OPINION: Talk of the Town

ABQ Ride should go back to charging fees

Albuquerque Journal June 18 article on the need for security “realignments” on ABQ Ride is another testimony to the terrible performance of Albuquerque’s municipal government which is driven by the usual failed liberal policies which cater to everyone but the working tax payer.

During two periods of unemployment during 2013 and 2016, I used ABQ Ride to get from the West Side to Central New Mexico Community College. At that time, every fare was $1 and CNM students received a pass for free rides. During those two years I never saw a policeman on the bus and never had a problem with violence or vagrancy. But for various reasons, the mayor and city council have decided that the bus should be free for anyone. And, of course, that means any transient person who wants to spend part of their day on an air-conditioned bus and, perhaps, get a thrill by harassing other passengers (or by losing control of themselves as their medication wears off). And here we are with a system that has gone from “good” to “poor and dangerous.”

It’s time to return to a paid system (this type of infrastructure doesn’t grow on trees) with a regular fare of $1 and an ART fare of $2 to reflect the faster express service. If one wants to argue about a loss of ridership due to going back to a paid system, tell me how many people will not ride the bus now since it’s become a moving flophouse. And let’s not forget how the bus system is a meager shell of what it was before COVID-19. Albuquerque needs to figure out how to get ABQ Ride back to a reasonably functioning transit system that serves the public well without the fear of crime.

Tony Porzio

Albuquerque

Leaders need to curb methane production

As a resident of Carlsbad, I have experienced firsthand the dangerous public health impacts of living near oil and gas development sites.

Methane pollution is a huge problem with oil and gas operations, releasing 16 million metric tons in 2023. Inevitably, these wasteful methane emissions come with a host of other air pollutants that cause serious respiratory problems and other illnesses for people who are forced to live and work nearby. As someone with asthma, the number of times I have to use my rescue inhaler in a year has increased every year alongside the increase in oil and gas production.

That’s why I am so frustrated to see industry-funded leaders in Washington attacking methane safeguards in favor of big oil and gas polluters who profit at the expense of people like me. Members of Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency have the power to ensure that common-sense standards are in place to protect our families from harmful, wasteful emissions released by the largest companies — they need to act on it.

Cutting methane pollution is not controversial — people on both sides of the aisle want our leaders and the EPA to stand up for our health and wellbeing, and protect the right for all Americans to breathe clean air.

It’s time for our leaders to listen to the voices of local communities who oppose the harmful rollback of strong methane standards, in favor of protections that put our health and wellbeing first.

Haley Jones

Carlsbad

Parade honored those who served

Kudos to Jeff Tucker, Journal columnist, on a great editorial piece in the about the U.S. Army’s “Grand Military Parade” in the June 21 Albuquerque Journal.

Jeff discussed the parade from the proud perspective of the U.S. Marine he is and always will be. (There’s no such thing as a “former Marine.” Once a Marine always a Marine.) In so doing he expressed the sentiment of most all veterans who would have been proud to be part of that parade and were glad to see it finally happen.

Criticize President Trump all you want but the fact is he made it happen and provided a well-deserved lasting memory for all who participated. Yes, it was also his birthday, but so what, absent Trump, no parade.

I, too, noted how the major networks avoided covering the parade like a hot potato but that comes as no surprise. They march in lock step against anything Trump and ignore the fact that the U.S. Army 250 years ago was instrumental in providing the freedom of the press and assembly enjoyed by the media, as well as the “King’s Day” protesters who objected to the parade and everything Trump..

During Trump’s first term he sat next to President Macron of France for the annual Bastille Day (July 14) parade on the Champs Elysees in Paris. The French do good parades and after that parade Trump was impressed and vowed to one day have a similar parade in Washington. He was good to his word.

Thanks Jeff for citing the positives of the U.S. Army celebration parade. This old United States Air Force veteran shares your pride and extends congrats to the Army volunteer force. Less than 1% of our population serves in the military and those young men and women deserve our thanks and praise.

Semper Fi.

Dave Coulie

Albuquerque

Op-ed misrepresented ‘No Kings’ protesters

The recent commentary by Jeff Tucker defending the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade deserves scrutiny for its selective presentation of facts, misleading characterizations and unfounded claims. While Mr. Tucker is entitled to his perspective, several assertions merit correction and contextualization.

Veterans deserve respect for their service, yet their military experience doesn’t immunize their political commentary from scrutiny. The piece unfortunately uses military service as a shield for partisan arguments while making factual claims that don’t withstand examination.

Tucker fails to acknowledge the legitimate questions about fiscal responsibility during a time when the administration has emphasized cutting government waste.

The claim that major networks ignored the parade is misleading. Multiple outlets provided extensive coverage, including CNN, Fox News and NPR. Tucker’s characterization of media coverage as deliberately obstructionist overlooks the legitimate journalistic role of examining government expenditures and the unusual coincidence of timing.

Tucker’s characterization of the “No Kings” protests contains problematic elements. The claim that protesters caused ambulance delays resulting in deaths is presented without evidence. No credible reports have emerged documenting deaths caused by delayed ambulances due to protest-related traffic disruptions. This appears to be a hypothetical scenario presented as fact — a serious journalistic error. Protests, which drew millions of participants across hundreds of cities nationwide, were overwhelmingly peaceful.

Tucker’s speculation about why certain Democratic officials didn’t attend protests reveals more about his political biases. An internet search would have enlightened Tucker that New Mexico Rep. Melanie Stansbury attended and spoke at the “No Kings” protest in Albuquerque.

What’s missing from this commentary is acknowledgment of why millions of Americans felt compelled to protest. Rather than dismissing these concerns as the work of “America-haters,” a more constructive approach would recognize that patriotism can include holding government accountable and that peaceful protest is itself a patriotic tradition.

Robert Arnett

Albuquerque