Regarding your July 1 editorial, "Ironies abound in Honduras coup": The greatest "irony" in the military coup detat, ostensibly provoked by the question of presidential term limits in Honduras, is that President Barack Obama made his first statements deploring the event from the Oval Office sitting next to visiting President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia!

Three years ago Uribe, our "best friend" in Latin America, had Colombia's constitution changed to permit his re-election. And he is now considering having it changed again to permit yet a third term for him as president. Where is your outrage?



People need to realize how important a four-year college is to our small town, especially one that can provide an artistic avenue that gives back to the city. A city-sponsored art college in the heart of Santa Fe will not only prove to the world that Santa Fe truly is dedicated to its artistic reputation, but also save hundreds of on-campus jobs and create even more over the years. This would delay and potentially halt the disastrous effect that mass unemployment is and will be having on our state.

Debt can be repaid and our financial situation will improve over time, but artistic institutions, talent, and reputations are much harder to salvage. Without sacrifice there is no victory. The real question remains, when the storm clouds have lifted, did we do the right thing — and could we have done more to save a vital college?



It is imperative that the city purchase the College of Santa Fe campus. I understand the fears of my fellow-citizens because it is a large commitment, but I am 100 percent confident that with the rent from Laureate the bonds can be repaid.

Laureate, an established university system with 42 schools worldwide, will spend millions to repair college buildings, so we can trust they will be here to stay. Laureate will improve the campus' value, bringing more students here than the College of Santa Fe did. There is much potential for this to bring positive things to Santa Fe. We must not miss this opportunity. The alternative, if the city does not buy this property, is that it could be divided and/or sold to developers, possibly for a mall or other businesses that Santa Fe does not need. Santa Fe needs this school.



This year, Ayudantes celebrates 30 years helping residents of Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and San Miguel counties by providing mental-health and substance-abuse counseling and services. The commitment of our professional staff has been integral to the success of our agency. I would also like to recognize several members of our advisory board of directors, our unsung heroes.

Rep. Nick L. Salazar was instrumental in helping Ayudantes develop from a volunteer agency into a viable not-for-profit agency and we value his continued support; Sen. Richard C. Martínez recently helped us determine future services for Rio Arriba County; Rep. Luciano "Lucky" Varela's advice and assistance has been immeasurable; and Rep. Jim R. Trujillo has given us his unfailing generosity and cooperation.



Why can't we have Internet conversations across the country specifically focused on city and rural economic challenges that need to be addressed, based upon local citizens' feedback and comments? Why can't more of us tap into economic challenges (become knowledgeable about) in our own neighborhoods and be part of the solution? We are an inventive, resourceful and creative population when harnessed to real challenges. I am thinking of the citizens' World War II effort.

While there are many volunteer organizations and relief groups already in existence, why can't we the people of the great country utilize the Internet more with open forums specifically addressing economic challenges, locally and nationally? As U.S. citizens, we should identify specific areas that could benefit most from concerted and focused thinking and come up with doable solutions. Let's make national economic recovery more accessible, realistic and sustainable, rather than just talk about mental abstractions.



A June 26 letter, "Adam's the apple," tying congressional candidate Adam Kokesh to his father is unfair and unwise.

In America, we do not believe in hereditary guilt, and furthermore, a cursory glance at Adam's Web site at kokeshforcongress.com demonstrates that Adam, like me, has come a long way from where he started. Both of us began our lives encouraged to be militant in our attitudes toward America's so-called enemies. Both of us also came to realize that, in America, the enemy is within.

Democrats should be careful about how they criticize their opponents, lest powerful Democratic lawmakers come to be associated with the problems of their fathers or the leadership. Do the substantial and serious allegations of pay-to-play in New Mexico's Democratic Party cloud the entire party's legitimacy?