Democracy for New Mexico

Falwell Passes, Will Miss The Rapture

Moral Majority political operative Jerry Falwell died today at age 73 shortly after being found unconscious in his office at Liberty University. It may be crass to say it but Jerry -- the bigoted, pseudo-Christian, right-wing political force -- will therefore have to miss the coming Rapture and Apocalypse. Darn. Falwell quotes:

On 9-11:
“I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.'"

On AIDS:
"AIDS is not just God's punishment for homosexuals; it is God's punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals"

On global warming:
"I believe that global warming is a myth. And so, therefore, I have no conscience problems at all and I'm going to buy a Suburban next time."

"Satan's attempt to redirect the church's primary focus from evangelism to environmentalism.

"Naive Christian leaders, in fact, have been duped—DUPED, I say—by dirty hippies like Al Gore. An Inconvenient Truth? HAH, it should be called A Convenient Untruth, Oscar be damned."

On born again or else:
"If you're not a born-again Christian, you're a failure as a human being."

On gays destroying America:
"Someone must not be afriad to say, 'moral perversion is wrong.' If we do not act now, homosexuals will 'own' America! ... If you and I do not speak up now, this homosexual steamroller will literally crush all decent men, women, and children who get in its way...and our nation will pay a terrible price!"

On feminists:
I listen to feminists and all these radical gals - most of them are failures. They've blown it. Some of them have been married, but they married some Casper Milquetoast who asked permission to go to the bathroom. These women just need a man in the house. That's all they need. Most of the feminists need a man to tell them what time of day it is and to lead them home. And they blew it and they're mad at all men. Feminists hate men. They're sexist. They hate men - that's their problem.

On public schools:
"I hope I live to see the day when, as in the early days of our country, we won't have any public schools. The churches will have taken them over again and Christians will be running them. What a happy day that will be!"

Retired Iraq Commanders Criticize Heather Wilson

You may have already seen these unprecedented VoteVets.org ads online or on TV, but I wanted to include them here as well because they're so powerful, unprecedented and timely. All three of them are scheduled to run in battleground districts where Repub members of Congress, including Heather Wilson in NM-01, are being challenged for their refusal to face the realities on the ground in Iraq and break with Bush on the war.

Retired Major General John Batiste, commander of the First Infantry Division in Iraq from August 2002 to June 2005

As noted in a on New Mexico FBIHOP, Wilson was the only New Mexico member of Congress to refuse to be interviewed recently by the Albuquerque Tribune about her views on Iraq. The Tribune notes that Rep. Wilson "declared her opposition to a surge of troops to Baghdad after a post-Christmas visit to Iraq. But once Congress convened she has voted at every opportunity to support Bush's policy."

Heather Wilson -- still saying one thing and doing another. She's long claimed she's "moderate" and "independent," but votes for the Bush agenda almost 90 percent of the time. Now, our troops in Iraq are facing accelerating casualties and are mired in the midst of a dangerous and chaotic civil war thanks to Bush's stubbornly misguided "surge" policy. Yet Heather won't tell us where she stands or why -- and she keeps voting to let Bush continue his failed strategy uncontested. Why is she so afraid to confront Bush?

Former second commander in Iraq, Major General (ret.) Paul D. Eaton, who was also the first commander of the Iraqi army in Iraq.

Iraq War vets and former NATO Supreme Commander, General Wesley Clark, add their voices to the surging criticism within the military community of Bush's failed strategies.

Want to keep these ads and others like them on the air, and have them aired nationwide? Donate to VoteVets.org. If we don't, who will?

Iraq War Casualties:

• U.S. Troop Deaths: 3401
• Total U.S. Troops Wounded: 24,314
• Total Iraqi Deaths and Wounded: Incalcuable

Lujan Grisham Resigns as NM Health Secretary, May Run for Congress in NM-01

Governor Richardson announced yesterday afternoon that Michelle Lujan Grisham (right) will be replaced by Dr. Alfredo Vigil as Secretary of the NM Department of Health, effective June 11th. The press release reporting the change said "Grisham is leaving her position to pursue an opportunity involving elected office." In an AP report on KOB.com, the 47 year old Grisham is quoted as saying she's considering seeking the Democratic Party's nomination to run against Republican incumbent Rep. Heather Wilson in CD1. Albuquerque City Councilor Martin Heinrich has also announced his intention to pursue the Democratic nomination to take on Wilson in 2008 in NM-01.

A Santa Fe New Mexican article reports:

Grisham said she resigned to have more time to explore running for a local, state or national office. "I'm going to need time to raise money,'' she said. The position of state attorney general is one of her dream jobs, she said, but she's considering a variety of options. "I want to continue to do public service,'' she said. "I'm good at it.''

... Grisham's heavy-handed management style, which resulted in the departure of several high-level employees, has been unpopular with some in the department.

A March op-ed in the Albuquerque Journal questions Grisham's decisions to fire highly respected infectious disease specialist, Dr. Gary Simpson, and regional director of public health, Albert Esparsen, as well as her alleged mistreatment of the immunization program's Steve Nickell, who resigned.

According to her bio on the NM Health Department site, "Michelle Lujan Grisham was appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Health by Governor Bill Richardson in September 2004. Prior to her work at Health, Michelle was the director of the Agency on Aging, which became the Aging and Long-Term Services during her 14-year career there. A lawyer, Michelle also managed the Lawyer Referral for the Elderly Program with the state bar." Grisham's grandfather, Eugene David Lujan, served on the NM Supreme Court from 1945 to 1959, and was the first Hispanic appointee to New Mexico's top court.

Here's the text of the press release on Grisham's departure and Gov. Richardson's appointment of Dr. Alfredo Vigil as her replacement:

SANTA FE – Governor Richardson announced today a leadership change at the Department of Health, where Secretary Michelle Lujan Grisham is leaving her position to pursue an opportunity involving elected office. Governor Richardson appointed Dr. Alfredo Vigil, Chief Executive Officer of El Centro Family Health, to replace Grisham when she leaves in June. 

“Secretary Grisham has worked hard to guide strategic legislation and overseeing a vast array of health programs,” Governor Richardson said. “I respect her many talents and tireless work ethic, and I am confident New Mexico will continue to benefit from her devotion to the citizens of this state.” 

Dr. Vigil (below right) will replace Grisham effective June 11. Governor Richardson said Vigil’s experience will be a good fit that will allow him to continue to push the Governor’s health policy agenda forward.

“I am confident that with Dr. Vigil’s extensive clinical and leadership experience coupled with his intimate knowledge of health care delivery in New Mexico , we will reinvigorate our public health policies and services and work on other key initiatives such as access to services, workforce development and improving New Mexico ’s health rankings,” Governor Richardson said.

Grisham in 1991 was appointed to direct the State Agency on Aging, known as the Aging and Long-term Services Department. She is now looking into pursuing a political office that will enable her to continue her advocacy work for individual rights.

"In my 18 years in state government working for three governors, I have had the opportunity to lead agencies that improve access to health care and enhance the quality of life of New Mexicans," Grisham said. "I am proud to have worked with a dedicated team of professionals who devote their lives to serving and protecting New Mexicans.”

Dr. Vigil is currently serving as the chief executive officer of El Centro Family Health – a non-profit primary care organization that operates in northern New Mexico. He is a graduate of the University of New Mexico ’s School of Medicine and performed his family practice residency at UNM as well. Dr. Vigil is a fellow of the National Public Health Leadership Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice. 

“I’m honored that Governor Richardson has placed such confidence in my abilities to lead the Health Department at a time when the state is poised to increase access to quality health care.” Dr. Vigil said. “I’m eager to start and move forward.”

Dr. Vigil has extensive clinical and management experience and is an active board member with numerous community and public organizations including the New Mexico Academy of Family Physicians and Voices for Children. He is also a clinical associate professor at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.  Previously Governor Richardson appointed Dr. Vigil to the Medical Board as well as the Health Coverage for New Mexicans Committee.

The mission of the New Mexico Department of Health is to promote health and sound health policy, prevent disease and disability, improve health services systems and assure that essential public health functions and safety net services are available to New Mexicans.

Governor Richardson appointed Grisham as health secretary in August 2004. Since then, the department focused on improving consumer protection in private health-care settings, improving oversight of long-term care facilities, increasing access to student health care by doubling the number of school based health centers, securing an adequate supply of flu vaccine to protect New Mexicans and investing in facilities such as, a new state laboratory and public health offices throughout the state.

Rove in the Crosshairs in DOJ Scandal

You remember "voter fraud," the fictional problem concocted by Repubs to provide a tool they could use to suppress and purge Dem voters and those who were dedicated to registering them. One of the main excuses used by those who went after U.S. Attorney David Iglesias and the others was that they were allegedly refusing to prosecute massive "voter fraud" cases in the run-up to the 2004 and 2006 elections. All research findings to the contrary, the Repubs persist to this day in insisting that voter fraud on the part of Dems is rampant. Why let facts get in the way of a useful Repub political tactic?

Now it turns out that Rove was the Repub operative orchestrating this effort -- from inside the White House. New information shows that Rove led an attempt to manipulate the Department of Justice so that U.S. Attorneys in battleground states, including Iglesias, would either have to agree to prosecute these baseless "voter fraud" cases or risk being fired. Always ready to subvert democracy to benefit BushCo, Rove had no qualms about using the DOJ to try and tamp down Dem voting in areas where such tactics might well make a difference. Like the 2006 Wilson-Madrid race in NM that was ultimately decided by fewer than 900 votes.

Harper's Magazine states:

The McClatchy Newspapers report today that in the final weeks before the midterm Congressional elections of November 2006, presidential political advisor Karl Rove orchestrated a large-scale effort to suppress voter turnout among potentially Democratic constituencies, leveraging Department of Justice resources in the process. Key to the project were P. Kyle Sampson, Alberto Gonzales’s chief of staff, and Matthew Friedrich, then chief of staff in the Department’s Criminal Division.

Friedrich’s testimony and statements to Congressional investigators made clear that the decision to proceed with “voter fraud” charges in a series of dubious cases resulted from direction from partisan political operatives in the White House, including Rove.

As the McClatchy story relates:

While it was known that Rove and the White House had complained about prosecutors not aggressively investigating voter fraud, Friedrich's testimony suggests that the Justice Department itself was under pressure to open voter fraud cases despite a department policy that discourages such action so close to an election.

Greg Palast Has 550 "Missing" Emails from the RoveTeam
Also be sure to read the entire Democracy Now report by Greg Palast (transcript and audio), which details his recent telephone interviews with David Igelsias and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. about the scandal. Excerpt:

GREG PALAST: Rove flew to New Mexico just before the [2006] election and got an earful of complaints about Iglesias from state party chiefs. Rove reported to President Bush, who personally put the heat on Attorney General Gonzales. Iglesias was stunned.

DAVID IGLESIAS: I had no idea that a few local yokels in New Mexico would have enough stroke to get the President to complain.

GREG PALAST: There was more than failing to help the Wilson campaign. In the 2004 presidential election, Republican operatives blocked a quarter-million new voters nationwide from voting on grounds they brought the wrong IDs to the poles. To justify this massive blockade, Republican officials wanted Iglesias to arrest some voters to create a high publicity show trial. Iglesias went along with the game. Just before the 2004 election, he held a press conference announcing the creation of a vote fraud task force. But the prosecutor drew the line at arresting innocent voters.

DAVID IGLESIAS: They were telling Rove that I wasn’t doing their bidding. I wasn't filing these voter fraud cases.

GREG PALAST: The evidence fellow Republicans gave him was junk. He refused to bring a single prosecution.

DAVID IGLESIAS: It was the old throwing pasta at the wall trick, that he’s throwing up pasta. Something’s got to stick, and it didn't.

GREG PALAST: For failing to bring the voting cases, Iglesias paid with his job.

DAVID IGLESIAS: They wanted a political operative who happened to be a US attorney, and when they got somebody who actually took his oath to the Constitution seriously, they were appalled and they wanted me out of there. The two strikes against me was, I was not political, I didn't help them out on their bogus voter fraud prosecutions.

GREG PALAST: Rove personally ordered his removal. As a prosecutor, Iglesias says that if missing emails prove the firing was punishment for failure to bring bogus charges, Mr. Rove himself is in legal trouble.

DAVID IGLESIAS: If his intent was, look what happened with Iglesias, if that was his intent, he’s in big trouble. That is obstruction of justice, one classic example [emphasis mine].

After reviewing Palast's cache of misdirected email from RoveCo, voting rights attorney Kennedy had this to say:

ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR.: They ought to be in jail for doing this, because they knew it was illegal, and they did it anyway.

GREG PALAST: What is it that was so obviously illegal that law professor Kennedy thought they deserved prison time? The evidence that shook him was attached to fifty of the secret emails, something that GOP party chiefs called caging lists, thousands of names of voters. Notably, the majority were African American. Kennedy explained how caging worked.

ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR.: Caging is an illegal way of getting rid of black votes. You get a list of all the black voters. Then you send a letter to their homes. And if the person doesn't sign it at the homes, the letter then is returned to the Republican National Committee. They then direct the state attorney general, who is friendly to them, who’s Republican, to remove that voter from the list on the alleged basis that that voter does not live in the address that they designated as their address on the voting application form.

GREG PALAST: In all, the Republican Party challenged nearly three million voters, a mass attack on minority voting rights virtually unreported in the US press.

ROBERT F. KENNEDY, JR.: So they disenfranchised millions of black voters who don't even know that they’ve been disenfranchised.

GREG PALAST: Page after page of voters with this address, Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, hundreds, thousands of soldiers and sailors targeted to lose their vote. Go to Baghdad, lose your vote.

And what does this have to do with the prosecutor firings? Take a look at the name at the top of the secret missing email: Tim Griffin. This is the man in charge of the allegedly illegal caging operation. He is research director for the Republican National Committee, special assistant to Karl Rove, and as of December 7 Karl Rove's personal pick for US attorney for the state of Arkansas. Is this a case of the perpetrator becomes the prosecutor?

Building An Audience Who Wants Progressive News and Views

This is a guest blog by Suzanne Prescott, who joined with Eric Griego to create the local progressive talk radio show, Insight New Mexico, which aired for on 1350AM on Saturdays during the NM Legislative Session:

Those who listened to Insight New Mexico have asked if Eric Griego (above right, in studio) will be back on radio. Blogger, Joe Monahan, points out that Eric's options could include competing activities like a run for Heather Wilson's seat or even expanded job duties in Santa Fe. What's up next for Eric? We don't know but we're listening.

We can however look at data about podcasts taken from Eric's radio show, Insight New Mexico, which aired throughout the NM legislative session on AM 1350 Progressive Talk Radio. Individual interviews with guests were podcasted as well as podcasts of shows in their entirety. Podcasts have been played more than 1000 times. By May 11th the top 12 individual interviews (see below) were played 583 times. In addition complete shows were accessed which further increased exposure to show guests beyond listeners who listened to individual podcasts. We conclude that podcasts increased exposure to local progressive legislators, bloggers, journalists and advocates for progressive issues and the numbers continue to grow. 

While the original radio broadcasts may have had somewhere around 1000 - 2000 listeners, podcasts are disseminated over the Internet and provide exposure to a limited audience outside New Mexico, as well as friends, family, staff of guests, and other interested parties. Once radio shows aired and podcasts were created from the shows, it took some time for the podcasts to find their way to interested listeners. For example the individual interview with Sandy Buffet, Executive Director of Conservation Voters NM, was podcasted on February 1 and only played 6 times by March 1 but by May 11th had been played 52 times. (To see the detailed number of plays go to https://podcast.insightnm.net .)

In comparison to audiences for a local conservative weekday drive time radio, these numbers are small - a weekday morning drive time show in Albuquerque could attract 18,000 - 20,000 listeners. However, in terms of building a progressive listenership, the figures suggest that there is an audience waiting to be built and listeners looking for alternative points of view. As soon as AM 1350 began broadcasting Air America radio lineup and other progressive talk shows hosts like Ed Schultz (left, with Suzanne Prescott), the radio talk show audience at normally conservative KKOB saw a decline.  But progressive views on commercial radio rarely include local news and talk. For a progressive slant in Albuquerque, interested parties must rely on a modest set of local resources like the New Mexico blogosphere, Channel 27, KUNM, and the 'The Science Guys' on AM 1350 Talk Radio. Clearly there's room for improvement. It's not too early to begin building a local progressive base by adding radio to the media mix and doing more to extend the current reach of the blogosphere.  It's also too early to conclude that a progressive campaign media strategy should rely on a mind numbing and alienating TV blitz at campaign's end. The recent failure in the District #1 race shows that too much reliance on TV is risky.

The Top Dozen Podcasts from Eric Griego's Insight New Mexico radio show

1) Eric Griego talks with statesman and former mentor, Richard Romero.
* Played 61 times * Runtime 00:08:53

2) Eric interviews Eric Mack, Executive Producer for the New Mexico News Connection, a radio news service.
* Played 54 times * Runtime 00:06:49

3) Eric interviews Senator Dede Feldman
* Played 52 times * Runtime 00:14:32

4) Eric talks with James Scarantino
* Played 52 times * Runtime 00:08:56

5) Eric chats with Sandy Buffet, Executive Director of Conservation Voters NM
* Played 52 times * Runtime 00:00:00

6) Eric chats with conservative New Mexico blogger, Mario Burgos
* Played 49 times * Runtime 00:13:00

7) Eric Interviews New Mexico State Representative, ‘Moe’ Maestas
* Played 48 times * Runtime 00:11:00

8) Eric interviews New Mexico State Senator Jerry Ortiz Y Pino
* Played 48 times * Runtime 00:12:08

9) Eric interviews Maggie Toulouse, Bernalillo County Clerk
* Played 46 times * Runtime 00:11:29

10) Eric interviews Barbara Wold creator of the blog, Democracy for New Mexico
* Played 42 times * Runtime 00:07:08

11) Eric talks with Gene Grant, Albuquerque Tribune columnist and host of 'The Line' on KNME-TV
* Played 41 times * Runtime 00:09:00

12) Eric discusses prospects for passage of the Ethics Reform package with Matt Brix, Executive Director of Common Cause New Mexico
* Played 38 times * Runtime 00:15:26

Note: Unfortunately the second show was not recorded by AM station 1350,  and therefore interviews with our guests,  Mimi Stewart, Joe Monahan, and Kate Nash could not be podcasted.

Editor's Note: This is a guest blog from frequent contributor Suzanne Prescott. If you'd like to submit a post for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link at the upper left-hand corner of our main page.

League of Young Voters Hosts Benefit at Artichoke

Artichoke Café Soiree: League Fundraiser Extraordinaire
Come support socially-responsible young people, as we create positive changes in our community!

Tuesday, May 22nd, 6:00 PM—8:00 PM
The Artichoke Café, 424 Central Ave. SE

Friends, food, and fun. Need we say more?  In a nutshell, we're having this fundraiser/mixer for our fall/spring program work across the state. We also had this craving for some awesome Artichoke appetizers ... so that worked out well ... Oh yeah, we'll have some tunes from La Luna Quartet. Sounds pretty cool, huh? More info? Contact Chelsea Van Deventer at chelsea@indyvoter.org.

Show Me the Money: Federal Budget

Check out this incredible graphic that can be manipulated to focus in on various aspects of how taxpayer money will be spent according to Bush's requested FY 208 budget. Hit your Shift key to zoom in and your Ctrl key to zoom out. You can click on and drag the image to see all its parts. One major point to notice: Of the $1075 billion in discretionary spending, 67% or $717 billion, is targeted for military/national security spending. That national debt is projected at $9.600 trillion. The poster is also available for purchase in case you want to make yourself sick on a regular basis.

Guest Blog: May Day, May Day, The Kids Are Not Alright

Caution: Very graphic in some sections

This is a video guest blog by Brian Fejer of Albuquerque:
The kids are not alright! Walked through UNM Campus on May Day with my ghetto blaster blasting the What Really Happened Lies mp3 (see above video). You could cut the apathy with a knife. Short of a draft, it seems not much can reach these kids.

The pre-emptive Iraq 'War' protestors, were right. The Pro Iraq 'War' supporters are still dead wrong. I remember in the days before the invasion of Iraq protesting on the UNM Campus, and how most of my friends, family, and fellow students wouldn't be caught dead at a antiwar demonstration. On the day of the 2003 student walkout as protesters snaked through campus, doubling and tripling the size of the march, even going through school buildings chanting stand up, walk out, I recall the terrified looks of students cowering in their classrooms. When the war in Iraq started, UNM was on Spring break, and most UNM students never realized the brutality of the APD Police Riot. Four years later, these kids would still rather be on their ipods!

The other day US Marines were on campus recruiting with a rock climbing wall. I walked up to them and asked if they were still hunting down Nine Eleven Conspirator Osama Bin Laden. They just shrugged. I've written scores of letters to the Daily Lobo about Iraq, the tyranny of signing statements and the Military Commisions Act, torture, but you just can't shake this generation. Maybe they are just desensitized from the video games and the corporate media? Land of the Free, Home of the Brave: I'm not so sure anymore, I do what I can. I'm working on a one man show called Post American. It depicts the horrors of war you don't see in the Albuquerque Journal!

Editor's Note: This is a guest blog by Brian Fejer. You can see other examples of his videos on his YouTube channel under Post American. Warning: many are graphic and disturbing, like the war itself. Guest blogs provide our readers with an opportunity to express their opinions on political issues and don't necessarily represent our views. If you'd like to submit a post for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link at the upper right-hand corner of our main page.

(Updated) Santa Fe Celebrates Bike to Work Week

(See below the fold for Update) From the City of Santa Fe: Santa Fe will be celebrating National Bike to Work Week 2007, May 14-18.  Santa Feans will come together in order to increase awareness about cyclists, educate drivers and cyclists, encourage cycling as an important means of transportation, and support potential new cyclists in joining our community.

Many activities and outreach events are being planned for Santa Fe’s Bike to Work Week.  Events include:

• Saturday, May 12, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Bike Bonanza at Gonzales Elementary School
• Monday, May 14, 12 noon, Bike to Work Week Kickoff event with installation of the first of ten new public bike racks at the corner of Don Gaspar and Alameda.
• Wednesday, May 16, Bike to School Day. Students will bike to school and participate in after school Bike Rodeo and Safety Workshops. For a current list of participating schools, contact balodolce@santafenm.gov.
• Thursday, May 17, 5:30 p.m., Critical Mass group ride will leave from the Plaza.
• Friday, May 18, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Bike to Work Day, DeVargas Park.  Individuals and group convoy rides will converge at De Vargas Park in the morning and during the lunch hour for speakers, food, bicycle maintenance and repair workshops, Bikes on Transit demos, free bicycle safety equipment giveaways, bicycle safety information, display of a draft Santa Fe Bikeways Map, custom bicycle and trailer expos, contests and more.  Currently, morning convoy rides will be coming from Tesuque, Casa Allegre and Frenchy’s Field Park.  To join a ride or lead one, contact balodolce@santafenm.gov.

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Why Bike to Work?  Riding a bicycle is inexpensive, increases car parking, and decreases taxes used for road repair.  Fewer cars means safer communities with less speeding, reduced traffic congestion, and decreased noise and environmental pollution.  Bicycling is often faster than driving a car in urban areas and reduces health expenses by creating a more physically fit population.  Additionally, the environmental and health effects of a car-dependent world are extensive and far reaching.

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Several local business sponsors will also be offering specials to cyclists throughout the week.  That growing list currently includes Downtown Subscriptions, Holy Spirit Espresso, Mellow Velo (store and bike café) Meridian Espresso & News, Second Street Brewery and Travel Bug.  Visit these businesses to get a special when you ride your bike and thank them for supporting cyclists!

For more information, to get involved, or to become a sponsor, contact Becky Lo Dolce at balodolce@santafenm.gov or 955-6629.

UPDATE 5/14: Many cafés have offered DISCOUNTS to cyclists throughout the week.  Ride your bike to the following sponsors to get a special and thank them for their support!

• Cowgirl Barbeque and Grill: FREE dessert with lunch M-F
• Downtown Subscriptions: FREE coffee on May 18th, 50% OFF coffee drinks M-F
• Ecco Espresso & Gelato: FREE small latté M-F
• The Go Cart: $1 coffee 8-10 AM, M-F
• Holy Spirit Espresso: FREE coffee M-F
• Meridian Espresso & News: FREE coffee on May 18th, 50% off coffee drinks M-F
• Plaza Bakery - Haagen Dazs: FREE coffee 7-9 AM, M-F
• Second Street Brewery: 10% OFF all food & beverages M-F
• Travel Bug: FREE medium latté M-F

Additional specials available for Locals Care cardholders. Additional Bike to Work sponsors include: Bagelmania, Bike Coalition of New Mexico, Capital High School Marching Band, Chainbreaker Collective, City of Santa Fe, Coca-Cola, Critical Mass, Frankie Flats Bicycle Repair, La Montanita Co-op, Mellow Velo, Mission Café and Sweet Shop, Pedal Queens, Santa Fe InterFaith Alliance for Environmental Stewardship, Santa Fe Pedicabs, Santa Fe Reporter, Vladimir Chaloupka Photography, Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Natural Market.

America Votes Says: Sign Petition to Get Wilson and Domenici to Testify Under Oath

This is a guest blog from Jennifer Ford, NM State Director of America Votes, who spoke at this month's DFA-DFNM Meetup:

It was great to be in a room with so many energized progressives at the last Democracy for New Mexico meeting!

My name is Jennifer Ford and I am the New Mexico State Director with America Votes. America Votes serves 37 national and more than 260 state-based partner organizations. This historic partnership represents a combined membership of more than 20 million Americans across the country. Groups that are a part of the America Votes coalition work on a broad range of issues including the environment, civil and human rights, choice, education and labor. 

Yesterday, in the wake of Attorney General Gonzales’ testimony in front of the House Judiciary Committee, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight one of our partners, New Mexicans for Truth.  This grassroots group of New Mexicans is dedicated to finding out the truth about Heather Wilson and Pete Domenici’s role in the firing of U.S. Attorney David Iglesias. Both public officials allegedly made calls to Iglesias to pressure him about the metro courthouse indictments.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales testified in front of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee that "if a member of Congress contacts a US attorney to put pressure on one specific case, that is a very, very serious issue..."  Yesterday, testifying in front of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee Gonzales told the panel that he doesn’t recall any more details on the firings.  In fact, Attorney General Gonzales said he couldn’t recall specific conversations or details in response to more than 70 questions. See this CNN article.

Since he has not been able to clear up the questions surrounding this scandal, the logical next step is for Heather Wilson and Pete Domenici to testify under oath about their conversations. 

New Mexicans for Truth has started a website to find out whether or not Wilson and Domenici pressured U.S. Attorney Iglesias as a way to win public support for Wilson’s extremely tight re-election campaign – a campaign that she won by only 900 votes.

If you are concerned about this issue, go to https://www.peteandheathercomeclean.com  and sign the petition asking Rep. Wilson and Senator Domenici to testify under oath.  Both Domenici and Wilson have repeatedly declined to testify under oath about the timing of the calls. This, above all else, has made it harder for New Mexicans to learn the truth about their Justice Department, and whether politics interfered with the law enforcement process.

Please sign the petition and pass it along to concerned friends:

https://www.peteandheathercomeclean.com.

As progressives we are stronger when we work together and I look forward to working with DFA to further a progressive agenda in New Mexico. 

Jennifer Ford
New Mexico State Director
America Votes
jford@americavotes.org
505-266-2505 ext. 111

Editor's Note: This is a guest blog from Jennifer Ford. Guest blogs provide our readers with an opportunity to express their opinions and share information on relevant political issues. If you'd like to submit a piece for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link on the upper left-hand corner of the main page.