Sgt. Andrew Brandi's May 30 My View, "Combat trauma significantly impacts communities," was a slap-in-the-face reminder of the way things really are for our combat soldiers and veterans. Never should they want for help when they return, and never should the Department of Veterans Affairs have to beg for needed funding.

I read the names of the warriors who have died every week and repeat them silently. The names of the wounded should be included as well. Never have we brought so many home with such traumatic injuries, both physical and psychological.

As long as we continue to choose war, fought not by robots, but by our sons and daughters, then we must take responsibility and compassionately deal with the consequences.



A May 24 article, "Debt crisis dooms Europe's welfare state," places all the blame on expensive social programs that Europeans enjoy. But what really caused the debt crisis is 30 years of voodoo economics.

Everyone knows what will happen if you throw a bunch of foxes into a chicken coop — and it did! Perhaps in the U.S.A. we should repeal the Bush tax cuts and resurrect the Glass-Steagall Act.



Regarding the June 13 My View, "A step back for Valles Caldera," by Courtney White: While I admire Mr. White, I disagree with his view regarding the Valles Caldera management; it smacked of elitism.

Direct and personal experience in the outdoors is the best way for anyone to sufficiently understand the magic and wonder of nature and to come to want to protect it. Increased access to, as well as the restoration and protection of, the Valles Caldera National Preserve under management of the National Park Service would fulfill not only its mandate to protect our public treasure but, as importantly in my mind, it would address the other mandate — to educate through recreation.

Common folk come to NPS units: The cost is not prohibitive and the opportunities for recreation are not only healthy but informative. I applaud our U.S. senators for their efforts to place the Valles Caldera in the hands of our National Park Service for all our enjoyment and to provide true protection of the resource.



Now is the time for us to support permanent protection and increased public access to the Valles Caldera National Preserve, the extraordinary national treasure in our own backyard.

Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall have introduced SB 3452 to transfer management of the preserve, from a politically connected and politically appointed board of trustees which has severely restricted public access over the past nine years, to the professional visitor-oriented expertise of the National Park Service.

Sen. Bingaman, as chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is holding hearings in Washington June 24 to seek input on the proposed transfer. We must write him to support Park Service management and increased public access to the magnificent wonders of the preserve. Our children and grandchildren will thank us.



This is a reply to Pamela O'Neil's May 20 letter, "Poor service, crime hurt economy," which relates a downtown experience in which her husband was accosted by several men who wanted his left-over pizza.

These are hungry men who needed food! Should we cheer the husband who managed to hang onto his pizza? I find his reaction as appalling as having the nerve to ask for food.



"Worth the money," Kris Coulter's well-written letter of June 17, illustrates that taxes are responsible for maintaining police services, fire departments, public education, road repair, interstate highways, upgrading of hydroelectric plants, homeland security, national parks, etc. (the list is endless). Yet, the end result is considered to be socialism, a dirty word to conservative Republicans and tea partiers.

The Party of "No!" tries every trick in the book to try and make something good and beneficial for all into an objectionable travesty of government. One should wonder why they choose to demonize something that is so inherently patriotic, democratic and necessary.



We recently held our annual auction fundraiser for the Juan Siddi Flamenco Theatre Company at Corazón. As chairman of the event, I was stunned by the outpouring of generosity from our beloved community. This being the second-largest art market in the U.S., I was delighted to get the bulk of donations in magnificent paintings. But what an opulent array of gift certificates, services and other art objects were donated! Thanks to the donors, all the volunteers and to the public who attended, the auction was a tremendous success in every regard, enabling the company to operate well into the future.

As I collected the auction items, I reminded everyone that Ali MacGraw was going to be the master of ceremonies. I wish I had recorded the comments about her. There was such praise for her as a kind, giving, caring, compassionate and loving human being. She is truly a gift to this community.