Although not a Facebook fan, I was surprised by the following from a recent news release in Google Finance: "As Facebook Inc. files for what is likely to be a historic initial public offering of stock, a big question looms for its millions of loyal users. Will they be able to get in on the hottest deal in years -- or will they be left with their noses pressed against the
glass ..."?

Ordinary investors are relegated to the sidelines in red-hot IPOs while Wall Street brokerage firms parcel out shares to hedge funds, mutual funds and some ultra-wealthy individuals that generate big trading commissions. Facebook loyalists should join Occupy Wall Street!


Pets aren't property

Within the last two weeks I have had friends tell me that they observed a neighbor's dog being left outside without proper shelter and water during our cold days or nights. Their concern was for both the animal and their own safety if they reported the incident and were identified as the person who called.

A call to either city or county animal services will usually result in an inspection, and the informer's name does not have to be included in the report. Of course, if someone is actually intimidated by that neighbor, a call to the police or sheriff's office should be the next call made. Domestic animals are a responsibility, not property, and maybe it is time that they be legally designated as such.

Santa Fe Animal Services can be reached at 955-2700; Santa Fe County Animal Control at 428-3720.


Give peace a chance

Two Jan. 28 letters really resonated with me. The first was, "Conflict of interests," about the Catholic priests' pedophilia in their church. The Catholic Church always has swept this problem under the rug. Some priests think anything they do is sovereign, but only God is.

The second letter, "Power politics," suggests that all our problems would not exist if Jesus were president. The writer, Tomas Sandoval, articulates virtues from the Bible that give the right way to live. I reiterate these virtues as being the only way that true peace will come. And it will someday, when He returns to rule the Earth.


Welcome aboard

Regarding "Dissatisfied curmudgeon takes aim" (Jan. 29): I'm glad columnist Dorothy Klopf decided to take her grumbling out of her house and onto The New Mexican's Sunday Opinions page. I finally got a moment with no children and read her maiden column. I look forward to more intelligent, even-handed commentary from one of your new "conservative" columnists.

You've gotta love her credentials: "I am no Republican, I am no longer a happy Democrat, but I am most certainly a dissatisfied curmudgeon. And as I vacuum, I yearn for a clean political house."


Tax rates up

Our governor ran on a platform of not raising taxes on businesses. However, I found out that my state unemployment tax rate has gone up from .05 percent in 2011 to 0.6 percent for 2012. This is an increase of more than 10 times. This is stifling to small-business growth. Under these conditions, business owners in New Mexico will think twice before hiring.