Regarding Jason Auslander's article, "May trial likely in crash that killed four teens" of March 3: While the emergence of "scant information not previously released" may be newsworthy, the presentation was irresponsible.

The story, by virtue of the order in which information is presented, seems to suggest that the dead teens were intoxicated and therefore somehow culpable in the fatal accident. Only three paragraphs later does the reporter reiterate the autopsy reports and other evidence that found that the teens were sober.

Surely the families should be spared this misleading and sensationalistic representation of the facts. Each side should be allowed to presents its evidence in a fair trial, but this case should not be tried in the press.


Repeat offenders

Drunken driving and domestic violence are accepted behaviors in New Mexico. Unfortunately, there has to be a death before the public is outraged. The law-abiding public is not being protected against these offenders. Perhaps we can begin by enforcing the laws on the books, and throw drunken drivers and domestic abusers in jail on first offenses instead of waiting for the second, third or 20th offense. Why do innocent law-abiding citizens have to take a back seat to these criminals?


Name the judge

On March 9, you gave information about the driving record of the man arrested in the fatal crash that killed two sisters. You mention that he was previously arrested for driving 110 mph in a 75 mph zone with a blood alcohol level of 0.22. After pleading guilty, he was sentenced to three years of unsupervised probation. If we are to prevent future deaths from DWI, we voters need to know the name of the judge who did not keep him off New Mexico roads with at least some jail time.



I'm not sure where our state lawmakers' heads are, but I think the public knows. In a state where everyone has access to a non-taxed smoke shop, their business will prosper. Don't think $33 million will make it to state coffers.

Wake up; put a $.05 tax on every drink, can or bottle of alcohol sold in the state — don't get greedy — just a nickel. Just think of the money that would generate.


This state needs to get its priorities straight. With all the drinking and driving killing innocent people, wouldn't you think the state would put higher taxes on booze? People don't kill people while smoking and driving.


Who needs Plato?

We should be grateful that New Mexico missed Race to the Top funding. The core standards that "winners" must agree to include mastery of Plato's Republic for sixth-graders and Words-worth's Preface to Lyrical Ballads for ninth-graders. Huh? States must accept all the standards — no picking and choosing those a particular community considers worthwhile or reasonable.

Moreover, virtually all of the per-pupil funding New Mexico would receive would wind up going to testing, not to improving learning. Truth be told, nothing in Race to the Top will encourage students to be readers and learners outside of school, which are key to real education. We don't need more pseudo-reform and pseudo-accountability. Our children and grandchildren are much more than test scores. The money just isn't worth the tradeoff. Be glad we didn't "win." Now let's get down to some real education reform.