Veneklassen for Land Commissioner

There are some Democrats who are upset that Gene Veneklassen, the perfect fit for being elected Land Commissioner, was once a republican.  He switched because he could see the depravity of the GOP, but people like Ralph Arellanes Sr., a former Obama appointee and young Party member Israel Chavez seems to think that one should vote against him anyway.  This is the Democratic Party at its worse.  There is a gutter level attack going on against Veneklassen that is modeled on trump attacks on his opponents.  It is shameful and sophomoric.  Arellanes and Chavez shame the party for this stance by narrowing the opening to the tent, much like trump does.

Veneklassen is eminently qualified for this position and I am supporting him with money and other help and advice.  If you care about conservation, wildlife, climate change and other pressing issues that face us then Veneklassen is the guy to vote for.  Many good Philanthropic organizations have given to his non-profit because of his inspired leadership.

Countdown

I feel so relieved that Susana Martinez just made her last speech to the Legislature.  Really, of all the Governors I have worked for or observed she has been the most visionless, the most vicious and the biggest failure.  I honestly could not point to one thing she has accomplished that would help the long-term success of New Mexico.  Even Gary Johnson built a few things that were positive.

Really though, the thing that has stood out about her administration is the nastiness emanating out of the fourth floor in the capitol.  Her minions never talked issues, they just trashed anyone who disagreed with them.  Maybe trump used her as a model.  It looks like it to me.

She has just been a part of the meltdown of a moderate and reasonable GOP.  One wonders if they will ever recover their ethics and morality.  Of if they will even continue to exist.

A Relevant Quote

I got into a senseless argument with right-wingers on the deportation of that 40 year old father of three kids who had been in America since he was ten years old.  I stretched it a bit by saying the Homeland Security officers who escorted him out were like death camp guards, who fell back on the excuse they were just following orders.  It did remind me of that famous quote,

 "First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Perspective

Remember when?  It used to be that other countries would respect the United States.  A time when a sitting President didn't need to call black and brown people as residents of shitholes.

Take, for example, Cuba.  This is a photo I snapped while there a few days ago in Havana.  It is a park that honors Cuba's heroes.  Yes, that is Abraham Lincoln.  The man who emancipated slaves in our nation.  That meant something to Cubans who have no small experience with slavery in their history.

trump overstepped this time to the point where articles of impeachment are certainly warranted.  But the morally bankrupt republicans in this country will march against it.  Frankly, anyone in the Republican party is complicit.

A BLM Movement

Bureau of Land Management moving out of DC?  As a former Director of the BLM, this only makes sense if the BLM is regionalized, much like other Interior Departments and the Forest Service.  Instead of having a State Director in every western state who is beholding to Governors and Senators supported by the extractive industries,  the Department could be split up into identifiable ecoregions.  Take for instance the Colorado Plateau states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona.  But wait, that would make too much sense, wouldn't it?

Cuba Si!

We had a great stop in Havana for a couple of days.  One can really see the effects of the Embargo and the fall of the Soviet Union here.  The Cuban people are resilient and hope for a better future and of course, they are disappointed in trump going retro from Obama's opening of better relations with the country.  The country needs a major infusion of capital and a lessening of government authoritarianism.  But, the people we met seem to be patient even if they cant see the light at the end of the tunnel.  We had a great time touring around in an old Buick with a Mercedez engine and homemade radiator.

Sailing away from a very polluted bay.  The water had a lot of sewage and fuel oil in it and the air was bad until there was a nice shower.

Sailing soon to Cuba