Democracy for New Mexico

Keep New Mexico's Wildlife Free-Ranging: Register Your Opposition to SB 337

From the NM Wilderness Alliance:
NM Senate Bill 337, one of the worst bills of the 2005 New Mexico Legislative Session, would lead to the fencing-in and confiscation of New Mexico’s publicly owned wildlife. The tall fences would also block free-movement of New Mexico’s wildlife across the landscape, and would block access to food, water and cover.

To top it all off, the captive animals shipped into these game farms would bring with them the risk of exotic diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease. CWD is devastating to wild herds of deer and elk and it is spread through game farms. The future of New Mexico’s wildlife depends on defeating Senate Bill 337.

Please take a moment out of your day to call the Chair and Vice-Chair of this committee, plus any representatives from your area. Call during business hours before Friday, March 11. Contact list and talking points:

Gail C. Beam, Chair (D), Albuquerque: 986-4844
Irvin Harrison, Vice Chair (D), Gallup: 986-4464
Thomas A. Anderson (R), Albuquerque: 986-4452
Keith J. Gardner (R), Roswell: 986-4211
Joni Marie Gutierrez (D), Las Cruces: 986-4234
Dianne Miller Hamilton (R), Silver City: 986-4221
Al Park (D), Albuquerque: 986-4234

Talking Points:
*SB 337 will increase the risk of Chronic Wasting Disease infecting our wild elk & deer herds. There is no cure for CWD and no test for live captive elk shipped into New Mexico. We should not risk infecting our valuable wild herds with this devastating disease.

*SB 337 is an economic loser. SB337 would benefit a few landowners, but is not worth the larger economic risk to our rural economies. Hunting and viewing of free-ranging wild animals pumps hundreds of millions of dollars each year into rural New Mexico economies—we should not risk devastating this far larger economy that is dependent on free-ranging wild game.

*SB337 privatizes wild animals, which are unavoidably enclosed in the tall fence. In America, wildlife belong to all people equally—which makes sense because wild animals move at will across the landscape of private and public properties and should not be owned by any one person. SB337—which is being promoted as a private property right—would confiscate and privatize property belonging to all of us (our wildlife).

*SB337 will block free movement of wildlife to valuable food, cover and water sources. Free-movement and public ownership of wildlife—as well as fair-chase hunting—are the foundations of our conservation heritage and should not be undermined by tall fences and privatization. Thank You!

DFA-DFNM Workshop on Lakoff Set for 3/24

George Lakoff Workshop:  Thinking Like a Liberal
Coordinated by Janet Resnick of DFA-DFNM
March 24, Thursday at 7 PM - 9 PM
First Unitarian Church Social Hall
Carlisle and Comanche
(same location as our Meetups)

This workshop is based on the content of two books by George Lakoff, "Don't Think of an Elephant", and "Moral Politics." It will consist of a 25-minute DVD featuring Lakoff, a slide presentation, a personal view of Lakoff's work presented by Miles Nelson, MD, and a workshop session designed to help us connect our progressive moral values to progressive politics.

It will be assumed that you have already read "Don't Think of an Elephant" prior to attending this workshop. A basic understanding of Lakoff's principles will enable you -- and others in the group -- to gain the most insight from the experience.

Bring a sheet of paper and a pen or pencil with you.

For logistical reasons, participation will be limited to the first 60 people who sign up. A confirmation email will be sent to you if you are among this group.

Send an email to dfnm_albq@comcast.net to sign up. You must include the following information for each person:

Name
Email address
Phone Number

NM Election Reform Update

From Dory Shonagon:
The NM House Elections Committee heavily amended the Governor's combo election bill, HB1063 (Sandoval), on Sunday, but did not pass it yet.  They will have it in comittee again on Tuesday, March 8, at 8:00 AM, in Room 305 and it will probably pass. Click to track this bill.

The NM Senate combo election reform bill, SB678, is in the Senate Judiciary Committee this afternoon sometime after 2:30 PM, with many of the amendments we wanted. If it passes, it will go to the Senate floor for debate and voting sometime later this week, possibly this weekend. We'll try to keep you posted on this as the debate should be a lively one and it would be a very interesting session to attend. Click to track this bill.

I will be leading another educational trip up to the Legislature this coming Saturday or Sunday, March 12th or 13th, depending on what people want. An email will be going out shortly on this to all DFA-DFNM members in Albuquerque.

Big Bucks and the ABQ Mayoral Race

From NM Politics with Joe Monahan:

ABQ Mayor Marty will flex his big money muscle March 29 when he hosts a $1000 a pop dinner party with former San Antonio Mayor and Clinton cabinet secretary Henry Cisneros. I had to learn this from outside of the Chavez camp even though I attended the Mayor's 53rd birthday party the other night. I guess I got nothing because I did not pay to get in. Anyway, insiders on the outside tell me the party will be hosted by Downtown touter Leba Freed at her big house in the far NE Heights. Chavez has already raised well over $100 grand and will probably head north of the $400K level.

His only announced challenger so far, City Councilor Eric Griego, was also raising money at a party in Santa Fe this week. Griego will need about $300K (my estimate) to get this one competitive. The election is in October. It will take a 40% winner to avoid a run-off.

DFA-DFNM in Albuquerque will be developing an endorsement process and we expect to take a stand on this race. We are planning a mayoral candidate forum in early summer, and we'll be creating a candidate questionnaire and a voting process that will decide which candidate we will endorse. More info coming soon.

Colorado State Dems Elect Progressive as Party Chair

Progressives and DFA folks are making their mark in Democratic Party politics:

From the : State Dems oust leader: Chris Gates loses post to Pat Waak

Months after their historic wins in November, Colorado Democrats have ousted party chairman Chris Gates in an upset organized by activists angered by his handling of Mike Miles' failed bid for the U.S. Senate. Pat Waak - a nonprofit director from Erie who is little-known in statewide political circles - narrowly edged out Gates in a final vote of 187 to 184 during Saturday's meeting of the Democratic State Central Committee.
[. . .]
Gates' apparent ouster comes less than a month after former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean won the national Democratic chairmanship, promising to return the party's power structure back to its liberal roots.

Dean's message caught on in North Carolina and Arkansas, where state Democrats recently elected insurgent newcomers as chairmen instead of more establishment candidates.

In Colorado, many say Waak's victory stemmed less from a liberal Democratic trend nationally than from a rift in the state party since the 2004 U.S. Senate race. Miles - a Colorado Springs educator who, like Dean, opposed the Iraq war - had been running for the seat for two years when party brass backed Salazar as soon as he announced his candidacy last spring. Miles complains that Gates placed fundraising over political conviction and urged donors not to give to his campaign.

"He created lots of obstacles," said Miles, who distributed a letter Saturday supporting Waak and citing "disturbing evidence" about Gates' record. Gates says he never endorsed Salazar, but he acknowledges that his apparent loss "exposes a disagreement, a rift in the party that is very real."

Best-known politically for her unsuccessful 4th Congressional District run in 2002, Waak is executive director of the High Plains Environmental Center and Foundation in Loveland. She has called for more grassroots Democratic organizing and greater respect for underdogs such as Miles.

Her victory Saturday isn't the first for disaffected Miles backers, many of whom are new to party activism and have e-mailed and met regularly since their liberal candidate lost to moderate Salazar in last spring's primary. Last summer, the group sent by far the nation's largest contingent of Dennis Kucinich delegates to July's Democratic National Convention in Boston.

Art teacher Mark Benner of Hugo was one of those delegates. Under Gates' leadership, he said, "I didn't feel like I was a member of the state party."

Another Miles backer and Kucinich delegate, sculptor Vicki Rottman of Denver, has worked on Waak's behalf, ensuring that "people friendly to our cause were elected to the State Central Committee."

"People are ready for a change," she said.

Sunday Bird (Dog) Blogging

Today, in a switch from our traditional Bird Blogging, we feature a new canine arrival in Atlanta. Our good friend and terrific singer, guitarist and songwriter, Liz Melendez, just received a little chihuahua puppy from friends. Here's a couple photos of the new, as yet unnamed chiledog just a few minutes after arriving in her new home. Arf!

The doggie gift came just in time for the ongoing celebrations of Liz's new CD release, Sweet Southern Soul. Visit LizMelendez.com to hear some audio clips and check out the Liz Melendez Band. In addition to many other important gigs around the country, Liz and her band headlined one of the Madrid Blues Festival's Sunday shows last summer and we're hoping she'll be back this way soon. We can't let our Southern music fans have all the fun! Here's Liz:

NARAL Offers Pro Choice Legislative Updates

From NARAL Pro Choice New Mexico:
You're invited to a Choice Action Team (CAT) meeting near you for a legislative update.

CATs are a key component of our efforts to organize our state community by community, county by county until we have an active pro-choice majority that can counter the continuing attacks on a woman's right to choose.  We need your support to build the pro-choice movement and inspire New Mexicans to make a difference in their communities.  Come meet other activists, share ideas, and most importantly, ORGANIZE!

CATs are already helping create and implement strategic plans to protect choice and establish an effective, long-lasting activist base in New Mexico.  Members of the CATs form a critical voice for choice on issues such as family planning funding, sex education, access to birth control and basic reproductive health care.   

The next CAT meetings will focus on what's happening this year in our state legislature.  Come learn about pro-choice, pro-active bills we're supporting, what bills threaten choice in our state, and how you can make a difference at the legislative level!

For more information or to RSVP for a CAT meeting near you, please contact 505.243.4443 or rpenberg@prochoicenm.org.

*If there is no CAT in your community and you would like to learn more about starting a local team, please also contact us at 505.243.4443 or rpenberg@prochoicenm.org. 

Albuquerque CAT:

WHEN: Tuesday, March 8, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
(Meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month)
WHERE: Please call 505.243.4443 for location
*Rebeka Penberg, Chair

Las Cruces CAT:

WHEN: Wednesday, March 9, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
(Meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month)
WHERE: Branigan Library, Pearl Higgins Room
*Mari Tellez, Chair

Santa Fe CAT:

WHEN: Tuesday, March 7, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
(Meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month)
WHERE: Grubesic Real Estate Offices, 1322 Paseo De Peralta *Kathryn Tijerina, Chair

For more information or to RSVP for any CAT, please contact 505.243.4443 or rpenberg@prochoicenm.org.

Hearing on Election Reform Bill HB1063 Sunday

From Robert Stearns of Verified Voting New Mexico:
Hello Activists,
Again you're urged to turn out in force TOMORROW, SUNDAY at 10:30 AM, Room 309, for another meeting of the House Voters and Elections Committee to consider the same HB1063, Omnibus Election Reform.

As the 40 or so activists who attended this morning's HVECom meeting (standing room only) can tell you, the Committee took up other bills in place of HB1063, which was #1 on the agenda, and never got around to considering it.

Again tomorrow we will be promoting inclusion of Voter Verifiable Paper Ballot, Automatic Random Audits, and also to DELETE the new provision that allows the state canvassing board to demand the full estimated cost of a recount or recheck before agreeing to a recount or recheck. This gives the board new power to block a legitimate demand for a recount.

The HVECom will meet again on TUESDAY March 8 at 8 AM in Room 305 to consider several bills, including Rep. Mary Helen Garcia's excellent HB 1026, (5th on the agenda, for whatever that means). We regret that this sudden and immediate call to arms is necessary for TOMORROW but that is how our Legislature works.

Speak Out Against Vicious Gay Bashing: Candlelight Vigil Tonight on Santa Fe Plaza

From Equality New Mexico:
Join hundreds of New Mexicans speaking out against last Sunday's vicious gay bashing in Santa Fe: Candlelight Vigil, 6:00 PM, Saturday, March 5, Santa Fe Plaza

Contribute online at www.eqnm.org to offset victim James Maestas' medical expenses.  Or mail a check to:

Love Conquers Hate Fund
c/o Equality New Mexico Foundation
PO Box 27268
Albuquerque NM 87125

Click here for the latest news coverage of the story in the Santa Fe New Mexican. Click here for coverage in the Albuquerque Journal.

Sponsored by: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Equality New Mexico, People of Color AIDS Foundation, Human Rights Alliance, Santa Fe Mountain Center, Esperanza Shelter for Battered Families, NAACP, Somos un Pueblo Unido, Santa Fe Rape Crisis, College of Santa Fe Queer Faculty and Staff Association, Academics for a Democratic Society, Albuquerque Rape Crisis Center, New Mexico Green Party, ACLU of New Mexico, New Mexico Human Rights Coalition, The Experience, Impact Personal Safety, Unity Santa Fe and Democracy for New Mexico.
************
Editor's Note: I think it's telling that during this same period, discrimination against gay and lesbian citizens was greatly helped along by Democratic votes in the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Legislature. It's bad enough that Republicans apparently believe churches should regulate civil law and that some citizens should not have equal rights. But when Democrats also vote for disciminatory legislation, there has to be consequences.

In a vote of 5-5 last night, the Senate Judiciary Committee effectively tabled SB 576, Domestic Partner Benefits, killing the bill. And with a vote of 6-4, it gave a Do Pass to SB 597, the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that defines CIVIL marriage as between one man and one woman. The bill may be heard by the full Senate as early as Sunday, March 6.

Votes were along party lines except for Democratic Senator Lidio Rainaldi, who voted against the domestic partner legislation and for the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Democratic Senator Richard Martinez did vote yes on SB 576 (Domestic Partnership) but unfortunately also voted yes on SB 597 (DOMA).

I guess Democratic Senator Rainaldi, who lives in Gallup and represents Cibola & McKinley counties, has decided that there is no wall between church and state in America. Shame on him. And shame on any Democrat who votes to limit rights that every U.S. citizen deserves under the Consitution. Rainaldi supports the kind of legislation that leads youths to believe it's ok to discriminate, that it's ok to viciously beat gay people. This is how hate crimes happen.

Senator Richard Martinez, who represents Los Alamos, Rio Arriba & Santa Fe Counties, also apparently believes that religion should govern what kinds of contracts and licenses consenting adults can enter into in terms of CIVIL agreements. Since when should the Catholic Church or any church have any say whatsover about civil law?

Should you find it in your heart to support equal rights for all our citizens, and to explain how discriminatory legislation has a direct link to the vicious gay bashing that took place in Santa Fe last weekend, you can find contact information here:

For Senator Rainaldi;

For Senator Martinez.

I think it's time that Democrats who are against equal rights, against diversity and against a strong wall between church and state should be called on their bigoted positions. And if that includes our Democratic Governor, so be it.

Real Election Reform in Danger: Extremely Important to Be at the Roundhouse Saturday and Monday!

It's being reported that most of the effective language about Voter Verified Paper Ballots and Automatic Audit is being removed from the election reform measures that will be heard tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 8:00 AM at the House Voters & Elections Committee in Room 305 of the Roundhouse in Santa Fe.

It's very important that we have a good turnout at the Committee hearing and even more crucial that we have a HUGE crowd at the Election Reform Rally from Noon to 2:00 PM tomorrow at the East entrance to the Roundhouse. If we don't turn out in large numbers to demand election reform measures as spelled out in Sen. Cisco McSorley's SB1065, we may not get any meaningful reform this Legislative Session.

Now is the time to SHOW UP (as Howard Dean is fond of saying) and stand up for real election reform that can guarantee our votes are counted, and counted correctly in future elections.

THIS JUST IN:
I just learned that the combination election reform bill on the Senate side, SB678, will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday afternoon. The Committee hearing begins at 2:30 PM, but it's not known exactly what time SB678 will be discussed. It could be as late as 5:00 PM.

SB678 is the election reform bill that was passed by the Senate Rules Committee and negotiated with Governor Richardson's office by Committee Chair Linda Lopez. Click to read and track SB678, the Committee substitute for SB678, 680, 718 and 735.

It is also EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that people attend this hearing to express support for VVPB and Automatic Audit. So I hope some of us can be there Monday as well as Saturday.