Democracy for New Mexico

Scott Ritter to Speak in Santa Fe & Socorro

SANTA FE:
SCOTT RITTER: HE'S A MARINE, HE'S A FORMER U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR, HE'S A REPUBLICAN. . .

W. Scott Ritter, author of the new book IRAQ CONFIDENTIAL . . . AND HE'S GOT THE TRUTH ON IRAQ AND THE CIA! THIS MAN IS TALKING -- YOU NEED TO HEAR!

When: Sunday, February 5, 2006, 7:00 PM
Where:  James A. Little Theater
Campus of the New Mexico School for the Deaf
Cerrillos Road at St. Francis Dr., Santa Fe, NM
Doors Open at 6:00 PM/No Advance Ticket Sales
Suggested Donation: $10.00
For information call PEACE ACTION NEW MEXICO, 989-4812
https://www.peace-actionnm.org/

SOCORRO:
Scott Ritter will also speak in Socorro on “Iraq:  How We Got There;  Where We’re Going.” The two-term chief weapons inspector in Iraq, Scott Ritter told the Bush administration just what they didn’t want to hear: there are no WMDs - hence, no need to re-invade. 

Former Marine intelligence and arms control officer, Ritter will sign his latest book, Iraq Confidential, both before and after the lecture  (facilitated by NM Tech Bookstore).

Friday,  February  3,  4:30 PM
Workman  Hall  101,  Tech  Campus,  Socorro
(Call 835-5854 for directions)
Sponsored by Tech Students for Progressive Action, PeaceAction/NM  and  Socorroans for Democracy

Scott Ritter's new book is "Iraq Confidential: The Untold Story of the Intelligence Conspiracy to Undermine the UN and Overthrow Saddam Hussein".

After the 1991 Gulf War, Ritter, a former marine, helped lead the UN weapons inspections of Iraq and found himself at the center of a dangerous game between the Iraqi and US regimes.

What makes Iraq Confidential such an important and fascinating book is that Ritter himself was a key figure in the espionage maneuvers before the Iraq war began. He is an American working for the U.N. who found himself plunged into a fightãnot with Saddam, but with competing units of the American intelligence community. The book explains why the U.S. government has been relentlessly trying to smear Ritter. But Ritter is relentless himself, plodding along, determined to tell the truth no matter the cost.

Click for more info about the book.

Let's Burn Up the Phone Wires

WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE: I regret to reveal that this morning's Albuquerque Journal reports that Senator Bingaman still hasn't made up his mind on how he will vote on Alito. Can you imagine? What is he thinking? What is he pondering? I can't imagine any real Democrat supporting this dangerous, radical ideologue but apparently Senator Bingaman is operating on a different wavelength than other Democrats and most every editorial page of note.

Filibuster Alito:

Bingaman's DC Office

Phone Number is 202.224.5521

Senator Patrick Leahy says:

"This is a nomination that I fear threatens the fundamental rights and liberties of all Americans now and for generations to come. This President is in the midst of a radical realignment of the powers of the government and its intrusiveness into the private lives of Americans. This nomination is part of that plan. I am concerned that if confirmed this nominee will further erode the checks and balances that have protected our constitutional rights for more than 200 years. This is a critical nomination, one that can tip the balance on the Supreme Court radically away from constitutional checks and balances and the protection of Americans' fundamental rights."

Daily Kos has the latest on Dem opposition to Alito here and here.

Read This

Advice of the day to the Democratic Party's strategists: E. J. Dionne's column, 'Rove's Early Warning,' in the Washington Post.

NM Sen. Lopez Introduces Paper Ballot Voting Machine Bill

NM Senator Linda Lopez (D-11, Bernalillo), a long-time supporter of election reform and a friend to the election reform community, has introduced SB295, requiring paper ballot voting machines statewide. Click to read a copy of the bill. The legislation will go first to the Senate Rules Committee and then to the Senate Public Affairs Commitee. It's being reported that Rep. Mary Helen Garcia (D-34, Dona Ana) may sponsor an identical bill on the House side.

This initiative was proposed by Governor Richardson, as described in a previous post. VoteTrustUSA.org has an article praising Lopez's bill.

Members of the Senate Rules Committee, where the bill is expected to be heard initially, are listed here. To find your legislator, go here. You are urged to write the committee members, as well as your own Senators, in support of this important bill, which will ensure that accurate machines that provide a permanent paper record of each vote will be used statewide.

REMINDER: Udall Event This Thursday

From Dory Shonagon:

REMINDER:  TOM UDALL EVENING - THURSDAY, JAN. 26, 2006 - 5:30 PM, at Dory Shonagon's apartment complex. See directions below.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE EVENT:  Dory could use people to come by 4:30-5:00 PM to greet people. Dory also could use sodas, mineral water, chips & dip, etc. for the event.

Please come early if you can help in either way.  Please contact Dory Shonagon, 480-1848 or dshonagon@earthlink.net, if you have questions.

Directions:

Dory's Shonagon's apartment complex is Valle Grande Apts., 8401 Spain Road at Wyoming in Albuquerque. Event is at the CLUBHOUSE. From Wyoming and Montgomery, go north on Wyoming, past Osuna and the next light is Spain. Right on Spain Rd. Valle Grande is at that intersection. Turn left into the complex. DRIVE STRAIGHT BACK as far as you can go into the complex. At that point you will see the Clubhouse on your right (swimming pool outside, etc). Come on in.

Editor's Note: Click to read our original post on this event.

ABQ State of the Union Protest Set for 1/31

From Bring the Noise:
BUSH & CHENEY, RESIGN NOW!
DROWN OUT BUSH’S LIES
AT THE STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH!
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31st, 5:30 PM

We will peacefully line the sidewalks surrounding KOAT-TV at Comanche and Carlisle NE in Albuquerque and DROWN OUT THE LIES with songs, chants, drums, horns, and banging on pots and pans! The speech will be broadcast live at 7 PM local time. WE WILL DEMAND: PEACE, NOT ENDLESS WAR! DEMOCRACY, NOT DICTATORSHIP!

Contact dang@higherspeed.net or 867-4801 to help BRING THE NOISE!

Note: We want to place the above ad in several local newspapers. Contributions of any size will help. Indicate if we can list your name as a contributor in the ad. Thanks!

ACT NOW: Support Common Cause NM Agenda for Ethics Reform

From Common Cause New Mexico:
The Common Cause New Mexico agenda for ethics reform at the 2006 legislative session is outlined here. As you know, this is a short session that primarily addresses state budget issues. But, because Governor Richardson has made the subject of anti-corruption a priority, right now we have a unique opportunity to help pass good ethics reform.

That's why Common Cause New Mexico has created an for the 2006 legislative session.

We believe the time is now to pass ethics reform legislation, but we need help from our members, allies and friends.  Click here to go to our action center and help us let legislators know that we need to clean up New Mexico's ethics laws:

Here's how our action center works. Go to the designated webpage and fill out the form with your name and home address. You can use the email message we've provided, or you can create your own. Once you've filled out the form and have an email message that you like, just click on the "send now" button. Your message will be sent to your representative and senator, and you will be helping to put citizen pressure on our elected officials to pass real reform legislation. It's that easy!

With your help, we can make a positive change to New Mexico's deficient campaign disclosure and reporting laws.  But, we need you to take action right now. Stay tuned to the Common Cause New Mexico website for updates about specific bills, their committee assignments, and what progress we are making with the overall reform effort.

Thank you for all that you do for democracy in New Mexico!

Sincerely,
Matt Brix, Executive Director
Common Cause New Mexico

Give to Common Cause

Discuss this message on our blog

Editor's Note: Common Cause NM was one of the prime movers behind the successful campaign to adopt public campaign funding for Albuquerque's municipal elections via the Open and Ethical Elections Code that was passed by referendum on October 4, 2005.

I Will Not Support Hillary Clinton for President

I seldom quote complete columns here, but 'I Won't Support Hillary Clinton' by Molly Ivins says everything I believe about the Democratic Party and its candidates, elected officials, "consultants" and "strategists." Moreover, it says it as only Molly can, with true grit, in a nutshell.

I hope you'll read the column (below) and then ACT. If we don't speak up and demand that the Party take notice of its base, who will? If we don't demand that our core beliefs BECOME the platform of the Party and that any candidate that runs as a Democrat must run on these positions, why have a Party at all?

This issue was underlined for me this morning as I read the Albuquerque Journal, which devoted a front page news story (subscription required) to the views of the Greater Albuquerque and Hispano Chambers of Commerce on a state minimum wage. The Chambers believe if there HAS to be an increase in the minimum wage, it should be strung out as long as possible -- applied in a "business-friendly manner," so adjustments can be made.

Sorry folks, businesses have had almost 10 years to "adjust" to an increase, with the federal minimum wage stuck at $5.15 an hour for almost a decade. Meanwhile, executive salaries have risen astronomically and obscenely, investor gains and business profits generally have soared and the cost of living has risen significantly. According to The Economist, American executives make an average of 475 times what their average workers make.

Not one word was included in the Journal article articulating the position of the dozens of organizations that are backing Rep. Lujan's bill to raise the minimum to $7.50 on January 2007, versus the Governor's proposal to take three years to do so. But perhaps the most dismaying development is that Bill Richardson is mostly siding with the views of the predominantly Republican business community on this issue, over those of his own Party and its core constituencies.

The Democratic Party of New Mexico's State Central Committee passed a resolution by an overwhelming margin at its November meeting that matches the provisions of Rep. Lujan's minimum wage bill.  You'd think that the Governor would be out there pushing these provisions, him being a Democrat and all. You'd be mistaken.

Apparently what the active members of the Party believe and have approved is just so much dust in the wind. Then again, SCC members generally don't have huge hunks of cash to contribute to campaigns. Members of the Chambers of Commerce, however, certainly do. Unfortunately, with way too many politicians who call themselves Democrats, paying for "access" is almost as much of a requirement as it is in the dismal Republican culture of corruption. The Party of the People? Well, once upon a time...

New Mexico Matters has more on the topic of "access." Read it and weep.

Anyway, I've gotten a little far afield. Molly Ivin's column is below. Granted, she's talking about national politics, but I think what she has to say clearly resonates in states like New Mexico as well. Are you with her or agin' her?

I will not support Hillary Clinton for president
Molly Ivins, January 20, 2006

AUSTIN, Texas --- I'd like to make it clear to the people who run the Democratic Party that I will not support Hillary Clinton for president.

Enough. Enough triangulation, calculation and equivocation. Enough clever straddling, enough not offending anyone This is not a Dick Morris election. Sen. Clinton is apparently incapable of taking a clear stand on the war in Iraq, and that alone is enough to disqualify her. Her failure to speak out on Terri Schiavo, not to mention that gross pandering on flag-burning, are just contemptible little dodges.

The recent death of Gene McCarthy reminded me of a lesson I spent a long, long time unlearning, so now I have to re-learn it. It's about political courage and heroes, and when a country is desperate for leadership. There are times when regular politics will not do, and this is one of those times. There are times a country is so tired of bull that only the truth can provide relief.

If no one in conventional-wisdom politics has the courage to speak up and say what needs to be said, then you go out and find some obscure junior senator from Minnesota with the guts to do it. In 1968, Gene McCarthy was the little boy who said out loud, "Look, the emperor isn't wearing any clothes." Bobby Kennedy -- rough, tough Bobby Kennedy -- didn't do it. Just this quiet man trained by Benedictines who liked to quote poetry.

What kind of courage does it take, for mercy's sake? The majority of the American people (55 percent) think the war in Iraq is a mistake and that we should get out. The majority (65 percent) of the American people want single-payer health care and are willing to pay more taxes to get it. The majority (86 percent) of the American people favor raising the minimum wage. The majority of the American people (60 percent) favor repealing Bush's tax cuts, or at least those that go only to the rich. The majority (66 percent) wants to reduce the deficit not by cutting domestic spending, but by reducing Pentagon spending or raising taxes.

The majority (77 percent) thinks we should do "whatever it takes" to protect the environment. The majority (87 percent) thinks big oil companies are gouging consumers and would support a windfall profits tax. That is the center, you fools. WHO ARE YOU AFRAID OF?

I listen to people like Rahm Emanuel superciliously explaining elementary politics to us clueless naifs outside the Beltway ("First, you have to win elections"). Can't you even read the damn polls?

Here's a prize example by someone named Barry Casselman, who writes, "There is an invisible civil war in the Democratic Party, and it is between those who are attempting to satisfy the defeatist and pacifist left base of the party and those who are attempting to prepare the party for successful elections in 2006 and 2008."

This supposedly pits Howard Dean, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi, emboldened by "a string of bad new from the Middle East ... into calling for premature retreat from Iraq," versus those pragmatic folk like Steny Hoyer, Rahm Emmanuel, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Joe Lieberman.

Oh come on, people -- get a grip on the concept of leadership. Look at this war -- from the lies that led us into it, to the lies they continue to dump on us daily.

You sit there in Washington so frightened of the big, bad Republican machine you have no idea what people are thinking. I'm telling you right now, Tom DeLay is going to lose in his district. If Democrats in Washington haven't got enough sense to OWN the issue of political reform, I give up on them entirely.

Do it all, go long, go for public campaign financing for Congress. I'm serious as a stroke about this -- that is the only reform that will work, and you know it, as well as everyone else who's ever studied this. Do all the goo-goo stuff everybody has made fun of all these years: embrace redistricting reform, electoral reform, House rules changes, the whole package. Put up, or shut up. Own this issue, or let Jack Abramoff politics continue to run your town.

Bush, Cheney and Co. will continue to play the patriotic bully card just as long as you let them. I've said it before: War brings out the patriotic bullies. In World War I, they went around kicking dachshunds on the grounds that dachshunds were "German dogs." They did not, however, go around kicking German shepherds. The MINUTE someone impugns your patriotism for opposing this war, turn on them like a snarling dog and explain what loving your country really means. That, or you could just piss on them elegantly, as Rep. John Murtha did. Or eviscerate them with wit (look up Mark Twain on the war in the Philippines). Or point out the latest in the endless "string of bad news."

Do not sit there cowering and pretending the only way to win is as Republican-lite. If the Washington-based party can't get up and fight, we'll find someone who can.

https://www.freepress.org/columns/display/1/2006/1304

Dinner, Dance Event to Benefit Voter Action

Come on down to the Valentine’s Dinner, Dance & Silent Auction on Saturday, February 11, at 6 PM, at the Albuquerque Wool Warehouse at 516 1st Street NW. The event benefits Voter Action, the folks behind the voters' lawsuit to ban unrealiable electronic voting machines in NM, as well as other crucial election reform initiatives. This kind of activism takes money, and this events makes it easy and fun to help out.

Music will be provided by the Bleeker Street Boys. Dinner includes a vegetarian or chicken entree. Cash bar. Admission: $35 per person.

Click for a flyer (pdf). Pass it on. This event is for a great cause and all grassrooters are urged to attend!

Call today to purchase your tickets:
Jane Ronca-Washburn, 323-6162
Ana Canales, 275-1283
Barbara Neher, 797-1322
Ardis Hanish, 268-5761
Liz McMaster, 255-5965

Make checks payable to Ken Harper for Voter Action.

Urge Alito Filibuster to Mark 33rd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

(Click image for more info on Blog for Choice)

Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, which ruled that the relationship between a woman and her doctor was a private affair, not subject to governmental interference. We all know how at risk privacy freedoms are as the right wing continues its assault on reproductive freedom and Senate Democrats consider the merits of a filibuster of Samuel Alito's appointment to the Supreme Court.

As part of the National Organization for Women's observance of the Roe v. Wade anniversary, supporters are being asked to call their Senators to urge a no vote against Alito and a filibuster to stop his appointment. Plan to make your calls on Monday, during regular office hours, to either the local or Washington offices of your Senators.

Click for phone numbers for Senator Jeff Bingaman.

Click for phone numbers for Senator Pete Domenici.

According to NOW, here's the problem if Senators offer a no vote without a filibuster:

In constituent visits, and to the national press, Senators are starting to say that they will vote NO on his confirmation, but some are not yet agreeing to filibuster the nomination.

Here's the problem: Due to the current balance of power in the Senate (55 Republicans, 44 Democrats), we do not have the necessary 51 "no" votes to defeat Alito outright. So the only way for senators to block confirmation is for them to launch a filibuster - which can only be ended if 60 of the 100 senators vote to stop the filibuster and proceed to a vote on the nomination. In other words, IF there is a filibuster, 41 senators can block the nomination. But without a filibuster, those same 41 votes would not be sufficient to stop Alito.So "no" votes are meaningless in terms of the final outcome, unless there is a filibuster.

Go ahead, make those calls. And then donate a few bucks to an organization like NARAL or Planned Parenthood to support the important work of perserving our reproductive freedoms.

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