Something Completely Different - The Rio Grande Rift

Yes, I love Monty Python. And now, time for something completely different! 

During this lockdown, I've been attending geology livestreams offered up by Nick Zentner, a geology professor at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA. I highly recommend them for anyone with an interest in geology. The first batch of livestreams started in March and ended in June. The "2nd semester", which was exclusively on exotic terranes of the west coast, ran from Sept to December (26 weeks). I have learned a lot and so, I've ventured to put together this little blurb on the Rio Grande Rift all from readily available information in books, papers, and websites. Here goes...

The Rio Grande Rift is a major break in the Earth's crust. It's a north-south trending zone of east-west crustal extension that has deformed areas from the Mexican state of Chihuahua to as far north as central Colorado, Leadville, totally bisecting the state of New Mexico. This crustal extension is due to the Colorado Plateau pulling away from the High Plains, which is part of the craton of North America, causing the crust to be pulled thin. The northern section of the rift is relatively narrow, consisting of a series of westward stepping basins flanked by rugged mountains. The rift broadens to about 30 miles (48km) at Albuquerque, from the rift's eastern margin - the western face of Sandia Mountain - to the rift's western margin near the Rio Puerco.

South of Socorro, New Mexico, the rift broadens considerably and the southern portion of the rift and its associated ranges blends into and with the Basin and Range province in southwestern New Mexico. Here the basins are in the form of half-grabens that are tilted strongly toward the east or west depending on the location of the master fault system on the margins of each basin.

Fault movement along the Rio Grande rift in the Albuquerque basin area started about 30 Ma (million years ago) and continues today. Sandia Mountain, the eastern margin of the rift, is a single east tilted fault block with a 1.4 billion year old Precambrian igneous and metamorphic core topped by 300 Ma sedimentary rocks. This fault block rises nearly 11,000 feet (3350 meters) above sea level, and the sedimentary rocks on the summit are nearly 26,000 feet (6100 meters) above the corresponding layer of rocks beneath the valley floor. That's nearly 5 miles (8 km) of fault movement!

2 of 3 Albuquerque Volcanoes

Volcanism is common along this rift. In Albuquerque, at the Volcanoes Day Use Area (part of Petroglyphs National Monument), there are five cones, which erupted along a north-south oriented fissure some 150,000 years ago. According to the National Park Service, these cones, locally called The Three Sisters, "are a classic and rare example of a fissure eruption." Fissure eruptions can produce spatter cones, steep sided cones made from hardened blobs of erupted basalt. There were several eruptions along the 5 mile (8 km) long fissure that produced both aa and pahoehoe flows of basalt. These cones are very near the middle of the Rio Grande rift. South of the Three Sisters, near Isleta Pueblo, the interstate, I-25, cuts through a lava field exposing columnar jointing. Other volcanic areas of note along the rift include: Taos volcanic field, Jemez volcanic field, Isleta volcanic field, Socorro magma body, and Portrillo volcanic field.

The Jemez volcanic field is dominated by the Valles Caldera, which is located at the junction of the Rio Grande rift and the Jemez Lineament (JL), both of which are major crustal features. The JL is a southwest to northeast trending line of volcanoes along what is now interpreted as a subduction zone scar. This zone runs from Springerville and White Mountains volcanic fields in Arizona to the Raton-Clayton volcanic field in northeastern New Mexico. The JL is 375 miles (600 km) long and was formed about 1.7 billion years ago along the southern edge of what was then to become the North American continent.

Hmmm....  It seems New Mexico has some exotic terrane story from giga years ago.

Later gators!  Yours in New Mexico...

Wujan Lujan Addendum

In the past couple of days since the last opinion piece, Wujan Lujan has added to the list of grievances of the good, hard working & honest people of New Mexico.

NM Gov Michelle Lujan-Grisham

• Contrary to laws limiting the Governor to $750K in emergency spending in an Executive Order, she has allegedly spent $40 million. A bipartisan panel of Legislators unanimously voted to investigate the excessive spending. 

• The Navajo Nation has been hard hit by COVID-19. Wujan Lujan vetoed hundreds of millions of dollars  in Federal coronavirus relief spending, including $23 million earmarked by legislators for tribal governments and an additional $15 million specifically for the northwest counties, which have large indigenous populations. 

• The governor vetoed the Legislature's modest attempt at addressing the huge fiscal shortfall during the not so special, special session, during which they cut $30 million from that budget. The veto restores that $30 million & we still have a huge fiscal shortfall, which was the entire purpose for the special session.

• She vetoed another special session cut of $8 million for public ed reform fund

• She admits to accepting Arizona and Texas COVID-19 cases to New Mexico hospitals. Those cases have driven up the baseline of hospitalizations from 12% to 19% occupancy, but it's unknown if they are being included as part of  the "79% increase" in cases Wujan Lujan claims New Mexico has seen.

• It is alleged that the Governor was seen partying at Navajo Lake over the Independence day holiday in violation of her own public health order.

• With about 4,400 oil & gas workers currently unemployed, Wujan Lujan decided to prioritize a Joe Biden fundraiser called "A Clean Energy Conversation," a part of his pandering to environmental group, a "Green New Deal," urging participants to donate up to $5K to the Biden Campaign in order to hear from our dear, fearless leader. 

• Governor violated her own Health Order, which closed what she deemed as non-essential businesses, days after it was issued on April 3 when she purchased jewelry from a Lily Barrack store. Conflicting replies came out of the governor's office as the story changed, including one that implied "curbside" delivery was fine. However, curbside delivery wasn't authorized until May 1. 

ADA Breathing Issues & Masks

The governor's office Other grievances include, but are not limited to: wearing masks while driving (hazardous if one wears glasses), wearing masks while jogging & hiking (even if one has COPD, etc), jail time for those violating her mask mandate, and more.

I want to know who's going to pay the hospital bills for those with breathing issues affected by her new mask mandate? If I'm cited for exercising without a mask, outdoors with no one around, I'm going to slap her & everyone else in her administration, who are involved in any way, with an Americans With Disabilities Act suit for not reasonably accommodating me & my heath issues.

Yours in New Mexico...

Wujan Lujan...

For those who don't know, Wujan Lujan is New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham. The woman is an abject failure. However, she's a typical, Leftist, dictator wanna be.

The Governor, back on June 23rd took full credit when COVID numbers fell. However, a week or so later, rather than take the blame for rising numbers, which many, myself included, believe are connected to the violent riots & protests.

Those riots & protests took place over the Memorial Day weekend at the end of May until around June 20. Just about 2 to 3 weeks later, the COVID numbers started creeping up and it appears to be affecting younger people in their 20s and 30s. Go figure...

Anyway, in response, our dear Governor gave a presser on Thursday, July 9th, where she again closed indoor seating in restaurants and blamed the good citizens of New Mexico for the rising numbers.

"We must all adopt a zero tolerance policy for risks and risky behaviors. Businesses in and of themselves aren't creating the risk, people are. Restaurants did not do this to New Mexico, New Mexicans did this to restaurants."

How arrogant! How despicable! She is supposed to be the leader of this state. She takes credit for the plusses fast enough but throws the blame for her policies & actions onto the people, punishing those who have done no wrong.

Other people being punished include campers, hikers & backpackers. As of today, July 13, visitors to New Mexico state parks must display proof of residency. Reminds me of a scene in the movie, Hunt for Red October. The XO Borodin of the submarine tells Capt Ramius, he will have a pickup truck and "maybe a recreational vehicle. And drive from state to state. Do they let you do that?" After Ramius' answer, Borodin, "No papers?" Ramius replies, "No papers. State to state." Ramius and Borodin would be most disappointed today as 'papers' are now required.

How many people are going to lose their homes  at the end of July? How many people are going to become homeless because where they worked closed their doors permanently? Where is her much acclaimed caring for the little people? Actions speak louder than words and her actions clearly show her disdain and coldness towards the 'pee ons' she wants to rule as our Tsar. It's the little people she's crushing under the heels of her cowboy boots.

She has also banned school sports, denying high school students the opportunity to win sports scholarships. She has also mandated that people SHALL WEAR a face mask, even when exercising. Included in that mandate are those with breathing issues, as I was informed today. Those with COPD, asthma, and other breathing issues must wear a mask, contrary to CDC & their doctors' orders. When people start to die, who is she going to blame then?  My guess is anyone other than herself.

The only thing Michelle Lujan-Grisham knows is how to coerce and put fear into people. She rules by fear. She rules in a dictatorial manner. She threatens businesses & business owners on the verge of bankruptcy, those hanging on by a thread, with excessive fines and jail time, all while she releases convicted criminals from prison.

Wujan Lujan needs to be removed from office. New Mexicans need to Vote Red in 2020 and flip both houses of the Legislature so we can begin impeachment processes to remove her. We have no recall power other than impeachment and, while the Legislature is Democrat owned, that isn't going to happen.

New Mexico! Vote Red! We have nothing more to lose & everything to gain.

Yours in New Mexico...

Wujan Lujan... Drunken Sailors Don't Spend This Much...

Yesterday, I wrote about the New Mexico Legislature giving approval for a new Cabinet post with all of its associated costs. Today, I get to report that some of the budget cuts approved were vetoed by Governor Lujan-Grisham. It has been said that the Special Session cost taxpayers $50K / day.  It ended after 4 days, incurring a cost of $200,000, an expense born by the taxpayers.

In response to the tweet on the left, I asked the Governor, "Then why did you waste hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on a not so special, Special Session? You know, the Special Session, which was called and from which you banned citizens' participation, due to a budgetary crisis due to overspending?"

The revised budget passed by the Legislature cut $600 million out of the $7.6 billion budget which had been passed. And many of those cuts were vetoed. Go figure... What do you do with a looney Lujan - a woman drunk on power...

Drunken sailors in a liberty port don't burn through money the way Wujan Lujan does.

Yours in New Mexico...

More Legislative Spending...

The recent Special Session of the New Mexico Legislature was supposed to address budget issues. It was supposed to address excessive spending. The only thing the budget got was lip service. Instead, the Legislature passed a bill making yet again another Cabinet department with all the associated salaries, bureaucrats, & spending. This new Cabinet department is called, New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD). What this new department is supposed to do is "ensure that all New Mexico families and young children have equitable access to high-quality early childhood opportunities."

Wait one...  Isn't that part of the reason why we have Children, Youth & Families (CYFD)?  To ensure all New Mexico families and kids have access to services & opportunities? Right now, there's an RFP up on the CYFD website regarding early childhood education. So now we have TWO Cabinet Departments doing the same work? Talk about duplication of effort! Double your pleasure, double your fun! Double your taxes is more like it!

CYFD has long had a Child Development Bureau, which attends to early childhood education and other early childhood development programs. The CYFD Child Development Bureau was established in 1989 and became operational in 1990. Tell me please, why do we need another Cabinet post to do what a different & existing Cabinet post is already doing?  Why not same some taxpayer dollars and just improve what's already there without another Cabinet Secretary at $150K, Deputy Cabinet Secretary at around $130K and then everyone else: Administrators, Admin Secretaries, Secretaries, Social Workers, yadda yadda yadda. In 2017, Monique Jacobson, Secretary of the CYFD, requested a $26M budget increase to $275M in state funds & when adding in Federal monies, a budget of $503M.  That's a lot of taxpayer dollars for a Department that has a poor reputation, a reputation rife with reports of scandals and controversies.

CYFD has a reputation for getting kids out of bad situations and putting them into situations nearly as bad. In 2018, 13 kids filed suit against CYFD stating that New Mexico lacks a system that ensures placement in stable placement in safe and supportive homes. A 14-yr old kid in the suit had at least 11 placements in his 2 times in state custody, before he was sent to a facility in Colorado where he suffered mistreatment that included black eyes & other wounds. Yet, CYFD kept him there for a year, knowing of the mistreatment. The lawsuit was settled in Mar 2020 with representatives saying that the settlement provides needed reforms. As part of the settlement, CYFD agreed to pay $2.4M in legal fees for the plaintiffs as well as their own legal fees. There were no monetary damages.

In my opinion, for what it's worth, the State should repair the broken system we already have rather than invest into another system that is a duplication of effort. It makes more sense to diagnose & repair a system that already encompasses what the new system is supposed to do. Anyway, that's the way I see it as a taxpayer.

Yours in New Mexico...

"Band-aids, bubble gum, and baling wire..."

However you want to describe the temporary fixes applied to restore solvency to state finances, it's just the beginning of what is likely to be a twisting and rock path leading to the 55th Legislature that convenes in January 2021." - ABQ Chamber of Commerce.

The preceding paragraph says everything. The Democrat progressives in the New Mexico Legislature and the Democrat Progressive Governor, Michelle Lujan-Grisham, need to stop disrespecting the working class, the working families of New Mexico with their pretense of fixing the budget. We are NOT stupid!

The Democrat progressives to do list...

• Stop procrastinating & open the state for business
• Stop pursuing a progressive agenda & address fixing the budget
• Stop spending billions of dollars that the state doesn't have & work within a viable balanced budget
• Stop tampering with the election process without any input from the taxpaying citizens

According to State Sen Mark Moores, during the 'closed to the people' special session, which was supposed to address a budget emergency, "behind closed doors, they increased state government spending by 1.5%. They also 'balanced' the budget with cloak & mirrors by counting $750 million in Federal COVID money that Federal law currently says cannot be used for state spending."

New Mexico doesn't need Federal dollars. We NEED a governor and a legislature that knows how to live within their means, just like any taxpayer.  The biggest problem that New Mexico is currently facing is progressive Democrats, who go through money faster than a drunken sailor with a hole in his pocket. I hate insulting sailors by comparing them to progressive Democrats. Sailors stand for something honorable; progressives, however,...

Milan Simonich nailed it in an Op-Ed in the Santa Fe New Mexican, "Nothing Special But The Chaos in This Session."  I'm thankful it adjourned last night before the progressives could do even more harm and they have done harm. One such harmful bill they passed  concerns law enforcement and lapel cameras.

Now then, requiring law enforcement to wear cameras isn't necessarily a horrible thing, but the passed bill is vindictive & punishing. It's an 1) unfunded mandate and 2) holds the officer liable if the equipment fails. If it fails or if an officer doesn't wear a camera, that officer is assumed guilty for pick a crime and is punished. Like NM Red Flag Law, it destroys the basic American concept of innocent until proven guilty. It destroys due process.  This is not only insanity, this is TYRANNY.

Folks, we really need to join forces and fight the power drunk progressives. They are drunk on power and they are abusing their power every chance they get. And, they can because they hold all the cards. It will be much, much worse if they continue to win & expand their power come November. In truth, there really is only one solution for the problems facing New Mexico and the tyranny being exercised by the progressives. That most obvious solution is for we the people to Vote Red 2020, to elect responsible people who respect New Mexico and the New Mexican citizens.

We MUST vote the power hungry & abusive progressive Democrats out of office!

New Mexico GOP - As I See It

I live in New Mexico and have for nearly three decades.

New Mexico became a state January 1912...  112 years. The last time Republicans controlled both State Houses was back in 1929-1930 - 91 years ago. Since then, the state legislature has been controlled by Democrats. And today, as we all know, today's Democrats are so far left, they make California appear to be the East Coast.

This past legislative session in February was a fine example of Leftist politics in action resulting in

• Increased taxes
• 2nd Amendment infringement
• Denial of due process for people accused of no crimes
• Destruction of both New Mexico & US Constitutions

It was disgusting to watch the destruction of our rights being cheered on by other Leftists. It was so bad that for the first time in my 60+ years, I thought about running for public office. That's saying something.

Instead, I decided to participate more in community meetings and other GOP oriented activities like the pre-primary election of delegates & the pre-primary convention. At first, I was very excited to be participating on such a level but as things progressed, I became more & more disgusted by what I was seeing, such as a disturbing lack of communication, a lack of support, a lack of encouragement, and a lack of easily available resources. It's as if the New Mexico Republican Party doesn't care.

For instance, I left a voice mail message for Anissa Tinnin, the GOP's Executive Director in the state, back in February or March. I asked, "How can I run for public office? Where do I begin? Please call me." I have yet to hear back from her. That is just one example of the uncaring attitude and the inexcusable lack of communication. Another example occurred when I called the GOP office to find out when registration for the Primary Convention was being held. I found out on that call that I missed registering by one day. When I suggested that perhaps if they don't get a registration form from a delegate, they should call them, I was told, "We're too busy to call."

Ya know what? If you're too busy to call, maybe I'm too busy to support the NM GOP. It's no wonder the NM GOP loses so often. They are too busy to bother with the little folks, you know, voters, those who matter.

In the time since the primary convention, I've spoken to many people as to what they see as problems in the NM Republican party. Many of their observations concur with my own: lack of communication, lack of available resources, and a lack of support.

Communication 

Before the primary, I offered to help a candidate. I was told to watch for an email from "John" with instructions. Well, as with Anissa, I'm still waiting to hear from "John". I'm still waiting for him to provide me with a call list so I can call voters.

A call went out on Facebook for data entry volunteers. I offered my services with the stipulation that due to prior commitments, I could only work on weekends. No problem...  Waiting for a call from the powers that be... nothing forthcoming. Call the party office several times and am finally told, "Sorry... we're closed on weekends."

Hello? How about a return phone call telling me that weekends are out. Or, here's a novel concept, how about making allowances for volunteers to help on weekends. This lack of attention discourages people from volunteering and from what I can tell, volunteers are desperately NEEDED.

Online Resources

Right now, New Mexico is having a Special Legislative Session. It was said that the voters, who are banned from participation in the Round House, would be able to participate online. There is NOTHING on the GOP website or any of the various social media platforms - Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, to direct a voter or concerned citizen to online access for the session. I cannot find anything on those platforms other than statements. To me, that is unconscionable in this day and age of technology. It's bad enough that the leftist Democrats have disenfranchised a large portion of the state's voters, especially those with little to no internet access, but the GOP appears to be complicit in that disenfranchisement with their distinct lack of direction.

As bad as it is for voters, I'm guessing it is worse for the candidates. With such horrendous communication & apparent disorganization, I wonder if the Party offers any training to candidates? If they have any best practices? Are there any up-to-date call lists for them to use? Do they even offer an email address for the candidates such as Joanie4NM@NMGOP.net? Do they help the candidates at all in any way, shape or form? Rumor has it, they do not offer any assistance to candidates or potential candidates. That is one rumor I believe.

Infighting

One thing I have noticed is a of fighting between members of the party, current and past, as well as fighting between voters. There is no cohesiveness. There is no clear party infrastructure. There is little in the way of 'team spirit'. There are many negative attitudes and much political division within the party such as Pearce vs Martinez.

The 'establishment' seems to pick candidates they favor & there appears to be an obvious bias towards them as those candidates have preferred campaign managers, marketing teams, and beaucoup dollars. I suggest that the Party establishment stop playing favorites and let the voters decide who they want running against the Leftists. This infighting and favoritism has done nothing but weaken the Party and weaken our candidates chances of winning.

 Summation & Suggestions

The Party MUST make a concerted effort to get EVERYONE on board behind the candidates which won the primaries, EVEN IF ONE PERSONALLY DISAGREES WITH / DISLIKES SAID CANDIDATE.

In truth, I honestly don't know how the GOP survives in New Mexico and not because of the heavy Democrat makeup of the state. There are many people here who would vote for the Republican candidates, but their message MUST be clear and it MUST outline New Mexican values, which include, but are not limited to: family, community, fairness, opportunity, and respect.

The Republicans need to find a way to connect more deeply with New Mexicans and to better communicate the GOP agenda and vision for the state, the families, and the community. They need to speak in a way that resonates and persuades the people to join forces against the unreasonable, unfair, and disrespectful ways of the Leftists. The leadership needs to remember when people are panicking because they perceive a boat to be sinking, they aren't looking for a rational, logical argument to stay with what they believe is a sinking ship. Gloomy predictions go in one ear and out the other when things are going well. That's the nature of humans. However, the Party needs to find the issues that resonate with the voters and address them.

In this day of COVID, many are anxious about finances & failing businesses - Address it!

Small, rural towns feel abandoned & neglected - Address it!

People of all races and colors feel discriminated against - Address it!

People are frustrated with the misappropriation of funds, the corruption, the failure of our schools, and more - Address it!

Present a cohesive and workable plan that anyone can understand to address the fears, the neglect, the discrimination, and the frustration. And then, most importantly, keep your promises!

So I say, nay...  I CHALLENGE the Republican candidates and Party leadership, take a page or two from the Democrat playbook and use it against them.

ALL is fair in love and war. We are in a war for the soul of the state and the country.

Yours in New Mexico...

PS - I must say that it appears the NM GOP website has been updated since I last looked at it a couple of months ago. Kudos on that! I can now find some voter resources.

Traitors All... New Mexico's Red Flag Law

It was a dark day in New Mexico history. On February 13, 2020, Progressive Democrats, Leftists all, violated their oaths of office to "protect and defend" the Constitutions of the United States and New Mexico.  That is the day on which they officially became traitors to their constituents, their state and the nation. That is the day on which they passed legislation that violates 60% of the Bill of Rights, the highest law of the land. That is the day they passed Senate Bill 5, Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order (ERPO).

New Mexico Senate Bill 5, which has been signed by Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham, a Democrat Vice President hopeful, is a grossly unjust law. It strips people of their rights based on unsubstantiated accusations made in secret proceedings without any representation of the accused.

NM State Sen Bill O'Neill, who resembles The Grinch

Let's dig into which rights and how they are violated.

1st Amendment - Our right to free speech is violated because the ERPO is issued on the feeling of a threat. For instance, any social media comments made supporting the 2nd Amendment or being a member of a politically incorrect organization (NRA), you can be branded a terrorist. We will have to guard our speech to avoid being 'red flagged'.

2nd Amendment - Our right to keep & bear arms shall not be infringed. I'd think this one is obvious as they are targeting only gun owners.

4th Amendment - "No warrants shall issue except upon probable cause..." The New Mexico law does NOT require 'probable cause' for a warrant to issue.

5th Amendment - "Nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." ERPOs deprive people of property without a trial, without a hearing. They deny people due process prior to any seizure of property.

6th Amendment - Your protections are bypassed since they are making ERPOs a civil matter. They are denying you a right to a speedy & public trial, by an impartial jury. You are disallowed representation. You cannot confront your accusers.

7th Amendment - "In suits of common law, where the value in controversy exceeds $20, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved." ERPOs where firearms of many hundreds and thousands of dollars are confiscated without any trial & without any jury. A sole judge holds your fate in his hands.

8th Amendment - "Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted." Some would say that having your property seized without a trial is cruel and unusual punishment. Is it not essentially an excessive fine to have to pay an attorney a minimum of $20,000 to get your property back, even though you have committed no crime?

14th Amendment - "No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive a person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protections of the law." Again, New Mexico's law destroys due process rights. Your accuser has no obligation to prove your guilt. In fact, you have to stand before your government and prove your innocence. How does one prove innocence of a crime which has never been committed?

ERPOs aka Red Flag Laws trample our Constitutional rights. This law turns the presumption of innocence, innocent until proven guilty, on its head. It allows unreasonable search and seizure. It voids due process. It denies trial by jury and punishes innocent people without any crime having been committed. The punishment happens without a criminal conviction or an adjudication of mental incompetence. It allows an ex parte hearing which only presents the accusers' side of the argument. There is no police investigation. There are no 'rules of evidence' mandated. AND, New Mexico's law holds the accuser blameless, even if the accusation is made out of spite.

The people who passed this law are traitors. They are traitors to New Mexico and to the United States. They must be removed from office.

NM House of Representatives (All Democrats)

Anthony Allison,  Dist 4 (San Juan County)

Doreen Johnson,  Rehoboth Dist 5 (McKinley & San Juan)
Eliseo Alcon,  Milan Dist 6 (Grants, Gallup, Cibola & McKinley Counties)

Patricia Lundstrom,  Gallup Dist 9 (McKinley & San Juan)

G. Andres Romero,  Albuquerque Dist 10

Javier Martinez,  Albuquerque Dist 11

Patricia Roybal-Caballero,  Albuquerque Dist 13

Miguel Garcia,  Albuquerque Dist 14

Dayan Hochman-Vigil,  Albuquerque Dist 15

Antonio "Moe" Maestas,  Albuquerque Dist 16
Deborah Armstrong,  Albuquerque Dist 17
Gail Chasey,  Albuquerque Dist 18

Sheryl Stapleton,  Albuquerque Dist 19
Debra Sarinana,  Albuquerque Dist 21

Daymon Ely,  Corrales Dist 23 (Bernalillo & Sandoval)

Elizabeth "Liz" Thomson,  Albuquerque Dist 24

Christine Trujillo,  Albuquerque Dist 25

Georgene Lewis,  Albuquerque Dist 26

Marian Matthews,  Albuquerque Dist 27

Melanie Stansbury,  Albuquerque Dist 28

Joy Garrett,  Albuquerque Dist 29

Natalie Figueroa,  Albuqnuerque Dist 30

Micaela Cadena,  Mesilla, Dona Ana Dist 33

Angelica Rubio,  Las Cruces Dist 35

Nathan Small,  Las Cruces Dist 36

Joanne Ferrary,  Las Cruces Dist 37

Susan Herrera,  Embudo Dist 41 (Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, Taos)
 Daniel Barrone,  Taos Dist 42

Christine Chandler,  Los Alamos Dist 43 (Rio Arriba, Sandoval, and Santa Fe Counties)

Jim Trujillo,  Santa Fe Dist 45

Andrea Romero,  Santa Fe Dist 46

Brian Egolf,  Santa Fe Dist 47

Linda Trujillo,  Santa Fe Dist 48

Matthew McQueen,  Santa Fe Dist 50 (Bernalillo, Santa Fe, Torrance & Valencia)

Doreen Gallegos,  Las Cruces Dist 52, , , , , 

Derrick Lente,  Sandia Pueblo Dist 65 (Rio Arriba, Sandoval & San Juan)
Karen Bash,  Albuquerque Dist 68
Tomas Salazar,  Las Vegas Dist 70 (San Miguel, Santa Fe & Torrance)

NM Senate (All Democrats)

Bill Soules,  Las Cruces, Dist 37
Joe Cervantes,  Las Cruces, Dist 31
George Munoz, Gallup, Dist 4 (Cibola, McKinley & San Juan)
Daniel Ivey-Soto,  Albuquerque, Dist 15
Peter Wirth,  Santa Fe, Dist 25
Pete Campos, Las Vegas, Dist 8 (Colfax, Guadalupe, Harding, Mora, Quay, San Miguel & Taos)
Jacob Candelaria,  Albuquerque, Dist 26
Roberto "Bobby" Gonzales,  Ranchos de Taos, Dist 6 (Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe & Taos)
Linda Lopez,  Albuquerque, Dist 11
Bill O'Neill,  Albuquerque, Dist 13
Gerald Ortiz y Pino,  Albuquerque, Dist 12
Michael Padilla,  Albuquerque, Dist 14
Mary Kay Papen,  Las Cruces, Dist 38
Shannon Pinto,  Tohatchi, Dist 3 (McKinley & San Juan)
Nancy Rodriguez,  Santa Fe, Dist 24
John Sapien,  Corrales, Dist 9 (Bernalillo & Sandoval)
Antoinette Sedillo Lopez,  Albuquerque, Dist 16
Benny Shendo,  Jemez Pueblo, Dist 22 (Bernalillo, McKinley, Rio Arriba, San Juan & Sandoval)
Liz Stefanics,  Cerrillos, Dist 39 (Bernalillo, Lincoln, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Torrance & Valencia)
Jeff Steinborn,  Las Cruces, Dist 36
Mimi Stewart,  Albuquerque, Dist 17
Bill Tallman,  Albuquerque, Dist 18

And, of course, the biggest traitor to New Mexico - Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham


Yours in New Mexico...

Snitches

NM Sen Bill Soules

In my day, it was NOT a badge of honor to be called a "snitch." Snitches were the lowest form of human life. They were lower than whale shit, and, if you think about it, that's pretty darn low. Mr Soules is of an age, post WW2, where he should know all about snitches & tattlers. Snitches were also called rats, stool pigeons, tattle tales, squealers, and finks. We had a saying, which was a warning, "Snitches get stitches."

Well, one of New Mexico's State Senators is a snitch - State Senator Bill Soules (Democrat, Dist 37, Las Cruces).  He's the worst kind of snitch of all. He's tattling on his own constituents, hoping to get them closed down, perhaps permanently. He's putting them out of work with his squealing like a little piggie.

The business that Sen Soules tattled on was a gun store, Millers Guns & Ammo. With Soules proven anti-gun stance, he voted for the violation of our constitutional rights when he voted YES on NM SB 5 - Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order. Mr Soules voted for a bill that denies people, who have committed no crimes, their rights. He voted for a bill that convicts and strips law abiding citizens of their rights in secret proceedings in which they have no voice as their participation is not allowed. They are also not allowed legal representation as required by the 6th Amendment. They are not allowed to face their accuser, as required by the 6th Amendment's Confrontation Clause. The first time many find out there's a problem is when the police come knocking on the door, demanding they turn over their property, a violation of the 4th Amendment. It also violates the 14th Amendment - no due process.

Because of Soule's known anti-gun actions & his taking monies from Everytown For Gun Safety, this email of his to the New Mexico State Police, Department of Public Safety, and the COVID unit appears to be targeted harassment. And, worse, it's targeted harassment of a family owned, small business which is in his Senate district. He is harassing and snitching on a constituent who is just trying to make a living and support a family in these hard, dark times.

The other week, Soules ran uncontested in the primary. He will have an opponent in November, Dave Gallus, a retired law man. He understands the need for law and order. He also understands that Soules has failed our kids. You see, Soules is the Chair of the New Mexico Senate Education Committee. He has failed our kids & our schools. The state of New Mexico's educational system is dismal. Our schools are ranked 50th of 50th in the union.

One would think that Bill Soules would want to remain on friendly terms with his constituents, regardless of whether or not his likes them and/or their business. After all, he has to live with them unless he moves. Snitches are to be stigmatized. They are spies. Guess Soules doesn't care. Stigmatize him in November. Vote for the other guy, Dave Gallus. The only thing you have to lose is a snitch.

Yours in New Mexico

HRH Michelle Lujan-Grisham

I have to wonder what will Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham come up with today.

Well, that question has been answered. She is a tyrant.

After condoning mass protesters, rioters, looters and arsonists, today, she declared that she intends to keep the state locked down for at least another twelve to twenty-four months or until there is a vaccine. Has she even thought about the fact that not all viral diseases have vaccines?

 Her Health and Human Services Secretary, Dr Scrase, is not an epidemiologist. He is not a virologist or an infectious disease specialist. Dr Scrase is an internist and a geriatrician. Yet, Dr Scrase contradicts and discounts the words of Dr. Anthony Fauci, an immunologist who has served as the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Dr Fauci is also one of the lead members of the President's Corona task force. Dr Scrase also discounts the direction of the World Health Organization. I have to wonder about Dr Scrase as it is rumored he got the job because he was the physician for the governor's parents.

Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham has no credibility. What little she did have, is gone. Poof! It disappeared into thin air.

Her capricious rules are destroying this state. For instance, tap rooms, breweries, can open with restrictions, but not bars and wineries. That's just one example. She doesn't even follow her own rules. During this lockdown, she was on the Bob Clark Show. A listener called in and asked why was it her hair & makeup were always so perfectly coiffed for her television appearances. Her reply was like being hit with a cold, wet fish... "I have my stylist come in to do them. I have to look good on TV."

Then, there's the fact that she closed ALL 'non-essential' businesses: jewelers, clothing shops, thrift stores, etc. A gun store and pawn shop, Papas Pawn and Gun, in the town of Grants opened against her orders in April. The store owner enacted the same precautions that are used by Walmart and other big box stores, which were allowed to remain open. Papas was hit with a $60,000 fine! To quote the owner,

"On Monday, six or seven State police officers surrounded my small shop and it was really upsetting. That was a total show of force. They came to give me a court summons, treated me like I was a criminal, not a shop owner."

That same month, April, the Governor decided she wanted to purchase some jewelry. She called an employee of Lilly Barrack and purchased the jewelry over the phone. Now mind you, at that time, no one was allowed in the store, yet Governor Lujan-Grisham had the employee go to the store, get the jewelry, and place it outside the door, where a someone who knows the governor, rumored to be a staff member, picked it up and delivered it to her.

The governor's capricious and piecemeal approach regarding opening the state and its businesses is unjust and inequitable. She continues to show favoritism to big box stores, all while punishing mom & pop small businesses. There is no logic to her decisions.

Michelle Lujan-Grisham has failed. She has failed in her decisions; she has failed the state; and she has failed the good people of New Mexico. She has abused the New Mexico State Police and other law enforcement agencies in the state, using them as her own personal black shirts.

We will no longer comply with her unjust, unlawful mandates. We will no longer listen to her fear mongering. We will no longer tolerate her speaking down to us. We are not her children; we are her employers.

Yours in New Mexico...

You're Lucky We Let You Testify About Bills...

Those words were uttered by State Sen Joe Cervantes, if I remember correctly, during the 2020 Legislative session in Santa Fe. "Lucky"?  It is our duty as citizens to participate in our legislature. That being said, the Governor, Michelle Lujan-Grisham, has called for a Special Session. I've no idea what they are going to address, but they NEED to address the budget and the excessive spending that they approved earlier this year. The Governor and the Legislature have spent ALL of the $2 BILLION surplus that was left by the prior administration. They spent it in under 2 years! Totally irresponsible! 

So, I'm guessing during the Special Session, they're going to go after the Permanent Fund, to raid it. You may be asking, "What's the Permanent Fund?"

The Land Grant Permanent Fund is also known as the Permanent School Fund. It is one of the largest funds of its kind in the country, and every year provides more than a half-billion dollars in benefits to New Mexico's public schools, universities, and other beneficiaries ($784.2 million in FY20). The Fund gets its money from the state's natural resources: oil, gas, coal, and other finite resources. Those same resources which are under attack by the Governor with her mini "green new deal."

That's just info given to prime you for the real issue that's coming up with the Special Session - we are BANNED from attending & testifying for or against bills, bills that directly affect us and our pockets.

The Legislature has banned we the people, the citizens who elect & employ them, from attending and speaking at the session. They are denying us our right to participate in government. However, they are going to allow the media to attend.

In addition, lawmakers have mandated that all staff, who are working during the session, MUST be tested for COVID-19. However, the 'lawmakers' have EXEMPTED themselves from testing, saying that the lawmakers aren't required to be tested because we might have to bar any lawmaker that is COVID positive. If you ask me, they really seem to think they are better than everyone else, you know, we 'pee ons'. Nothing has been said as to whether the 'media' will have to be tested.

Democrat leaders are talking about allowing 'virtual' meetings. The New Mexico constitution, which they have a tendency to ignore, lawmakers are required to meet in person on budget matters. Last I knew, 'virtual' meetings aren't considered 'in person'.

Regardless of your political leanings, ALL citizens of New Mexico need to call their representatives and voice their displeasure & concerns over being eliminated from the legislative process. We are being denied our right to address our government and remember... 

"You're lucky we allow you to testify on bills at all."

Yours in the Socialist State of New Mexico...

Bloomberg and His Dollars

Does anyone other than me find it rather hypocritical that Mom's Demand takes money from Michael Bloomberg?

For years, Bloomberg has been dogged by both allegations of profane and sexist remarks. We aren't talking locker room speech. Back in the 1990s, there was a booklet, the Wit and Wisdom of Michael Bloomberg. The booklet was assembled by former chief marketing officer, Elisabeth DeMarse. In the introduction, she wrote, "Yes, these are all actual quotes. No, nothing has been embellished or exaggerated. And, yes, some things were too outrageous to include."

The link takes you to the booklet. There is much profanity in it.

Based on the comments attributed to Bloomberg, he seems to have an obsession with oral sex even commenting he'd like a BJ from a redacted person who was 50. Rumor says the redacted name is Jane Fonda. Other comments, which lead to at least 17 women taking court action include, "I would DO you in a second." In addition to sexual remarks about women, there are characterizations about "fags" and more.

Michael Bloomberg, Wit & Wisdom Booklet

This is the man from whom Mom's Demand and Leftist Democrats take money. What does that tell you about Democrats? How can ANYONE take money from & support someone like Bloomberg? He has bought and paid for the Democrats, the Democrat party, and more.

So, all those Democrats who have swallowed, hook, line & sinker, the propaganda of President Trump being a racist, a homophone, and a sexist, how do you reconcile Shannon Watts of Mom's Demand taking Bloomberg dollars? And, more importantly, HOW do you reconcile Bloomberg running for President?

Michael Bloomberg, Wit & Wisdom Booklet

Bloomberg has never been to New Mexico and apparently has no interest in coming here. Wonder if New Mexico is one of the states he was referencing with his comment? Anyway, how do you reconcile people like Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham and Democrat Representatives like Brian Egolf, Karen Bash, Gail Chasey, Daymon Ely, and former judge Christine Chandler taking Bloomberg dollars to make laws for New Mexicans? Laws which violate our rights as American citizens? The only thing I can come up with is they're prostituting themselves for his money. They care more about money than what's right. They care more about money than their constituents, who vehemently opposed SB 5 for many valid reasons.

The only solution to be rid of people like this, prostitutes for Bloomberg cash, is to vote them out.

Vote Red in 2020!

Disenfranchised...

"Rural people feel differently from those who live in urban cities. We feel disenfranchised... like Santa Fe is not listening," said Stefani Lord in front of the Consumer and Public Affairs committee in Santa Fe, chaired by Liz Thomson.

Nathan Dial, Mayor of Estancia, commented that last year, he thought it was a battle of Republican vs Democrat. However, he doesn't think that anymore. Now he says, "It's city mouse vs country mouse."

Over and over again it played out the same, city vs country; urban vs rural. In New Mexico, being ruled by overlords from urban areas is a problem as New Mexico is mostly rural. New Mexico continues to have a higher percent of rural areas compared to the national. The most rural counties Catron, De Baca, Harding, Hidalgo, Mora, and Union had no urban population for the 2010 Census coming in at 100% rural.

In 2018, Everytown for Gun Safety, a national gun-control advocacy group affiliated with former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, contributed nearly $400,000 to New Mexico Democrats and Democrat-friendly political action committees in the election. Their push for gun control legislation in New Mexico has pitted brother against brother, wives against husbands, and more. What it comes down to are dollars from a New York billionaire pushing his political agenda in a rural state where guns are not only a way of life, but a necessity of it. That billionaire, Michael Bloomberg, is riding roughshod over poor, rural New Mexicans by throwing around hundreds of thousands of dollars, which are going to those politicians who grovel at his feet, including the Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham.

Some of the 30 or so Democrat Legislators received Bloomberg money, those who are now slaves to representing  him rather than their constituents, include: Brian Egolf (D), Andrea Romero (D), Matthew McQueen (D), Antonio "Moe" Maestas (D), Gail Chasey, and Christine Chandler (D).  By the way, Matthew McQueen is the same ding dong who sponsored and pushed the thirty (30) cent gas tax. He really hates rural New Mexicans.

Bloomberg and his money have successfully disenfranchised ALL rural New Mexicans. Our rights have been stripped from us, step by step, inch by inch. We are no longer allowed to hunt coyotes or to pay someone to hunt them. We are no longer allowed to hand down family heirlooms, which happen to be guns, to our descendants. And, now, we are no longer allowed due process to defend ourselves against unsubstantiated accusations before our property is forfeited to government in violation of the US Constitution and existing New Mexico law.

New Mexico has been under Democrat rule for more than 80 years. Up until the Bruce King administration, those Democrat legislators were conservative. Now, they are Communists posing as Americans.

It is time to turn New Mexico RED and retake our state, our rights, and our lives.

Yours in New Mexico...

Rogue Government... Are You Angry Yet?

I don't know about you, but I'm as mad as hell and to the point where I'm not going to take much more. What am I mad about? Rogue, Democrat, Leftist government... Leftist governments that are pulling out all the stops to deny us our Constitutional rights, specifically: free speech, Keep and bear arms, to be secure in our homes and property, due process, and more.

At Governor Lujan-Grisham's insistence, the Leftists are bound and determined to pass a Red Flag law here. The bill allows for the confiscation of property without due process. It allows SWAT teams to break down doors to people's homes to confiscate their guns. It makes law abiding citizens into criminals.

Rep Daymon Ely, Democrat

Per one of the bill's sponsors, Rep Daymon Ely (a personal injury lawyer aka 'ambulance chaser'), if someone files and ERPO on you and you have no guns, you CAN'T say you haven't any guns, even if you don't. They WILL get a search warrant, even on a false accusation, because they won't BELIEVE you haven't any guns. After the search warrant comes and they find NOTHING, you will be ARRESTED, because you haven't surrendered any guns as required by the ERPO.

How screwed up is that???

During the Corporations committee meeting, Ely tried to defend this. He said, "...it doesn't go any further, if there are no guns to take." However, he then contradicted himself because, "... the sworn affidavit is PROOF that the respondent (accused) has guns and a search warrant will be issued if no guns are surrendered."

So, Rep Ely, which is it? 

According to Stefani Lord, Pro-Gun Women, the New Mexico Sheriffs say that isn't how it works. So, now I have to ask, what does this ambulance chaser really know about law? Obviously, not much at least with regards to search warrants. And, since he knows so very little, how did he get a license to practice and what the hell is he doing making law???

As of yet, none of the Legislators, who are pushing this bill, have answered this question. If someone files for an ERPO against a woman, who is subsequently disarmed, and the complainant comes back and injures / kills that woman, WHO is responsible? This has shades of Carole Browne all over it.

When Leftists spout, “gun control for safety,” it is a RED HERRING. Whenever the government wants to regulate a sector, they call in “experts,” except for guns. So we end up with laws that destroy rights. You know, it's really not about safety.

It's all about C-O-N-T-R-O-L.  It is TYRANNY!

Vote RED in November. If you don't, we will become slaves with Democrat overlords.

A Moment of Sanity...

The Democrats in the New Mexico State Legislature had a moment of sanity yesterday. Miracles do happen!

The moment of sanity was brief, very brief.

New Mexico is primarily a rural state. We have 3 large population centers: Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces. Those centers lean far to the left, especially Santa Fe. The rest of the state is quite rural and rather conservative. A four hour drive to anywhere is pretty much considered "local". Ranchers and other rural folks rely heavily on our vehicles and they serve a wide variety of purposes, everything from herding cattle to transporting kids to school.

One of the Democrat state representatives, Matthew McQueen, who represents parts of Bernalillo, Santa Fe, Torrance, and Valencia Counties, sponsored a very regressive fuel tax, HB 173 Gas Taxes New Funds and Distributions. It would raise the gasoline and diesel taxes in the state from about 17 cents / gal to 47 cents / gal, which is an increase of 176%!!! Why?  All in the name of Gov Michelle Lujan-Grisham's "Green New Deal" also known as the "Energy Transition Act" which was passed in secret proceedings with no voter input, no public discussion, no impact studies, and with no regard for the taxpayers' wallets. The "Energy Transition Act" mandates that New Mexico moves to 100% carbon free energy. This law is essentially a carbon tax and it has resulted in lost energy jobs, higher utility rates, and reduced state revenue. This in a state where the ONLY industry is oil and gas.

Lunacy, I tell you!

Anyway, McQueen's bill was winding its way through the legislature and it had been passed by the Tax & Revenue Committee on an 8 - 3 party line vote. It had the support of high school kids to "combat climate change" and it was said to be for repairing roads, however, a goodly portion of the revenues raised were tagged to buy the State electric vehicles and charging stations. Mind you, this is for a rural state that is 342 miles wide by 370 miles long and it is the 5th largest state in the Union. Where's the common sense? I truly believe Leftist Democrats have no common sense. The only thing they have is a wanton desire to pick pockets.

Thankfully, sanity prevailed in the Appropriations Committee where it was tabled.

Rep Jason Harper (Rio Rancho) said, "I'm shocked that Democrats are continuing to burden hard-working New Mexicans with increased taxes." 

Rep Gail Armstrong (Magdalena) said, "This is a rural versus urban situation. I'm voting rural."

Oh... before I forget, here are the Representatives who want to really pick your pockets with a 30 cent fuel increase.

Javier Martinez (D, Dist 11, ABQ)
Jim Trujillo (D, Dist 45, Santa Fe)
Abbas Akhil (D, Dist 20, ABQ)
Micaela Lara Cadena (D, Dist 33, Mesilla)
Christine Chandler (D, Dist 43, Los Alamos)
Brian Egolf (D, Dist 47, Santa Fe)
Doreen Gallegos (D, Dist 52, Las Cruces)
Antonio "Moe" Maestas (D, Dist 16, ABQ)
Christine Trujillo (D, Dist 25, ABQ)

If you are a Democrat and are tired of increased taxes, little representation, high crime, and your voices being stifled, I suggest you #WalkAway from the Leftist Democrats and join the Republicans. I know I walked away several years back and I've never been happier. Join me!

This Ain't No Shit....

"This ain't no shit...."  Those are the words which usually precede a sea story as told by a destroyer-man in the US Navy.  Sadly, I wish this was a sea story that I'm going to tell, but it isn't.

As has been found in the past, the fearless leaders of the state of New Mexico have a history of not exactly following the law at all times. They sometimes choose to ignore it; modify it; stretch it; or just flat out break it. That's been shown time & time again. One example of elected representatives ignoring it is with the recent Extreme Risk Protection Order, a "Red Flag Law", known as Senate Bill 5. 

Back in 2015, the New Mexico legislature passed HB 560, Forfeiture Procedures and Reporting. This law bans civil asset forfeiture unless there's an accompanying crime. In other words, personal property like cars, houses, firearms, and more CANNOT be seized (confiscated) unless it is contraband involved with a crime. 

According to the New Mexico State Treasurer's Office, one of the reasons for this relatively new law is "to protect against wrongful forfeiture and to ensure that only criminal forfeiture is allowed."

Senate Bill 5 seizes property without any meaningful attempt at providing due process for the accused.

Senate Bill 5 seizes property without a crime having been committed. 

The Statute for the Forfeiture Act is 31-27-1.

Senate Bill 5 forces the accused to sell their firearms by way of entering the accused into the FBI's National Instant Check System (NICS). When and if the ERPO is removed from the accused's record, law enforcement is supposed to notify the FBI for the bad mark to be removed from the NICS, to allow the return of the guns to the legal owner. However, this law requires a background check of the legal owner through NICS before returning the firearms, which will most likely indicate that the owner is a prohibited person, denying them their firearms and any firearms in the future. To get anything, the owner must sell the guns to an Federal Firearms License holder. 

So, it appears as if the Leftists Legislators in New Mexico are bound and determined to break the state's laws, even laws which they have made. 

The City of Albuquerque continued with its civil asset forfeiture several years after the law was passed. In my blog post about a Lack of Ethics, I pointed out that two of Senate Bill 5's sponsors, Rep Daymon Ely and Sen Joe Cervantes are both personal injury lawyers. Sections of the bill allow for accusers to file suit for personal injury, medical costs, etc. The possibility exists that the two of them could reap financial benefit from this bill. Well, the City of Albuquerque seized the car of Arlene Harjo after her son borrowed it and was arrested for a DUI. Her case shows that while something may appear constitutional on its face, in actuality, if it provides improper financial incentives, it isn't.

The city was going to sell Harjo's car at auction for financial benefit. She filed suit and challenged that the program "generates revenue both through auctions and through settlement agreements whereby property owners agree to make monetary payments to avoid forfeiture of their vehicles." She alleged that the policy created a profit incentive. This bill sounds ripe for personal injury attorneys to make a profit.

The case wound up before District Court Judge, James O Browning, who found that Albuquerque's civil asset forfeiture law violated "procedural due process" as it forced hundreds of vehicle owners to prove their innocence, just like Senate Bill 5. He also found that it violated the 14th Amendment as it deprived Harjo of her property without due process, just like Senate Bill 5.

To quote Sir Walter Scott, "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!"

Lack of Ethics...

I am a Marylander, a Baltimorean, born and bred.

The husband, 3 dogs, 1 cat, and I left Maryland some 27 years ago and moved to New Mexico for what we thought was more opportunity, lower taxes, and protected gun rights. Boy, were we WRONG! 

Maryland politics was corrupt. I mean, we were the home of Dale Anderson, convicted for tax crimes, extortion, and conspiracy; Marvin Mandel, convicted of pushing legislation to benefit friends and donors; and, perhaps most famous of them all, former Vice President, Spiro T Agnew, who entered a plea of 'nolo contendre' to charges of tax evasion. I now say, "I thought Maryland politics was corrupt. Then, I moved to New Mexico! New Mexico political corruption makes Maryland look like the Ted Mack Amateur Hour." 

That brings me to today.

The 2nd Amendment of the Constitution of the United States says, "A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

The New Mexico Constitutions says, "No law shall abridge the right of the citizen to keep and bear arms for security and defense, for lawful hunting and recreational use and for other lawful purposes, but nothing herein shall be held to permit the carrying of concealed weapons. No municipality or county shall regulate, in any way, an incident of the right to keep and bear arms. (As amended November 2, 1971 and November 2, 1986.)

Gun owners in New Mexico are being attacked by the anti-gun faction of the Progressive Leftist Dems. We are fighting attempts to ban guns by various means, including Red Flag Laws, such as Senate Bill 5 (SB 5).

This travesty of a bill denies people, who have committed no crimes, their rights by convicting and stripping them of their rights in secret proceedings where they have neither voice nor representation. Rights are being taken away based on rumors and yet, New Mexico judges have a history of releasing convicted murderers, who received due process, with 30-day sentences. This bill fails to provide safeguards against abuse by vengeful ex-spouses and lovers, neighbors, and relatives with whom one may disagree. 

There are no penalties in it for those who abuse it by filing fraudulent complaints and, in fact, they are protected in this bill. Nothing to protect law abiding gun owners from it being used as a weapon in a bad divorce or from its being used by a stalker to disarm their prey. What this bill does do is task the accused with PROVING they are innocent of some THEORHETICAL crime they MAY commit at some point in time in the FUTURE based on no hard evidence, just supposition, or, if you will, a 'best guess'. It also allows law enforcement to CONFISCATE private property (guns) based on those UNSUBSTANTIATED claims. It also allows law enforcement to SELL that property if it goes unclaimed for a period of time.

New Mexico has a law on the books that bans civil asset forfeiture unless there is an accompanying crime. This bill allows for civil asset forfeiture (guns are assets) and there is no crime. 

In this bill, the gun owner has no input prior to confiscation. They have no attorney and the first time many may be aware of a problem is when the police come knocking on the door. This has already lead to tragic consequences in other states with both gun owners and law enforcement officers needlessly dying. 

This bill is being ram rodded through the State Legislature, much to the chagrin of the citizens and it's all being done for Bloomberg dollars and political theater. 

This bill does nothing for public safety. It does nothing for those in crisis. The sole purpose for this bill is as a GUN GRAB.

Other highlights of the proposed New Mexico Red Flag Law are:

1. Takes guns but allows the dangerous person to roam the streets;
2. Includes the word, "imminent", which was described by Sen Cervantes, one of the bill's sponsors, as 48 hours. When questioned about the definition of imminent, he stated, "In New Mexico, imminent means 48 hours."
3. Gives the imminently dangerous person 48 hours to complete their destructive plan;
4. No due process prior to confiscation;
5. Accused must prove their innocence, when there is no crime; and
6. If the accuser says you have 3 guns and there are only 2, you must prove that you never had 3 guns and only have 2. 

How does one prove innocence with no crime and how does one prove no possession of a gun one has never had? 

Here's something interesting about two of the bill's sponsors, Rep Daymon Ely and the previously mentioned Sen Joe Cervantes. They are personal injury attorneys. Potentially, they can personally benefit from this bill. At some point in time, during one of the revisions, the noted attorneys added the following:

41-1-12 LIABILITY - LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS - The immunity granted pursuant to Subsection A of Section [5-14-4 NMSA 1953] 41-4-4 NMSA 1978 does not apply to liability for personal injury, bodily injury, wrongful death or property damage resulting from assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, malicious prosecution, abuse of process, libel, slander, defamation of character, violation of property rights, failure to comply with duties established pursuant to statute or law or deprivation of any rights, privileges or immunities secured by the constitution and laws of the United States or new Mexico when caused by law enforcement officers while acting within the scope of their duties. For purposes of this section, "law enforcement officer" means a public officer vested by law with the power to maintain order to make arrests for crime or to detain persons suspected of committing a crime whether that duty extends to all crimes or is limited to specific crimes." 

This bill allows people to file suit against county Sheriffs, who are the ones tasked with filing and serving the ERPO. If they refuse to do so and a crime is committed, they are held liable. The are also held liable if they do file an ERPO and it is found that the claims were fraudulent. They are damned if they do and damned if they don't. Ask yourself, why would politicians put our Sheriffs in such an untenable position. It is to punish them for standing up and honoring their oath to the Constitutions of the United States and New Mexico. They have pointed out the major flaws in this bill and they are being punished for it. 

In addition to allowing people to sue, Rep Ely and Sen Cervantes, attempted to amend the liability limits of existing law with Floor Amendment 1.  

Floor Amend 1 - Removal of liability caps for law enforcement officers who don't comply wiht the law and are subsequently sued. Raises the liability from $300,000 to $1,000,000 for past and future medical and medically related expenses; and raises the $400,000 to $1,000,000 for any umber of claims arising out of a single occurrence for all damages other than real property damage and medically related expenses as permitted under the Tort Claims Act. Raises the total liability for all claims from a shall not exceed limit of $750,000 to $2,000,000. 

This is just flat out VINDICTIVNESS.

Stefani Lord

Accoding to Stefani Lord, Pro Gun Women, the New Mexico Rules of Professional Conduct require that "When the lawyer knows that the interests of a client may be materially benefitted by a decision in which the lawyer participates, the lawyer shall disclose that fact."

Ms Lord continues by stating, "By adding provisions that eliminate the current law enforcement immunity statute, this amendment will directly benefit their clients and their law firms. Sen Cervantes and Rep Ely should have been disqualified or recused themselves from SB 5. Instead of making an ethical and professional decision, both attorneys pushed for amendments that will end up lining their  pockets." 

I'm wondering if either Rep Ely or Sen Cervantes has notified anyone.

It is the opinion of this writer that Rep Ely and Sen Cervantes needed to recuse themselves from voting on this bill, as it can directly benefit their clients. They did not.  It is also my opinion that if this bill passes, and everything indicates that it will, they need to be sued by New Mexican gun owners and the Sheriffs' Association for violating 1) their oath of office, 2) violating NM Professional Standards, and 3) violating ethical standards.

This bill has been presented as "the perfect bill". It has been amended at least 6 times. People have not been given the opportunity to read the latest revision. In addition, rather than it going to the House Judiciary Committee and the lawyers, it's been given to the Corporations Committee, people with little knowledge of law. 

We the gun owners and law abiding people of New Mexico are about to be shafted. Elections have consequences and we are about to suffer them. 

To quote Rep Gregg Schmedes...  "This is tyranny, folks!"