Bill Richardson and the group still on US terror list

Fromer New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson

From Capitol Report New Mexico - Thom Cole of the Albuquerque Journal wrote a column back on Saturday (March 10) about former Gov. Bill Richardson accepting payment to give speeches supporting an Iranian group that the US State Department lists as a foreign terrorist operation. It’s a complicated story and as Cole points out, Richardson is not the only well-known political figure who has reportedly accepted money from supporters of the Iranian group — in fact, Republican officials such as former Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge have spoken on behalf of the  Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK). Since I do the research so you don’t have to, here’s the deal: Who are these MEK guys? They’re a group that’s lined up against the theocratic government in Iran. That’s good. But they’ve been accused of targeting and assassinating targets inside Iran back in the 1980s. In 1997, President Clinton put the MEK on the US terror list in a move aimed at improving relations with Iran. And the MEK has remained on that list since then. But there’s been a movement to get MEK off the list, since the group says it has not taken part in violence in 20 years, shares a common desire with the US in seeing the current government in Iran replaced and its supporters say MEK has helped gather counter-intelligence against Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The European Union took MEK off its terror list in 2009. On top of that, there’s the status of some 3,400 people associated with MEK who fled Iran and are now refugees in neighboring Iraq to consider. Read more

Bill Richardson and the group still on US terror list

The Predestined Failure of Obama's Energy Policy

From the American Thinker - By Anthony J.Ciani - One of the greatest failings in leftist thinking stems from the mistaken belief that societies can be easily manipulated.  President Obama's adopted energy policy makes for a wonderful example of this failure in thought.  The entirety of "green energy" is filled with micro-thinking, where a cursory (at best) understanding of technology and engineering has combined with narrowed visions and worldly ignorance to create "energy solutions" which fail in technological readiness, suitability to purpose, or market support. The failure of "green" becomes readily evident with one simple statement of fact: most "green" technologies are well over 100 years old, and there has been no significant scientific achievement in these technologies for approximately 30 years.  With the possible exceptions of photovoltaics and batteries, the "green" technologies are all mature.  For a mature technology to have little market presence or demand is highly indicative that it fails the cost-benefit analysis of its potential consumer.  If the various "green" technologies provided desirable benefits at appropriate price points, then they would be booming, without massive government subsidies or dictates. Read more

The Predestined Failure of Obama's Energy Policy

Harry Montoya carries on in challenge to Ben Ray Lujan and “the Democratic Party elite”

Harry Montoya

Capitol Report New Mexico -  It may be a long shot, and he’ll have to gather signatures on ballot petitions, but Harry Montoya told Capitol Report New Mexico he’s going ahead with his primary challenge of fellow Democrat Ben Ray Luján. “A lot of people talk about it, they whisper about it, but they say it out loud that we have a lot of issues in terms of the corruption, the pay to play scandals, the back room business deals that line the pockets of the Democratic Party elite,” Montoya said this past Saturday (March 10) at the state Democratic Party pre-primary convention in Albuquerque. Luján has served for the last four years in the US House of Representatives in the Third Congressional District that makes up the northern part of New Mexico and is the son of outgoing Speaker of the House Ben Luján. Montoya, who describes himself as a pro-life Democrat, is a former two-term commissioner in Santa Fe County who says Rep. Luján is part of an established political order that needs to be thrown out. Read More News New Mexico

Harry Montoya carries on in challenge to Ben Ray Lujan and “the Democratic Party elite”

An Energy Cost Misdirection

Marita Noon

We are all squawking about high gasoline prices, but there is an energy misdirection going on. Sabre rattling by Iran has security specialists sitting on the edge of their seats and speculators seeing the resulting reduced-fuel future. Short of a quick military strike that would squelch Iran’s threats, there is little that America can do to stem the rise of the global commodity costs—though history tells us an announcement of increased drilling in the US would have a positive impact.
While we are all looking at gas prices, there is another dramatic energy price increase going on that is totally optional; one that is within the President’s power to completely reverse.
Coal-fueled electricity generation is the lowest cost. Yet, due to cost-increasing regulations, coal-fueled power plants are being shut down at an alarming rate—killing jobs, raising rates, and putting the reliability of the electrical grid at risk.

Environmental groups are cheering, while local governments are left to grapple with the lost tax revenue. On February 29, Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club, penned a post celebrating the 100th closure of a coal-fueled power plant: Chicago’s Crawford plant. He also boasts that the group’s efforts have prevented 166 new coal-fueled power plants.

The closure of two units at the Salem Harbor Station in Massachusetts could halve the plant’s workforce. Salem Harbor Station is also the city’s biggest taxpayer. Mayor Kim Driscoll addressed the problem of the loss of the $4.75 million tax bill: “It's a big chunk of change when you're looking at we still have the same number of kids in school, we still have the same number of calls for police and fire, we have the same number of parks and resources that need to be maintained and kept up.” Read rest of column here: News New Mexico

An Energy Cost Misdirection

Is Richardson Involved in Pay to Say?

Bill Richardson

KOB TV - When former Gov. Bill Richardson left office he told New Mexicans he was looking forward to visiting baseball parks across the United States. Instead, the former pitcher has been traveling around the world earning speaking fees. Eyewitness News has learned some of Richardson’s fees were paid by people associated with an Iranian dissident group listed on the U.S. State Department’s list of known terrorist groups.
In addition to paying the former governor, the Mojahedin-e Khalq, also named MEK, has been spending millions to have Richardson and other diplomats, politicians and even former U.S. military generals use their influence to help them get de-listed.

In December 2011, Richardson, the former U.N. Ambassador, told the National Resistance Council in Paris, France that there is increasing international and bipartisan support for the group.
KOB found the video from Richardson's speech in Paris on YouTube.
Last year, the New York Times and Christian Science Montior both reported that at least 33 other high-ranking former U.S. officials have given speeches to MEK-friendly audiences since December of last year as part of more than 22 events in Washington, Brussels, London, Paris and Berlin.
While not every speaker accepted payment, MEK-affiliated groups have spent millions of dollars on speaking fees, according to interviews with the former officials, organizers. Richardon is represented by the Washington Speakers’ Bureau and reportedly earns between $25,000 and $50,000 a speech. Read full story here: News New Mexico

Is Richardson Involved in Pay to Say?

Economic Freedom Conference to be Held in Las Cruces on the 28th of March

(Albuquerque) The Rio Grande Foundation’s central mission is to analyze the significance of and promote the adoption of economic freedom. Reams of data and human experience accumulated over hundreds of years have shown us that economic freedom promotes wealth, human well-being, and happiness.
The best study of economic freedom at the state level is undertaken on an annual basis by the Fraser Institute, a Canada-based free market think tank that produces an annual report called “Economic Freedom of North America.”
What is economic freedom? The Fraser Institute’s report analyzes 10 components for the United States and Canada in three areas: 1. Size of Government; 2. Takings and Discriminatory Taxation; and 3. Labor Market Freedom. States shown in red on the adjacent map which is also the cover of the Fraser Institute’s report – a group that includes New Mexico – are in the lowest quintile in terms of economic freedom. Read the report here.
To spur discussion of economic freedom and explore ways in which New Mexico policymakers can make policy changes to move us in the right direction, the Rio Grande Foundation is hosting an evening with Nathan Ashby, the lead author of the Fraser Institute report. When: March 28, 2012 from 5pm to 6:30pm;

Dr. Nathan Ashby

Where: St. Paul’s United Methodist Church which is located at: 225 West Griggs Avenue, Las Cruces; What: Presentation of findings and discussion of economic freedom. Beverages will be provided. Cost is $5 payable at the door.

Dr. Ashby obtained his B.A. in economics with a minor in Spanish at Utah State University and went on to receive his M.A. and Ph.D. in economics from West Virginia University. His fields of specialization are public economics and international economics. He joined UTEP and the College of Business Administration as an Assistant Professor of economics in 2007. He currently holds the Western Hemispheric Trade Research Professorship. He has published articles in the Southern Economic Journal, Public Choice Journal, and Eastern Economic Journal. His published research focuses on the impact of economic freedom on migration, inequality, and other economic outcomes. Having lived in Mexico for a period of time, Dr. Ashby speaks fluent Spanish.

Economic Freedom Conference to be Held in Las Cruces on the 28th of March

Brewbaker Announces Run for House District 52

Arlington Brewbaker

A resident of the Las Cruces area for 31 years, Arlington E Brewbaker, has entered the race for House District #52. Arlington is the Vice President of BREWBAKER General Contractors, Inc. Arlington and his wife Anna Brewbaker have owned and operated BREWBAKER General Contractors, Inc for the past 19 years. Arlington wants to bring a new and strong approach to Santa Fe, a strong representation for local business and a strong voice for the citizens of House District 52. This is the first time Arlington, 55, is running for public. He intends to bring his years of federal, state, and private industry contract experience to the Table in Santa Fe in order to improve the opportunities for each citizen of House District 52 and the State. 

Brewbaker Announces Run for House District 52

Fajardo Will Run for House District #7

Kelly Fajardo

BELEN – In a press release yesterday small businesswoman Kelly Fajardo announced that she is seeking the Republican nomination for New Mexico State Representative, District 7. State Rep. David Chavez recently announced that he would not seek re-election to the seat.

“After much thought and prayer and with the support of family, friends and supporters, I have decided to run for the New Mexico House of Representatives,” said Fajardo. “I believe New Mexicans are tired of career politicians who won’t represent the values and views of their constituents.”
Fajardo continued, “I want to take this opportunity to thank Rep. Chavez for his service to New Mexico and Valencia County and also for advocating for our county’s infrastructure needs in Santa Fe.”
Fajardo believes we need leaders with the courage to stand-up to the status quo. Among Fajardo’s priorities will be to promote economic growth and development, increase public safety by repealing the law that allows illegal immigrants to obtain drivers licenses and to reform our education system.
“I look forward to meeting the voters in District 7 and with their consent, to representing them in Santa Fe next year,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo had previously announced her candidacy for Valencia County Clerk.
Fajardo is the owner of KKF Media, a social media and web services consulting company. Mrs. Fajardo founded her business in 2011 and is growing it to meet the communications needs of businesses in Valencia County and throughout New Mexico. Previously, Fajardo was the Director of Information Systems for TMM Business Records Storage in Albuquerque.
Mrs. Fajardo serves on the board of directors for the Greater Belen Chamber of Commerce and is a member of both the Valencia County Chamber of Commerce and the Hispano Chamber of Commerce. Fajardo is also a member of the Business Women of Valencia County. She is a frequent speaker before small business and community organizations on the topic of the future of technology, the Internet, and social media. Mrs. Fajardo is married to Larry Fajardo and is a mother to three children.

Fajardo Will Run for House District #7

UNM and NMSU Make Big Dance

The New Mexico Division I schools have both advanced into the March Madness brackets to be released later today. Last night the UNM Lobos won the Mountain West Conference Tournament with a win over San Diego State University and the NMSU Aggies defeated the Lousiana Tech Bulldogs to win the Western Athletic Conference Tournament.

The two teams split their games against each other with the Aggies winning in the Pit and the Lobos winning in the Pan American Center. Steve Alford's Lobos and Marvin Menzies Aggies are sure to be glued to the television later today when the NCCA tournament brackets are released at 4:00pm Mountain Daylight Time on CBS.

UNM and NMSU Make Big Dance

The Oil and Gas Industry is Helping Grow the United States Economy

Marita Noon

Lately, President Obama has been bragging about the drop in America’s dependence on foreign oil—now less than fifty percent. Earlier this week, he introduced a new chart to show how oil imports have declined under his leadership. The chart does not show the drop in America’s oil consumption, due to the bad economy. Nor does it give any indication of the trend for the future based on his policies—which will likely lead to increased use of foreign oil. President Obama’s energy policy is largely set by his environmental base that favors “alternatives” and eschews fossil fuels—especially drilling for oil. His policy mirrors that of California where the resistance to tapping the resources under the residents’ feet has resulted in increased imported oil from the Middle East. Once the largest oil producer in the world, California is now importing nearly 50% of its oil—with about 21% coming through the Strait of Hormuz. California’s gas prices are routinely the highest in the country. If Iran closes the Strait, as they’ve been threatening, California will be in dire straits.
While less dependent on Middle Eastern oil than California, the United States is like California, in that we have vast resources that are locked up due to regulation, blocked access, and delayed permitting. President Obama touts the reduction of imported oil, but his bragging rights may be short-lived, if he continues on the same anti-drilling track California has been on.
Read rest of column here: News New Mexico

The Oil and Gas Industry is Helping Grow the United States Economy