Does no one have a sense of humor any more?
Well... I look at it this way.
The aliens on the float appear to be tourists.
The aliens at Roswell crashed and burned in a horrible accident.
The critics probably fear that this might discourage tourism.
The float cost the state (i.e. taxpayers) $186,000 of which 40% was offset by contributions. This mornings ABQ Journal article says two of the network broadcasts had already wrapped up before the float came by. Also, a Journal poll last year had over 60 percent responding to a question as to whether the float design was appropriate for the parade with "you got to be joking."
For a few of us taxpayers, its just another example of frivolous spending.