Democracy for New Mexico

Sandy Jones for PRC Campaign Hosts Rally and BBQ in T or C

You are invited to a BBQ on Thursday, November 2nd at Sandy Jones for PRC Headquarters, 280 N. Date, T or C, NM, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Contributions accepted but not required. Bring your friends and join us for an Old fashioned Political Rally and BBQ. Sandy R. Jones is running as a Democratic candidate for the Public Regulation Committee in District 5. Click for flyer (doc).

AFT Rally This Saturday 10/28

From AFT:
You're invited to a Federation-sponsored rally this Saturday, Oct. 28, 12:30-1:30 PM at the AFT union office, 8009 Mountain Road Place NE. Additional events will occur at the Hayes Mid School soccer field located 2 blocks up the street from the union office.

FREE FOOD & DRINKS at union office, HOT AIR BALLOON inflation at soccer field.

Information about early voting, an AFT New Mexico COPE survey of members and a COPE endorsement in the District 1 race for Congress will be announced and distributed at the soccer field and union office.

You can park your car at the union office and walk to the soccer field or park at Hayes Middle School. Balloon inflation will occur at the Hayes Mid School soccer field beginning at 12:30 pm and food-drinks will be available at the union office beginning at 1:30 pm.

DIRECTIONS
Get to Lomas & Texas NE, Turn north on Texas
Go north on Texas to corner of Texas & Marble Ave.
where Hayes Mid School is located
Soccer field is on east side of Hayes Mid School
Look for hot air balloon "Cruise Control"

SPONSORS
ABQ Teachers Federation
ABQ EAS Assoc.
ABQ Secretary-Clerks Assoc.
United Staff - UNM
TVI Federation
Rio Rancho Federation
Belen Federation
AFT New Mexico
Call 262-2657 or 266-6638 for more information.

ABQ CodePINK Hangs Huge GIVE PEACE A VOTE Banner Facing Heather Wilson's Office

All photos from ABQ CodePINK. Click photos for larger versions

From ABQ CodePINK:
We did it! Joan Baez's concert last night was a great springboard for our 60-foot Banner Drop across from Heather Wilson's congressional office in downtown Albuquerque this morning. Our banner flew for 20 minutes until "someone" phoned security.

More photos below:

10.25.06, across from Rep. Heather Wilson's office (NM-01)

Peace,
Rebecca Wilson
Albuquerque Coordinator
CODEPINK Women for Peace
Albuquerque, NM
abqcodepink@mac.com
www.albuquerquecodepink.info

CODEPINK is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement working to end the war in Iraq, stop new wars, and redirect our resources into healthcare, education and other life-affirming activities. CODEPINK rejects the Bush administration's fear-based politics that justify violence, and instead calls for policies based on compassion, kindness and a commitment to international law. With an emphasis on joy and humor, CODEPINK women and men seek to activate, amplify and inspire a community of peacemakers through creative campaigns and a commitment to non-violence.

Take the Bush Roast Challenge

This is a guest blog by Suzanne Prescott:
You're driving through a nearby precinct and something catches your eye. You do a double take. Embedded in someone's fence is a 'Bush Roast.' A closer look reveals that a rotisserie is embedded in a driveway's fence and Bush is, well ... roasting. Can you find the Bush Roast? It looks like this:

If you're the first person to find the 'Bush Roast' before the election, we will donate $100 to your favorite Democratic candidate. And we think the person most likely to find a roasting Bush will be a die-hard canvasser. Go Canvassers! We’ll announce the winner here. Keep tuned for tips to his location. Email at drhodgepodge@comcast.net

TIP 1: 
“An old Hispanic neighborhood had concerns and fear
That before Bush is done, another war would be near.”

Editor's Note: This is a guest blog by Suzanne Prescott. If you'd like to submit one, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link at the upper left-hand side of this website.

Joan Baez: A Pause to Refresh

Joan Baez at a recent performance

Joan Baez is the reason why my commentary has so far been non-existent on the televised Madrid-Wilson debate last night. I didn't like missing the live debate, but I had bought my Baez tickets months ago and I wasn't about to skip out on a chance to hear Joan up close and personal at the KiMo in Albuquerque. I made the right decision. It was a magical night.

Her voice still soars and bobs and weaves. Her song choice was pointedly topical and right on time. She even did a brief imitation of Dylan's nasal twanging, bringing chuckles. She looks like a seasoned, elegant, silver-haired siren. She comes across as wryly wise, seriously witty, with just the right mix of cynicism and silly humor amidst the hope and the world weariness. She's the genuine article, with a studied brand of politics honed by her long years on the justice trail. And she and her two-piece band knocked the socks off the audience musically.

Could there be a better time than two weeks before a pivotal election to hear songs like the organizing classic, "Joe Hill," or Dylan's "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" and "With God on Our Side," or Steve Earle's "Jerusalem" and "Christmas in Washington," or Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne," or Joan's own "Diamonds and Rust"? Or to revel in "Gracias A La Vida," urging a celebration of life despite the turmoil and quagmires? It came to me that we can never be finished fighting the good fight against purposeful injustice, ruinous war, selfish greed, crushing poverty and those whose goals are to subjugate, steal and run roughshod over those less fortunate. The battle is eternal, the victories sometimes small and often fleeting. The work goes on, always, as it must.

Baez has been there at the musical and political barricades of truth and peace and justice for almost 50 years, through times of triumph over our darker sides and times when all seems lost. She keeps on, she stays rooted in compassion, in love, in humor, in hope. She inspires many (including me) to keep at it, to continue the tedious work of change, while remembering to savor the pleasures of life and love, of adventure and human kindness, of music and creation, of community. I know it probably sounds corny, but it felt like a roomful of community last night at the KiMo, full of shared experience, shared hopes, shared dreams and, most of all, a shared appreciation of Joan's exquisite music of the heart and mind and spirit.

Here's the sober and serious Baez doing "With God On Our Side" in 1966:

And here she is last year, singing "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" at the Operation Ceasefire Concert in Washington DC:

Finally, go listen to her sing with Jackson Browne on his song, "Before the Deluge," which includes the timely line, "let the music keep our spirits high." Onward.

Three More Benefits Set for Madrid Campaign

Three more fundraisers for the Madrid for Congress (NM-01) campaign have been announced. There will be a reception with Ambassador Joe Wilson on Wednesday, October 25th; a brunch with Governor Bill Richardson, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez on Sunday, October 29th; and a Halloween Night fundraiser on Tuesday, October 31st. See below for more information.

Wednesday, October 25th, 2006, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
Reception with Ambassador Joe Wilson

You're cordially invited to join Sharon Bacon, Sue Chappell, Robert Levy & Susan Conway and Karen Mendenhall for a reception with special guest Ambassador Joe Wilson honoring Attorney General Patricia Madrid. The reception will take place at the home of Mel & Mary Ann Eaves, 721 Chavez Rd. NW, Albuquerque. $100 Patron, $250 Sponsor, $500 Friend. Please RSVP with Amanda at 505-242-6000.

Sunday, October 29th, 2006, 10:00AM - 12:00PM
Brunch with Governor Bill Richardson, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa & Mayor Martin Chavez

You are cordially invited to join Governor Bill Richardson, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez for brunch in honor of Attorney General Patricia Madrid. The brunch will take place at the Season's Restaurant, 2031 Mountain Rd. NW, Albquerque. $100 Guest, $250 Host & $500 Sponsor. Please RSVP with Amanda at 505-242-6000.

Tuesday, October 31st, 2006, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
Halloween Night Fundraiser

You're cordially invited to join Caroline Buerkle, Diana Marquez, Jason Libersky & Manuela Mondloch and John & Bianca Wertheim for a reception in honor of Attorney General Patricia Madrid. The event will take place at the home of Glenn Smith & Staphanie Landry, 7628 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, Albuquerque. $50 minimum contribution. Costumes optional! Please RSVP with Amanda at 505-242-6000.

Come On Down: Big GOTV Rally Saturday with Nancy Pelosi

DEMOCRATIC GOTV RALLY!

Join Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who just could be our next Speaker of the House if all goes well, at a big get out the vote rally this Saturday with Attorney General Patricia Madrid. Also appearing will be Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez and other candidates. Get energized with Dem candidates, music, fun, the works:

GOTV Rally
Saturday, October 28, 3:00 PM
Los Duranes Community Center
2898 Leopoldo Road NW, ABQ
Click for map

Getting Busy With Heather Wilson: The Game

(Image courtesy of Terry Riley)

The NM-01 congressional contest between Dem challenger Patricia Madrid and Repub incumbent Rep. Heather Wilson is no game. It's a deadly serious race that will help determine whether Dems win back control of the House and its committees, thus restoring at least some semblance of congressional oversite of the Bush regime. However, it's always good to break the tension with some fun -- especially on the day of the big debate between Madrid and Wilson. Go check out the Getting Busy With Heather Wilson game. (Two different unknown persons emailed me the link.)

KUNM Benefit: New Film on Election Fraud Features NM Activists

From KUNM:
A special benefit screening of the new documentary, "STEALING AMERICA: Vote by Vote," will benefit KUNM. The film includes interviews with NM election reform advocates John Boyd, Pat Leahan, and Linda Yardley, as well as Greg Palast and others. The paper ballot lawsuit in New Mexico is an important aspect of this documentary. KUNM's Jim Williams will be the event host and filmmaker Dorothy Fadiman of Concentric Media and Albuquerque attorney John Boyd will be the featured guests.

Saturday, October 28, 2006, 7:00 PM
The KiMo Theater
423 Central NW, Albuquerque, NM
Followed by Panel Discussion
Fundraiser for KUNM Radio
There will be no advance ticket sales, but KUNM will be accepting donations at the door. Suggested donation is $10.

Stealing America: Vote by Vote is a new feature-length documentary on the 2004 national elections by Emmy-winning, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Dorothy Fadiman. Harvey Wasserman ofThe Free Press writes that Stealing America is “powerful, moving, infuriating, comprehensive and brilliant.”

Filmmaker Dorothy Fadiman will be on hand to discuss the filmmaking process and participate in the panel discussion, along with Albuquerque attorney John Boyd, who has been the chief litigator in the election reform lawsuits and is featured in the film.

To learn more about the documentary visit StealingAmerica.org. To find out about the films of Dorothy Fadiman go to Concentric.org.

Taos and Santa Fe Screenings:
The film will also be screened in Taos on October 26th and in Santa Fe on October 29th. Click for more info.

Tonight's the Night: Madrid Debates Wilson

Dem challenger Patricia Madrid will face off with Repub incumbent Rep. Heather Wilson (NM-01) tonight in their only televised debate. Tune in to KOB-TV (Channel 4 in Albuquerque) from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. The event will also be streamed lived at KOBTV.com and broadcast live on 770 KKOB-AM radio. You can also listen to the radio broadcast online at 770KOB.com. There will be no commercial breaks, and the candidates will be questioned by Tom Joles and Carla Aragon of KOB-TV news.

You're encouraged to submit questions to KOB-TV that you'd like the candidates to answer during the debate.

You can also check with local blogger New Mexico FBIHOP, who'll be liveblogging the event as it happens and taking your comments and questions. By the way, NM FBIHOP has had some terrific posts recently on how Heather Wilson voted in lockstep with Bush even more in 2006 than she did in 2005, and how the Albuquerque Journal listed an IAFF firefighter endorsement of Wilson that actually went for Madrid.

Another local blogger at Live From Silver City has some interesting comments about what to watch for in tonight's debate in terms of the postion Heather Wilson takes on the Iraq War. Will she join Bush and company in pretending to change her tune about strategy? I mean, the Repubs now have the nerve to claim their non-plan for Iraq was never really about "staying the course." Yeah, that's why that phrase is burned into our brains like a Bushie mantra.