afloat? Sonic is the one food concession that has no connection to Aramark.

Opinion

The Iraqi people are freer than any time since 1983

March 3

Editor, Joachim L. Oberst's diatribe in Thursday's Daily Lobo is the typical drivel of the hate-Bush people. Not until the last sentence of the fifth paragraph does he say anything that gives us an inkling of the issue - "a genocidal war based on blatant lies.

Opinion

Majority reaps the benefits of UNM's diversity office

February 29

Editor, There must be a typo in the article, "University unveils diversity plan," published in the Daily Lobo on Thursday. The article quotes the U.S. Census and states, "Hispanics make up the largest ethnic group in New Mexico - 45 percent of the population.

Opinion

It's wrong to bash religion despite what you believe in

February 29

Editor, After reading Joachim Oberst's letter in Thursday's Daily Lobo, I can only assume his faith is one of hate and malice toward those who do not share his views. He is a stated instructor at UNM, but of what? Ten Ways to Bash Christianity? Here is a man who has complained about everything about the legitimate and legal presidency of President Bush.

Opinion

Bad calls in favor of BYU make Lobos stand taller

February 29

Editor, My dad was a referee throughout my childhood. I've heard rabid fans call him names that I wouldn't call my worst enemy. Because of that, I'm the last person to point a finger at an official for error or bias, as I know the kind of pressure they're under.

Opinion

You, not Aramark, choose what you eat on campus

February 29

Editor, We've established it. Aramark's contract is up for renewal, and students are working to create new, healthier food options on campus. What appalls students so much is that it's the only food we have here and - my gosh - we eat the same food prisoners do.