OPINION: Speak Up!

President Trump explained that the SMITHSONIAN needs to change because it is “woke.” The evidence he offered is that it only tells the bad part about being a slave. Please, Mr. President, explain to America what was good about being a slave. AF

Recently, President Trump said “MAIL-IN BALLOTS are corrupt. Mail-in ballots, you can never have a real democracy with mail-in ballots. We are about the only country in the world that uses mail-in voting.” Actually dozens of other countries do. Mail-in ballots have been used here since the Civil War. EJG

The Trump administration is doing everything in its power to stop the trend to RENEWABLE ENERGY. They prefer gas and coal. They’ve rescinded environmental pollution regulations, ended sun and wind projects on federal land, ended clean energy tax credits, and instead added subsidies for the coal industry. So stupid! WS

“Trump’s CRACKDOWN IN DC leaves residents on edge” of their seats, as it may result in their ability to go to a local restaurant without fear of assault or worse. Funny how a determined law enforcement deters crime. Not so funny is the left pandering to criminals. GT

Why does Trump think calling the EPSTEIN FILES a hoax doesn’t make it look like he’s hiding something? BF

Anyone want to play a game of Trump? Don’t know how to play? Ask PUTIN, he knows how to play Trump! DWA

Leadership: FDR defeated Hitler, Mussolini, and Hirohito. Truman said “The Buck stops here” and dropped the Bomb. Kennedy told Khrushchev, “Get those missiles out of Cuba.” Reagan told Gorbachev, “Mr. Gorbachev tear down that wall.” Trump rolled out the RED CARPET FOR PUTIN at the Alaska summit and failed miserably. OS

Trump touts Treasury coffers filling up due to TARIFFS. Smoke and mirrors as he claims foreign countries and businesses are eating the costs, yet “We The People” are watching what we purchase and food going up and up. Please sir, may we have some of the crumbs or rebate checks? DD

How interesting that Federal Reserve Gov. LISA COOK, days after refusing to resign at Trump’s request, is accused of mortgage fraud by Trump’s appointee to the agency that oversees mortgage regulations. Now Trump is firing her due to those allegations. A clear case of “trumped” up charges it would seem. ML

It took less than two months for TB to surface in the crowded, unsanitary conditions of Trump’s disgraceful FLORIDA DETENTION CENTER. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria has saved over 65 million lives and deserves continued U.S. funding. Maybe it could help stop an epidemic in Florida. RA

I agree criminals need to be deported, but those who are here illegally should be vetted and identified and placed on a path to CITIZENSHIP. How can this happen? Why not have a U.S. census and identify those who are U.S. citizens? Oh, we tried that and it’s considered profiling. MM

What the two N.M. House representatives who resigned from the Redistricting Task Force are saying is, in effect, “Why should we waste time trying to create fair districts in New Mexico when the president tells the Texas Legislature to further GERRYMANDER their state, and they salute and march?” RT

Which right out of our Bill of Rights do we need permission to use? The SECOND AMENDMENT. Blue states have tried for decades to eliminate gun rights and now they are going to the UN in an attempt to completely eliminate the second amendment. jmw

Clearly, APS has still not done enough to prevent GUNS ON CAMPUS! With five guns confiscated at or near three different high schools in one day, how can parents feel that APS schools are safe? Whatever system they have in place to detect guns is not adequate for now. RF

NM is last in our children’s education not because of deficiencies in the schools’ educational programs. It’s because parents do not care or emphasize education and the result is a TRUANCY rate of 36-40%. EN

I’d love to see the AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE taught in all our preschools, public and private schools curriculums in the state. At that age, their brains are sponges. We can do it! Anyone like the idea? DZ

Regarding “OPINION: If movies have ratings, why don’t school library books” (Aug. 17 Journal): Parents have always had the power to “make decisions about what’s appropriate” for their children to read as far as LIBRARY BOOKS. They just don’t have the power to decide what other people’s children should read, nor should they. JH

Netanyahu says that STARVATION OF PALESTINIANS is a lie. Should we believe him or our own eyes? Of course Hamas is always his reason but a recent aid worker said he left because it was obvious they were deliberately shooting people in the crowds lining up for food. For shame! CE

Can MAYOR KELLER be specific on how much longer it will take him to fix Albuquerque’s crime problems? Drug problems? Homelessness problems? He’s been in office eight years. I’d have been fired if any task took me that long, with only 2-4% improvements to show. Quit voting him into power! AN

We live in the East Mountains and were on vacation recently when our security system was activated. Called BERNALILLO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE and a deputy responded immediately. He called us and said the residence was safe and clear. The deputy was courteous and very professional. Kudos Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office! WR