Misc.

We were at breakfast this morning and my friend Rodger wondered aloud when New Mexico's Presidential Primary election would be held.  Last time around it got moved up when Bill Richardson was running in the Primary.  It was thought an earlier primary would give him a leg up in the race.  It turned out to have no impact whatsoever.  I asked my magic new iPhone when the state would hold its primary.  Sure enough it is next June.  That was a one time deal for the Governor.

The media is now talking about Richardson again.  He bought a summer home in Cape Cod for $1.5 million.  It seems to me the story was built around the price of the house.  Not so much the location.  And the media is giddy with talking about an alleged affair the Governor had that ended up with $250,000 in hush money being paid to the woman.  It seems the crime here was that the Governor's supporters raised the money for him which the US Attorney thinks is a crime.  I think it would be if campaign funds were used but apparently it was not done through the campaign.  Is this a crime? Or is it another attempt to indict Richardson no matter how silly the attempt?  We will find out soon enough I guess.

If anyone could find out the connection between the oil and gas industry and the Albuquerque Journal I would take them to dinner.  First they opine that subsidies for oil and gas are necessary and  good.  Then they run a right wing article today from the Hoover Institute that says things have never been better in this country because of all the oil and gas they are finding.  So, why do they need subsidies?   And could they at least mention climate change as a reason not to rely on more oil and gas?  I also have a suggestion.  The editors and columnists who push this dogma should be forced to drink water for two years from homes near fracking operations that are polluting ground water.  Make their families drink it too and then if they agree I will give them the benefit of the doubt on fracking's safety.