Democracy for New Mexico

NM “Iraq Summer” Campaign Blasts Domenici for Obstructing Responsible End to the War in Iraq

From Americans Against Escalation in Iraq:
“Iraq Summer” Campaign Turns Up Heat Nationally on Out of Touch Senate Republicans like Pete Domenici for Betraying Constituents, Country

Albuquerque, NM – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Domenici put party politics before the clear will of the people of New Mexico and the country by obstructing an up-or-down vote on the Levin-Reed amendment to the Defense Authorization bill that would bring a safe and responsible end to the Iraq war. More than seven in 10 Americans favor removing nearly all U.S. troops from Iraq by next April. [USA Today 7/10/07] 

“Senator Domenici’s vote today for endless war in Iraq is a bitter affront to the people of New Mexico who overwhelmingly support bringing our troops home out of the crosshairs of a bloody civil war,” said Greg Richardson, Field Director for the New Mexico chapter of the “Iraq Summer” campaign.  “Over the clear will of his constituents, Senator Domenici chose to enable this President to continue prosecuting his costly, irresponsible and failed Iraq policy -- and we’re not going to take it lying down.”

Last night Moveon members and Iraq Summer organizers held events outside the home state office of each and every Senate Republican to demand they stop blocking an end to the war in Iraq. In total Moveon members held 155 events across the country.

“On Wednesday night, citizens across the country came out in force and showed that they are not going to stand for this cowardly obstructionism and political gamesmanship from Senate Republicans,” continued Richardson. “The outpouring of public anger and frustration last night is a clear indication of how Senate Republicans are grossly out of touch with their constituents. This is no longer just an anti-Iraq war movement, this is a nation united in demanding an end to the war. It's time Senator Domenici and his fellow Republicans stopped obstructing, stopped playing these petty political games and started representing their constituents by voting to bring this war to a safe and responsible end.  That’s real support for our troops.”

“Senator Domenici’s vote this morning is further demonstration that he has lost touch with the people of New Mexico.  Through the ‘Iraq Summer’ campaign, Americans Against Escalation in Iraq will turn up the heat on Senator Domenici even further. We’ll be knocking on more doors, holding more rallies outside his office, continuing our Call Congress campaigns, and placing more and more signs on lawns across this state demanding an end to this reckless war.  If Sen. Domenici thought he could escape public retribution and accountability for his obstructionism – he’s painfully mistaken.”

“Iraq Summer” has dispatched nearly 100 organizers to 15 states and 40 congressional districts to turn up the heat this summer on Republican members of Congress who have opposed setting a timeline to bring a responsible end to the war in Iraq.  The intense10-week program is modeled on the “Freedom Summer” civil rights project.

NM Blog Radio Returns Featuring Heather Brewer and EMERGE NM

From NM Blog Radio host Suzanne Prescott: The New Mexico Blog Radio show this Thursday is all about EMERGE New Mexico, a program which brings talented women Democrats into the political arena from across the state. After a rigorous 7-month training program women emerge ready for political campaign action. Heather Brewer debuts as the host of this New Mexico Blog radio show and introduces us to guests Anathea Chino, EMERGE Board President Elect; Michelle Mares, Field Director for Diane Denish and EMERGE Grad; and Mercy Berman, UNM student and current EMERGE participant. They'll explore the roots of the program, the network of EMERGE graduates now spread across New Mexico, and some exciting campaign possibilities that lie ahead.

Help EMERGE Raise Funds Just by Listening
A unique feature of the show will be fundraising for EMERGE. Heather Brewer describes the fundraising effort, "We're excited about the chance to tell people what EMERGE New Mexico is all about and raise money at the same time. We have pledges that will guarantee a dollar for every listener who visits the show online when it airs on Thursday at 11AM Mountain Time and half a dollar for everyone who listens to the show podcast archive during the week following the show. It's a great opportunity for a great program."

Here's how to catch the show.

• When: July 19, 11 AM (podcast available thereafter)
• Where: Go to https://www.blogtalkradio.com/nmblogradio
• Who: Everyone Welcome. Callers welcome at (718) 664-9717

For more information call Heather Brewer at (505) 310-5957 or Suzanne Prescott at (505) 304-3960. Tell your friends to listen to the show. Learn about and support EMERGE NEW MEXICO at the same time.

Editor's Note: You can listen to or download archived versions of previous NM Blog Radio shows at the show's website. Check out a few of our previous posts about New Mexico Blog Radio:

• 05.22.07: New Mexico Blog Radio Premiers May 24
• 05.30.07: Program Archive and Next Up
• 06.06.07: The Third Show: Heath Haussamen & Matt Brix

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/.

First-Cut Finalists Revealed in DPNM Search for Executive Director

A field of 27 applicants for the job of Executive Director of the Democratic Party of New Mexico has been whittled down to 12 by a Search Committee appointed by State Chair Brian Colón. However, one candidate who made the cut, Chris Cervini, has decided to withdraw his application and focus on opportunities at his current employer. The 11 individuals listed below (with short bios) will be interviewed next week by the Committee, and then the candidate list will be pared down once again.

According to Chairman Colón, if folks have feedback on the candidates, they're welcome to send it to him at brian@nmdemocrats.org.

Yvette Ramirez Ammeran, NM: Regional Field Organizer, National Association of Community Health Centers; Former Executive Director, NM Primary Care Association; Masters, Education, University of Texas-Austin

Francisco Apodaca, NM: Valencia County Manager, Former Executive Director, Conservation Voters NM; Masters, Public Affairs, NM Highlands University.

Joe Casados, NM: DNC Regional Field Director, DPNM; BA Arts in Philosophy, UNM.

WITHDREW: Chris Cervini, NM: Manager of External Communications, Lovelace Health System; Former Chief of Staff, Commications and Policy Director, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish; Masters, Political Science, American University, Washington DC.

Eamonn Donovan, MD: Various GOTV and campaign staff positions in NH, OH, MA; BA Political Science, Salisbury University, MD.

Terri Holland, NM: Former Executive Director, Democratic Party of Bernalillo County; Former Director of Party Affairs, DPNM; MBA, University of Phoenix, Albuquerque.

Christopher Honey, CA: California Political Director, Progressive Majority; BA History, Auburn University at Montgomery.

Michael Minh Nguyen, DC: Special Events Coordinator, Center for American Progress; BA Political Science, University of California-Davis.

Laura Sanchez, NM: Energy Solutions Policy Fellow, National Resources Defense Council; Board Member, NM Hispanic Bar Association; Juris Doctor, UCLA School of Law; MPA, University of Arizona-Tucson.

Arturo Terrazas, NM: Vice Chair, Democratic Party of Dona Ana County; Deputy Director, Anthony-Berino Economic Development Corporation; Former Director, Communities United; BA Government, NM State University.

Rebecca Vigil-Giron, NM: Former NM Secretary of State; BA in French and Social Sciences, NM Highlands Univesity.

Nate Williams, WI: Greenbay Regional Director, Cong. Steve Kagan; Juris Doctor, Tulsa College of Law; BS in Political Science and History, Eastern New Mexico University.

ACTION ALERT: Community Forum on Health Care Reform Set for ABQ, 07.17.07

Editor's Note: Attention Albuquerque area grassroots; this is your chance to speak your mind and help shape the discussion of what the legislature needs to do to most effectively reform New Mexico's health care system so that it provides universal coverage and high quality care. If you're concerned about health care, now is the time to learn more about the results of the recent health care study by Mathematica and make your views known about the best path to pursue on this issue. 

From Health Action New Mexico:
Community Forum: “Achieving Health Care for All”
Presentation, Discussion on NM Health Care Reform Study

Join members of the community to discuss the results of a state-sponsored study comparing various models of universal health care, the work of the Governor and Legislative Health Coverage for New Mexicans Committee, and achieving health care for all people living in New Mexico.

• When: Tuesday, July 17th, 2007, 6:00-8:00 PM
• Where: First Unitarian Church, 3701 Carlisle NE, SW corner of Comanche and Carlisle in NE Albuquerque
• Light refreshments
• Spanish interpretation provided
• For More Information Call Leigh Mason, 975-9667
• Click for flyer (doc) you can distribute or post

Local Cosponsors:

• Bernalillo County Community Health Council
• Native American Health Care Council of New Mexico
• St. Joseph’s Community Health

Statewide Sponsors:

• Health Care for All Campaign
• New Mexico Voices for Children
• League of Women Voters NM
• AARP
• NM Conference of Churches
• NM Coalition for the Homeless
• Health Action NM

Additional community forums will be held in Las Cruces, Silver City, Santa Fe, Roswell, Taos, Rio Rancho, Las Vegas, and Gallup during the period of July throught September. More information will be released as it's available.

Join Noted NM Activist and Rancher Tweeti Blancett for a Discussion on Oil and Gas Drilling in Santa Fe County

Editor's Note -- Background on this issue and the Blancetts: Here's some excellent material from Orion Magazine about the battle against irresponsible oil and gas drilling in New Mexico and other parts of the West. And here's a video in the fine Sierra Club Chronicles series about the Blancett's fight against the drillers on their ranch in Northwestern New Mexico and beyond.

Tweeti Blancett and her husband, Linn

From Drilling Santa Fe:
On Tuesday, July 17, 2007, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, Tweeti Blancett, longtime activist and New Mexico rancher, will present her graphic story of the ravages of oil and gas exploration and production in the San Juan Basin. Join Tweeti at the El Dorado Community Center, 1 Hacienda Loop, Santa Fe. Admission is free. Click for flyer.

Oil and gas exploration and production have not been an issue in Santa Fe County since the '80s. As energy prices skyrocket and as federal environmental regulations ease, the situation is quickly changing. Tweeti will discuss these changes.

In 2006, an oil company leased the mineral rights to 64,000 acres of private lands between the villages of Galisteo and Cerillos. In March 2007, over 6,000 acres of state-owned mineral rights between the village of Galisteo and County Roads 44/45 were leased by oil and gas interests. Already, one 1980's well in the Galisteo watershed has been revisited with high-pressure injections of possibly toxic chemicals to get the high grade oil flowing. Applications for more wells are pending.

Most of the land in Santa Fe County is a "split-estate." This means that even though one owns the surface of the land, the mineral rights belong to someone else. In Santa Fe County that "someone else" is likely to be oil and gas interests that can invade property, bulldoze a large site, set up a pit and drill through the water table for oil and gas.

It is critical that the County protect Santa Fe's many natural resources and quality of life, enforce its existing regulations, and strengthen certain provisions to address oil and gas production. Oil companies are now arguing that less stringent State regulations preempt local regulations, but citizens in other areas of New Mexico have fought back against the influence of the oil and gas industry. Counties can protect residents, wildlife and water.

Tweeti Blancett has traveled tirelessly for years speaking to groups from Montana to Otero Mesa. She brings together ranchers and environmentalists with a common message -- protect our land and water. Encourage local governments to stand up to the threats of immensely powerful industries. It is time for the citizens of Santa Fe County to hear her message.

For more information on this event and the issue, visit https://drillingsantafe.blogspot.com/ and or email us at drillingsantafe@earthlink.net.

New Mexicans to Deliver Letter to Domenici and Wilson Urging They Take a Real Stand on Endless War in Iraq

From Americans Against Escalation in Iraq:
Constituent letter also requests town hall meeting as part of “Iraq Summer” Campaign

Constituents will hand deliver a letter to Senator Pete Domenici and Congresswoman Heather Wilson urging them to take a stand on President Bush’s reckless Iraq war policy. The letter also requests that they attend a town hall meeting on August 28th to explain their stance on Bush’s endless war.

WHO:    Sen. Pete Domenici, Rep. Heather Wilson
WHAT:  “Take a Stand” letter delivery
WHEN:   Wednesday, July 11, 2007
TIME:   11:00 AM (Wilson), 11:30 AM (Domenici)
WHERE:  Congresswoman Heather Wilson’s district office: 20 First Plaza NW, Suite  603,  Albuquerque, NM 87102; Senator Pete Domenici’s office: 201 3rd Street, Suite 710, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102

If you can make it, come on down and join us and make your voices heard! Visit our website: .

Education to be Focus of Next LWV Luncheon

From League of Women Voters, Albuquerque/Bernalillo County: Dr. Pauline Rindome, Director of the Legislative Education Action Committee (LESC), will be the keynote speaker at the League of Women Voter's July Luncheon Meeting. She will discuss issues in New Mexico's K-12 Public Education System. The luncheon will be held at the Wyndham Hotel, 2910 Yale Blvd SE, on Thursday, July, 12, 2007 at 11:45 AM. Reservations are required! Contact the Office (505) 884-8441, Monday - Thursday before Noon. For more information about the League visit, www.lwvabc.org.

CONTACT PERSONS: Carolyne DeVore-Parks, Public Relations Director (505)818-7974, carolynedp@msn.com; or Dick Mason, Health Care Chair, (505)994-0685, polirich@aol.com.

NM League of Young Voters Presents 2007 Youth Power Summit

From the NM League of Young Voters: Join us for an exciting week of networking, team-building, and workshops for New Mexico's future Leaders at our Youth Power Summit!

WHAT:  A Five (5) Day Summit to work with organizers from around the state and country. With a plethora of organizing, planning, and campaign training sessions, this summit is designed to enhance skill-sets and recharge young activists to continue to fight for their communities!

WHEN:  Monday, July 30--Friday, August 3

WHERE:  The University of New Mexico, Main Campus (Albuquerque, NM)

WHY:  Faceless industries and special interests have dictated the way things play out in our communities for far too long. The League of Young Voters believes that we must strengthen alliances, and deepen our organizing skills, so that we can begin to design the future that our children will live in. Together, we can do great things!

*You can peruse a listing of our trainings here.

Need more info? Wanna come? Hit us up! Phone: (505) 242-4036; Email: charlotte@indyvoter.org

RIGHT NOW: Only a Few Hours to Help Martin Heinrich This Quarter

NOTE: I'll be keeping this post at the top of the page until the fundraising quarter is over at Midnight tonight, June 30th. Please donate if you can.

Time is short if you want to help make a difference in Martin Heinrich's campaign for Congress in NM-01 for this fundraising quarter. If we want to help Martin show that he has widespread support from the netroots-grassroots community, now is the time. Click to Donate: https://www.actblue.com/page/dfnmforheinrich

Martin's campaign needs to demonstrate it has the backing of as many people as possible to make it clear that he's the best Democratic candidate to take on Heather Wilson in 2008.

Please donate RIGHT NOW if you can, and use the DFNM Netroots fundraising page at Act Blue to do so. In this way, Martin will know that progressive Democrats and Independents are doing whatever we can to support his candidacy:

https://www.actblue.com/page/dfnmforheinrich

Even a $5 donation helps. Remember how Howard Dean outraised all his competitors based on hundreds of thousands of small donations? Let's help Martin Heinrich do the same.

You can also sign up for automatic monthly donations, if you'd prefer, which spreads the expense over time so you can afford it.

https://www.actblue.com/page/dfnmforheinrich

We know that Heather Wilson will have millions of dollars to try and "Swiftboat" Martin Heinrich. Let's help him build a strong campaign so he can stand up to Heather and provide representation that we can be proud of!