Essentially, we gathered in a bi-partisan effort to support Senators Bingaman and Domenici in making sure their Senate version of the Energy bill prevails over the horrendous House Bill. The house version exempts the Oil and Gas industry from many environmental laws, public comment, and supervision by our Public Lands agencies. This comes at a time when the industry is making extremely large windfall profits on ascending oil prices. The last time this happened during the 70's there was a windfall profits tax enacted, but the chance of that happening with this President and Congress are about zero.
It was heartening to see Republicans and Democrats together on this. This is a photo of former Republican Governor Dave Cargo, William Wiley and Ken Whiton of the National Republicans for Environmental Protection, and Jeanne Bassett of the New Mexico Public Interest Research Group. The Republicans in this picture went out of the way in stressing they were very conservative, and I believe it. (Maybe "Lonesome Dave" isn't quite as conservative.)
This photo shows Ozawa Bineshi Albert of the Southwest Climate Council, Amy Welch of the Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy, Sarah Lundstrum of the Sierra Club, Carol Weekuaee of the Sierra Club and Neri Holguin of the New Mexico office of The Wilderness Society. I am pretty sure they probably are not Republicans, although I didn't ask them.
This is Oscar Simpson, Republican President of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. He is a passionate supporter of public lands protection and New Mexico's hunting and fishing areas.
Congresswoman Heather Wilson should look at a group like this and support the Senate version of the Energy bill. These are all New Mexicans who care a lot about our beautiful landscapes in the Land of Enchantment.
The media turnout for the news conference was poor. Neither the Journal or Tribune attended and only KOAT TV News showed up for the broadcasters, although I did an interview with KKOB AM Radio afterwards by phone. I know what will lead the local news tonight, probably a story about either sex or violence, or both. Although, a burning pickup truck on the I-40 might trump even those TV news stories. Afterall, their choppers are just sitting there!
This is a picture of downtown Albuquerque's street trees. They are in horrible shape all over downtown because they aren't being properly watered, fertilized and cared for. The city and building owners should get with it!
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