What he'd love to hear Obama say

'm heartened that Barack Obama has managed to stay on the "high road" so far, more or less, and has prevailed by being candid and not always saying what's politically expedient. I think he's succeeding by saying what he thinks, for the most part, and what people really want to hear, not what other-directed pundits think we "want to hear."

So here's what I'd love to hear him say, if it's so for him, on the occasion of the numerous recent natural disasters: "With the (fill in the blank: China? Myanmar?) death toll rising, among the other general ongoing disasters in this world, it would be nice if the United States could be primarily a force for good and helpfulness in the world, in situations like this and hundreds of other issues — instead of a center of self-involved ideologuing, name-calling, consumerism, militarism and a whole industry in the use of hatred and contempt to ‘hold us together.'"

Though the "other side" could spin this to make him look dreamy and idealistic, they do that with everything (and nothing) anyhow, and he's managed to appeal to people's better side so far. I think the truth is that this country will never be at peace until there is more peace and justice and less suffering in the world, and I think he knows that and we all know that at some level, and he could raise it to a more conscious level by saying so.

He could restate his understanding that this is a dangerous world and that we need to keep up the surveillance against terrorist acts, etc., and he could help offset the whole supposed GOP lock on that issue by picking Jim Webb (with his good sense and military "cred") as a running mate, if he's nominated.

— Jim Terr, Santa Fe

Not a Prude

hile I am certainly not a prude nor moralist, I found this issue's cover offensive. It is true that the art, in and of, itself is quite beautiful. However, the content for a public-stand publication is not appropriate for all the people it will be exposed to. We have far too much nudity in the public domain without the social context within which to make informed choices as it is. This cover borders on pornography in the name of art. And pornography in our society is becoming a massive addiction, resulting in substantive increases in sexually motivated violent crimes and disruption of functional relationships.

I would hope that you would, in the future, consider all of the audiences who are exposed to your covers before making a possibly offensive choice. Generally, I find your publication to be high quality, well presented and pleasurable to peruse. I hope that you will take my concerns into account.

— Rev. Amari Magdalena, Santa Fe County

Endorses Espinoza

our years ago I came out of retirement to help in a cause I considered worthy: to help in Valerie Espinoza's campaign for Santa Fe county clerk. She won by a large majority and asked me to help in getting her office organized and running smoothly. I had been a county clerk before so I welcomed the opportunity to share my knowledge with her.

I am retired again, and now, after seeing the spectacular way she has improved and advanced the office, I am on her bandwagon again. She has proven she deserved the support we gave her the last time and, by her superb performance as county clerk, has gone over the top to earn our continued support for reelection.

One of the greatest challenges public officials have is to use their best judgment in choosing reliable employees to help carry out the duties of the office to best serve the public. Valerie selected the best of the best when she chose her directors of the Bureau of Elections and the recording, research and other departments in the office.

Valerie is eminently qualified to serve us again, and I recommend her without reservation. We can rely on her to continue to conduct our elections and safeguard our public documents — tasks she does with one of the best team of employees to be found. They appreciate their jobs, as is evident by the professional and courteous service they proudly render to our beautiful, beloved Santa Fe County. I know — I've been there.

Shirley Hooper-Garcia, Santa Fe County

to the health community

ealth care is not a privilege, it is a basic human right. All of the other industrial nations know this, and it is why their citizens do not have to pay extra for health care. In Japan you can see a specialist in most cases same day! You call the doctor yourself and don't need to be referred. No one there has lost their savings and home because of medical bills. This right is shared by all and paid by all. There is no hierarchy of health care — everyone gets the same care. Socialistic, capitalistic, social democracy — the bottom line is that the health care system serves the citizens, not the corporations, as it does in America.

The other countries have models that work; we do not have to invent one for they are out there to borrow for free! They use us as an example of what they don't want in their countries: a system that serves the profit of the corporations. They think we're very, very, very stupid, but I know that the real reason we don't have good health care is because we are very, very brainwashed by corporate propaganda spun by a very, very censored news system.

A note to the alternative health care system: If you don't have a sliding (a real one) scale to include less-wealthy or poor clients, then you are working only for the privileged population that invented our very, very sick system. Same thing for doctors who won't see Medicaid/Medicare people. It's morally wrong to deny people health care, and I wonder how health care people ignore their own codes of ethics? If we all simply stood up and said no more to this sick system we do have, the system would crumble and collapse.

— Robert Francis Johnson, Santa Fe

Oops Department

Our apologies for information that was missing in the May 2008 issue. The photograph of Sarah Lovett appearing on page 33 was taken by Patti Bose. The two photographs of author/fisherman Dave Wheelock on page 44 were taken by Joanne Bitsui.

Rulan Tangen's complete "vision for the future" on page 34 should read: "For big future dreaming, I envision countless ways in which dance can be a functional ritual for world change that heralds better relations between peoples and better relations between peoples and the Earth."