Democracy for New Mexico

YearlyKos

I'm headed to YearlyKos at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, so things may be a bit slow around here for awhile. I set up some auto-posts and I'll try to check in when I can, but no guarantees. There's so much going on at the convention that I think down time and web time will be hard to muster. Very exciting.

Lots of sources will be covering the gathering so you can follow things right from your couch or computer. A YearlyKos follow it at home page will have frequently updated links to all the coverage they know about. Both CSPAN and CNN plan TV and web video coverage -- no details yet. Talking Points Memo will have something called TPMtv with interviews and live coverage. So will PoliticsTV and UstreamTV online. No doubt participants will be uploading stuff to YouTube and flickr. And I'm sure just about every progressive blog will be on the story to some extent.

There are a multitude of panel discussions, workshops, roundtables and film screenings, which you can browse in the convention schedule. Major events, official and unofficial, include (all times Central Daylight Time):

Wednesday, August 1

• Evening: Various receptions and parties
• 8-9:30 PM: DFA Health Care Forum with Jim Dean, health care advocates and experts

Thursday, August 2

• All day: Interest group and blogger caucuses, panels, workshops, roundtables, films
• 7-9 PM: Kickoff keynote speech by DNC Chair Howard Dean, with welcomes from Markos and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)
• 9-10 PM: DFA Grassroots Victory Caucus

Friday, August 3

• All day: roundtables, panel discussions, workshops, films
• 8-9 AM: Keynote speech by Wesley Clark
• Luncheon speech by Andy Stern of SEIU
• 5:30-7:30 PM: Netroots Candidate Celebration (one of the cosponsors is Don Wiviott, Dem candidate for NM Senate)

Saturday, August 4

• All day: roundtables, panel discussions, workshops, films
• 8-9AM: Ask the Leaders Forum with Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Harry Reid, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Rahm Emanuel
• 1-2:45 PM: Presidential Candidate Forum with Bill Richardson, John Edwards, Barak Obama, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, Mike Gravel
• 3-3:45 PM: Individual breakout sessions with presidential candidates
• 4:30-6:30 PM: Teamsters' Rally and BBQ
• 7-10 PM: Closing Keynote by Markos plus surprises

Sunday, August 5

• 11AM-1PM: Bloggers' Brunch

Other Info:

• An unbelievable list of Speakers, Panel & Workshop Leaders
• Exhibitors

Cheney in Albuquerque Monday 8.6.07

Cheney's high school yearbook photo

VP Dick Cheney will emerge from his cave in an undisclosed location and be in Albuquerque on Monday, August 6. He's set to address the joint opening session of the Marine Corps League's national convention at the Marriott Hotel located at 2101 Louisiana Boulevard NE. According to the meeting agenda, Cheney will be speaking to the convention from 10:30 to 11:00 AM. No word yet on any other events scheduled for Dick while he's in town.

I wonder if he'll try to raise some bucks for the faltering Repub team while here. Or maybe he'll just have a conversation or two with Pat Rogers or another of the NM Repub biggies about how to illegally keep Democratic voters off the rolls with voter caging techniques or trumped up claims of "voter fraud."

As we previously reported, Bush himself will be attending a fundraiser for Sen. Pete Domenici in New Mexico sometime in late August.

Karl Rove must be fretting about the GOP's chances in New Mexico in 2008. With the House Ethics Committee meeting behind closed doors to hear testimony about  Rep. Heather Wilson's pressuring phone call to fired U.S. Attorney David Iglesias, Sen. Pete Domenici entangled in a similar controversy on the Senate side and Rep. Steve Pearce voting against a recent House resolution to establish that permanent bases won't be built in Iraq (that passed by a 399-24 margin), Rove has his work cut out for him.

Sunday Brunch at Scalo to Benefit Health Clinics

From Peacecraft in Albuquerque:
Global Health Partnerships invites you to a Sunday Brunch Benefit at Scalo in Nob Hill to promote health care clinics in Africa and Guatemala! Learn more from Dr. Angelo Tomedi about Global Health Partnerships, an Albuquerque non-profit dedicated to educating and equipping health care workers in villages around the world.

On August 5 from 11:30 AM until 2 PM, this exquisite gourmet event will feature the specialties of Scalo’s guest chef as well as select vegetarian options. Dining is limited to the first 100 participants- call now to reserve your tickets, available for $45 each! Tickets are available at Peacecraft, 3215 Central NE, or by calling 255-5229.

Peacecraft; 3215 Central Ave NE; Albuquerque, NM 87106; 505-255-5229; www.peacecraft.org.

Sign Up Now for Training for Nonprofit Staff & Volunteers

From America Votes, Center for Civil Policy:
Alliance for Justice Presents Worry-Free Advocacy: Understanding the Rules of Nonprofit Advocacy and Election-Related Activity. During this one-day workshop for nonprofit managers, staff, and volunteers, our attorney-trainers will teach you the rules so that you can answer questions such as:

• What is lobbying?
• How much can our 501(c)(3) lobby?
• What are the state rules and regulations we need to be aware of?
• What types of election-related activity can our 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) engage in?

Co-sponsored by America Votes, Center for Civil Policy, P.O. Box 27616, Albuquerque, NM 87125, 505.842.5539, https://www.civicpolicy.com

August 29, 2007, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
AFSCME
1202 Pennsylvania NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
$40 before August 15th
$60 after August 15th

Click for flyer (doc) and help spread the word.

Please RSVP to Jennifer Ford of America Votes - NM at jford@americavotes.org.

Registration fee includes all workshop materials and lunch. For information, registration or other workshop dates, visit www.afj.org/worryfree.html  Questions? Contact Jasmeet Sidhu at (202) 822-6070 or Jasmeet@afj.org.

Join Rail Runner Adventure with Dem Women of Bernalillo County

From the Democratic Women of Bernalillo County:
RAIL-RUNNER ADVENTURE
SATURDAY * JULY 28, 2007
$20.00 /person, Includes Train Fare & Lunch Buffet
For Reservations, Call Margaret Garcia 877-1043

Itinerary:
11:00 AM:  Arrive @ downtown station
11:25 AM:  Board train and depart station
11:50 AM:  Train arrives @ Bernalillo station
12:00-12:20 PM:  Board shuttle to Santa Ana Casino
12:20-1:30 PM:  Lunch  @ The Feast Buffet
1:30 - 2:30 PM:  Free-time
2:30 - 2:45 PM:  Board shuttle to Train Station
3:10 PM:  Board train-return trip to Alb.

ACTION ALERT: Join 'Iraq Summer' Rally Tuesday, Noon, ABQ

I'm passing this along from Americans Against Escalation in Iraq -- the Iraq Summer activists. Please come if you can and pass the info on. We need some street action to keep the pressure on to stop the Iraq occupation:

• New Mexico "Iraq Summer" Holds Solemn 'Chaos is Not Progress' Rally in Response to Bush Administration's So-Called "Progress Report" in Iraq
• Great Visual: Campaign to Mimic Bob Dylan's Classic Subterranean Homesick Blues Video (above) By Dropping Cards on Busy Albuquerque Intersection with statistics of American casualties and taxpayers' money spent on the war in Iraq
• "Iraq Summer" Continues to Implore Domenici, Wilson to Break with Bush and Vote to Bring War in Iraq to Safe and Responsible End

With more than 70 percent of the American public calling for the withdrawal of nearly all U.S. troops from Iraq by April, the "Iraq Summer" campaign alongside dozens of concerned New Mexicans will hold a solemn 'Chaos is Not Progress' rally on the Corner of San Mateo Blvd, NE and Montgomery Blvd, NE on July 24, 2007 at 12 Noon in response to the Bush administration's so-called 'progress report' in Iraq and in response to U.S. Senator Pete Domenici's and U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson's ongoing support of the President's costly, irresponsible and failed Iraq war policy.

New Mexicans will mimic music legend Bob Dylan's classic video Subterranean Homesick Blues (above) by dropping cue cards with statistics of American casualties and taxpayers' money spent on the war in Iraq. The rally comes on the heels of Rep. Wilson's vote on July 12 against the Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act [HR 2956] and Senator Domenici's vote on July 18 to obstruct an up-or-down vote on the Reed-Levin amendment to the Defense Authorization bill ? both meaningful pieces of legislation to begin safely and responsibly winding down the war in Iraq.

WHO: Americans Against Escalation in Iraq

WHAT: New Mexico "Iraq Summer" Holds Solemn 'Chaos is Not Progress' Rally in Response to Bush Administration's So-Called "Progress Report" in Iraq

WHEN: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 12 Noon

WHERE: Corner of San Mateo Blvd, NE and Montgomery Blvd NE, Albuquerque

www.noiraqescalation.org

Guest Blog: Join Santa Fe ENOUGH Protest or Create Your Own

This is a guest blog by Kaye Hancock of Santa Fe, NM:
Have you had ENOUGH? If you aren't sure, watch this video: How To Create An Angry American. Then join an ENOUGH PROTEST! Happening every Sunday in Santa Fe and all around this country!

Here are the ground rules, from chief instigator Wes Clark Jr. in Los Angeles: see diary at Daily Kos.  There have been updates by Wes Clark Jr. on Kos and at Young Turks with photos of people standing as ONE or in groups. We are in the process of recruiting more people every Sunday. Everyone add two friends or family members, then hopefully they add two or more to say "ENOUGH," ... and watch it grow!

So, JOIN ME and others around the U.S.A. who are giving up ONE HOUR A WEEK to celebrate democracy and breathe life back into it ---is it worth it to you?  If it is worth it to you, then stand with me this Sunday and all other Sundays, from Noon to 1:00 PM at the corner of Paseo de Peralta and Old Pecos Trail at the Capitol Roundhouse in Santa Fe, and wear a t-shirt or hold a sign that simply says ENOUGH!

Note: "Enough" Tees can be purchased cheaply .

Our signs and shirts are limited to one word: ENOUGH. It doesn't matter what color the shirt or sign is. We're not going to yell anything or subject people to bad music, long-winded preaching to the choir, or shouting matches with pedestrians or carloads of people who may disagree with us. We're just going to stand there wearing our shirts. Signs saying "ENOUGH" are welcome, too. If people respond that they have had ENOUGH, we will ask them to come back the following Sunday to join us. That's it. It's really simple.

You will also note from the photo below that I have a homemade sign that I carry, and I am in the process of making a couple more signs appropriate to the theme "ENOUGH." I found the second Sunday I was out that the sign incited more attention, thumbs-up, hoots, hollers, and honks, especially since I was alone. Signs are welcome!

We hope to geometrically build a leaderless movement of people to put pressure on the politicians to stop shredding the Constitution whenever it is politically expedient for them to do so. By coming back week after week with no draw other than standing with our fellow citizens around this country, we're letting them know we are the kind of dedicated voters willing to put in the time and effort to throw them out if they can't respect the foundation of our Republic. 

I'd like to stay home on Sundays for the next eighteen months, but I don't think this can wait until the next election. By then damage will be done and the guilty will walk away, only to re-enter politics with the next swing in the election cycle.

COME JOIN ME! It started with one here in Santa Fe: ME! 

HAVE YOU HAD ENOUGH?

Let me know if you are interested by emailing me with "ENOUGH" in the subject line. I'll be on the corner waiting for more of you to join me! And if you have a contact list of people in Santa Fe who have had ENOUGH, forward my message to them as well!  ~ Thanks! ~

This is a guest blog by Kaye Hancock of Santa Fe, NM who can be reached at KayCeSF@aol.com. Guest blogs provide our readers with an opportunity to express their views on pertinent issues. The views expressed may or may not match ours. If you'd like to submit a post for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link on the upper left-hand side of the page.

July 24: Celebrate NM's Statewide Boost to Minimum Wage

You're Invited

Please Join

Americans United for Change, Elected Officials, Labor Leaders, and Community Activists to

Celebrate New Mexico's First Statewide Boost to the Minimum Wage in a Decade

We've lead the way with state and local increases

And now Congress has followed:

Thanks to Sen. Bingaman and Rep. Udall and new leadership in Congress, ALL NM workers are finally getting a raise after ten long years on July 24, 2007

Tuesday, July 24th at 3:00 PM
Downtown Flying Star Cafe
Upstairs Meeting Room
723 Silver Ave SW, Albuquerque

Hear from Elected Officials, Labor Leaders and Community Activists that have long fought for a federal increase and our local increases.

Refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP to joshgeise@aol.com or 505-603-1067

DPNM Chairman's Listening Tour Comes to Bernalillo County

From the DPNM:
The Democratic Party of New Mexico and the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County cordially invite you to the Albuquerque stop of the CHAIRMAN’S LISTENING TOUR, Thursday, July 19th, 2007. The 2008 Presidential Election is on the horizon and it is more important than ever that New Mexico's Democrats come together and prove that the Land of Enchantment is a "Blue" State.

The upcoming February 5th Presidential Caucus will require a lot of work by Democrats in Bernalillo County. But before we roll up our sleeves and get busy, let’s take this opportunity to recognize our party members and activists. The leadership of the Democratic Party would like to congratulate party officers for their hard work in 2006 and show appreciation for members of the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County. Please join us for refreshments and enjoy the company of Bernalillo County Democrats as we build unity for the future.

Chairman’s Listening Tour

Chairman Brian S. Colón,
Democratic Party of New Mexico
&
Chairwoman Ana Canales,
Democratic Party of Bernalillo County

Thursday, July 19th, 2007, 6:30-8PM
Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Hall
510 San Pedro SE, Albuquerque

Please RSVP by calling Angela at the DPNM Headquarters at 830-3650. All Democrats Welcome!

Editor's Note: This event replaces the regular Democratic Party of Bernalillo County Third Thursday Meeting. For more information about Chairman Colon's listening tour around New Mexico, as well as photos from some of the events, visit https://nmdemocrats.org/.

7/19: Speak Out Against Coal-Fired Desert Rock Power Plant

From the Natural Resources Defense Council:
I hope you’ll join NRDC and your fellow activists next Thursday in Albuquerque to speak out against a proposed power plant on the eastern edge of the Navajo Nation:

• When: Thursday, July 19th, 1:00 PM
• Where: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street NW (1 block N of I-40), Albuquerque, NM

A global energy company and Diné Power Authority want to build a dirty, coal-fired power plant in northwest New Mexico, when the Four Corners area already has two of the most polluting power plants in the country!

The proposed Desert Rock power plant would release mercury and other toxic contaminants into the environment, polluting waterways and threatening human health. It would also significantly increase global warming pollution in New Mexico, at a time when states should be working to cut back these dangerous emissions.

The people of the Four Corners region would bear the burden of the plant’s environmental impacts – even though most of the power would be exported to Las Vegas and Phoenix. The Navajo Nation would receive less than 5 percent of the projected electricity output from Desert Rock. Many Navajo citizens still have no electricity in their homes.

If you are able, please join us at a public hearing in Albuquerque on July 19th and make your opposition felt. You will have the opportunity, if you wish, to speak publicly for two or three minutes against the proposed power plant. (See full details below.) Whether or not you wish to speak, I hope you will join us because there is great strength in numbers.

If you can attend, please email me at nrdcmembers@nrdc.org (and be sure to include your name and phone number). We’ll get back to you with more information and details, including pointers for preparing your comments, if any, and how to find an NRDC staffer when you arrive.

Thank you for helping to protect New Mexico’s environment.

Sincerely,
Laura E. Sanchez
Energy Solutions Advocate
Natural Resources Defense Council

Editor's Note: Also see our previous post about the public hearings and comment period on the Desert Rock Power Plant.