Pelosi: I’ll reveal information on Gingrich 'when the time is right'

From The Hill.com - By Alicia M. Cohn - House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is holding back some information on Republican Newt Gingrich that could detract from his presidential campaign, according to a report published Monday. “One of these days we’ll have a conversation about Newt Gingrich,” Pelosi told Talking Points Memo. “When the time is right. … I know a lot about him. I served on the investigative committee that investigated him, four of us locked in a room in an undisclosed location for a year. A thousand pages of his stuff." Gingrich, who served as Speaker of the House, worked with Pelosi in Congress from 1987 to 1999. Pelosi also served on the ethics committee that investigated Gingrich for tax cheating and campaign finance violations in the late ’90s. Gingrich reacted to Pelosi's comments by thanking her for an "early Christmas gift." He also said Pelosi would be violating House rules and abusing the ethics process if she disclosed anything from the ethics investigation. Gingrich filmed an ad with then-House Speaker Pelosi in 2008 to urge action on climate change, which haunted him early in his presidential bid this year. Gingrich called the ad “probably the dumbest single thing I’ve done in recent years” Read more
Share/Bookmark

Spaceport will be self-sufficient, director says

From NM Politics.net - Spaceport America’s executive director says she expects the facility to be “operationally self-sufficient” within a year of Virgin Galactic starting its flights. Of course, there’s still no firm date for the start of Virgin Galactic flights, which will ferry paying passengers into suborbital space. Christine M. Anderson made the statement about self-sufficiency in a guest column published today by the Albuquerque Journal that you can read here. “The people of New Mexico made an investment for the commercial space industry, which is now paying off,” Anderson wrote. “…it’s important for taxpayers to know that the spaceport will be bringing millions of dollars into our economy, and it’s not just Virgin Galactic that’s spending money.” Virgin Galactic is the big tenant. Anderson wrote that the company will pay somewhere between $150 million and $250 million to the state through its lease and fees over the next 20 years. “However, there is much more on the horizon for Spaceport America, and we expect to be operationally self-sufficient within one year of Virgin Galactic’s start of operations,” she wrote. Anderson highlighted customers of the spaceport including UP Aerospace, which recently won a multi-million dollar NASA contract and a separate contract from the Department of Defense, and Armadillo Aerospace, which has launched from the spaceport twice this year and plans a third launch before the end of the year. Anderson wrote that, to date, the Spaceport Authority has employed 973 New Mexicans. She projected “approximately 500 jobs in the next three years and approximately 2,000 jobs by 2016.” Read more
Share/Bookmark

Freezing Cold and Storm Halts Global Warming Meeting

The Environmental Improvement Board hearing that was scheduled for today in Santa Fe to consider eliminating a cap on carbon in the state had to be suspended due to frigid temperatures and a huge winter snowstorm. Everyone in attendance scurried away from the site of the proceedings at the Apodaca building and used fossil fuels to stay warm.

Share/Bookmark

Redistricting Trial Begins Today

Judge James Hall is presiding over a trial that will determine the boundary lines for New Mexico's three congressional districts for the next ten years. There are at least two groups of Democrats and one group of Republicans asking Judge Hall to hear their ideas for fairness. Included in the GOP parties to the lawsuit is Governor Susana Martinez. The Governor is seeking a plan that would involve the least amount of change in redrawing the lines whereas some groups that represent the ethnic Hispanic majority in the state are arguing for lines that create a minority set aside. The trial began today in Santa Fe.

Share/Bookmark

Parker: Just Another Welfare State Scam

Star Parker
Townhall - Last year a one year cut in the payroll taxes that working Americans pay to finance Social Security was enacted in the name of so-called economic “stimulus.” But, like the rest of the economic stimuli that have come from Washington over the last three years, the only thing that has been stimulated is the growing hole of national debt into which we sink deeper and deeper. But now, not without surprise, our president and his Democrat colleagues want to continue, and possibly expand, this payroll tax holiday despite its obvious failure.
But wait a second. Failure is a matter of definition. If the point was helping get our economy back on the road to growth and prosperity, the payroll tax holiday has been a failure. But if the point of the payroll tax holiday is not to reduce government interference in our lives but to keep it, grow it, and strengthen the decided movement of the last three years to turn our nation into a welfare state plantation, it’s a great idea. And that is really what is going on here and why President Obama and his Democrat colleagues on Capitol Hill love the idea.
Unlike our income taxes that government takes for general revenue and unspecified spending, the payroll tax is earmarked and specified. It pays for Social Security. A cut in income taxes, even if not accompanied with an equivalent cut in government spending, puts the pressure for such cuts in place and carries with it the prospect of reduction of government interference in our lives. But there is no such possibility with the payroll tax. When the tax was reduced “temporarily” last year from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent, were working Americans asked to agree to an equivalent cut in their Social Security benefits that that payroll tax pays for?  Of course not. Read full column here: News New Mexico

Share/Bookmark

Medicaid is a mess

Sidonie Squier
Capitol Report New Mexico - Any day now, Gov. Susana Martinez expects to receive a report from the state’s Human Services Department addressing the politically explosive topic of redesigning the state’s Medicaid program. We’ve written in the past few months about how the Human Services Secretary Sidonie Squier says Medicaid needs to be reformed in order to survive. A number of liberal organizations, such as New Mexico Voices for Children, say that’s not true – that Medicaid is fiscally solvent and no dramatic changes need to be made.
But just the other day, a couple reports came out that back up Squier’s claims. First, the Washington Post — hardly a right-wing mouthpiece — published a story Nov. 28 describing how states across the country are “caught in a fiscal vise as weak economic growth, dwindling federal help and increasing appeals from hard-pressed local governments squeeze their budgets.” The prime culprit? Medicaid, which is growing much faster than state revenues: Read full story here: News New Mexico

Share/Bookmark

Issa: DOJ/Holder Laundering Drug Cartel Cash

From thegatewaypundit.com -Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) wanted to make sure you heard about the US agents who have laundered or smuggled millions of dollars in drug proceeds as part of Washington’s expanding role in Mexico’s fight against drug cartels.  More News New Mexico
Share/Bookmark

Sunland Park Opens for 2011-12 Tuesday

Jockey Mike Smith
Hall of Fame jockeys Willie Shoemaker, Mike Smith (Roswell), and Jerry Bailey rode at Sunland Park. Legendary Hall of Fame trainers D. Wayne Lukas and Bob Baffert compete at Sunland Park. Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino offers daily purse distributions of over $230,000 to owners, trainers, and jockeys. Spurred on by the rise of the $800,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III), Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino continues to build in prestige and importance on the national horse racing scene. The 2011 edition of the Sunland Derby (Gr. III) attracted an all-time record crowd of 18,571 fans on March 27.
The huge crowd broke both track and New Mexico state records by wagering $2,963,240 on the 13-race card. Total purses exceeded $1.5 million for the record setting day. The Kentucky Derby prep race featured winner, Twice The Appeal and two other runners (Astrology and Ruler on Ice) that went on to achieve greatness this year. Ruler On Ice went on to win the $1 million Grade 1 Belmont Stakes and Astrology hung on bravely to finish a solid third in the Preakness Stakes behind Shackleford and Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom.
Plum Pretty
On the same day Sunland Park Oaks winner Plum Pretty won by 25 lengths. She went on to win the Grade I Kentucky Oaks for trainer Bob Baffert. Total wagering for the 2010-11 meet exceeded $60 million. The highly attractive Sunland Park racing product was seen by over 800 simulcasting venues across the globe. The 10th running of the $800,000 Sunland Derby (Gr. III) will be run on Sunday, March 25, 2012. Sunland Park’s signature event ranks as one of the richest Kentucky Derby prep races in North America.
A morning warmup and work
 The red letter day is also powered by the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks and the $100,000 Harry Henson Handicap. The $350,000 Grade I Championship at Sunland Park, the $250,000 estimated Grade 1 West Texas Futurity, the $100,000-added Riley Allison Futurity, the enriched $150,000 Borderland Derby and the $100,000 Sunland Park Handicap are marquee events. 
Pepper's Pride Win # 19 in a row

Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino ranks as the leading professional sporting event in the region. The 77-day live racing season starts on Tuesday, Dec. 6 and continues through Tuesday, April 17, 2012.


Share/Bookmark

Climategate 2: Emails Loaded With Bombshells

From news.heartland.org -New and explosive revelations continue to emerge from the Climategate 2 emails, two weeks after the 5,000-plus emails were first publicly unveiled. While Climategate 2 does not share the “novelty factor” of Climategate 1, the contents of the Climategate 2 emails are at least as appalling as Climategate 1. Most importantly, the Climategate 2 emails show scientists at the forefront of global warming activism acknowledging serious flaws in alarmist global warming theory, working together to hide data contradicting alarmist global warming theory, and taking concerted and nefarious action to ruin the careers of scientists and peer-reviewed science journal editors who publish studies and data that undermine alarmist global warming claims. Read full story here: News New Mexico
Share/Bookmark

New Mexico Braces for Major Storm and Cold

SANTA FE, NM – New Mexicans are urged to avoid unnecessary travel, prepare their homes, and use caution throughout the coming days of sustained cold temperatures. Large portions of New Mexico can expect cold temperatures, icy conditions, and snow. Cold temperatures are expected to last through Tuesday. Snow is forecasted for most parts of New Mexico except the extreme southern part of the state. The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) is urging New Mexicans to inform themselves of their weather situation and provide for emergencies.
“The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is taking the preparatory steps to respond to any emergencies that may result from the cold weather, but it is important that individuals take the necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and homes,” Secretary Michael Duvall said. “We will continue to work with local governments, our private partners and other state agencies to coordinate for the safety of New Mexicans.” DHSEM is in close contact with other state agencies and private sector partners such as the New Mexico Gas Company and PNM. New Mexicans can take important steps to take precautions. Avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. If travel is necessary, monitor weather and road conditions, make sure vehicle fuel tanks are full, charge mobile phones, pack blankets and warm clothing, and include extra food and water. To ensure the safety of themselves and their families, residents are asked to stay indoors and take necessary steps to ensure warmth, water, and food during extended cold conditions. Insulate pipes, have a first aid kit and flashlight in an easily accessible location, bring pets indoors, and store alternate sources of fuel, such as dry, seasoned firewood.
Avoid outdoor activity unless absolutely necessary. If you must go outdoors, avoid overexertion. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extremely cold air. Keep dry by changing wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat. Watch for signs of hypothermia. These include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion. For tips on preparing for preparing for cold weather: http://goo.gl/BEawR For road conditions, check http://nmroads.com/ or call 511

Share/Bookmark

Public pressure is a gift to economic growth

Marita Noon
For years the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been used to block development and economic growth. But on December 1, 2011, people and jobs were given a small victory. Midday, Thursday, December 1, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced a 6-month extension for the final determination for the proposed listing of the dunes sagebrush lizard (also known as the sand dune lizard). This may sound insignificant to those not impacted by previous ESA listing decisions or those not engaged in this fight, but it is surely something to cheer about in an era of bad economic news. (In this case, the proposed ESA listing of the dunes sagebursh lizard has the potential to “decimate” a large percentage of America’s oil and gas production.) Additionally, it represents a rare instance of bipartisan action and Congress doing the right thing. One year ago, the FWS published their intention to consider the proposed listing of the dunes sagebrush lizard as an endangered species under the ESA. This set into place a year-long process of public hearings, data gathering, and citizen rallies. Read full column here: News New Mexico
Share/Bookmark

Too True


Share/Bookmark

Walter Reed Hospital Bans Visitors From Bringing Bibles

From thegatewaypundit.com -Walter Reed National Military Medical Center said they are rescinding a policy that prohibits family members of wounded military troops from bringing Bibles or any religious reading materials to their loved ones. The decision to rescind the ban on Bibles came exactly one day after a Republican lawmaker denounced the policy on the House floor and called on President Obama to publicly renounce the military policy.  “No religious items (i.e. Bibles, reading material, and/or artifacts) are allowed to be given away or used during a visit,” the policy states. “That means you can’t bring in a Bible and read from it when you visit your son or your daughter, perhaps – or your wife or husband,” King said. “It means a priest that might be coming in to visit someone on their death bed couldn’t bring in the Eucharist, couldn’t offer Last Rites. This is the most outrageous affront.”  More News New Mexico
Share/Bookmark

More Snow on the Way

KOB TV - As this latest round of storms threatens the area, the City of Albuquerque and APS are doing all they can to be ready for Monday morning. Officials at the city said their crews have been working long hours to keep things clear for drivers, and they have even more work ahead. Meanwhile, Albuquerque Public Schools has had workers checking and prepping schools for a cold night tonight. With a break in the action today, Michael Riordan said city employees are hitting 12 hours shifts starting Sunday. He said they would be on a constant rotation to cover the major streets and cold spots. "With over 1500 lane miles of arterial snow and 42 vehicles total, 32 about with plows on them...we're trying," Riordan said. Read full story here: News New Mexico
Share/Bookmark

Another Bad Weekend for Tim Tebow Haters

Tim Tebow
San Francisco Chronicle - Minneapolis --  Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos delivered again with a strong, determined finish after a slow start. Tebow found his groove in the second half Sunday, and the Broncos' defense, which struggled for much of the game, provided a big play to match his late-game touch. Tebow passed for a season-best 202 yards and two third-quarter touchdowns to help the Broncos win their fifth straight game, 35-32 over the Minnesota Vikings on Matt Prater's 23-yard field goal as time expired. Read full story here: News New Mexico
Share/Bookmark