Author Archives: merilee

Election turnout was pretty good

The recent New Mexico off-year election had an average voter turnout of about 20 percent. Some commentators said that’s a lousy turnout. I disagree. I think it’s pretty good considering the newness of this process. It’s really different to have … Continue reading →

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Resorting to the unthinkable

In an episode of the original Star Trek, the Enterprise lands on a planet where inhabitants have lined up submissively to die at the Disintegration Chamber. The planet is at war with a rival planet, a war fought entirely by … Continue reading →

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Getting ready for the off-year election

New Mexico is having an election in a couple of weeks. Now is a good time to get started figuring out whom and what you will be voting on. More precisely, we are having lots of separate elections, all at … Continue reading →

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A presidential candidate talks serious policy

Doug Burgum, governor of North Dakota, made thought-provoking remarks about the complex relationship of our national security, the environment, and the global implications of how countries meet their energy needs. He caught my attention when he mentioned the mining of … Continue reading →

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Bogged down at the border

The situation at the U.S.- Mexico border is a tragedy for the migrants who, out of desperation, started a journey in hope and ended up in despair or frustration. It is a hardship for communities forced to deal with the … Continue reading →

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Don’t punish the shooter – stop him

The governor’s declaration of a temporary gun moratorium was such a spectacular error that it took public attention off the issues that provoked it: the senseless murders of children in New Mexico. Now we have lots of yammering about how … Continue reading →

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The special districts on your ballot

My old friend Robert Daigh liked to joke that he was in the “used beer and groceries” business.  That was his bit of earthy humor when talking about the community water and sanitation district that he helped to create. My … Continue reading →

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School health issue is alarmism

In a recent op-ed article, Rep. Greg Nibert (R-Roswell) sounded the alarm about New Mexico school children, gender identity issues and new legislation. Nibert referred specifically to two bills passed this year: House Bill 7 and Senate Bill 397. His … Continue reading →

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State Civics Bee a great new program

If we want our country to continue to be a representative democracy that works – and I hope we all do – as citizens we need to know more than a little about how it functions. Some of us have … Continue reading →

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Sometimes you have to get rid of the guns

Maybe somebody is worried about Dad, who has been way too depressed and scaring the family with hints of suicide. Maybe it’s a teenager who’s behaving too oddly. Or maybe there’s concern about a new child in the home. Those … Continue reading →

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