Letters: Readers weigh in on issues of the day

Will was right to challenge civil forfeiture

In response to "Trump sides with the sheriffs on their racket," by George F. Will on Feb. 12.

As correctly stated: The Constitution's Fifth Amendment says property shall not be taken without just compensation, and the Fourteenth Amendment says it shall not be taken without due process of law.

Obviously, no individual of common sense objects to law enforcement upholding the law, especially when it comes to the drug culture. However, what Will failed to explain is this — what constitutes the law? What law is to be upheld and the oath sworn to protect and defend it? Is it the supreme law of the land (the Constitution) or is it the quasi "civil forfeiture law?" One is based on "Common Law," which everyone understands in plain language, "your actions can not cause harm to others." while quasi- or color of law is based on the "commercial law" or maritime/international law, which is much like piracy laws (or the practice of attacking and robbing ships at sea) the the history of which (expressed in our Declaration of Independence) is once again being imposed on the American people.

Exactly why our founding fathers included the Fourth Amendment: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and efects, against unreasonable searchs and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized ..."

Thankfully, New Mexico's Republican governor, Susana Martinez, signed a state law that ends the practice of civil asset forfeiture, and which now has one of the strongest protections against wrongful asset seizures in the country. We must all remember that "no state legislator or executive or judicial officer can war against the Constitution without violating his undertaking to support it."

The Constitution for our republic is not to be obeyed or disobeyed as the circumstances of any particular crisis may suggest, the people have decreed that it shall be the supreme law of the land at all times!

As Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying: "The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, as let us tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution, so the second will not become the legalized version of the first."

Ron Lyman

Citizens Oversight Group

Farmington

Historical Society takes on the New Deal

The San Juan County Historical Society will hold its regular meeting on April 12 at 6 p.m. at the Farmington Civic Center in the board room at the rear of the building. The program, "Is the New Deal Still a Good Deal?" will be presented by Kathy Flynn. Kathy is a well-respected national expert on the New Deal buildings, projects and art works produced at that time. Flynn, founder of the National New Deal Preservation Association, was recently named a "living treasure" for her work documenting and preserving New Deal history sites and art works.

Flynn notes that New Mexico is exceptionally rich in New Deal history, and she has been engaged in locating and recovering murals and other art works in New Mexico from that era. The meeting is open to the public. So, why not join the Historical Society for this fascinating program presented by one of New Mexico's living treasures?

If you have questions or need additional information, call Peggy Fleming at 327-3815.

Peggy Fleming

Farmington

Stop borrowing and printing money

Some people who predicted the bursting of economic bubbles in the past say we are in for a depression from massive government borrowing and money printing.

They say it is inevitable; however, they say that if we end the massive borrowing and printing sooner rather than later, then we can institute reforms to get us out quicker. Otherwise, they say, it will take us decades to recover.

We should all write the President and Congress about this.

Alex Sokolow

Santa Monica, Calif.