California Bans Open Carry of Handguns

From The Blaze.com - California became the fifth state to prohibit openly carrying handguns in public after Gov. Jerry Brown announced Monday that he had signed the ban into law late Sunday night amid heavy opposition from gun enthusiasts. AB144 by state Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D-Pasadena, makes it a misdemeanor to carry an exposed and unloaded gun in public or in vehicles, with violators facing up to a year in prison or a potential fine of $1,000 when the law takes effect on Jan 1. Portantino said the bill is an opportunity to prevent tragedy before it happens. “It’s not if somebody is going be shot, it’s when somebody is going to be shot,” he said. “We have the opportunity to avoid that, and that’s why this is so critical.” “By prohibiting the open carry of guns, we can now take our families to the park or out to eat without the worry of getting shot by some untrained, unscreened, self-appointed vigilante,” Dallas Stout, president of the California chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said in a statement. Read more

California Bans Open Carry of Handguns

US Senator Bernie Sanders Calls For Boycott Of Big Banks To Support Occupy Wall Street

From Business Insider - Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who identifies himself as a socialist, called for a boycott of major banks in support of the Occupy Wall Street protests. In a tweet, Sanders said "People might want to think about going to your local community bank and withdrawing funds from these large institutions. Sanders has been one of the most outspoken proponents of the protests, taking to Twitter to criticize the financial industry and echo many of the complaints of the protesters. Read more

US Senator Bernie Sanders Calls For Boycott Of Big Banks To Support Occupy Wall Street

"Race Cards"

  Courtesy of Conservativedailynews.com

"Race Cards"

Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act Seems to Ban Parodies and Satire of TSA

Infowars - Two thirds of the way through the ponderous bill, in Sec. 295, we find the following: Whoever, except with the written permission of the Assistant Secretary for Transportation Security (or the Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service for issues involving the Federal Air Marshal Service), knowingly uses the words ‘Transportation Security Administration’, ‘United States Transportation Security Administration’, ‘Federal Air Marshal Service’, ‘United States Federal Air Marshal Service’, ‘Federal Air Marshals’, the initials ‘T.S.A.’, ‘F.A.M.S.’, ‘F.A.M.’, or any colorable imitation of such words or initials, or the likeness of a Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service badge, logo, or insignia on any item of apparel, in connection with any advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, software, or other publication, or with any play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, in a matter that is reasonably calculated to convey the impression that the wearer of the item of apparel is acting pursuant to the legal authority of the Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service, or to convey the impression that such advertisement, circular, book, pamphlet, software, or other publication, or such play, motion picture, broadcast, telecast, or other production, is approved, endorsed, or authorized by the Transportation Security Administration or Federal Air Marshal Service .(Emphasis added.)

In other words, if you print a t-shirt or produce a publication with a TSA logo, the government may soon be able to arrest and prosecute you. The language states that it would be illegal to “convey the impression” that you are representing the TSA, but this interpretation would likely be left to federal prosecutors. In the past, satire was protected under the First Amendment, but it may soon be illegal to poke fun at the TSA or use its logo or even utter its name. Notice there is no exception in the above language for parody.

Political satire is as old as the Greeks and the Bible. But it may now become a punishable crime if this legislation is enacted. Read full story here: News New Mexico

Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act Seems to Ban Parodies and Satire of TSA

Energy Votes Provide Strong Indications of Why Unemployment is a Huge Problem

New Mexico voters got another strong indication of how its elected officials view job creation policies in Washington late this week. Congressman Steve Pearce voted in favor of H.R. 2273, the Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act on Friday while his counterparts, Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan voted against it. “This legislation protects jobs in the coal ash industry, which includes mining, power plant and cement sectors,” said Pearce. “While this bill devolves power to the states in permitting processes for the coal residual permit program, it does force all facilities to comply with the criteria of the Waste Disposal Act for the protection of groundwater and other valuable resources.”

“Unnecessary regulations kill jobs,” Pearce continued. “The EPA itself stated that coal residuals, or coal ash, should not be regulated as a hazardous material on two separate occasions. Coal ash regulations directly affect employees in throughout New Mexico, especially in the two coal fired power plants at Four Corners and Prewitt, which is near Grants. By allowing states to regulate permits for coal combustion residuals, we will save 300,000 jobs nationally. We can have economic growth and a clean environment.”

Four Corners Power Plant

Presumably, both Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan voted against the job saving legislation that could have prevented higher unemployment rates and rising electricity rates in the state due to environmentalist influences. Heinrich, who is seeking the Senate seat held by Jeff Bingaman has long be opposed to coal as a source of energy, preferring the federal government direct taxpayer investments in solar projects. Lujan, who met recently with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Santa Fe, also prefers additional federal controls that are likely to lead to further weakening of the prospects for continued employment at the Four Corners Power Plants near Farmington and at Prewitt near Grants.

Energy Votes Provide Strong Indications of Why Unemployment is a Huge Problem

Martinez and Barela Announce Big Jobs Deal

Susana Martinez

Governor Susana Martinez made the following statement after receiving notification that global electronics manufacturer TE Connectivity will merge two distribution and manufacturing centers in the southwest United States into a single facility in Santa Teresa. Governor Martinez and Economic Development Secretary-designate Jon Barela both met personally with representatives from TE Connectivity to encourage them to expand their operations in New Mexico and contribute to the state’s growing economy along the southern border. “As we work to encourage economic growth in and attract new businesses to our state, I’m pleased that TE Connectivity has decided to expand in Santa Teresa,” said Governor Martinez. “Continuing to foster a friendlier environment that encourages growth and investment will send a signal that New Mexico is open for business. This announcement is an important development and I am committed to further encouraging growth and expansion as we work to turn New Mexico’s economy around.”
“New Mexico can and should be an attractive destination for businesses to grow and expand,” added Secretary Barela. “TE Connectivity’s decision to centralize their operations in Santa Teresa is a great step forward for economic development in our state. This administration remains committed to creating a friendlier business environment so we can continue to attract businesses and create jobs in New Mexico.”
Governor Martinez and Secretary Barela met with TE Connectivity executives in Albuquerque over the summer and encouraged them to consider merging their southwestern facilities in Santa Teresa. As a result, Southern New Mexico will house the company’s largest distribution and manufacturing center in the United States.

Jon Barela

“Our conversations with Governor Martinez and her administration were very encouraging as we were making the decision to expand operations in Santa Teresa,” said Joann Piccolo, Vice President of Global Government Affairs for TE Connectivity. “We are grateful for the guidance provided by Governor Martinez and Secretary Barela and we look forward to a long and successful presence in Southern New Mexico.”

TE Connectivity designs and manufactures over 500,000 products and employs nearly 100,000 workers. Their partners include customers in a wide range of industries, including consumer electronics, energy, healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and communications networks.

Martinez and Barela Announce Big Jobs Deal

Heinrich and Wilson Lead Fundraising Derbies

Heather Wilson

Santa Fe New Mexican - Democrat Martin Heinrich and Republican Heather Wilson are looking even more like front-runners in the U.S. Senate primaries with the announcement of their latest fundraising efforts. According to figures released by the campaigns, Heinrich has more than twice the cash on hand of his primary opponent, State Auditor Hector Balderas, while Wilson has nearly four times as much money in the bank as her chief primary opponent, Lt. Gov. John Sanchez.

Martin Heinrich

Heinrich, a congressman representing Albuquerque, raised more than $650,000 in the third quarter of the year, his campaign reports. That's better than twice that raised by Balderas, who reported raising $250,000. Heinrich's campaign says he has more than $1.1 million cash on hand. Balderas has $465,000, a campaign spokeswoman said. Read full story here: News New Mexico

Heinrich and Wilson Lead Fundraising Derbies

Teacher accused of duct taping students

From KRQE-TV.com - An Albuquerque third-grade teacher has been placed on paid administrative leave for allegedly duct-taping the mouths of two students to keep them quiet, according to APS Police. Students in one third grade class at Mark Twain Elementary near Constitution and Louisiana went home with a letter that states the teacher is being investigated for "alleged employee misconduct." An APS spokesperson would not comment further calling the issue a personnel matter. APS said the teacher hasn't been charged with anything, but the district removed the teacher from the classroom because the allegations involve students. "Outraged, very much so, very angry," said Ann Chavez, the parent of a third-grader in another class. "There's never an excuse for putting duct tape on a child's mouth ever." A substitute teacher has taken over the class until the investigation is finished. Read more

Teacher accused of duct taping students

Mexican President Felipe Calderón opens Juárez Competitiva

From the El Paso Times - By Alejandro Martinez-Cabrera - Juárez - Mexican president Felipe Calderón inaugurated Juárez Competitiva, a two-week industry promotion event, by announcing a tax break extension to the manufacturing plants in the city on Thursday. The tax break, which was set to expire in December, was stretched till the end of 2013 and will help promote economic growth in Juárez, Calderón said. "This decree will nourish the maquiladora industry," he said. "It will allow companies to invest with a medium-term perspective. They will count with the resources to strengthen their investments and generate jobs." Calderón kicked off the event in a ribbon-cutting ceremony along with Chihuahua Gov. Cesar Duarte, Juárez Mayor Hector "Teto" Murguía, Mexico's Secretary of Economy Bruno Ferrari, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Anthony Wayne and Juárez Competitiva coordinator Carlos Chavira. Afterward, Juárez Competitiva organizers gave Calderón a quick tour of the facilities to show him some of the products manufactured in the city, including televisions, furniture, race karts and robots. Read more

Mexican President Felipe Calderón opens Juárez Competitiva

Española Teachers 95th Lowest-Paid in State

From the Rio Grande Sun - By Michael Maresh - The average teacher’s salary in the Española School District this fiscal year is among the lowest in the state, prompting at least two Española School Board members to say they want to find ways to compensate District teachers more fairly. The District’s average teacher salary of $45,385 places it 95th statewide, according to data from the state Education Department. The Department rankings included charter schools as independent entities, so the District’s ranking of 95th is out of 125 entities, not just the state’s 89 school districts. Of the 13 school districts in the state with student enrollments between 2,501 to 5,000, the average Española teacher’s salary was the 12th lowest, .the data shows. Read more

Española Teachers 95th Lowest-Paid in State