Letters are posted as we receive them during the week, and before they are printed in the paper, so check back frequently to see new letters. If you'd like to send a letter to the editor, use this postmarks submission form, or email your letter directly to [email protected]. Thanks for your patience.

Dear Editor,
    Regards to Sandeep Gyawali; kudos to him for trying to bring back what I grew up with, my father being a curandero of Apache ancestry! I remember seeing “yerbas” in brown paper bags and glass jars. Mesquite included. ["The Tree of Life," Food, Aug. 3.]
    Many relatives and cousins would wrinkle their noses at all this, of course would rather go to Kroger or Kmart at the time. Too embarrassed, thanks to the gringa teachers who also humiliated and ridiculed us into denying who we are.
    Just a written commentary.

Dear Editor,
    Your article regarding the treatment at Ellen Halbert was spot on. ["Rehabilitation or Torture?" News, May 23, 2008.] Our granddaughter is currently in that facility and has reported this treatment from the beginning. This can only be conveyed verbally during a visit or phone call because all written correspondence is monitored and censured. We recently learned that she was supposed to be returned two weeks ago to the county from which she came. Instead, the “chair” treatment has increased and threats of program cancellation have been given to her. We cannot find anyone to help us, and her, to get out of that situation and get on with her life.
    She does not, at this time, have anything but a court appointed lawyer. We do not know how to help her.

Dear Editor,
    I am a 13-year-old Boy Scout. For a merit badge requirement, I am sending this letter to the editor. I do feel passionate about this subject and I ask you to please publish this.
    If a person is dead when their heart stops why aren’t they alive when it starts. A person’s heartbeat often starts before the mother knows she’s pregnant.
    One way to help is participating in 40 Days for Life. I hope you consider my letter for your paper.

Dear Editor,
    My name is Brennon Zavaleta and I am a Boy Scout of 1st Class Rank. For my Communications Merit badge, I am asked to send a letter (e-mail) to a newspaper.
    I read through recent stories and the one that caught my eye was the article labeled "A Change in Direction for the Texas Civil Rights Project," [News, Aug. 3]. I read it over and could see both sides of the issue, the criticism of Mimi Marziani, as well as the reasons behind why she is making the changes that are being discussed. The way I took the matter of withdrawing from El Paso is that it will certainly be a source of problems in the short run. People who need help now, may not get it. But if I understood the rest correctly, then it makes sense as a strategic move to benefit the long run and state as a whole. Added to the fact that in her statement she said they weren't leaving El Paso in the sense that they still take cases from there including the refugee family separation crisis.
    I hope the decisions that she is making will benefit the future as well as continue to do the good work that needs doing now!
    I do have a few questions to help me understand the issue further:
    What is the full extent and effect of the separation of families due to the immigration policies?
    Why would we not allow immigrants into the States seeing as we are a nation built in immigrants?
    Why is asylum being denied to refugees?
    Will/could Mimi Marziani removing the non-profit office from El Paso affect the ability to resolve Refugee cases?
    I would love to understand the political and social issues of America a little better, seeing as I will be a voter and working citizen in not too long! Any information to shed light on some of my questions would be greatly appreciated.