Onward to 2020

Good Morning New Mexico!

It's time to get on with it and start telling the story of a presidency that is failing to fulfill the American dream for so many people. 

This, as the powers that be should continue their inquisition into his wrongdoings. 

People all across this country are hurting.  Farmers in the Midwest, those who drink water in Flint, factory and blue-collar workers throughout the rust belt – and our neighbors and extended family who must rely on Medicare, Medicaid, government cheese, and SNAP to feed their kids, all need our help.

The best way, to help, kick that miserable guy out in 2020 and begin to Make America Proud Again.   

We need it, our neighbors need it, the world needs it. 

  

Maybe, maybe the media – or what’s left of it – will spend more time telling the story of the heartache of middle America – instead of the latest poll results from some unknown college or biased polling organization. 

We need fewer live shots from a front rooms in Iowa where 5 people are eating cream corn and butterscotch pudding – listening to another candidate drone on and on. 

And, we don’t need anyone to have any more town halls -or debates.

And, some left wing, liberal, hippie pinko can’t be the nominee.   It’s going to take a middle-of-the roader - who tilts a little toward the left - to carry the day.

Hot Seats

As the New Mexico legislature reaches toward the end of the 60 day session comes this headline in The New Mexican - a Santa Fe based newspaper that does a great job of covering the news:

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Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, helped get the bill through the Senate Educa…

New Mexico Senate nixes school bus air conditioners 

You have got to be kidding me!

There are arguments that such decisions about air conditioners on school busses should be made at the local school board level. 

I'm wondering, does New Mexico state law, or federal law  require that a school bus to have a heater?

Isn't it the same thing?

Come on people!

I can see the lawyer advertising already.  Has your child suffered from excessive heat, unable to concentrate on home work after a 1-hour to and from school?  If so, Call 1-800-HOT-KIDS. We're here to help!  

That's more than can be said about members of the New Mexico State Senate!

Start the chant: 

Cool The Kids   Cool The Kids   Cool The Kids 

Another empty

A few weeks ago I posted a picture of a near-empty shopping center at Wyoming and Montgomery.

Well, add to the mix of almost vacant retail -  Eastdale Shopping Center - Eubank and Candelaria.

A shop that sold professional football attire used to be here, as was a place that sold the fixin's for homebrew, and on the corner was our favorite pool supply place.   

There are still a few stores (behind the camera shot) - a Family Dollar, Albertson's Market, around the corner is a Starbuck's, and there's a pet food place, too, I think.  And, a dance studio and a nail salon.  And, a Whataburger in the middle of the lot. 

What's going on?  Has the population base changed so much that former bustling centers are no longer able to serve the nearby residents?  Or, are the residents going to a WalMart that's a few miles away?  Or have the landlords gotten so greedy they've hiked the lease payments and nobody can afford to stick around. 

Inquiring minds want to know!

News Expose

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!"

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.

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?

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! 

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