Letters to the Editor

By LYNN HANRAHAN
Los Alamos

Once again this morning — the third time in the last few days — my daughter helped me clean up what the bear left behind in our backyard. Since the last big fire this happens. The garbage bags this morning were from someone new. We have an idea who. Usually it’s obvious from financial documents, advertisements, etc.

We live in a nice neighborhood — the sort of place where practically everyone has a graduate degree — for what it’s worth. The sort of place where people should be thoughtful enough to live in peace with nature. The solution

By NANCY and JOHN BARTLIT
Los Alamos

Japan surrendered at noon on August 15, 1945, ending World War II in the Pacific. On August 6, an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and another on August 9 on Nagasaki.

For 75 years, Americans have struggled with Americans to sort out the human dimensions of these events. That August was the crossroads of Japan’s internal conflict. The stark events, as told by Japan’s wartime leaders, became readily known in the U.S. only in the last 20 years.     

In the final summer of WWII, Japan’s Supreme War Council wrestled with turning points in Japan’s

By ARCELIA ISAIS-GASTELUM
Albuquerque

July 29, the Public Regulation Commission unanimously approved the plan for replacement power for the SJGS that consisted of 100 percent renewable energy and battery storage.

This is a monumental step in the right direction, and I applaud our commissioners for their leadership.

A few years ago, PNM announced they were planning to shut down the last stacks of the San Juan coal plant by 2022. Keeping it running is no longer economically feasible, and though the industry has provided more than half our state’s energy for the last half century, it’s time to

DIANE ARCHER
Los Alamos

David Reagor is a Republican running for Los Alamos County Council. He believes the council should research ideas then be pragmatic with their decisions.

The Council has considered Carbon Free Energy, which sounds good initially. The modular reactor portion is a potential reliable solution in the far future. In fact, the cost of storing the electricity, wind and solar cells makes it an expensive alternative.

He recognizes the struggles our businesses suffer from the approach to COVID-19. We can’t wait for the disease to peak or find a vaccination. With a fatality rate

By Dr. T. DOUG REILLY
Los Alamos

We’ve all read and watched the news regarding federal agents sent to Portland and Kansas City; we’ve also heard of preparations to send agents to Chicago and Albuquerque.

Yesterday, I learned of a group of BORTAC (Border Patrol Tactical Unit) troops sent along with others to Portland. This group was new to me; the Wikipedia article described them as DHS Swat Teams; another article said they were trained like Navy Seals and could be similarly armed. They wear many uniforms so as to match the other units they’re working with. They don’t wear

By AARON WALKER
Independent Candidate
Los Alamos County Council

There is so much division and anger on both sides of the political spectrum being displayed in our community right now.

I feel we are likely at a time period where political division and animosity has never been higher. This may just be the effect of social media, but it is incredibly worrisome to see some of the things being said right now. The divisive rhetoric has pierced every avenue of discussion within our community, and it is not beneficial in any way.

Our community is struggling with small businesses closing, COVID-19, vacant

By CATHY HERBISON KNOOP
Los Alamos

Don Neeper’s statement (link) that the politics of COVID-19 are complex, divisive, and dangerous is the clearest s argument against politicization of an issue that I’ve heard in this debate.

Don identifies the complexities of this issue by asserting that the systemic problems which arise because of complexity are differences in our national sub-cultures. 

He stated various truths. We have differences in grammar. I would add language usage to that.  For example, recently my grandson was very excited about his 1951 Chevy pick-up that he’s started to repair.

By RICK NEBEL
Los Alamos

This is a response to Richard Skolnik’s recent article on the COVID-19 pandemic (link).

Like most bureaucrats, he discussed leadership and policy at great length at the national level and compares us to other countries. It’s the typical “dump on Trump” narrative. While this sounds impressive, the COVID-19 situation is really a whole lot simpler than that.

Take a look at the latest statistics on the age distribution of COVID-19 patients in New Mexico:

https://cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html

Notice how skewed it is towards young adults. It didn’t

By TJ TAUB
Los Alamos

It’s incomprehensible that people, hundreds of thousands of whom are actually hurt by Republican Party and administration’s policies, refuse to think and continue to offer up their loyal and adamant support.

Then I consider China under Chairman Mao Zedong. Mao dictated how farms were to raise crops and livestock. Farmers knew Mao’s “reforms” would actually reduce production vs. increase it. 

But as China slid into starvation, though many recognized the folly, starving millions continued to believe in Mao.

Sadly, humankind has an unfortunate ability to ignore history

By AMANDA BARRY
Los Alamos

I know you don’t think you have to wear a mask outdoors, that you know you are healthy, that there’s a very low risk that you could transmit or catch COVID-19 from a runner.

You know what? It’s not about you.

It’s about the 80-year-old on supplemental oxygen who hasn’t felt comfortable taking a walk in months. It’s about the immunocompromised 30-year-old, and the 75-year-old couple, who finally thought they could take a stroll because everyone is required to wear a mask.

The mask law is about being in a society in which we value every life. You don’t look more cool and informed

By TERRY GOLDMAN
Los Alamos

Are you a real American patriot? Are you ready to take up arms to defend America from an invading army that threatens to kill and maim Americans? Yes? Perhaps you’ve even already done that. 

Then why, in the name of everything good and decent about America, won’t you defend Americans from the invader that has already killed tens of times as many Americans as 9/11 and threatens to kill millions more? Including your children, parents and grandparents. And debilitate ten times as many lives or destroy their businesses or livelihoods? 

When all you need to

By MAEGAN CARTER
Los Alamos

My brother Evan was involved in a motorcycle accident this Friday, July 17 on Canyon Road.

On behalf of my brother, (as well as the rest of our family), he is extremely thankful not only to the police officers, EMTs and Los Alamos Medical Center workers that attended his accident and provided care, but also to two anonymous pedestrian couples who stopped and called said responders.

He was not able to get the names of the pedestrians nor the first responders (due to the confusion from the accident) but he is extremely thankful to them and would like to extend this thanks to