OPINION: Talk of the Town

Factual conversations can bring us together

Three years ago, I lost a 40-year friendship over politics. My friend — a 67-year-old Hispanic college graduate and retired Navy captain — insisted that America was “great” in 1960. He pictured a time when one income could support a family, homes were affordable and America was reaching for the moon.

But his own parents — a teacher and an engineering scientist at a national lab — had careers that defied the era’s “traditional roles.” In 1960, segregation was still law, unsafe abortions killed hundreds of women, rivers caught fire from pollution and life expectancy for men was 10 years shorter. Fewer than half of Americans had finished high school, and only about 3% of Latinos had college degrees. The secure jobs he idealized were rarely open to families like his.

By 2016, when MAGA came to power, America was far from perfect but better in measurable ways: Infant mortality had plummeted, millions had gained access to higher education and health care, women and minorities had far more rights and representation, and our environment was cleaner.

Nostalgia can be powerful, but it can also overwhelm critical thinking — even for educated, accomplished people. Rolling back civil rights or diversity doesn’t restore stability; it only narrows opportunity. America has never been “great” for everyone at once, but progress has steadily expanded fairness and freedom.

I still hope that, someday, conversations grounded in facts and critical thinking — not nostalgia — can bring people back together.

Peter Mantos

Albuquerque

No partisan speech on government websites

As a taxpayer, former federal employee and supporter of our public lands, I want to express my absolute outrage at the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for the vile and appalling popup message that appears on their webpages, as reported in the Oct. 2 Journal. It reads: “The Radical Left Democrats shut down the government. This government website will be updated periodically during the funding lapse for mission critical functions. President Trump has made it clear he wants to keep the government open and support those who feed, fuel, and clothe the American people.” This message appeared on the Santa Fe National Forest, Carson National Forest and Cibola National Forest homepages. There is no place in government for this kind of degradation of the federal mission, and is possibly a violation of the Hatch Act prohibiting partisan political activities using federal facilities. The statement should be taken down immediately. There is no place for this in our country.

Jeffery Hanson

Albuquerque

Local leaders fail to support film festival

The Albuquerque Film & Music Experience just ended its 13th annual festival last month. I have been a volunteer since the beginning. While looking through the unclaimed complimentary passes, I was shocked and disappointed to see that local officials and dignitaries who had been invited had not spared time during the five days of the event at Nob Hill or even sent a representative to show support.

AFMX brings budding and established filmmakers from all over — from Los Angeles to Maryland and beyond — to Albuquerque to network and show their films. They not only bring their films but also use our hotels and restaurants. This year featured many New Mexico and Indigenous films, and showcased local students’ creations. Film students get free passes to attend the festival and get help from AFMX during the year.

As an event ambassador, I was privileged to welcome the locals and talk to the visitors who, without exception, praised the festival and AMFX’s staff and volunteers. Many had not been to New Mexico before and were determined to come back. The musical events during the week were from our community.

It is a shame that local support for this event seems to be lacking, and I would hope that next year those in seats of power would pay attention and put AFMX on their schedule.

I’d love to welcome you!

Barbara Witemeyer

Albuquerque

Bregman missed an opportunity

Sam Bregman’s pitch to voters for his governor run was nothing more than the continual bashing of Trump. When will he learn that we are tired of hearing it and we want to see good policies to change our state?

He missed the opportunity to detail his plan to improve education and health care in New Mexico. Instead of supporting school choice vouchers for example, he advocates for more money to support the teachers union. Years of frivolous spending in this manner has accomplished nothing. Instead of addressing the health care malpractice issue forcing doctors to leave the state, he bashes Trump for reducing Medicaid funding. We need doctors, not excuses.

Independents and even moderate Democrats want something new and different in New Mexico politics, not just the same old song and dance with new costumes.

Gary Hays

Albuquerque

Journal poll telling of Albuquerque voters

So 46% of Albuquerque voters are familiar with the city’s immigrant-friendly policy, but 51% approve of it. That is so telling about New Mexico voters. Just go with the party no matter what and so our city and state remain in the backwoods forever. Police officers, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and Albuquerque residents are put in danger every day by these short-sighted policies. If the city would do its part and find and jail criminals, then ICE agents would only have to go to the jail to pick them up. There would be no rioting, no going into places of business or private homes, just a quiet and safe exchange of prisoners. For someone who has a loved one serving as a defender of public safety, I worry about places like Albuquerque where such little thought is given to shared responsibility, where peace officers are reviled and threatened every day because the city refuses to do its part in upholding our country’s laws.

Mary Lombardo

Albuquerque