Heartless

I have decided that GOP gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez is really just a heartless human being.  Her big issue now is repealing the medical marijuana law.  Screw the cancer victims who depend on some good cookies or tokes to feel good.  I wonder if Susana has ever seen any one slowly waste from cancer.  Could she actually take away a substance that helps people feel better as the end nears?  Or does Susana just see this as a vote getter and to hell with people's suffering?

This whole thing makes her a hypocrite.  As a republican she hates the federal mandates that come down the line.  Except when it gets her votes.  The feds don't want medical marijuana but the states are passing laws allowing it.  And she sides with the feds.

I was wrong in my first impressions of Martinez.  I thought she might be a moderate when she appeared on the scene.  It turns out she is just a career right wing prosecutor who wants to unbridled power to carry out the wishes of people like Mr. Perry from Houston who gave her $450,000 during the primary.  That is the largest campaign donation in the history of New Mexico.  And she fights pay for play and corruption?   Arghhh!

Update:  A very pissed off republican sent me an email saying Ms. Martinez's parents both suffered from cancer.  So I guess she has seen it.

Gail Ryba

The new bicycle bridge across the Rio Grande was dedicated today in the name of Gail Ryba.  She was absolutely one of the nicest people I have ever known.  I met her shortly after becoming Mayor of Albuquerque in 1997.  She was on a mission to beef up our bike trail system in Albuquerque and she never let up.  I had so much respect for her and her ability to stay patient, work with all factions, and successfully reach her goals.  She moved up to Santa Fe a few years ago and carried on her work there as shown in this tribute to her in the Santa Fe New Mexican.  She died prematurely from cancer last May.

It is so great to see this structure named for her.  She deserved it. It doesn't happen many times that a good person's memory is honored in an appropriate way.  This time it was.  Here are some photos of the impressive structure which was constructed with stimulus funds.

MISC.

I am always amazed by politics, even after having been in it for so long.  The one constant in this game in America is that while people usually hate the U.S. Congress, they almost always vote to reelect their representatives.  So, it was good news for me as a Democrat that Congressmen Harry Teague and Martin Heinrich are leading in the Journal poll.  Congressman Lujan from the Northern district is a no brainer to win at this point.  At the same time many Americans  have given a thumbs down on the Congress as a whole.  Maybe a change in leadership would be good and these young members like Heinrich and Lujan should all band together and demand reform.

I was talking with a friend yesterday who thinks that Glen Beck has finally overstepped his popularity by trying to 'lead America back to God'.  This former DJ with a gift for gab in now encroaching onto a another long time con-game.  That would be Christian TV Evangelism and its money sucking machine.  I am sure these TV hucksters will start fighting each other for the faithful's meager cash reserves.

The Albuquerque Journal had a good article on an immigrant family who moved from Arizona to New Mexico because of a fear of deportation by the Arizona pols.  I like to see these kinds of stories because it puts a human face on these people instead of a label.

Kitten Dreams

Pol Gathering

We had a nice group of people come to our home last night to chat with Democratic Governor candidate Diane Denish.  She spent 90 minutes with the crowd after a full day of campaign stops.  She understands that she is slightly behind in this race and has a lot of work to do as evidenced by the Journal Poll this morning showing her 6 points down.  It certainly is very winnable with 65 days left until the election.

One can only wonder why her opponent uses the mantle of being an outsider to politics when she has taken the single largest political contribution in the history of the state.  Remember that $450,000 donation from a Texan real estate magnate and ultra conservative!  I fully expect he will be sending even more and Susana will be owned by him.

Goofiness or Stupidity

I just got off the phone with my good friend Steve Cobble in Washington.  He always has a good way of putting things into perspective.  We were talking about the possibility of the House of Representatives going republican in the next election. Essentially, we concluded that some voters are acting pretty goofy, or dangerously showing a lack of critical thinking, when they want to put back into office the same guys they were so happy to get rid of just two years ago.  How does that make sense?  Do we really want a guy like John Boehner, a dim bulb at best who speaks in bumper sticker phrases, to be running the House?  Do we have such short memories that we forget bush, who wanted to privatize social security, was a disaster?  Think about Katrina five years ago and the disastrous economic policies that brought us low.

At the same time, why aren't the Democrats out saying they are standing for something....just anything would do, but Social Security would be a good thing to rally around.  That is one area where the GOP stepped off the deep end and the Dems are just letting it slide by.  Jeeesh!

At the same time the republicans are still the party of no.  Don't do anything.  How hard is that to run against? Life is too short!

"In religion and politics people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination, from authorities who have not themselves examined the questions at issue but have taken them at second-hand from other non-examiners, whose opinions about them were not worth a brass farthing." ..Mark Twain

Kitten Wisdom

The Governor's Race

Everyone is coming on with different and conflicting polls in the New Mexico Governor's race.  They only one I will look at with confidence is the Albuquerque Journal Poll from Research and Polling Inc.  Brian Sanderoff's track record there is impressive to say the least and I don't think his poll has ever missed calling a Governor's race.  But this is a pretty weird year with people's angst ruling their decision making, rather than logic.

One piece of logic that needs to be parsed is how Susana Martinez would deal with a democratic legislature.  Libetarian Gary Johnson dealt with them by doing nothing but vetoing legislation.  If he had any sort of program for the future of the state it was based on doing nothing.  So he couldn't really be seen as a complete failure, because he did nothing. Now Susana, if she wins, would have to do the same thing because she will get nowhere with a hostile legislature.  She can only wield power with vetos.  Hardly a positive thing.

Right now a platform of doing nothing for a sitting Governor would be disastrous for your state.  I believe government can be a positive force in helping people.  Especially in these times.  And that is why I like Diane Denish and the Democrats.  But, when Sanderoff's poll hits Sunday I suspect that this race will really heat up along with the Congressional contests.  Anything can happen.

Other Races

As everyone holds their breath for the Sunday Albuquerque Journal Poll on the Governor and Congressional races I am left wondering what, if anything, is going on in the other statewide races.  I have a feeling that the reason we are not hearing much about them, from the Attorney General contest, Land Office race and others is because they are not raising any serious money and so they can't get much attention.

I don't see that changing much except maybe in the Land Office race.  It won't be long before the oil and gas boys start spending a lot of money on their anointed candidate for the GOP.  Republican Matthew Rush will get the lion's share of that tainted money.  Democrat Ray Powell might get a few dribbles, but because the GOP is run by the oil and gas industry in this state Ray will be facing an onslaught of money from dirty oil.  No matter who wins I don't see much in the way of change at the Land Office except for an improvement in ethical behavior.  (How could it get any worse?)  I don't know Rush at all so I can only assume he is an okay guy on the honesty front.

What you wont see happen at the Land Office is true Constitutional reform of the way the office works.  Ray is not a big agent of change and Rush will be leashed by those who profit from the Land Office resources.  If either of these candidates would come out and say, 'we need to amend the constitution to make environmental protection of water, air and landscapes a factor in decision making', then I would vote for that candidate. (Oh, really I will vote for Ray.)

Come on you guys!  Show us some deep thinking about the future!

Admit It

I actually think that Lt. Governor Diane Denish may be scoring some points on constantly pointing out that her opponent Susana Martinez supported school vouchers, until she didn't.  Once again, this isn't an issue that people sit around fretting about, but it is reveals a peculiar trait in many politicians.  That trait is not having the courage to admit you were wrong.  Susana continues to deny she was ever for school vouchers even though there is video of her supporting vouchers very strongly on more than one occasion.

She could defuse this thing by just saying, "you know, after some reflection I have decided these vouchers wouldn't really be good for public schools."  That would end this conversation. But she just can't admit that she has changed her mind and it is hurting her from the standpoint that some undecideds will think there is no strategic thinking going on in her head...just talking points from the extreme right.  Everyone changes their mind many times.  Why not a candidate?

Another thing that now must be admitted is that the editorial cartoonist at the Journal, John Trever, has now totally lost it.  His cartoon on Sunday showing a first amendment tractor riding over a '9-11' victim is just too much for me.  It is an anti NYC mosque cartoon. I used to so respect his wit but he has turned into one more right wing tool on the Journal editorial page.  Just ask your self if he would ever do that same cartoon on the second amendment with that tractor running over the victim of an assault rifle.

Kitties in Repose

Ahh....Saturday in August with Cats napping.

Hermes Whiskers

"Of all God's creatures, there is only one that cannot be made slave of the lash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat." - Mark Twain

Ajax Nose

"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats." - Albert Schweitzer

Here is a funny link.  Read it all!

OMG

Rodger Beimer sent me this heavenly picture from the Des Moines Register today to remind me the NM State Fair is just around the corner.  Readers know I am a corn dog connoisseur and that I seek out the best one every year at the fair.  Now that the fair will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during its 16 day run, I wonder if they keep the grease hot.  I wonder if it will be the same grease that cooked up this dandy treat at the Iowa State Fair.

You will notice I wrote about a corn dog today and not the first so called debate between our gubernatorial candidates. No knock out blows were landed since there was no televised proceedings.  In reading the paper I would say that both candidates did okay with Diane Denish showing experience.

Scary Stuff

I just concluded reading a two novel SciFi series by a new author, Daniel Suarez.  The novels, "Daemon and Freedom", are set in the near future and revolve around an artificial intelligence taking control of the world.  The A.I. was designed by a gazillionaire game programmer to wreak justice on modern society.  (It also kills every spammer it can find...Yeah!)  Its basic premise is that our governments now are really comprised of the corporate powers that fund politics and the media to their own ends.  The corporates field their own private armies.  It is a fascinating read and somewhat realistic in these times.  Maybe I am just getting paranoid as I approach the age of 65.

Especially when one reads a little noticed article that as American troops pull out of Iraq they will be replaced by private 'security services' funded by our government.  A mercenary army that will make big bucks for an unknown corporate presence in America.  This is a really dangerous thing.  Why would a corporation that fields a mercenary army want Peace to break out?  Wouldn't that cut into profits?

The Obama administration needs to think this through a little better.  It is the military industrial complex in spades.

Misc.

GOP candidates Steve Pearce and Susanna Martinez say they don't think human caused emissions can cause climate change.  These are far right wing political candidates.  They know better than scientists you know.  They love the oil and gas industry you know.  They are funded by the oil and gas industry you know.  They scare the hell out of me you know.

The first joint appearance by the New Mexico gubernatorial candidates will take place tomorrow night when they meet to discuss their positions on education.  This is a worthy issue but one that will get little attention or spike many emotions.  But, since there is a strong lobby, the teachers unions, that want to talk about this issue, that is what will be done.  Once again, it is not an issue that is at the forefront of the voters mind with less than 90 days to election time.  Peoples concerns revolve around the economy and not much else.

I keep waiting for the candidates to get into the real meat of this campaign.  Job creation and a diversified economy are not that hard to talk about.  When will they start suggesting some concrete ideas?  Time is running out.

Blogger Joe Monahan says today that there are murmurings that the state permanent funds, about $14 billion, are beginning to look like a piggy bank to some legislators.  They might want to break into that bank to help fuel the budget shortfalls.  The wisdom of that is debatable, but I believe a constitutional amendment might be needed to do so.  That couldn't be voted on until 2012 and with a little luck we could be on a road to recovery by then.  Better to raid unspent capital improvement monies first.  If that is constitutional.  There are hundreds of millions in stalled projects that could be scrapped.  That money should be put to use in some capacity even if it means just saving some state jobs.  They help fuel the economy too.

60

Sixty people died in drug violence this weekend in Juarez, Mexico.  Just 250 miles from where I sit in Albuquerque's north valley.  It is unbelievable this kind of slaughter is the result of Americans wanting to dose themselves into euphoria on any number of drugs.  We are one of the main causes of this warfare because we can't see any sense in the decriminalization of drugs in this country.  Well, we might see sense in it but the judicial and law enforcement complex would see most of their business disappear with legalization.  That is lots of jobs and they are a strong lobby.

My old boss from the mid 1970's, Mayor Harry Kinney, once proposed that Albuquerque build what the media termed a 'drunk park' where hopeless alcoholics could go sleep it off every night.  The media really tarred and feathered him on his idea.  It was just common sense and we could  use more of that right now in this useless war against drugs.  It has never been effective and it will never be effective.  There is just no way for it to succeed and we should recognize it.

New Mexico Election

We all sat around the back yard last night after a nice dinner party and parsed the upcoming general election in the Land of Enchantment.  We pretty much decided that the candidates for Governor have not garnered the public's attention yet and a summer of opportunity has passed them by.  This is bad news for the GOP's Susana Martinez.  They only real ruckus she has raised so far is winning her primary election and losing her corruption fighting credentials because of sweetheart deals with employees on the purchase of office supplies.

The candidates are talking a lot about budget cutting, efficiency, and education but we decided that just wasn't getting peoples emotions triggered.  Just ask yourself, what do I sit around and worry about?  School vouchers?  I doubt it.  Most people are still sitting around worrying about having a job, or their kids having a job, or seeing their savings disappear as they help unemployed children and or parents.  Once again it is the economy and so far the state level campaigns in New Mexico don't seem to see the over arching issue.  Maybe it is just too big of an issue to tackle.

This will be an interesting election in that people will have to decide if they like government or hate it.  Right now there are a lot of people who might be homeless if it weren't for the government's stimulus spending and unemployment benefits.  How they vote could be a deciding factor in November.

Kitten Bigotry

Changing Your Mind

I can't understand why some politicos can't just admit they were wrong on some issue, admit their mistake and change their minds about it. GOP gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez has been caught on video in support of school vouchers.  Now that issue is out of vogue and she is denying she ever supported vouchers.  The evidence is overwhelming against her, but she just thinks she doesn't have to admit being wrong about something.  If she did she might seem more human.

Why do her campaign managers think they can get away with this?  Well, they have done it before I am sure and are willing to throw truth out the door in hopes that everyone is a moron.

In the meantime, unless I have missed it, I am waiting for the next shoe to drop on Martinez's no bid sweetheart deal with her employee at the DA's office.  She bought government office supplies from her and it now turns out according to the Santa Fe New Mexican that the employee also got tens of thousands in unscheduled pay raises.

I am also waiting for the Albuquerque Journal to do an editorial on this.  I am pretty sure if Diane Denish had done this there would have been one by now.

Hating the Dead

I actually think worrying about Billy the Kid and Geronimo is a waste of time.  Some are doing that in New Mexico a lot right now.  We have descendants of those two historical figures still worried about how history will see them or where their bodies should be buried.

I learned as a grade schooler that Billy the Kid was a criminal and that Geronimo was a great warrior and chief.   Why do folks find it necessary to try and change this stuff that no one would care or think about if not reminded by this silly bickering?  I think all of this is trumped up so the History Channel can do a 30 minute documentary in order to show case 30 minutes of commercials for car insurance and drugs with side effects that would scare the bejesus out of anyone.

We should care more about how history will consider our current leaders on this planet rather than fight over reputations of long dead people.  Lets get a good history written about bush, cheney and the gang right now.  An no Fox news sources allowed.  The same with the Clintons.

Kitten Wisdom