TOP OF MIND: With protests erupting across the nation and hundreds of people on the U.S. Terrorist Watchlist entering the country illegally, are you becoming leery of being in large public settings?

Top of Mind is a weekly question about an issue affecting New Mexicans.

LAST WEEK’S QUESTION:

Should University of New Mexico students who damaged property protesting in the Student Union Building be expelled?

“The law allows for the peaceful demonstration of opinions. The law does not allow for destruction of property, vandalism or trespass. Free speech does not mean that you don’t have to respect the opinion or property of others. If a student broke the law, there should be a consequence.”

— Walter Lang Albuquerque

“No, they shouldn’t be expelled, we need all of the college graduates in the state that we can get. However, bill mommy and daddy for the money, with interest, and make it hurt.”

— Kathleen Weston Albuquerque

“UNM student protesters who damaged property should be punished to the full extent of the law and UNM policy to include being expelled. Kudos to UNM and state authorities for taking quick and decisive action unlike their Ivy League counterparts. Great editorial on this issue in the (May 5 Sunday Journal).

— Dave Coulie Albuquerque

“Students should not be expelled. Students have a right to demand what they want to see out of their universities. Palestinians have been bombed and killed for the last 75 years. The world must stand to liberate them. This is about Zionism and bigotry. Pathetic editorial from you last week.”

— Jaime Munoz Albuquerque

“Everybody that broke into the Student Union Building should be arrested for breaking and entering, trespassing and vandalism. If not jail time then fined and restitution for damages. Those that were students also expelled. That’s how they learn that it is not OK.”

— Robert Wayne Albuquerque

“No. This is a teaching moment. Give the students an opportunity to either pay, or perform service to the university to help cover costs of repair to the SUB. And, have them take a course in the history of conflict between Israel and their neighbors so they become better informed.”

— Robert Peterkin Albuquerque

“They should be expelled and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. These students most likely receive some form of tuition assistance and demonstrated a complete lack of respect for the university and their fellow students. They need to be taught that there are consequences for their actions.”

— Michael Davis Albuquerque

“Not expelled, instead be forced to pay restitution for the damage. This should be specific if individuals can be identified, or averaged over all present in the area where the damage occurred, otherwise. No university activities, transcripts, or degrees for those cited until they pay all restitution. Encourage peaceful protests, discourage all violence on all sides and of all types including property damage.”

— Dr. Frank Fisher Rio Rancho

“Yes, they should be expelled, unless they pay for damages, perform some beneficial community service and apologize to their fellow students for the disruption and inconvenience caused by their unlawful takeover. They should also write 100 times, ‘I will form my own opinions based on hard facts and not emotions.’”

— Pamela Cox Los Ranchos