Opinion

Opinion

Letter: Refusing to take in refugees will only compound the related problems

November 19

Gov. Susana Martinez wants to refuse to take any Syrian refugees until they have been fully vetted to ensure that they are not terrorists. Muslims are not ISIS: They are not, in fact, terrorists any more than Christians are the KKK or the Catholics of old were the Spanish Inquisition. Refugees coming from the Middle East are running from the same terrorists that you are afraid of. I am sure Martinez realizes this, but I do not think she understands the implication of letting these refugees set up camps elsewhere. Refugee camps are breeding grounds for crime, disease and poverty, and camps are certainly where the 10,000 refugees that Martinez wants to refuse will end up.

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Opinion

Letter: Many regulations hurt new businesses instead of protecting human rights

November 19

I’d like to take a moment to respond to a recent letter that claimed that regulations don’t kill jobs. It is easy to look at regulations as ensuring that people are not exploited and that human rights are not violated. Regulations that protect child laborers and worker safety are ideas that few could ever be opposed to. The reality, though, is that most regulations go far beyond that noble purpose. There are 103 million words in the Code of Federal Regulations. Are all of those addressing child labor and emergency exits? No, they aren’t.

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Opinion

Letter: Regulations don't kill jobs, they save lives

November 16

Editor, At the recent rally on campus calling for a $15 minimum wage, I happened to see a counter-protester holding a sign which read, “Regulation kills jobs.” I would like to ask that protester exactly what kinds of regulations kill jobs?

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Opinion

Letter: ISIS does not define Islam

November 16

Editor, Whenever tragedy strikes in the world today, it is common for some bigots to come out and say something like, “Everything I need to know about Islam, I learned on 9-11.” This is an intellectually lazy approach, and it is downright dangerous, because if enough people in the West adopt such an attitude, then future generations can only expect a future of war and hatred.

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Opinion

Column: Cherry Reel Film Festival a great success

Jenna Hagengruber and Alex Cervantes | November 16

As both the ASUNM leadership, and as judges of the Cherry Reel Film Festival, we are incredibly impressed with the professionalism and creativity that our students show. ASUNM prides itself on its ability to constantly work harder and attempt to find a plethora of ways to serve the student population. This past weekend, the Southwest Film Center did just that. The Center held its annual film festival, that has been renamed the Cherry Reel Film Festival, Saturday night. With 30 original submissions, 20 of which were screened, and a newly acquired sponsorship from Canon, which provided a Canon camera to the first-place entry, this festival proved to be a big success.

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Opinion

Letters: Governments can now use mass marketing to track and suppress dissidents

November 9

Editor, The world of mass marketing has been extend to digital billboards displaying political campaign ads that clandestinely read facial expressions of observing voters in places like Mexico City, so that future ads can be tailored to get their votes. What next?

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Opinion

Column: ASUNM arts fair waddles into town in anticipation of Thanksgiving

Jenna Hagengruber | November 9

It’s getting to be that time of year again. The leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping, the turkeys are being prepped for Thanksgiving and the holiday season is right around the corner.

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Opinion

Letter: Renaming Columbus day was the right decision

November 9

I strongly compliment Albuquerque City Council president Rey Garduño for championing the proclamation and for introducing the resolution to abolish Columbus Day and to celebrate the 2nd Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day. I commend his passion for justice and truth despite opposition.

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Opinion

Letter: U.S. government threatens world harmony with autocratic attitude

November 4

Editor, Shakespeare famously asked the world through the character Hamlet whether it was better to live or die: Hamlet said, “To be, or not to be, that is the question.”

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Opinion

Letter: Sentencing judge should prioritize New Mexico, not Duran

November 4

Editor Before handing down former Secretary of State Dianna Duran’s sentence, I hope First Judicial District Court Judge Glenn Ellington remembers her campaign promise: to restore confidence and integrity to the Office of Secretary of State.

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Opinion

Letter: SexUality Week aims to emphasize inclusiveness, knowledge

November 4

Editor, Next week, Nov. 9-13, the Student Alliance for Reproductive Justice at UNM and Self Serve Sexuality Resource Center are bringing Sex Week back to UNM campus. 

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Opinion

Letter: Respond to tragedy with kindness

November 2

Random acts of violence evoke emotions of despair, frustration, sadness and anger, as well as the ever-present question, “How could this happen?” In the wake of the recent tragedies in Albuquerque and around our country, “What can I do to help?” or “What small changes can I make to ensure that this doesn’t happen again?” seem to be the recurring questions in our lives. The answer is simple: be kind. While it’s heartwarming and inspiring to see our community and businesses step up in support of Lilly Garcia and Officer Daniel Webster, I would challenge us to keep this support and assistance going—even when these tragedies aren’t in the forefront of our minds.

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Opinion

Column: ASUNM is creating scholarships to cater to individuals

Alexandra Cervantes | November 2

Halloween has really got me thinking that life, at any stage, is about creating. As kids we are busy fashioning the perfect costumes; as we get older, it’s crafting the suspension of disbelief at a haunted house; and as college students, no matter what we decide is our perfect Halloween recipe, we’re making memories. As I sit here, watching movies with the people I love, I can’t help but wonder: are we actually creating enough? Or are we just doing what’s needed to get by and maintain what’s already there? Do the realities of adulthood limit our willingness to try new things? ASUNM is a strange balance between maintenance and creation. On any given year your student government is doing a lot of the same things as the year prior, because that’s what has worked habitually. But each administration runs on the promise of something different, something better.

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Opinion

Letter:

November 2

Editor, Hands - we enjoy using our hands to work, to garden, to play musical instruments, to prepare and eat meals, to pleasure our genitals, to make love with others.

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Opinion

Halloween column: Top 5 offensive costume ideas

Matthew Reisen | October 29

Halloween is a night that means something different for everyone. Kids focus on all the free candy while many of their elders set out to drink obscene amounts of booze. It is a holiday that involves mischief, giving, frights, games and so much more. But above all, Halloween is about dressing up. Whether it’s scary or funny, people love to dress up. Some people choose to dress up with controversial or potentially offensive costumes. Here is a list of 2015’s top five most offensive costumes for those of you looking to piss your peers off this year.

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Opinion

Halloween column: Things to do for those with Halloween disdain

Matthew Reisen | October 29

Hey, you. Yeah. I’m talking to you. The one who could care less about this paper because it’s Halloween-centered and you hate Halloween. Before you throw this issue aside, I’ll let you in on a little secret: There are other things to do on Halloween. You don’t have to lock yourself away. I have a list of five things to help you to have a good time on Oct. 31 while avoiding the festivities you may find annoying, routine, absurd or just plain boring.

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Opinion

Column: Who are the Regents?

Ryan Berryman | October 27

As a Freshman at the University of New Mexico, I wouldn’t have been able to explain who the regents are. After making a presentation this past week to Emerging Lobo Leaders, an engaging and diverse group of talented young students, I found that many students are as unaware of who the Regents are as I once was. The Board of Regents at the University of New Mexico are assembled of seven members appointed by the Governor of New Mexico. The Board has the power to govern the University, including the fiduciary responsibility for the assets and programs of the University, the establishment of goals and policies to guide the University, and the oversight of the functioning of the University (regents.unm.edu). The Board vests the responsibly of operation and management in the President of the University, Dr. Robert G. Frank. So, why is this important? Because the Regents have been entrusted by the New Mexico Constitution to guide the state’s flagship institution, we address issues that affect the entire campus community. An example may provide further clarification. In September, the Regents approved a resolution for $35M worth of bonds to renovate Johnson Center. This renovation is much needed and affects all parties on campus, including administration, faculty, staff and students. In this scenario, the board’s approval is the first step in a succession of approvals that are required for a new and improved Johnson Gym.

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Opinion

Letter: Over population in today's society leads to intolerance

October 26

Global aggression has grown because the world is already so overpopulated that tolerances are down to the width of a hair. Nowhere is this more apparent than in road rage from all those resenting traffic congestion — one driver objects to being cut off on the freeway, and his little girl by him gets shot

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Opinion

Column: Student Fee Review Board reviews allocation of YOUR fees

Jenna Hagengruber | October 26

There are so many acronyms in student government that, honestly, even I sometimes get confused. I mean, ASUNM stands for Associated Students of the University of New Mexico, but it is such a mouthful that we just tend to stick to the five letters, even when someone might not know what ASUNM means. SFRB is one of those acronyms that is tossed around in conversations and student government talk without ever being explained. Seeing as these are your student fees, I would like to explain SFRB to you.

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Opinion

Letter: Long hours to pay for health care result from incomplete reforms

October 22

Editor, Any number of Americans are slaving long hours at multiple jobs that make them sick from tedious stress and even give them heart attacks, ironically so they can keep up with their health insurance premiums. But these are going up.