Democracy for New Mexico

Dedicated to Our First African-American Presidential Nominee

I just discovered that Wolfgang's Concert Vault now has embed code for much of its material. Nice. I thought this was the perfect time to put up a musical salute to our first Black presidential nominee -- Barack Obama -- on a weekend when he has surpassed Clinton in the superdelegate count and leads her by virtually unassailable margins in pledged delegates, states won and popular vote. Enjoy a White working class Texas redneck playing a song by Hendrix, possibly the first African-American psychedelic rock guitarist in the world. Seems fitting. Unity.

Technorati Tags:Stevie Ray Vaughn, Barack Obama, Wolfgang's Vault, concerts

NM-02: Latest on McCamley Campaign

Two big endorsements were unveiled this week for Bill McCamley, Dem candidate for Congress in New Mexico's Second District. I've already reported on 2006 Dem nominee Al Kissling's endorsement. He's now been joined by the National Sierra Club. Their support is a great recognition of the importance McCamley's campaign has placed on protecting our environment and developing alternative energy.

The campaign has also released video footage of their check-signing ceremony where McCamley loaned his campaign $47.50 (see above). As Bill explains, it was a fun event, but it had a serious purpose: "It highlighted the difference between our candidacy that is funded mostly by small and medium-sized donors from across the District and the country, and our opponent's candidacy, which is funded primarily by oil money. Can you help us continue to point out that difference? Can you contribute $47.50, $475, or $4,750 to our campaign? You can do so quickly and securely by clicking here or by sending a check made out to "Bill McCamley for Congress" to: Bill McCamley for Congress, PO Box 6552, Las Cruces, NM 88006."

In his latest email, McCamley suggests a few more ways to help out:

TAKE TWO SECONDS TO HELP RIGHT NOW: Go to Heath Haussamen's blog and vote in the online poll on the right-hand side. Just click here to get to it. You don't have to log in or register or anything. The poll ends Sunday evening!

VOLUNTEER:  Find out ways to get involved by clicking . There are lots of ways to help.  If you want to call or walk a precinct, work on inputting data, put together yard signs, or any number of other activites, there are always opportunities available.  Just call the office at (575) 525-9329.

CONTRIBUTE:  Of course, if you've got a few dollars (or $6,900) lying around, we're really getting down the wire. You can contribute quickly and securely by clicking here or by sending a check made out to "Bill McCamley for Congress" to: Bill McCamley for Congress, PO Box 6552, Las Cruces, NM 88006.

Thank you all so much for your support so far.  Now is the time to take it to the next level! --Bill

Technorati Tags:Bill McCamley, NM-02, New Mexico, Democrats, Sierra Club, Al Kissling, endorsements, grassroots

Laurie Weahkee Chooses Obama; Barack Catches Clinton in Superdelegates

I'm sure you've heard by now that New Mexico add-on delegate Laurie Weahkee, the Native American Voters Alliance Coordinator at Albuquerque's SAGE Council, has publicly endorsed Barack Obama for president. I'd like to welcome Laurie to the Obama fold -- I know there was a lot of pressure applied by the campaigns of both candidates. Weahkee was one of nine superdelegates and a union leader who endorsed Obama on Friday. Obama is now about even with Clinton in the superdelegate count, depending on the source that's doing the counting.

Laurie Weahkee's official statement released late Friday by the Obama campaign:

“Today, I’m proud to announce my support as a presidential delegate for Barack Obama. After the primary elections in Indiana and North Carolina, it is now absolutely clear that Barack Obama will be our nominee.  I’d like to applaud both Senators Clinton and Obama for their commitment and dedication. In particular, I’d like to recognize Senator Clinton for her many years of service to this country, and for laying the groundwork for women across this country to run for office.  It is time for all of us to unite behind Obama as we head into a difficult general election.  Obama has proven that he can campaign in a difficult environment and still inspire thousands of new voices to take part in the democratic process. As a Native American woman, I’m proud to support Obama, and I ask all of us to now join together and start building the movement for victory in November.”

The New Mexico Independent has an excellent interview with Weahkee, where she goes into more depth about the reasons she decided to endorse Obama and describes her reaction to the local Clinton campaign's challenge to her selection:

... I was a little disappointed by the aggressive tone of the New Mexico Clinton campaign to challenge my selection as a delegate, because I really was at that time undecided. The aggressive tone from folks here locally just added into the my overall sense that the Clinton campaign was really aggressive. It was disappointing. I was truly undecided and they were already putting me in one camp or another. I just felt it was a bad representation on Hillary Clinton and her overall campaign.

I'm sure you recall that Laurie Weahkee won the election to become New Mexico's at-large, unpledged add-on delegate at the April 19 Dem Party State Central Committee meeting, and that the procedure was challenged unsuccessfully by the Clinton camp.

One of the criteria Weahkee cited as a basis for making a decision on an endorsement was the candidate's positions on Native American issues. Here are Obama's Principles for Stronger Tribal Communities. Also check out a Native American Times article on Weahkee.

Weahkee was heavily involved for many years in working to preserve the spiritual and physical integrity of the Petroglyph National Monument on Albuquerque's West Mesa in the midst of heavy sprawl development in the area. Here's a 1999 article from the High Country News that provides good background info on the issue. Here's a statement about the Petroglyphs written by Weahkee, and this article from the now defunct Albuquerque Tribune reports on the controversial extension of Paseo del Norte through the Petroglyphs that was punched through in June 2007 despite the protests and legal challenges of Weahkee's group and others.

Rep. Tom Udall is now the only so-called superdelegate in New Mexico who hasn't yet chosen sides. Until Udall makes his endorsement, it's a 6-5 split for Clinton among New Mexico's supers:

Governor Bill Richardson (Obama)
Lt. Governor Diane D. Denish (Clinton)
U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (Obama)
Congressman Tom Udall (Undecided)
DPNM Chairman Brian S. Colón (Obama)
DPNM Vice Chairwoman Annadelle Sanchez (Clinton)
DNC Committeeman Raymond G. Sanchez (Clinton)
DNC Committeewoman Mary Gail Gwaltney (Clinton)
DNC Committee Member Fred Harris (Obama)
DNC At-Large Member Mayor Martin Chavez (Clinton)
DNC At-Large Member Christine Trujillo (Clinton)

Add-On At-Large Unpledged Delegate Laurie Weahkee (Obama)

A complete list of New Mexico's 42-member delegation, which includes four alternates, is here. Clinton won 14 of New Mexico's 26 pledged delegates as a result of our presidential preference caucus on February 5th. She won the state by about 1000 votes, although she lost both the First and Third Congressional Districts to Obama. All the margins were tight.

Petroglyph photo by Isaac Eastvold.

Technorati Tags:Laurie Weahkee, Barack Obama, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Democrats, superdelegates, SAGE Council, Native American Voters Alliance, Petroglyph National Monument, Hillary Clinton

Reminder: Heinrich Celebration and BBQ This Afternoon 2-4 PM

The Martin Heinrich for Congress campaign is celebrating the official grand opening of their office today from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Everyone's invited to 141 Adams NE in Albuquerque for hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie options, live music and games for the kids. Click for FLYER with complete info.

NM-Sen: Non-News News (Plus Sign Up to Support New GI Bill)

It's no surprise that Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson are running negative campaigns against one another, including deceptively nasty TV ads, in their battle for the GOP nomination for departing Sen. Domenici's U.S. Senate seat.

It's no surprise that environmental groups are targeting Pearce and Wilson for their dismal voting records on the environment and energy issues.

It's no surprise that The Club for Growth, an extreme right-wing group, is backing Pearce over Wilson.

It's no surprise that now that Sen. Domenici is retiring, the tribute dinners and TV shows have begun, full of lavish praise and nostalgia, but lacking any serious reporting or criticism about his incredibly narrow-minded, right-wing voting record, especially during his last couple of terms. We'll just forget about Pete's lock-step support for all things Bush and concentrate on how much loot he brought the state during his 36 years in Washington. Then the GOP will start complaining once again about pork in the federal budget. Hey, it's their pork that's the problem, not ours.

I could insert videos of all the ads here, but you get the picture. I could insert material about the tributes to Domenici, but I'm sure you can imagine what's being said. Bottom line -- we know the chances are good that:

• Domenici will have even more buildings and programs named in his honor.
• Pearce and Wilson will deplete the already waning funds for GOP candidates during their nasty primary fight.
• Either one will be beaten badly by Dem Tom Udall come November as a Democratic juggernaut, led by Obama, sweeps the nation on election day (IF we help make it happen)
• At last we'll have a Senator ready and willing to address the genuine pressing issues of the 21st century with fresh thinking and an emphasis on finding ways to live in a sustainable manner on our planet.
• There will be no more calls to our U.S. Attorney to politicize the office and its actions.

Activist or Just Another Blog Reader?
The most important things we can do right now to help Rep. Tom Udall win the open Senate seat in New Mexico are to support his campaign with affordable donations and volunteer hours, or to do the same with the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund's efforts here. Devote less time to following the ins and outs of the TV ad wars and horse race data and more time to making things happen:

• Tom Udall for Senate
• Defenders Two Bad 4 New Mexico

Udall Posts First Action Diary on Daily Kos
On Thursday, Rep. Tom Udall made his first foray onto national blog Daily Kos with a diary asking folks to join him in supporting the new GI Bill, also known as the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act. The legislation would provide benefits similar to those made available by the original GI Bill of 1944, which helped vets returning from WW II.

Sign Up as a Co-Sponsor of the new GI Bill
Visit the Kos diary to learn more and sign up as a co-sponsor of the bill.

Technorati Tags:Tom Udall, Steve Pearce, Heather Wilson, NM-Sen, Pete Domenici, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, U.S. Senate, New Mexico, political activism

Last Day to Buy Tix for Equality Ball

Click on image for larger version

Do not miss out -- this is the last day to purchase your Equality Ball tickets. Tickets are going fast, do not miss your chance to attend this terrific event. Support Equality New Mexico as we continue our work in 2009. Click to view some of our Fabulous Auction Items.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Technorati Tags:Equality New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, EQNM, Equality Ball, GLBT

5/15: Progressives for Tim Keller for State Senator

PROGRESSIVES FOR TIM!
at the home of
RICHARD ROMERO & MARGIE LOCKWOOD
907 Silver Ave SW, ABQ 87102
Thursday, May 15th • 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Click for Flyer
(light hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be provided)

Tim is endorsed by

• Former Senator and Pro Tem Richard Romero
• Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino
• City Councilor Rey Garduño
• Albuquerque Firefighters Local 244
• New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters Association
• Albuquerque Teachers Federation
• Conservation Voters New Mexico
• DFA-Democracy for New Mexico
• Progressive Action New Mexico
• ACORN

Tim Keller is running for State Senate District 17
in the Democratic Primary on June 3rd
challenging Shannon Robinson.

RSVP to tk@timkellerfornewmexico.com or call 332-9441
OR
Richard Romero at r.romero1@comcast.net or call 453-1986
$25, $50, $100, $250 suggested donation - all contributions welcome

If you can not attend, please consider donating online at www.timkellerfornewmexico.com.

Checks to Tim Keller for New Mexico
11023 Vistazo Pl SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87123
Tim Keller for New Mexico
Democrat/NM State Senate/District 17
11023 Vistazo Pl SE
505.400.0415
www.timkellerfornewmexico.com

Technorati Tags:Tim Keller, Albuquerque, New Mexico, New Mexico Legislature, New Mexico State Senate, Democrats, progressives, primaries

Tonight on NM In Focus: In-Depth Interview with Sen. Pete Domenici

This week on NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, a rare and in-depth interview with retiring Senator Pete Domenici conducted by David Alire Garcia followed by a discussion about the Senator's impact with Gene Grant and regular panelists Margaret Montoya, UNM School of Law / UNM School of Medicine; Scott Darnell, Communication Director, Republican Party; and Jim Scarantino, Weekly Alibi Columnist.

Tonight at 7:00 PM on KNME-TV; repeats on Sunday at 6:30 AM. You'll also be able to see video of the episode here when it's uploaded.

Jim O'Donnell Guest Blog: Oil and Gas Industry to Pay for Archaeological Excavations in New Mexico?

This is a guest blog by Jim O'Donnell, author and former coordinator of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal in northern New Mexico:

For seven years, I worked as a contract archaeologist for the oil and gas industry in the Southwest. Essentially, my job was to go out and locate archaeological resources on public lands that were threatened with oil and gas development. We recorded the archaeological sites, marked them both on maps and in the field for the industry folks to avoid and, in some cases, excavated them prior to development.

That's why I found this interesting:

The Bureau of Land Management announced Tuesday that it has signed an agreement with the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division and the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation that will give oil and gas developers an option of funding excavation work and other studies rather than paying for archaeological surveys when they propose new development.

Over the past few years, I have written a number of times on my experiences as an archaeologist working on public lands in the Southwest. It wasn’t pretty.

The oil and gas industry in New Mexico is completely out of control, taking private property, poisoning water supplies and leaving taxpayers to fund the clean up. Destruction of archaeological resources by the oil and gas industry was also wide-spread when I was in the field. Often times it was done right in front of the archaeologists who were working to protect those sites. It was worse in New Mexico than any of the other states I worked in. Most often, the contract archaeology higher ups and the bosses at the land management agencies (mostly the BLM) turned a blind eye to this destruction. They didn’t want to lose the contract. It got to be so bad that I eventually quit archaeology. Seeing those sites destroyed drilled a hole in my heart.

Under the new agreement, oil and gas developers who participate in the voluntary program will not have to pay for a survey but they will be required to pay a special fee that will go toward excavation and other research. The BLM expects to raise about $1 million a year.

I'm suspicious.

Typically, when industry wants to develop a chunk of public land, they have to pay a contract archaeology company to survey the area and record the sites. Then, the company decides if they want to excavate the site or go around it. In my experience, they often simply go through the site.

This new agreement covers only the portion of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land down in the southeast corner of New Mexico where oil and gas development has been going full-bore since the 1930s. It is an area I know well. I’ve walked literally hundreds of miles in the area on archaeological survey. Because development has been going on there for so long, by far the majority of the archaeological sites on public land in the area have been found and recorded - some many times over.

However, not much is known about the sites themselves, making it difficult for the agency to manage them accordingly.

"We haven't excavated hardly anything so we have a very poor handle on what kind of data they contain, what kind of information we can learn from them, what they're telling us about human adaptation to the desert in that part of the trans-Pecos area," he said.

True. If we are to expand our knowledge of the people that were in the area before Euro-Americans came on the scene, we need to do some excavations. We need to find out what is in those sites. What kind of artifacts? What kind of pollen sits at the bottom of the fire pits? Its a lot of information to get a hold of. Excavations are expensive and so, throughout the West, our knowledge gathering abilities when it comes to ancient cultures have been hampered over the past two decades by a lack of money.

Essentially, what this agreement says is that industry can go ahead and develop public lands without paying for archaeological surveys prior to the project. Instead, they simply have to pay into a BLM fund geared toward excavating some of the sites in the area that have been already recorded.

There are critics who make some good points:

... archaeology can damage the very resources it's designed to protect, said Jim Walker, director of the national nonprofit Archaeological Conservancy's Southwest region.

"An archaeological site is a set of clues and we'll never have those clues again in the same order. An archaeologist destroys an archaeological site as he or she excavates," Walker said. "And we also know that archaeology is a changing science and we're always coming up with new ideas and new techniques and the only way we can test a new idea or new technique is on an unexcavated archaeological site."

Another concern is that a few sites could be lost each year if companies decide to participate in the voluntary program rather than pay for an archaeological survey. But Fosberg said the benefits outweigh the potential loss.

"We can excavate sites ... and actually do some real science and learn from them," he said. "The fact of the matter is we're losing sites anyway because of this cumulative effect of development."

While these critiques are valid and need to be closely considered, overall, it seems to me like this agreement is a good idea. I almost can’t believe I'm saying this because this is the New Mexico BLM ... an agency geared towards the production of oil and gas above all other values. Yet, excavating even some of the sites in that area will advance our knowledge of long-dead cultures tremendously.

To be sure, this is a win for industry. Development projects will move forward much faster and much cheaper under this scenario. Without a doubt, many previously unknown sites will be destroyed in the process – but they destroy a lot of them even when they know about them. It is also a win for the BLM. That agency is under tremendous stress. Not only because they have fewer personnel and money by the day but because the state-director has almost all the remaining personnel busy processing drilling permits as fast as possible. They don’t want to deal with the 'problems' caused by the laws protecting archaeological resources.

But it’s clear that the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) sees a possible benefit to this approach. The state archaeologist’s office knows full well that many sites are destroyed by the oil and gas industry and they are essentially powerless to do anything about it. Also, they know that most of the sites in this area are already recorded. They’re trying to make the best of a bad situation. Until this nation gets itself off the drug of fossil fuels, we will continue to be forced into the false choice of bad options.

My worry is that BLM will use the money they collect for the excavation program for something other than excavation – like processing more drilling permits.

I'm going to remain suspicious. I don’t trust the New Mexico BLM. Let's see if they use that money for excavations.

Let's just see.

This is a guest blog by Jim O’Donnell, who is the former coordinator of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal. He is also the author of "Notes for the Aurora Society," due out later this summer. He writes, walks and marvels from northern New Mexico.

Guest blogs provide our readers with an opportunity to express their opinions on pertinent 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 page.

Technorati Tags:Jim O'Donnell, New Mexico, New Mexico Bureau of Land Management, archaeology, public lands, oil, gas

Update: Maggie Toulouse Oliver for Bernalillo County Clerk

Some important upcoming dates and events from the Maggie Toulouse Oliver campaign:

• “Maggie Toulouse Oliver for County Clerk” yard signs are now available for pick-up or delivery. Please call or e-mail Ariel Bickel at 321-6867 or atbickel@yahoo.com to get yours.
• Join us to go door-to-door for Maggie on Saturday, May 10th at 9:30 AM. Meet at Maggie's house. Call or e-mail Ariel Bickel at 321-6867 or atbickel@yahoo.com for more information and driving directions.
• Please join us for a Young Professional fundraiser on Thursday, May 15th from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Whisque Mesquite Grill and Bar is located at the corner of Coors and Montaño NW. This event is being hosted by Young Professionals, but everyone is invited! A donation of $50 is suggested, but all contributions are happily accepted! Please come and bring a friend or colleague to meet-and-greet with Maggie and other Bernalillo County Young Professionals. Once again, for more information contact Ariel at 321-6867 or atbickel@yahoo.com.

Technorati Tags:Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Bernalillo County Clerk, New Mexico, Bernalillo County, Democrats, primaries