Photo by John Larson
Friday, October 22, 2010
Blessing Of The Animals
Photo by John Larson
San Agustin Water Meeting Set For Nov. 9
By John Larson
SOCORRO – A conference in Socorro has been scheduled for November 9 by the Office of the State Engineer to describe the administrative hearing process and clarify issues that are in dispute – specifically the permit filed by a company owned by Italian businessman Bruno Modena to remove water from the San Agustin aquifer.
Bruce Frederick, attorney and hydrologist with the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, said the meeting was to establish a schedule for the actual hearings on the San Augustin Ranch LLC’s permit. Frederick is representing about 80 individual protesters, members of the San Agustin Water Coalition.
“It’s a standard pre-hearing conference the state engineer calls when there are a large number of parties involved,” Frederick said. “The state engineer’s hearing officer will set time limits and deadlines for when the actual evidentiary hearing will be. With so many parties it may be strung out over a year for the whole hearing process.”
Frederick said the state engineer’s hearing officer, Victor Kovac, will be letting valid protesters or their lawyers offer comments or make suggestions.
“If they are represented by an attorney the attorney will speak for them, but individual protesters without an attorney can speak for themselves,” he said.
Two protest periods were scheduled. The first one ended in December 2007. The second, after an amendment to the original request was filed, ended in early September, 2008. Over 900 people or entities have filed protests.
If approved, the permit would allow San Augustin LLC to pump 6.9 billion gallons of water per day from the San Agustin aquifer and sell it back to the state to meet commitments to the Rio Grande Compact.
The company wants to pump the water from 37 wells on ranchland it owns in western Socorro and eastern Catron counties.
The original proposal - which has since been amended - asked for permission to “divert and consumptively use 54,000 acre-feet of water yearly for domestic, livestock, irrigation, municipal, industrial, and commercial uses to include providing water to the state of New Mexico to augment its capacity to meet deliveries to the state of Texas at Elephant Butte dam and offsetting effects of ground water pumping on the Rio Grande in lieu of retirement of agriculture via a pipeline to the Rio Grande.”
The proposal was amended in May, 2008 to allow the drilling to go deeper; from 2,000 feet to 3,000 feet.
In the meantime, representatives from the San Augustin Water Coalition gave a presentation to the state legislature’s Water and Natural Resources Committee Tuesday, Oct. 19.
Addressing the committee were Coalition members Eileen Dodds and Anita Hand-Gutierrez of Datil.
State Representative Don Tripp, a member of that committee, said their presentation was “excellent.”
“They let the committee know, very plainly, what’s going on. Anytime constituents appear before a committee and knows the law and is well informed the committee listens,” Tripp said. “One thing the legislature needs to look at is a statute limiting interbasin transfers, which they recommended.”
In her presentation, Dodds said, “Catron and Socorro Counties won’t survive the mining of this aquifer. There’s a delicate balance between usage and supply that these counties have always nurtured for their needs. Ranching, farming, hunting, tourism and recreation, State and National forestry, wildlife habitat, and just plain quality of life will be destroyed.”
She told the Mountain Mail that whatever happens, “we are in it for the long haul.
“We believe it will end up in the courts,” she said. “We believe it will become a landmark case that will eventually find its way to the United States Supreme Court.
“We here today may not be alive to see the outcome, but we may well determine, by the decisions we make in the immediate future, the water usage not only for New Mexico, but for the entire western United States,” Dodds said.
Tripp agreed and said, “This has far reaching implications the legislature needs to look at. As far a policy decision in water speculation.”
He said the committee was in total support of the SAWC’s positions.
SOCORRO – A conference in Socorro has been scheduled for November 9 by the Office of the State Engineer to describe the administrative hearing process and clarify issues that are in dispute – specifically the permit filed by a company owned by Italian businessman Bruno Modena to remove water from the San Agustin aquifer.
Bruce Frederick, attorney and hydrologist with the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, said the meeting was to establish a schedule for the actual hearings on the San Augustin Ranch LLC’s permit. Frederick is representing about 80 individual protesters, members of the San Agustin Water Coalition.
“It’s a standard pre-hearing conference the state engineer calls when there are a large number of parties involved,” Frederick said. “The state engineer’s hearing officer will set time limits and deadlines for when the actual evidentiary hearing will be. With so many parties it may be strung out over a year for the whole hearing process.”
Frederick said the state engineer’s hearing officer, Victor Kovac, will be letting valid protesters or their lawyers offer comments or make suggestions.
“If they are represented by an attorney the attorney will speak for them, but individual protesters without an attorney can speak for themselves,” he said.
Two protest periods were scheduled. The first one ended in December 2007. The second, after an amendment to the original request was filed, ended in early September, 2008. Over 900 people or entities have filed protests.
If approved, the permit would allow San Augustin LLC to pump 6.9 billion gallons of water per day from the San Agustin aquifer and sell it back to the state to meet commitments to the Rio Grande Compact.
The company wants to pump the water from 37 wells on ranchland it owns in western Socorro and eastern Catron counties.
The original proposal - which has since been amended - asked for permission to “divert and consumptively use 54,000 acre-feet of water yearly for domestic, livestock, irrigation, municipal, industrial, and commercial uses to include providing water to the state of New Mexico to augment its capacity to meet deliveries to the state of Texas at Elephant Butte dam and offsetting effects of ground water pumping on the Rio Grande in lieu of retirement of agriculture via a pipeline to the Rio Grande.”
The proposal was amended in May, 2008 to allow the drilling to go deeper; from 2,000 feet to 3,000 feet.
In the meantime, representatives from the San Augustin Water Coalition gave a presentation to the state legislature’s Water and Natural Resources Committee Tuesday, Oct. 19.
Addressing the committee were Coalition members Eileen Dodds and Anita Hand-Gutierrez of Datil.
State Representative Don Tripp, a member of that committee, said their presentation was “excellent.”
“They let the committee know, very plainly, what’s going on. Anytime constituents appear before a committee and knows the law and is well informed the committee listens,” Tripp said. “One thing the legislature needs to look at is a statute limiting interbasin transfers, which they recommended.”
In her presentation, Dodds said, “Catron and Socorro Counties won’t survive the mining of this aquifer. There’s a delicate balance between usage and supply that these counties have always nurtured for their needs. Ranching, farming, hunting, tourism and recreation, State and National forestry, wildlife habitat, and just plain quality of life will be destroyed.”
She told the Mountain Mail that whatever happens, “we are in it for the long haul.
“We believe it will end up in the courts,” she said. “We believe it will become a landmark case that will eventually find its way to the United States Supreme Court.
“We here today may not be alive to see the outcome, but we may well determine, by the decisions we make in the immediate future, the water usage not only for New Mexico, but for the entire western United States,” Dodds said.
Tripp agreed and said, “This has far reaching implications the legislature needs to look at. As far a policy decision in water speculation.”
He said the committee was in total support of the SAWC’s positions.
Five Arrested For Buglaries
By John Larson
SOCORRO – Three Socorro men and two Alamo women were arrested Monday morning, Oct. 18, in connection with multiple burglaries on Cuba Road and Charley Drive.
The would-be thieves were caught in the act while removing items from the home of former Socorro Chief of Police Joel Haley, and two other residences.
Lanora Apache, 21, and Alysia Ganadonegro, 22, both of Alamo Navajo Reservation were charged with four felony counts of disposing stolen property, and two counts of providing alcohol beverages to minors.
Chad Padilla, 18, Richard Guerro, 19, and Joe Blanford, 20, were each arrested on four felony counts of burglary, four felony counts of disposing of stolen property, and one count of resisting arrest.
All five suspects were arrested within minutes of the mid-morning burglaries.
Police Sgt. Richard Lopez said all of the residences that were burglarized were within several hundred feet of each other.
“We haven’t got an exact value yet of items taken out of the residences,” Lopez said. “But it was easily into the thousands.”
Among the items from the properties were two large flat screen televisions, computers, DVD players, a small portable electric fireplace, jewelry, and a stove.
According to the criminal complaint, Officer Stanley Montano was called at 10:45 a.m. to a residence in the 500 block of Charley Drive on a report of a burglary in progress, but while still en route, dispatch advised them that one subject, Chad Padilla, was already in custody.
Montano, along with Capt. Angel Garcia and Officer John Hiebert, learned that the other suspects were hiding in a trailer “right down the road,” at 1210 Cuba Road.
“I covered the back door while other officers knocked on the front door,” Montano’s report stated. “When the officers knocked I heard several footsteps running back and forth in the trailer. An unknown subject attempted to open the back door and I immediately announced my presence, and the subject closed and locked the door.”Hiebert then kicked the door in and all four suspects were arrested and handcuffed, the complaint said.
During questioning, Apache and Ganadonegro, admitted that they were involved in the burglaries.
“Captain Garcia asked if the three males were involved, and the females stated yes,” the complaint said. Both females then stated that Blanford and Padilla “were the main guys and [Guerro] helped.”
The complaint said Apache and Ganadonegro admitted to breaking into two houses and a barn.
All five were arrested, and as of press time preliminary hearings in Magistrate Court have not been set.
Apache and Ganadonegro have posted bond, according to the Magistrate Court Clerk.
SOCORRO – Three Socorro men and two Alamo women were arrested Monday morning, Oct. 18, in connection with multiple burglaries on Cuba Road and Charley Drive.
The would-be thieves were caught in the act while removing items from the home of former Socorro Chief of Police Joel Haley, and two other residences.
Lanora Apache, 21, and Alysia Ganadonegro, 22, both of Alamo Navajo Reservation were charged with four felony counts of disposing stolen property, and two counts of providing alcohol beverages to minors.
Chad Padilla, 18, Richard Guerro, 19, and Joe Blanford, 20, were each arrested on four felony counts of burglary, four felony counts of disposing of stolen property, and one count of resisting arrest.
All five suspects were arrested within minutes of the mid-morning burglaries.
Police Sgt. Richard Lopez said all of the residences that were burglarized were within several hundred feet of each other.
“We haven’t got an exact value yet of items taken out of the residences,” Lopez said. “But it was easily into the thousands.”
Among the items from the properties were two large flat screen televisions, computers, DVD players, a small portable electric fireplace, jewelry, and a stove.
According to the criminal complaint, Officer Stanley Montano was called at 10:45 a.m. to a residence in the 500 block of Charley Drive on a report of a burglary in progress, but while still en route, dispatch advised them that one subject, Chad Padilla, was already in custody.
Montano, along with Capt. Angel Garcia and Officer John Hiebert, learned that the other suspects were hiding in a trailer “right down the road,” at 1210 Cuba Road.
“I covered the back door while other officers knocked on the front door,” Montano’s report stated. “When the officers knocked I heard several footsteps running back and forth in the trailer. An unknown subject attempted to open the back door and I immediately announced my presence, and the subject closed and locked the door.”Hiebert then kicked the door in and all four suspects were arrested and handcuffed, the complaint said.
During questioning, Apache and Ganadonegro, admitted that they were involved in the burglaries.
“Captain Garcia asked if the three males were involved, and the females stated yes,” the complaint said. Both females then stated that Blanford and Padilla “were the main guys and [Guerro] helped.”
The complaint said Apache and Ganadonegro admitted to breaking into two houses and a barn.
All five were arrested, and as of press time preliminary hearings in Magistrate Court have not been set.
Apache and Ganadonegro have posted bond, according to the Magistrate Court Clerk.
Drugs Seized After Gas Theft
By John Larson
SOCORRO – Not paying for $48.59 in gas at a Socorro Conoco station resulted in the arrest of a female juvenile and Belen man Monday, Oct. 11.
Joseph Sandoval, 35, was charged on two felony counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, one felony count of possession of methamphetamine, one felony count of conspiracy, one count of theft, and the petty misdemeanor of concealing his identity.
According to the criminal complaint, police were notified at 5:30 p.m. that a gas skip had occurred at the Conoco on South California. A witness said the gas pump nozzle had been laid on the ground to prevent a beep from sounding inside, notifying the cashier.
A description of the green and white Chevy pickup was given, as well as a description of the two occupants, and that the suspects were headed south.
The vehicle was spotted by Detective Rocky Fernandez on Interstate 25 at the 142 mile marker and pulled over. City police Lt. Louie Chavez and Sgt. Gilbert Padilla joined Fernandez in the questioning of the two occupants.
The complaint said both the driver and the female passenger – neither of whom could provide identification - gave police false names.
The female passenger initially told police she was 22 years old, but an ID found during a subsequent search of the pickup revealed her true name and that she was a juvenile, the complaint said.
The driver gave his name to police as ‘Jesse’ Sandoval.
In a further search of the vehicle, officers turned up a set of blank keys with several patterns used to steal vehicles, an amount of methamphetamine, and two pipes commonly used to smoke meth.
After Sandoval and the female juvenile were arrested, it was discovered that the juvenile had outstanding warrants in Valencia County. Fernandez contacted the Juvenile Probation and Parole Office, who arranged detention for her in Santa Fe.
Sandoval, incarcerated at the Socorro County Detention Center, was correctly identified as ‘Joseph’ Sandoval two days later. The charge of concealing his identity was added at that time.
Preliminary hearing for Sandoval is set for Oct. 27 in Magistrate Court.
SOCORRO – Not paying for $48.59 in gas at a Socorro Conoco station resulted in the arrest of a female juvenile and Belen man Monday, Oct. 11.
Joseph Sandoval, 35, was charged on two felony counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, one felony count of possession of methamphetamine, one felony count of conspiracy, one count of theft, and the petty misdemeanor of concealing his identity.
According to the criminal complaint, police were notified at 5:30 p.m. that a gas skip had occurred at the Conoco on South California. A witness said the gas pump nozzle had been laid on the ground to prevent a beep from sounding inside, notifying the cashier.
A description of the green and white Chevy pickup was given, as well as a description of the two occupants, and that the suspects were headed south.
The vehicle was spotted by Detective Rocky Fernandez on Interstate 25 at the 142 mile marker and pulled over. City police Lt. Louie Chavez and Sgt. Gilbert Padilla joined Fernandez in the questioning of the two occupants.
The complaint said both the driver and the female passenger – neither of whom could provide identification - gave police false names.
The female passenger initially told police she was 22 years old, but an ID found during a subsequent search of the pickup revealed her true name and that she was a juvenile, the complaint said.
The driver gave his name to police as ‘Jesse’ Sandoval.
In a further search of the vehicle, officers turned up a set of blank keys with several patterns used to steal vehicles, an amount of methamphetamine, and two pipes commonly used to smoke meth.
After Sandoval and the female juvenile were arrested, it was discovered that the juvenile had outstanding warrants in Valencia County. Fernandez contacted the Juvenile Probation and Parole Office, who arranged detention for her in Santa Fe.
Sandoval, incarcerated at the Socorro County Detention Center, was correctly identified as ‘Joseph’ Sandoval two days later. The charge of concealing his identity was added at that time.
Preliminary hearing for Sandoval is set for Oct. 27 in Magistrate Court.
Tech Celebrates 49ers Reunion This Weekend
By Rebecca Rose
SOCORRO - The annual 49ers reunion kicks off this weekend at Tech. Highlights of the popular event include a parade, live music, Casino night, and a cash prize contest to “Paint the ‘M’”.
Tony Ortiz, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events at New Mexico Tech, says the event offers something for everyone. “The 49ers celebration is the traditional Tech homecoming. Current students host events, but we also have lots of alumni events.” Those events include a dinner on Friday, a picnic at Water Canyon on Saturday and a breakfast Sunday.
Ortiz estimates about 50 prior Tech students are returning to participate. “It’s a great way for former students to reconnect with past classmates, and make connections with current students.” Alumni can register for the weekend's events in the Fidel Center atrium. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
Alumni can also take part in a wide variety of student events, coordinated by the Student Activities Board and other groups at Tech. Jessie Morris, Student Activities Director, is planning many of this year’s activities. “I think this year is going to be really incredible. People are going to get really hyped up this weekend.”
Casino Night features a live “Bordello” auction, which Morris promised will be unique from years past. “This year, we had a professional choreographer teach a dance for the auction. Each girl has her own special routine.” she said. Proceeds from the auction and Casino Night go to a charity to benefit battered women.
Morris was also excited about bringing a famous comedian and movie star to campus for a special performance. “Our best event is Pauly Shore on Thursday. I think that the students my age are really into him. I’ve seen all of his movies and so have all of my classmates. Student tickets went like hot cakes. It’s exciting.”
The Athletic Field will host numerous sports themed events as well. On Thursday, students and alumni can play human foosball from 4p.m. to 7p.m. Several residence halls will host competing volleyball games. Powder Puff football gets underway at 6p.m.
The weekend concludes with the traditional “Paint the ‘M’” event on Sunday morning. Participants will meet at EMRTC at 8a.m. Past and present students as well as faculty and community members are invited to join in the climb to the top of ‘M’ Mountain. The first 20 students or teams who carry 50 pounds of crushed marble to the top will receive cash prizes. (Please note: Participants must be registered no later than Friday at noon. Registration is by email only: paintm@nmt.edu. Phone registration is not allowed).
More details can be found online at www.nmt.edu/alumni-and-friends.
SOCORRO - The annual 49ers reunion kicks off this weekend at Tech. Highlights of the popular event include a parade, live music, Casino night, and a cash prize contest to “Paint the ‘M’”.
Tony Ortiz, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events at New Mexico Tech, says the event offers something for everyone. “The 49ers celebration is the traditional Tech homecoming. Current students host events, but we also have lots of alumni events.” Those events include a dinner on Friday, a picnic at Water Canyon on Saturday and a breakfast Sunday.
Ortiz estimates about 50 prior Tech students are returning to participate. “It’s a great way for former students to reconnect with past classmates, and make connections with current students.” Alumni can register for the weekend's events in the Fidel Center atrium. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
Alumni can also take part in a wide variety of student events, coordinated by the Student Activities Board and other groups at Tech. Jessie Morris, Student Activities Director, is planning many of this year’s activities. “I think this year is going to be really incredible. People are going to get really hyped up this weekend.”
Casino Night features a live “Bordello” auction, which Morris promised will be unique from years past. “This year, we had a professional choreographer teach a dance for the auction. Each girl has her own special routine.” she said. Proceeds from the auction and Casino Night go to a charity to benefit battered women.
Morris was also excited about bringing a famous comedian and movie star to campus for a special performance. “Our best event is Pauly Shore on Thursday. I think that the students my age are really into him. I’ve seen all of his movies and so have all of my classmates. Student tickets went like hot cakes. It’s exciting.”
The Athletic Field will host numerous sports themed events as well. On Thursday, students and alumni can play human foosball from 4p.m. to 7p.m. Several residence halls will host competing volleyball games. Powder Puff football gets underway at 6p.m.
The weekend concludes with the traditional “Paint the ‘M’” event on Sunday morning. Participants will meet at EMRTC at 8a.m. Past and present students as well as faculty and community members are invited to join in the climb to the top of ‘M’ Mountain. The first 20 students or teams who carry 50 pounds of crushed marble to the top will receive cash prizes. (Please note: Participants must be registered no later than Friday at noon. Registration is by email only: paintm@nmt.edu. Phone registration is not allowed).
More details can be found online at www.nmt.edu/alumni-and-friends.
OBITUARY: Luther Broaddus
Luther Broaddus
(May 9, 1932 Oct. 14, 2010)
Luther Broaddus III, 78, passed away on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at his home in Magdalena, NM surrounded by his family. Luther was born on May 9, 1932 in Berryville, Virginia to Luther and Sally (Williams) Broaddus Jr. He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Toni Broaddus, married March 29, 1986 in Chama, NM; his devoted children, daughters, Lucia Hartwell and husband, George; Laura Jean Roman; Linda Lou Broaddus; sons, Harry Lee Broaddus and wife, Carol; Frank Broaddus and wife, Rita; Parker Broaddus and wife, Charis; Daniel Broaddus; Toni’s daughters, Jerri Rush and husband, David; Martha Woodward and husband, Bill; 13 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; 5 sisters; 3 brothers; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Luther was a resident of Magdalena since 1985 and was a member of the First Baptist church of Magdalena. Luther Broaddus was a man of duty, and he was an example of what it is to be a real statesman who sincerely concerns himself with res publica. He was a former writer, editor, and publisher for the Mountain Mail newspaper and the New Mexico Stockman Magazine. Luther also was a former chairman of the Livestock Committee of Catron County and assisted with the publication of the Catron County, NM Comprehensive Land Use Plan from 1990-1995. Luther served on the board of directors of the Coalition of AZ-NM County Governments.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and one sister. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 11a.m. at the Broaddus Family Ranch. Pallbearers are Parker Broaddus, Daniel Broaddus, Frank Broaddus, George Hartwell, David Rush, and Bill Woodward. Honorary Pallbearers are Harry Apache, and Harry Lee Broaddus. Memorial contributions may be made to the New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home, Portales, NM; the New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranch, Belen, NM; or the Alzheimer’s Association, Albuquerque, NM. Those who wish to send condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Services have been entrusted to Daniels Family Funeral Services, 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801 (575) 835-1530
OBITUARY: Charles R. Dutra
(May 27, 1944-Oct. 17, 2010)
Charles R. Dutra, 66, passed away Sunday, October 17, 2010 in Socorro, NM. Charles was born on May 27, 1944 to Elmer and Mary (Ham) Dutra in Pecos, TX. He is survived by his adoring wife of 41 years Barbara (Mall) Dutra of Socorro, whom he married on Feb. 15, 1969 in Carlsbad, NM; also surviving are his devoted children, Margaret Clare Silver and husband, Micah of Lafayette, LA; and Mary Catherine “Katy” Jablonski and husband, Michael of White Salmon, WA; one grandson, Asher Robert Silver; and his Aunt, Stephana Moore of Carlsbad, NM.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Charles was a resident of Socorro since 2004, coming from Lake Charles, LA. He was a member of the San Miguel Catholic Church, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and graduated Phi Beta Phi from New Mexico State University. He was a former Chemical Engineer for SaSol Company and was a Veteran of the Vietnam Era, serving with the U.S. Air Force.
Charles loved music, dancing, and traveling. He was known for his abundant generosity and enjoyed life to its fullest. He loved living in New Mexico and all its splendor it had to offer.
A Memorial Rosary will be recited on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010 at 7p.m. and a Memorial Funeral Mass will be celebrated, Friday Oct. 22, 2010 at 9a.m. with Father Andy Pavlak Celebrant at the San Miguel Catholic Church in Socorro, NM. Interment will follow on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010 at 3p.m. at Sunset Cemetery, Carlsbad, NM. Memorial contributions may be made to the San Miguel Catholic Church Building Fund. Those who wish to send condolences may do so atwww.danielsfuneral.com. Daniels Family Funeral Services has been entrusted with the services. They are located at 309 Garfield, Socorro, NM 87801 (575) 835-1530
EDITORIAL: Enjoy The Open Road
By Rebecca Rose
Mountain Mail editor
Some of you may have been reading last week’s paper and wondered what happened to our longtime reporter, John Larson. To answer your questions: No, I did not have him kidnapped and taken to Siberia; no, I did not scare him away by being too “California”. John and his wife took a vacation, to visit family in Ohio.
Before he left, I asked John if he was looking forward to the trip. Of course, he was looking forward to seeing family and friends. But one thing was really bothering him.
“I hate to fly.”
I was absolutely surprised to find I had this in common with another person. But maybe I shouldn’t be.
It turns out most Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with air travel. Reports of everything from invasive searches to rude personnel to wait times that make the building of the pyramids seem lightening fast.
Why is this, I wondered. When I was a child, I loved nothing more than flying, my nose pressed against the window, watching the world outside get smaller and smaller with each passing second. As I grew older, I loved flying because I could play my walkman with my own soundtrack. I perfectly timed the start of my favorite song to the plane taking off and landing. It was like my very own MTV music video.
Then of course as I got older, the writer in me took over. I loved sitting next to a stranger, talking, getting to know who they were and where they were going. It was as if all the mysteries of the world could be found in the seat next to you.
Eventually, as everyone knows, things changed.
People on planes are nervous, distrustful and mostly irritated. They’ve been tricked out of frequent flier miles, booked on ridiculous flight routes (Why do I have to fly to Miami to get from LA to Dallas?) and treated like suspects on the FBI’s Most Wanted List, simply for wanting to do some traveling.
But none of that matters to me anymore. I’ve discovered the simple joy of an old fashioned road trip.
It’s true. I haven’t been on a plane in seven years, and I don’t miss it one bit.
Why stand in an airport line for two hours, being padded down like I’m the Unabomber, when I can sit in the comfort of my car, and experience the beauty of the open road.
I’ve driven from New York to San Francisco, from Chicago to Palm Beach, from Texas to Boston and more. I’ve watched the sunrise over the Golden Gate Bridge and a sunset at Joshua Tree, all in the same day. Yes, it’s certainly taken me longer to get to where I’m going. But if settlers in the 1800s could pack rickety covered wagons with their life’s possessions and travel across an unchartered, snow covered trail in the Rockies, I can handle I-95 on summer’s day.
There’s so much simple beauty in this country that still blows my mind. Interviewing Greer Price about New Mexico’s awe inspiring landscaping reminded me of as much. I can’t wait to climb in my car, with Charlie beside me, and head off into the beauty of the sunset over the Jemez Mountains, or drive up to Box Canyon at Ghost Ranch. Best of all, I’ll get to see it all from my car window.
And I get to carry as much hairspray as I could possibly need.
Mountain Mail editor
Some of you may have been reading last week’s paper and wondered what happened to our longtime reporter, John Larson. To answer your questions: No, I did not have him kidnapped and taken to Siberia; no, I did not scare him away by being too “California”. John and his wife took a vacation, to visit family in Ohio.
Before he left, I asked John if he was looking forward to the trip. Of course, he was looking forward to seeing family and friends. But one thing was really bothering him.
“I hate to fly.”
I was absolutely surprised to find I had this in common with another person. But maybe I shouldn’t be.
It turns out most Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with air travel. Reports of everything from invasive searches to rude personnel to wait times that make the building of the pyramids seem lightening fast.
Why is this, I wondered. When I was a child, I loved nothing more than flying, my nose pressed against the window, watching the world outside get smaller and smaller with each passing second. As I grew older, I loved flying because I could play my walkman with my own soundtrack. I perfectly timed the start of my favorite song to the plane taking off and landing. It was like my very own MTV music video.
Then of course as I got older, the writer in me took over. I loved sitting next to a stranger, talking, getting to know who they were and where they were going. It was as if all the mysteries of the world could be found in the seat next to you.
Eventually, as everyone knows, things changed.
People on planes are nervous, distrustful and mostly irritated. They’ve been tricked out of frequent flier miles, booked on ridiculous flight routes (Why do I have to fly to Miami to get from LA to Dallas?) and treated like suspects on the FBI’s Most Wanted List, simply for wanting to do some traveling.
But none of that matters to me anymore. I’ve discovered the simple joy of an old fashioned road trip.
It’s true. I haven’t been on a plane in seven years, and I don’t miss it one bit.
Why stand in an airport line for two hours, being padded down like I’m the Unabomber, when I can sit in the comfort of my car, and experience the beauty of the open road.
I’ve driven from New York to San Francisco, from Chicago to Palm Beach, from Texas to Boston and more. I’ve watched the sunrise over the Golden Gate Bridge and a sunset at Joshua Tree, all in the same day. Yes, it’s certainly taken me longer to get to where I’m going. But if settlers in the 1800s could pack rickety covered wagons with their life’s possessions and travel across an unchartered, snow covered trail in the Rockies, I can handle I-95 on summer’s day.
There’s so much simple beauty in this country that still blows my mind. Interviewing Greer Price about New Mexico’s awe inspiring landscaping reminded me of as much. I can’t wait to climb in my car, with Charlie beside me, and head off into the beauty of the sunset over the Jemez Mountains, or drive up to Box Canyon at Ghost Ranch. Best of all, I’ll get to see it all from my car window.
And I get to carry as much hairspray as I could possibly need.
OPINION: Honor Among Thieves
Magdalena Potluck
By Margaret Wiltshire
Are you voting for Tweedle Dee or Tweedle Dum? Will it be a street gang loyalty vote or have you been thinking on your own? I believe everything they are saying about each other. I believe nothing they say about what they will do in office.
Chanting slogans works for dictatorships and cults but it is a sign of disease in a Democratic Republic. It is rule number one in selling lies and the manipulation of crowds.
There are always people of honor and experiential truth. When they get together, empires fall.
Democrats and independents that voted for President Obama know that what they voted for isn’t going to happen. Republicans and independents still think that giving more to and taking less away from the richest 1% will help us all out. That has been the theme since the 1980s. Current economics says this doesn’t work. If I “just really believe” only works for Tinker Bell and little boys who don’t grow up.
Democrats and Republicans will go on working for this 1% even though the 1% prefers “multinational” to patriot for an adjective. P. T. Barnum is credited with “There’s a sucker born every minute” and I think many of them vote.
We have bond issues to vote for and sometimes they make things happen faster than they do in Congress. One is for education and libraries, two of my favorites.
When is an F an F? When does it mean Failing? When New Mexico reading levels slant downward to 49th in the country and funding for reading evaluation and testing slants upwards that does not make a V for victory. When can we give this system an F and be done with it?
By the time I was four my mom got tired of reading me stories again and again. She always said, “I’m not a teacher, and never wanted to be a teacher. She was however desperately bored. She opened the book and said, “this is the word The.” What a stupid word I thought. “What does it really mean?” I asked. “It’s in all the books and when you know it you will always get that word right.” I looked through my book and was impressed. I could read “the” a lot. “So tell me some real words”, I asked. In the beginning...
What a world reading is. To be 49th in the country says we are a very poor state indeed. A poor people.
Between my mom and some teachers, I learned to read. For me what is essential about learning to read is having someone’s undivided attention for at least a few minutes once in a while. Reading level circles, reading evaluations teach lessons in humility, not reading. I’ve seen children blanch, almost faint and develop a hatred of school in some of these situations. What is your experiential truth?
What would happen if we built schools? Besides more work for more people, including teachers. What would happen if there were 12 to 15 kids in any class, besides education? There might be community, fellowship, respect and a sense of personal validity for each student and teacher. What kind of society would that make?
Not the kind of society of individuals that street gang politics could manipulate easily. It’s never on the agenda. So they will spend money on evaluating how little a people you are and how much you need them. They’ll have you chanting their slogans.
After all, few of you can read, and what do you know?
I was teaching a teen with Downs Syndrome how to read and four of his friends who also had Downs decided they wanted to learn too. They had great symbol memory, and what is reading anyway? How hard can it be? Learn to read or teach someone to read. You can give them the world. Call me or the library for some help.
I met a Maya shoe shine boy from a rural village. He taught himself Spanish, then English, then French and he was working on Japanese and Chinese when I met him. No money for school, he taught himself enough to go to University part time. He opened the first Computer Cafes in Guatemala and last I knew had about 14 Cafes. He also saw to it his siblings got an education and could start their own businesses. He had a black belt in Karate “to boot.” Still able to speak his Maya dialect he’s lost nothing and gained the world.
Where are you and what are you doing?
Write to Margaret at Wshireoldadobe@yahoo.com
By Margaret Wiltshire
Are you voting for Tweedle Dee or Tweedle Dum? Will it be a street gang loyalty vote or have you been thinking on your own? I believe everything they are saying about each other. I believe nothing they say about what they will do in office.
Chanting slogans works for dictatorships and cults but it is a sign of disease in a Democratic Republic. It is rule number one in selling lies and the manipulation of crowds.
There are always people of honor and experiential truth. When they get together, empires fall.
Democrats and independents that voted for President Obama know that what they voted for isn’t going to happen. Republicans and independents still think that giving more to and taking less away from the richest 1% will help us all out. That has been the theme since the 1980s. Current economics says this doesn’t work. If I “just really believe” only works for Tinker Bell and little boys who don’t grow up.
Democrats and Republicans will go on working for this 1% even though the 1% prefers “multinational” to patriot for an adjective. P. T. Barnum is credited with “There’s a sucker born every minute” and I think many of them vote.
We have bond issues to vote for and sometimes they make things happen faster than they do in Congress. One is for education and libraries, two of my favorites.
When is an F an F? When does it mean Failing? When New Mexico reading levels slant downward to 49th in the country and funding for reading evaluation and testing slants upwards that does not make a V for victory. When can we give this system an F and be done with it?
By the time I was four my mom got tired of reading me stories again and again. She always said, “I’m not a teacher, and never wanted to be a teacher. She was however desperately bored. She opened the book and said, “this is the word The.” What a stupid word I thought. “What does it really mean?” I asked. “It’s in all the books and when you know it you will always get that word right.” I looked through my book and was impressed. I could read “the” a lot. “So tell me some real words”, I asked. In the beginning...
What a world reading is. To be 49th in the country says we are a very poor state indeed. A poor people.
Between my mom and some teachers, I learned to read. For me what is essential about learning to read is having someone’s undivided attention for at least a few minutes once in a while. Reading level circles, reading evaluations teach lessons in humility, not reading. I’ve seen children blanch, almost faint and develop a hatred of school in some of these situations. What is your experiential truth?
What would happen if we built schools? Besides more work for more people, including teachers. What would happen if there were 12 to 15 kids in any class, besides education? There might be community, fellowship, respect and a sense of personal validity for each student and teacher. What kind of society would that make?
Not the kind of society of individuals that street gang politics could manipulate easily. It’s never on the agenda. So they will spend money on evaluating how little a people you are and how much you need them. They’ll have you chanting their slogans.
After all, few of you can read, and what do you know?
I was teaching a teen with Downs Syndrome how to read and four of his friends who also had Downs decided they wanted to learn too. They had great symbol memory, and what is reading anyway? How hard can it be? Learn to read or teach someone to read. You can give them the world. Call me or the library for some help.
I met a Maya shoe shine boy from a rural village. He taught himself Spanish, then English, then French and he was working on Japanese and Chinese when I met him. No money for school, he taught himself enough to go to University part time. He opened the first Computer Cafes in Guatemala and last I knew had about 14 Cafes. He also saw to it his siblings got an education and could start their own businesses. He had a black belt in Karate “to boot.” Still able to speak his Maya dialect he’s lost nothing and gained the world.
Where are you and what are you doing?
Write to Margaret at Wshireoldadobe@yahoo.com
OPINION: Fairweather on Elections: Vote Despite Disillusionment
Can We Talk?
By Jack fairweather
There is a short time left now before Americans engage in a secular ritual in which they will, little doubt, ensure continuation of a system that keeps them barely conscious of the manner in which they are manipulated and kept subservient to a national/global, political/economic elite.
Thousands of votes will be cast for candidates that are to great extent beholden to the corporations and powerful individuals who pay their way through the campaign sewers. Men and women, young and old, will listen and read campaign propaganda cleverly structured to obscure the truth that the candidate, whether he/she claims to be right, left or centrist is, in reality, owned by a system that preaches might makes right, winner take all, war is good and, indeed, necessary, peace is only possible if it is on our terms, the “other” , those with dark skins, funny sounding names and crazy belief systems must be kept in their place. So, they cast their ballots and elect an endless parade of politicians who will continue to bless “family values” while they manipulate and conscript adolescents to fight their eternal war. To kill and die for them.
OH! Sorry! I’ve been ranting again. Oh,well, so long as some of you understand that when your victorious candidate takes office he/she will, especially if he/she is new to the position, receive a definitive agenda that, in effect says, “we will tell you when, and how and why, things get done around here.” And that will be the way it is. The office holder will do what has to be done in order to satisfy the source that feeds an appetite for power and greed.
Well, go vote anyway while there is still the illusion that positive change, benefiting all, is still possible. As you do, think about the following; the Congressional session now ending has been one of the most productive in nearly half a century. Back in the 1960’s, with a Democrat majority, the 89th Congress passed Medicare and Medicaid and civil rights laws, despite Republican opposition. The voters hammered them anyway, costing them 48 seats in the House and 4 in the Senate. Medicare and Medicaid, however, became so popular that Republicans, the party that resisted it, are now trying to accuse Democrats of trying to cut the program when they proposed a slow down in its growth in order to use the savings to provide medical care for the millions who lack health insurance.
The right wing has attempted to cover up the truth that the unpopular bank bailouts were actually brought about by the last Congress, before the Obama administration took over.
This session of Congress also passed two landmark acts, the overhaul of the health care system, an enormous move toward universal coverage that had eluded every president since FDR and the Wall Street accountability act.
Other significant legislation, signed into law, includes action to make college loans more affordable, Cash for Clunkers that benefited an ailing auto industry, new consumer protection for credit card users, legislation to make it easier for women to challenge pay discrimination, giving businesses tax incentives to hire unemployed workers and tax credits for first-time homeowners.
This past Congress did accomplish a lot, as did the 89th in passing Medicare and important civil rights legislation back in the 60’s. The voters beat them up anyway. It makes one wonder if a people subjected to so much corporate and political propaganda, out right lies and appeals to prejudice, a right wing/corporate controlled media, will again act out their pettiness and mean spiritedness.
By Jack fairweather
There is a short time left now before Americans engage in a secular ritual in which they will, little doubt, ensure continuation of a system that keeps them barely conscious of the manner in which they are manipulated and kept subservient to a national/global, political/economic elite.
Thousands of votes will be cast for candidates that are to great extent beholden to the corporations and powerful individuals who pay their way through the campaign sewers. Men and women, young and old, will listen and read campaign propaganda cleverly structured to obscure the truth that the candidate, whether he/she claims to be right, left or centrist is, in reality, owned by a system that preaches might makes right, winner take all, war is good and, indeed, necessary, peace is only possible if it is on our terms, the “other” , those with dark skins, funny sounding names and crazy belief systems must be kept in their place. So, they cast their ballots and elect an endless parade of politicians who will continue to bless “family values” while they manipulate and conscript adolescents to fight their eternal war. To kill and die for them.
OH! Sorry! I’ve been ranting again. Oh,well, so long as some of you understand that when your victorious candidate takes office he/she will, especially if he/she is new to the position, receive a definitive agenda that, in effect says, “we will tell you when, and how and why, things get done around here.” And that will be the way it is. The office holder will do what has to be done in order to satisfy the source that feeds an appetite for power and greed.
Well, go vote anyway while there is still the illusion that positive change, benefiting all, is still possible. As you do, think about the following; the Congressional session now ending has been one of the most productive in nearly half a century. Back in the 1960’s, with a Democrat majority, the 89th Congress passed Medicare and Medicaid and civil rights laws, despite Republican opposition. The voters hammered them anyway, costing them 48 seats in the House and 4 in the Senate. Medicare and Medicaid, however, became so popular that Republicans, the party that resisted it, are now trying to accuse Democrats of trying to cut the program when they proposed a slow down in its growth in order to use the savings to provide medical care for the millions who lack health insurance.
The right wing has attempted to cover up the truth that the unpopular bank bailouts were actually brought about by the last Congress, before the Obama administration took over.
This session of Congress also passed two landmark acts, the overhaul of the health care system, an enormous move toward universal coverage that had eluded every president since FDR and the Wall Street accountability act.
Other significant legislation, signed into law, includes action to make college loans more affordable, Cash for Clunkers that benefited an ailing auto industry, new consumer protection for credit card users, legislation to make it easier for women to challenge pay discrimination, giving businesses tax incentives to hire unemployed workers and tax credits for first-time homeowners.
This past Congress did accomplish a lot, as did the 89th in passing Medicare and important civil rights legislation back in the 60’s. The voters beat them up anyway. It makes one wonder if a people subjected to so much corporate and political propaganda, out right lies and appeals to prejudice, a right wing/corporate controlled media, will again act out their pettiness and mean spiritedness.
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