Harlan Lee

High gas prices: beware of "snake oil" oil solutions

With gas rapidly approaching $4.00 per gallon, this is a good time to start thinking about solutions to our oil addiction. Unfortunately, many so-called conservatives are now spouting "solutions" that do nothing to actually address the root of the problem, but instead serve only to further enrich the oil companies and keep us dependent on a commodity that funnels money to dictatorial (and unfriendly) regimes while simultaneously polluting the very air that we and our children breathe.

Controversial pastor? Major news. Supporting murderous dictator? Not so much.

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.

Your tax dollars at work: big bonuses for NM Tech VP's

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?)

Touchy subject: fly in the ointment of charitable event

Charity is a good thing. Except when it isn't. When is charity not a good thing? When it's serving an ulterior motive. The Farm and Ranch Bureaus may be doing just that.

Wile E. Coyote coming to Tech: what's wrong with that?

As mentioned at the February 19th New Mexico Tech regents meeting, New Mexico Tech will soon host the filming of a 6-part series, produced in conjunction with Warner Brothers, to examine how the unlucky cartoon coyote might increase his chances of actually catching the all too elusive roadrunner. What could be more exciting and cute than that? How could we possibly find anything wrong with this? Well, we did. And we'll tell you why.

Why light rail makes sense

New Mexico's new Rail Runner light rail system is an idea whose time has come, yet it is not without its critics. Many of the naysayers focus their criticism on the prospect that the rail system will lose money and may never break even. Will New Mexico's light rail system operate at a loss, forever? While no one knows for certain, in all likelihood it may. However, it is still a good idea, and we'll tell you why.

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