If your pastor says something controversial (even if it is taken out of context), well, that must be a big deal. So, one would think that if your campaign manager worked as a public relations specialist (i.e. spin doctor) for a dictatorial regime that was responsible for the murder, rape, torture, and disappearance of many of its citizens that it would be a REALLY BIG DEAL. But you'd be wrong. Especially if the offending person worked for a Republican, like John McCain.

I dare not mention the candidate’s name. To do so in public brings derision from conservatives and causes those who call themselves liberals to blanch with a combination of fear and loathing. Yet the fact that his message to America is swept aside with the same callousness as is his distinctly non-Hollywood style is a perfect indictment of the miserable state of affairs in which we find ourselves today.

This month's Socorro area restaurant review features Sofia's Kitchen, located on Bullock close to California Street. Sofia's Kitchen is also known to some by its former name, Burrito Time. Regardless of what you call it, there's one thing that you can be sure of when you dine there: reasonable prices, decent food, and friendly service.

Just when you thought New Mexico Tech was getting back on solid ground, what with their tap dancing and backtracking regarding the proposed drop zone for EMRTC, lo and behold they go and do something silly again. This time, it's huge bonuses for the vice presidents, even during a time of tight budgets and increases in tuition. I'm sure the students and parents who are having to stomach a tuition increase aren't going to be too pleased to hear that NM Tech President Dr. Daniel Lopez proposed $100,000 (yes, one hundred thousand dollars!) to distribute as bonuses to the NM Tech vice presidents, and the board of regents rubber-stamped it at their last meeting (whatever happened to the regents being a board of oversight?)

On Feb 11 of this year two groups of American Indians left San Francisco on foot with Washington, DC in their sights. Five months and 2,700 miles later travelers of the Southern and Northern routes will walk into the town where their collective fate is kept. If you know anything about the relationship between native people and the government of this country, you’ll expect the walkers to be greeted with a smile and a handshake from a distracted presidential appointee and briskly shown the door. Indians. They’re so . . . irrelevant.

In an incredible turn of events, Socorro News has received evidence that New Mexico Tech and EMRTC may have repeatedly misrepresented the nature and scope of the U.S. Air Force's involvement in the proposed EMRTC drop zone. In a letter sent from the Air Force to Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM), the Air Force states, unequivocally, that they were not involved in a cooperative agreement with NM Tech or EMRTC; despite repeated claims to the contrary from high level representatives from NM Tech, such as Dr. Van Romero.

Dave Wheelock shares the story of Bill Koonz of the Oneida Nation and demonstrates, once again, that we have a lot to learn from our Native American friends and neighbors, especially when it comes to respecting and preserving the earth.

Getting tired of peak oil yet? No? Ok, good! This week's Pencil Warrior brings us yet more information about how society may adapt to the upcoming challenges that loom on the horizon.

New Mexico Tech Vice President of Research and Economic Development, Dr. Van Romero, recently released a response to a series of questions posed by the local citizens group, The Drop Zone Group. In his response, he released a map indicating, for the first time, the proposed flight paths to and from the drop zone. In a remarkable public admission, Romero publicly admits that the U.S. Air Force was not formally involved in the proposal for a drop zone, something which many in the public had been led to believe was a fact. Finally, Romero asks some questions of, and makes some strong accusations against, the Drop Zone Group.