Five Years Later
As always, the current issue of Desert Exposure is interesting reading. In reading your editorial, "Five Long Years: Are we safer today than on Sept. 11, 2001?" (September), I noted your comments about the losses for the citizens of this country. For example, you wrote, "The tally of US soldiers' deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan will exceed the roughly 3,000 who died in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the four hijacked airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001." Also, "Other countries— notably Spain and Britain—have suffered horrifically from all Qaeda. . . ."
These statements are good and should be taken to heart, but where are the facts about the thousands of innocent Iraqi men, women and children who have died due to the invasion? Too many Americans ignore the deaths in other countries due to the war. The failure to acknowledge the deaths and destruction in other countries creates the hatred and ill-will toward the United States that puts our country at greater risk than prior to 9/11. The lack of compassion and an arrogant attitude will not create a peaceful world.
Your statement, "Putting a 'Support Our Troops' bumper sticker on your car won't dissuade a single young jihadist from strapping a bomb to his chest," has so much truth.
Thank you for your writings and for Desert Exposure.
Ronald Cauthon
Las Cruces
"Rights aren't lost if people demand them." Those words brought me up short having just finished your September editorial on the state of this country, five years following 9/11.
I wish I could order those words etched onto every public building in the country and see them used as part of every major newspaper's masthead. This truth is so basic to our country, our ideals, our founding, and yet they were not spoken by a US senator or congressman, certainly not stated by anyone in our executive branch of government. No, that comment was made by an Iraqi, in a documentary entitled, "Iraq, My Country," by returning Iraqi Hadi Mahood.
The speaker had a cavernous face, wild, white hair and was purported by the film's narrator to be a "madman," hence able to speak so freely without danger.
The same "madman" then knocked me off my feet by saying, "Saddam went and they brought in (Marie) Antoinette." Think about that the next time you read of electricity available seven hours a day in Baghdad, plundered and ruined ancient treasures in various parts of Iraq, a gigantic increase in heroin production in Afghanistan—and ask yourself what we are really bringing to the region at a horrific cost in human life.
This country needs more "madmen." Or is it really mad men (and women), speaking such basic truths before every right is shuttered as effectively as the Statue of Liberty?
Sincerely,
Lois Murphy
Silver City
Gosh I love Desert Exposure. I've told you this before, but it bears repeating. I especially loved your editorial, "Five Long Years." If I had your talent for writing, I would have said exactly the same thing. No way are we safer today, but I refuse to live my life in fear. We all need a little backbone to get through this life—now more than ever.
Thanks again for your wonderful little paper (not so little anymore).
Renee Murray
Las Cruces
Horning In
Henry Lightcap's article, "Honk if You Hate Rude People" (September), brought back memories of my previous life in New York City, where the horn is truly an instrument of communication. It must be pointed out that most of the time the recipient of the toot does not take it personally, and even if he/she does, a few choice words back and forth, and everybody drives off with a slightly increased adrenalin level.
I remember when we first moved to Virginia from the Big Apple, I couldn't understand why the light would turn green and no one would honk.
But I have mellowed here in Silver City. I hardly ever honk, usually when I truly believe that the person in front of me has gone to sleep. I do still get mildly upset (not my wife's opinion) when someone in front of me waits at the light to make a left turn during a break in the traffic instead of moving out into the intersection (with the left turn signal on of course), then turns and leaves me hanging as the light turns red.
I have finally gotten used to people waving at me as they drive by, and using all five fingers! My friends back east can't believe that.
As for waitresses telling you which chili is hotter, I am convinced they just throw out a color. After all you can't tell which is hotter unless you get both!
Also, I don't know where Vicki Price went in New Mexico (Letters, September), but if she prefers sleeping in hot, muggy sheets, she should seek professional help. I guess Lansing, Iowa, with a population of under 2,000, can't afford a dry, hot climate. From what I remember of that part of the Midwest, they have very hot, muggy summers, and very cold, clammy winters.
I do admit that the adjective "dry" is overused. The inside of an oven is dry, and the air in the Arctic is dry, because moisture cannot exist in either environment. But muggy sheets? Really!
Bert de Pedro
Silver City
A Real Winner
The September edition of Desert Exposure was exquisite! So many good articles from all the regulars like Berg, Lightner, Lightcap, etc., but to add those winners of your writing contest was really a treat—sooooo good! I hope that in the future you'll be able to invite those good writers from time to time to write a special column for our pleasure.
Of course you did it again with your Continental Divide. I know the feeling about your two-minute tooth brush; I've got one, too!
One thing for sure, I laughed a lot all the time I was reading that edition. And that's good. As always, keep up the good work; we sure appreciate it.
Micheline Lafortune
Las Cruces
Finally, we have to share this brief note received by Business Exposure columnist Donna Clayton Lawder—our first letter from near the South Pole:
Cold Comfort
Keep up the good work. I look forward to each issue of Desert Exposure and your column. Working in Antarctica, with no mail until October and then it's marginal, the online edition is welcome. We'll be back to our Wind Canyon home in March.
Rich Vaitonis
McMurdo Station, Antarctica
Wherever you live, let us hear from you! Write Desert Exposure Letters, PO Box 191, Silver City, NM 88062, fax 534-4134 or email letters@desertexposure.com. Letters are subject to editing for style and length.