Climate Change

My first exposures to the subject of Climate Change came in the early 1990's. I had just been reelected as State Land commissioner and the first murmuring about greenhouse gases and climate change were occurring. I invited some scientists for Los Alamos to come to one of the Land Office brown-bag lunch seminars that I had started. I can't remember the man's name but he put forth a model of what would happen to New Mexico if the Earth's temperature started rising. So far, he seems to have been clairvoyant. I remember at the time that these theories were greeted with downright insults from the energy industry and many political leaders, especially in Washington and the first President Bush administration.

The Albuquerque Journal ran a story this morning that is alarming. It pretty much shows that an analysis by State government officials is pessimistic when it comes to climate change. New Mexico will and maybe already is changing. It really doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that we are suffering from severe drought and that our ski industry is on its knees.

I hope this political season will see a lot of debate on this issue. I plan on talking about it a lot in my campaign and if I am painted as radical for it then I accept the label.

First Observations

I went to a meeting at the Unitarian Church tonight. Bobbi is a member of that church but we haven't been there since Bobbi started commuting to DC. I went there often for a while and really enjoyed the people there. It was primarily a liberal and progressive congregation. One of the members there described many of the flock as people who weren't really believers but just wanted to "cover their ass." I thought that was pretty funny.

Anyway, the meeting tonight was made up of die hard progressive Democrats and others. It was a great group of people but they are pretty angry. They don't like the way campaigns are financed and they say they have trouble telling people what the Democratic party stands for. I actually hear a lot of this but I am optomistic that the party will find a solid and blunt voice over the next few months. I am also thinking that some campaign reform will come as soon as Jack Abramoff starts spilling his guts. It will be as riveting at Watergate (my sister Carlota was a bonafide Watergate junkie), Enron's demise, and bush's meltdown.

The mightier man, the mightier is the thing That makes him honored or begets him hate; For greatest scandal waits on greatest state.
Author: William Shakespeare

I-25 Truisms

I started commuting many years ago to Santa Fe from Albuquerque. I first started in 1974 when I went to work as Governor Bruce King's news secretary. In 1974 the road to Santa Fe was not yet a designated and complete interstate highway. I believe it was called highway 422. There was only one exit and that was Cerrillos Road. You could drive that commute and be alone on the road sometimes.

I have commuted thousands of times to Santa Fe since then and as I was driving up there to attend the Governor's Cabinet meeting today I started thinking about the patterns that emerge on those rides. Here they are in no particular order.

1. It gets more crowded and dangerous everyday.
2. Pick up trucks drive really fast.
3. Pick up trucks with ladders on them drive even faster.
4. Trucks from stucco and insulation companies drive slow.
5. If you look down at your speedometer and it says 85mph, you are being passed by everyone else.
6. Well, everyone else except senior citizens in Crown Victorias and old minivans.
7. When traveling up La Bajada all three lanes will be occupied by slow trucks.
8. The gasoline at the reservation gas stations is not cheaper than other places.
9. You will average three 'stars' on your windshield a year.
10. You will average 10 middle fingers waved at you a year for going to slow. See item 5.
11. You will dodge one exploding retread from an 18 wheeler every year.
12. There isn't as much roadkill as there used to be because we are eradicating wildlife.
13. You get the bejeesus scared out of you twice a year.
14. Once a year the guy who passed doing 100mph will be seen down the road chatting with a state police officer.
15. The sun always comes through the space between the mirror and the visor for half the trip.
16. People with cellphones held to their ear should be given space.
17. Your Starbuck's will dribble on your shirt once a week.
18. Crumbs from breakfast coffee cake end up everywhere in the car.
19. As soon as you switch on you cruise control you have to step on the brake for traffic.
20. It is still a pretty drive outside the cities.

Please God, I hope the Rail Runner to Santa Fe is in operation before I die.

Emancipation

Noelle celebrated her 21st birthday today. This evening we took her to dinner and as her brother looked on she had her first legal glass of wine at a Macaroni's Grill in Albuquerque. She got carded and showed her new driver's license. Actually, Noelle has been allowed wine with her meals at home for some time since it is a civilized thing to do.

Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used.
William Shakespeare

Public Lands in the Next Two Years

If we are going to save the last great places on public lands in the next two years we will need some strong politicians willing to stand up and take positions. Fundamentally, that is why I opted to run for State Land Commissioner again because I am not afraid to do it. For the last 14 years we have had Commssioners who have that 'go along to get along' attitude. That makes it hard to make decisions.

Despite the impending meltdown of the bush administration and their congressional allies there is still a capacity to do great harm to Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management Lands, and National Parks by this administration. The Oil and Gas Industry still holds immense power in the scheme of things on the Potomac. Some of this could change if we can retake either the House or Senate in Washington. Additionally, state level politicians can have a great effect on this by standing up to bad land management practices that have done so much harm over the last five years. Governor Bill Richardson's support for Otero Mesa and the Valle Vidal protections are extremely helpful. Also, County Commissioners, City councilors, Mayors and others can be effective in weighing in on these issues. That has been proven right here in New Mexico where my good friend Arturo Sandoval has been working with those folks in getting support for wilderness and land protection. There are a lot of good things going on in New Mexico right now because the Wilderness Society and the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, the Valle Vidal Coalition have recognized the importance of this inclusiveness in working with local leaders. It also helps convince our delegation that there is some real support for these land protections.

Murder Meter

At one time there was a newsman in the 1970's on KOB Radio by the name of Peter Wellish. He had a daily much listened too newscast and he came up with the idea of a "Murder Meter" for our city. Everytime someone got bumped off he would ring a bell and notify us of where the number on the Murder Meter now stood. It was funny and sad at the same time.

The Albuquerque Journal did their annual compilation of murders in our city this morning. The big message here is that the story makes many media outlets look unfair because it appears that the North East Heights and Westside have many more murders than the downtown/university area. And yet most people are still led to believe and do believe that downtown in unsafe. I think that is because when the media reports a murder case they will always say, "Another murder in downtown Albuquerque on the News at 10PM!" I never see them say, "Another murder in the far north east heights on the News at 10pm!" Simply, this is just stereotyping certain parts of the city. Too bad!

2006

I couldn't think of a better way starting 2006 than driving over to Pena Blanca and looking around. I took this rustic looking picture that says a lot to me about northern New Mexico. These are incredible landscapes we have here in the Land of Enchantment. We would be fools not to save this enchantment.

We went to a nice party last night and stayed for about an hour. I ran into a former state senator who was complaining about the state of New Mexico partnering with Richard Branson and Virgin Galactic to build a commercial spaceport in southern New Mexico. I am so glad this senator is no longer in office. The ex politico could only whine about the state wasting money. That kind of attitude is why we are where we are in economic development in the state. Governor Richardson is the first visionary hard charging Governor we have had in my recollection and this kind of project is exactly what we should be doing. Movie making, venture investing, environmental protection, tourism, and many other things have been doing very well here thanks to Richardson's different style and promotion of the state and, yes, himself. I think it is great, espcially since his critics can only whine about his traveling too much and buying a jet for the state. That is about all they can do to puff themselves up. Hilarious really!

Here is a website you must bookmark and sign into for few weeks to read about great thinker's dangerous ideas. I read the first two and have to admit I didn't quite get them, but later on some of these are really mind boggling. I will try and read all of them over the next month. Here is a great excerpt from one entry.

In everyday experience, time flows, and we flow with it. In classical physics, time is frozen as part of a frozen spacetime picture. And there is, as yet, no agreed-upon interpretation of time in quantum mechanics.

What if a future scientific understanding of time would show all previous pictures to be wrong, and demonstrate that past and future and even the present do not exist? That stories woven around our individual personal history and future are all just wrong? Now that would be a dangerous idea.

Piet Hut-Professor of Astrophysics, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton University

Finally, here are Athena and Beagle who were inside when the automatic weapons fire started at midnight. It sounded like Bagdad in the valley with thousands of pistol, rifle and automatic assault weapon's bullets being launched into the air over thousands of residents. How can people be so stupid! Hopefully, no one was hurt this year.

Loafing

Huevos Rancheros at Barelas Coffee House, 18 holes of golf at the Club, Band of Brothers Marathon on the History Channel, Party at the neighbors, home by 10, and hope we dont get hit by falling bullets fired by idiots. Happy New Year to all. 2006 will be a very important year for us all.

Floating

Here among other people are Rodger and Connie Beimer in Pasadena, California. They are among a lot of good volunteers who are decorating the New Mexico Float for the Rose Bowl Parade. Rodger and Connie are always doing this kind of stuff. They are having a great time. If you want to see more pictures just go to this site.

Things that should happen in the New Year

There was an interesting story in the Albuquerque Journal this morning about all the fitness centers gearing up for increased business as the New Year approaches. We all have resolutions that we make, however secretly, every year. This year though, I just want to see a few things happen.

1. Bobbi finds a job back in New Mexico
2. I get elected Land Commissioner so we can save some last great places in New Mexico
3. bush gets a reverse lobotomy. (How else to explain his cluelessness?) and the house or senate goes democratic.
4. We get serious about climate change
5. Other nations start respecting this country again. (See item #3)
6. Bill Richardson keeps up his hard charging for New Mexico
7. New Mexico gets some snow and rain
8. Intelligent design is only taught in catechism class and church schools
9. bushs tax cuts for the rich are discontinued
10. We all retain our health and if we don't we have access to decent affordable health care.

This is a list that just fell out in no particular order except for getting Bobbi back to the state. Our family has been very fortunate over the last year and I am happy about that.

All in all 2005 was not so great for many in the world given natural disasters and the continuance of a disastrous war brought on by lies and immoral leadership in this country. I see signs and hear things that maybe even some die hard bushies are beginning to think things truly aren't working. So, I guess I am optimistic about 2006. Especially after reading this NPR Poll out today.

Also, here is a Washington Post article on chances for Presidential Candidates. The comments on our Governor are pretty good.

My Big Sister Yet Again

I am really busy today, so I turn my blog over to my big sister , Carlota Baca for a guest blog. This is her newsletter for the New Mexico Association of Grant Makers. She probably wont like this picture either.

Director’s Column

M. Carlota Baca, Executive Director, NMAG

Last year at this time, I wrote an essay about families and the passages that they undergo through births, deaths, and the usual bumpy dynamics experienced by people who can’t choose their relatives.

The year 2005 marked the year when my brothers and I became orphans. It wasn’t a surprise and in fact it was a relief because Dad had lived longer than he wanted and was suffering the indignities of dementia. At about the same time Dad died, the U.S. was experiencing the political vulgarities of the Terry Shiavo case, about an unfortunate brain-dead woman in a profound vegetative state who became the unwitting tool of a number of demented, cynical and reprehensible politicians. (Hey, Carlota, tell us what you really think!)

The whole business – Dad’s sad lingering and the circus surrounding that poor woman in Florida – provoked me to call my lawyer and arrange a tight and aggressive right-to-die document. She drew up a legal statement that takes it about as far as one can go, given current legal restrictions. I told my brothers that now, if I get really loony, they can take out a gun and shoot me and nothing bad will happen to them. They seemed satisfied.

Family has been more than ever active this December: a niece returning from a semester in Bangkok, another niece and her little nuclear family driving in from their new “starter house” in L.A. (more than I’ll ever pay for a home!), a step-daughter in Austin embarking on a new life of travel adventure after chucking the job, a nephew heading to Central America to do some volunteer work for several months before he gets real and goes for an MBA, a brother announcing a run for political office, and the youngest in the family, Emma Kate, learning how to walk, all duly reported during the Annual Christmas Eve Posole and Tamale Feast in Albuquerque. In my brother Jim’s Thanksgiving Blog, he mentioned 10 things to be thankful for. Well, for what it’s worth, here are some things that are good in my life:

• A family of four living generations that has provided a lifelong refuge of security and understanding when I am troubled, and a locus of fun and mischief when I take myself too seriously.
• A blissful 20-year marriage with my beloved late husband, Dr. Ira S. Cohen, who remains in my thoughts in the most comforting way.
• Colleagues who stimulate me intellectually and for whom I have the highest esteem and affection.
• A professional position in philanthropy that brings me into contact with the better instincts and compassionate inclinations of humankind.
• A privileged education that helps me dismiss, with hearty and healthy scorn, corrupt politicians, hypocritical evangelists, bigots of all stripe and hue, and extremists of either wing.
• The music of Bach and the Beatles, the art of Tintoretto and Helen Frankenthaler, and the writing of Henry James and Joan Didion.
• Watching with delight and alarm the unfolding sagas of all these people who never asked to be related to me.

With warmest wishes for a Happy New Year!

M. Carlota Baca, Ph.D.

Executive Director

New Mexico Association of Grantmakers

First Time Experience

Public service is a high calling. I really believe that. I encourage young people to do it when ever I can. It is a wonderful career where you can really help your fellow citizens. It is sometimes very frustrating and stressful, and frankly you don't get a lot of thank yous from the taxpayer. None the less, you can really help make peoples lives better.

Now, after saying that I will get to the point. It is not everyday you get to retire for the first time. Well, actually I am not retired yet as the process takes a few months, but I have gone through the routine of taking paper work to the Public Employees Retirement Association in Santa Fe so they can start working on it. It will probably be a few months before the actual retirement date. This is a strange feeling having really done it. I suppose I could change my mind at any time. I will now have the time I need to get started on the campaign for Land Commissioner and it will be nice to know that if I win I will end my short retirement next January.

So, here in a nutshell is what I have done in Government Service for the last 20 years.

1. News Secretary to Bruce King
2. Public relations for the New Mexico State Legislature
3. Public Information Officer and Policy assistant to Mayor Harry Kinney
4. State Director of the Alcohol Beverage Control Department
5. State Land Commissioner
6. General Manager-Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District
7. State Land Commissioner
8. Director-Bureau of Land Management Washington, DC
9. Mayor, City of Albuquerque
10. State Natural Resource Trustee

I also did four years with the United States Air Force and New Mexico Air National Guard.

During the years I didn't work for Government I worked as a consultant for National and Regional Environmental and Conservationist groups. I also consulted for BDM and Road 9, Inc.

I think I have at least ten good years left of work, whether it is volunteer or otherwise.

Christmas Women

We had a great dinner over at John and Lisa Newell's house. Here are pictures of some the family women.

These are the ones under 35.


This is my niece Sara.

This is Kelly, my niece Sara's daughter. She is a princess.

This is Stephanie and Emma. They are my brother's daughter and grand daughter and my other niece.

This is Anya. She is Lisa and John's daughter and the most photogenic child I have run across.


This is Amanda, John and Lisa's other daughter who is a delight too.


And this is my daughter Noelle who will be 21 in 9 days.

Christmas Morning-Beagle Heaven

It was a great Christmas morning. Especially for the Beagles who got some little toys and extra attention from Justin. We will go to dinner this afternoon at John and Lisa Newell's house. Lisa is my brother's wife's sister.

Sandals at Christmas

Justin and Noelle lit the luminarias tonight. Justin was wearing sandals. On Christmas Eve! So if we light the way for the baby Jesus his little feet wont freeze. My God, I hope bush looks at my blog tonight to see that just maybe wearing sandals at 5300 feet altitude in December in New Mexico might just make one think that global warming might be real.


How many carbs were consumed here tonight. Countless I think. Posole, chile con queso, tamales(three kinds, one veggie), chips, guacamole, bischochitos, my sister Carlota's chocolate cake, beer, wine, ginger snaps. It was great. Burp.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all Blog Readers.

Today will be busy as we prepare for our annual Christmas Eve Posole and Tamale Fest. I finally rounded up some true vegetarian tamales for Justin. The bags for the Luminarias are folded thanks to bagladies Bobbi and Noelle.

There is a great Oped in the Journal today written by a victim of America's torture policies. Everyone should read it.

Things to Do before Christmas Eve

1. Pretend I don't have a cold--I am feeling better
2. Get a haircut
3. Take Rebecca, Will and Elysia of the Natural Resources Staff to lunch
4. Buy one more gift to finish my list
5. Take 6 dozen frozen tamales out of the fridge
6. Ask Justin and Noelle to fold the Luminaria bags
7. Check the shopping list with Bobbi
8. Help clean the house
9. Prepare the Posole, Tamales, Guacamole, Queso, Veggies, appetizers, ice the beer and wine
10. Light the luminarias
11. Greet family and guests
12. Party on Christmas Eve
13. Clean up the house before leaving for late night luminaria tour with family
14. Go to bed
15. Ten other things I have forgotten
16. Worry about signature petitions for filing my candidacy

Bad Cold and Good Karma

My cold took hold last night bigtime, but I gotta say I don't feel too bad. I have been taking that Airborne stuff and Emergen-C and I think it is working well. I sound like a ripsaw however.

Rodger Beimer has agreed to be my Campaign Treasurer. He will make sure the money is disbursed correctly and honestly. I am hopeful he will have a lot of money to watch over. Have you sent any in yet? Just address it to Jim Baca for Land Commissioner, 2309 Via Madrid NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104!


Senator Domenici said today that he will try to sneak the issue of drilling in the Arctic Refuge into another non germane bill and pass it when congress reconvenes. He and Alaska Senator Ted Stevens suffered a huge defeat last night when they tried to pass it within a defense bill. They failed to stop the filibuster that would have prevented it and so for a short time the pristine refuge is safe again.

As David Brower said about environmental protection,

"All of our victories are temporary, but our defeats are permanent."

That is true because of guys like these Senators who never give up and wield their power unmercifully against the earth.

So, Now What?

So I announce this campaign and immediately get a really bad cold for Christmas. Bummer.

I will continue this blog as I run for office. I will pretty much let you know where I stand on the issues but I won't say much about my opponents. I will try and give you a little fun and helpful information every day with out giving away too much to my opponents about our strategy. I would like to make this campaign a lot of fun, as I have always found statewide campaigns to be. They are enjoyable because of the people you meet and the travel around this Enchanted State. I will try and give you a flavor of that!

I have some heavy things to do in the next seven weeks. I need to get 4000 signatures for my nominating petitions. You can download a petition from the Secretary of State's website right here.

Just fill in the information as follows.....Click on the image to make it bigger so you can read this. You might also be able to print it out on a good printer if you make sure your resize it for an 8 1/2 X 11 piece of paper. Then just get a few democrats to sign it and get it back to me at the address on the form. This is really an important thing to do.

I'm In!

December 21, 2005

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jim Baca-505 263-9995

Calling for “balanced, common-sense management of New Mexico’s State Lands,” former State Land Commissioner Jim Baca announced he will seek the Democratic Party nomination for New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands in the June 2006 Primary election.

Baca was Commissioner of Public Lands from 1982-1985 and from 1991 to 1993. He also served President Bill Clinton as Director of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Department of Interior during Clinton’s first term. He served one term as Albuquerque’s Mayor and today he is New Mexico’s Natural Resource Trustee.

The New Mexico State Land Commissioner manages state trust lands for the beneficiary institutions in the state; primarily they are the schools and universities. The lands provide income into the State Permanent Fund which then provides an income to the schools, subject to appropriation by the Legislature.

“I recognize the importance of this trust for New Mexico’s school children, and I have dedicated my life to protecting New Mexico’s great landscapes. It’s a good combination, representing 21^st Century stewardship for land and resources critical to our children’s future. I will actively seek to bring our State Constitution’s State Land provisions into the 21^st Century. The state’s voters should be given the opportunity to vote on constitutional changes that will allow for designation of state trust land conservation areas, such as Whites Peak in Northern New Mexico. That area has been a long time favorite for generations of New Mexico sportsmen. It was almost traded away by the current Land Office administration until Governor Richardson and Attorney General Patricia Madrid objected the transaction.”

Baca added that the ability of the land office to work with other governmental agencies and beneficiary institutions should also be clarified with Constitutional Amendments.

“I remain a proponent of the sensible use of state lands for natural resource extraction or development. This has provided the State of New Mexico with an impressive Permanent Trust fund for our schools. I will work with the Land Office’s long time partners to ensure reasonable and timely development of our trust lands with a fair return to our schools. At the same time I will ask them to cooperate in saving our last great places in New Mexico. We can produce plenty of income for our schools and treat our lands with respect,” Baca added.

The State Permanent fund now totals about 8.5 billion dollars. During Baca’s first term as State Land Commissioner he led a successful fight to increase oil and gas royalties to a fair market return for the schools. At that time New Mexico had the lowest royalties in the Western United States. Royalties are the amount of money the oil and gas companies pay the state for taking oil and gas from state lands. Baca said, “Today’s healthy Permanent fund is due in part to the work we did in getting a fair price for our resources.”