Opinion - The Daily Lobo

Opinion

Dirty Rio Grande shouldn't supply city's drinking water

January 14

Editor, Isn't there something wrong with our water scene? Down the road, a bit in the Datil area, there is enough groundwater that it could supply the city of Albuquerque for maybe several hundred years, if not less. But the city of Albuquerque, thanks to a past plan of Mayor Martin Chavez, is going to tax its residents to the tune of half-a-billion dollars for a diversion system that will have us drink polluted waters of the Rio Grande with all the sewage and waste from Rio Rancho and radio nuclides from the Los Alamos plutonium production.

Opinion

Obama's good judgment makes him best candidate

January 14

Editor, The big buzzwords for the presidential campaign, particularly in the Democratic camp, are "experience" and "change." But let's not overlook the most important word: judgment. If we've learned anything from the past six years, it is to try to understand the candidates' approach to leadership.

Opinion

U.S. meddling comes with a cost

Santhosh Chandrashekar | January 14

In a speech he delivered in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 13, President Bush reasserted America's commitment to freedom and the cause of democracy. He cited America's involvement in Asia, particularly Japan, which had helped the proliferation of democracy in that country, ostensibly hinting that U.

Opinion

Holding board meeting over break would lower turnout

December 10

Editor, ASUNM President Ashley Fate talks out of both sides of her mouth in "Fee board clashes over chair's actions," published in the Daily Lobo on Wednesday. First, Fate complained that Tuesday, a school day, is a bad day for students to participate in a meeting where their student fees are allocated to various departments.

Opinion

UNM graduate has become a success in the film world

December 10

Editor, Samantha Scott's review of the film "Waitress" prompts me to write. Adrienne Shelly's death was tragic and untimely. Shelly, who wrote, directed and starred in the film, was a highly talented individual whose only mistake was in requesting that a maintenance man hold down the pounding while she and others were editing and fine-tuning the film in post-production.

Opinion

NM fails minority students

La Mont Chappell II | December 10

What role does race play in public education in New Mexico?

Opinion

Bursar's policy hurts those dependent on financial aid

December 10

Editor, I'm writing to let readers know about the most recent collection tactic employed by the Bursar's Office. As I understand the writing on the wall in the Bursar's Office, if a continuing student has a balance of less than $200 on a bursar's account, they must show up in the Bursar's Office on Dec.

Opinion

Integrating best parts of all ideas may resolve debates

December 6

Editor, I've been reading the Opinion section in the Daily Lobo since 1986, and it seems that our campus, like much of our culture, splits into three main camps. First are the traditionalists. They stand for order, purpose, one absolute truth and one code of conduct.

Opinion

Decoding University rhetoric

Richard M. Berthold | December 6

by Richard M. Berthold Daily Lobo columnist There are a number of institutions and organizations at UNM, the nature of which you might think you understand. But after 31 years on the faculty, I can assure you that in the Alice in Wonderland world of the American university, not all is what it seems.

Opinion

Mayor's pride in his roots doesn't make him a racist

December 6

Editor, Elliot Kaufman made a pretty big jump in his letter published in the Daily Lobo on Nov. 29 in which he accused Mayor Martin Chavez of racism. He believes that under slightly different circumstances, Chavez saying that Rep. Tom Udall is Sens. Harry Reid's and Charles Schumer's "fair-haired boy" would be an outside jab.

Opinion

Legal immigration should be congressional priority

December 5

Editor, As we all know, illegal immigration is a top issue in today's world. While most of the talk is about what to do with illegal immigrants already in the country, almost nothing is done about legal immigration. The process can easily take over a year to complete because there are so many applicants.

Opinion

Make a difference by being a Third World micro-lender

December 5

Editor, I've just finished my first year as a micro-lender. I lend money to business entrepreneurs in Third World countries, and I'm making a real difference in the world. For years, I asked how I could contribute, but I've also been dismayed by the lack of oversight.

Opinion

Violent television threatens moral development of kids

December 5

Editor, I feel television is having a big impact on our culture and society. The violence on television is increasing at such an alarming rate that I am concerned for children who watch it. Every time I sit down and watch television with my 5-year-old sister, I am alarmed at the content being shown.

Opinion

Gay adopters should be treated like everyone else

December 5

Editor, Gay adoptions are discriminated against. This needs to stop. There's no reason for it. People are adopting all over the U.S., but not all of them are treated with the same respect. With some, the adoptions run smoothly and quickly, while others run into roadblocks and setbacks.

Opinion

Catholicism must dispel fallacies to stay relevant

December 5

Editor, I begin by saying the Catholic Church is fading away. We must all admit there is a problem with the way it's headed. First of all, the Catholic Church is one of the largest churches. According to common belief, it is opposed to three things: science, birth control and gay marriage.

Opinion

Select few caused turmoil at GPSA recall discussion

December 5

Editor, I think Monday's front page headline completely missed the importance and significance of the GPSA meeting. As someone in attendance, I can say what I saw warranted a completely different story and certainly a different headline. In my mind, what should have been the story was all but 10 of the 60 graduate students in an overflowing room supported a president who is being recalled by the initiative of a few.

Opinion

Ways to sooth your sore jaw

Peggy Spencer | December 4

Dear Dr. Peg, What is TMJ? What causes it? What can be done about it?

Opinion

Campuswide smoking ban would single out minority

December 4

Editor, College is often promoted as a chance to shine as an individual. However, when the University itself tends to promote an action by following the lead of others, one cannot help but be discouraged. There have been a few such actions over the years, but with the proposal of a campuswide smoking ban, I am afraid UNM has reached a new level of the illogical.

Opinion

Rise in grant competition cause of division in GPSA

December 4

Editor, Why do some people see increased participation as a problem? More participation leads to more competition for funds. Certain individuals have a comparative advantage over others applying for the three GPSA grant awards. These individuals understand the process, know what to include in an application and what style of writing works best.

Opinion

UNM dining should offer more vegetarian options

December 4

Editor, I want to compliment Nahzeha Hussien for speaking out in Monday's Daily Lobo about the lack of vegetarian options at UNM. As Hussien mentions, vegetarian options are more popular than ever, particularly among college students, for reasons ranging from health and environmental concerns to the cruelty to animals involved in raising and killing them for food.