Democracy for New Mexico

Victory? Victory!

Wow. Wow. Wow. Not only has Governor Richardson finally jumped on the Howard Dean for DNC Chair train as it leaves the station, but both Simon Rosenberg and Donnie Fowler have quit the race and endorsed Dean. As Richardson said, Dean "won fair and square." Yes he did. All indications are that he now has more than enough of the 447 votes of the DNC for victory.

This is no small achievement, as we all know. Despite heavy opposition from Beltway insiders, Republican-lite pundits and consultants and those in the Party who evidently value personal power over Party success, we did it folks. We did it. Of course it's Dean himself who "did it" with a saavy, honest and personal campaign that focused on talking sense with the voting members, but I think we can all feel a part of it. When Dean talks, it's always about US and how WE can take our country and our Party back from those whose first allegiance is to corporate power and to hell with the ordinary people. Make no mistake. This is a victory for US.

How am I celebrating today? By digging in and getting to work, as I'm sure we'll all be doing in the days and months ahead. If you're in Albuquerque, be there or be square:

Democratic Precinct Activation Meeting
TODAY, 11:00 AM
IBEW Hall, 4921 Alexander Blvd NE
Click for map
(Bring a sack lunch)

Rally to Protect Our Public Lands
TODAY, 2:00 to 5:00 PM, Kimo Theatre
(More info here.)

And your thoughts on the apparent Dean victory?

(For old time's sake, here some links to the famous Faulkner Remix, the Thank You Howard Dean flash video and the Sacramento CA speech, "What I Wanna Know", that started it all off. Still not satisfied? Click here.)

Speak to the Media 2/9

From Terry Riley:
Finally, we have an opportunity to speak to members of the media in an event that they want to look good to us in.  This is probably a bit staged to build their egos and to publicize their successes, that does not mean that this is not a good
opportunity to take the focus from them and challenge them personally.

I would like to ask anyone who can attend to go to this meeting and take the opportunity to question the panelists and even the moderator.  They have an agenda which is women in media.  We have an agenda which is FULL DISCLOSURE and TIMELY COVERAGE. We should bring small signs that we can hold up when we feel that they are appropriate.  Signs that say:

WHY? or WHY NOT? or EARN MY TRUST!

We all know that the broadcast media is afraid to challenge the image of the administration.  If we show up at their events and show them that we know what they are up to and that we are going to be there to challenge them until they give us responsible journalism, then we will begin to see the changes that we need.  Until the broadcast media reports accurately the general public will not know the problems that the Bush administration is causing us.

As an example:  If we ask our local stations to stop using words like, "smart bombs, insurgents, coalition, etc." and replace them with, "bombs, nationalists or loyalists, and anything other than coalition!"  This will reopen the minds of the poorly informed and be the beginning of the return of journalism.

I think that we should ask the panelists if they would like to be considered as journalists.  Maybe we can appeal to their pride.

Enough of the verbage.  Please RSVP as requested in the notice that follows.  I hope to see you there.
******************************

Women in Communications' 18th annual Reverse Press Conference -  where we turn the tables on the media (for a change) and ask them questions about their work. This is the only annual event of its type in New Mexico.

Date and Time: Wednesday, February 9, 11:15 am to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Tanoan Country Club, 10801 Academy Road NE, ABQ
Theme: Is it news... or is it entertainment?
Panelists: Dick Knipfing, Judith Jenkins, Steve Lawrence and Jim Belshaw Moderator: Jane Blume
Schedule: Networking and registration start at 11:15; lunch is served at Noon; the program starts at 12:30.
Cost: $25.00 non-members
Reservations: Call or email Phyllis Wolf, 323-5858, powcoach@comcast.net, or
reserve with a credit card online at www.eventsNmore.com

Questions? You can email me or call me at 294-1976. And you are more than welcome to forward this message to your email list.  We'd love to have you and your like-minded friends and associates come to this.

Sincerely, Jane
www.desertskycommunications.com

First Defend Democracy Meeting Set for Sunday in ABQ

Albuquerque's DEFEND DEMOCRACY will be having it's first monthly meeting.

The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM Sunday, January 30th at Irysh Mac's Coffee House (behind the McDonald's on the corner of Central and Yale).

Don't worry about being unprepared. Just bring yourself, your ideas and the same passion you brought with you to the counter-inauguration rally. We will bring up research, eccumenical outreach, highschool movements, lobbying and direct action.  We need your input. If you don't believe that change is possible ... I ask you not to come. Or NO ... DO come. You will witness the beginnings of change. Bring any supporters with you if you would like.

Sincerely,
Jesus Celso Munoz
505-977-8428 - Cell
jesusmunoz_abq@yahoo.com

Albuquerque's "I Am Blue" Counter-Inaugural Packed With Activists

From Tom Solomon:
Thursday's Counter-Inaugural held in Albuquerque’s La Posada hotel was a huge success! A fantastic turnout packed the banquet hall and spilled out into the hallways outside. Several hundred 'pissed-off voters' and other activists networked with dozens of activist groups who had tables set up to explain their group’s theme.

We had speeches by the head of the local ACLU on Bush’s upcoming attacks on Constitutional freedoms, the editor of Crosswinds weekly on the freedom of the press, the head of the NM Wilderness Alliance (www.NMWild.org) on protecting Otero Mesa, a local attorney explaining the scam behind ‘tort reform’ (or the “wrongdoer’s don’t pay” law!) and several others. The activist groups got dozens of people to sign up to support their causes, and several groups spoke of the urgent need for activists to take back the Democratic Party.

Good music, good food and great energy lifted our spirits in the face of the inauguration of the Great Buffoon in Washington. Kathy Economy deserves the Presidential Medal of Freedom for putting on this Counter-Inaugural event! (she can have Tenet's). Thanks Kathy!

(Click on photos to get larger images.)

Would anyone else like to add their impressions of this event? Click on "Comments."

PARTICIPATE: Yard and Bake Sale to Benefit Tsunami Victims

A yard and bake sale to benefit tsunami relief victims will be held:

Saturday, February 26th
9 AM to 5 PM
At the parking lot of the Democratic Party of New Mexico
1301 San Pedro NE, Albuquerque

This event is being organized by Ana Canales. She needs volunteers to work the sale, and donations of items and baked goods to sell. For more information, call her at 275-1283.

Democracy for New Mexico is supporting this relief effort and I hope you'll consider volunteering, that you'll donate some items and/or contribute some of your favorite baked goods for the sale, and that you'll come on down to the state Dem Party office parking lot to purchase some great garage sale and homemade baked goods for the cause!

Is This What Freedom Looks Like?

Freedom and liberty on the inaugural parade route:

Complimentary pepper spray:

The Rove vampires were out:

As were Snow White and Grumpy (who no doubt has his eye on that wine bottle).

Even the frat boys and Condyliar were out:

Pictures are worth a thousand words, aren't they?

Paint It (Orwellian) Black

"We have a calling from beyond the stars to stand for freedom, and America will always be faithful to that cause." -- George W. Bush on the eve of his second inaugural.

I was contemplating this statement over my morning coffee (not latte) and it finally dawned on me what he means by it: freedom for the greedy, freedom for torturers, freedom for liars, freedom for executive branch secrecy, freedom for environmental plunderers, freedom for Halliburton to steal, freedom for hate-mongers, freedom for vote suppressors, freedom for war profiteers, freedom for corporate lawbreakers, freedom for sweatshop owners, freedom for unscrupulous voting machine makers, freedom for bigots, and freedom for those who believe genuine freedom is dangerous and who dedicate their lives to irradicating it at home and abroad. Most of all, freedom for hypocrits who use "freedom" to lay siege to civil and human rights.

The image atop this post refers to "Black - Definitions":

Having little or no light: a black, moonless night.

Soiled, as from soot; dirty: feet black from playing outdoors.

Evil; wicked: the pirates' black deeds.

Cheerless and depressing; gloomy: black thoughts.

Marked by anger or sullenness: gave me a black look.

Attended with disaster; calamitous: a black day; the stock market crash on Black Friday.

Deserving of, indicating, or incurring censure or dishonor: “Man... has written one of his blackest records as a destroyer on the oceanic islands” (Rachel Carson).

Pack ABQ Civic Plaza 1/22 for NARAL Pro Choice Rally

The threat to our civil, reproductive, and human rights is very real. With a Supreme Court vacancy looming and President Bush's inauguration approaching, we need you to stand with us to protect our courts and our values.     "Protect the Courts - Protect Our Values!" * Reproductive Rights * Civil Rights * Human Rights * Rally on Civic Plaza for the 32nd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade When:  Saturday, January 22, 2:00 - 5:00 pm Where:  Civic Plaza, between 3rd & 4th at Tijeras, Albuquerque, NM Candlelight Procession Immediately Following the Rally (Please meet at Civic Plaza by 4:30 pm for the procession) What is the purpose of this rally? The rally will give everyone who is concerned with this administration's divisive and deceptive tactics regarding our judiciary a chance to stand up and be counted.  We can't take our constitutional rights for granted - Bush has already put hundreds of ideological judges on the federal courts, and over the next four years he may get to nominate several Supreme Court Justices.  Come to the rally and get information on what is being done here in New Mexico to safeguard civil and reproductive rights and how you can take action!  What is being planned for the rally? Lt. Governor Diane Denish has been invited, and Rep. Mimi Stewart, along with others, is scheduled to speak.  We will have musical entertainment and a slide show of the March for Women's Lives in D.C.  There will be biscochitos and hot chocolate to keep everyone fed and warm!  Sign making and kid-friendly activities will also be on hand, so families are welcome!  The rally will conclude with a candlelight procession to commemorate the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. What is the cost? Free and open to the public! We encourage you to come to Civic Plaza on Saturday, January 22 and forward this message to your friends and family to get them involved as well! For more information, please contact 505.243.4443 or e-mail Rally@prochoicenm.org. For Choice, The NARAL Pro-Choice New Mexico Staff and The Albuquerque Choice Action Team

Click for rally flyer.

Reminder: I Am Blue Event Set for 1/20

ANTIDOTE
AND
INOCULATION
TO THE
INAUGURATION
I AM BLUE, One of 57 Million Mobilization Event

DO SOMETHING (while U can)
THE AMERICAN WAY!

NETWORK, ENERGIZE,
SOCIALIZE, FORMULATE,
ORGANIZE

WHERE: La Posada Hotel (downtown ABQ, 2nd & Copper)
WHEN: JANUARY 20TH
TIME: 6:00 – 9:00 PM

Some of the people who will be there - You....... and ACLU, Democracy for New Mexico, Democratic Party, New Mexico Democratic Friends, Equality for New Mexico, New Mexico Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Peace and Justice Center, Veterans for Peace, Planned Parenthood, NM Trial Lawyers, and many more!

For more info contact – Kathy 239-7493; katsbluevent@earthlink.net

Cost: Free entrance. I am putting up my own money for this, and I do not have $40,000,000.00 to spend, so donations are greatly appreciated!

Click for an .

Albuquerque's Counter-Inaugural Rally & March

COUNTER INAUGURATION RALLY
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO
JANUARY 20

WHEN :10 am – 2 pm

WHERE: Smith Plaza, UNM Zimmerman Library

FOLLOWED BY: 2 pm to 5 pm Walk to Vigil
at Domenici Federal Courthouse, Lomas & 3rd

MORE INFO: Contact: Jan. 20 Coalition 268-9557