The Dec. 27 article, "Challenging new era for Las Campanas," is replete with factual distortions. First, Las Campanas home sales have remained steady during the recession, representing great value compared to eastside properties or other northwest communities.

Second, September's temporary shutdown was unrelated to the club's current finances. The bank, representing the developer, wanted to discontinue subsidizing operations beyond members' dues and sought to accelerate the club's turnover, scheduled for December 2011. Most members are pleased that the turnover is happening sooner. The dues increase was expected and hardly a jolt.

Third, insinuating that members contribute to charities to curry favor is both insulting and stupid. Many members not only donate their money, but their time, to myriad organizations — the Rape Crisis Center, Esperanza, Kitchen Angels, the Humane Society, the Horse Shelter and numerous other helping-hand services to make Santa Fe a better place. Impugning their motives is disgraceful.

One-sided stories

Enough already with the negative articles about Las Campanas!

I am an environmentalist who grew up in a poor family, worked her way through both undergrad and grad school, as did my husband (so did many friends here). We raised and sent four (two adopted) children to college. Our 1,800-square-foot home in Las Campanas is energy efficient throughout. Our yard is xeriscaped and uses almost no water. We own one car. We only use lights inside where we are and outside only if someone is walking in or out and needs to see. We are not rich, although, like every American, we wish we were.

The generosity of many others in Las Campanas was evidenced during the recent furlough of employees with contributions made to pay them while they were out. Your articles about this beautiful community are extremely one-sided. How about a positive one for a change?

One for middle class

So, 60 courageous and compassionate senators (Democrats, all) overcame 39 Republicans who staunchly upheld that party's legendary revulsion toward any socially enlightened legislation. Let's never forget the Republicans resisted, and tried to repeal, Social Security many decades ago, and they loathed Medicare to boot. It looks as though the Democratic Party will again have stood up for working families, while dealing the rapacious health industry its first real sock in the eye.

Nature warning

I am a raptor rehabilitator, and so I get phone calls from people reporting that they have found a downed bird in their yard. I got such a call from someone on the north side of Santa Fe. His description fit that of a spotted owl. I thought to myself, "no way." They are endangered and only found in old-growth coniferous forest.

However, when I got there and picked the bird up, I found that it was a spotted owl. I have done raptor rehabilitation for 10 years and have not had one. Unfortunately, he was dead. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wanted the body. Global warming has created this problem.

Some of these birds have been found in Tucson, Ariz., according to a biologist. We continue to create a world they cannot flourish in. Why? We need to consciously include wild animals in our future before it's too late.


Empathy takes a holiday

I am very upset, as I hope others are, that our president is taking a two-week vacation in Hawaii. While so many people are suffering economically, he is paying $4,000 a day for a vacation estate, plus a great deal more for two houses nearby for his friends.

At a great cost, he is flying in Air Force One and taking Secret Service personnel and several dozen others to accompany him and his family.

Apparently he has no regard for the many employees and members of the media that he will cause to be away from family and friends for the holidays.

This is just one more example that our president has no concern for spending the taxpayers' money and that he lacks regard for others.


Song for Swan

You have a jewel in your midst: Ben Swan, founder of "Santa Fe Scoop," online and in the Local/Neighbors section of the Sunday paper. As a faithful reader of your paper for several years now, I always read the "Scoop" page first.

Ben Swan is a great writer and compassionate human being. We are indeed fortunate to have such a fine writer on your staff.

Go to "Scoop" online at santafescoop.com for photos of the recent surprise appreciation party held by the director of the Santa Fe Humane Society, Mary Martin, and friends and supporters of Ben Swan's wonderful animal articles.