A-10
OPINIONS E-XTRA
THE NEW MEXICAN Tuesday, June 25, 2013
e-Voices Our Web readers speak out: Longtime Plaza retailer Packard’s set to close, June 17 It breaks my heart. I remember when I was “ growing up going into Packard’s just to look at the
beautiful things. The clerks were always so kind and patient, if it was not too busy, to point out different aspects that made it ‘high quality.’ I learned a lot about what to look for in quality, handmade, Southwestern jewelry. How sad.” D.F.
Buy your Native American items from the people “ (or family members) who made them at the portal
of the Palace of the Governors. Variable quality, pay attention. Or go to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque for the whole gamut, from non-Native kitsch to high-end goods none of us can afford. I buy lots of Christmas gifts there, instead of at Santa Fe galleries. My last purchase was sterling silver cuff links to match my belt buckle. A small expense, but the artist gets the best deal from IPCC. Or it’s always rewarding to go right to the pueblos and buy directly from artists, while learning more about their craft. While the Indian Market makes the majority of income for the artists who get in, there are others who deserve your attention, year-round.” L.E.B.
LOOKING IN: RALPH ARELLANES
LULAC wants more from Whole Foods
S
ince this story about Whole Foods’ “English-Only” policy broke two weeks ago, we at the New Mexico League of United Latin American Citizens have been inundated with calls and messages from people, primarily Hispanics, saying they have been treated badly by Whole Foods personnel and refuse to shop there. We have received calls from California, Oregon, Arkansas, various locations in Texas, Arizona and several other cities and states. Clearly, Whole Foods’ “English-only” policies have spilled over into the treatment of Hispanic employees, as well as how their management and employees treat Hispanic customers. One woman wrote to us saying: “Oh my God. I have seriously considered starting a ban of Whole Foods myself. I have had and continue to have problems at Whole Foods with racist, rude and disrespectful sales people. I have written the corporate office, the store manager and also posted a couple of long letters on a specific store’s Facebook pages. They are all individually managed but connected by the franchise. Seeing how I continue to have problems at Whole Foods to this day, I feel my letters and comments were not addressed or
taken seriously. The store I am speaking of is the Northeast Sandy Blvd., Portland, Ore. I am by no means surprised that this is a national problem with the chain.” Because of such experiences, New Mexico LULAC has called for a meeting with the top leadership of Whole Foods here in Albuquerque for the week of July 8. After all, Hispanics and Spanish-speaking people have explored and settled all of the Americas, including the United States of America, long before Jamestown or Plymouth Rock were discovered. It was the Spanish-speaking settlers who brought the first printing presses to the Americas, so the first books and documents ever published on these lands were in Spanish. It is ironic that we are talking about Whole Foods, a grocery store, because the Spanish brought the first farm and ranch animals to these lands. That includes the first horses, cows, bulls, fruit and vegetable seedlings. The Spanish also developed water networks, in the form of acequias, to feed and help these new foods and crops flourish. Today, Spanish-speaking workers raise those “whole foods” that the Whole Foods
chain prides itself in selling. I am willing to bet dollars to doughnuts that the corporate offices of Whole Foods looks completely different to those that are working to raise and pick the whole foods in the fields. Here in New Mexico, Hispanics have paid a tremendous price because of discrimination and oppression. Despite a history dating back 400 years, there have been numerous attempts to keep New Mexicans from speaking Spanish. Our lands and livelihoods were taken away in the form of more than 30 million acres of land grants being denied to their rightful owners and families. We do not take such corporate policies lightly in a state where more than 30 percent of our children and 25 percent of our families suffer from food shortages and poverty. New Mexico LULAC looks forward to meeting with Whole Foods leadership to speak about the effect these policies have on our community. Ralph Arellanes is the New Mexico LULAC state director and a national LULAC board member and chairman, Hispano Roundtable of New Mexico.
Depp says he ‘took shot at erasing’ clichés with Tonto role, June 19 For crying out loud, it’s a movie. I don’t go to piec“ es when movies like White Girls are made. Sheesh. Grow up and get a thicker skin.” B.F.
It is extremely rude and condescending when those “ who feel insulted by an action are told to get over it by those it does not and will never affect!” R.C.
“
Any way you look at it, Tonto still means foolish stupid idiot. I’m surprised the Natives let that one slide by. And you’re worried about the proud Redskins?” G.A.
Judge gives Legal Tender green light to reopen, June 20 Yeehaw! Bravo! Olé! So glad to hear. I ride the “ train and am at that station a lot. Horrible place when nothing is open.” P.C.C.
Finally, some justice and sanity brought to Lamy. “ Thank you Brian Egolf and Judge Raymond Ortiz.
Have to wonder what the museum board’s real agenda is. They let Cindy and John Jednak bring the place back to life, then try to wrestle it away for their own special interests. Wishing John and Cindy and the volunteers a smooth restart and a long and successful presence. Can’t wait to go back and enjoy the Legal Tender’s wonderful atmosphere, historic character and the good food.” S.F.R.
Only in New Mexico would someone testify, in “ court, ‘He’s a Taurus. He’s good with money. I’m an Aquarian. I’m a people person.’ Even in California, that person would be laughed out of town.” S.F.
Reader View: Climate change science doesn’t add up, June 22 Any time you would like to sit down with this “ oceanographer, I will be happy to show you why not
only are your facts wrong but also why the rate of warming has slowed. It has not stopped. Your objections only lead to a greater disaster by slowing the appropriate response.” S.R.
I am a grandparent and my real motive is pass“ ing on a sustainable environment to my children and
grandchildren. Global warming is real and the current costs due to extreme weather are substantial, but the catastrophic costs of climate change will be felt by our children and grandchildren. Carbon taxes are one way of establishing the true costs of energy alternatives and the price for ‘cheap’ fuels will be far more costly in the long run. Let’s find practical alternatives to our fossil fuel dependence now, while there is still time to assure a livable future for our children.” B.W.
No, it hasn’t been cooling since 1998. Even if we “ ignore long-term trends and just look at the record-
breakers, that wasn’t the hottest year ever. Different reports show that, overall, 2005 was hotter than 1998. What’s more, globally, the hottest 12-month period ever recorded was from June 2009 to May 2010. Though humans love record-breakers, they don’t, on their own, tell us much about trends — and it’s trends that matter when monitoring climate change. Trends only appear by looking at all the data, globally, and taking into account other variables — like the effects of the El Niño ocean current or sunspot activity — not by cherry-picking single points.” J.F.
Most read stories on www.santafenewmexican.com 1. Increasing crowds of bikers, hikers and off-leash dogs are creating conflicts on the trails 2. Depp says he ‘took shot at erasing’ clichés with Tonto role 3. State still mum on Franco’s hunting trip 4. Judge gives Legal Tender green light to reopen 5. Man accused of raping teen at Cross of Martyrs 6. Diego Mulligan, 1950-2013: Radio show host remembered for educating community on climate issues 7. Couple plead guilty to trading nuclear secrets with Venezuela 8. Longtime Plaza retailer Packard’s set to close 9. For new Iconik Coffee, it’s all about the beans 10. Super full moon shines brightly this weekend
AbOuT LOOkINg IN
Looking In presents an opportunity for people who read The Santa Fe New Mexican but who live outside its reporting area to comment about things happening in our city and state. Please send such My Views and Letters to evoices@sfnew mexican.com
LOOKING IN: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Sportsmen support Valles Caldera transfer
T
he Valles Caldera National Preserve was set up as an experiment by Congress. The Valles Caldera was supposed to be financially self-supporting by 2015, but it is far from reaching that goal — about $4 million short in a $5 million budget. Unless Congress passes Senate Bill 285 (The Valles Caldera National Preserve Act) the preserve will cease to exist in 2020, becoming just another part of Santa Fe National Forest, which as anyone who hunts, fishes or camps knows, is chronically underfunded and poorly managed. Under SB 285, the Valles Caldera would continue to be a national preserve. A key reason sportsmen like me support this bill is that it requires that hunting and fishing continue. In fact, access for sportsmen would improve by eliminating the high fees that Valles Caldera currently charges to hunt and fish there. In short, New Mexico sportsmen support SB 285 because it’s the best guarantee we have to improve access and opportunity for hunting and fishing in the Valles Caldera. Oscar Simpson
chairman New Mexico chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
As a New Mexico outfitter and longtime hunter I am among the many sportsmen to support Senate Bill 285, the proposal to transfer the Valles Caldera from the U.S. Forest Service to the National Park Service. The hunting component of the bill does not deter hunting opportunity in the area. In fact, it will make it easier to access the preserve and ensure that the unique hunting opportunity there benefits sportsmen, local businesses and the public. The Valles Caldera, “New Mexico’s Yellowstone,” is truly one of the most outstanding pieces of country in the Southwest. Without congressional action, the Valles Caldera will revert to Santa Fe National Forest, with no provisions to keep the science and education programs, visitor management or the law enforcement necessary to ensure this public lands jewel remains a high-quality hunting and fishing experience. I speak for many when I say Congress should move forward with the transition of Valles Caldera to the National Park Service. John Olivas
JACO Outfitters LLC Holman
All the wrong moves I would like to respond to a recent letter regarding New Mexican drivers’ lack of communication when making a turn. I have to disagree. New Mexican drivers have a unique way of signaling they are about to make a turn onto another street. Here’s how it works: The first indication that a turn will be performed is that the driver brakes when there is no apparent reason to do so. Watch the brake-lights. Second, watch which direction the driver points his/her vehicle and assume they will turn in the opposite direction. Point the car to the left before turning right and vice-versa. Simple enough? A note to local drivers: Remember, that little lever on the left of the steering column is not a luxury item that came with your car. It is not only a courtesy to let other drivers and pedestrians know of your intentions, it is also a safe driving practice. Neil Jacobs
Woodland Hills, Calif.
LOOKING IN: CRAIG L. TOTH
Proposed magazine ban is not constitutional
H
ave Mayor David Coss and Santa Fe city councilors examined the New Mexico State Constitution before addressing an ordinance concerning magazines for weapons? The ordinance would outlaw the sale, transfer or possession of high-capacity magazines. My recommendation is to recant it as soon as practicable before the upcoming general session this Wednesday. Let’s observe Article II, entitled Bill of Rights Section(s): u Popular Sovereignty — All political power is vested in and derived from the people: all government of right originates with the people, is founded upon their will and is instituted solely for their good. u Right of Self-Government — The people of the state have the sole and exclu-
sive right to govern themselves as a free, sovereign and independent state. u Inherent Rights — All persons are born equally free, and have certain natural, inherent and inalienable rights, among which are the rights of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and of seeking and obtaining safety and happiness. u 23 Reserved Rights — The enumeration in this constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny, impair or disparage others retained by the people. Based on these unbeatable facts, the magazine ban item is purely null and void. No exceptions. Furthermore, Article XX Section 1, Oath of Office, reads, “Every person elected or
appointed to any office shall, before entering upon his duties take and subscribe to an oath or affirmation that he will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution and laws of this state, and that he will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of his office to the best of his ability.” I understand you are attempting to prevent mass murders and/or violent crime in your prestigious city; however, this motion shall only affect honorable individuals in the Santa Fe area. With all due respect and in good faith, it’s nothing more than an inadequate concept. So please select wisely, by voting no on this proposal and shred it into oblivion. Craig L. Toth resides in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.