Mail letters to Letters, Santa Fe Reporter, PO Box 2306, Santa Fe NM 87504, deliver them to 132 E. Marcy St., fax them to 988-5348, e-mail them to editor@sfreporter.com or use our online form.
SHAME
It is a true shame that Mr. Robert Martin expressed himself so inappropriately about COLOMBIA (and not "Columbia"), using the same stereotype and prejudice employed by so many persons who have no idea about the complex reality of my country [SFR Talk, April 19:
]. In Colombia, many lives have been sacrificed as a result of a drug war that is sustained by the nostrils of millions of persons in the world. My country is filled with generous hard-working individuals who continue to believe in the possibility of a peaceful, drug-free society, sustained by the very values that underlie the democracy.
Elisa Guerrero
Santa Fe
PEACE AND POLITICS
Thank you to the Reporter for my enthusiastic picture on your cover [Cover story, March 29:
]. I am a democratic delegate from my district here in Santa Fe. Bringing together spirit and politics is one of my passions. I also am a practicing minister and psychotherapist and one of my interests is post traumatic stress and autism. One of my techniques is simple and scientifically proven. It is helping the client to transform unhealed feelings that have never been expressed but buried in the body, as well as in the mind. I believe that joy and happiness are our natural state that is hardwired in. There is so much information now that proves this point, and ways to really create a new story in our belief systems to bring back our bliss. I use Solution Focus techniques to zero in on what it is to be happy. It has been proven that when we feel happiness our biochemicals of emotion, the neuropeptides and their receptors, are open and flowing freely throughout the psychosomatic network, integrating and coordinating our systems, organs and cells in a rhythmic movement. So, when emotions are expressed or when our biochemicals are flowing freely, we are in unity and grace within ourselves, therefore in the natural flow of our universe. Trauma and stress are forms of information overload. To alleviate this state, my work focuses on body movement and body work, as well as other forms of releasing emotional overload. The key to all of this is to know that you can be joyous in your life by changing your old story to one of freedom of expression.
I am also part of a group that was inspired by US Rep. Tom Udall called A NEW PEACEFUL REVOLUTION. More information will be forthcoming soon and we will be holding a large gathering which will kick off this fun-filled event.
Blessings.
Dr. Rev. Melinda Pillsbury Arnold
Santa Fe
WALK IN HIS SHOES
This letter is in response to the comment Stephanie Gonzales made [Outtakes, April 19:
] concerning the judgment she passed on me when she said, "I would never jeopardize my campaign for one vote, especially to a deadbeat dad…"
This just goes to show you how biased and prejudice she is, particularly against dads. She has no clue of what kind of a father I am. I went to Stephanie's office to get information from my ex-wife. The police were called because of false allegations that I was stalking her at her work and had violated a restraining order. After an evidentiary hearing the judge ruled on my behalf and said that this allegation was false and that there was a "malicious intent" to get me in trouble. I could not even get a statement from Ms. Gonzales about the reason I was there in the first place. To make that kind of statement without getting all the facts is unfair to me and my kids. However, my children know better and you know, when it is all done and over with, that is what counts.
Yes, I would agree there are many deadbeat dads out there as well as some deadbeat moms, but to label me without even knowing me or my situation is out of line for a candidate running for the important office of secretary of state.
I realize that there are a lot of fathers out there who are deadbeats, who never pay their child support, who are verbally, emotionally and physically abusive to their spouses and their children. It gives a bad name to the fathers like myself who will support their kids no matter what. Ms. Gonzales has no idea of what I have undergone to protect the rights of fathers and to insure that my kids are well taken care of. She needs to walk in my size nine shoes before making a comment like that. At the house I am renting my bedroom is in the garage so that my kids could have their bedrooms in the main house. Yeah, it gets a little cool during the winter months but I don't mind. I don't think too many deadbeat dads would do that for their children.
Gerald Valdez
Santa Fe
NICOTINE NIX
I work with a brewery/restaurant/live music venue located on the south side of Santa Fe that only permits smoking outside on the patio [J spot, April 12:
]. I am thankful to the owners for that policy. I know that the majority of dining patrons prefer a no-smoking atmosphere, and that all the musicians I've discussed the issue with absolutely love a smoke-free performance space. As it is a person's right to smoke if they wish, I believe it is my right to work, eat and listen to music in a smoke-free environment. I still find myself in the occasional smoky bar, but am thankful to have a choice. I imagine I would visit those places more often if they were smoke- free.
I've always encouraged my friends and family who smoke (a dwindling number), to please quit; I know it's not easy to do, but I persist because I care about them. When my mother passed away, it was due largely in part to complications brought on by a lifetime of smoking cigarettes; I've always felt she would have been with us a lot longer if she had been able to quit. I support a smoke-free Santa Fe, and am glad to be in a smoke-free workplace.
Jeff Williams
Santa Fe
PUFF DADDY
I am a non-smoking musician who happens to have agreed with Jonanna's article. Maybe we should consider a city-wide ban on whining.
Joe West
Santa Fe
CORRECTION:
Last week's Pop Quiz with the Democratic candidates for state land commissioner incorrectly referred to a conservation law as The National Environmental Protection Act. The act is called the National Environmental Policy Act. SFR regrets the error.
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. Please include address and phone number for verification purposes; these will not be published.
