Democracy for New Mexico

August 26-28: NM ‘Iraq Summer’ Campaign Comes to a Crescendo in ABQ

From Iraq Summer Campaign:

• August 26th – 27th: In advance of Bush visit, ‘Iraq Summer’ to Hold “Support the Troops, End the War” Vigil outside Senator Domenici and Congresswoman Heather Wilson’s offices.
• August 27th: Scores of Albuquerque Veterans, Military Families, Domenici Constituents to Greet President Bush with Sea of “Support the Troops, End the War” Signs Outside Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Mayor Larry Abraham’s residence.
• August 28th: Nearly 200 Domenici and Wilson Constituents to Attend ‘Iraq Summer’s Flagship ‘Take a Stand Day’ Town Hall Meeting With or Without the Senator and Congresswoman

Albuquerque, NM – Starting Sunday, August 26th, at 8 AM, the New Mexico ‘Iraq Summer’ Campaign -- which has been turning up the heat on Senator Pete Domenici and Congresswoman Heather Wilson all summer to start representing their constituents by voting for the safe and responsible end to the Iraq war -- will come to a crescendo with a flurry of grassroots activity leading up to the campaign’s flagship event on Tuesday, August 28th: ‘Take a Stand Day’ -- a town hall open to all New Mexicans, providing Senator Domenici and Congresswoman Wilson a golden opportunity to face their constituents and explain their continued support of the President’s costly and irresponsible policy of endless war in Iraq.

Invitations to the town hall, which is already expected to draw nearly 200 Albuquerque constituents, were flatly rejected by Congressman Wilson’s office and ignored by Senator Domenici. Just a day before the event, the ‘Iraq Summer’ campaign will be joined by dozens of local veterans, military families and Domenici and Wilson constituents to greet President Bush with a sea of “Support the Troops, End the War” signs as he arrives at the residence of Los Ranchos Mayor Larry Abraham Monday morning.

EVENT 1: August 26-27

• WHAT: In advance of Bush visit, Dozens of Domenici and Wilson Constituents Assigned Shifts for Solemn ‘Support the Troops, End the War’ Vigil Outside Senator’s and Congresswoman’s offices.
• WHEN: Starting Sunday, August 26th at 8AM and Ending Monday, August 27th at 12PM
• WHERE: Outside Senator Pete Domenici and Rep. Heather Wilson offices. Domenici: Albuquerque Plaza; 201 3rd Street, NW, Suite 710; Albuquerque, NM 87102. Wilson: 20 First Plaza, Suite 603; Albuquerque, NM 87102

EVENT 2: August 27

• WHAT: Scores of Albuquerque Veterans, Military Families, Domenici Constituents to Greet President Bush With Sea of “Support the Troops, End the War” Signs
• WHEN: Monday, August 27th at 8:30 AM
• WHERE: Outside Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Mayor Larry Abraham’s residence, Corner of Rio Grande and Green Valley

THE FLAGSHIP EVENT: August 28

• WHAT: Nearly 200 Domenici and Wilson Constituents to Attend ‘Take A Stand’ Town Hall Meeting to Pressure Senator and Congresswoman to Break with Bush and Vote to Begin Responsible Redeployment of U.S. Troops Out of Harm’s Way in Iraq
• WHEN: Tuesday, August 28th from 7:00 – 8:00 PM
• WHERE: Continuing Education Auditorium, University of New Mexico; 1634 University Blvd, NE; Albuquerque, NM
• Speakers:
• Moderator will be Claudia Iglesias – Iraq Summer Campaign
  • Major General Mel Montano (USANG, Ret.) – Former Adjunct General of New Mexico
  • Martin Heinrich – Albuquerque City Councilor (District 6)
  • Bruce Clark – Marine veteran and father of two active duty soldiers, one currently serving in Iraq
  • Judy Pratt – Activist, former State Senator and 1984 U.S. Senate Candidate against Pete Domenici

For more info contatt Greg Richardson, (512) 484-5990

“Iraq Summer” is a nationwide, 10-week long campaign with nearly 100 organizers in 15 states and 40 congressional districts to turn up the heat on members of Congress who have opposed setting a timeline to bring a safe and responsible end to the war in Iraq. The effort will culminate with a national “Take a Stand” day on August 28th, when Members of Congress will have the opportunity to explain their stance on the war to their constituents in a town hall setting.

CDA, AAEI, and Iraq Summer is a coalition including a wide range of political and nonprofit organizations that are working against our current policy in Iraq. Coalition organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRC have not endorsed or sponsored this statement or the advertisement referred to therein, and no funds provided were used in producing or distributing this statement or the advertisement.

Editor's Note: For other events related to Bush's visit to Los Ranchos de Albuquerque on Monday, August 26th, to raise funds for "Pajama Pete" Domenici, check these previous posts:

• NM Democrats to Protest Bush's Support of 'Pajama Pete'
• Monday: Honk to Impeach Bush-Lights On for Impeachment
• Los Ranchos Mayor Brags Town Will Pay Zero for Bush Visit

(Updated) Monday: Honk to Impeach Bush-Lights On for Impeachment

UPDATE: Event changes: Folks should meet at 8:00 AM to about 9:15 AM at Comanche and Carlisle (KOAT TV, Channel 7). Click for .
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From Committee to Elect Jason Call:

• When: Monday, August 27, 7 AM - 9:30 AM (Bush will be at fundraiser in Albuq. later in the day.)
• Where: 10 major intersections in Albuquerque (see proposed list below)
• Who: 10 teams of 4-8 people at each site. Please email us if you can participate.
• What: Signs will be provided.
• Why: 40-80 volunteers at 10 intersections will reach 10’s of thousands of commuters. HONK FOR IMPEACHMENT and the LIGHTS ON will let everyone know they are not alone.

Proposed intersections: Yale & Gibson SE, Montgomery & San Mateo NE, Paseo Del Norte & I-25, Ellison and Coors By-pass NW, 4th & Montano NW, Rio Bravo & Isleta, Louisiana & Menaul, others to be added.

For more information contact: Committee to Elect Jason Call, US Cong. 1st Dist. NM Email: Jason@Call4Democracy.org or visit www.Call4Democracy.org

Editor's Note: For other actions on Sunday, August 25 and on Monday, August 26th related to Bush's visit to Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, see this post.

Los Ranchos Mayor Brags Town Will Pay Zero for Bush Visit

Los Ranchos de Albuquerque's "Independent" Mayor Larry Abraham (right) bragged to the media today that his town's taxpayers won't pay a cent for the abundant extra "security" that will be used for George Bush's visit on Monday, August 27. Bush will attend an expensive private fundraiser and photo op (see invitation) for "Pajama Pete" Domenici's campaign at Abraham's home on 13 acres at 7205 Rio Grande Blvd NW in Los Ranchos. There will be no public events during Bush's visit here, yet Albuquerque and other New Mexico communities will have to provide and pay for extra police and other security services. Los Ranchos has no police force.

As reported in an Albuquerque Journal article:

Abraham said his village contracts with the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department for four deputies who handle day-to-day law-enforcement duties there. But Abraham said the village is not paying additional money for security surrounding the Bush visit.

"Absolutely zero," Abraham said earlier this week. "We're not paying any outside police agencies."

Local police play a key role in security any time the president makes an official-business or campaign visit to a U.S. city, racking up thousands of dollars worth of personnel hours as they escort the motorcade to and from Air Force One, seal off busy streets and beef up patrols.

Monday's visit will involve an estimated 150-plus New Mexico law officers. Most will be from the Albuquerque Police Department and the sheriff's department, though State Police and officers from Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Farmington, Taos and the town of Bernalillo will also pitch in.

"It's not something we could do on our own, either. It takes a large contingent," said Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, a Republican.

Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez agreed that providing security is "an expensive proposition," but added he's not complaining. "Presidents are always welcome in Albuquerque, whether I agree with them or not—and I certainly don't agree with this one," he said.

Another Republican campaign expense to be be borne by taxpayers -- this one by Americans as a whole -- is the cost of Air Force One. According to the Journal, flight costs for Air Force One were estimated at $56,000-plus per hour when Repub Rep. Heather Wilson got a fundraising visit from Bush in August of 2006. And just think, fuel costs have risen dramatically since then.

Attention Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque Tribune and Santa Fe New Mexican: Wouldn't it be fascinating to see a breakout of what Bush's visit on Monday will cost national, state and local taxpayers? Wouldn't it be great if we had a daily newspaper as interested in obtaining that as we are?

Remember when presidents used to add at least one public event to their campaign trips to provide cover for their campaigning on the taxpayers' dime? Of course when you're a president as unpopular and arrogant as Bush, a public event would be more than a little problematic. Besides, Bush doesn't seem to feel any need to interact with the peasantry. Elite donors and controlled audiences guaranteed to be 100 percent loyal to the president are the audiences of choice for The Decider. That way he can remain in his bubble of denial and keep up the guffawing.

New Mexico Democrats and activists will meet at Kelly's Brew Pub on Nob Hill in Albuquerque on Sunday, August 26, from 1-3 PM to collect "Pajama Pete" pajamas and make signs. Demonstrators will gather for a protest of the Bush visit on Monday morning at 8:30 AM at the corner of Rio Grande and Green Valley in Los Ranchos. Click for my previous post about these events and look for future posts on other actions scheduled around Bush's visit to the Albuquerque area.

We The People to Present Two Live ABQ City Council Candidate Forums in September

From WE THE PEOPLE - Albuquerque Cable Channel 27 - Quote-unquote.org, Judith Binder & Mickey Bock, Producers: The first of two forums will take place on September 13th when candidates for Albuquerque City Council Districts 2, 4 and 8 will take questions from a live audience. Candidates for District 6 will be featured  September 27th.

Officers from the League of Women Voters, Albuquerque / Bernalillo County will moderate the TV Forums on Comcast Community Cable Channel 27, located in the Old County Courthouse, SW corner of Civic Plaza. The Forums will begin promptly at 6 PM. Doors close at 5:45. If you would like a personal moment with the candidates, please stay around following the Forums until approximately 8:30 PM.

Tickets: Tell your Friends. Sign up for tickets in the League office at 2403 San Mateo NE, W-16C. Please telephone 884-8441 for details. First come, first served. You may also contact: Judith Binder at 265-4336.

This Saturday: Fundraiser for Reelection of Bernalillo County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver

Please join us for a fundraiser to keep Maggie Toulouse Oliver as Bernalillo County Clerk:

Where: At the lovely home of Jennifer Conn and Chris Catechis 5733 Guadalupe Trail, Albuquerque - Map

When: Saturday, August 25, 2007, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

$50 Suggested Contribution
Please RSVP to 505.231.2569



HOSTED BY:
Robert Adams, Alexis Blizman and Beth Adams,
Anathea Chino, Jennifer Conn and Chris Catechis,
Matt Farrauto, Chris Garcia, Michael Garcia,
Laura Harris, Marshall Martinez, Michelle Penson,
Matt Rivera, Giovanna Rossi, Christopher Salas,
Laura Sanchez, Carlos Trujillo, DeAnza Valencia

DOWNLOAD FLYER AND DISTRIBUTE TO FRIENDS & FAMILY

DIRECTIONS TO 5733 GUADALUPE TRAIL: Take I-25 to Montgomery/Montano Exit - Go West on Montano to 4th Street - At 4th Street take a right going North - The very first street on the left (right after Pawn City) is Gene - Take a left on  Gene going west to Guadalupe Trail (it will T with the street) - At Guadalupe Trail take a right - You will see a white wood fence in front of a two story immediately on your left - Immediately afterthat house is a small dirt road we are the second house on the dirt road (5733) - Park anywhere on Guadalupe.

Public Meetings This Week: Speak Up On NM Health Care Reform

From the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign:
Speak Up in Your Community! Public forums (sponsored by Health Care for All, with other organizations) are being held around the state to discuss the results of the Mathematica study and the direction of health care reform in New Mexico.

Below are the forums taking place in the next two weeks.

• Taos County, Wednesday, August 22 (Taos Convention Center, Rio Grande Hall, 120 Civic Plaza Drive, Taos), 6:00-8:00 PM
• Sandoval County, Thursday, August 23 (Meadowlark Senior Center, 4330 Meadowlark Lane, Rio Rancho), 7:00- 8:30 PM
• San Miguel County, Tuesday, August 28 (Luna Community College, 366 Luna Drive, Las Vegas), 4:00-6:00 PM

September forums are currently scheduled for Carlsbad, Bayard, Santa Fe, Roswell, and Los Alamos. We'll keep you posted.

Here's Your Chance to Influence the Interim Legislative Committee: The Interim Legislative Health and Human Services Committee is also holding meetings this week. The meetings focus on the study and the path New Mexico should follow in regard to health care reform. Presentations on the results of the Mathematica study will be made on Wednesday, August 22, and Thursday, August 23. You can check out the agenda for the Zuni and Gallup meetings here.

• Zuni: The Interim Health and Human Services Committee will meet at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, August 22, in Zuni at the UNM Gallup/Zuni Campus, Room 102. Public comment is scheduled for 5:20 PM.
• Gallup: The committee will meet on Thursday and Friday, August 23 and 24, in Gallup at UNM Gallup, Gurley Hall, Room 205/207. Thursday's meeting begins at 10:30 AM, with public comment scheduled for 5:15 PM. Friday's meeting begins at 9:00 AM.

September interim committee meetings are tentatively scheduled for Hobbs and Roswell. We'll let you know more when the committee schedule is firm.

Please Make a Point of Attending the Forums and Interim Committee Meetings in Your Area: It is very important that those of you who live in these communities attend and make the forum organizers and the interim committee members aware of your support for the Health Security Act.

Here are some possible talking points.

• The Mathematica study clearly indicates that the Health Security Act is the only proposal that reduces health care costs and covers everyone. Only the Health Security Act costs less than the current system. It is the only model that saves money. Even after five years of operation, the other two models still cost more than the current system.
• Taxpayer dollars have been spent on a study, which is being ignored.
• This is the second time that a New Mexico study has concluded that including all or most New Mexicans in one health risk pool will save hundreds of millions of dollars. (The first was in 1994.)
• Solutions that rely on the private insurance system are not acceptable.
• The Health Security Act has had input from thousands of New Mexicans over the years. The Act is supported by 128 organizations and 26 counties and cities. It is the only proposal with public support.
• It is time to pass the Health Security Act (explain why you support it).

If you want us to send you a copy of the Mathematica study's results, contact Josette (see below). Let us know what happens at the meetings you are able to attend. Your feedback is always important to us.

Contacting the Governor: Governor Richardson has publicly stated that he does not like any of the models that were studied by his Health Coverage for New Mexicans Committee and that he is committed to a system where private insurers play a dominant role. Despite the study's conclusion that the Health Security Act would save New Mexico hundreds of millions of dollars, the Act does not have the Governor's support.

Please contact Governor Richardson and ask him to support the Health Security Act. His office can be reached at 505-476-2200. If you prefer to write him a letter, his mailing address is Office of the Governor, 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Room 400, Santa Fe, NM 87501. You can also email him through his website.

If you have any questions, contact Josette at 505-771-8763 or jhaddad@cableone.net.

ABQ City Council Today: Ragin' Grannies

From the Ragin' Grannies: The Ragin' Grannies will attend the Albuquerque City Council meeting on Monday, August 20th, and introduce a resolution to end the occupation of Iraq. City councils across the country have passed similar resolutions to be on record for opposition to the war and occupation. We'll gather at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers in the basement of the City/County Bldg. at 5th and Marquette. Three grannies will speak and one will lead a song about the war in Iraq. We welcome all supporters to stand and sing with us. Questions? ellen2736@aol.com

ABQ District 6 City Council Candidate Joanie Griffin Masquerading as a Dem

This is a must read. Go directly to Coco's post at Duke City Fix and find out how Joanie Griffin, running for City Council in Albuquerque's District 6, has been masquerading as someone she's not and intimating she's received the endorsements of Dem politicos that she hasn't secured. Griffin, a PR and marketing maven who's reportedly the favorite of Mayor Marty Chavez, is running against progressive Rey Garduño and others in Martin Heinrich's district now that Heinrich is running for Congress. Griffin worked as a press person for Mayor Chavez during his 2005 reelection campaign.

Not only does Coco relate that Griffin was a registered Republican for years until changing her voter registration to Democrat in April, a few days before she declared her candidacy, she does a little digging to unearth the fact that Griffin has made generous campaign contributions to the Republican cause. Quote:

... her Republican credentials are pretty hard-core. A check of the Federal Election Commission website (search for "Griffin, Joan", and "Griffin and Associates" in New Mexico) reveals that Griffin is a major donor, contributing a total of $4,200 to the Republican National Committee, the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee, and Congresswoman Heather Wilson.

Griffin's website and other campaign materials don't mention her recent conversion from Republican to Democrat (at least on paper), her connection to Mayor Chavez or her past support of the Republican cause. What they do seek to communicate, using the sort of cleverly constructive language common to PR spin, is that prominent Democrats like Gov. Bill Richardson and Martin Heinrich have endorsed her candidacy when they clearly have not. As Coco says:

You have to hand it to Joanie. It's all slickly and shrewdly laid out – the overall context creates an illusion of endorsements by prominent and popular Democrats. But the words don't really say that. They're recommending her ad agency skills, not her candidacy to the voters. Pardon me for saying so, but the packaging is deliciously deceptive.

You have to wonder why a candidate like Griffin would be so ashamed of her Republican orientation that she's done everything in her power to mask it. You also have to wonder why a Democrat like Marty Chavez would apparently annoint her as his choice in the District 6 race when real Democrats are in the running.

As noted on Rey Garduño's blog, Martin Heinrich has publicly endorsed Rey:

“I’m proud to endorse Rey for City Council. I know that he will continue to stand up for our neighborhoods in District 6, and make Albuquerque a better place for us all to live. Please vote for Rey Garduño for City Council on October 2nd.” —MARTIN HEINRICH, Current District 6 City Councilor

Other real Dems and progressive organizations that have endorsed Garduño's campaign include ERIC GRIEGO, Former City Councilor; PAT BACA, Former City Councilor; CISCO MCSORLEY, NM State Senator; ISAAC BENTON, City Councilor; DEBBIE O’MALLEY, City Councilor; MICHAEL CADIGAN, City Councilor; the Hispanic Round Table; AFSCME; and the Central NM Central Labor Council.

Besides Griffin and Garduño, Blair Kauffman, who describes himself as a moderate Democrat, and Kevin Wilson, a Republican, are candidates in District 6. The Albuquerque municipal election is set for October 2, 2007.

Also see the post at on this topic. To read our previous posts on the October 2, 2007 municipal election, check our archive, including our recent post on how Mayor Chavez is working against the reelection of City Council President Debbie O'Malley in District 2.

Iraq Summer: Cheney in Albuquerque

Here's the latest video from the Iraq Summer campaign showing demonstrators confronting Dick Cheney's motorcade as he arrives for his speech on August 6th at the Albuquerque Marriott to the Marine Corps League. Cheney stuck with the same tired Republican talking points on why we must "stay the course" and keep our troops in Iraq despite the evident failure of Bush's "surge" to improve chances for a needed political settlement or regional strategic policy initiative.

Despite Sen. Pete Domenici's alleged "break" from the Bush administration's failed war tactics, he continues to parrot the right-wing party line on the war, as his words in the video make clear. At a July 21st fundraiser in Albuquerque attended by an Iraq Summer activist, Domenici stated unequivocably that "we don't intend to leave the area" and that he fully supports a long-term occupation of Iraq and the region "for many years."

We need to push Sen. Pete Domenici and Rep. Heather Wilson to make a REAL break with Bush and take a stand to end this failed war based on lies and incompetence. To make your voice heard, we hope you'll participate in the coming Take A Stand Day on August 28th at 7 PM at the University of New Mexico's Continuing Education Auditorium at 1634 University Blvd NE in Albuquerque. More details soon. Send an email to NewMexicoFD@iraqsummer.org to get on their email list and stay current on upcoming actions.

Guest Blog: Senator Bingaman, You Work for Us Summer Tour

This is a guest blog by Barbara Grothus, sending along a report from a small group of grassroots activists who requested a meeting with Senator Jeff Bingaman, and who had an opportunity to sit down with him this past Monday in Albuquerque for a productive discussion. It's cross-posted at Firedoglake as an excellent example of using their You Work for Us Summer Tour idea.

Our small group met with Senator Bingaman at a chain restaurant near the airport where he was between flights to small NM towns.  He arrived with a fact sheet designed to dispel the Republican Main-Stream-Media Talking Point that we have a "Do-Nothing Congress."  The list of legislation passed and signed, passed and waiting to be signed, and passed in both houses but awaiting completion of conference reports is impressive.  Unfortunately, the list of legislation passed AND SIGNED was quite short, making it clear that we need more than a marginal Democratic majority if we hope to see significant change.

Senator Bingaman was very clear that the agenda has certainly been changed by the Democratic Congress.  Under bare-bones Democratic control, there have been significant legislative accomplishments on behalf of students and children (higher education, head start, student loans, health insurance), workers (raise in minimum wage), small businesses (tax relief), the environment and energy (renewables, efficiency, biofuels), implementation of 9-11 Commission Recommendations, more benefits for war vets, significant ethics reform, and support for research and development (from the National Labs to schools) to increase America's competitive edge. 

Our group is aware that the 110th Congress has been productive with some very good legislation, including ethics reform, however, we were more interested in discussing our disappointment that the message sent by the voters last November has failed to penetrate the Washington bubble.

Our representative from Voter Action had prepared his own handout for the Senator on the disaster of Senator Feinstein's pathetic attempt at voting protection.  In contrast, the superior bill HB 811 (Holt) needs sponsors in the Senate.  Paul emphasized the strong (paper, verifiable) and weak (audit needs improvement) elements of New Mexico's voting reforms, and he encouraged Senator Bingaman to become a Senate sponsor of S.559, the Senate version of the Holt bill.

We had a great opportunity to press Senator Bingaman over issues like FISA.  What happened?  Was it leadership failure?  How did this get the support of 16 Democratic Senators?

In brief, it appears that being called "unpatriotic" and "soft on terror" is more terrifying to some elected officials than the loss of habeas corpus.  Further, the 6 month limit and legislative weariness (August break) compelled many to vote for the FISA bill. 

We discussed the criminal activity throughout the executive branch, subpoenas, and especially the failure of Democrats to create and always use effective talking points to counter the prevailing message of the Republican-controlled corporate media. We suggested that the Democrats adopt the strategy of attacking perceived Republican strengths: for example when the Republicans accuse the Democrats of being weak on national defense, instead of denying the charge, the Democrats should strike back by pointing out that the US spends more on national defense than all the rest of the world combined. This does contribute to national security, but it is national lunacy, because it results in wrong-headed budgets that leave us fatally vulnerable to collapsed bridges, not to mention lost cities from breached levees, an unimaginable horror from which there remains no recovery.

Raul Torrez, an Assistant Attorney General noted that along with our failing infrastructure, all the resources--time, energy, money--that are being consumed by Iraq and necessary investigations of the Executive Branch results in practically no resources available to deal effectively with other pressing domestic problems such as a growing methamphetamine epidemic. 

What the people want most is to end the war and to have universal single-payer health care.  With regard to the war, we emphasized that Democrats want to see some strong indications of push-back against the Republican policy of continuing the war indefinitely.  The Democratic base would be energized, even though the votes aren't there yet.  As one of our group said, "We have your back".

The bottom line on the war (as with all legislation) is that we need 60 votes in the Senate.  A campaign to influence some Senators who have been unwilling to cross the President is the only hope.  Senator Domenici, you work for us. We need to talk.

Editor's Note: This is a guest blog by Barbara Grothus. Guest blogs provide our readers with an opportunity to express their views on relevant political topics and may or may not 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 on the upper left-hand corner of the page.