I'm Too Popular for My Graduation

This recent letter to the editor in the Albuquerque Journal illustrates, once again, the thoughtless and meanspirited tone that dominates every letter or op-ed piece that rushes to the defense of RRPS:

THE GRADUATING class in Rio Rancho has taken on the appearance of a popularity contest, in which the one with the most "invitations" is the winner.
I've always thought that announcements were sent out to the families, not invitations to a family of 30 to 50 relatives. When a group of people gather together to celebrate an occasion in New Mexico, it seems there is always a fight, a stabbing or a shooting.
This is a Rio Rancho school graduation, not a game for the Albuquerque Pit. The TV interviews with people who have issued "invitations" to everyone they consider "family" shows more than normal arrogance on their part.
One person said she sent out "invitations" to 50 people, some out of state or out of country, but the school board only allows eight people per student, and she is incensed that such a paltry limit was put into place.
A graduation? Not really, just an event to show who has the largest amount of friends and family participation.
The Santa Ana Star Center will hold the graduation ceremonies, which is in Rio Rancho, not Albuquerque.
BOB HARPLEY
Rio Rancho

Okay, let's review:

• Announcements of the date, time, and, if you're lucky, the correct location of an event, should never be mistaken for an invitation to come to the event. Especially if your family adds up to 9 or more.

• "When a group of people gather together to celebrate an occasion in New Mexico, it seems there is always a fight, a stabbing or a shooting." Is that how Bob Harpley's get-togethers end up? Or did he really mean to say when a "group of Mexicans" gets together "there is always a fight, a stabbing or a shooting?"

• "Popularity" is when your family wants to attend your graduation. Too much popularity is when your family is larger than the number RRPS thinks is just the right amount of family.