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MISSING HISTORY
I was disappointed in the apparent hypocrisy of archaeologists Stephen Post, Matthew Barbour and Stephen Lentz in the article on the research at the future civic center site, "
" [Outtakes, May 16]. According to writer David Alire Garcia, the scientists were unwilling to talk about a significant period of regional history. "Neither Post, Lentz nor Barbour," the piece reads, "will say much about the artifacts they've found that predate the Spanish colony. Cultural sensitivities, they say, forbid them from doing so."
"Cultural sensitivities"? This, from a group of scientists? Since when do cultural sensitivities trump archaeological records and the public's right to information (especially in light of the fact that the gathering of this material is, in part, publicly funded)?
Ironically, Garcia closes the piece with a quote from Post claiming that their work is providing "a view of the past"-"our shared cultural past." In reality, what readers got was an obstructed "view" of the past-one in which not all was "shared."
As scientists, archaeologists do not have the liberty of "cultural sensitivities." They have an obligation to the facts. By masking their findings, Post, Barbour and Lentz not only do a disservice to the taxpayers who help pay for their work, they do a disservice to their colleagues and the field of archaeology.
Lucas Conley
Santa Fe
LIVING IN FEAR?
Upon reading "
" [Outtakes, May 16], I was caught somewhere between giggling and disappointment. Every new piece of technology that mankind attaches itself to is always going to be lambasted by reactionary outbursts. That doesn't mean, however, that it never stops being ridiculous each and every time. Televisions, microwaves, computers, cell phones and even the automobile were subject to an uneducated outcry.
So, do we run screaming one way or another? Here's a novel idea: Why not check up on all the studies? Why not wait until they come out and then maybe we'll know one way or another. How about we find something moderate to sit with before we start screaming that everything is going to kill us?
Before I sit and spend God knows how much time listening to someone tell me that something is good or bad for me, I want to know just what their educational background is so maybe I have a fighting chance to get unbiased information. Does this man, Firstenberg, have the knowledge to back himself up or is it merely overblown concern and conspiracy theories?
Courtney Lounsbury
Española
GETTING ZAPPED
I read the article "
." In the late '70s I read a book titled
The Zapping of America
by Paul Brodeur. In this book he documents hazards-from melted candy bars in shirt pockets to cataracts-encountered by radar technicians. Over the years I've read many reports over the little research that's been done with the possible side effects of RF transmissions. From that information I might be more concerned about actual power levels in the EF band (radar, etc.). We are saturating the planet with high-powered transmissions from satellite radar to Doppler on the ground. At this point, I see no ill effects from Wi-Fi compared to the use of radar. You can't escape the eye in the sky!
Kim Brettingen
Cerrillos
THIRSTY IDEA
A "festivals" section sure would be a welcome addition to your Annual Manual. It's always bizarre to open it and find no trace of the Thirsty Ear Festival, which over the past eight years has earned a place as one of Santa Fe's most anticipated and loved annual events. (The eighth annual Thirsty Ear Festival takes place Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31-Sept. 2.) More than 30 internationally renowned folk, blues, Cajun, zydeco, bluegrass, alt.country and roots rock artists on three stages over three days qualifies, I think, as a "jam-packed weekend."
The Reporter does a great job covering the festival in the days leading up to the event. But I hope you'll consider giving readers a taste of this and other worthy festivals that have sprung up in Santa Fe in future Annual Manuals. Meanwhile, folks can learn more at
.
Michael Koster
Director
Southwest Roots Music
Thirsty Ear Festival
Santa Fe
IDENTITY CRISIS
What I found fascinating about Mr. Agresto's book
Mugged by Reality
[Cover story, March 7: "
"] was that the values he advocates in his book for Iraq run counter to those practiced by neoconservatives and the Bush administration. He advocates a secular government, diversity of opinions, honesty and healthy debate as key values in a democracy. But look at what conservatives advocate and practice in America. First, in going to war in Iraq, the Bush administration and neoconservatives shouted down dissenting opinions as unpatriotic and dangerous and used spurious intelligence to build their case. After no WMD were found in Iraq, they changed the reasons why they went to war and those reasons keep morphing. Secondly, Mr. Agresto warns about having an established religion in a democracy, advocating a secular government. Yet many conservatives argue that the US is really a Christian country and Mr. Bush has continually supported fundamentalist positions while in office. For example, remember Terry Schiavo? The conservatives allowed only one religious view about her and shouted down any others. So, while Mr. Agresto advocates exporting democracy to Iraq in the form of a secular government that tolerates all religions and a diversity of views, he aligns himself with a political ideology that is against these things in America. Is Mr. Agresto really a neoconservative?
George Magakis Jr.
Norristown, Pa.
KEEP PETS HEALTHY
Our sympathy goes out to Paul and Lynda Gomez on the tragic loss of their dog, Lucy [Outtakes, April 11: "
"].
As with any surgery, there is a possibility for complications with spaying and neutering. For the vast majority of animals, though, the tremendous health benefits of these routine surgeries far outweigh any risk.
In addition to making animals less likely to roam, fight or bite, spaying and neutering reduces or eliminates animals' risk of many life-threatening health problems: Spayed females can't get uterine or ovarian cancer, and are much less likely to get breast cancer. Neutered males have no risk of testicular cancer and are less likely to get prostate disease.
What's more, they ensure that your animal won't contribute to our country's staggering companion animal overpopulation.
Lindsay Pollard-Post
Staff Writer
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
Norfolk, Va.
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