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VIDEO: Our Internet, not theirs
10-28-09
Local Dialogue
Props to SWOP for the heads up on this great discussion on Net Neutrality. If you"re unsure about the term and what it means, watch this video to get a good understanding of the recent developments in the fight for a free and open Web. Video courtesy of… Continue Reading commentsNew Mexico In Focus
10-13-09
Local Dialogue
The latest episode of New Mexico In Focus: This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, we break down Richard Berry’s big victory, and its implications moving forward. Then, THE LINE panelists sound… Continue Reading commentsMayoral debate
09-23-09
Local Dialogue
Here"s the mayoral debate from last week, sponsored by KNME, New Mexico Independent, KUNM and the Weekly Alibi... Continue Reading commentsMayoral debate tonight
09-16-09
Local Dialogue
Location: National Hispanic Cultural Center Start Time: Doors open at 6pm, Live Broadcast begins at 7pm Continue Reading commentsNo one is coming to save the day
09-07-09
Laura Paskus
Recently, I cleared out all the Disney princess books from my three-year old daughter’s room. I have always disliked reading these books to her. There are too many adult themes and way too much kissing and killing. But after about a year of changing the words in the books—in part… Continue Reading commentsLabor Day 2009: Job Losses, Falling Wages, EFCA Lies Dormant
09-07-09
barbwire
Harold Meyerson of the Washington Post provides some basic stats. Bottom line: If we fail to enact universal health care and laws that truly make it possible for workers to form unions again, each of our Labor Days will be grimmer than the last. For a more indepth statistical… Continue Reading commentsCourt says non-profit mailers, “constitutionally protected”
08-03-09
Local Dialogue
The Secretary of State"s Office violated New Mexico Youth Organized constitutionally protected rights when it tried to force the nonprofit to register as a political action committee, according to a ruling by U.S. District Judge Judith C. Herrera. Secretary of State Mary Herrera and… Continue Reading commentsNew Mexico In Focus
07-28-09
Local Dialogue
The latest episode of New Mexico In Focus: The last time the city of Albuquerque had a new mayor, Bill Clinton was in the White House, and Gary Johnson was walking the halls of the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Martin Chavez has… Continue Reading commentsNew Mexico In Focus
07-21-09
Local Dialogue
The latest New Mexico In Focus: This Week"s Episode U.S. House Democrats unveiled a new health care overhaul this week on Capitol Hill, but what impact would the reform measures have on New Mexico? This week on… Continue Reading commentsNew Mexico In Focus
07-16-09
Local Dialogue
From the New Mexico In Focus Website: Episode 302 July 10, 2009 Will Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez announce his bid for re-election this weekend? That’s the speculation, based upon the recent post in his political website.… Continue Reading commentsWater, growth - Marty’s Achilles’ heel07-15-09
Benito Aragon
V.B. Price had an excellent editorial in the New Mexico Independent today lauding the return, for many in this country, to personal financial restraint and responsibility. He says for far too long, people in this country have bought into the disastrous false reasoning… Continue Reading commentsBlatant
07-08-09
Jim Baca
Mayor Marty Chavez got a Journal headline this morning saying he wants 100 more police officers hired. It took him 7 years to hire the last 100, if they have even reached that number of 1100. Now, as an election year ploy he says more are needed. He does… Continue Reading commentsNew Mexico In Focus
07-07-09
Local Dialogue
This Week on New Mexico In Focus Since it’s launch in March of 2007, V-me, the first U.S. Hispanic Network to partner with public television stations, has become the fastest growing Spanish language network in history. New… Continue Reading commentsDCCC Responds to Entry of Steve Pearce into NM-02 Race
07-07-09
barbwire
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) responded quickly and with sharp criticism to Steve Pearce"s announcement today that he"ll run to recapture his previous seat in the U.S. House from New Mexico"s Second Congressional District in 2010. The title of their reaction pieces says it all: "The… Continue Reading commentsNew Mexico In Focus
06-23-09
Local Dialogue
This week on New Mexico In Focus: At some point in almost every organization’s life cycle, growth stalls. Steve McKee, president of Albuquerque’s McKee Wallwork Cleveland Advertising, set out on a quest to find out why. The… Continue Reading commentsRomero speaks out on Abq crime06-23-09
Benito Aragon
In an editorial I wrote a couple of weeks ago, I referenced a string of criminal incidents involving Albuquerque police as evidence of the need for systematic change within the department. I asked specifically, "With the mayoral race underway, will any candidate step up and address this issue?" Mayoral… Continue Reading commentsNew Mexico In Focus
06-15-09
Local Dialogue
This Week"s Episode Brian Jennings, the former Vice President of talk programming for Citadel Broadcasting, is the author of Censorship: The Threat to Silence Talk Radio – The New Fairness Doctrine Exposed. Co-host David Alire Garcia caught up… Continue Reading commentsDavid Barsamian speaking in Abq this past week
06-12-09
Local Dialogue
David Barsamian, founder and director of AlternativeRadio.org, spoke to New Mexican audiences this past week. In Albuquerque his talk discussed how those in power manipulate the memory of historical figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and and… Continue Reading commentsLatest BS Trick Proposed in Senate to Avoid a Real Public Option in Health Care Reform
06-11-09
barbwire
Just read it. The corporatist Dems must truly be squirming. They must be oh-so-very afraid they might be forced to pass real health care reform with the requisite public option -- which everyone knows is the only way to bring prices down overall and get the for-profits in line.… Continue Reading commentsNew Mexico In Focus
06-10-09
Local Dialogue
Should have had this up earlier, here"s last week"s New Mexico In Focus, which comes on every Friday at 7pm on KNME. Please donate to KNME as this is one of the better regional public policy shows in the nation: This Week"s… Continue Reading commentsObama must be pressured to separate principle from expediency
06-08-09
Stephen Klinger
One hundred and twenty days into his first term as president, Barack Obama has galvanized opposition from both the left and the right, though his personal popularity and favorable opinion ratings remain very high. Where George Bush was the cowboy sheriff, firing from the hip with a snort and a… Continue Reading commentsRomero endorsed by Teamsters Union
06-08-09
Local Dialogue
Richard Romero, Democratic candidate for Albuquerque Mayor, has received an endorsement from the New Mexico Teamsters Union. In a recently released statement by the Romero campaign, the union noted Romero"s "strong record of standing with working families." The nearly 70 year-old labor organization specifically cited Romero"s work while a State… Continue Reading commentsThe privatization of war: “Old wine in a new bottle”
06-07-09
Local Dialogue
Jeremy Scahill was on Bill Moyer"s Journal this past Friday discussing the ongoing privatization of our military"s war functions under President Obama: Well, I think what we"re seeing, under President Barack Obama, is sort of old… Continue Reading commentsJoanie Griffin and Mayor Marty: Cozy Contacts and Contracts
06-05-09
barbwire
Sometimes a picture, like the one to the left, is worth a thousand words. The photo captures a cozy moment between Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez and Joanie Griffin, a local PR-marketing-advertising maven who served as Chavez"s press secretary during his 2005 reelection campaign. Griffin also ran for City Council in… Continue Reading commentsAPD has problems, where’s Marty?06-03-09
Benito Aragon
By and large the Albuquerque Police Department has a high volume of hard working and honorable men and women within their ranks. New Mexico’s largest city has a crime rate that keeps APD busy and the majority of Albuquerque officers serve with dignity and honor. That being said, it’s… Continue Reading commentsNew Mexico In Focus
06-01-09
Local Dialogue
This week on New Mexico In Focus: This Week"s Episode Part 2, Paying tribute to New Mexico’s A+ educators: This week on New Mexico in Focus, David Alire Garcia talks with the three other Golden Apple Award-winning… Continue Reading commentsABQ mayoral race news
05-29-09
fbihop
Yesterday was an event-filled day in the Albuquerque mayoral race. State Senator Richard Romero had a press conference where he accused incumbent mayor Martin Chavez of being fiscally irresponsible and, according to the New Mexico Independent, "said Chavez was "raiding" the city"s capital improvement program to pay city operating… Continue Reading commentsSingle-payer health care on Bill Moyer’s Journal
05-24-09
Local Dialogue
Single-payer health care advocate, Donna Smith, was on Bill Moyer"s Journal this past Friday. She explains that Congress is bent on continuing with our broken health care system whereas the average person"s medical needs are held hostage… Continue Reading commentsHuman Rights attorney Vince Warren speaks on Obama’s plan for ‘Preventive Detention’
05-22-09
Local Dialogue
Vince Warren, executive director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, was invited to a secret meeting on Wednesday between President Obama and several human rights groups. Warren expressed surprised concern… Continue Reading commentsRichardson on Rachel Madow’s show
05-21-09
fbihop
Gov. Bill Richardson was on the Rachel Maddow show last night to talk about two American journalists being held in North Korea. With all of the scandal surrounding Richardson, this situation is something that is right in his wheelhouse. He has long been known as someone who negotiates with foreign… Continue Reading commentsNew Mexico In Focus
05-18-09
Local Dialogue
This week on New Mexico In Focus: This Week"s Episode The deadline for the new transition to Digital TV is now less than a month away. But are we any more prepared here in New Mexico for… Continue Reading commentsNational roundup
05-15-09
Local Dialogue
Great video above from the American News Project that explains who was funding all the fraudulent lending practices during the sub-prime bubble -- basically the same companies who you and me are now giving billions of dollars of aid… Continue Reading commentsNew Mexico In Focus
05-11-09
Local Dialogue
The latest episode of New Mexico In Focus This Week"s Episode Ahead this week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, a look at the furor over the Swine Flu, or H1N1 virus. On the show this week, co-host… Continue Reading commentsHouse passes predatory mortgage lending bill; NM delegation in the majority
05-08-09
fbihop
The U.S. House overwhelmingly passed a bill to make regulations on residential mortgages more stringent today. All three members of New Mexico"s delegation voted in the majority and were joined by a majority of swing state members of Congress.… Continue Reading commentsNational roundup05-05-09
Benito Aragon
The American News Project sits down with George McGovern. The former Senator states that Obama is in danger of an "LBJ legacy" in regards to his policy on Afghanistan. Chuck Schumer calls Bernanke"s failure to protect consumers… Continue Reading commentsNew Mexico In Focus04-29-09
Benito Aragon
From the New Mexico In Focus Website: This Week"s Episode Can traditional media compete with new media? Ahead this week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, addressing the changes in the media industry. Host David Alire Garcia sits down for a special… Continue Reading commentsSwine Flu? That old thang.
04-28-09
Local Dialogue
Apparently there was a 1976 Swine Flu outbreak as well as an attempt to immunize 200 million people. Donald Rumsfeld must be sitting in a bunker somewhere smiling like the Cheshire Cat.… Continue Reading commentsKUNM’s Jim Williams interviews Amy Goodman
04-21-09
Local Dialogue
Harvard graduate and world-renowned independent journalist, Amy Goodman, was in New Mexico this past weekend. Goodman has hosted Democracy Now! The War and Peace Report for over a decade. KUNM"s ever-thoughtful Jim Williams was able to grab a Usual cast of characters attacking non-profits
04-20-09
fbihop
Once again, the usual cast of characters are going after progressive non-profits and using their power to spread partial truths. Those in office who don"t want their voting records exposed are using their well-placed connections to demonize these groups. As Democracy for New Mexico noted (and I meant to… Continue Reading commentsNational Roundup
04-20-09
Local Dialogue
Last Thursday the Bush torture memos were released. After a weekend of grim reading, we learn that the CIA tortured two Al-Qaeda suspects 266 times. Rock solid confessions eh? As expected, the usual cast of Bush advocates/mainstream political pundits do their… Continue Reading commentsThe Real Boston Tea Party was an Anti-Corporate Revolt
04-16-09
Local Dialogue
Thom Hartmann, author and nationally syndicated radio personality, has given me permission to reprint this excellent article in full. Please visit the links at the end of the article to learn more about Thom and his work. Published on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 by Continue Reading comments Amy Goodman at UNM April 19
04-16-09
Local Dialogue
Harvard graduate and world-renowned independent journalist Amy Goodman will be at UNM"s Woodward Hall on April 19 at 7pm. Goodman is hosted by the good folks at KUNM in collaboration with Bookworks bookstore. Tickets are available at the door or… Continue Reading comments“Tea bagging” reality show comes to NM - Where’s the censors?04-13-09
Benito Aragon
Suzie Q Conservative is driving her teenage children to school. She"s on the phone with her husband and they"re discussing the "tea bagging" party they"ll be attending this week. She"s perplexed and annoyed by the snickering going on between her children during her conversation. As she ends the call with,… Continue Reading commentsRoundhouse is “for lobbyists and politicians” and not the community
04-13-09
fbihop
There was an interesting story in Clearly New Mexico about a Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) lobbyist"s first time lobbying up in the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Emma Sandoval"s job was to oppose SB 525 and HB 379. The bills were mirrors of each other, and would have allowed… Continue Reading commentsPoignant reflection on the mesa04-10-09
Benito Aragon
Laura Paskus prompts us to examine the way we look at life on the margins in an excellent piece recently published in High Country News. The article illustrates that we often look at geographical and environmental margins, like Albuquerque"s West Mesa, with a detached indifference. It is with… Continue Reading commentsThe fall of the house of Thornburg04-08-09
Benito Aragon
Corey Pein of the Santa Fe Reporter has put out a great profile piece on Garrett Thornburg, chairman of Thornburg Mortgage. The Santa Fe-based company recently filed for bankruptcy and let go 130 of its staff. The story is a complete microcosm of the… Continue Reading commentsBingaman to start podcasting, facebooking and You Tubing
04-07-09
fbihop
Sen. Jeff Bingaman will begin podcasting, started a YouTube channel, is updating his Facebook page -- all to keep his constituents informed as to what he and others in Washington D.C. are doing. One podcast is the weekly update, which , according to Bingaman"s Web site, "highlights… Continue Reading comments“The Best Way to Rob a Bank Is to Own One”
04-05-09
Local Dialogue
Bill Moyer"s Journal had on economics professor and former financial regulator William K. Black this past Friday. Black just published the book The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Own One. He explains that Tim Geithner and… Continue Reading commentsWill our delegation support publicly financed elections?
04-02-09
fbihop
If there is one way to get dirty money out of politics, it is with publicly financed elections. And Lawrence Lessig (you may know him from Creative Commons, which my blog uses) has an interesting piece in the Huffington Post about a new bill that would help get… Continue Reading commentsRichardson says you don’t care about open conference committees
04-02-09
Local Dialogue
According to Tripp Jennings at the New Mexico Independent, the Governor is of the opinion that New Mexicans just don"t care if their legislation is hashed out in secrecy, behind closed doors. In regards to the open-conference legislation that passed the Senate and House as one of a slew… Continue Reading commentsNational roundup
04-01-09
Local Dialogue
Stephen Colbert has a great piece on the hypocrisy of Glenn Beck. Likewise, David Letterman tells O"Reilly, "I think of you as a goon." Not surprisingly, one of Tim Geithner"s top treasury nominees helped draft the… Continue Reading commentsRemembering Cesar Chavez
03-31-09
Local Dialogue
Today we honor the man who originated the saying "Si se puede" (yes we can). Cesar Chavez, the tireless human/civil rights activist, known for his organizing work within the farm labor movement, would have been 82 today. He died in 1993. His legacy is a testament to the power of… Continue Reading commentsNew Mexico bloggin03-31-09
Benito Aragon
Johnny Mango has the lowdown on UNM renaming the famed Pit in honor of a bull rider at Duke City Fix. ; ) JD of Clearly New Mexico talks about multi-millionaire Houston homebuilder Bob Perry"s flooding of political cash into the coffers of New Mexican Republicans for… Continue Reading commentsNew Mexico In Focus
03-30-09
Local Dialogue
New Mexico In Focus delved into the wind industry this past week as they talk with regional experts about the possibilities and challenges of this abundant state resource. Gene Grant also talks with guests about this past legislative session, security… Continue Reading comments |
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Most environmental/wildlife conservationists have been very disappointed with Interior Secretary Salazar's record in defending wildlife, which has been pro-ranching and anti-wildlife. Now we will find out where Governor Richardson stands on these issues as the age old battle between growth and environment comes to a head in New Mexico with impact on a national wildlife corridor. On the surface, this appears to be a battle between cattle and horses, in fact, it is a covert battle between unsustainable growth in a high plains desert and the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Corridor - Canada to Mexico.
Richardson’s Environmental Crisis: To Lead or to Follow
Richardson has a historic opportunity to preserve New Mexico's water resources and wildlife habitat, along with the nation’s wild horse heritage while supporting clean rural economic development. New Mexican's are asking him to support the creation of a Wild Horse State Park at the northern end of Sandia Mountain, instead of a highway, which would complete the noose around Sandia, making it a Dead Mountain for the many species that live there (Mt Lions, Bears, Bobcats, Turkeys and more) and impacting the wildlife corridor. By preserving this piece of open space, Richardson could dramatically decrease the unsustainable development pressures, forever protect the wild horses (a valuable tourism asset for clean green rural economic development), and protect the Canada-to-Mexico Wildlife Corridor, of which the State Park would be part.
Wild Turkeys wandering Placitas neighborhood
Unfortunately, the wild horse park and wildlife corridor appear to conflict with Richardson’s “Smart” Growth Plans for the Albuquerque area and its planned Northeast Highway. This highway has been planned to be sited on the BLM property on which the Placitas wild horses, mountain lions, bobcats, wild turkeys, and ferrets roam. Eliminating the wild horses on these BLM lands, makes way for New Mexico’s plan for the highway and to give these remaining public lands to the Land Grants and other special interests.
Governor Richardson, like Senator Harry Reid in Nevada, may instead opt for a Green façade and attempt to co-opt wild horse advocates by creating a seemingly benign Wild Horse adoption center. This would be a feel good measure which would cost more than setting aside this land as an open space. This measure would also evade resolving issues caused by the planned highway.
Wild Horse Running across Mustang Flats in Placitas, NM
Is Richardson going to support the antithesis of “Green” and “Smart”? Is Richardson going to promote development without renewable water sources in a desert? Is Richardson promoting a Smart Growth Plan whose highways close a noose around the Sandia Mountains, thereby threatening it's native species and the wildlife corridor? Is Richardson going to follow Secretary Salazar and Senator Reid?
Richardson can Lead on these issues. He can stand strong with his commitments. These include a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to protect the Wildlife Corridor from Canada-to-Mexico, and his commitment to the Wild Horses of New Mexico. In 2007, Governor Richardson signed the State bill to protect and preserve its defined states wild horses. He must stand strong to the committment made by the State of New Mexico through its unanimous passage of three State Memorials, which each request presevation of wild horses where they exist on federal or tribal lands of New Mexico.
Middle Rio Grande Regional Water Plan 2000-2050 "Water has many important values to the people in our subregions which need to be appreciated and fairly balanced to ensure the overall safety, security and well-being for the subregions. Such values include cultural, spiritual, economic, environmental and hydrologic viability for the subregions. In times of scarcity, everyone must share the responsibility for living within the shortage. We recognize the current deficit situation and have a duty to balance water use with renewable supply, starting now and in the future. Decisions should be made so as to keep as many options as possible open for future generations."
We hope that Governor Richardson will continue to lead on sustainable growth in the west. In the west every decision relates to water. In central New Mexico like others areas in the west there has been long term water mining. Here, we are using 15 to 20% more water than is being recharged. Rural economic development through tourism may provide a more sustainable economic gain than finite salt water wells, importing water, and highways through pristine areas. These may promote short term economic gain, but at what loss?
Band of Wild Horses roaming the arroyos in Placitas, NM ..... and a locally sighted Mountain Lion Track