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comments Links to other blogs with local info m-pyre.blogspot.com more to come... |
Welcome to swop's new weblog...your blog for news and views with a community bias. Come back daily for local political analysis, local media criticisms and what's going on at SWOP.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Posted 3:30 PM
SouthWest Organizing Project members and supporters are encouraging NM residents to support The NM Healthy Communities Act (House Bill 710 and Senate Bill 722)
You have the right to know when polluting facilities plan to locate in your community and how it will impact your family. This is your opportunity to help protect your community and promote a healthier New Mexico for generations to come
Insure communities have the power to hold accountable any polluting facilities that may be sited near where we live, work or play.
Contact your legislators on the committees below and express your support for the NM Healthy Communities Act!
H.B. 722 - N.M. Healthy communities Act Sponsor: Antonio Lujan House Energy and Natureal Resources Committee (Meets Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays * 8:30 Room 315)
James Roger Madalena, Chair (D) 986-4417 jrmadalena@yahoo.com
Jim R. Trujillo, Vice Chair (D) -986-4255 jimtrujillo@msn.com
Thomas A Anderson (R) 986-4226 kb5ysg@arl.net
Richard P. Cheney (R) -986-4227 rpcheney@earthlink.net
Candy Spence Ezzell (R) 986-4450 csecows@aol.com
Daniel R. Foley (R) 986-4211 Daniel.foley@nmlegis.gov
Miguel Garcia (D) 986-4327 Miguel.garcia@nmlegis.gov
John A. Heaton (D) 986-4432 jheaton@caverns.com
Antonio Lujan (D) 986-4436 alujan@zianet.com
Nick Salazar (D) 986-4433 -Joe M. Stell (D) 986-4423
Avon W. Wilson (R) 986-4221
Peter F. Wirth (D) 986-4233 pwirth@swbpc.com
SB 710 N.M. Healthy Communities Act Sponsor: Senatro Linda Lopez Public Affairs Committees: (Meets Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:30 p.m. Room 321)
Dede Feldman, Chair (D) -986-4482 - dedefeldman@nmlegis.gov
Mary Jane M. Garcia, Vice Chair (D) 986-4726 maryjane.garcia@nmlegis.gov
Stuart Ingle (R) -986-4702
Gay G. Kernan (R) 986-4274 - ggkern@valomet.com
Steve Komadina (R) 986-4377 komadina@stevekomadina.com
Steven P. Neville (R) 986-4266 nmsenate@msn.com
Gerald P. Ortiz y Pino (D) 986-4380 jortizp@aol.com
Mary Kay Papen (D) 986-4270
James G. Taylor (D) 986-`4862 jamesg.taylor@nmlegis.gov
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Posted 10:30 am
Gladys the Riveter on Cover of Magazine
Gladys the Riveter, SWOP's voter registration icon, is on the cover of the current issue of Grassroots Fundraising Journal .
Grassroots Fundraising is a publication where folks can get practical tips and tools to raise money for non-profits.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Posted 10:05 am
Go to 'The Alibi' website to vote for SWOP as the city's best community action group!
http://www.alibi.com/?desired_page=bob_vote
...And don't forget to tell your friends!
Also, this morning KKOB Radio's call in show with Pat Allen is discussing SWOP youth's protest against a youth curfew at the Captiol this weekend. 243-3333 is their number, give 'em your perspective.
The legislation really misses the mark. With tax cuts for the rich, a mounting deficit and a war going on, we need to find ways to support young people; not criminalize them. They're carrying a burden for all of us. Unfortunately, the power to question people for looking young will lead to racial profiling, and the infringement of the civil rights of folks over the age in question.
In this day and age, it's almost impossible to tell someone's age.
Channel 13's Reporting Offensive, Unfounded
Channel 13 did some lousy reporting. And we need folks to call in and complain about their lack of facts. Please call 243-2285 and inquire how they got their facts that it was a sacred site advocate.
Press Statement: Contact: Laurie Weahkee, 238-9243 or
260-4696
February 18, 2005
“ Retaliation for building near sacred land”
remark is offensive and unfounded.
We are offended that without any facts regarding the burnt house out on the Petroglyph escarpment that Channel 13 would link this criminal act to the very legitimate issue of protecting Native American Sacred Sites. The statement that the fire was “retaliation for building near sacred land” is an offensive statement and unfounded. The protection of Native American Sacred Sites does not include violence or destruction of property.
SAGE Council does not condone criminal acts.
http://www.krqe.com/video/expanded.asp?ID=1811
SAGE Council
510 3rd Street SW
Albuquerque , NM 87102
505-260-4696
fax: 505-260-1689
'Bomb' the capitol a success
Check out http://abqjournal.com/north/307484north_news02-20-05.htm for the Journal North's coverage of SWOP youth's graffiti event at the capitol to stop proposed curfew... It's a paid site. If you have a subscription to Journal home delivery, you get the website free.
Friday February 18, 2005
Posted 1:50 pm
http://abqjournal.com/west/306920west_news02-18-05.htm
SAGE Council, Others Sue to Halt Paseo Extension
See Wednesday's post...(scroll down)
SWOP to Co-Sponsor Exploratory Meeting to Bring Progressive Public News Service to NM
Public News Service currently has over 200 public interest non-profits supporting this work in 12 other states, with over 1730 news stories aired 100,000 times on 2,059 stations in 2004. (As a quick comparison, NPR has 700 stations)
On April 5th, 2005, SWOP along with Sage Council and many others will meet to explore if such a service could be implemented in NM.
Check out Branding a Movement, by SWOP communications organizer Karlos Schmieder.
Thursday February 17, 2005
El Corrido de Jeanne Gauna (Siempre Estaras en Nuestro Pensamiento)
por Che Lopez
Posted 11:40 am
Compan~era vas
Vas por el camino
Pensativa vas
Construyendo tu destino ….
A, A, A, Comandanta
A, A, A, Tu Tenias
A, A, A, Jeanne Gauna
A, A, A, La Semilla, A….
Grande
En el horizonte
Asi fue el amor que sentias
Por La Gente Pobre …..
A, A, A, Estan Vivos
A, A, A, En Nosotros
A, A, A, Lo Aprendimos, Si …..
En Pajarito Mesa
Trunfo tu valor
Y en La Frontera
Combatiendo al Imbasor ….
A, A, A, Fue La Hirencia
A, A, A, Y ese Fuego
Que en Combate Llevaste ….
De un 17 de Febrero
La muerte te allo
Pero no estas muerta ….
A, A, A, No Uvo Miedo
A, A, A, En Tu Mirada
A, A, A, Tu Sabias
Que Habra Muchas mas Victorias ….
Ocurio el encuentro
Entre la salud y tu
Pero No Estas Muerta ….
A, A, A, Se Siente
En La Historia estas Jeanne Gauna
Hasta La
Hasta La
Che Lopez
Jeanne Gauna Presente!
Comandante Jeanne Gauna
by Ruben Solis, Southwest Worker Union
posted 9:50 am
17 Febrero, 2005
When we were few
We stood together
We stood alone
We held our ground
Our ideas and action
We sowed on fertile ground
Our power grew
Theory and action
The base is our land
What we grew with our hand
Joined in our intent
To change foment
What we started expands
Grows with continuum
Our struggle is the medium
To goal to bring change still stands
Comandante Jeanne
On your second anniversary
We continue to salute your contribution
To Liberation !!
Wednesday February 16, 2004 12:00PM
by Karlos Schmieder
Marty's Freeway Pots
Last night KOAT Channel 7 reported on the Mayor's media tour of the new "medianscaping" project on I-40 and I-25. They say to expect more "pots, plants and art" in medians along the city's two main highways. Last year's road bonds, opposed by local organizations and surrounding Pueblos because it included the controversial road through the Petroglyph National Monument, will pay for the upgrades.
Cynthia Izaguirre said the pots were "designed by native artists."
It just seems wrong to use use native art so cynically.
Save the Petroglyphs and keep your pots, Marty.
Bomb the Capitol - an explosion of art and activism...
SWOP's Robby Rodriguez was interviewed this morning on Santa Fe's KSFR to promote first ever graffiti battle at the steps of the Roundhouse organized by SWOP youth. The event is co-sponsored by Warehouse21, a Santa Fe area youth organization.
The event is aimed at stopping a proposed curfew as well as propoting youth civic engagement in issues that directly affect their lives.
Bus transportation will be provided to Santa Fe from the SWOP office (11:30 am Saturday, February 20th) for folks who want to go.
It's really a can't-miss event for folks interested in supporting young people. The event is open to the public and there will be LIVE Music, Forums, Art, Dancing and a Shocase of New Mexico Talent.
"With young people carrying the burden of tax breaks, an unjust war and mounting debt, we need to find a way to support them rather than criminalize them," says Rodriguez.
Contact Lolita Roibal at 505 247 8832 for more information.
If It Bleeds It Leads
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/14/business/media/14broadcast.html
A study of 11 major markets shows local news were 8 times more likely to show viewers car crashes than local election coverage.
I'm sure Albuquerque's local coverage isn't much different.
We have to demand local news teams cover things that affect our everyday lives. Sensasionalism and a corporate culture of stenography are winning out over objectiviy, fairness and accuracy in today's TV journalism.
Feds Study Intel's Emissions
Go to http://abqjournal.com/west/303225west_news02-10-05.htm to see the Journal's coverage. (sorry, but yeah it's a paid site - if you are a subscriber to the Journal's home delivery, you get the website too.)
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry will be investigating Intel's emissions to see if there is a correlation with health complaints by residents in the area. (Duh.) For over a decade residents have pointed the blame for their negative health symptoms at Intel's emissions. Intel, of course, has denied responsibility.
SWOPblogger thinks it's time an agency from outside the state came in and looked at the situation. Marcy Brandenburg of Corrales Residents for Clean Air and Water says that ATSDR's decision to send scientists out here shows there's a need for further study. Brandenburg is on to something here. State agencies have shown they've been unable to hold the giant chipmaker accountable. We'll see if the feds can. One thing's for sure: It's a big leap from Intel investigating itself.
Intel's Augusta Myers was quoted in the Journal as saying that Intel "welcomes" the inquiry and characterized it as a scientific review. She's spinning hard here. It's hard to imagine ATSDR doing this for the sake of review. It's an investigation. Let's hope the feds can stay objective...
Stay tuned.
Wednesday February 9, 2005
Youth Curfew - by Lolita Roibal
Take two minutes out of your day to call Representative Mimi Stewart and/or your representative and ask them to defeat House Bill 471-The Curfew Enforcement Act in this year’s legislative session. Rep Mimi Stewart (505-986-4341 or mstewart@osogrande.com) is head of the House Government and Urban Affairs Committee which will be debating this bill in the next few weeks.
If you would like to call your representative about the curfew bill, you can find who they are and their information at www.legis.state.nm.us
STOP the Youth Curfew!!
Currently, the NM Children’s Code prohibits curfews in NM. This year, Al Park has introduced the Curfew Enforcement Act, which amends the constitution to allow cities to set their own curfews. SWOP is against the curfew for numerous reasons.
*First, in this time of war and international pressure, it seems inconsistent to expect our youth to fight our war, be born $35,000 in debt, but at the same time not allow them out after midnight. We need to keep freedom free.
*Second, curfews are unenforceable. A curfew would allow police to stop and harass anyone who looks young. This will lead to more racial profiling. It also means that anyone under 35 is subject to be stopped and asked for identification if out past midnight.
*We are against the increasing rate of incarceration of youth when youth crime is at an all-time low. In Albuquerque, only 4% of the budget goes to Family and Community Services, while 20% goes to the APD. We believe that most youth are not out past midnight. Those that are would not benefit from a curfew because they are in unsafe situations at home or because they have children of their own and have jobs past midnight. If the state wants to assure that youth are safe, they need to invest in programs and community centers that will keep youth off the street and in good environments.
Below is more info on why curfews are bad.
YOUTH CURFEW - Primary Issues New Mexico Voices for Children
Thomas Jefferson: “A society that will trade a little liberty for a little order will lose both, and deserve neither”
History: Curfews have existed for hundreds of years, traditionally created by the upper class members of society to limit movements of lower class. Curfews have been based on the assumption that crime originates from a specific group (i.e. usually lower class), and such crime will be mitigated by a curfew. This theory assumes that an entire group of people are guilty.
Curfew laws are ineffective: The primary analysis of data was reported by Males, M. and Macallair, D.: An analysis of curfew enforcement and juvenile crime in California. Western Criminology Review, 1:1999. http://wcr.sonoma.edu/v1n2/males.html. Their analysis revealed the consistent result that curfew enforcement “has no effect on crime, youth crime, or youth safety no matter what the time period, jurisdiction, or type of crime measure studied.” Rates of serious crime among youth are strongly correlated with those of adults around them: Youth and adult crime rates rise and fall together, and positive correlations are found between rates of youth and adult violent, property, felony, and homicide arrests.
Curfew laws may be enforced unevenly: In some areas, discrepant racial/ethnic arrest rates occur, with Hispanic and black youth being arrested at rates markedly higher than white (non-Hispanic) youth. Juveniles commit a small percentage of violent crime: The average adult believes that juveniles commit approximately half of violent crime, according to several studies; however, the actual figure is just 13%. Curfew laws punish the 99% of teenagers who are law abiding: By grouping all teens together, curfew laws contribute to the idea that youths are the primary problem in current society.
Curfew laws permit police to arrest minors for offenses that are not crimes if adults commit them! The majority of cities have curfew laws, and 57% of those cities consider them effective: The majority of cities (reported by mayors, police chiefs or others) felt that a curfew is a good use of police time, that a nightime curfew is a useful tool for police officers, that a daytime curfew cuts down on truancy, that curfew enforcement helps to make streets safer for residents and curbs gang violence. Increased costs and problems in implementing a curfew were also reported (A Status Report on Youth Curfews in American Cities http://www.usmayors.org/uscm/news/publications/curfew.htm.) However, none of these conclusions is based on actual data; rather, they represent anecdotal reports only.
Curfew laws represent age discrimination: Teenage curfew laws punish innocent youths simply because they are young. “They are age discrimination in its purest form, judging a group of people based on its worst members” (Cobey, M.B.: Teenage Curfew Laws: Beneficial or Detrimental?, http://gcclearn.gcc.cc.va.us/writing/12.html)
CONCLUSION: Curfew laws, while considered a viable option by some, clearly violate basic constitutional guarantees, punish law-abiding teenagers, represent an inefficient use of police resources, usurp parental authority, and are ineffective at reducing youth crime.
Tuesday February 8, 2005
I. UPDATE ON THE NM HEALTHY COMMUNITIES ACT - from NM Environmental Justice Working Group
The New Mexico Healthy Communities Act has been submitted in both the house and senate. In the House the act has been assigned to the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee and in the Senate it has been assigned to the Public Affairs Committee. NM EJ Working group members may only have a day or two notice before it is heard in committee.
It will be important to have a strong presence during the committee meetings. An "in-person alert" will be posted as soon as we know what day the New Mexico Healthy Communities Act will be addressed in either committee.
The bill which was introduced in the House is slightly different than the one submitted to the Senate. Amendments will be introduced by HR Antonio Lujan to make the appropriate corrections.
Doug Wolf and Sofia Martinez have been at the State Capitol networking and visiting with various legislators. Sylvia Ledesma, Eva Del Rio, Tomas Garduno, and Bianca Encinias spent the day shadowing Doug and Sofia to learn to day to day operations of the NM State Legislature.
Contact your legislators on the committees below and express your support for the NM Healthy Communities Act!
H.B. 722 - N.M. Healthy communities Act Sponsor: Antonio Lujan House Energy and Natureal Resources Committee (Meets Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays * 8:30 Room 315)
James Roger Madalena, Chair (D) 986-4417 jrmadalena@yahoo.com
Jim R. Trujillo, Vice Chair (D) -986-4255 jimtrujillo@msn.com
Thomas A Anderson (R) 986-4226 kb5ysg@arl.net
Richard P. Cheney (R) -986-4227 rpcheney@earthlink.net
Candy Spence Ezzell (R) 986-4450 csecows@aol.com
Daniel R. Foley (R) 986-4211 Daniel.foley@nmlegis.gov
Miguel Garcia (D) 986-4327 Miguel.garcia@nmlegis.gov
John A. Heaton (D) 986-4432 jheaton@caverns.com
Antonio Lujan (D) 986-4436 alujan@zianet.com
Nick Salazar (D) 986-4433 -Joe M. Stell (D) 986-4423
Avon W. Wilson (R) 986-4221
Peter F. Wirth (D) 986-4233 pwirth@swbpc.com
SB 710 N.M. Healthy Communities Act Sponsor: Senatro Linda Lopez Public Affairs Committees: (Meets Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:30 p.m. Room 321)
Dede Feldman, Chair (D) -986-4482 - dedefeldman@nmlegis.gov
Mary Jane M. Garcia, Vice Chair (D) 986-4726 maryjane.garcia@nmlegis.gov
Stuart Ingle (R) -986-4702
Gay G. Kernan (R) 986-4274 - ggkern@valomet.com
Steve Komadina (R) 986-4377 komadina@stevekomadina.com
Steven P. Neville (R) 986-4266 nmsenate@msn.com
Gerald P. Ortiz y Pino (D) 986-4380 jortizp@aol.com
Mary Kay Papen (D) 986-4270
James G. Taylor (D) 986-`4862 jamesg.taylor@nmlegis.gov
Thursday February 3, 2005
Purple Fingers
Who saw all the purple fingers at last night's State of the Union Address? It seems conservative supporters of the Iraq war have finally decided to sacrifice for the war and dip their fingers in purple paint. Thanks for the gesture, but SWOPblogger would rather see you guys send your kids to fight in this war of choice instead of using the poverty draft.
It really is in poor taste. The daily death toll from Iraq is horrendous. 44 on the day of "elections" alone. And not one shot was taken at the congressmen and women on their way to the capital.
Wednesday, February 2, 2005
Schoolboard, TVI and Bond Elections
Congratulations are in order for all the incumbants who hurdled what seemed a recent incumbant jinx. The low turnout probably contributed. Speaking of low turnout...SWOPblogger supposes there was some election fatigue from November's national election. It was also really cold. Too bad not as much resources are put into local elections. No excuses, though. People need to get out and vote.
To get involved in local non partisan election efforts and reform, contact Victoria Rodriguez, SWOP organizer.
A special shout-out to Berna Facio and family, longtime SWOP friends and supporters. SWOPblogger wants to congratulate all those SWOP members who volunteered on Mrs. Facio's campaign. Kudos to those who focused on early voters and absentees that put Facio over the top.
Staff Retreat
SWOP staff will be planning out the year on Friday, February 4. This year is SWOP's 25th anniversary, so there will be emphasis on planning events to celebrate, look back on SWOP history and energize for the future. A calendar for the year will be available soon for anyone interested.
Tuesday, February 1, 2005
Welcome to swop's new weblog...your blog for news and views with a community bias. Come back daily for local political analysis, local media criticisms and what's going on at SWOP.
Bond Election
Today's the big school board and bond election, so remember to get out and vote. Local elections can have a greater impact on people's every day lives than the last national election. And school board members seem to be more approachable than most elected officials. So get to the polls. It's not like you're going to be shot at on the way.
The bond issue has drawn some attention from the media. A recent citizens report confirmed the word on the street that APS doesn't manage its money too well. But one thing's for sure; the kids do need the money - for books, supplies, teachers and buildings.
SWOPblogger is always reminded during bond elections that corporations don't pay their fair share when it comes to our schools.
Corporate welfare drains resources straight from property tax revenues that primarily go towards the schools. As a result, residential property taxes rise and we still have to pass taxes on ourselves to keep our schools from falling apart.
So next time an Industrial Revenue Bond or other corporate welfare package comes up, our elected officials must stand up for our children and demand industry pay its fair share of taxes. To borrow a slogan from yard signs seen in Albuquerque: It's For our Children.
SWOP Building Renovations
SWOP is in the process of renovating our office downtown on 211 10th street. We are working out of the back offices on the property. The office is accesible through the the alley to the south of the property. All phone numbers, emails, etc are the same and business is as usual.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Welcome to swop's new weblog...your blog for news and views with a community bias. Come back daily for local political analysis, local media criticisms and what's going on at SWOP.
Pajarito Mesa
A little birdie told swopblogger that pajarito residents are one step closer to finally getting water. The Bernalillo County Commission approved a Special Use Permit to allow the Pajarito Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association (or PMDWCA for short) to drill a well up on the mesa on Tuesday, January 26. 20 families from Pajarito attended the meeting.
"We have 60 days to turn in a complete list of PMDWCA members," says Sandra Montes. Montes added, "People are excited and can finally see our hard work pay off. We're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel."
Montes also says that the victory has energized the community to be more active, both up on the mesa and with SWOP. A Road Committee has been formed to work with County Fire and Police to identify roads for emergency services.
PMDWCA's 160+ members will be grandfathered and allowed to access water. "We will service members up to capacity of water rights. We are looking at purchasing 15 acre feet of water rights, said Montes."
Mayor's Race in October
Looks like hopeful mayoral candidates are going to have a hard time catching up with Marty Chavez. Since going through a bit of a rough patch personally, Mayor Chavez gives the impression he is everywhere - as he averages up to 3 press conferences a day (small exaggeration).
And it seems to be working. As has been reported, polls are showing the Mayor with some pretty good approval ratings with a majority of respondents feeling the city is headed in the right direction. A competent political consultant would advise the Mayor's opponents to go after Marty's record (code words for go negative) like yesterday.
Speaking of opponents, Bob Schwartz - the mayor's republican rival during the last cycle - has hinted he will stay out of this year's race. And two progressives, Judith Espinosa and City Councilor Eric Griego, will surely split the progressive vote. (Espinosa has been involved in politics, both in Albuquerque and around the state, for years. And Griego has been active while on the council.)
There needs to be a better process on deciding who will represent progressive values in these important elections. As of now the decisions appear to be made by a few movers and shakers or at the breakfast table. Moveon.org's pre-primary e-election previous to this year's democratic primaries could serve as a model. A secure web-vote could be used to produce one candidate, while going through a community lens, who would have a better chance to actually win.
NM State Legislature in Session
A couple of pieces of legislature that are of interest to SWOP members and supporters, are being pushed up in Santa Fe. The "Healthy Communities Act", sponsored by the NM Working Group on Environmental Justice, is an attempt to protect communities from the impacts of polluting facilities in poor communities and communities of color.
Also, SWOP youth are opposing a bill, proposed by State Representative Al Park, to change NM's Children's Code to allow municipalities to enact curfews for minors.
Stay tuned for developments on this latest session.
Now more than ever it's important to donate
to your favorite community-based organization.
