More Mass Murders in Murder City
Pearce Addresses Threats to NM Freedoms
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| Steve Pearce |
Many of us in New Mexico have fond memories of the Gila as a weekend paradise. We have spent Friday nights after work driving to our favorite spot, unloading the kids, camping out, telling stories, and making memories before piling back into the minivan, pickup, or station wagon on Sunday. Our schedules don’t allow us to spend days or weeks hiking in, but open access has always made this a treasure to be enjoyed by all. Now, the Forest Service wants to take away that freedom. Numerous New Mexicans have been contacting me—by email, phone, Facebook, meetings, and when I visit their hometowns—to tell their stories. They tell me of a friend or family member who will lose access to their favorite corner of the world. They tell me of their memories of the Gila, and their hopes for future trips. They tell me that to preserve these, the proposed closures must be stopped.
Some, like Reverend Mike Skidmore from Truth or Consequences, simply love escaping with their loved ones into the Gila. For Rev. Skidmore, the Gila is a place to enjoy nature and “get away”—an experience he has shared with his children, grandchildren, and even members of his congregation. He fears that road closures will force everyone to the same crowded campsites, ending the days of quiet refuge and fellowship he always found there. Others have expressed concern for the elderly and disabled. The joys of the forest should be available to everyone, not just those with the physical ability to hike miles with a heavy pack. Charlie and Paula Stevens have camped in the Taylor Creek Canyon together for the past 35 years. The couple explained that as they grow older, they will become unable to access their spot without roads. Restricted access could bring their lifelong tradition to an end. This sort of discrimination against the elderly and disabled is unacceptable. 
Some worry about their families. Butch Morgan, a local small-business owner, shared his disappointment that his eleven grandchildren could be unable to experience the forest the way he did when he was their age. Restricting access could mean that fewer families have the time or ability to make memories in this splendid forest. Those who live in the Gila, including ranchers and farmers, are deeply concerned. Roads throughout the Gila connect them to their livelihoods, their homes, and their backyards. Still others worry about safety. I share their concerns: any time roads are closed, it is important to ensure that emergency personnel will not be impeded. When addressing public safety, minutes count. I will continue to ask questions and hold the Forest Service accountable to ensure that no time is lost. 
I share the concerns of my fellow New Mexicans, and will fight for their access to our national treasures. But I can’t do this alone. Attend local meetings. Call your friends and newspapers. Express your concerns to the rest of our congressional delegation, and to the Forest Service. Together, we can defend the freedom to enjoy the Gila for generations to come.
I share the concerns of my fellow New Mexicans, and will fight for their access to our national treasures. But I can’t do this alone. Attend local meetings. Call your friends and newspapers. Express your concerns to the rest of our congressional delegation, and to the Forest Service. Together, we can defend the freedom to enjoy the Gila for generations to come.
O'Reilly: Comparing Obama to "W"
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| Bill O'Reilly |
Comparing Obama and Reagan?
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| Larry Kudlow |
John Arthur Smith Appeared on NewsNM
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| John Arthur Smith |
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| Luciano "Lucky Varela" |
New Mexico is rare in that both the governor and a legislative agency (LFC) propose comprehensive state budgets to the Legislature. The New Mexico budget currently amounts to about $6 billion in general fund appropriations and about $14.7 billion in total funds. Four areas account for seventy-eight percent of the general fund budget: 43 percent for public schools, 15 percent for higher education, 13 percent for Medicaid and 7 percent for public safety.
Lawmaker proposes concealed handguns in schools
NewsNM (Swickard) The mantra of no guns in schools wants us to believe that keeping people with no evil intent who are trained in the use of a weapon from having access to a weapon while in a school will somehow keep people with evil intent from bringing and using guns to schools. Leaving schools with no protection plays into the hands of those of evil intent. What conceal carry provides is the doubt in the minds of those who would do wrong that someone, anyone, could shoot back. Gun free zones foster violence because people of evil intent count on no victim having a weapon. From the Santa Fe New Mexican - Guns have long been taboo in schools, but a state legislator wants to change that in New Mexico. A proposal Rep. Zach Cook, a Ruidoso Republican, would allow people licensed to have a concealed handgun to take their weapons into schools and preschools, on college campuses, bars, state parks and buses. Cook said he offered the measure to address complaints from his southern New Mexico constituents. "There are a lot of people who have concealed carry permits that have to leave their gun in their cars to take their kids to school, which creates a burden on them," Cook said in a recent interview. "I would rather that gun be on the body of the responsible person who has met all the requirements for having a concealed carry permit than sitting in a car unattended." But the measure faces plenty of opposition. "Just the idea of having unlimited access to weapons on a school campus is alarming," said Tom Sullivan of the New Mexico Coalition of School Administrators. Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, who has a concealed handgun permit, opposes people carrying concealed weapons in schools and bars. Read more
Hundreds who lost gas demand answers
From KOB-TV.com - It was supposed to be a forum on federal assistance for those who were left without natural gas for seven days. But a crowd who packed into the Mission Museum in Espanola on Thursday seemed more interested in hearing from the New Mexico Gas Company directly, and began shouting when they found out gas executives had not shown up. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Housing and Urban Development went through several grant and loan programs aimed at helping people who have lost live stock or had their houses damaged because of the cold. But many took turns venting their frustrations, one man yelling that they didn't want loans, they wanted results. An hour into the meeting one man demanded to know why New Mexico Gas officials were not in attendance to answer questions and was told company had been invited but did not show up. Taos Mayor Darren Cordova began to address the crowd, speaking out against the New Mexico Gas Company and vowing to "hold their feet to the fire," and "make them pay." Read more
Bill prohibiting driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants tabled on party line vote
From Capitol Report New Mexico - House Bill 261, introduced by Rep. Bill Rehm (R-Albuquerque) was tabled on a 5-4 vote in the House Labor and Human Resources Committee, with all five Democrats voting to table the measure and all four Republicans voting against tabling, essentially killing the bill at its first legislative stop. The thrust of the bill would have rescinded the state’s practice of granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. New Mexico is one of just three states (Utah and Washington being the others) that allow undocumented aliens to legally drive. Read more
Swickard column: The Spender Generation will stop spending
by Michael Swickard, Ph.D. - We are the Spender Generation and there is no amount of money we cannot spend. All that constrains us is how much we can borrow.So when future generations look back, I am sure that there are a few things those generations from now will know. They will know that we, The Spender Generation, were the most selfish and self-centered generation in all of history. Perhaps they will refer to us as the Spender Generation, or something worse.How we will get that moniker is that our generation has spent all of the money we ourselves had and then spent much of the money from the future generations. What did we spend it on? We spent it on ourselves. They will know that we did this. Read Column
Unconstitutional? Make Them Hire Lawyers!
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| Rachel Pulaski |
Much controversy has been surrounding NewsNM the past few days concerning the actions of Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima at a City Council meeting held on February 7, 2011 . The topic of interest was the sale of guns at a Lion’s Club Gun Show within the city limits. A concerned citizen wanted to know what steps the City was taking to prevent criminals from buying guns at the Lions Club Gun Show and shipping them to Mexico
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| Jim Harbison |
Mayor Miyagishima wants to pass a resolution to require background checks on all individuals who purchase guns. City Attorney Connolly stated it would be unconstitutional because the NM Constitutions says cities have no right to interfere with the Second Amendment right to bear arms. Mayor Miyagishima said "Of course we could always do it ourselves and let someone challenge us on it ."” Shortly after reporting this information the Mayor called the show in an effort to defend his actions. You can listen to that segment here. Today we had Jim Harbison as a guest to speak on the topic and defend the allegations made against him by the Major which can be heard here. In my personal opinion after watching the video several times, I would say that Mr. Harbison was truthful and accurate in his account of the meeting.
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| Ken Miyagishima |
I believe the underlying issues have been overlooked which is the blatant disregard for the rule of law and our constitutional rights by our elected officials who want to perform illegal acts under the guise of “knowing what is best for us." Not to mention the blatant arrogance on behalf of Major Miyagishima to disregard the state constitution and force the taxpayers to be burdened with the cost to fight for their constitutional rights in court. Mayor Miyagishima defended his actions by stating “It is my job to protect the citizens of this city” and that he wanted a level playing field for complying businesses like Wal-Mart and gun dealers at a gun show. The fact is, all licensed gun dealers MUST perform background checks AT GUN SHOWS. There is no "loophole" for guns shows. Private transactions between citizens who are not licensed gun dealers are not covered under the law at gun shows or anywhere else for that matter. There are many of us who do not wish to give up our freedoms for better security or to have our state constitution overlooked for the “greater good” This is one instance in many where the end does not justify the means. I invite you to watch the video and listen to the audio to judge for yourself.
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