Democracy for New Mexico

Tune In Tonight

We The People is an innovative call-in television show looking for TRUTH and TRANSPARENCY in local, state and federal governments. We hope to remind viewers of their legacy and heritage coming from the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution--with the Bill of Rights that gives us our FREEDOM.

Watch us every Thursday 7-8 PM on Albuquerque Community Cable Channel 27.

Deanna Archuleta-Loesser, Bernalillo County Commissioner from District 3, is our guest for April 14th.

Call-in or e-mail us and we will try to answer your questions and concerns.

https://www.1776wethepeople.com

Contact Information - Email: mickbo@earthlink.net

Great TV on Albuquerque Community Cable Channel 27

From Nancy G (who is involved in the mechanics of this broadcast):
Another interesting new program on Public Access Ch 27 is:
EARTH ALERT NM's
"Preserving Enchantment"
It will begin this MONDAY, April 4th, at 7:30 PM
Topic: VALLE  VIDAL Please watch!

From Mickey Bock:
FYI and for any of the blogs, web sites, personal communications you care to include :

Mickey Bock is producing and hosting a live TV-call-in program on Community Cable Channel 27. It begins April 7th at 7 PM.

You can go to, or copy and paste:

https://www.1776wethepeople.com/

This is what it says, nothing fancy:

Your Country, Your World
"All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will, to be rightful, must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal laws must protect, and to violate which would be oppression". (Thomas Jefferson, "First Inaugural Address," March 4, 1801

We The People is an innovative call-in television show looking for TRUTH and TRANSPARENCY in local, state and federal governments. We hope to remind viewers of their legacy and heritage coming from the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution--with the Bill of Rights that gives us our FREEDOM.

Watch us every Thursday 7-8 pm on Community Cable Channel 27. Albuquerque, NM. Call-in or e-mail us and we will try to answer your questions and concerns. Thank you.

https://www.1776wethepeople.com
Contact Information - Email: mickbo@earthlink.net

DFA's Social Security Radio Ad Runs in ABQ

Democracy for America's Social Security Ad Hits the Airwaves: Radio Ad Highlights Real Stories from Real Americans - Listen to the Ad: Click for mp3

BURLINGTON, VT - Starting today, Democracy for America (DFA) will air a radio ad titled, "Gina and Josephine" in three media markets -- Albuquerque, New Mexico (KABQ 1350AM, Air America) , San Diego, California and Seattle, Washington. It will air in all markets through next week.

"It's important for people to understand the positive impact Social Security has on the lives of millions of Americans -- and these stories, along with the thousands of others that we collected depict that," said Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America. "We must protect this vital system from the destruction of privatization."

The radio ad features true stories from real Americans whose lives have been changed by Social Security. These are just two of the thousands that Democracy for America collected over the past month from activists nationwide. The ad will be complemented by a grassroots action plan among DFA Meetup groups in each city. All the stories are available at Democracy for America's website .

"Gina and Josephine" Script

(BACKGROUND MUSIC) GINA: Hi, I'm Gina. My father died tragically when I was only 7 years old -- leaving my mother to raise me, my younger sister and brother on her own. If it weren't for our monthly Social Security checks for dependent care, my family would not have made it through. Because of Social Security, my sister and I have become productive members of society. I was even able to go to college.

(MUSIC ENDS) ANNOUNCER: Tell your story and learn how you can protect Social Security from privatization, visit: democracyforamerica.com.

(BACKGROUND MUSIC) JOSEPHINE: I am Josephine, one of thirteen siblings. My father was killed in a working accident when I was about eight. My mom died too when I was 12, so my older sister took care of us all. The monthly Social Security checks helped keep our family together. We were poor, but I never knew it - we always had food on the table, clothes on our backs, and blankets to keep us warm during cold nights. Please don't let the elected Republicans take Social Security away from our children. (MUSIC ENDS)

Democracy for America, which was founded by Governor Howard Dean in March 2004, is a political action committee dedicated to building a grassroots network of socially progressive and fiscally responsible activists and candidates running for all levels of office. Through the use of grassroots tactics, coalition building strategies, activist trainings and on-line support, DFA is giving ordinary people the power to reform their own political system.

Watch for Dem Ads on Bernalillo County Ward/Precinct Meetings

The Democratic Party has purchased two ads to announce the upcoming ward and precinct meetings on March 28 at locations around Bernalillo County. You may recall that Eric Elison of NM Democratic Friends spearheaded a drive to raise money for this after seeing a Republican Party ad in the Journal announcing their county meeting. Prior to this fundraising drive, the Party had plans to run only tiny print legal notices in the legal section of the newspapers.

Thanks are also in order for Jane Ronca-Washburn, who first asked for people interested in working on getting an ad at a meeting of the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County and who created the ad, and for Marvin Moss, who was also instrumental in getting the job done.

The sizeable ad appears in the business section of the Sunday Albuquerque Journal today, and will be in the Albuquerque Tribune on Monday afternoon.

Many DFA-DFNM members donated generously to this effort at our last Meetup, along with members of NM Democratic Friends and other progressives. More than $2200 was raised to purchase the ads -- people power in action. Thanks to all who contributed to this truly grassroots effort, and let's hope we have a terrific turnout at the meetings and that we can elect many progressives as ward and precinct chairs.

Are You Listening to Al Franken This Morning?

From Air America Radio's Al Franken Show:
Most of Team Franken is pluckily braving the snowstorms of New Mexico to (hopefully) bring you a road show from Albuquerque (at the National Hispanic Cultural Center). In hour one, we’ll be joined by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson.

In hour two, we’ll be joined by former US Senator from Oklahoma and presidential candidate Fred Harris. He’s now a professor of political science at the University of New Mexico-Albuquerque and he’s writing a book on Social Security’s non-crisis.

We’ll kick off hour three with Conroy Chino, New Mexico’s secretary of labor and an Acoma member of the Pueblo tribe.

Then, we’ll be talking about No Child Left Behind with Lois Meyer, an associate professor of education at the University of New Mexico-Albuquerque. She’s the author of an upcoming analysis called “No Child Left Bilingual.”
*************
Click to listen live online from 10 AM to 1 PM. Or you can listen on the radio in Albuquerque on KABQ 1350 AM or in Santa Fe on KTRC 1260 AM.
*************
In the opening minutes of the show, Franken announced that Governor Richardson was stuck up in Santa Fe due to our big snowstorm, but that he would be calling in for the interview. I hope Franken asks the Governor about election reform!
*************
Update: Govenor Richardson did say he thought we'd get a bill with "voter verifiable (or was that verified) paper trail." Why can't he use the term "ballot"? We'll never know.

Tune In Tonight

The KNME/PBS show "In Focus" will feature Sonja Elison of NM Democratic Friends discussing Governor Bill Richardson's proposed election reform bill with State Representative Danice Picraux and Amanda Cooper from the Governor's office, with Kate Nelson moderating. The show will air at 8:30 PM tonight (Friday), with a repeat showing on Sunday at 8:30 AM.

We're also pleased to note that Tony DellaFlora of the I'm Blue website will be stepping in to produce "In Focus" for several months, starting tonight. Break a leg, folks!

And be sure to email or call your legislators and Governor Bill Richardson to support SENATE BILL 1065, the election reform bill introduced by Senator Cisco McSorley, which Sonja helped draft. This wide-ranging bill includes the clearest and most precise definition of Voter Verified Paper Ballots, which represent the most effective way to assure the accuracy of our votes. Click here to read and follow the bill. You can find your legislators here.

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.

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

Real Moral Values

Must see video: Jon Stewart's interview on The Daily Show with Jim Wallis, author of "God's Politics."

Demand An Answer from the NY Times

From Not In Our Name:

We had planned for the new Not In Our Name statement of conscience to run on Friday, January 21, in the New York Times. We had a contract and a confirmation number. This ad was to be our answer to the inauguration, and it was timed to appear in the middle of the inauguration news coverage.

The ad did not run. The advertising department were themselves deeply surprised by this, and have not been able to explain what happened. In fact, we were told that to their knowledge this had never happened before.

At the same time, the Times lead editorial said that this should be a time of legitimacy and acceptance for the President -- and that this was especially something that the opposition has to come to terms with.

It is unacceptable that we do not yet know why something that "has never happened before" happened -- a full page paid ad, accepted and slotted in, did not run. This is especially so when the content of the ad, the need to resist the course that this administration has set, is so important to the people of this country and the world. There needs to be an investigation of what went wrong and why. If it was just an honest mistake, we expect that the Times itself would want to know why in order to prevent it from occurring again.

The Times has given us a new ad reservation number and assured us that the ad will now run on this Sunday. However, there is the danger of it being buried in the back of the first section. This would be another way of marginalizing and rendering relatively invisible the voices of conscience and dissent.

We urge signers and supporters of the statement to e-mail the Times to demand that the ad run in the Sunday Week in Review section (where there will be summation of the inauguration) or in the first 10 pages of the first section. Send to the President and General Manager of the Times at president@nytimes.com and to the advertising department at advertising@nytimes.com.

We also urge people to write letters to the Times in response to their editorial (https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/21/opinion/21fri1.html?oref=login) and requesting that your letter run on Monday. It would make a huge difference in making up the loss of the statement not running today, if people would quote or reference the Not In Our Name statement as part of their answer to the Times.

Editor's Note: Can you imagine the New York Times behaving this way if some right-wing bunch or Exxon bought an ad? Speak truth to power and urge the New York Times to own up to their censorship!