Opinion - The Daily Lobo

Opinion

Mayor Chávez's actions reduce rights of citizens

July 9

Editor, I'm writing to you because our University students represent our future leaders, and they should be aware of what's going on around them. Based on recent news, Mayor Chávez appears to be hell-bent on running for higher office. He has been quite busy wheeling and dealing in order to get all his ducks in line regardless of the cost to others, and his dictatorial style of management has been a great help to him in accomplishing his objectives.

Opinion

Another historic N.M. park also in need of protection

July 2

Editor, Roosevelt Park in Albuquerque is one of two New Mexico parks on the National Register of Historic Places, contrary to what Mayor Martin Chávez said in an article about Roosevelt Park's renovation. Five Mile Park is also on the National Register.

Opinion

Working with church beneficial

Richard L. Wood | July 2

The UNM regents recently approved an endowed chairperson in Roman Catholic Studies. The person hired for this position will be a professor within the UNM Religious Studies program. In response, Ken Carpenter wrote in the June 18 Daily Lobo with serious concerns about the church influence at UNM.

Opinion

Students with disabilities face bigotry in classroom

July 2

Editor, UNM has a history of ignoring students with disabilities and their needs. Students with disabilities are routinely discriminated against at UNM, and in some cases in the classroom. In a psychology class at UNM in Dane Smith Hall, I had my chair - a chair placed by Accessibility Services in the classroom for my use, a chair with a large sign on it explaining that it was the property of Accessibility Services, a chair I was sitting on - taken by the TA in the class, and I was forced to leave the classroom.

Opinion

UNM nuclear symposium unfairly silenced dissent

July 2

Editor, UNM President David Schmidly recently appointed a committee to review the policies and procedures of animal research conducted at the University. This is all well and good, since there have been reported allegations of animal abuse. It is certainly necessary to get to the truth and correct any wrongdoing that may exist.

Opinion

Comprehensive education reduces sexual prejudices

July 2

Editor, June is recognized as a month of pride for those who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Putting any and all prejudgments aside, focusing on comprehensive sex education should be an integral part of the celebrations. When young adults do not receive proper sex education, including views on alternative sexual identities, harmful stigmas are allowed to continue to the detriment of society.

Opinion

Cruel live animal projects should be banned at fairs

June 25

Editor, Max Ashbrook Fitzpatrick's call for continued animal suffering at UNM "because it serves as a reminder that our government tortures humans" is as perverse as it is nonsensical. To his credit, Fitzpatrick does correctly parallel the physical and mental wartime trauma suffered by humans with the pains endured by mice at UNM's laboratories.

Opinion

Bush continues tradition of war

Matthew Chavez | June 25

Five months have passed since President Bush announced the New Way Forward in Iraq, a misnomer perversely contrary to Iraqi and United States public opinion.

Opinion

Editing mistake in letter conveys wrong message

June 25

Editor, Among the several unnecessary and unapproved changes made to the letter of mine printed last week, the most egregious resulted in conveying a sentiment I did not intend. The Daily Lobo printed UNM "should be firm in not hiring administrators who are trained torturers.

Opinion

Abuse of lab mice reflects U.S. acts of human torture

June 18

Editor, Recent revelations that UNM scientists tortured mice in a laboratory have caused an outcry from local animal rights groups. The torture techniques should continue - not necessarily for research and educational benefits - because it serves as a reminder that our government tortures humans, and also because torture is in line with the thought and practice of UNM leadership.

Opinion

Olympic boycott needed to stop Tibetan genocide

June 18

Editor, I strongly agree with Gov. Bill Richardson's innovative idea put forth during the New Hampshire debates in view of the general silence among nations vis-Ö-vis China's violations of human rights, especially toward Tibetans, and with its dozens of prisons which, for Tibetans, are like Auschwitz and Dachau.

Opinion

UNM needs safeguards to collaborate with church

June 18

Editor, I was initially excited when I read that the UNM regents had approved an arrangement with the Archdiocese of Santa Fe to co-sponsor a new faculty chairperson in religious studies focused on Roman Catholicism. The prospect of the University getting financial support to hire a first-rate scholar of religion seemed like an important addition to our curriculum.

Opinion

U.S. instigating civil war, not spreading democracy

June 18

Editor, Is the United States still hunting for 9/11 conspirator Osama Bin Laden in its "war on terror?" After the United States failed to find Bin Laden in Afghanistan and weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, we, the American people, were told that we were fighting for democracy and freedom.

Opinion

Family planning programs need government support

June 11

Editor, On April 23, Joe Moser from the staff of Rep. Heather Wilson met with members and supporters of Population Connection in her district to discuss the importance of comprehensive sex education and voluntary family planning programs worldwide. I attended the meeting and would like to express my concern to Wilson for not supporting the Responsible Education About Life Act and the Global Democracy Promotion Act.

Opinion

Graduate teachers often more devoted to students

June 11

Editor, As a UNM alumnus, I know that my degree is most valuable when it represents a rigorous and thorough education. Courses that are either too easy, or too poorly taught - whether by graduate students or tenured faculty - undermine the University's reputation.

Opinion

Q & A: Eugene Bird: president of the Council for the National Interest

Matthew Chavez | June 11

by Matthew Chavez Daily Lobo columnist Last week marked the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, a watershed event that revolutionized Israeli power in the Middle East and created the longest-running military occupation in modern history. The Six-Day War also transformed U.

Opinion

Choose leaders by merit, not by family's reputation

June 4

Editor, Birthright is defined as a right, privilege or possession, such as property, to which one is entitled by birth. In his article, "Taking Luck Seriously," Matt Miller suggests that birthright results in the "... inherited package of wealth, health, genes, looks, brains, talents and family.

Opinion

Suits raise questions of fairness, privacy

Santhosh Chandrashekar | June 4

The move by the Recording Industry Association of America to file lawsuits against 16 UNM network users for illegally downloading music on the Internet raises disturbing questions about music, its commodification and the role of the Web as a carrier to distribute music.

Opinion

Morocco should take initiative

Yossef BenMeir | June 4

It is in the interest of Morocco to assist the process of enabling the population of Western Sahara to achieve autonomy in the socio-economic development sector.

Opinion

U.S. war machine causes shortages in resources

May 29

Editor, I am not shocked that Sens. Pete Domenici and Jeff Bingaman can't see the large drain on the United States oil supply caused by the armada of war machines the president has deployed in Iraq and around the world. All those tanks get about 5 miles per gallon; jet planes get even less; and Humvees are horribly bad, too.