Democracy for New Mexico

Saturday ABQ Rally Against War Profiteers

From Stop the War Machine:
(Believe it or not, there are weapons that are worse than nukes.  Come down to the Albuquerque Hilton this Saturday at 11 AM and join us to protest the weapons that are being placed in space.)

Big Rally Against War Profiteers:  Albuquerque needs money for jobs and healthcare, not war in space!

Saturday, February 12, 2005 at the University of New Mexico Symposium on Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion; Albuquerque Hilton Hotel (1901 University Boulevard at I-40), 11 AM -1 PM; Questions? StopTheWarMachine@comcast.net (268-9557) or www.Space4Peace.org .

Saturday is the kick off day for a week long gathering of war planners and profiteers.  UNM sponsors this conference.  Look for other actions at the symposium during the week of activates

We will raise the demand that money being sent to prepare for war in space be spent for jobs, healthcare, and environmental restoration.  For instance, the Indian Health Service is closing its Albuquerque hospital due to federal budget cuts.  Yet at the same time millions are being planned for a nuclear bunker buster bomb, billions for space laser weapons and nuclear power system. 

We must stand up and challenge these upside down priorities and demand people be put before war profiteering.  This is a protest in conjunction with the Global Network Against Nuclear Power and Weapons in Space.

So Is Heather For or Against Bush's Social Security Plan?

Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo has been doing a terrific job of pushing members of Congress to go on the record about their positions on Bush's proposed Social Security destruction. He's been providing almost daily coverage of the meandering linguistic trails politicos often create to hide their real views from the citizenry.

Trying to track down what Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM) believes about Bush's plans has been a hard row to hoe. Follow the yellow brick road here. I wonder why she and her staff seem so reticent to detail her position on privatization? I wonder.

If you'd like to ask Heather the same questions posed by Josh Marshall, here is her contact info:

In Washington DC
318 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6316 phone
202-225-4975 fax

In Albuquerque
20 First Plaza NW
Suite 603
Albuquerque, NM 87102
505-346-6781 phone
505-346-6723 fax

Email form at her website: https://wilson.house.gov/

Otero Mesa Update

---------
NEWS
---------
The Otero Mesa website has a new addition!

Check out the new "Well Site of the Week" section by clicking the following link or copying it and then pasting it in your web browser:

https://www.oteromesa.org/wellsiteoftheweek.htm

The purpose of this section is to continually provide the public with photos of oil and gas development in southeastern New Mexico on public lands. These photos testify to the fact that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the oil and gas industry have a very poor tract record of "environmentally sensitive" drilling operations.
----------
NEWS
----------
The "Protect our Public Lands Rally!" was a tremendous success last Saturday. Over 700 people attended the event. All three local television stations came, as well as many of the major newspapers. Most importantly though, people made it clear to us that they wanted us to fight and never give up with this administration. What people asked the most for was civil disobedience training so they could block roads or occupy offices of elected officials. People understand what is happening and when it comes to Otero Mesa, Valle Vidal and the Arctic Refuge they are ready to go to the next level.

Stay Involved, Your Voice is making the Difference!

Nathan Newcomer
Otero Mesa Campaign Organizer
nathan@oteromesa.org

(Editor's Note: You can contribute here to the efforts to save Otero Mesa, the Valle Vidal and other environmentally irreplaceable sites.)

Action Profile: Socorroans for Democracy

I had an excellent conversation with Mary McMullin of Socorroans for Democracy recently. An offshoot of the Dean campaign, Socorroans for Democracy were very active during the November election season and are moving ahead with a variety of new political projects.

SFD meets every two weeks and they're a big reason why Socorro County went to Kerry in November. SFD worked very hard and successfully brought hundreds of new voters into the Democratic Party. They have been getting state level recognition for their efforts, and have met with both the number two staffer in Gov. Richardson's office and Lt. Governor Diane Denish.

SFD members are an eclectic and proactive bunch -- from NM Tech students and professors to workers at the astronomy observatory, retirees and stay-at-home moms. Their letters to the editor and guest editorials have been appearing regularly in their local paper on a variety of subjects.

Election reform, preserving Social Security and working to increase green energy sources are top priorities of the group, and they are planning a number of actions on these fronts. With many at NM Tech knowledgeable in the energy field, they have a lot of talent to draw from in creating persuasive arguments for increasing green energy technology.

The Socorroans are already working on winning the Second Congressional District  in 2006. Right now, efforts are underway to reach out to people in other areas of the District, like Roswell and Las Cruces. SFD hope to create a network of folks ready to start working now to defeat Rep. Steve Pearce, a conservative Republican who currently holds the job.

If you live in the Socorro area and are interested in joining or learning more about the Socorroans for Democracy, email Mary McMullin at sfd_socorro@sdc.org.

And if any of you in parts of New Mexico without a DFA Meetup would be interested in forming one, email dfnm_albq@comcast.net and we'll do what we can to help. We need activists coming together for progressive projects in all areas of the state. As Howard Dean has said many times, YOU have the power! But only if you step up to the plate, join forces with like-minded friends and neighbors and get involved in the kinds of activities Socorroans for Democracy are tackling.

(Click for information on Socorro and Socorro County.)

Local Rabbi Discusses DOMA Thursday Morning on KUNM

It is so heartening to realize that many religious leaders and members are on the side of inclusion and diversity. Here's one of them.

From Rabbi Joseph R. Black, passed along by Patricia Lee:
I wanted to let you know that I will be appearing on the KUNM (89.9) call-in program tomorrow (Thursday) morning from 8:00 - 9:00 AM. The topic will be the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" that is currently being introduced into the New Mexico legislature. DOMA is a bill that would define marriage as being between men and women only. I will be representing New Mexico R.A.I.N. (the Religious Alliance for Inclusion and Non-Discrimination).

I also want to remind you of two upcoming events that address this topic:

1. The R.A.I.N. forum that will be taking place tomorrow (Thursday) evening at 7:00 in our sanctuary.
2. This Sunday, the Brotherhood and Sisterhood will be hosting a joint breakfast forum on the topic of Gay Marriage.

B'shalom,
Rabbi Joseph R. Black
Email: Rabbi@CongregationAlbert.org

Visit Congregation Albert On-Line at https://www.CongregationAlbert.org
Congregation Albert
3800 Louisiana Boulevard NE
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Phone: 505-883-1818
Fax: 505-883-1814

GLBT Lobby Day at the NM Legislature

From Equality New Mexico:

Celebrate Valentine's Day
Our Day of Love
& Protect Our Families
GLBT Lobby Day
at the NM State Legislature 

February 14, 2005!

7:45 AM: Meet at Roundhouse- Learn to Lobby Legislators

8:30 AM: Tell Your Legislators: "No Ban on Same-Sex Marriages and Pass Domestic Partner Benefits"

10:00 AM: Rotunda Celebration: Press Conference

11:00 AM: Lunch with friends

12:30 PM: More Lobbying!!!

--PACK THE ROUNDHOUSE!!!!--

Celebrate your right to love, join in Gay & Lesbian family day at the Roundhouse

For more Information (and parking suggestions!) contact Equality New Mexico at (505)224-2766 or (888)304-2366.

Change in Dates for Dem Ward/Precinct and County Central Commitee Meetings

From the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County e-news:

If you know any registered Democrat that would like to be added to the e-news, please send their name, e-mail address and County to dpbc@att.net.

Note from State Headquarters: the dates for Ward/Precinct and County Central Committee meetings have been readjusted to avoid conflict with the Good Friday and Easter holidays, accommodate the availability of the schools before and after spring break and the scheduling of the State Central Committee meeting mandated by state rules.

Ward/Precinct and County Central Committee meetings to elect new officers and State Central Committee members are to be held sometime between Thursday, March 3 and Saturday, April 2.

Each sitting County Chair should submit dates, times and locations for these meetings to State Headquarters no later than Monday, February 28.
**********************
Editor's Note: Hmmm. This doesn't give us much time to plan, now does it? I hope our Bernalillo County Chair, Linda Lopez, doesn't wait until February 28th to set the date for our ward/precinct meetings. Previously they were tentatively set for March 3rd, which is our new regularly scheduled day for DFA-DFNM's Albuquerque Meetup. If the Bernalillo County ward/precinct meetings end up being set for that day, we'll have to change our Meetup day again, so I hope the new date is set quickly!

NYT Editorial Says Keep Drilling Out of Otero Mesa

(Photo of Otero Mesa pronghorns by Steve Capra)

On the same day that a powerful rally to protect our public lands is taking place at Albuquerque's Kimo Theatre, here's a New York Times Editorial endorsing our fight to keep drilling out of Otero Mesa. For more information on this effort or to contribute to the cause, visit the websites of the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance and the Coalition for Otero Mesa.

Keeping Out of the Otero Mesa

Last week, the Bureau of Land Management signed a decision to allow new oil and gas leasing on some of the most important and most fragile grasslands left in America. At risk is an expanse of wild Chihuahuan Desert grasslands - the largest still in existence - in the Otero Mesa area along New Mexico's south-central border.

The delicacy of the region is not immediately apparent to the eye. But under the desert grasses - which sustain a genetically important population of pronghorns - there is a layer of soil just thin enough to keep invasive shrubs at bay. Below that layer lies an underground reservoir of water, which also needs protection. The Bush administration is determined to force its way onto the Otero Mesa. Gov. Bill Richardson, backed by a coalition of ranchers and environmentalists, is determined to stop it.

The bureau's plan sounds extremely modest on paper: 141 wells disturbing only some 1,600 acres. Compared with the scope of other gas- and oil-producing regions of New Mexico, the amount of land affected would be almost nothing. But conservationists say the B.L.M.'s plan - restrictive as it sounds - places no real impediment in the way of future development of a much larger area. Otero Mesa's grasslands cover more than a million acres; the Wilderness Society estimates that under the bureau's land use plan for the area, 95 percent of these acres remain open to oil and gas leasing.

This is part of a familiar scene in the West. The Bush administration has set its sights on dozens of ecologically valuable areas that could easily be declared off limits without imperiling the country's supplies of oil and natural gas. As it is, 85 percent of the petroleum resources on public lands in the Western states are already leased or available for leasing. Any oil or gas found in the Otero grasslands is likely to make only a minuscule addition to America's domestic energy supply, but could desecrate irreplaceable natural wealth.

The difference this time is that the state of New Mexico will oppose the Bush administration, so the fate of these grasslands is likely to be tied up in court for a good long time to come. But it deserves more permanent protection than that. Mr. Richardson has offered a compromise that would set aside 640,000 acres of the grasslands as a conservation area, providing space for ranchers, wildlife and the ecosystem. That is a reasonable offer, which the administration would be foolish to refuse.

NM DNC Members Now Endorse Dean for Chair

From Charlotte Roybal:

Good news. The NM DNC members have all endorsed Howard Dean. It has all happened since Monday. I spoke with John Wertheim, State Chair, today and he told me. I had talked to Gloria Nieto and she and Annadelle Sanchez who both went with the Hispanic Caucus on Monday. I spoke with Raymond Sanchez and he is on board. The one we forgot to ask is Patricia Madrid and I saw her today and she said she was on board now that her candidate dropped out. So good job DFAers and other for helping Dean.

I also attended the Progressive Democrats of America Conference in DC and would love to give a presentation  any progressive group in NM about it.  Let me know at (505) 930-0563 or email: croybal@aol.com  I also met with Chris Warshaw from DFA.

The web site is: www.pdamerica.com

Editor's Note: DFNM is an ally/partner organization of Progessive Democrats of America, and Howard Dean is a supporter. Here's a that support PDA.

DNC Hispanic Caucus Votes Overwhelmingly to Endorse Dean

As published on DFA's

The members of the Hispanic Caucus of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) voted overwhelmingly today to officially endorse Gov. Howard Dean for Chair of the national Democratic Party. The endorsement is the first from any DNC caucus to be granted and guarantees Gov. Dean at least 35 of the 45 votes in the caucus. Nine caucus members were unavailable to participate in the deliberations and voting, which took place via conference call today.

"Gov. Dean has proven himself to be a terrific fundraiser and he has the character and stature to speak for the Democratic Party," said Sen. Iris Martinez, Illinois General Assembly member and Secretary of the Hispanic caucus, "most importantly, Gov. Dean understands that rolling back the advances Republicans have made among the Hispanic electorate will be critical to not just winning back the White House but also to keeping crucial states in the Democratic column."

Governor Dean has a unique perspective on building the grassroots as demonstrated in his organization, Democracy for America and his presidential campaign. As governor, Dean created a record based on fiscally conservative principles while promoting equality and opportunity for all the citizens of Vermont. In extending its vote of confidence to Gov. Dean, the Hispanic Caucus expects Gov. Dean to use his energy, creativity and boldness to assist the Caucus and the Party to move the Hispanic community into becoming a solid base for our democratic agenda.

"Our decision today exemplifies the type of leadership we will exercise to help Chairman Dean reach out to the Hispanic community which will be the most critical voting bloc in every election in the foreseeable future," said Sen. Martinez.

DNC Hispanic Caucus Members Endorsing Gov. Howard Dean:

Steven K. Alari, Dr. Celita Arroyo de Roques, Cathy Bartolotti, Tonio Burgos, Luisette Cabanas, Linda Chavez-Thompson, Alvaro Cifuentes, Maria Echaveste, Edward Espinoza, Norma Fisher Flores, Nely Galan, Alexandra Gallardo Rooker, Maria Garcia, Carmen Gonzalez, Teresa Krusor, Dr. Miguel D. Lausell Esq., Debbie Marquez, Hon. Iris Y. Martinez, Hon. Ramona Martinez, Hon. Antonio Villaraigosa, Raul Martinez, Hon. Kenneth McClintock, Hon. Gloria Molina, Gloria Nieto, John A. Perez, Hon. Roberto L. Prats, Hon. Roberto Ramirez, Joe Rios, Lula Rodriguez, Mannie Rodriguez, Mirian Saez, Annadelle Sanchez, Hon. Oscar Soliz, Alexis Tameron, Hon. Art Torres, Norma Torres, Steven Ybarra
***********************
(Click for a Spanish language version of this article.)

Editor's Note: Notice the two names in boldface on this list. Both are voting members of the DNC from New Mexico. If you'd like to send a note of thanks to Gloria Nieto and Annadelle Sanchez, here is their contact info:

Gloria Nieto
1451 Santa Cruz
Santa Fe, NM  87505
505-474-7602
Glorianieto@comcast.net

Annadelle Sanchez
920 Denton ST
Espanola, NM 87532
505-753-4869

Also good to remember: Several other Hispanic members of the DNC from New Mexico are not on this list of Dean endorsements: Raymond Sanchez, Gov. Bill Richardson and Attorney General Patricia Madrid. The official election for DNC Chair will take place on February 12th. It will be interesting to see if these three vote for Dean then, despite not endorsing him now. I recall that Madrid was originally a supporter of Martin Frost, who dropped out of the race yesterday. No word on who Sanchez and Richardson are supporting.