Here’s how ABQ Journal readers are reacting to a Trump election

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The day after Donald Trump won the presidential election, the Albuquerque Journal launched an editorial calling for “action” against “illegal immigrants.”  That’s not a surprise to Journal readers who also had a few things to say about the election that shocked the world. A quick hat tip to our own reader Charlotte Lipson of Las Cruces who flagged these letters, along with her own providing some balance to the populist analysis. Here are a few excerpts from letters to the Journal this week:

Election results deserve acceptance
AMERICA, THE land of the free and the home of the brave; a place where we can rest easy knowing that our constitutional rights are protected by a strong military and great leaders. If you’ve read your history books, you have learned that these freedoms didn’t come easy.

How Artists Are Responding – Artists’ Town Hall EVENT November 14th

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Artist’s Respond: Some of Albuquerque’s best are set to take the stage November 14th, 7:00-8:30pm, as a community approaches the creative process, and how it is used to process trauma and violence. DETAILS HERE
WHY ART? “I believe that we learn more about ourselves when we observe and appreciate the truths of another person’s art. I also believe that we learn the most about ourselves as artists when we are vulnerable enough to share our truths with an audience of strangers. Together, we all grow and become more connected,” says Ebony Isis Booth, featured artist at Central Features’ November 14th “Artists’ Town Hall.”

 

“I think that art and activism are inextricably linked.

Gov Martinez missed Trump’s first short list for cabinet gigs

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Donald Trump has never seemed to care much for Susana Martinez (remember that “she’s done a bad job” moment from his campaign stop in Albuquerque earlier this year?)

But while the rest of the world is still coming to grips with the idea of a President Trump, Republicans are already lining up for cabinet spots in the new administration.  Susana Martinez doesn’t appear to be among them a report from Politico indicates. See who IS on top of the list for Interior (a big oil tycoon), Attorney General (oh my!) and more. 

Politico: Meet Trump’s Cabinet-in-waiting

He’s expected to reward the band of surrogates who stood by him…

Gov. Tom Udall? Senator says he’s considering run to fix Martinez’s mess

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In 725 days, New Mexicans will pick a new governor.  That may sound like a long way off but for a job that big, no time is too early to start. That’s why, on Tuesday night, just hours after the country learned that Donald Trump was moving into the White House potential candidates started lining up to test drive their ideas to dig New Mexico out of this hole that Gov. Martinez keeps digging. First up was Sen. Tom Udall (D), a former attorney general, congressman and current progressive champion in the United States Senate.  

During post-election analysis on KANW FM with Joe Monahan (and our own ProgressNowNM board member Sandy Buffett), Sen. Udall called in to say that he was considering a run for governor.

A “Frack-tion” of the Conversation: NM Rapper Def-i Releases Video About Fracking

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When one thinks of the context of the next twenty years, and the future of people and land in the Southwest region, it is likely that that person thinks about the advancement of: people, communities, access to resources, and ensuring the safety of youth as they approach adulthood, and access to said resources for generations to come. When talking about resources, sure, gas and oil might come to mind, but staples for life and livelihood ought to strike a more urgent cord – things like: water, should top that list. Although “list toppers,” in regards to topics might change depending on whom you ask. Ask the Bureau of Land Management about the next twenty years and the Southwest region, and their “plan” is sure to include fracking on land throughout the Northwest and Four Corners areas. In fact, more than 38 million acres have been designated and identified for BLM use, only 57% of which is currently being used for drilling, but plans exist that would allow for use of other designated areas, over time.

Bernie is coming to ABQ to get out the vote!  Here’s what you need to know

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Sen. Bernie Sanders is coming to New Mexico on Tuesday to fire-up voters to turn out for candidates fighting to live minimum wage to a living wage, a more sustainable economy and combat climate change. See you all Tuesday. Info below: 

At the event, Sanders will say let’s raise the minimum wage to a living wage, let’s combat climate change and move to sustainable energy, let’s make public colleges and universities tuition free, let’s end a broken criminal justice system.  

GOTV Rally with Senator Bernie Sanders

Doors Open: 10:00 am

When: 11:00 am Tuesday, October 18

Where: In front of Mesa Vista Hall – 302 Cornell Drive NE Albuquerque, NM 87106 across from the SUB on the main walkway of UNM

Clash of the Titans: Debate Watch at Tractor Brewery Wells Park MONDAY

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Join ProgressNow New Mexico as we watch the candidates verbally duke it out in their first of three, Presidential debates. Expect a lively evening at Tractor Brewing Company in Wells Park during our DEBATE WATCH PARTY, Monday, September 26, 2016, at 6PM. Admission is free. (However, donations to ProgressNow are welcome.) Over the years, hundreds of progressives have packed our watch parties to enjoy the chance to yell at the TV, cheer for their candidate, and tonight will be no exception. Show up and have a beer, purchase a savory meal from the Spork the World Food Truck and get some progressive swag.

Representative Nora Espinoza doesn’t want you to register to vote

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The Albuquerque Journal reported today that nearly 460,000 postcards were mailed out from the office of Secretary of State Brad Winter and State Representative Nora Espinoza of Roswell is not happy about it. What’s the harm of a postcard? Nothing, unless one is concerned the recipients will participate in the democratic process, get registered and vote on Election Day. The postcard alerts nearly half a million New Mexicans that if they fit certain criteria which include being 18 or older, a resident of New Mexico and a U.S. citizen, they may be eligible to vote in November. Just last year Representative Espinoza voted in favor of implementing voter outreach in March of 2015. In July 2016, the State of New Mexico signed up with Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), an organization that uses data-matching tools to accurately identify the eligible, thereby increasing access to the voter registration process, making it easier for New Mexicans to engage in the political progress.