SpeakUp!

As Pete Hegseth makes cuts to four star generals and top National Guardsmen, President Trump plans a big military parade for his birthday — costing potentially tens of millions. Hopefully President Trump will wear his pope’s hat because it would take a miracle to believe he has any concern about government cost savings. ML

President Trump wants a parade for “Flag Day,” which by pure coincidence happens to be on his birthday. It is estimated to cost tens of millions of dollars, or by his estimation “peanuts.” All this while his DOGE gang slash-and-burn vital government services. Are we living in North Korea? CT

It would be great if the very loud Democrats would realize that most people on both sides of the aisle don’t see American politics as a tug-of-war. We want to meet in the middle. President Trump’s trying to do that, in spite of so many dead set on hating him. AN

In a TV interview, the president said he didn’t know if he needs to uphold the Fifth Amendment, which calls for due process of law. Someone should tell him his Oath of Office doesn’t allow him to pick and choose which parts of the Constitution he wants to obey. JH

West Point, since 1802 has graduated military officers, all who have taken an oath to protect the freedoms of our country. It has now capitulated to book censorship because of the whim of our president — books which he finds offensive. Therein lies a frightening irony. KA

Pope Leo XIV is not the first American pope; Pope Francis was. Pope Leo XIV is the first Pope born in the United States. SZ

It is interesting that Gov. Lujan Grisham is more concerned about possible Medicaid cuts than about the largest fentanyl drug bust in history right here in Albuquerque. A great deal of our medical tragedies are directly related to drug use here. I would think that solving one helps solve the other. GH

APD likes to tout their traffic enforcement excellence, the reality on the streets does not match their rhetoric. I see drivers routinely flout red lights/stop signs. Consider merging APD and the sheriff’s office. This would be a quick way to increase enforcement. EH

Do the math. The Albuquerque crime rate exploded, and has remained high, when CASA was imposed on APD. With CASA gone, there’s now hope the trend will reverse. JPO

Regarding “OPINION: New Mexico’s justice system is broken — and corruption is thriving” (May 11 Journal): Using Alan Martinez’s words in his column on NM Justice system, “it’s a rigged system. One where loyalty to political allies, ideological causes or even criminal organizations is valued more than protecting the public.” Before blaming the other party, perhaps he needs to clean up his own Republican party. MS

Albuquerque will always be a minor league city in most regards. However, recent news shows that we are a major league city in one thing ... drug trafficking! It appears we are a haven for Mexican cartels. How are open borders working out? How about sanctuary status? JF

Over simplifying the numbers for the Gateway Tiny Homes to fit your narrative, I’d expect nothing less from a state ranking 50th in education. Total funding $5 milion from opioid lawsuit, $800,000 from county. Units cost $18,000 each. The rest is operational expense plus two community centers and bathrooms. JG

It is absolutely obscene that APS has increased its budget by over $100 million despite the fact that enrollment is down and NM is rated below Mississippi in grade performance. So the solution is to throw more taxpayer money on the problem hoping for what — a different outcome? HT

Can anyone explain to me how the Albuquerque Public Schools can spend $30,000 per child on education and have such terrible results? Three parents could join together, and with $90,000 hire a highly qualified teacher and teach three kids in a home and get vastly better results. JRM

I teach college and the saying, “They’re paying to be here” has historically been common by instructors referring to missing students. But with the Opportunity Scholarship this isn’t as true, and I just finished a course with a 36% truancy rate, which is almost identical to APS, and not good. BV

With new landscaping just completed, the Ezee Fiber representative came to my door announcing that part of my yard will be torn up for fiber-optic installation. My current CenturyLink installation provides fast internet — I don’t need faster. I don’t want fiber-optic but was told the city mandates it. Grrr. KMC

Thank you for the expanded Outdoor F section. NM True is a great slogan and your Outdoor section should encourage readers to enjoy the great varieties of scenery and activities available. PS