Democracy for New Mexico

Three Ways to Donate to Expanded DPBC Holiday Vets Project

In a November post we announced a project organized by the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County to benefit the New Mexico Veteran's Reintegration Center in Albuquerque. The project has now been expanded in scope, and donations of food, clothing and other needed items -- as well as cash donations -- are being collected for presentation to the Center and its 75+ residents on the evening of Thursday, December 20, 2007.

See below the fold for a list of items being sought.

You can make a donation in three ways:

• At the DPBC office located at 1301 San Pedro NE, weekdays before 12/20 from 9AM - 5PM
• At the DPBC Third Thursday Meeting and potluck at 6:00 PM on December 20 at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall at 510 San Pedro SE
• At the DFA-DFNM Meetup at 7:00 PM on Thursday, December 6 at the First Unitarian Church Social Hall on the SW corner of Carlisle and Comanche

The Democratic Party of New Mexico's kicking donkey float -- festooned with holiday lights -- will be driven by Terry Riley to both the December 6th Meetup and the December 20th DPBC Third Thursday Meeting to collect donations (see panel above). After the Third Thursday Meeting, well-wishers will accompany the float to the Veteran's Reintegration Center to make the presentation.

More Info from DPBC:

Welcome to the First Annual Democratic Party of Bernalillo County Holiday Season Service Project

In keeping with the spirit of the holiday season, and the DNC “7 in 2007” activities (which are suggested to include a Democratic sponsored service project) the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County has selected the Veterans Reintegration Center at 6101 Central Ave NE as the recipient of our service project efforts. The Veterans Reintegration Center provides housing, food, and job training for returning vets, especially those who are homeless. There are approximately 75 men and 5 women housed at the center.

The plan: All of us collect money and needed items between now and December 20.

Bring these items, and cash, to the 3rd Thursday potluck dinner on December 20, 6 PM, at the Plumbers and Steamfitters Hall, 510 San Pedro Blvd. S.E. (or bring to party headquarters at 1301 San Pedro NE if you are unable to attend the dinner or to the DFA-DFNM Meetup on December 6 at the First Unitarian Church).

Following a wonderful shared potluck dinner and visiting with each other, we will then spend an hour or two putting together our gift boxes and wrapping them. The State Party kicking donkeys float will be used to deliver the gifts that evening.

Items needed:

· Personal toiletries: deodorant, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, lotions, toothbrushes, combs, shaving lotion, razors, etc.

· Towels: new or gently used please!! We would like one bath towel, one hand towel, and 2 wash clothes per person in each box.

· Socks, slipper socks, and underwear- various sizes and types will be fine.

· Gloves and caps- one size fits all will be best.

· Sweatshirts, sweaters, and/or flannel shirts, various sizes.

· Stationery, first-class stamps, envelopes, and long-distance phone cards.

· Home-made cookies, brownies, etc. No store bought!!

· Copier-paper boxes to pack gifts in. (This will make all gifts uniform size)

DONATED CASH WILL BE USED TO PURCHASE COATS FOR THE MOST NEEDY RESIDENTS!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SPIRITS AND WARM HEARTS!

CLICK FOR FLYER

Wiviott Hanging Tough - Hopeful on Dem Senate Seat Pickups

Don Wiviott at Yearly Kos Blogger Convention 2007

I talked with Dem U.S. Senate candidate Don Wiviott last night and we discussed what a powerfully positive affect Domenici's retirement (and those of other Republicans) will have on the effort to end the Iraq occupation, deal responsibly with our economic problems and inequities, and redirect our energy towards an environmentally sustainable future. Wiviott said it was a great day in terms of improving our chances to move the Democratic agenda forward to bring much-needed change to benefit the country and the planet.

Wiviott had the courage to get into the race and organize a serious campaign when others in the state were afraid to stick their necks out. He spent July and August putting together a run, started raising money around Labor Day and is now hard at work finalizing his campaign team and materials. Now that Domenici is retiring, he seems even more determined to work hard to win a chance to take on the Republican candidate next Fall. He said unequivocably that he's in the Senate race to stay and will take on all comers in a Democratic primary. He's pledged to raise up to $2.1 million to spend in a primary if necessary, and he's already seeded his campaign with $400,000 of his own money. He's that passionate.

Meet Wiviott at DFA-DFNM Meetup Tonight
You can judge for yourself by attending tonight's DFA-DFNM Meetup at 7:00 PM at the Social Hall of the First Unitarian Church on the SW corner of Carlisle and Comanche in Albuquerque. Wiviott will speak and participate in a Q and A session. To join the group and/or RSVP for tonight's event click here.

Dem Senate Chances
I certainly share Don's enthusiasm about the Dems' chances to gain Senate seats next year, including here in New Mexico. Even though Domenici recently expressed some criticism of Bush's Iraq tactics, he's really still a true believer in everything Bush. With Domenici retiring, we have a real opportunity to replace a supporter of the Bush agenda with someone who will work to regain our positive momentum. The Dems now have an even better chance to win in the neighborhood of 4-6 Senate seats in the 2008 election -- or maybe even more.

Open Senate races are also shaping up in Viriginia (Warner retiring), Nebraska (Hegel retiring), Colorado (Allard retiring) and Idaho (Craig reportedly retiring). Plus a number of incumbent Republican Senators running for reelection in Dem trending states have tumbling approval numbers due to their support of the Bush agenda. These include Susan Collins (ME), Gordon Smith (OR), John Sununu (NH) and Norm Coleman (MN). Repubs also have to defend 10 more Senate seats than the Democrats do in '08. It could be a very good year for starting to turn the floundering ship of state around.

To read more posts about the U.S. Senate race in New Mexico, visit our archive. Photo at top by M.E. Broderick.

Tomorrow: U.S. Senate Candidate Don Wiviott at DFA-DFNM Meetup

*** REMINDER ***

Attend the

Democracy for New Mexico Meetup

First Unitarian Church; SW corner of Carlisle & Comanche
from 7:00 to 8:30 PM

this week

Thursday, October 4

to meet Don Wiviott,

Democratic Candidate for U.S. Senate from New Mexico

He has agreed to a full hour with our group and will have a question and answer segment with us. We can ask him the hard questions and express our concerns. We look forward to seeing you at our intimate conversation with Don Wiviott.

To join the Albuquerque DFA-DFNM Meetup group or RSVP for Thursday's Meetup click here. If you plan to attend, please RSVP so we can set up the room appropriately. Thanks.

Tomorrow's Meetup: Special Guest NM State Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino

Our monthly Albuquerque DFA-DFNM Meetup is set for Thursday, September 6th at 7:00 PM at the Social Hall of the First Unitarian Church at Carlisle and Comanche. To RSVP or join our group and email list, click here.

Our special guest will be State Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino, one of the progressive stalwarts in the New Mexico Legislature. Sen. Ortiz y Pino was a primary sponsor of resolutions urging the Congress to impeach Cheney and Bush and immediately bring our troops home from Iraq, as well as bills to establish a Department of Peace and create a working families tax credit. He's been a strong supporter of legislation needed in the areas of social welfare, at-risk youth, health, vets, education and many other core Democratic issues.

Now's our chance to thank him for his service, get his analysis of last year's Legislative Session and learn what's coming up at the January 2008 session. He'll also answer questions from the audience. More background on the Senator:

Sen. Ortiz y Pino was elected to represent State Senate District 12 (most of downtown Albuquerque and surrounding neighborhoods) in 2004, after retiring from a career in state and local government in a variety of social service posts. In 2004, he also started work at HELP-NM as director of the family services division. Since 2001, he's written a regular newspaper column on political and social issues for the Weekly Alibi.

He's worked throughout New Mexico but spent the past 28 years in Albuquerque. His interests broadened over the years from an initial focus on mental health and children's protective services to work in child and family advocacy, substance abuse, positive youth development and early childhood programming.

With two other social workers, he helped found a private adoption and foster care agency called La Familia in 1984 and co-founded a Charter High School for dropouts in Albuquerque in 2000 -- the Robert F. Kennedy Charter High School. He also helped found Los Puentes and Cesar Chavez Charter High Schools in Albuquerque and Cesar Chavez in Deming. All primarily serve adolescents who have left mainstream high schools.

Sen. Ortiz y Pino has a BA in Latin American Studies from the University of New Mexico and a Master's in Social Work from Tulane University.

DFA-DFNM July Meetup Cancelled; Dem Picnic July 4th at Elena Gallegos

As we mentioned at the last Meetup, we're cancelling our Albuquerque DFA-DFNM Meetup scheduled for July 5th due to the Independence Day holiday week. Our regular Meetup schedule will resume on August 2nd when our confirmed guest speaker will be Congressional candidate Martin Heinrich. He'll be talking about his campaign and platform, as well as taking your questions. Mark your calendars! If you'd like to join our group and email list, visit our Meetup page.

Everyone is encouraged to attend the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County's 4th of July Picnic and to invite your friends and neighbors. All are welcome:

Wednesday, July 4th
Noon to 3:00 PM
Elena Gallegos Picnic Area, Sandia Heights
Free food, nonalcoholic beverages, horseshoes, volleyball ...

Park entrance is near Tramway & Academy. If you're going North on Tramway, take the first right North of Academy, which is Simms Park Road. Go 1/2 mile to entrance and follow signs. Tell them you're going to the Dem Picnic and the entry fee will be waived.

Feel free to bring your own food or side dishes, salads, desserts, water, etc. The turnout was so good at the last picnic that the Party ran out of food!

Click for more info at the .

Next DFA-DFNM Meetup to Feature Community Organizer Santiago Juarez

Our regular monthly Albuquerque DFA-Democracy for New Mexico Meetup is set for Thursday, June 7th, at 7:00 PM at the Social Hall of the First Unitarian Church at Carlisle and Comanche. To join the group, get on our mailing list or RSVP for the Meetup, click here. Our special guest will be long-time community organizer SANTIAGO JUAREZ (photo), who'll address the topic, "Electing to Resist: Vote Suppression and Community Empowerment."

"You take away people's health insurance and you take their right to union pay scales and you take away their pensions--taking away their vote's just one more on the list."--(Santiago Juarez, "Armed Madhouse")

Prominently featured in investigative reporter Greg Palast's recent bestseller, "Armed Madhouse," veteran New Mexico community organizer and attorney Santiago Juarez returns to Democracy for New Mexico, after a nearly two-year interlude. Santiago will recount his exploits in the 2004 Presidential campaign and election, and bring with him the spirit of citizen fightback in a time of both uncertainty and renewed hope.

Based in Espanola, NM, Mr. Juarez's community development work and his influence touch Albuquerque and span New Mexico and beyond. Counting among his early influences the late Chicano labor and civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, Santiago continues and extends the tradition of working-class, community-based political activism.

Santiago Juarez has held organizing positions in Mexicano/Chicano communities in the western United States since the 1970's. A founding organizer of Seattle's ground-breaking community center, El Centro De La Raza, Mr. Juarez also worked in the 1980's with Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Coalition.

Since 1995, Mr. Juarez has worked with communities in New Mexico as an organizer and facilitator for Re-Visioning New Mexico. He maintains a private law practice, is on the Board of Directors for the International Relations Center, and is currently the Executive Director of New Mexico Progressive Alliance for Community Empowerment (NM PACE).

Mr. Juarez holds a B.S. from Eastern New Mexico University and a J.D. from the University of Washington.

Why Are You a Democrat?

We've started pointing our digital camera at Democrats and asking them to give a short explanation of why they support the Democratic Party. We intend to make this an ongoing project that we'll conduct in various places around Albuquerque and beyond as election season heats up. Here are our initial results, taken immediately after last week's DFA-DFNM Meetup in Albuquerque. The footage is rather primitive, taken with our digital still camera's video function, but we think the messages come out loud and clear:

Ana Canales, Chair, Democratic Party of Bernalillo County

Cheryl Harris, Vice Chair, Democratic Party of Bernalillo County

Don Schiff, Ward Chair, 18B

Let Them Eat Cake: DFA-DFNM Meetup Tonight

Counting votes for SCC at DPBC Central Committee Meeting

Our regular monthly Albuquerque DFA-DFNM Meetup is set for tonight at 7:00 PM at the Social Hall of the First Unitarian Church at Carlisle and Comanche. Tonight's agenda will feature the newly elected Democratic Party of Bernalillo County officers -- Chair ANA CANALES, 1st Vice Chair JIM BUHAUG, 2nd Vice Chair CHERYL HARRIS -- in a discussion about the Party's plans for the coming months, your suggestions and how we can help. We'll also be hearing from JENNIFER FORD of America Votes - New Mexico and what they're up to.

STAY AFTER THE MEETING FOR CAKE and mingling in celebration of all those who won Democratic Party elections including State and County Party officers, ward and precinct officers, County Central Committee members and State Central Committee members, as well as everyone who ran for office and everyone who's working for change.

If you'd like to join our group, visit our Meetup page. You can also RSVP for tonight's Meetup at the site. We also suggest you sign up at DFA Link-Up, which gets you on the mailing list for the national group Democracy for America, with which DFNM is loosely affiliated.

See our previous post for more on the DPBC elections, as well as a Flickr album of photos from the Bernalillo County Party meeting. Click here and here for posts on the DPNM State Central Committee meeting in Las Cruces.

DFA: Edwards Wants You to Know Where He Stands on Iraq

From Democracy for America:

Hear Senator Edwards' Response

Last month, Democracy for America members petitioned the presidential candidates to oppose any escalation of the Iraq War, demand a swift end to the occupation, and propose a plan that brings our brave men and women home. We delivered over thirty thousand signatures and comments to every candidate and asked them to respond.

Senator John Edwards took time to shoot a video response to you and we are excited to make it available today.

Senator Edwards believes Congress should use their funding authority "to force George Bush to steadily bring troops out of Iraq." He believes troop levels should be "capped initially at one hundred thousand" and wants all combat troops out of Iraq in about a year. Senator Edwards closes his remarks with a thank you:

"Thank you for organizing at a grassroots level and building a movement to try to end this war in Iraq... and for helping build a movement to deal with all the big issues that matter in this country."

This video is just the beginning.

Over the next several months, DFA members will work together to pressure the presidential candidates on the most important issues. The road to the Democratic nomination is a long one and each candidate will be working hard for your endorsement and your vote. Victory in 2008 is up to us.

Thank you for everything you do,
Tom Hughes, Executive Director

P.S. John Edwards is the first candidate to answer your call for a direct response. If you like what you see and hear, I encourage you to sign up for his campaign and help in any way you can:

https://www.johnedwards.com

That said, this message should not be construed as an endorsement of Senator Edward's candidacy. In the months ahead other candidates for president will be reaching out to Democracy for America members too, because you have the power to shape the presidential primaries in a way no one else can.

Editor's Notes: Democracy for New Mexico is loosely affiliated with the national group, Democracy for America, which has its origins in the presidential campaign of Howard Dean when it was known as Dean for America. Click to learn more about DFA.

DFA-Democracy for New Mexico Meetups are held on the first Thursday of the month in Albuquerque. To become a member and join our email list, visit our Meetup site. You should also register at Democracy for America so you can be kept informed of their actions on the national level. Once registered, you can also join our DFA Link group. Although we still use Meetup for our meeting organization, members are urged to also register at our DFA Link page.

Special Guests for 3/1 DFA-DFNM Meetup: Noted Peace-Maker/Coach Plus Candidates for Top DPBC Offices

Our regular monthly DFA-DFNM Meetup will be held on Thursday, March 1, at 7:00 PM, at the Social Hall of the First Unitarian Church at Carlisle and Comanche in Albuquerque. To RSVP or to join the group and get on our email list, click here.

Our special guests this month include:

1. Candidate Slate for Democratic Party of Bernalillo County Offices (elections set for April 14, 2007) 

• Robert Aragon, Candidate for Chair
• Carolyne Devore-Parks, Candidate for First Vice Chair
• Mike Rose, Candidate for Second Vice Chair

2. Something a Little Different: Holly Kawakami on Life Coaching and a Life of Peace-Making. (Tip of the hat to Robb Chavez.) Check out her impressive resume of academic, peace and life experience:

According to life coach Holly Kawakami,

"Working with a coach is a smart choice for people who seek to take stock of where they are and want to maximize the possibilities of living a balanced and fulfilled life. Within the structured, confidential coaching relationship, clients examine values, clarify issues and challenges, brainstorm new ideas, and celebrate accomplishments."

Ms. Kawakami has expanded into coaching as another way to empower individuals who are transitioning, who want to see their values expressed in their communities, and who act to create the world they want to see.

Holly has a 25-year career assisting people who are crossing cultures and managing diversity to be successful in the global, interdependent business world. She brings fresh perspectives and innovative alternatives to problem-solving.

One client says, "The coaching experience with Holly helped me articulate ideas that had been floating around vaguely in my head and to accomplish tasks I*d been telling myself I'd do for months."

Robb Chavez, of DFNM, adds, "Holly listens well, and brings a sensitivity that allows her to hear even the unspoken concerns of her clients. She thus is able to prompt these individuals to achieve a clarity that can help them resolve outstanding issues, be they personal or social."

Kawakami holds a B.A. in Japanese and Asian Studies, an MBA-International, and is finishing her doctorate in intercultural communication at UNM. She also is a qualified mediator and has taught mediation, negotiation and all kinds of communication courses.

Her early years in Chicago exposed her to the struggle for civil rights and to principles of community organizing. Holly then lived outside the United States--20 years in Japan--until moving to New Mexico in 2000.

Connecting people in order to create peace and understanding has always been at the center of Holly's work. For example, the Governor of Osaka appointed her, the only Westerner, to the Osaka Council for World Peace in the 1980s. In 2005, she accompanied and interpreted for the two atomic bomb survivors who came to New Mexico to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Holly Kawakami currently is a member of the UNM Peace Studies Committee and is once again part of the planning for the annual UNM Peace Fair. Holly has studied Japanese tea ceremony for three decades and teaches in the community as another expression of bringing people together in peaceful communion.

For those interested, the first coaching call is complimentary and includes explaining the coaching structure, listening to a client's expectations, and setting up the best schedule to meet that client's needs.

Contact Information: hcsk48@gmail.com

Website: www.goglobalcoaching.com (under construction)

Holly Siebert Kawakami
Ph.D. Candidate
Intercultural Communication
University of New Mexico
Communication Instructor, Water Resource Master*s Program
Albuquerque, NM 87106