IN THE DOGHOUSE
I must say that I am disappointed SFR would give a valuable page of type to that pathetic loser from Chicago Dogs to flaunt his self pity [SFR Talk, May 11: "Got Beef?"]. I'm not Hispanic nor a politician, but we have been residents of Santa Fe for a few decades and have gone out of our way in recent years to enjoy Charlie and his dogs. We did try that Chicago place once and found the food and service equally mediocre. I wonder: Why doesn't the whiner pack up his cordon bleu and Vienna beef and take them someplace where he won't have to compete with his betters?
Maurice Trimmer
Santa Fe
CALL FOR BILBAO
The City of Santa Fe will soon choose a civic center and set an historic precedent for architecture of this city for years to come [Zane's World, May 11: "Convention Vention?"]. Four of the five finalists presented a grotesque Disneyfication of Native American and Hispanic cultural styles, or civic center disguised as 72,000-square-foot pueblo. The reason for this is that the City of Santa Fe required entrants to "reflect historic character of Santa Fe on the interior and exterior." This is the crux of the problem because in doing so, it perpetuates the myth of Santa Fe. Why did the time machine of architecture stop in 1912 in this city and why is half the population so against change or modern building ideas? We should have cast our net wider in the search for architects for this important project-Rick Joy would have been an obvious choice, or Ricardo Legoretta. And why didn't we invite our very own Antoine Predock? I'm certain these three would have been more than interested in this competition and would have made a statement, something that would bring people here to see brilliant new architecture…think Bilbao. The worst offender in the competition is the Beverly Spears' plan that revolves the entire building around a courtyard with an "active archeological dig" site and is another soft-shouldered MESS. The slightest glimmer of hope is offered by Lloyd + Associates, whose modern variation on Santa Feland is marginally more palatable than the rest of the field. I suppose Lloyd + Associates would've given us something similar to their beautiful new offices if the City of Santa Fe was intent on moving into the future instead of "relying on last century's tired tourism scheme" as Zane Fischer said. In the end, it would be best if archeological remains covered the site, then none of these projects would be built.
Zena Apsara
Santa Fe
JEWEL IN THE DESERT
Bravo to your coverage of the State's gift of $20,000 to Chimayó Museum [Outtakes, May 11: "Divine Intervention"]! Lorraine Vigil has done a remarkable job with this little jewel of a museum in spite of its lack of resources. Chimayó had been part of the Small Museum Development Program of the Museum of New Mexico, an initiative that provided training and assistance to improve operations and infrastructure of small museums so they might be greater economic contributors in their communities. When funding for SMDP ended in 2004, Museum Development Associates was formed as a private, nonprofit corporation to raise the needed funds to jumpstart the program. We urge citizens to take a look at the larger needs of Chimayó. Plaza del Cerro next to the museum is one of two surviving enclosed plazas left in New Mexico. While tumbled-down buildings and overgrown weeds are the norm, it has potential to once again become the heart of the village, providing jobs and sanctuary for its residents, with Chimayó Museum once again as its anchor. There are 200-plus small and rural museums in New Mexico, most under-resourced just like Chimayó. We encourage readers to get off their sofas and discover some of these treasures for themselves.
Barbara HagoodM. Susan Barger, PhDMuseum Development Associates
MIXED SIGNALS
So, our government sends our fellow citizens to war in other countries to kill or be killed in the name of "freedom" while on the "home front" our government is attempting to take away a women's right to choose [Cover story, May 11:
], also a freedom. The claim of "right to life" is being ignored and demanded at the same time. No wonder the confusion!
Darlene Fortier
Santa Fe
CHOICE VOICE
Thank you for your story on reproductive freedom. I agree that women are losing the freedom to choose. There are more or less a million abortions per year in the US, and if roughly half of all births are female, that makes 500,000 women a year who are being permanently denied the freedom of choice. Because their lives were aborted, they will never have the opportunity to grow up, have sex and have an abortion. They will never know the freedom they missed out on or get to meet or even confront those who took that freedom away. I salute The Reporter for doing its part in protecting American women's inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Especially the first right-because without that, you can't have the other two.
Mario RuizSanta Fe
FOIE PAS
I can't even believe you people would promote foie gras on your cover, even in a light-hearted way [Food, May 11: "Full Contact Feast"]. I am saddened and disgusted that the pathologically enlarged livers of force-fed ducks and geese are served anywhere in the city where I live. Your publication advertises "empaths" and other people sensitive to pain. It advertises natural fabrics and organic food and the finest wines-all the things that money can buy, to coddle human beings and give pleasure. Why not a little sensitivity to the pain of these poor creatures, who have metal pipes forced down their already sore throats several times a day, to propel pounds of unwanted foodstuffs into their bloated stomachs, causing some to actually explode physically?
Chris Jones
Santa Fe
RESPONSE CUBED
In response to the responses responding to your article rather despondently, I must say that, frankly, those voices heard were a bit knee-jerk in their vocalizations [Letters, May 4: "Back to School?" and "Fair to Middling?"]. To wit: Observing that Ortiz students are primarily brown-haired, brown-eyed and brown-skinned is NOT a racist statement; it's an accurate observation. If your reporter had stated that aforementioned student body is also "silly" or "stinky," that MAY have warranted the letterwriter's assertion that the article was "racist." Secondly, who gives a flip about the cover art? The response to THIS rather than the other issues brought up in the article merely trivializes what is really important: students' need for autonomy and individuation at a time when middle schools here are choosing to strip them (no pun intended) of just that through mandatory dress code.
Lisa GoldmanIEP Specialist/Gifted Program CoordinatorCapital High School The Reporter welcomes original, signed letters to the editor. Letters (no more than 200 words) should refer to specific articles in the Reporter. They may be edited for clarity and space. Include address and phone number for verification purposes; these will not be published. Mail to Letters, Santa Fe Reporter, PO Box 2306, Santa Fe NM 87504, deliver to 132 E. Marcy St., fax to 505-988-5348 or e-mail (editor@sfreporter.com) .
