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Addendum to Griscom Interview
May I congratulate you on a wonderful new rendition of Sun Monthly. The quality and presentation are in keeping with the expert articles and
information you offer the public.
I would especially like to thank Gershon Siegel for so artfully interviewing me
on my book The Evolution of God. It is very dear to my heart to bring this voice out to the world.
There is just one piece of information I would like to alter, which has to do
with the 2003 Peace Memorial. I did, indeed, initiate the process with the
intent to carry Congressman Dennis Kucinich’s Department of Peace concept into New Mexico. I feel that we in New Mexico can
show the nation and the world how to enact a conversation of peace in such a
way that it becomes integral to the many threads of our lives. However, it was
a magnificent group of people who put their hearts into the concept and
actually made it happen. They are the ones who must be honored as the true
leaders they are and applauded for their power to bring the idea of the Peace
Memorial into fruition.
Thank you again, Richard, for joining us in the beautiful "Land of Enchantment."
-- Chris Griscom, Galisteo
No logic in supporting heather
Like Charlie Wilson, whose letter ["A Foot in Each Camp"] was published in the
March Sun, I’m a lifelong Democrat, but I don’t follow his logic of voting for a Republican to fill the open New Mexico Senate
seat. His theory is that the political pendulum swings and that a New Mexico
senator must be chairman of the important Senate Energy Committee, no matter
what party controls the Senate. But even if Heather Wilson were elected to the
Senate, one can’t assume that she would be assigned to the Senate Energy Committee, and anyway
it would be several terms before she could rise to committee chairman. A far
better strategy is to elect Tom Udall -- a Democrat -- so that the Democrats
can keep majority control of the Senate and Jeff Bingaman can stay on as
chairman of the Energy Committee. That is one of many reasons to support Tom
Udall for the Senate. Tom was a strong attorney general, has represented
northern New Mexico in Congress since 1998, and has spoken out against the war
in Iraq war, while strongly supporting veterans. I’ll be volunteering for Tom this fall.
-- Lindsay A. Lovejoy Jr., Santa Fe
Replace Dominici with Udall, Not Wilson
Charlie Wilson argues in his March letter to the editor ["A Foot in Each Camp"]
that we should elect Heather Wilson to the Senate instead of Tom Udall so we
don’t miss out on military expenditures when the Republicans control the Senate. It
is true that Pete Dominici has brought lots of money to new Mexico, but for
what? For nuclear weapons, a nuclear-waste site, and a long list of toxic
pollutants in our air, land and water.
The Iraq war, not included in Bush’s ballooning deficit figures, is costing $12 billion a month, not including the
costs of taking care of all the wounded and psychologically scarred returning
soldiers. Cost estimates for the entire war and its aftermath run in the
trillions of dollars. Heather Wilson voted for this war. She has supported most
of the Bush policies over the last eight years. For this she should be
promoted? Tom Udall voted against the war, and he voted against the Patriot
Act, showing true courage when this was not a popular stance.
Charlie Wilson, like many in our capitalist society, is making the mistake of putting money above all else. Money for a culture of death and
destruction is not a good deal for our state or our nation. Let us be rid of
Heather Wilson once and for all. A vote for Tom Udall is our only hope of
redefining the mission of Los Alamos National Laboratory, where the terrorists
are pushing for a new generation of nuclear weapons in blatant violation of the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty -- one of those "quaint" treaties that Bush
and company would like to make disappear.
Our environment and civil liberties are much too important to entrust to Heather
Wilson. If we are not protecting them, then what, exactly, is our military
defending for us, besides permanent profits for a permanent wartime economy?
The only vote that will really help New Mexico in November is for Tom Udall.
-- Jeff Sussmann, Santa Fe
DRILLING in THE GALISTEO BASIN
Tecton remains a frightening entity even though we may have 12 months to build a
case supporting nondrilling. I’ve come to the conclusion that "big oil" can reign supreme just because they are
"big oil" or, on the other hand, because I have little faith in our elected
representatives. The question remains: Even if no ecological harm will occur,
would we still want hundreds of those pumps going night and day in our
backyard?
-- Herb Schon, Eldorado
Wolf Recovery Equals Wolf Extermination
I have been concerned for quite a while that the Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery
Program has become de facto the "Wolf Extermination Program." The most recent
population survey seems to support that idea, with only half the number of wolves (50) in the wild that we were supposed to have by now, 10
years into the program.
Killing and removing endangered wolves can no longer be the primary tools for
addressing conflict with livestock in the recovery area. Defenders of Wildlife
has a cost-share program to implement proven solutions to wolf-livestock
conflicts, including range riders (herders), guard dogs and fencing, in
addition to paying for livestock killed by wolves. Another idea that needs to
be considered is purchasing the federal grazing leases from ranchers in the
area willing to sell them and taking the livestock off in order to reduce the
"temptation."
It is time to demonstrate a real desire to rescue the Mexican gray wolf from
extinction by making revisions to the Recovery Program, including deleting the
so-called "three strikes" rule (SOP 13), which allows wolves to be killed or
captured.
If you agree with these ideas and want to find out how you can help save a place
for wolves in the Southwest, contact Lisa Hummon at Defenders of Wildlife,
lhummon@defenders.org.
Evalyn Bemis, Santa Fe
Shock and Joy at sale of Sun
It is with shock and joy that this fan of Sun Monthly received the news of the magazine’s sale. Shock because this fan, who has managed to keep many favorite issues
tucked away under a chest in her small one-room house, thought Gershon and
Linda were forever part of our beloved extended bioregional family . . . Shock
mixed with joyful anticipation because once myself having leapt into a whole
new phase of life (and feeling all the better for it), I support anyone’s readiness for a new direction. The combination of pressing national issues, as
so clearly portrayed by Craig Barnes’s "Give Me a Strict Constructionist" [February 2008], and personal quests, as so
deeply shared by managing editor Linda Braun ["A Beginner’s First Steps on the Path of Self-Love," February 2008], is typical of the
exceptional inspiration that Gershon and Linda have offered us over the years.
May they find the deep satisfaction they deserve in their next ventures. Linda,
may you continue on your path of love; we need you. Finally, Richard and Alena,
welcome aboard -- you are inheriting a now great tradition.
-- Dominique Mazeaud, Santa Fe
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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Linda, Gershon, Barbara! The first "Thank you!" is for your gift of inspiration
and years of effort to provide this virtual soapbox to inspire and entice our
progressive community into showcasing cutting-edge ideas, sharing experiences,
taking us on wild adventures, and engaging us in protracted dialogues
concerning the regeneration of our precious world -- and also for keeping Sun Monthly alive by passing it along into what appears to be worthy and destined custodians
of your treasure.
The second "Thank you!" is for the gift you have given me personally by creating
an empty stage that challenged me to occasionally publicly articulate my alarm
and to share my passions to create a better world, and by supporting my actions
for solutions on your pages -- and for your scrutinizing editorial eyes to make
my articulation so much cleaner and poignant.
And the third is for the effort you have made to make this magazine worthy of
safekeeping under the stairs for years and years. The old ones are stored there
in a wicker basket like a dragon’s precious treasure, neatly encapsulating the jewels of our community -- the
revelations and ideations and exhalations and invitations and exhortations and
explanations by so many brilliant beings, some of whom are no longer with us.
Yet one more "Thank you!" . . . to Linda, for baring the truth of your reality
in your last article ["A Beginner’s First Steps on the Path of Self-Love, February 2008] and for stepping into
your absolute right to love yourself first. Without a doubt, I speak for many:
You have our full support to fill each and every one of your cells with
glistening, ecstatic self-love and to keep that feeling alive with every
breath. Make each millisecond be just how you want it to be!
Hey, you, too, Gershon -- and while we are at it, why not everyone!
-- Shannyn Sollitt, Santa Fe
Best Dangers-of-Wi-fi article ever
I want to thank you for your many years of providing us all with a great free
newspaper. Most importantly, you took on issues that were not being covered in
the mainstream press, such as the health effects (sleep disturbance, nerve
damage, diseases) of wireless technology. The article you published by Arthur
Firstenberg, "The Largest Biological Experiment Ever" [January 2006] is one of
the best articles on the subject to appear anywhere (and has since been posted
on various websites). I hope
Sun Monthly will continue to publish significant articles under its new management.
-- William J. Bruno, PhD
HOpes new Sun owners continue tradition
I have appreciated Sun Monthly’s progressive viewpoint and professional presentation for years, and hope both
will continue under the new management. Thank you!
-- Jim Terr, Santa Fe
May Sun Monthly continue to bloom
As I look back over the past few accelerated years, I realize that the one
publication I always had my eye peeled for was the latest edition of Sun Monthly. I often found myself devouring its articles cover to cover, and I’m sure I mentioned to Linda Braun and Gershon Siegel more than once how
outstanding the Sun was among both national and local publications. If the Sun had any bias, it was toward the intelligent, the relevant, the heartfelt, the
courageous, the true, the sane. (I even endured Gershon’s editorials, usually with a hearty chuckle.) Hopefully, as predicted, the Sun will continue in full bloom -- but let us offer heartfelt thanks to Linda and
Gershon for the vision to create a first-rate forum for the best "salon in
print" and to its fine writers for many hours of enlightening, provocative
enrichment. The Sun has left the Santa Fe community more informed, more engaged, more connected and
empowered. Thanks.
Bill Boaz, Santa Fe
Always looked forward to each issue
Most people associate the first of the month with their rent payment or mortgage
payment. But for some of us here in Santa Fe, it’s the day Sun Monthly comes out. So I usually stop at the co-op and pick up my copy. In February, I
was a few days late and didn’t get to read Linda Braun’s incredible article right away ["A Beginner’s First Steps on the Path of Self-Love"]. To hear about her personal and deep
healing experience and her own journey into self-love was very powerful. I was
reminded of her advice just a few days later when I received a call that my
dear aunt had died in New Jersey: should I fly back for the funeral or stick to
my plans to go to a yoga retreat in Costa Rica?
Later, I read Linda and Gershon’s article on the changes with Sun Monthly and their own lives. I want to thank you both for giving us a publication that
has kept us in touch with the political, cultural and spiritual heart beat of
our community. As a reader for many years and an occasional contributor, I know
of no other publication in any other place where I travel that deals with the
core issues the way Sun Monthly has. I am happy that you both can move on to new ventures and that you have
found people who will maintain the high quality and nurture the spirit of this
publication.
Marcia Starck, Santa Fe
Weighing happiness and sadness
I have to weigh my happiness for Linda and Gershon’s desire to move on with my sadness in their decision to sell the Sun. They have published a wonderful and thoughtful magazine, and have been a
tremendous asset to the community. There were many articles that I really loved
and some that moved me so much that I still hold them in my heart and have
shared them with friends. The new owners have huge shoes to fill; I wish them
good luck and a big thank you to Linda and Gershon.
-- Barbara Raznick, Eldorado
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