Opinion

Letter: House votes itself a raise, denies federal wage hike

On June 20, despite record-low approval ratings, House lawmakers voted themselves a $3,300 pay raise that will increase their salaries to $168,500 in the same week the Senate defeated a proposal to raise the federal minimum wage in increments from $5.15 to $7.25. This is absolutely the height of obscenity, and I, for one, am appalled and disgusted. If there is one issue that could and should start a revolution, this is it.

Column: Self-expression with caution

It doesn't matter whether it's a butterfly alighting on a sorority girl's ankle, a blue teardrop falling from a convict's eye, or a pin-up girl jiggling on a barfly's arm - getting a tattoo hurts. That's because the needle must stab the skin hundreds of thousands of times to leave the mark.

Ed toons

Letter: Vehicles' emissions more harmful than cigarettes

I found Kristen Woodruff's anti-smoking argument in the June 1-7 issue of the Daily Lobo to be very eloquent and prudent. However, I'm far more concerned about other sources of environmental pollution.

Letter: University in dire need of Middle Eastern program

I am writing from Israel, where I am nearing the end of a six-month study abroad at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. As a New Mexican and a Lobo, I believe I am in the position to share something important with UNM students. Though I am a Presidential Scholar and have significant incentives to continue studying at UNM, I have decided to transfer to another university upon returning to the United States.

Letter: Incompetent management to blame for fire damage

I attended the UNM Board of Regents meeting on Tuesday and watched the dog-and-pony show regarding the fire in the library. There is still no definitive answer as to the cause of the fire, but it was hinted that it could have been arson. No one is willing to say. UNM's slide show presentations were designed to do what UNM does best - cover its ass and deny any responsibility.

Letter: Encourage employees to walk or bike to work

It is encouraging to see any form of exercise incentive plan, but I found one that is even better - but underutilized. It pays cash to the participants, while saving money for the employer by reducing sick-leave usage and lost productivity. The primary benefit is to the participant, who will feel better and probably live a longer, healthier life.

Letter: University won't cover weight loss programs

The article on the front page of the June 8-14 issue, "UNM to Win by Losing," struck me as ironic and absurd - pathetic really - since UNM's Human Resources Department has specifically excluded any health coverage of weight loss programs in their contract with United Health Care.

Column: Traveling gives insight on immigration

As an absentee editor currently studying in Mexico, I figure there's no better time than now to write about American attitudes toward immigration.

Letter: Campus directory more than source for numbers

This week I received a memo from Bill Adkins, UNM's chief information officer, stating that UNM will not produce a hard copy campus directory starting this fall. The memo states that they "found a majority of faculty, staff and students are now using the online directory..."

Ed toons

Letter: Smoking ban is logical; chemicals harm others

Like it or not Joe Buffaloe, the intelligence you see in the UNM community is being used to make conscious health decisions rather than defend a killer substance on the basis of freedom.

Letter: People seem to think sex is synonymous with love

I completely agree with Katie Downey when she advises everyone to "get your degree before having a baby." I learned a wise proverb in high school: "A smart person makes his or her own mistakes, but a wise person learns from the mistakes of others."

Letter: Breaks aren't long enough for smokers to leave UNM campus

There are only 15 minutes between classes. It would be impossible to walk down to Lomas Boulevard or Central Avenue and get to class on time if smoking weren't allowed on campus. What about classes that last two-and-a-half hours? Don't tell me to quit smoking. My health is my own concern, and outdoor smoke is nothing more than a momentary nuisance.

Letter: Staff vote on smoke ban does not imply support

Regarding the Opinion column by Joe Buffaloe on June 1, it was mentioned that "the process of banning cigarettes" passed through the UNM Staff Council. This is not the case.

Letter: Watering UNM lawns in daytime sets bad example

As temperatures reached near 100 degrees Monday, I could not help but notice that the University was watering lawns in the heat of the day - past 11 a.m. Lawns were being watered at the law school and other north campus locations and on the main campus.

Column: A song for unsung moms

Every day should be Mother's Day. Mothers, especially single moms, are the true unsung heroes of America, working tirelessly and often thanklessly every day, trying to make a difference in the lives of their children and ultimately the world.

Letter: Don't get pregnant until you get your degree

The children's chant, "First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage," seems to be completely forgotten.

Column: Smoking ban would spark smoker revolt

UNM is not yet a smoke-free campus. But the process of banning cigarettes is on its way, having already passed through the Staff Council with a vote of 464 to 303. It will likely be brought up at the next ASUNM meeting in August.

Letter: Summer tuition discount merely offsets price hike

Well, my 15-percent summer tuition discount equals all of $3.