OPINION: SPEAKUP!

Trump signed an executive order to get rid of BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP. Someone should tell him that’s not how the Constitution works. He can’t just get rid of constitutional amendments with the stroke of his pen. Why aren’t congressional Republicans speaking up? JH

To circumvent criminals from posing as ICE agents, I recommend we all require ICE agents to state clearly their legal authority, to show legal ICE ID, and to not wear a mask or try to hide their identities during apprehensions. KE

When asked by a reporter about who stopped weapons shipments to Ukriane, TRUMP responded “I don’t know. You tell me.” In a White House meeting with heads of state, Trump complimented the president of Liberia on his English. English is the official language of Liberia. Shouldn’t he know these things? EJG

In light of Trump’s BUDGET BILL that just passed, I thought it might be worthwhile to consider this, “I believe that as long as there is plenty, poverty is evil. Government belongs wherever evil needs an adversary and there are people in distress.” Robert F. Kennedy, Sr. ML

So, the-all Democratic NM congressional delegation voted against Trump’s bill that includes DOWNWINDER funding but now trumpeting that they got Downwinders relief. You don’t want to be downwind when the political fact-checking sniffer has been turned off. JG

President Trump’s tariffs are working and tariff revenues grew to a record $27.2 billion in June — producing a $27 billion federal BUDGET SURPLUS for the month. There has not been a government surplus since 2005. SS

DOWNWINDERS (US citizens) got a big win under the Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill, something that has eluded them for decades under their elected Democrat NM delegations in the House and Senate. Hmmm. KS

FYI it took Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri to include RECA extension and expansion provision in Big Beautiful Bill which Ben Ray Luján did not vote for despite representing NM Downwinders. This provision was set to expire last year. I guess loyalty to party superseded loyalty to constituents. DD

Big thanks to ... Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri for rescuing the RECA that benefits our state’s Downwinders. Wait, where’s Ben Ray? Why was he ignoring his constituents in favor of shouting down Trump and this spending bill? What an utter lack of understanding in favor of political grandstanding — as always. AN

The RECA was extended by being slipped into the Big Beautiful Bill because it could not stand on its own. Ironically, the entire New Mexico congressional delegation voted against it. JEH

Thanks to President Trump’s DOGE efforts to CUT GOVERNMENT WORKERS, the Albuquerque office of the weather service is short one-third of its meteorologists. Just as the monsoon season strikes and deadly flash floods hit Ruidoso, the government cuts our services. Once again, Washington’s games hurt New Mexicans. AF

Former President George Bush would occasionally describe people as “all hat, but no cattle.” That’s an accurate description for the various Texas officials squirming when questioned about the lack of a timely warning before the impending flash flood and the absence of a warning system for “FLASH FLOOD ALLEY.” RGF

When LA was burning down per Trump it was all Gov. Gavin Newsom’s, D-CA, fault for mismanaging California’s water. In Texas, Trump says no one could’ve imagined this happening and calls a reporter “evil” for questioning Gov. Abbott and others for not installing an early warning system in “FLOOD ALLEY.” Dual political personality. DP

The Journal claims that the reduction in WEATHER PERSONNEL at the NWS has spawned the tragedies in Texas and Ruidoso. This is an obvious attempt to blame these events on Trump. I do not think that mother nature cares who is president or how many weathermen we have. GH

Gov. GREG ABBOTT, R-TX: “The losing teams are the ones who try to point out who’s to blame. The way winners talk is not to point fingers.” Who the hell are the winners? 120 dead/161 missing can’t talk/point. Is he afraid their families will point at him, Ted Cruz and Trump’s NOAA/NWS cuts? JG

Regarding “OPINION: MLG: Get your party’s buy-in on critical public safety special session” (Jul. 12 Journal): NICOLE TOBIASSEN nailed it in her local column. If you’re a legislator and not serious about putting the hard work in, without all the shameful politicking, to fix our many issues in NM, please find something else to do with your time and let others have the opportunity to try. SS

If “Commercial properties are generally undervalued in New Mexico ... mainly due to past assessors not ASSESSING PROPERTIES correctly.” Then why are all the strip centers here full of years-long vacancies? No, BernCo, your assessors did not undervalue properties, your logic lacks common sense of the reality of economics here. MT

The state of NM should utilize the Budaghers outlet mall as LOW COST HOUSING. BF

Regarding July 6 Sunday Journal: Jeff Tucker is wrong. The RAIL RUNNER positively impacts the quality of life of all the New Mexicans who ride it. He should try it! It’s an amazing scenic ride through the pueblos. And you can bring your bike on board! Always grateful to have the option not to drive. EF