Have you ever noticed that nearly all of the media expose stories that appear on the telly and in publications are centered around alleged misdeeds in government organizations, or by the people who work in the public sector?
Corruption at (insert public agency here)! See the story tonight!
How come misdeed stories are very seldom, if ever, centered around wrongdoing at stores and services from the private sector? I'll bet there are more mistakes, and people in the private sector get away with more shenanigans, than all the public institutions.
Just look at the car commercials - who has the time (or ability) to read the fine print or understand the disclaimers. And, just try to get those deals we see on TV when it is negotiating time at the dealership.
Oh wait, the TV stations make thousands (if not millions) in advertising from the dealers - and the government agencies don't spend like that.
Well, now, there's that!
And, another thing -
"We'll show you tonight how your tax dollars are being spent!"
Don't the reporters pay any taxes? Are they different that the rest of us?
Shouldn't the reporters in those promos say,
"We'll show you tonight how our tax dollars are being spent!"
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Friday, February 8, 2019
Antelope Wells - Border Crossing in Isolation
Having traveled much of New Mexico in my many years on this
planet, there remained the mystery of the boot heel.
That’s the little square part of New Mexico that borders the
Republic of Mexico and the State of Arizona.
Antelope Wells – a notorious place these days because of border crossings, deaths and border wall discussions.
I need not say much about Antelope Wells – there’s not much
there. A US/Mexico border crossing
that’s open from 10 to 4 – and not much else.
My friends, you need not believe my words, but do believe a
picture.
What I have here is a picture I took of New Mexico 81, the 45 mile long road between Hachita and Antelope Wells. And this is pretty much the
view for that entire stretch of road.
There are no gas stations, no water stops, no Circle K, nothing but open spaces and a ribbon of highway.
There are no gas stations, no water stops, no Circle K, nothing but open spaces and a ribbon of highway.
Occasionally there is someone riding a bike or on a
hike.
Antelope Wells is considered a southern terminus of the 3,100 mile long Continental Divide Trail that starts in Canada.
And, now, it is notorious for being a border crossing.
Who've ever thunk that?
Monday, February 4, 2019
Bowl On
So, the big bowl game wasn't very exciting - unless you're a NE Patriot's fan.
I was wearing yellow, and hoped the LA Rams would do better...but you know, in the grand scheme of things, what the heck.
Political followers (like me) are a bit more wrapped up in what is happening to our country, flailing about waiting to see what lie gets told next by the orange face.
Now, don't get me wrong - I absolutely respect the office of the President of The United States. I was fortunate enough to visit there during the time Jimmy Carter served. It was a meeting held in the cabinet room. I remember it well, even this many years later.
It was an honor to be there and spend time with the POTUS.
It would still be an honor to visit The White House - as an institution. There is so much history there. It is a shame the present occupant doesn't understand what it's all about. And, it's not all about money - which seems to be the biggest thing in his life.
SAD!
That said, we must forge ahead as a country, and as a state - look for the openings that come with each new day - and hope the new days bring brighter lights.
During the telecast of the game, there was a commercial that I hope you had a chance to see. It was paid for by Albuquerque's own Jeff Bezos (he of Amazon fame, and owner of The Washington Post).
Here is the ad that promotes healthy journalism>
There are certainly times when the darkness of non-responsive government officials needs the light of day.
But, I firmly believe, not every document, every phone call, every text message should be subject to an inspection, just for the heck of it. A number of government institutions are overburdened by the requests. We as taxpayers are having to pay the salaries of folks who are going through boxes and messages to find memos, notes, records of events that might have happened years ago. There needs to be responsibility that rides with the requests for information.
Responsibility!
Doesn't the President of the United States have a responsibility to tell the truth?
Apparently not this one!
I was wearing yellow, and hoped the LA Rams would do better...but you know, in the grand scheme of things, what the heck.
Political followers (like me) are a bit more wrapped up in what is happening to our country, flailing about waiting to see what lie gets told next by the orange face.
Now, don't get me wrong - I absolutely respect the office of the President of The United States. I was fortunate enough to visit there during the time Jimmy Carter served. It was a meeting held in the cabinet room. I remember it well, even this many years later.
It was an honor to be there and spend time with the POTUS.
It would still be an honor to visit The White House - as an institution. There is so much history there. It is a shame the present occupant doesn't understand what it's all about. And, it's not all about money - which seems to be the biggest thing in his life.
SAD!
That said, we must forge ahead as a country, and as a state - look for the openings that come with each new day - and hope the new days bring brighter lights.
During the telecast of the game, there was a commercial that I hope you had a chance to see. It was paid for by Albuquerque's own Jeff Bezos (he of Amazon fame, and owner of The Washington Post).
Here is the ad that promotes healthy journalism>
There are certainly times when the darkness of non-responsive government officials needs the light of day.
But, I firmly believe, not every document, every phone call, every text message should be subject to an inspection, just for the heck of it. A number of government institutions are overburdened by the requests. We as taxpayers are having to pay the salaries of folks who are going through boxes and messages to find memos, notes, records of events that might have happened years ago. There needs to be responsibility that rides with the requests for information.
Responsibility!
Doesn't the President of the United States have a responsibility to tell the truth?
Apparently not this one!
Monday, January 28, 2019
Bridges versus Walls
“There are 2 kinds of people in the world.
Those who build bridges, and those who build
walls.
America has always favored the
builders of bridges.”
Jack M. Campbell
Governor of New Mexico
September 10, 1965
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge Dedication
Taos, New Mexico
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Happy Cabinet
The Washington Post printed this photograph Saturday morning. Those happy faces belong to members of President Trump's cabinet who were assembled along the porch of The White House when POTUS (President Of The United States) threw in the towel on his grand scheme to get money for that wall.
.
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Lobbying Advice for Movie Industry
Shooting films, commercials and TV series in Albuquerque and New Mexico has been a real home run.
Let's not spoil it!
There's a great deal of talk in the halls of the merry roundhouse up in Santa Fe about the level of commitment there is for development of the "movie" industry in the Land of Enchantment.
There have been some spectacular winners in the last few years that have helped make our state and its communities a "little Hollywood".
Think Breaking Bad.
Think Better Call Saul.
Think No Country for Old Men.
Think The Lone Ranger.
Those are just a few of the productions that decided to "shoot" in New Mexico.
There is consternation in the capital because most production companies benefit from a fund of money that provides rebates for certain expenses that occur during those shoots.
And the aim is at the "liberal elite" big time movie houses who produce the films.
"Why should we line the pockets of the rich?"
Well, I know of a couple Albuquerque based businesses that are benefiting from those rebates. A couple are spectacular successes that continue to hire folks to drive trucks, edit in a darkened studio, or serve a doughnut at the craft services tent.
Folks, those are our fellow New Mexicans who are working, they're paying taxes every time they cash a check - and we should be thankful.
They're working.
The movie industry would do well to focus their lobbying attention in Santa Fe on the impact these shoots have.
Tell the lawmakers about the store owner or restaurant operator in Las Cruces that sold something to or made a meal for Clint Eastwood.
Tell the lawmakers about the real estate deal that just went down when one of those visiting Hollywood types decided to buy a house.
Show the lawmakers a picture of the parking lot at I-25 Studios, when a production is underway and there's no place to park because of all the folks that are working. Check the license plates on those vehicles. Nearly all from New Mexico.
It's a good story. It's not just the Hollywood elite that are benefiting from the movie project. (And so what if it is, they're still spending lots of dough in our towns.)
It's all of us that benefit from "the movies"!
Let's not spoil it!
There's a great deal of talk in the halls of the merry roundhouse up in Santa Fe about the level of commitment there is for development of the "movie" industry in the Land of Enchantment.
There have been some spectacular winners in the last few years that have helped make our state and its communities a "little Hollywood".
Think Breaking Bad.
Think Better Call Saul.
Think No Country for Old Men.
Think The Lone Ranger.
Those are just a few of the productions that decided to "shoot" in New Mexico.
There is consternation in the capital because most production companies benefit from a fund of money that provides rebates for certain expenses that occur during those shoots.
And the aim is at the "liberal elite" big time movie houses who produce the films.
"Why should we line the pockets of the rich?"
Well, I know of a couple Albuquerque based businesses that are benefiting from those rebates. A couple are spectacular successes that continue to hire folks to drive trucks, edit in a darkened studio, or serve a doughnut at the craft services tent.
Folks, those are our fellow New Mexicans who are working, they're paying taxes every time they cash a check - and we should be thankful.
They're working.
The movie industry would do well to focus their lobbying attention in Santa Fe on the impact these shoots have.
Tell the lawmakers about the store owner or restaurant operator in Las Cruces that sold something to or made a meal for Clint Eastwood.
Tell the lawmakers about the real estate deal that just went down when one of those visiting Hollywood types decided to buy a house.
Show the lawmakers a picture of the parking lot at I-25 Studios, when a production is underway and there's no place to park because of all the folks that are working. Check the license plates on those vehicles. Nearly all from New Mexico.
It's a good story. It's not just the Hollywood elite that are benefiting from the movie project. (And so what if it is, they're still spending lots of dough in our towns.)
It's all of us that benefit from "the movies"!
Raley's, Walmart, Hastings packed up & left
This at at the intersection of Wyoming & Montgomery.
Time was when the "Hobby Lobby" store was occupied. HL moved up the street into a vacant property that once housed a K-Mart. The K-Mart closed. Before Hobby Lobby, it was a WalMart. There are other WalMart's within 2 miles.
In the middle, Hastings. Remember, they sold books & videos.
They just went bye-bye.
And, on the far right once was a Raleys Supermarket - then they pulled out of town and in the process the grocery store went away. Then it was the Thomasville Furniture and most recently it's been filled with Halloween Spirits.
With all the talk of economic progress - it's hard to look at these empty buildings.
One wonders - the future holds?
This photo looks like some of those abandoned in an out-of-the-way place in America.
There's talk every day about the decay of rural America. Well - it's all relative.
I've said, folks left Roy for the big city of Las Vegas - and folks left Las Vegas for Santa Fe and Albuquerque - and folks are leaving Albuquerque for Dallas, Denver, Phoenix.
What's missing in this photograph? A tumbling tumbleweed!
Wait 'til March.
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