Democracy for New Mexico

Next 'We The People': Dynamic Advocacy

WE THE PEOPLE

June 14,  2007 - 6 p.m.

Lively Discussion with Santiago Juarez

Mr. Juarez holds a B.S. from Eastern New Mexico University and a J.D. from the University of Washington. He is an outspoken advocate in the tradition of working-class, community-based political activism.

Live - Channel 27!

Worldwide On The Net!

Click for Streaming Media

https://quote-unquote.org/

Second and Fourth Thursday, 6-7 p.m. Mountain Time

Community Cable Channel 27

Albuquerque, NM

Call-in:  (505) 346-1633

Kindly forward this message to your friends.

TAPE the program if you cannot be present.

WE THE PEOPLE is an innovative call-in television show looking for TRUTH and TRANSPARENCY in local, state and federal governments.

THANKS FOR WATCHING

Mickey Bock/Judith Binder - Hosts

Hero-For-Sale Rudy Giuliani Trolling for Cash in NM This Weekend

The Albuquerque Journal reports Repub prez hopeful Rudy Giuliani will be in Albuquerque this Saturday looking for big dollar donations from NM GOP bigwigs at a private luncheon fundraiser. It will cost $4,600 to participate in a "round table discussion" with Rudy, and a mere $2,300 for a photo standing next to the former New York City Mayor. When Giuliani goes after the big bucks, playing on his carefully crafted image as an alleged American hero and patriot for his actions during the 9-11 tragedy, he doesn't fool around. He milks it to the nth degree.

To get the full flavor of how craven Giuliani has been in parlaying his 9-11 connections into cash and pseudo-credibility, you really have to read the new article by Matt Taibbi in Rolling Stone. According to a sidebar in the print version of the article, Rudy was worth only $7,000 in 2001, as reported to divorce court. This year his net worth is $30 MILLION, as disclosed in federal election reports. Not bad for "America's Mayor," as he bills himself.

Excerpts from the online version:

Although few people outside of New York know it yet, there is an emerging controversy over Giuliani's heroic 9/11 legacy. Critics charge that Rudy's failure to resolve the feuding between the city's police and firefighters prior to the attack led to untold numbers of deaths, the most tragic example being the inability of firemen to hear warnings from police helicopters about the impending collapse of the South Tower. The 9/11 Commission concluded that the two departments had been "designed to work independently, not together," and that greater coordination would have spared many lives.

... Rudy Giuliani is a true American hero, and we know this because he does all the things we expect of heroes these days -- like make $16 million a year, and lobby for Hugo Chávez and Rupert Murdoch, and promote wars without ever having served in the military, and hire a lawyer to call his second wife a "stuck pig," and organize absurd, grandstanding pogroms against minor foreign artists, and generally drift through life being a shameless opportunist with an outsize ego who doesn't even bother to conceal the fact that he's had a hard-on for the presidency since he was in diapers. In the media age, we can't have a hero humble enough to actually be one; what is needed is a tireless scoundrel, a cad willing to pose all day long for photos, who'll accept $100,000 to talk about heroism for an hour, who has the balls to take a $2.7 million advance to write a book about himself called Leadership. That's Rudy Giuliani. Our hero. And a perfect choice to uphold the legacy of George W. Bush.

You might have surmised by now that Taibbi isn't known for mincing words. Here he is highlighting Giuliani's hookups with Karl Rove's henchmen and a Swift Boat-style attack on Hillary:

... there's no question that Giuliani has made the continuation of Swift-Boating politics a linchpin of his candidacy. His political hires speak deeply to that tendency. Chris Henick, formerly Karl Rove's most trusted deputy, is now a key aide at Giuliani Partners, the security firm set up by the mayor to cash in on his 9/11 image. One of his top donors, Richard Collins, is a longtime Bush supporter who was instrumental in setting up "Stop Her Now," a 527 group modeled on Swift Boat Veterans for Truth that will be used to attack Hillary Clinton. And the money for the smear campaign comes from the same Texas sources behind the Swift Boaters, including oilman T. Boone Pickens and Houston home builder Bob Perry.

... And let's not forget Bernie Kerik, Rudy's very own hairy-assed Sancho Panza, who was nixed as director of Homeland Security after investigators uncovered a gift he received from a construction firm with alleged mob ties that wanted to do business with Giuliani's administration. It is a testament to the monstrous breadth of Rudy's chutzpah that he used his post-9/11 celebrity to push his personal bagman for a post that milks the world's hugest security-contracts tit -- at the very moment when he himself was creating a security-services company.

The article also goes into detail describing how Rudy's inept and careless handling of the clean-up of the 9-11 wreckage is producing medical problems galore for many who participated. And how his stint as Mayor of New York and his subsequent role as a lobbyist were characterized primarily by his jumping into bed with whoever had big bucks to give. Ever since 9-11, Rudy's focused on setting up private companies that benefit hugely from "homeland security" contracts, and grabbing up to $200,000 per speech to talk about his patriotism and how he saved the day in NYC. His main message? Pay me, I'm a hero!" In 2002 he he reported $8 million in speaking income. Last year it topped $11 million. Not bad for someone who basically held the spotlight during the tragedy during one day before the TV cameras while Bush was hiding out.

I'm sure he'll get more than a few standing ovations (and big checks) when he appears this weekend before New Mexico's Repub elite. He's not known for doing anything without a big personal payoff. Cha-ching!

Dem State Party Seeking Applicants for Executive Director

The Democratic Party of New Mexico (DPNM) is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Executive Director.  The Executive Director will work with the State Chair, DPNM Executive Committee, and the 33 County Chairs to manage DPNM headquarters, DPNM staff and execute an effective election and fundraising plan.

If you are interested and would like to apply, please do so by sending a resume and cover letter to terahmjava@gmail.com by June 22, 2007. Download the PDF format of Qualifications and Job Description by clicking HERE.

Thank you,
Brian S. Colón
Chair, Democratic Party of New Mexico

Committing Poetry in Times of War: June 16 at Kimo

The Poetic Justice Institute presents Committing Poetry in Times of War, a documentary film of one tumultuous week in March 2003 in New Mexico and its aftermath, on Saturday June 16th at 6:30 PM at the Kimo Theater in Albuquerque. There will also be an after party. Admission is FREE and the event is sponsored by the City of Albuquerque Office of Cultural Affairs.

On April 20, 2007 the Telluride Talking Gourds Writers Guild awarded Committing Poetry the first ever Tellus Award for “Poetry Film of the Year.” Click for a detailed description of the film, organized around the free speech actions of poet and former Rio Rancho High School teacher, Bill Nevins (photo) and others, and what they ignited. Excerpt:

As bombs fell on Iraq in March 2003 and the President called for natiional unity, an outspoken  high school student slam poetry team was disbanded and silenced in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Rio Rancho High's Principal and its Military Liaison then presided at a flag-raising ceremony on the public school's grounds where a soldier's poem was read out, telling war protestors to "shut your faces." The team's coach, teacher Bill Nevins,was one of seven Albuquerque area educators removed from their classrooms for encouraging free speech.

That same week in March 2003, hundreds of peaceful antiwar protestors were gassed, coralled and assaulted by police in the Albuquerque streets near the University of New Mexico. The fabric of American Constitutional free speech and free assembly protections seemed to be unravelling in New Mexico. In response, an ad hoc coalition of poets, musicians, educators and outraged cititzens organized "Poetic Justice": a series of celebratory "speak-out" concert  gatherings in New Mexico and across the USA  to honor the Rio Rancho student poets, to support Coach Nevins in his ultimately-successful legal battle and to demand respect for the First Amendment.   

Committing Poetry documents many of those dynamic poetry and musical performances. The film includes highlights of the Albuquerque and New York City Poetic Justice concerts. On screen performances by Adan Baca, Socorro Romo, Demetria Martinez, two-time Albuquerque Slam City Champion Tony Santiago, Erin Ambrose, Jazz, The Ruffians, Carlos Contreras, Priscilla Baca y Candelaria, Manuel Gonzales, Danny Solis, Kenn Rodriguez and members of the disbanded Rio Rancho Ram Slam Poetry Team offer an inspiring account of how America's artistic community has responded to war time threats against our cherished civil liberties.

New Mexico Blog Radio, The Third Show: Heath Haussamen & Matt Brix

Guest Host Heath Haussamen & Featured Guest Matt Brix

From Suzanne Prescott: Tune in to the third New Mexico Blog Radio show on June 7th at 4:30 PM Mountain time. Blogger and journalist, Heath Haussamen, will guest host the show which features Matt Brix, who currently serves on the Governor's task force on ethics reform. Heath and Matt will discuss what's in store for the next legislative session for ethics reform and difficulties passing ethics reform in the past session.

You can hear the online radio show by tuning in at https://www.blogtalkradio.com/nmblogradio. Each show is recorded and saved so you can catch the show later by going to the link and listening to the archived version. But if you call in during the live show, you can talk with the show's guests and hosts. The live call-in number of the show is (718) 664-9717.

Editor's Note: You can find our previous posts on New Mexico Blog Radio in our media archive.

Jefferson Middle School Group to Protest Principal Transfer

From Gordon Monaghan:
Jefferson Middle School Parents and Students to Protest at School Board Meeting: Principal transfers raise community concern

• Who:  Concerned Jefferson Middle School parents, students and community members
• What:  Demonstration in support of Jefferson Middle School Principal Ivy Langan; Demonstration decrying the lack of process in the recent principal transfers in APS
• When:  Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at 4:30 PM before the regularly scheduled APS School Board meeting
• Where:  In front of APS Headquarters, Indian School Blvd. between San Pedro and Louisiana, Albuquerque

More info: gordonmonaghan@msn.com, (505)259-2738.

REMINDER: NM Blog Radio Streams at 4:30 PM Today

The topic of today's New Mexico Blog Radio show will be Elections Evolve: Democracy Wins, with guests Matt Brix, Maggie Toulouse Oliver and Kelli Fulgenzi. Visit the program page at 4:30 PM for a live stream of the show, or visit later to listen to an archived copy. See our previous post for more info.

Even though clean election and campaign finance reforms are extremely popular with Albuquerque voters -- about 72% voted in favor of the 2005 ballot referendum that established the public campaign funding option for City Council elections -- some rightwingers remain opposed to such measures. Check out that discusses Republican blogger Whitney Cheshire's opposition to public funding of campaigns, as well as comments by Matt Brix that contradict some of her key claims.

Cheshire calls the public campaign financing law a "travesty," deeming it a waste of taxpayer money. I guess she prefers that candidates get their money in large "donations" from special interests so they can be beholden to deep-pocket benefactors if they win office. Heaven forbid that City Councilors would instead be representing the interests of their constituents!

I'd love to hear candidates who refuse to use the public financing option explain why they prefer to take money from special interests, wouldn't you?

Martin Heinrich: New Campaign Website, New DFNM Netroots Donation Page

Current Albuquerque City Council member Martin Heinrich, who's tossed his hat in the ring to be the Democratic candidate for Congress in NM-1 against incumbent Republican Rep. Heather Wilson, now has a campaign website up and running. Go to MartinHeinrich.com. Under a heading of 'Ethics, Vision and Results', the site includes info on Heinrich's accomplishments, news stories, videos and a bio.

Donate to Heinrich Campaign Via Our New DFNM Netroots Fundraising Page:

Noted for his problem-solving pragmatism, negotiating skills, ethics and dedication to a green agenda, Heinrich has already raised more than $4,500 in campaign funds since his recent entry into the race. You can add to that by kicking in a few bucks using our new Act Blue fundraising page: DFNM Netroots for Martin Heinrich. As we learned in the Dean campaign, many small donations can trump a handful of large donations. Help demonstrate that members of the grassroots - netroots are ready to step up to the plate and support people-powered candidates like Heinrich. Donate today at https://www.actblue.com/page/dfnmforheinrich.

Here's Martin Heinrich answering the question, "Why are you a Democrat," at the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County's Memorial Day picnic this past Monday:

Note: The clip above is one of a continuing series of digital camera video clips Mary Ellen is producing, asking all kinds of folks about why they're Democrats. Check our previous post for more, and keep an eye out for additional videos in the series. Also keep an eye out for Mary Ellen pointing her camera at you! These are low-tech video clips taken with an ordinary digital camera, not a top-notch video cam, but we think the messages come across loud and clear.

Help Rey Garduño Campaign at Saturday Petition Signing Party

Elect Rey Garduño – He Is Running A Clean Campaign
414 Vassar, Dr. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
505.266-4424, 505.688-6981 mobile
reygard@unm.edu
https://www.reygarduno.blogspot.com

PETITION  SIGNING  PARTY

When?  Saturday, June 2nd, 9 AM-1PM

Where?  We will meet at our house: 414 Vassar, Dr. NE (Just inside the UNM Campus – from Girard and Campus; go West on Campus into the campus, first right is Vassar, first house is 414 Vassar. If your having difficulties call 266-4424 or 688-6981 cell.)

Why?  To celebrate our accomplishments and to kick-off of our Petition Drive. Come to door-knock or if you don’t have the time, stop by for some refreshments and to sign the petition! 

Who?  All community members that support clean elections, and a strong community voice on the City Council. Especially people registered to vote in City Council District 6. 

We Did It!
Democracy Lives! Clean and Ethical Elections Supported by District 6 Voters.

Dear family, friends and supporters:

We have made clean elections a viable democratic process by gathering the required $5 contributions and signatures, 10 days ahead of time.  You helped me become the first candidate to qualify in this inaugural publicly financed election. We will now take this momentum to the next level, knowing that our support is widespread and just as important, community-based.

In order to be placed on the ballot for the October 2nd City Council Election we must now gather 542 petition signatures from registered voters in District 6. This is a task we can accomplish quite easily; witness the quickness with which we gathered $5 contributions.

Join us on Saturday, we will celebrate our victory, and launch our next one.

Rey Garduño

Editor's Note: To determine your City Council District, . To see our previous posts on candidates for Albuquerque City Council, click here. Anyone can help Rey gather petition signatures but only registered voters in District 6 can sign the petition.

New Mexico Blog Radio: Program Archive and Next Up

If you missed the live webcast of the premier episide of New Mexico Blog Radio last Thursday, you can visit the show's webpage and listen to an archived copy of the show, or download it as a wmv file or a podcast (mp3). Also, when you visit the program's webpage, the last show aired automatically begins playing. The first show, co-hosted by the show's creator, Suzanne Prescott, and me, featured guests Rey Garduno and Debbie O'Malley, who are running for Albuquerque City Council and using the new public financing option to fund their campaigns. The topic was Public Campaign Financing in New Mexico - Is it working?

This Thursday: Matt Brix, Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Kelli Fulgenzi: The second episode of the show will be webcast live on Thursday, May 31, at 4:30 PM and I'll again join Suzanne as cohost. Scheduled guests include Matt Brix, who worked hard for clean elections and campaign reform in his previous role as executive director of Common Cause NM, Maggie Toulouse Oliver, our current Bernalillo County Clerk, and Kelli Fulgenzi of the Albuquerque City Clerk's office. Our guests will be discussing election innovations that Albuquerque and Bernalillo County can be proud of and how they work on a show entitled Elections Evolve, Democracy Wins.

Listen live here on Thursday at 4:30 PM. You can also call in live during the show with questions or comments: 718-664-9717.

Blog Radio is a relatively new phenomenon on the net, and we're new to it too. Check out the show and let us know how we're doing! You can leave your comments on the Show Notes section of New Mexico Blog Radio.

You can check out our previous posts on New Mexico Blog Radio here and here.