When it comes to New Mexico university presidents - two of whom were forced to resign this year before their contracts were even close to ending - isn't the silence just deafening?

Yet aren't New Mexicans entitled to some explanations?

Here we have, earlier this year, former University of New Mexico President Louis Caldera and now, this past week, former New Mexico Highlands University President Manny Aragon forced to empty their desks and take contract buyouts. But we don't really know why.

Obviously, there were unresolved conflicts between the two presidents and their respective boards of regents.

Obviously, the regents aren't talking, and neither are their institutions. Personnel issues are confidential, they plead.

Obviously, both of these men got attractive golden parachutes to make sure their exits had nice, soft, well-heeled landings.

And, obviously, the public - which pays the bills - doesn't have a clue what went wrong.