Democracy for New Mexico

Power to the People: Mike Gravel Raps

I don't know about you, but I miss Mike's outspoken presence at the too, too politically correct "debates."

Bernalillo Dems Give to Vets in Need

Lynn Jacobs helps pack the gifts at last night's potluck

‘Twas the weekend before Christmas
and all through the land
Democrats were working to give vets a hand

Packages were wrapped with paper and care
Filled with jackets and blankets to spare

Money collected was donated too
Since veterans need things like razors and shoes

The Veterans Integration Center was where they chose
To help this season in honor of our heroes

We live in a country beautiful and free
This Holiday Season it’s up to you and me

To remember our brothers and sisters in arms
In hope they return soon and safe from all harms

The gifts will be delivered Saturday at Two
To veterans who served for me and you

The Democrats will exclaim with happiness and glee
“Best wishes this season in the land of the free!”

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2007
WHO:  DEMOCRATIC PARTY
WHAT: DELIVERS GIFTS TO VETERANS
WHEN: 2PM
WHERE: VETERANS INTEGRATION CENTER
6101 CENTRAL AVENUE NE, ABQ
Join Us

From the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County
Verse by Angela Chavez


DPBC Vice Chair Jim Buhaug (C) and volunteers
Organizing the donations

Click to see more photos from last night's DPBC potluck at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall in Albuquerque, where Dems shared a meal and worked together to prepare the donations for Saturday's delivery to the New Mexico Veterans Reintegration Center. (Democracy for New Mexico and the DPNM kicking donkey float helped collect donations at our Meetup earlier this month.)

See our previous post on this project. Click on images for larger versions. Photos by M.E. Broderick.

What's Going On?

Politically, quite a bit, considering the season. But it's this very season that has me drifting off into winter solstice reveries as I ponder trying to write something about politics today. I'm feeling especially corny this holiday season, and grateful to be here in the midst of the peaceful, loving celebration that has evolved from the bustle and chaos of some Christmases past. Funny, this year I'm less connected to the holiday routines of the season, but more connected to the underlying human emotions that originally created the rituals. It feels freeing, and good.

Anyway, instead of trying to write about reality when my heart isn't in it, I thought I'd catch up a bit and give you a compact rundown from the past few days, links and all:

• Democratic NM-01 candidate Jason Call dropped out of the race after AFSCME unanimously voted to endorse Martin Heinrich.

• Democrat John Adams also withdrew from the NM-01 Congressional race, but he's decided to run in NM-03 instead. Former Indian Affairs Secretary Benny Shendo of Jemez Pueblo has officially entered the NM-03 Dem primary race.

• Check out A Swirl of Solstice at the Santa Fe Children's Museum on December 22nd from 5:00-7:00 PM, including their luminaria labyrinth, and what's happening during .

• The Santa Fe New Mexican has hired two reporters -- Kate Nash and Sue Vorenberg -- from the soon-to-be-gone (maybe) Albuquerque Tribune.

• Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) and mainstream Americans want Cheney impeached.

•The EPA rejected California's Clean Car auto emission standards, which means New Mexico's recently adopted version also will be disallowed. Gov. Bill Richardson issued a statement that says, in part, "The Bush Administration's rejection of the California Clean Cars program shows a complete lack of legal, moral and policy leadership on climate change and threatens to close the door on the single most aggressive and effective means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

•1000 Friends of New Mexico and others are questioning the propriety of Bernalillo County Commissioner Tim Cummins' vote to adopt TIDDs for SunCal development because he's developing an industrial park bordered on three sides by SunCal land.

• Nambe Pueblo is studying a wind power project that would be the largest in New Mexico, producing up to 300 megawatts of electricity

• Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid may ask for a one-month FISA act extension so our sloganeering presidential candidates don't have to deal with it during the height of the early primary season.

• The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) will be in both NM-01 and NM-02 this election cycle. They're outraising their Repub counterpart by a large margin.

• PNM's credit rating was lowered on the last day of the utility's PRC hearing on a request for a monthly fuel adjustment clause and a $77.3 million increase in electric rates.

• Governor Bill Richardson has expressed his skepticism about the wisdom of allowing proposed oil and gas drilling in the Galisteo Basin.

• The New Mexico Court of Appeals has ruled against Citizen Action's suit to force the removal of Sandia Lab's mixed waste landfill. Activists may appeal to the NM Supreme Court.

• The State of New Mexico won't seek federal funding, if any is offered this fiscal year, for abstinence only sex education programs.

• Bush got his blank check on war funding to the tune of $70 billion in the $555 billion government spending bill, when the House approved the Senate's version of the legislation by a margin of 272-142. Voting for the measure were 78 House Dems, while 41 Dems voted no, including Rep. Tom Udall (NM-03). On the Senate side, the timelines for Iraq withdrawal were stripped out of the main bill by a margin of 70-25, with Sen. Jeff Bingaman voting against it.

• Frank G. Hesse, M.D., raised the issue of provider shortages as the New Mexico Legislature gears up to dealing with health care reform in January.

• The Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority's tumbleweed snowman alongside I-40 gained national recognition in a new book about the history of the snowman.

Phew. That's a whole lotta news ....

Looking for Some Holiday Spirit, ABQ Style?

Try two posts on Duke City Fix today that are chock full of sensual adjectives describing the sights and sounds of the holiday season in Albuquerque. Start off with Natalie's It's Time to Get Lit, which starts off:

Ahhhhh... New Mexico in the winter. It smells better than it looks. Everything has turned grey-ish-dusty-brown and the mountains, for some reason, look further away. But every time I walk out the front door, I'm hit with the smells of someone's fireplace burning pinon, fresh tortillas cookin', roasts a-roastin', and pots of posole’ simmering. Tamale making is in full swing here in the Duke City. There is a definite bite in the air that makes me want to gobble it all in. The sights are still very beautiful but the olfactory experiences here just can‘t be beat.

Next up, check out Las Posadas de Barelas by Barelas Babe, which describes the special sense of community among diversity provided by a traditional Christmas celebration in one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. This year, Las Posadas will be held on December 22nd in Barelas. Excerpt:

In case you are not familiar with Las Posadas, it is a Hispanic tradition that reenacts the travels of Jose y Maria prior to the birth of Jesus, with the nativity procession moving from door to door in search of shelter. Carolers sing traditional Spanish songs seeking shelter, followed by the residents of the house and their guests denying this request. The procession continues to the next house in hopes of finding shelter, and at the last location, Sacred Heart Church, the doors are thrown wide open and everyone enters (except the burro, who always refuses).

Most of the Barelas households on the Las Posadas route participate every year, decorating their home with strings of lights and luminarias, and hosting parties on the night of Las Posadas. When the procession arrives, partygoers spill out of the brightly lit homes singing their parts in this age old ritual, which dates back to the 1500s when it was brought to the New World by the Spanish. It is uncertain when Las Posadas was first done in Barelas, a neighborhood that has its roots in the seventeenth century, but we do know that it has been an official event in Barelas for 62 years, thanks to the efforts of Patrick Turrieta and many others too numerous to name.

Planning for a walk or drive to see luminarias this Christmas Eve? The Albuquerque Journal offers a listing of neighborhoods known for their displays.

Last but not least, Sunny the sun conure says, "Don't forget to put out some extra treats at your birdfeeders at this wintry time of year -- there's a snowstorm on the way!"

Click on images for larger versions. Photos by M.E. Broderick.

RSVP Now for Business Day in Santa Fe & Legislative Reception

From the Association of Commerce & Industry:
The Association of Commerce & Industry and other business organizations will co-sponsor Business Day in Santa Fe on January 22, 2007. The annual event offers business leaders and others a comprehensive briefing on New Mexico's economic affairs and key issues for the legislative session.

Speakers include Gov. Bill Richardson, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, and legislative leaders from both parties, including House Speaker Ben Lujan, D-Santa Fe; Senate President Pro-Tem Ben Altamirano, D-Silver City; House Minority Leader Thomas Taylor, R-San Juan; and Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, R-Portales.

The event runs from 7 AM to 10 AM at the El Dorado Hotel at 309 W. San Francisco Street in Santa Fe. Cost is $40. Participants can also attend a legislative reception the prior evening with legislators and members of the executive branch. That event, hosted by the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce, runs from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM on January 21, also at the El Dorado. Cost is $25 and includes booths by local chambers of commerce from throughout the state.

Registration deadline for both events is January 16. To register, or to get more information, visit the ACI Web site at www.aci-nm.org, or call Debbie Scott at (505) 842-0644.

Opens Friday at Santa Fe's CCA: Pete Seeger, The Power of Song

From the :

Pete Seeger: The Power of Song
In this first authorized biography, Jim Brown connects with the architect of the folk revival. Pete Seeger, the author of songs including "Where Have All the Flowers Gone," "Turn, Turn, Turn" and "If I Had A Hammer," has long been misunderstood by his critics and vilified by the U.S. government for his views on peace, unionism, civil rights and ecology. He became a central target during the Red Scare, when he was picketed, blacklisted, and, in spite of his enormous popularity, banned from American television for more than 17 years.

Using never-before-seen archival footage and home movies and interviews with Joan Baez, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springstein, Natalie Maines, Tom Paxton and Peter, Paul and Mary, this wondrous documentary serves as testament of Seeger's belief in the power of song and his conviction that individuals can make a difference. This is the musical biography event of the year. (U.S., 2007, 91m, 35mm, Weinstein Company) "A stirring, revelatory film." -Owen Glebierman, Entertainment Weekly.

Click for beginning Friday, December 21, 2007, as well as info on other movies now showing at the Cinematheque, located at 1050 Old Pecos Trail in Santa Fe, behind the Children's Museum.

NM-Sen: AFSCME Unanimously Endorses Tom Udall

From AFSCME New Mexico PEOPLE:

Candidate's Experience and Strong Record Drive Decision
Albuquerque, NM -- The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, which represents over 12,000 city, county, and state employees, has endorsed Congressman Tom Udall for United States Senate. AFSCME is fully dedicated to putting all of its resources to use to make sure Congressman Udall is representing New Mexico as our next U.S. Senator.

On Tuesday evening, AFSCME New Mexico's PEOPLE (political action) Committee voted unanimously to endorse Congressman Udall because he has a strong track record of fighting for New Mexico's workers and has the experience we need.

"Tom is a once-in-a-lifetime elected official. He is the type of person that we never have to second guess where he stands on workers issues.  He has always been with labor and we are very thankful for that," said AFSCME Executive Director Lawrence Rodriquez.

PEOPLE committee member and State employee Christine Serrano added "Congressman Udall has been a wonderful representative for all of us in northern New Mexico.  We are going to miss him as our Representative, but we all know he will make a great U.S. Senator."

Click to visit Rep. Tom Udall's campaign website.

To read our previous coverage of this race, visit our archive.

NM-01: AFSCME Unanimously Endorses Martin Heinrich

From AFSCME New Mexico's PEOPLE:

Candidate’s Commitment to Working Families Wins Endorsement
Albuquerque, NM – The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, which represents over 12,000 city, county, and state employees, has endorsed Martin Heinrich for New Mexico’s First Congressional District. On Tuesday evening, AFSCME New Mexico’s PEOPLE (political action) Committee voted unanimously to endorse Heinrich because he has consistently stood with the hard working people of New Mexico.

“Politicians always seem to talk the talk, but Martin walks the walk.  He cares about the hard working people of this state and has always fought by our side” said AFSCME President Andrew Padilla.

PEOPLE committee member and water utility employee Maria Gallegos added “When city employees made the transition to the water authority, Martin made sure everyone would be taken care of and not a single employee would fall through the cracks.  This is the type of person we need in Washington.  Someone that will make sure New Mexico doesn’t fall through the cracks.”

Click to visit Heinrich's campaign website. If you make a donation before midnight on December 31, 2007, you'll get a chance to win a lunch with Martin Heinrich at Albuquerque's Scalo restaurant.

To see our previous coverage of this race, visit our archive.

Reminder: DPBC Holiday Potluck & Vet Center Benefit Set for Tonight

You're all invited to the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County's Third Thursday Meeting tonight, December 20, 2007, at 6:00 PM at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall at 510 San Pedro SE in Albuquerque. There'll be a festive Holiday Potluck and you're encouraged to bring donations of food, money, personal items and clothes to benefit the New Mexico Veterans Reintegration Center in Albuquerque. Your contributions will help the Center during the holiday season and beyond.

Our DPBC Chair, Ana Canales, is also encouraging folks to donate holiday wrapping paper and tape so the presents to the Vet Center can be wrapped. You can read more about the Party's Vet Center donation project here. See below for a list of other items you can donate to the cause.

DONATION ITEMS NEEDED FOR VET REINTEGRATION CENTER

• Personal toiletries: deodorant, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, lotions, toothbrushes, combs, shaving lotion, razors, etc.
• Towels: new or gently used please!! We would like one bath towel, one hand towel, and 2 wash clothes per person in each box.
• Socks, slipper socks, and underwear- various sizes and types will be fine.
• Gloves and caps- one size fits all will be best.
• Sweatshirts, sweaters, and/or flannel shirts, various sizes.
• Stationery, first-class stamps, envelopes, and long-distance phone cards.
• Home-made cookies, brownies, etc. No store bought!!
• Copier-paper boxes to pack gifts in. (This will make all gifts uniform size)

DONATED CASH WILL BE USED TO PURCHASE COATS FOR THE MOST NEEDY RESIDENTS.

Dem Women: Apply Now for Candidate Training

From Emerge New Mexico:
Have you considered running for office? Do you know a fantastic woman who should run for office? Help her get the training and support she needs to run and win. Encourage her to Emerge! Emerge New Mexico seeks Democratic women with evidence of political leadership experience or meaningful workplace or community involvement to apply to its program.

The Emerge program provides seven Saturdays of training and networking over seven months. Training includes fundraising, public speaking, campaign strategy and planning, fieldwork, media skills and messaging, ethics in politics, labor and endorsements, and running an anti-racist and culturally competent campaign.

Applications and organizational information can be located and downloaded at www.emergenm.org. Applications for the 2008 class are NOW being accepted— APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 15, 2008!

Emerge's model is successful: over 60% of Emerge graduates nationally hold public office. In 2007-08 so far, another 15% of graduates are running for office. Emerge is proud that 46% of our graduates are women of color. Emerge New Mexico is part of Emerge America, with 7 state affiliates nationally.

JOIN US IN IDENTIFYING WOMEN TO HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF New Mexico. Please share this information with women you think may be interested in emerge!

For more information: please contact:
Anita at 505-899-0392
Emerge New Mexico
PO Box 27207
Albuquerque, NM 87125
www.emergenm.org