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Thursday, October 14, 2004

Letters to the Editor


    Bush, Allawi Didn't State Facts
    PRIME MINISTER ALLAWI's visit to the U.S. gave us an opportunity to hear how things in Iraq are progressing:
   

Coalition fatalities in Iraq: 1,217;
   

U.S. military fatalities in Iraq: 1,078;
   

Iraqi military fatalities: Several thousand;
   

Iraqi civilian fatalities: At least 12,927;
   

Number of weapons of mass destruction discovered: zero, nada, zilch.
    We didn't hear these facts from either Mr. Bush or Mr. Allawi.
    The U.S. has killed over 12,000 people, people who had nothing to do with weapons of mass destruction. We have. The U.S. Us. These were people who had not done anything to harm us before we invaded them. The 9/11 commission's conclusions demonstrated no connection between 9/11 and Iraq. The head of the United Nations has named this war illegal.
    How many more people must die before we realize our mistake and remove this administration from office?
    JAN WRIGHT
    Sandia Park
    No Such Thing As a Wasted Vote
    "IF YOU WERE in prison and had a 50 percent chance of lethal injection, a 45 percent chance of the electric chair and a 5 percent chance of escape, would you choose lethal injection only because it's the most likely outcome?"
    This is how Libertarian candidate Michael Badnarik responds to the "wasted vote" criticism of third parties, and he has a point. Too often people feel they have to vote for one of the two major candidates while admitting that they really don't want either one of them as President.
    This election, I challenge everyone to vote for the one candidate that best represents you across all issues. I urge you to look at all the third party candidates on the ballot in New Mexico and learn what they represent. You will find, in most cases, that there is someone who better represents you than the Republicans or Democrats.
    KNME will be airing "Crashing The Parties 2004" on Sunday at 2 p.m. The PBS documentary "...gives voters a behind-the-scenes look at third-party campaigns and conventions in the presidential race, showcasing the serious political alternatives to the Democrats and Republicans. The one-hour program focuses on four major third party/independent bids: Libertarian Party (Michael Badnarik), Green Party (David Cobb), Constitution Party (Michael Peroutka) and Ralph Nader. In addition, other candidates' bids for their party's nomination are featured, such as Libertarians Gary Nolan and Aaron Russo."
    For the first time, really make your vote count, embrace your Rights, Freedom and Liberty. Vote for a third party.
    BENJAMIN MORIN
    Edgewood
    Newspaper Needs To Show Its Place
    RECENTLY I TOOK a trip and stayed overnight in Moriarty. During my stay, I got a newspaper, but did not read it until I got home.
    When I looked at the paper, I was not sure what state it was from, until I read the pages inside.
    I suggest you put: Moriarty, New Mexico, USA on the top front page.
    People will be more proud of their state and country.
    Keep smiling,
    GERALD E. COSTELLO
    Scottsdale, Ariz.
    Family Left Cold By County Cops
    I WANTED TO SHARE my story with you and hope you will see fit to share it with your readers.
    My husband, daughter and myself were on our way home from Albuquerque on a Friday night and our vehicle quit working 2 miles west of the first Moriarty exit. It was about 11:30 at night and thankfully wasn't raining. We tried contacting some people to come and help us out, but alas, no one was available or just wasn't answering their phone that late at night! Even though we live 13 miles south of Moriarty, we decided to start walking in the hopes that someone would take pity and give us a ride. About a mile down the road, a nice Santa Fe County officer stopped and gave us a ride to the Circle K in Moriarty. He informed us that he would be too far out of his jurisdiction so he wouldn't be able to take us all the way home. He did however, call Torrance County dispatch and asked if an officer could take us home. He was told that all of the officers were busy with an emergency and if we could call dispatch when we got to the store, maybe one of them could then come and get us. Unfortunately, my cell phone had stopped working and none of us had any money, let alone two quarters to make a phone call. I guess I could have begged for the use of the store's phone or called 911, but my completely addled and frustrated brain didn't think of that at the time. Anyway, we started walking down Highway 41 thinking that if the officers were done with the emergency one of them would surely stop and offer us a ride. Now keep in mind, my daughter is 14 years old, my husband was walking with our toy poodle and I was in a skirt and short sleeve shirt. On the way, the paramedics went past with lights blazing, followed closely by an ambulance, then three or four county police cars, (I can't remember, probably cause I was too ticked off by then). Not a single one of them stopped to see if we needed help. (What happened to public service??!) We continued walking and were eventually given a ride home by a state policeman who had just pulled someone over. Now I know that these people were probably busy and had some where they needed to be, but you would think one of them would have been at least curious or courteous enough to stop and ask questions!
    TAMI WILLIAMS
    McIntosh