TV News

I got hooked on watching, for the 10th time, that great movie "Network".  The Oscar winning 1976 movie predicted with uncanny accuracy what would happen to Television News in the future.  The premise was that the Network brass would allow the news operation to give commentary time to an anchorman who had gone crazy. (Think Glenn Beck and the Fox Crew.)   The ratings went up as the rantings went on.

I got a note today from someone who said Frank Magid had died.  He was a guy who single-handedly destroyed broadcast journalism with his 'happy news' format back in the early 70's.  He thought news shows should be populated with 'personalities' and banter rather than serious reporting.  His company was consulting for KOB-TV back then.  I was working as a reporter, anchor, and assignment editor at Channel 7.  Channel 4's new format was hurting our ratings.  This was back in the day when there was no cable or satellite and everyone watched local TV news.  So every rating point was worth revenue.  Of course, our management went out and hired a consultant too and journalism died at KOAT-TV, for the most part.  I remember well that I was producing and anchoring the news on the night that Nixon conducted the "Saturday Night Massacre" of Watergate fame.  I led with the story and was hauled into the manager's office and confronted by him and the consultant with leading with the story for the newscast.  They opined some dumb ass car wreck story was more important.  I left TV sometime later because I just did not fit in with the new formulas.  The General Manager at the station said I was a 'purist'.  I think he was correct.

Things have deteriorated ever since for TV News along with viewership.  Unless all you are interested in are sex related stories and poorly reported and researched political corruption stories. That is an old picture of me giving election results on the air in 1972.  One thing for sure, the technology is better.

Howard Beale: We'll tell you anything you want to hear, we lie like hell.

I Am Screwed

Many people who know me realize that I have a severe hearing problem.  It started in 1969 in the U.S. Air Force when I was caught in the danger zone of a jet fighter turbine without adequate ear protection.  A student pilot at Luke Air Force Base turned the wrong way.  The ear protectors we  had were little hollow rubber plugs.  Worthless.

I have had constant ringing in my ears ever since that day and about a 40% hearing loss.  I have now spent 10K on hearing aids.  They help.  I suffered one instance of total hearing loss for three days in one ear about three years ago.  Steroids brought back some of it.

This morning the good ear went.  It had been giving me trouble and I had been attempting to get into to see a Doctor. No appointments until April 1st were available.  Today I begged them to get in and got no where.  I went to my hearing aid specialists who said I needed to get in ASAP.  So now I am going out the door to an ER in hopes they can clear the ear.

I can't get veterans benefits because I am told I make to much money. I can't get in to see a Doc because our healthcare is so rationed.  So I will need to go clutter up an urgent care where some one might have more serious problems.

And the republicans insist we need do nothing about health care in this country.

Update:  3 PM   I got into an urgent care and a nurse fixed me up.  It worked out okay.  Just some left over problem from an ear infection.  As it turns out it could have been worse.

Not Missing It and a Question

I have to say I am not missing going up the the Legislature.  Now that I am retired and out of state government service I feel that one of the biggest perks is not  having to go to committee meetings or attend uninformed and libelous floor debate.  It seems far different now than when I started going up there in the late 60's to cover the sessions for Channel 7 news as a reporter.  Back then it was an exciting place to be for a young person like me.  There seemed to be a lot of humor in the air.  I don't get that feeling anymore when in the Capitol.

Maybe it is just selective memory but the level of debate seemed to me a lot more civil back then.  You could also see members of both parties practice bi-partisanship.  Right now the only bi-partisanship seems to be in killing tax hikes, which is okay with me as far as the sales tax goes.  It is too regressive.  However, just like on the national stage, if we are to reduce deficits some revenues have to be raised and income tax increases seem the fairest way to me.

Also, I find it peculiar that the media is on such a rant about one of Governor Richardson's bill vetoes being over ridden.  Yes, he is a lame duck like any other office holder with less than a year left to serve.  But, come on, one veto! I suspect there will be more but it really shouldn't be surprising given his heading for the door.

And question of the day.  Would the Albuquerque Journal editorial writers insist the US government help out a group of Americans who were illegally taking children out of Haiti if it were an Atheist group?  I hope not.  They would just be as dumb as the Baptist group who were spiriting children away to be, ahem, soldiers for Christ.

Maryland

Justin sent on some pictures of Maryland yesterday. His dog Geo hates the cold.

Big Oil and the Journal

The juxtaposition of stories in the Albuquerque Journal today is remarkable.  There is a front page story that is not much more than a frontal assault on environmentalists for wanting tough emissions rules put in place.  They trotted out their traditional whiners like Teri Cole (Who I find I agree a lot with on some issues) and Harvey Yates (Republican GOP Chair and Oil Tycoon).  They are tough emission standards indeed.  The Journal does not like the fact that some environmentalists sit on decision making bodies that will chart the course for debate on this issue.  The oil and gas industry used personal attacks in the article.

The Journal then has an op-ed piece by a oil and gas lobbyist on the evils of the tough New Mexico Pit Rule(from the oil conservation division) that is meant to protect groundwater saying it will ruin the state's economy.  It wont.

And then the Journal has an excellent story on the very real possibility of a gigantic sink hole opening up and swallowing part of Carlsbad because of oil and gas related extraction of brine water from the site.  The owner of the company that caused it said it was the state's fault(the oil conservation division) for not having tougher regulations.

The thing that bothers me greatly is the assault on environmentalists for wanting to be part of the decision making process and sitting on boards and commissions that make policy.  If this is bad, then why in the legislature do we allow people who sit on the Senate Conservation Committee to work in extractive natural resource industries?  Is there a difference at the end of the day?  Oh, thats right! Legislators are elected, although it is done with oil and gas money.

We Feel Smart

Bobbi and I are proud of ourselves for having the sense to get the hell out of Washington, DC a day early.  Baltimore airport was closed about 45 minutes after we took off.  My son Justin sent the picture above  early this morning from his Maryland home and it has gotten worse since then.  They still have power but most around them do not.  That big pile of snow at the end of the sidewalk is his VW Golf.

I talked to Ned Farquhar who is sealed up in his basement apartment in Georgetown.  He said he measured 30 inches outside.  I cant think of anything worse than being cooped up in a hotel room for three days in this kind of situation.

Leaving

We are having to come home early.  If we are lucky we will leave DC about 12 noon, just ahead of the big storm coming in to the east coast.  We had to change reservations and now will have to go through Florida to get home.  All flights are being cancelled in the region after 2PM.  Bummer.

On the Road

I will be in Washington, DC for the next few days at a meeting of the Wilderness Society.  Bobbi is coming too and we will be able to see Justin and Karly a couple of times.  Friday evening we are going to Ford's Theater to see the play "Rivalry".  It is about the Lincoln/Douglas debates.  We are looking forward to the trip.  Our heavily armed house sitter will be here.

Buried

Think what the Albuquerque Journal would do if Democrat Governor Bill Richardson has entered into a transaction that caused a lot of heartache with citizens and that ended up being taken directly to the Supreme Court by the State Attorney General Gary King.  Do you think that story might be at the top of the front page in bold headlines?   I am pretty sure it would be.

Now think about the republican Land Commissioner Pat Lyons being in the same position.  (the operative word here is republican)  Do you think that might qualify for at least being above the fold on the front page, even if it were not the headline?  Of course not, because this little controversy does not involve the Governor.  This story was buried on the state page.  This is the kind of thing driving some people crazy.  One of our dinner guests  on Sunday said he could not stand it any more and he cancelled his subscription last week.

A couple of years ago I met with Thomas Cole of the Journal to brief him on what I thought were really suspect transactions at the land office.  It was complex stuff and required deep investigative reporting.  I never saw any thing come of it.  But, it did not involve the Governor where much of his efforts were shifted towards.  Maybe it is time to turn Cole loose on the Land Office.

Insanity Again

How would  you feel if the legislature passed a bill that said all New Mexico police officers no longer had to qualify on firearms training several times a year.  Right now the State Police are required to take training every four months.  But a bill offered by Senator Stuart Ingle of Clovis says that those 17,000 people who are carrying licensed concealed weapons in New Mexico should have their training cut in half from every two years to every four years.  Ingle says, "We don't need it."  I can tell you right now that there are several hundred State Policemen who think he is full of it.  As one of them told me about the legislation, "We are not crazy about it."

As it is these license holders can qualify for their permits "as long as they aren't blind," according to some police officers I have spoken with.  So how does less training take care of safety concerns of the non carrying public.  And, can business owners keep these weapons out of their premises.  Also, would Senator Ingle agree to let these weapon toting folks come into the Capitol building?  Because right now they are not allowed to do so.  Did the legislature feel they would be less safe with them in their midst?  If so, why is it safe for us in a movie theater or city park?

The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits. Albert Einstein 

Leslie Rules and Solar

Leslie Lithicum of the Albuquerque Journal is a jewel.  She had the most heartfelt column this morning on the demise of old Hispanic names that I wish the Journal would run it again.  As the old ones die so do many of the names they carried their whole lives.  I want to add a couple to the list she had this morning.  My great grandfather's name was Esquipula. A great Aunt was named Lucinda.  My aunt 'Pelta' who died in September was born with the name Rupertita.  My father's name was Fermin.  The list could go on as I look at the family tree on the Baca side.  Thank you Leslie for doing this story.

On another note the Journal had a good story on making homes more energy efficient this morning.  There was one glaring mistake in it however that left the impression that Home Owners Associations have approval rights on the placement of photo voltaic systems on roof tops.  They do not have those rights after a law was passed in 2007 that negated all covenants in deeds that prohibited or controlled placement of solar systems on roof tops.  It was the right thing to do since dealing with HOA's can be a real detriment to energy efficiency.  The journal needs to do a story on this one issue so everyone understands it.  The city and state must also try to clarify it.

Misc.

The New York Times had a fascinating story on its editorial page today about American's awareness of how things work in congress and how ignorant many people are about how their representatives vote.  Only 26% know how many votes it takes to break a Senate filibuster.  And, only 32% know that no republican senators voted for the health care bill.  The numbers are even more dismal in the 18-29 age demographic.  I would bet many more people know how much money the movie 'Avatar' has raked in!  Time for the schools to fire up those Civics classes.  I know that immigrants who become citizens know much more about how our government works than the rank and file American.

The Albuquerque Journal negativity columnist Thom Cole outed me as a retired official of the Richardson administration in the paper today because I criticized the Journal in this blog for wanting people to come up with new negative slogans for our state.  I guess being a retired public servant is a bad thing in his mind.  Well, I still like him although I do get tired of his continued rewriting of stories that are aimed at the Governor. I mean, how many times can your rearrange the facts to make it look like a new story?  I would like him and his editors to actually find some new facts to enlighten us with.  Maybe start at the State Land Office.

I have one idea for the Journal.  Maybe they could do a daily factoid on the comics page about how our government works.  They could become a civics teacher and it would be a great public service.

Sanity and Insanity

The jury has convicted the murderer of the abortion Doctor in Kansas.  It took the jury just 37 minutes.  The religious fundamentalist catholic justified himself saying he needed to perform murder to save lives.  Thanks to the sane jury in Kansas.

State Senator Stuart Ingle of Portales has introduced a bill in the legislature to eliminate the requirement of refresher training every two years for those paranoids who carry concealed weapons.  Does that make you safer?  Or does it endanger you and your loved ones?  This is insanity.

Life goes on.

Misc.

The Albuquerque Journal this morning had its top item on the front page a banner on the Lobos victory  over BYU.  Second was a story about former Mayor Marty Chavez being responsible for an inflated salary for the Fire Dept. union Chief.  (Surprise, the union endorsed Marty.)  The third story down was President Obama's State of the Union address with a nice picture.  I think overall this was a 'populist' front page.

Senator Mike Sanchez of Belen is making waves about using state Permanent Fund monies to help erase the deficit.  These fund have always been referred to as rainy day funds but no one has ever dared to use them for those rainy days.  There might be some innovative ways for this to be done.  Perhaps setting an unemployment level threshold would work.  In other words, when the unemployment rate exceeds 9% then the fund could be tapped to support bonds for stimulus and government operations.

The cities are rightly worried about the state raising its share of the gross receipts tax to cover its deficit.  That means the cities, who have no permanent funds, will find it impossible to raise their rates.  Cities provide the most basic services to citizens and they could be hard pressed to keep up.

Revenue Enhancer

Senator John Sapien has a really bad bill in the Legislature that would put a 25% excise tax on medicinal marijuana.  He would also charge patients a gross receipts tax when buying it.  Sapien is just being a populist politician.  Meanwhile those patients, with terminal diseases and suffering, would have to offer up what little they have left under our health care system to make Sapien look tough on drugs.  He should go have a chat with some of these poor folks.

But in the spirit of things here is a revenue enhancing idea for the law makers.  They already want to raise taxes on soft drinks, chips, cookies and foods that are 'bad' for you.  So why don't we just legalize marijuana and heavily tax its sale for everyone but medical patients.  We all know what would happen then.  Everyone would pay their taxes on the grass, we would save taxes on criminal justice time wasting on marijuana prohibitions, and we would send millions of new tax dollars to the treasury from the new tax on munchies.  Everybody wins.

Bunglers

Unbelieveable. Click Here

Census Games

The ten year census has started.  Quietly.  It will count us and categorize us and possibly shake up politics on a national and local basis.  Some Red states will gain Congressional seats and some Blue states will lose them.  Mostly because so many people move to the southern and western parts of America for better climates and job opportunities.

On local levels there could be big changes in state legislative seats.  But the most interesting changes could hinge on the future of Congressman Harry Teague in southern New Mexico.  If he wins his reelection he will pressure the legislature to not fool around with the alignment of his district.  That includes strong democratic vote areas in Dona Ana, Socorro and Grant Counties.  But if he loses the race to the right wing wanna be again congressman Steve Pearce,  then the democratic legislature could move to make sure that two of the three New Mexico congressional seats are permanently democrat.  How?  They could reapportion the boundaries of the district in such a way that puts Teague's strong Democrat areas into Martin Heinrich's district and they could move the Albuquerque North East Heights voters into a district that includes Hobbs, Carlsbad and other ultra conservative areas.  It could happen and it could pass the straight face test using census data for the reapportionment.

Chew on that for a while.

Bric a Brac

I watched the NFL playoffs on Sunday.  The games were enjoyable, except for the asinine behavior of the players beating their chests. doing jive and pointing at opponents and mocking them.  I hate that crap, but we should expect it because our country is often doing it without knowing how bad we look.  I got a good feel for that after attending a lecture on Brazil on Friday afternoon at the Museum of Albuquerque.  It was put on by the Albuquerque International Association.

It is part of a series on what is known as BRIC.  That stands for Brazil, Russia, India and China.  Those four countries are leaving the USA and Europeans in the dust as far as economic development goes. They sometimes do it as the expense of their environment, but they are learning to deal with it.  They are investing in themselves and their infrastructure while America invests in $200,000 missiles to shoot from drones at mud huts in Pakistan and Afghanistan. (Those don't provide any return on investment for sure.)  And unless we do something about it we are going to be a member of the third world economy sooner than later.

I was watching another program this weekend on the construction of the Stone Cutters bridge in Hong Kong.  It is a magnificent structure and is incredibly expensive.  It is the kind of thing we don't do in this country anymore.  Because it won't pay for itself.  Just look at the grousing about the fact the the new Rail Runner doesn't cover its expenses. Well, neither do hell fire missiles and you can only use those once.

The Rail Runner is still a forward looking project and it could wither on the vine because a few whiners and bloggers who may convince the legislature to stop funding it.

I know, I am just doing a Monday morning rant.  but this is real.  It will affect our children.  They are going to have to get angry and take control of this country, and do it real soon.

Trial by Camera

There are a couple of lawyers in town who really work the media system.  One is Sam Bregman.  You always see  him on TV as he argues his cases outside the court room.  The TV stations are always obliging.  The other lawyer who is good at this is Victor Marshall. He is suing the state for his whistle blower client Frank Foy.  Victor knows how to work the media too.  He was Channel 7's lawyer for many years.  In the middle of his protracted legal proceedings on this case he takes time out to get his client Frank Foy in front of a legislative committee and summoned TV cameras and reporters in Santa Fe to complain about the Governor.  Everyone in the media piles on the story and once again a prospective jury pool listens to accusations outside the court room while a judicial process is in ongoing.

I am not saying that Foy and Marshall shouldn't get to the bottom of this issue.  I hope they find out one way or another what, if anything, led to the firing of Foy from his investment managing job with the state.  However, these dramatic appearances and news conferences will have an effect on a jury pool.  The aim is certainly one that will hopefully increase any cash award to Foy.

Democracy Earthquake

The Supreme Court's ruling today, on a 5-4 decision to let corporations spend as much as they please to elect candidates, will rattle our democracy as sure as Haiti was rocked and destroyed by an earthquake.  Make no mistake about it, the special interests and especially the oil and gas industry will now control our elections.  For sure.  Without a doubt.

And think of this company who put scripture on our soldier's rifle scopes.  They can now influence elections with the profits from their billion dollar contracts from the Pentagon.  Soon you may live in a theocratic/corporate nation.

Naivete

Sometimes I wonder about the naiveté of of aspiring political candidates.  This morning the Journal had an article asking the republican candidates for Governor how they would fix the budget.  They all said they would cut back on the number of appointees in state government.  Okay, that adds up to $3 million max.  Now comes the hard part.  None of them had a concrete proposal for how they would deal with it, as far as I could see.  They also blame the Governor for all of these problems and once again conveniently forget that the legislature is just as responsible for the spending free for all.

The bad news at Albuquerque City Hall just gets worse.  Finance Guru Lou Hoffman, who was brought in by Mayor Berry, says the short fall for this year from Mayor Marty's and the councils actions will be $20 million.  And next year $55 million.  This is worse than I had thought.  Mayor Berry and CAO Dave Campbell will have to extract some real concessions out of the special interests that rule city hall.  That means the police and fire unions especially.  Will they help?  Or am I being naive?

Eyeopener

So, while the fundamentalists work against Gay marriage, I notice a report from the Brookings Institution.  Maybe the religious could better spend their time.  The report finds that:

• In 2008, 91.6 million people—more than 30 percent of the nation’s population—fell below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.  
• In 2008, 39.1 million people—13.2 percent of total population—were below 100 percent of the federal poverty level.
• Poverty also increased in small metro areas and rural areas at faster rates than in cities.
• Western cities and Florida suburbs were among the first to see the effects of the Great Recession translate into significant increases in poverty between 2007 and 2008.
  

Saving Us

The Vatican and the Bishops are at it again.  Now, the Vatican is weighing in on the movie "Avatar".  Yes, they think its message is bad.  They opine that it worships nature!  Oh.  Please save us.  Actually, what they dislike is what I did like about the movie.  So much so that we went to see it a second time just to look at the created nature of the movie.  It does send a powerful message about living in harmony with your surroundings.  So how can the bishops be against that?

And then of course the bishops are once again beating up on the state's Gay population.  They have come out against Gay marriage although they are not supportive of a state constitutional amendment to ban it.  As I said in my weekly comments for the New Mexico Independent,

"What is wrong with this picture?  A state constitutional amendment to deny the pursuit of liberty and happiness by a segment  of our citizenry.  All because the people behind this plan think that God, a guy who lives in the clouds with long flowing hair and robes, thinks it should be that way?  If we let this happen then what is next?  Denying women the vote?


This kind of constitutional amendment should promptly be killed in its first committee hearing and relegated to the trash heap of bigotry."

Many people think the Pope dresses kind of Gay.  But I am proud of the work the church is doing with Catholic Relief Services in Haiti.

Recall Religion?

I contribute to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation which is headquartered in Albuquerque.  They have fought the Christian fundamentalist attempted takeover of our military.  Their story is a good one.  But now they have uncovered an outrageous story which you will find hard to believe.  The contractors on this military contract should recall all of these 'sights' immediately and replace them.  And their contract must be cancelled as soon as practicable.  Read it.....you wont believe it.  This kind of thing is why I believe our country is in danger.  Especially after starting to read a book called "The Family" by Jeff Sharlett.

Tit for Tat

So, the New Mexico Republican Party Chair, Harvey Yates Jr., is trying to connect Lt. Governor Diane Denish to the troubles at the New Mexico State Investment Council.  This is a large stretch since Denish has no authority at the SIC.  She is not a member and has never attended a meeting.  Her only connection is that a friend has contributed to her campaign.

So, in that spirit let us talk about Mr. Yates of the GOP.  He gave a lot of money and raised a lot of money for State Land Commissioner Pat Lyons, a republican.  Mr. Yates owns Yates Petroleum, one of the biggest independent oil operations in the U.S.  How many favors has Lyons done for the Yates outfit?  Unitizations of land leases?  Suspending drilling deadlines?  Etc.

And then there is GOP Governor candidate Alan Weh.  He was a big giver to George Bush.  How much money did his aircraft chartering business make from the administration during the Iraq war?  Millions?  Tens of millions?  Had to keep those rendition flights going you know.

And then there is the new GOP Governor candidate Pete Domenici Jr.  Lots of natural resource and oil and gas companies gave lots of money to his dad's campaigns in return for protection from fair royalties and environmental issues.  Did Pete Junior's law practice get business from these same folks?  He has removed his client list from his law practice website in hopes no one noticed.

Will these questions ever be looked into by mainstream media?  Don't hold your breath.

As an aside, did you notice the most viewed stories last week in the Journal all concerned sex!  You wonder if anyone reads these corruption stories sometimes.  I have the idea that one in twenty readers of the Journal will read them.  Then they stand around the water cooler at work and miserate about it with their co workers.

Noelle's Race

Noelle and her significant boy friend Lucas ran their first marathon Sunday in Phoenix's Rock and Roll Marathon.  They finished in 4 and a half hours or so which is not bad I am told for a first time.  Bobbi was out there in Phoenix to administer to the patients after the race.  She sent this picture just after they crossed the finish line.  Running 26 miles is not a natural thing to do for a human being.

Tax

I am a well known Liberal and I think government is a positive force if used correctly.  I am left of center and proud of it because if we all don't prosper then society fails.  If that means giving people a leg up with government aide then okay. The current stimulus funding and unemployment benefits are an example on a national scale.

Having said that I will also say I am against raising the New Mexico gross receipts tax to help balance the budget.  It is just horribly regressive.  I cant see any value in having this tax routinely hover between 7 and 8 percent.  Not when the rich are still paying absolutely too little in taxes. The current rage over the so called 'tax lightening' in property taxes is really based in the inequity of the system.  People with equally valued houses are paying vastly differnt amounts in taxes.  Just like the gross reciepts tax, some people are paying a larger amount of their income (the poor) than others who bank away large chunks of cash.

Times are hard and we need to deal with it.  I know that is easy to say but I also know from my career that there is indeed inefficiencies in government, just like any large business.  We let the good times roll over the last ten years and didn't pay to much attention to growth of government.  Now we have to do so.  That includes concessions by organized labor, businesses with tax breaks, and tax payer subsidized non profits.  This doesn't require a meat cleaver, just some thoughtful trimming and sacrifice.  I hope the legislature and Governor can come up with solution.  It certainly won't be easy.  I think the task force that sent recommendations to the Governor had some great suggestions.  That is a starting point.

El Camino Real

These are the flags of the U.S, Mexico, Spain, New Mexico and Texas that fly over the Camino Real International Heritage Center which is about 30 miles south of Socorro on I-25.  I had been wanting to go there for many years as I was helpful on the project when I was Director of the Bureau of Land Management at the Department of the Interior.

So, John Koontz and I traveled out there today.  I would highly recommend everyone take the little side trip to view this great state museum.

We also stopped by the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.

And just marveled at our beautiful landscapes.  We then stopped at the Owl Bar in San Antonio for Green Chile Cheeseburgers.

Prayers?

The Haitians don't need prayers.  They need medical help, food, water and shelter.  Yesterday that great man of God, Pat Robertson, said that the Haitians were being punished for making a deal with the devil. The deal was that the Haitians would throw off British rule and gain freedom.

Can you believe this is from a guy who ran for President?  I am sure he is trying to raise money on this catastrophe.  My advice is to send it to secular groups who will not give aide tied to any form of religion.  At least it will get there without being subject to preaching and such.

Send Money

About all I can say today is send relief money for Haiti.  I  gave some to Doctors with out Borders.  This poorest of Nations is really on its back.  We floated by that country on our cruise a few weeks ago.  It certainly is not on any cruise destinations because of the raging poverty there.  I have been watching some video from there and you see all these people with so little already trying to cope.  They really need help.

Meanwhile while these poor people try to endure, America's top bankers are being grilled by the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission.  This story of the greedy and rich has been moved to second place in the news hole because of the Haitian tragedy.  The poor suffer publicly and the rich sit in front of a commission saying the financial calamity was like a hurricane.  What bull shit.  Sometimes I think these guys need to be marked on their forehead with a 'G' for greed

City Finances

I feel sorry for Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry.  He will now experience the full force of his predecessor's folly and struggle to juggle a disastrous budget legacy left him by Marty Chavez.  I had written more than once in this blog that the budget deficit would be enormous.  It stands at over fifty million dollars now.  Mayor Marty and the City Council spent like drunken sailors and poor Berry will have to deal with the hangover.  It won't be pretty and it could well get worse.

Guns and Liquor

So some stark raving mad pol thinks it is good to mix alcohol and pistols.  Yes, a bill will be floated to allow concealed weapon carriers to take their hidden pistols into restaurants with beer and wine licenses.

Who is behind this bill?  Really!  Someone who wants to kill a wine steward for serving corked wine?  Someone who wants to protect a wine steward who serves corked wine?  All of this is obscene!  

I find it amusing to watch the local TV stations making a big deal out of the fact that someone took a loaded pistol into a movie theater.  The recent incident at Century Theaters is nothing new, except for the fact that some guy accidentally discharged his weapon.  I doubt he had a permit.

 People with a little training, under a useless law, can carry concealed weapons into just about any place of business or public place.  Except for the State Legislature that is or the Govnernor's office.  Apparently our gun loving legislators think their safety is more important than your children's in a movie theater or mall.  It really does not matter if  a law makes it legal to do so.  It is stupid.  I would also invite folks to ask whether or not the thousands of weapon carriers we have are keeping up their certifications?  I think not.  Are they still carrying?  Maybe a call to the the New Mexico Department of Public Safety would answer that question.

So the next thing we need to do is distribute signs to all private businesses saying concealed weapons are not allowed on their premises.  Or visible ones too.  Could that be part of the new law?  Do business owners have a right to keep concealed weapons out of their stores and cafes?  I bet the managers at Century 24 Theaters would like to have a choice.  I am betting a lot of them don't want them in their places.

I own guns and I am not against gun ownership.  Just lunacy.

A Letter to the Kids

I want to send a letter to my kids suggesting it might be wise to consider an emigration strategy to Europe or South America or Asia.  I say this after reading the New York Times this Sunday morning.

Roger Ailes, the spawn of Rupert Murdoch and Fox News this morning said his first qualification is that he didn't go to the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.  So, the cat is out of the bag.  Roger Ailes doesn't think much of journalism, or education for that matter.  And he is running the most dangerous media organization in the country.  The Columbia Graduate School of Journalism is looked at as the lighthouse for ethics in Journalism. ( I was a student at that school in 1970 by the way as a result of a Ford Foundation Grant.)

Another article by Tom Friedman in the NYT today laments while we try to fix Afghanistan that China is propelling itself into the lead for global domination of new renewable energy sources.  They just signed the biggest solar deal in history in less time than the US Department of Energy takes to review the first stage of an application for a small solar plant in New Mexico.

And the robber barons of the finance and banking industry, as evidenced by Frank Rich's column, say they are okay guys because they give money to charity.  My brother law Dave said people who make $30K a year give money to charity too, they just don't greedily hand out bonuses to themselves with taxpayer money and then tell everyone to butt out.

Anyway, this all points to real problems in this country.  Everything seems to be upside down.  I think they will remain that way as long as people like Roger Ailes are running things and feeding a diet of hate and misinformation to gullible Americans.  Of course, we get what we deserve.

So half seriously, I think the kids might want to look for greener pastures, or at least start planning for when this country is truly a has been.

Bigger

Comcast wants to buy NBC.  I can't think of anything worse than media companies getting bigger.  Think Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes of Fox.  And, especially these media companies that control so much of the hardware that provides us with that great Democratic institution, The Internet.

I have loved to hate cable companies for a long time.  They seem to be out of the reach of any regulators and can do whatever they please.  In Albuquerque, Comcast operates under a franchise agreement with the city.  The city has done a very poor job of controlling rates and demanding decent service.  Yes, Comcast is better than it used to be overall, but they still have a real strangle hold on providing broadband service.  You could always use DSL from Quest, but that company also is horrible. Which is why I don't use a land line from them any longer.

Frankly, some smart Mayor or city councillor should make sure that Comcast does not raise their rates in Albuquerque because they are shelling out  billions for NBC.  Fat Chance!

Meanwhile, there is a fascinating article from Pew Research on News stories vs. what the public was interested in hearing about in 2009.

Make No Mistake

Pete Domenici Jr. for Governor?  The Albuquerque Journal said today that he worked on environmental and natural resource issues as an Attorney.  But make no mistake about it.  He worked against good environmental policy and natural resource policy by representing the oil and gas and mining industries.  I can not think of a worse thing to do than to elect someone like him during these times.

You can think what you want about Bill Richardson, but as Governor he has been one of the most progressive leaders in the country on environmental issues.  It would be a complete 180 degree turn for New Mexico and the Intermountain west to elect someone like Domenici Jr. as Governor.  It would be a dream come true for the neocon extractive industries in our region.  He once invited a friend of mine to attend a dinner on climate change issues.  It turned out to be a pep rally of energy people on what a large hoax climate change was.

Misc.

Sanity prevailed and the South Valley Voters gave a lopsided vote against incorporation for that area of Bernalillo County.  It would have been a disaster for the taxpayers in the area.  One wonders why this ever got to the ballot. I believe it is because a small group of activists scares and pressures local leaders into reluctantly signing on to such efforts in the name of local control.  Those leaders just wasted $330K of taxpayer money on this election.  Incorporation makes sense in some places for sure, but not in this case.

Bobbi and I went to get our vaccinations this morning for our cruise in South America in March.  If you are traveling to Brazil, which is our entry way to the ship, then you have to get a yellow fever vaccination.  That cost $260.  Our Visas into Brazil will cost close to $500.  Its the little things that get you.  We certainly don't want to get yellow fever, but does Brazil really want Americans to come and spend money in their country?  Not with these kinds of entry costs!

After dumping on Albuquerque Journal Columnist Thomas Cole last week I have to give him a thumbs up for his take on the gun toting tea party crazies in Alamogordo this last weekend.  He pretty much nailed it when he said, "Flashing firearms and fear-mongering on the gun-rights issues aren't effective means for change."

Profiles in Courage?

Profiles in Courage was one of the first political books I ever read.  It still sticks with me.  It's author was John F. Kennedy and allegedly a ghostwriter.  It is about lawmakers in the Senate who did the right thing for the country even though it was not a popular thing and they were willing to take the consequences.


I am thinking of this book as the New Mexico State Legislature begins to think about plummeting revenues and ways to quick fix the budget.  I believe they can not effectively deal with budget problems unless they are willing to endure sacrifice on their own part.  It is easy for them to say there should be an across the board cut of 2% on state salaries.  However the real issues of efficiencies are left on the cutting room floor.  Case in point (and I know I will take flack for this) is the bloated and unnecessary system of numerous branch colleges, institutions of higher learning, and duplicative administrations caused by this wasteful system.  Fewer branch colleges would mean better education in this day and age of the internet and modern transportation.  Legislators will never go down this road, or others like it, because it means losing patronage jobs in their own districts.  So they opt for other easy ways out like across the board salary cuts.  Meanwhile, tens of millions of dollars are wasted on these programs.  This is a perfect time for the heavy lifting to be done.  Just don't count on it from our wimpy legislators.

Six Hours In

So, I can look forward to not having my blood pressure rise because of work related stress.  However, reading multiple news sources can make you a little crazy.

Case in point.  Fox newsman Brit Hume suggested Tiger Woods should switch from being a Buddhist to being a christian.  He says that christians will forgive him for cheating on his wife.  They sure forgave all those TV ministers that were screwing around.

Another article describes how christian missionaries went over to Uganda to demonize homosexuals.  As a result Uganda now outlaws it under penalty of death.  How is that for forgiveness?

Life it too short.

Three Hours In

So, I am three hours into retirement.  So far it feels pretty good.  I am going to spend the next few months exercising and generally getting stress levels down.  I bought some books this weekend on how to fully utilize my Mac computers.  I am going to sign up for a course or two at Continuing Education at UNM.  I am looking for some courses on digital arts and editing.  I will start spending time on golf driving ranges and courses.

I have time to spend at the legislature and will try and look into how things are working there.  I will continue my volunteer efforts with The Wilderness Society, The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and the Wyss Foundation.

I will also spend time doing crosswords and writing my blog.

A New Low

Albuquerque Journal columnist Thomas Cole and his editors have hit a new low. They want to have readers send in insulting names for the State of New Mexico's image. This is because of the state's problems with corruptions cases. I guess this is their contribution to the well being of the state. Maybe one of the insults will stick and the rest of the world will no longer hear about the "Land of Enchantment", but rather some other derogatory term that will represent the people of this state.

I actually don't think this is funny. But in the spirit of things we need to come up with some new insulting names for the Albuquerque Journal. I invite everyone to make a comment and give us their best shot. Don't include one that says, "The Albuquerque Urinal." That has been done before.

2009

I am glad 2009 is gone. Pretty much I believe it will go down as the 'Angst' year. I am hopeful that 2010 will be much better for all of those Americans in dire economic straits.

Today I retire from public service after taking my first government job in 1974 with Governor Bruce King. (I miss him and Alice.) It is a good time for me to go. I am 64. I need to spend time in getting fit and playing golf. I will also busy my self with volunteer work.

I look forward to cooking for Bobbi as she still has a few years left to work. (She was younger than my daughter is now when I met her in an elevator at City Hall in Albuquerque.) She is 7 years younger than me and I hope she can endure my retirement until she leaves her career behind. This is one of the first pictures I ever took of her.

We went an watched that movie "Up in the Air" last night. We decided it was good we had each other after seeing it.

Happy New Year to all!

Fixation

A good friend and I were talking about how the American Public and Media are fixated on Airport Security. It is like a loss leader at a department store. It gets your attention and then you get directed to somewhere else.

We have decided that the reason airline security is so important to folks, including the religious terrorist wacko crazies, is that it gets all the attention. There actually are a lot of easier targets for bombers in the name of god. Think municipal water supplies, train tracks, public gatherings, and about a zillion other things that have no security on them whatsoever.

It also makes you think that the terrorists are on their last legs since they have not been successful at killing and maiming in this country after 9-11.

Meanwhile down in Alamogordo the right wing Tea Party wacko crazies are holding a rally on Saturday to rail against health care reform, government stimulus spending, and the Obama administration.

The kicker here is that they are encouraging everyone to bring guns. What is next? Underwear Bombs!? These guys are more dangerous to our democratically elected government than the terrorists are.

Misc.

I am taking my son Justin and his wife Karly to the airport this morning. They are the last of our holiday guests to leave. We all had a really good time. So now I get to deposit them into airport hell for a trip back to Washington DC. Who knows what weird stuff they will have to endure in security measures. I am still of the opinion that just about anyone can skirt safety measures no matter how stringent they are.

Speaking of opinions, the Journal this morning dumped on the Obama administration for the security lapse. When 3000+ people were killed at the World Trade Center they seemed to give George Bush a pass. They thought it was cool he stood next to a fireman on the rubble.

Last night KRQE TV News opened their newscast with a 30 second story on some 21 year old kid getting shot to death. Then they did a 90 second story on a puppy getting shot to death. Ah....journalism today.

Great Christmas Day

We had a relaxed Christmas day at my brother Tom's House. This is a picture of our family all together for the first time in two years. Left to right, Sue Orth, Lucas and Noelle, Bobbi, a beached whale, Karly and Justin.

4th Circle of Hell

I have decided that the 4th circle of hell is where they make you fold luminaria bags for eternity.

The 5th level of hell is where you do double folds on luminaria bags. Last night we decided to apportion the job to everyone.

Little did our visitors know after grueling trips from all over the country, through snow storms, jam packed airports, and oxygen deprivation in airliners, that their holiday cheer was to take another hit. Yes, everyone had to fold 15 luminaria bags.

And then, my daughter Noelle insisted on the dreaded 'double fold' to 'make them stronger' so as to guide the Christ child who never manages to find us anyway.

Well, it was family togetherness amongst the rattling and cracking of lunch bags.

Found Money

Bank of America called. They found my money and credited my mortgage. They were apologetic but could offer no explanations of what had happened. I wonder what did happen. Where was that money used over the last ten days? Hmmm. One of life's mysteries.

The Bank Thing and Arrivals

I spoke yesterday with a person in the office of the CEO of Bank of America. They are trying to help find my money and said they would call me back. They were very nice and concerned. They still haven't credited my mortgage however. My funds have been in limbo for almost two weeks now. I am incredulous.

I will worry about this some more after Christmas. Today I need to go to the airport twice to pick up my son Justin and his wife Karly. Also to pick up my daughter's boyfriend's mother Sue. Noelle and Luke are traveling snowbound highways from Phoenix to Albuquerque via Payson and Holbrook. I also look forward to having their dog Lola here. Our beagle Athena will have someone to run away from for four days.

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Bank of America Catch 22

Bank of America still has not found my huge payment to them, although they took it out of my account to pay off my mortgage. Today they told me everything they supposedly did yesterday to fix things never really happened. Their rep said they didn't know where the money was, although they admit it is no longer in my savings account. And they admit I did send it to the mortgage account, although it apparently entered the twilight zone or an alternative universe.

While at the bank I was heard to say that I hoped none of the executives got any bonuses for christmas. I heard a voice in the back ground say, 'me too.'

I will give them until christmas eve to clear all of this up. Then I have no idea what I will do about my huge amount of missing money except maybe go visit the New Mexico CEO for the bank. I know there is one but there is no possible way to see or talk to him on the phone or email. Silly me, why would he want to talk to a lowly customer. I keep trying to call him at the main bank but no one answers during business hours. Sounds like something out of "Catch 22."

The Banks

I volunteer for any firing squads dealing with bankers on Wall Street. Well, not really. But I would like to see them all out shoveling snow for a living from now on. I have a couple of reasons for feeling this way. One is on general principles. They screwed their banks and this country big time and now they are giving themselves huge bonuses again after the taxpayers saved them. Secondly, they make life difficult for their customers like me.

Consider Bank of America. My bank. But maybe not for long. You see, ten days ago Bobbi and me decided it might be a good idea to finally pay off our mortgage since I am retiring. So, we sent them a huge on line payment direct to the mortgage just as their web site instructed. As of today they still have not credited it to our mortgage account. Remember, this is ten days!

Last Thursday I called Bank of America to ask what was going on. All I got were electronic voices saying I could find out what my balances were and they all indicated no credits to my mortgage. Every time I pushed the button to talk to a human being, I was immediately disconnected.

Today Bobbi went by a branch bank and found a helpful branch manager who said she had never seen service like this before. She says the only way to get our money out of some dead zone where it ended up is to put it back in our savings account and then try again.

I know there must be a reason for all of this. I think it is all part of Bank of America's philosophy of making life difficult for its little customers when they do something, like paying off their mortgage which results in less interest payments to them. Or it is just sheer incompetence on their part which means their CEOs should be fired instead of pigging out on bonuses.

No More Money for the DSCC

I am cutting off all funds to the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee. I want to make sure that not one penny will go to reelect Senator Ben Nelson, who is holding up healthcare reform because of his religious beliefs. I gave the DSCC a lot of money last year at the request of Senators Bingaman and Udall. Now, if I can afford such largess as I enter retirement I will just give to individual Senators.

Stop and think about what is going on here. The likes of Lieberman and Nelson with a noose around the neck affordable health care in this country. Lieberman is doing because he is a sociopath and Nelson because he is a fundamentalist wacko. Life is too short.

The Gang

We are getting ready for lots of holiday house guests. My son Justin and his wife Karly are coming in. Noelle and her significant other, Lucas are coming in. So is Lucas' mom Sue. She is from Minnesota and enjoyed the balloon fiesta here in October so much she is returning. My brother's kids are coming in too. My sister will be here. It should be a lot of fun.

Things around the blog will remain quiet for the holidays, although I will post pics once in a while. Our first order of business now is to go see the movie "Avatar". I have been waiting for it for some time and the reviews look really good. I am just a sci fi geek and this movie does double duty with its anti war and pro environment messages.

Torn Down

Rodger Beimer called me yesterday to let me know that the old KOAT television station building at 1377 University NE had been torn down. I met Rodger there on my first day of work as a new photographer back in 1968 or so. I had been offered the position (my dream job) by Dick Knipfing when he was news director. I went on to become a reporter and anchorman. Rodger did too and we have remained friends ever since. This photo shows former APD policeman Mark Bralley in front of the station.

The News Room consisted of about 800 square feet or so. It had 8 desks all crammed together. Off in one small closet were the UPI and AP teletypes and faxphoto machines. They constantly clattered and sizzled. On one wall was the two film editing stations. On another wall was the equipment bays and shelves. Also on a small table was the two way Motorola radio. Then about a dozen phones and typewriters with paper, carbon paper, white out and paperclips everywhere. And also about 25 stuffed to overflowing ashtrays. I mean everyone smoked, except Rodger.

As Rodger and I were talking we wondered if the hazardous waste people had to come in before demolition. You had to be there to appreciate the chemical soup we worked in. The smoke was constant. Add in the film cement for editing, residue film development chemicals, film cleaner, battery acid from the old light packs, food that fell behind desks and stayed there for a decade, body odor from poor ventilation, and the smell and dust from the cosmetic makeup we piled on before going on camera, and you had an environment that might have equaled Love Canal. We loved being there every second.

Mark Bralley sent this picture of me filming a lull in the 1972 riots in the UNM area. I am behind the 'hippie' with the flowers.

Bralley said, "The picture of you followed the mining of North Vietnamese harbors and Operation Linebacker. In Albuquerque the protest started with the blockading of I-25 at Central. The crowd trapped an 18 wheeler that later was identified as actually carrying war munitions. No none knew at the moment. Later in the day Officer Phil Herrera accidentally discharged his shotgun striking a UNM Daily Lobo writer and the wife of an Air Policeman stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base. This picture of you was shot on one of the subsequent days when the protest moved up Central to in front of UNM."

It is always surprising to see things like the old KOAT station disappear. I will miss going by there and thinking of some of the best friends and times I ever had in my life.

Public Input?

Before Picture

After Picture

For over thirty years I have been walking my dogs in the Bosque. You see a lot of senior citizens down there doing that. So, imagine our surprise this morning when we show up and find our trail obliterated by the State Parks Department. No public input. No hearings. No information or dissent allowed. All thanks to the Rio Grande Nature Center. Now they are pointing fingers at the City's Open Space and Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District as being complicit. You can see from this photo how debris and downfall have been spread over the trail. When I called about this mess all I got were conflicting statements.

One of the state employees told me the trail was only a few years old. Even though I explained to her I had been using it since the late 70's. I am just stupid I guess. This is a picture of my son and I in the Bosque when he was about five years old. (He was hunting for Ewoks) He is now nearing thirty.

Many neighborhoods along the Bosque work hard to keep it nice. We should have been consulted. The trail needs to be cleared now, otherwise people will start breaking new ones all over the place making things worse.

My good friend State Parks Director Dave Simon said he would look into the lack of public input.

Compliment to the Journal

The Journal actually did an important story Sunday morning on New Mexico High School Graduation rates and proficiency in math and reading. It seems the schools with the highest graduation rates had students with the lowest proficiency. How in the hell can that be? It is nothing but administrative corruption. Those school superintendents and school boards need to stay after school for detention. Or be held back a grade.

What upsets me the most is the lack of proficiency in reading. Of course that statistic is really set in the first through third grades. So blame goes on those elementary schools too. If a person can not read properly then they are really screwed in life. I frankly was never much of a math whiz, but the nuns at Our Lady of Fatima sure taught me how to read and spell. I have been able to function in life without knowing squat about differential equations, (the wife and kids were great at those and spoke in strange phrases when practicing them), but I sure would not have done anything in life with our being able to read.

Although, when reading the Journal editorial page I wonder if it is wise to read sat all. They took the cue on Sunday from their oil and gas industry friends to belittle climate warming. Of course they are right and several hundred thousand scientists who can do differential equations are wrong. The Journal is beginning to remind me of the Wall Street Journal. Great news and information and imbecilic editorials. I have always wondered who really writes that stuff with a straight face.

Must Reads

Other than going to the dentist today after breaking a tooth with my dental floss, the only other thing of worth I am doing is reading some great research from the Pew Foundation. Every politico, blogger and newspaper publisher and editor should read these.

P.S. I thought flossing was good for your teeth. Now I get another thousand dollar crown!

Egad!

So the latest numbers I am hearing from Albuquerque's City Hall are that the deficit for this year will be somewhere between 26 and 40 million dollars. Gasp! And next year the gap will be at least $50 million.

This is not pocket change and some draconian measures seem to be in order. The only advice I can give to the new Mayor is that he do the hard work in the first hundred days of his tenure. This will mean whacking larges amounts of money from the funds that the city gives to the Albuquerque School System, non profit groups and the labor unions. That last item will require some real deft negotiating. Those fat contracts Marty Chavez gave out in hopes of getting support from the police and firemen's unions are really going to cause problems.

Meanwhile, the legislature is considering suing the Governor over the budget battles that have taken place as the state's revenues continue to meltdown. I can think of about a hundred things that are more important to do than that. This reminds me of a description of human behavior I read last night in a sci fi novel. It is one of the Frankenstein monster who was created with all good intentions. Except he ends up throwing little girls in the river. He wants to be better, but it is just not in him. Sounds like the legislature. Yuk!

Misc.

I was opining last week that a legislative committee treated my staff viciously in an interim meeting. Apparently they are doing the same to themselves, only violently. The news that one female legislator punched out another one last week indicates that some lessons in manners are due for our lawmakers.

The Albuquerque Journal, whose readership continues to fall, managed to put my name in a story this morning aimed at embarassing the Governor, and former cabinet members who have received contracts after leaving office. I gave a contract over ten years ago to one of them when I was Mayor and that seems to be newsworthy today. There is nothing illegal or immoral about giving people contracts but the Journal's specialty of insinuation seems to say so.

I notice that Darren White, the city's new public safety czar in the Mayor's office, is already out hamming for the cameras. He is criticizing the Judiciary. That could affect his boss greatly and someone will have to coach him on his publicity seeking ways.

The New Mayor

I was glad to see David Campbell's confirmation by the City Council as Mayor Berry's Chief Administrative Officer. Three republican councillors voted against the confirmation of the republican Mayor's choice for the job.

Mayor Berry, welcome to city politics. You will have to put up with that kind of behavior in varying degrees for the next four years. It is just part of the job but I have to say it is very peculiar that members of your party are doing this to you. It says nothing about you or Dave Campbell , just about the condition of the GOP. Amazing!

Now comes the really hard part of keeping this city glued together in the midst of what might be the biggest financial meltdown in its history. (You might want to read this.) Your CAO and Department heads will really need to use some even headed thinking on where to cut. And know that where ever you choose to do it that you will not be appreciated. Every dollar you cut is a minus for some special interest group. Be it an after school program, a union, or economic development incentives.

Ignore what the editorial pages of the Journal say and do what you think is best. Because of the position that Mayor Chavez and his city council left you in you are going to have to accept the fact that you may not be the most popular guy in office.

I am pulling for you because I know the challenges you face. We have a great city here and we should all want you to succeed.

Uhhh...I was wondering if you could call me about a pothole.

Countdown

I suddenly realize after coming off the Caribbean cruise that I need to start the countdown to retirement in just 24 days.

While I was gone my staff went to an interim committee of the Legislature and was treated with such vitriol and disrespect that I can honestly say I am not going to miss that part of the job at all. Dealing with the legislature that is!

When I retire I plan on doing some serious blogging on the demeanor of the legislature during the next session. Not many people have the opportunity to see just how badly some legislators treat state professional employees. Not all legislators act this way of course, but the ones who do will certainly get my attention. Pictures, movies and soundtracks coming your way soon.

I have posted a movie of our cruise. If you have absolutely nothing else to do click here.

Back in the USA

We are back. I got off the plane Thursday night with a tropical shirt on. Well, I do like the seasons. We had a very good time.

We already have another cruise booked for South America in March. 14 days from Rio to Buenos Aires and back. Lots of heavy duty excursions on that one.

So I get back and am able to say "I told you so." City Hall is in the crapper from Marty Chavez and his big spending ways. I feel sorry for Mayor Berry and the challenges in front of him. I inherited the same mess from Marty and had to put into place budgets that grew less than inflation for four years. He has an even harder job because of the labor contracts Chavez signed.

I was halfway expecting to find an invitation to Mayor Berry's inauguration. I was disappointed his staff was so clueless on protocol. Of course, I could not have attended since I was in a rain forest in Costa Rica. But the thought would have been nice.

Green Chile

Green Chile. How do we love you? Let us count the ways. Well, one is on cheese burgers. If you were to ask the chefs on the Zuiderdam for a green chile cheese burger they might go rummaging around the kitchen and bring you out a bell pepper.

Not to fear. Rodger Beimer is here. We celebrated today with the canned green chile he brought along to ease us back into New Mexican food. We had a ceremony in the Lido pool dining area to decorate out burgers. MMMMM!

Ed Mahr explained green chile mysticism to Cia and Uming of the Lido Staff.

Tonight we pass Havanna but since Obama hasn’t done change we believe in yet we can not stop there.

Home on Thursday. We hear that it will only be 33 degrees on Thursday. Arghh!

Costa Rica

We spent Monday exploring Costa Rica. We sailed into Puerto Limon, Banana capitol of the world and set off for the rain forest. The rest of the gang went to a banana plantation. They day started with out a cloud in the sky. It was beautiful at the rain forest preserve we visited. It went from full sunshine to hard rain in a matter of minutes. I got the feeling that walking ten feet into that rain forest would be lethal. All sorts of toxic things in there. Snakes, frogs that kill, beetles the size of a Pontiac.

Tuesday and Wednesday we will spend at sea as we race across the Caribbean to dock the ship in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday morning. Then back into cold weather. I would take dry climates to wet any day.