Democracy for New Mexico

Sound Off: Beltway Dems Whining Again

This Daily Kos diary, "Beltway Dem Insiders Whine, 'Dean Stole our Golden Goose!'," says it for me. Enough already with the cheapshots from the likes of Bill Richardson, James Carville, Nancy Pelosi, John Edwards and Joe Biden, Dems apparently most concerned with building or retaining their own clout. We're back to the fight between personal kingdoms and what's good for the Party, and if the Party expects to recoup any of its losses in 06 and 08, they'd better start telling their elected officials to start putting the Party first.

Governor Richardson , while admitting that Dean is doing a good job as DNC Chair, stated that Dean is not the Party's spokesperson. Once-liberal House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said the same thing. I guess they and certain other Dems are afraid that Dean might actually be "mistaken" by rank and file Democrats as their spokesperson, given how he has a spine and the nerve to call out the Republicans without hemming and hawing.

To me, their responses underline how the complainers have mustered only weak defenses, if any, on behalf of our core values. Of course, if Dean is getting all the media coverage, it's tempting to get some for yourself by criticizing him and asserting that you are the "real" spokesperson for the Party. If the Party gets hurt in the crossfire, so be it. What are they so afraid of? Isn't the opposition party supposed to operate in opposition to the party in power, especially when the Repubs are lying, abusing power and worse?

So Dean said the Republican Party is composed mostly of white Christians these days. That's a fact, and it's been truer with each passing year since Civil Rights legislation was passed in the 60s and Nixon's Southern Strategy kicked in. So he said the Repubs don't seem to care about minority voters having to wait in line for 8 hours to vote because many of them haven't worked a day in their lives. Seems obvious to me. A large and powerful sector of the Republican Party is made up of the investor class.

These statements are controversial? By acting like they are, certain Dems are playing right into the hands of the infomercial media and the global corporate cabal that gains from a focus on non-issues like this. Good job. Meanwhile, Dem voters like us have been called unpatriotic, elitist, self-centered, anti-American, sinners and worse by the Republican spokesmonkies. Oh, how they must laugh when they see certain Dems kneejerk to apologize the minute Dean or anyone else uses red-meat rhetoric nowhere near as insulting as theirs.

Even if these Dems believe our rhetoric should be more dainty, it would be easy to use these opportunities to drive home the Dem message instead of being apologetic and distancing. They could say that it's true that radical fundamentalist Christians have taken over the Repub Party's levers of power and are working to obliterate the separation of church and state that's been honored by traditional religions since America was created. They could say that the Republican Party, with its elitist tax cuts, refusal to raise the minimum wage from 1997 levels and ongoing attempts to privatize social security is obviously serving our richest citizens to the detriment of working people nationwide.

We also keep reading leaked and often unsourced quotes about how Dean is failing in the fundraising department. And yet, he's raised more at this juncture than any DNC Chair in history:

Despite the polemics that were sure to follow Dean's assuming the role of party chairman, his primary duty is to raise money. Though the Republican National Committee has raised money at a rate of 2-to-1 on Democrats in the first quarter of 2005, Dean himself has been effective. In the first four months, under Dean's stewardship, the DNC has raised nearly $19 million -- more than under any other Democratic chairman in an off-election year.

I know that as progressives, we take alot of heat when we criticize Dem elected officials, leadership or the Party itself. We are accused of being devisive and damaging. Yet when the likes of Carville and other insiders repeatedly, and often inaccurately, whine about Dean and publicly or privately undercut what he's trying to do as DNC Chair, we're supposed to see this as a positive?

I'm sure this battle between the base and the fatcats will continue. Between the business-as-usual insiders and the bottom-up-strategy grassroots. Between those who think gold cufflinks and big spender contacts are IT and those who believe Party-wide reach-out to the base, boldness, passion, accountability and transparency are what's missing. Which side thinks more about holding onto personal clout and that of its monied clients and contributors than strengthening the Party of the People? You know the answer. Follow the limousines. Or the shiny new, state purchased private jets.

Shouldn't all these Dem apologists, most of whom strongly opposed Dean for DNC Chair, be speaking instead about this? Read it and weep over at Make Them Accountable. One more thing, Dean may not speak for Biden or Richardson, but he speaks for ME.

Barbara Wold

ABQ Gay Pride Events This Saturday

Albuquerque's annual Gay Pride Parade kicks off Saturday at 10:30 AM at Girard and Central and travels up Central to EXPO, or as locals still call it, the State Fairgrounds. From Noon to 5:30 PM, there'll be more than 100 booths, music, food, drinks, art exhibits, a baking contest and more at Pridefest at EXPO. A youth dance follows and runs until 11:30 PM. Click on the banner above for more info.

We'll be heading over to the Pride events to gather signatures on the petition to get a Living Wage ordinance on the ballot in Albuquerque this October. If you'd like to follow suit or gather signatures at other events this weekend, click to download the petition form, rules and a copy of the ordinance. Duke City Fix has the skinny on what else is going on this weekend.

REMINDER: NM Democratic Friends Meetup Saturday

What: New Mexico Democratic Friends June Meetup

Agenda includes Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich discussing the next phase in the effort to get a living wage ordinance on the ballot. Also Dr. Lois Meyer of UNM on the No Child's Behind Left program and very special guest Dr. Anour Majid, Professor at New England University and author on Islamic Politics and Religion, who will give a short talk about Islamic Politics and Religion, "Can Islamic Politics Conincide with Progressive Politics?"

When: Saturday, June 11 at 5:00PM
Where: IBEW Union Hall
4921 Alexander Blvd. NE 
Albuquerque NM 87107
271-0271
Click to RSVP at the Meetup website

Upcoming League of Conservation Voters ABQ Events

From the League of Conservation Voters:

Conservation Issues Training
Saturday, June 18, 11 AM - 1 PM
NM Office - 400 Gold Ave. SW, Suite 110

Local experts will come to give in-depth talks on conservation issues specific to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the nation. If you want to know more about what the Valle Vidal is or why nuclear energy is not the right solution, please come. Invited experts include City Councilor Martin Heinrich and former Albuquerque Mayor Jim Baca. To sign up for this event, please click here

Canvass against MTBE
Saturday, June 25 - 10 AM, 12 PM, or 2 PM
NM Office - 400 Gold Ave. SW, Suite 110

This month we are engaging in a campaign to remove the 'MTBE liability waiver' - which allows oil and gas companies to pollute our groundwater at taxpayer expense - from the Energy Bill. We are encouraging voters to contact Senator Domenici to remove this provision. Please help us as we talk to voters about this bill and encourage them to make their voices heard. To sign up for this event, please click here.

Maggie Toulouse
SW Region Campaign Manager
League of Conservation Voters
400 Gold Ave. SW, Suite 110
Albuquerque, NM 87120
(505) 244-1077

Santa Fe Events Feature 'Confessions of a Hit Man' Author John Perkins

COMING MONDAY, JUNE 13TH! - New York Times Best-selling author John Perkins,  Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, in a benefit appearance for Santa Fe Public Radio. It's June 13th, at 7PM, at the Lensic. Tickets available at $20 ($10 students) by calling the box office at 505-988-1234.

AND... You're also invited to join John Perkins at a special reception before the event at the Museum of Fine Arts, hosted by KSFR. A donation of $125 per person includes wine and hors d'oeuvres, a personally signed copy of his book, and preferred reserved seating at the evening's event. Tickets for the reception also available from the box office at 505-988-1234.

John Perkins will also be appearing as part of the Face to Face Conversation Series on TUESDAY, JUNE 14, from 3-5PM at WAREHOUSE 21 at 1614 Paseo de Peralta in Santa Fe. FREE for under 21 and $10 for adults. Those under 21 will have priority of seats first. This will be an open discussion of ideas and issues that affect all of us as Americans, led by a now world famous conversationalist. Mr. Perkins especially seeks discussion with young people and young adults and he specifically requested that we arrange this forum. Presented in conjunction with KSFR, 90.7 FM - Santa Fe's Public Radio. Call 505-989-4423 for more information or visit www.warehouse21.org.

Click to hear or read the transcript of an interview with John Perkins conducted by Amy Goodman on Democracy Now! or visit the author's website at www.johnperkins.org.

Robert Kennedy Jr. at Lensic This Sunday

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., best selling author of Crimes Against Nature: How George W. Bush and His Corporate Pals Are Plundering the Country and Hijacking Our Democracy, will be speaking in Santa Fe this Sunday:

Date:   Sunday, June 12, 2005

Time:   06:30 PM

Presented by:   The Center for Contemporary Arts and Earth Works Institute

Location:   Lensic Performing Arts Center, Santa Fe

Address:   211 West San Francisco Street

Description:  Our Environmental Destiny. Robert F. Kennedy Jr's reputation as a resolute defender of the environment stems from a litany of successful legal actions. Mr. Kennedy was named one of "Time" magazine's "Heroes for the Planet" for his success helping Riverkeeper lead the fight to restore the Hudson River. The group's achievement helped spawn more than 125 Waterkeeper organizations across the globe.

Contact:   Lensic Box Office Ticket Phone, 505-988-1234

Tickets: $10

Websites:   https://www.ccasantafe.org or https://www.earthworksinstitute.org

Hiroshima Survivor to Visit Santa Fe

Who is Shigeko Sasamori ?

Shigeko Sasamori is a Hibakusha, a survivor of the nuclear weapon used on Hiroshima on August 6th, 1945. At that time Shigeko was a 13 year old schoolgirl drafted to clean the streets of Hiroshima. On her first day at work she heard the airplane which dropped the first atomic bomb on a largely civilian population. She was about 1 kilometer away from the epicenter --very close to the blast.  She was severely wounded and badly burned by radiation and spend a long time healing. In the early 1950-ties she and about 25 other girls were part of a church group in Hiroshima and they were befriended by the American writer and activist Norman Cousins. He took pity on these woman who often looked 'monstrous'. In Shigeko's case she didn't have a nose and most of the flesh on her jaw and lips was missing, her fingers had 'melted together',  aside from having burn scars all over her body. Norman Cousins arranged for 25 of these girls to be send to the Mount Zion Hospital in NYC, and over a two year period of time these women had thousands of skin crafts and cosmetic surgeries, gradually gaining back a 'regular appearance'.

Of all the women who had been treated by American Surgeons, Shigeko Sasamori was the one who stayed in the US and practiced nursing for most of her professional life in American Hospitals. Now Shigeko Sasamori is retired and has become a tireless activist against nuclear weapons and has visited many war torn areas in the world to give comfort and hope to its victims.

Though Shigeko still deals with various ailments associated with her exposure (cancers), her wondrous and strong spirit is what is keeping her alive and she feels that this is her time to testify, to witness, to heal, and to create a legacy of a world free from nuclear weapons.

FRIDAY JUNE 10, 7 PM, CLOUD CLIFF CAFE AND ARTSPACE, 1805 SECOND STREET, SANTA FE

Program: Shigeko's story, plus: film showing of 'Chernobyl Hearts', an award winning documentary by director Marion Delillo)

For any more information or scheduling please call Willem Malten at 820-1974. 

WEDNESDAY JUNE 15, 5.30 PM, UPAYA CENTER 1404 CERRO GORDO RD, SANTA FE

Program: Shigeko Sasammori – Hiroshima maiden -  will speak to the larger 'Sangha' of Santa Fe about trauma and Spirituality plus: Film showing of 'Hiroshima, Mon Amour' (at 7 PM)

Donations will be requested to offset costs for Sasamori's travels.

Shigeko Sasamori speaks perfect English and will be available for interviews.  For any more information or scheduling please call Willem Malten at 820-1974.

Editor's Note: I have heard that Sasamori will also be appearing at events in Taos and Albuquerque but I haven't received any information as to place or time. If anyone has more info on this, please let us know.

Counter-Recruitment Conference Set for July at UNM

From Another Side:
Our counter-recruitment group in Albuquerque, NM is pleased to invite you to a mobilizing, training, sharing, organizing and fun conference on July 22-24 at the Univ. of New Mexico.  We will present workshops for high school youth, for teachers, parents, organizers, lawyers and others.

A national name speaker will deliver a keynote speech on July 23.

We will arrange housing for those of you who travel here, and we will provide some of the meals.

There will be workshops for youth, teachers, parents, organizers, lawyers and others, plus time to share strategies with groups from around the state!  We will arrange housing for those of you who travel here, and we will provide some of the meals.  For more info and to register, you can contact us at 505-268-9557 or anotherside@comcast.net . Thanks!

Editor's Note: Click for more information on Another Side.

Catechis Plans Run Against Cummins

From Chris Catechis:
As many of you have heard by now, I have announced my intention to run for City Council in District 9 against Tina Cummins. However, in order to do so I need to obtain enough nominating signatures to get on the ballot. I need your help.

We will be canvassing the district this Saturday to obtain signatures and we need volunteers to help out. There will be two walks on Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and then from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. If you can spare some time to walk please give me a call at 271-9876 or email me at catechis@msn.com for information on where we will be meeting. Thank you for your support and I look forward to working for you on the City Council.

Regards, Chris Catechis

Editor's Note: Chris Catechies used to be President of the Bernalillo County Young Democrats, is a member of the DPNM State Central Committee and was an unsuccessful candidate for the legislature. Thanks to Bill Peifer for passing along Chris' message. Click to find out in which you reside.

Fair Wage Fares Poorly

From Robb Chavez:

In the normally placid chamber, loud, sharp shouts erupted. "Shame!," "Shame on you!," "Live on the minimum wage!" After nearly 6 hours of numbing routine, conducted at a soporific pace, the Albuquerque City Council late Monday night finally voted down 5-4 a resolution to put a City Fair Wage on the Oct. 4 ballot.

Not only was the citizens' will thwarted, but the dozens of advocates for the measure were not even allowed to register their support, except for one proxy--Carter Bundy of AFSCME.

Most councilors made a final statement before the vote. This provided the few memorable moments of the evening. Eric Griego methodically ripped to shreds the flimsy rationales of Chamber of Commerce president, Jim O'Neill. A female colleague of O'Neill rushed to the podium, touting the anti-Fair Wage economic study done by Richard Berman. Griego demolished Berman's study as anti-worker PR, and O'Neill's erstwhile rescuer slinked back to her seat.

Michael Cadigan rehearsed for the Darth Vader role as he threw legalistic hogwash in everyone's faces to justify his unjustifiable vote to reject the proposition. Griego countered by noting that numerous major cities have suffered no negative consequences nor legal reprisals from passing similar ordinances.

One encouraging development in the night's otherwise disappointing results is that the Gang of Five (Cadigan, Winter, Mayer, Cummins and Loy) had to sweat out their decision along with everybody else. They appeared increasingly downcast as the meeting dragged on. Sally Mayer was so distraught by the angry audience reactions that she left shortly after the infamous vote. Adding to her discomfort was some back pain which kept her leaning against the wall or out of the room for extended periods. Even Cadigan made a feeble gesture of reconciliation to the crowd immediately preceding his deciding "no" vote.

Fair Wage proponents dwindled in number over the long wait, but about 30 steadfast progressives stayed the course until 9:40 PM, on behalf of the thousands who couldn't make it. The Council's gambit to disappear ordinance support by placing it at the bottom of the agenda was foiled as folks called their bluff.

This was a defeat in name only. The Council's narrow rejection of the Fair Wage was so outrageous that it is sure to ignite the ballot petition campaign that concludes on July 18. The community is energized, and the pale, nervous countenances now belong to the Gang of Five and their corporate sponsors at the Chamber of Commerce.
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Editor's Note: Click to download a petition and other information for gathering signatures of Albuquerque registered voters for the petition to get a living wage proposal on the ballot of the October 4th municipal election. A good strategy is to take copies of the petition to events like Gay Pride, sporting events, concerts or other places people gather. We need 13,400 valid signatures by July 18th.