On the first Fourth of July, Americans were officially "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights ... Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." The Founding Fathers knew our rights were gifted by a higher authority, not by men who could take them away. But without a Creator, who guarantees our rights? It can only be other men, including some of whom are not certain about our original Declaration of Independence.

I have yet to meet anyone I would trust to determine my rights.

Are the rights of those without a Creator forever guaranteed as unalienable?

Perhaps they are sure enough that secular decision-making will keep them free.

The greatness of the U.S.A. is that freedom resides (even in Santa Fe, translated Holy Faith and still accommodating the oldest church in America), even though the unalienable endowment of "Nature's God" is not acknowledged as such by so many fortunate beneficiaries.



Regarding the June 27 letter "Solidarity Green" by Midori Smith: I for one will be wearing red, white and blue on the Fourth of July. I have been wearing green in some form or another in support of the Iranian people since their situation came to light, but the Fourth of July is about the U.S.A.

Any other day would be acceptable for a showing of solidarity with Iran.

Here's an idea. What if on Ms. Smith's birthday, we pick a person at random and throw him or her a birthday party?



Individuals who choose to drive under the influence and are allowed to drive should be required to purchase a license plate which identifies them (perhaps a bright orange one that reads something like "DUI 224"); their drivers licenses should clearly state their offenses and their photos should appear in the newspaper describing their offenses (all at their expense).

Perhaps if they are easily recognizable, they will be less likely to make the choice of driving under the influence.

How many more innocent lives must be sacrificed before something is done?



After the disbelief and sadness of the Sunday morning tragedy, I started getting mad, real mad at the New Mexico courts and their lack of any ability whatsoever to get the DUI situation in this state under control.

It is criminal that so many repeat offenders never serve any jail time and are still on our roads.

Many, many years ago, when I was on active duty in the U.S. Navy, I would travel from Newport, Rhode i\Island, to my home in New York.

The Connecticut Turnpike was plagued with accidents, speeders and drunks sometimes combined.

Connecticut adopted a policy of leaving the smashed vehicles on the side of the road where the accidents occurred.

Within a few years of this practice they saw a dramatic reduction of accidents. Maybe something like that could help here as well. Nothing else seems to be working.



Our city is saddened by the senseless accident which took four teens whose lives were full of promise. They were bright lights shining in the horizon for all to see ... now are seen no more.

Only the parents, family, friends, teachers and others who helped these children reach their teens can know the pain and anguish they feel. Faith tells us that these teens live on because their souls are immortal.
St. Paul tells us that faith, hope and love are powerful virtues, but love is the greatest.

It is love that will never die. It is the love that we cultivate while on Earth that we will take with us into eternity. These teens loved, period! They loved life, their families, their friends, their communities, their environment, and their fellow citizens.

Their love will live forever. How blessed is this city to have had them in our midst, for even a short while.



Again, an accused drunken driver on a New Mexico highway has caused a terrible tragedy.

Again, the driver who has killed people is probably a good person who used bad judgment. But what does it take to stop this senselessness?

In spite of repeated occurrences, the police, the courtsand the Legislature have not taken actions to stop drunken drivers from being killers. What does it take?

Other places like England have tough laws with penalties that make driving impaired such a risk that no one in his right mind drives after drinking alcohol.

Prison sentences after a tragedy do not undo the grief and suffering caused by the drunken driver.

Would a judge, a senior police official, and/or a member of the state Legislature, or even a defense attorney, please respond to this letter explaining why stronger actions are not taken by the leaders who we citizens depend on to stop drunken drivers?

Please explain why the rights of those who drink and drive, who voluntarily risk people's lives, are more important than the rights of innocent victims.



On behalf of the Española Valley Humane Society, I thank everyone who made our flea market at the Barkin' Boutique in Santa Fe a huge success.

We couldn't have done it without the many volunteers, those who donated their wonderful items for sale and the customers who came to find a bargain.