Auto bailout

I snagged this off the m-pyre blog. It's pretty funny.




Here's what the fine print says:

"You probably thought it was smart to buy a foreign import of superior quality, with better mileage and resale value. Maybe you even thought that years of market share loss might prod us into rethinking our process and redesigning our products with better quality in mind. But you forgot one thing: We spend a shitload of money on lobbyists. So now you’re out $25 billion, plus the cost of your Subaru. Maybe next time you’ll buy American like a real man. Either way, we’re cool."

Global Gag Rule

I'm surprised I've never heard of this. It doesn't really surprise me that it exists, especially since it's already getting harder for women to receive abortions here, which also effects their ability to receive birth control and get their tubes tied.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Holiday Greetings from the SWOP Familia!

APS wants its own Police force

We already have armed officers on campus, why do we need a whole police department? Personally I would feel as if I'm in a prison. I understand people are concerned for students safety, but I already feel safe.

ABQ Journal: APS Seeks Bill To Make Police Fully Certified

By Andrea Schoellkopf
Journal Staff Writer

Albuquerque Public Schools wants its police to become a full-fledged department. Officers are now considered a security force, commissioned by the Bernalillo County sheriff. A community task force in 2007 recommended APS police become a fully certified police agency, which requires legislative approval.

APS has already adopted many of the task force's recommendations, including arming certified police officers on the staff, upgrading equipment and police cars and giving an average 12 percent pay raise last summer.

"It really doesn't change the way we operate," APS police chief Bill Reed said Monday, after a board committee voted unanimously to seek legislative approval. "We've operated like a police department since 1970." The biggest problem, he said, is lack of access to the FBI's National Crime Information Center database and the state Gangnet database. "When you come across a person on school grounds, you have to make a 30-second judgment: Are they a criminal?" Reed said. "We really need NCIC in that respect."

Some who opposed the move last year said Reed helped change their minds. "We already have the guns," said board member Dolores Griego, who had been reluctant to support an independent department in the past. The bill APS is seeking would allow school districts that serve a population of more than 200,000 to have their own law enforcement agency, APS government liaison Joseph Escobedo said.

SAVE THE DATES: SWOP TOWN HALLS

State Representative Eleanor Chávez and The Campaign for a Better New Mexico invite you to two Town Halls:











HEALTH CARE Town Hall
Tuesday • January 13th, 2009
6–7:30pm
Alamosa Community Center
6900 Gonzales Rd SW
(Coors and Bridge)

EDUCATION Town Hall
Thursday • January 15th, 2009
6–7:30pm
Alamosa Community Center
6900 Gonzales Rd SW
(Coors and Bridge)


Come discuss with your new State Representative what type of legislation Eleanor Chávez should support regarding our current health care crisis and our underfunded schools.

Democracy doesn’t end on election day! Please join us in a community dialogue about Health Care and Education and find out ways to get involved in making New Mexico a better place to live work and play.

For more information,
call SWOP at 505-247-8832 or
email tomas@swop.net or call
Representative Chávez at 831-6834 or
email eleanorchavez@gmail.com

More Quack Talk from SOS

Why would Herrera risk her credibility on King's quack talk?

SOS stands firm in face of nonprofits' lawsuit, by Heath Haussamen

“Attorney General (Gary) King said it best: ‘If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it’s probably a duck,’” Secretary of State Mary Herrera said this evening in a news release.

...Herrera failed to state exactly why she believes mailers sent out by SouthWest Organizing Project (SWOP) and the Center for Civic Policy’s New Mexico Youth Organized (NMYO) two to three months before the June primary targeting several lawmakers, including some who had primary opponents, fit the definition of “political activity” in the state’s Campaign Reporting Act. All they have done is use the “duck” quote. (emphasis added by SWOPblogger)

“We cannot allow organizations with political agendas to manipulate the campaign reporting laws of New Mexico for the sole purpose of benefiting any political party, Democrat, Republican or independent.” Continue Reading.

"Our free speech," published on SWOPblogger...

Invariably, in the course of trying to achieve our mission, we face tremendous opposition from those maintaining the status quo – a status quo that has left New Mexicans ranked at the bottom of practically every social indicator from education to healthcare.

For us, it is not enough that the nonprofit sector simply work to alleviate the symptoms of poverty and racism. In addition to organizing, it is our duty to question the actions of decision makers that perpetuate relentless poverty and growing inequality.

Our theory of action is that we create opportunity for disenfranchised communities to insert our own voices into the crucial public debates that profoundly affect our lives. These opportunities derive from direct campaigns developed with communities of people to affect change. Making our voices heard, for us, has happened in a number of ways over our 30-year history. Sometimes it’s with a bullhorn in the street, other times it's sitting at the table with policy makers, and at other times it’s through direct communication via mail, telephone or radio to decision makers.

Along the way, we have consistently communicated to our constituents the voting records and campaign contributors of elected officials, urging them to communicate with their elected officials directly. We call this accountability and speaking truth to power.

Read the whole post.

FBIHOP: Nonprofits File Suit Against Secretary of State

Update#2 12/18/08: Democracy for New Mexico's coverage...
Update: See the Journal's coverage.

From FBIHOP

The Center for Civic Policy (CCP) and the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) are suing Secretary of State Mary Herrera over two letters sent to the organizations ordering them to register as political action committees.

The nonprofits announced the suits this evening in a press release.

"We're concerned that if the Secretary of State is allowed to arbitrarily order nonprofits to register as political committees, without explanation, it will muzzle the important civic engagement work of our sector," Matt Brix, Policy Director for the Center for Civic Policy, said int he statement.

"While we didn't want to file suit against the state, we were left with no choice. Nonprofit organizations have a responsibility to inform the public about the votes of elected officials and the source of their contributions. Furthermore, the public has a right to know what elected officials are doing in their name."

The federal court suit will be a big case -- pitting the new, more progressive organizations against the older, more traditionalist politicians and policy makers who have ruled for years.

http://www.nmfbihop.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2242

We are STILL waiting for an answer...

We're STILL waiting for the Attorney General to define 'political activity'. It seems as though they really have to dig... Our "efforts to educate the public about the job their elected officials are doing", as Robby said are legitimate.

NMI: AG is stalling on definition of 'political activity', senator says

By: Heath Haussamen 12/12/08

Almost three months have passed since state Sen. Cisco McSorley asked Attorney General Gary King for an official opinion on how New Mexico defines political activity. Now McSorley says the AG is stalling.

Although the attorney general still hasn’t responded to McSorley’s request, King’s office says any charges of stalling are unfounded.

“The McSorley opinion is still being researched and drafted. No completion date has been set,” AG spokesman Phil Sisneros said.

McSorely, D-Albuquerque, first made the request after King refused to explain why he believes two nonprofits’ activities have crossed the line between issue advocacy and political campaigning.

Earlier this year, King advised the secretary of state that the Center for Civic Policy’s New Mexico Youth Organized and another nonprofit, SouthWest Organizing Project, had resorted to political campaigning in mailers like this one sent two to three months before the June primary, targeting several lawmakers.

Click here for the rest.

School Board Elections '09

It's time for the Albuquerque Public School Board elections. As the snow falls outside while I write this, I see that it might be a difficult election period between the cold, the depression, and following the success of a long and intense presidential campaign.

That's exactly why it is so important to get involved again. Even if you don't work for a candidate, it will be important to get out there and check out the candidates during one of the many forums. It is time to see if the values of these board members match ours. Some do, some don't - but at least find out.

Sometimes the person with the most "expertise," or best "platform," or most degrees seems convincing. But if their values don't match up we may not get much for our vote. We need to ask questions that matter but don't get asked of school board candidates, like "why are people poor?" The response should say a lot. Such as where the person lies blame - on the child born into a poor family, on society, or some combination.

Another good one, "Is it possible for all students to succeed?" Even if we cannot imagine all students succeeding, "which ones are you assuming cannot succeed?" That speaks volumes.

Maybe another question to ask is "what do you think of the difference in pay between the Superintendent and Educational Assistants?" This can show us what they think about people working for a living being able to earn a living. Or maybe it will tell us if the candidate learned the basic things we are supposed to learn by first grade - "do you believe in fairness and sharing?"

Advocacy Grantmaking Shows High Return on Investment, Watchdog Says Research Shows Real Results, Community-Wide Benefits

Ever wondered just effective the work of non-profits that do advocacy and organizing work is?

The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) recently put together a report about New Mexico that lays it out---and SWOP is one of the groups they studied.

The study found that for every dollar invested in our groups, New Mexico’s residents gained more than $157 in benefits. That amounts to more than $2.6 million of benefits to the broader public.

Not only does it talk about the economic benefits of these organizations, but it also also addresses their overall impact on the community. The efforts include environmental security, economic justice, civil and human rights, health, and education.

So, you know, forget the Stock Market... invest in SWOP! Donate...er, invest today.

MarketWatch
WASHINGTON, Dec 11, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- As the nation's worst financial crisis since 1932 continues to expand, foundations are bracing to cope with assets that took the plunge along with Wall Street.

New numbers from New Mexico suggest that foundations should turn to the underutilized strategy of supporting advocacy, organizing and civic engagement to be more effective at addressing social issues, recession or no recession.

According to a new report from the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), for every dollar invested in the 14 advocacy and organizing groups studied, New Mexico's residents reaped more than $157 in benefits. That's a total of more than $2.6 billion of benefits to the broader public as a result of the $16.6 million of support from foundations and other sources that went to these nonprofits to support their advocacy efforts.

"This is true strategic grantmaking that gives foundations a real bang for their buck," said Aaron Dorfman, executive director of NCRP. "By supporting advocacy, organizing and civic engagement, foundations have touched the lives of numerous individuals and communities now and for many years to come."

The report "Strengthening Democracy, Increasing Opportunities" by Lisa Ranghelli documents how New Mexico's overall economy has benefited from policy changes advocated for by 14 local nonprofits from 2003-2007. The issues tackled by these organizations include civil and human rights, environmental justice, education, health and economic security, such as living wages.

"By providing financial support to those advocacy nonprofits involved in the effort to increase our state's minimum wage, foundations went beyond using a Band Aid to address poverty in New Mexico," said Terry Odendahl, president of the New Mexico Association of Grantmakers (NMAG), a partner in the study. "They realize how policy change is critical in addressing social problems."

Ranghelli also found that for every new dollar in state Medicaid funds results in $4.74 of business activity, benefiting all state residents and not just those who rely on Medicaid.

"The economic security of thousands of lower-income families has increased as a result of advocacy and organizing efforts," said Ranghelli, senior researcher at NCRP.

The 14 New Mexico nonprofits that participated in the study included Albuquerque Interfaith, Community Action New Mexico, Colonias Development Council, Enlace Comunitario/El Centro de Igualidad y Derechos, New Mexico Acequia Association, New Mexico ACORN, New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness, New Mexico Environmental Law Center, New Mexico Voices for Children, Sacred Alliance for Grassroots Equality Council, Santa Fe Living Wage Network, Somos Un Pueblo Unido, SouthWest Organizing Project and Tewa Women United.

Some of the New Mexico-based foundations that have provided support for the groups featured in the report include the Brindle Foundation, Con Alma Health Foundation, Frost Foundation, McCune Charitable Foundation, New Mexico Community Foundation, New Mexico Women's Foundation, and the Santa Fe Community Foundation.

A number of large and small national funders also invest in advocacy and organizing in the state, such as The Atlantic Philanthropies, Marguerite E. Casey Foundation, the McKay Fund, Needmor Fund, and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.

"Strengthening Democracy, Increasing Opportunities" can be downloaded for free at www.ncrp.org. Hard copies are also available. For a press copy of the report or to schedule an interview with the author or participants of the study, please contact Yna Moore at ymoore@ncrp.org or (202) 387-9177 ext. 17.

The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy is a national watchdog, research and advocacy organization that promotes philanthropy that serves the public good, is responsive to people and communities with the least wealth and opportunity, and is held accountable to the highest standards of integrity and openness. Visit www.ncrp.org.

The New Mexico Association of Grantmakers (NMAG) is a regional association of grantmakers dedicated to increasing the effectiveness and impact of organized philanthropy in New Mexico. Visit www.nmag.org.

SOURCE National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy

 http://www.ncrp.org

Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

Report: Rich Poor Gap Is Widening

PARIS — Economic inequality is growing in the world’s richest countries, particularly in the United States, jeopardizing the American Dream of social mobility just as the world tilts toward recession, a 30-nation report said Tuesday.

The gap between rich and poor has widened over the last 20 years in nearly all the countries studied, even as trade and technological advances have spurred rapid growth in their economies.

With job losses and home foreclosures skyrocketing and many of these countries now facing recession, policy makers must act quickly to prevent a surge in populist and protectionist sentiment as was seen following the Great Depression, the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said.

“What will happen if the next decade is not one of world growth but of world recession? If a rising tide didn’t lift all boats, how will they be affected by an ebbing tide?” Oxford University economist Anthony Atkinson said at a conference at the OECD headquarters.

The rest here.

"Justice Bar"

"Justice Bars reflect our commitment to communities, locally and globally. Our luscious organic dark chocolate is produced without pesticides using sustainable practices by farmers who are paid equitably for their cacao. Our red chile is from world-famous Chimayo, north of Santa Fe, and our pistachios are locally grown by Eagle Ranch Farms near Alamogordo."

For more information click here.

NMI: Richardson's budget fix 'impossible', lawmakers say

By: Trip Jennings 12/09/08 12:49 PM

SANTA FE — Gov. Bill Richardson’s budget staff on Monday offered a view of the state’s deteriorating financial situation and proposed solutions on how to fix it. But not everyone was convinced that the administration’s view of the crisis reflected reality.

“They’re downplaying how serious the problem is at this stage,” Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, chairman of the Legislative Finance Committee, said of the Richardson administration.

If this year’s budget gap worsened, Smith said, “I wouldn’t be a bit surprised,” especially if the price of oil and natural gas continues on its downward trend.

Rep. Donald Bratton, R-Hobbs, an oil industry veteran, also criticized state economists’ predictions of natural gas prices as overly optimistic. If Smith and Bratton are right, New Mexico could be in for some serious financial pain.

The state is looking at a $450 million shortfall this fiscal year and a gap nearly as large in the next fiscal year. And state lawmakers must tackle both this year’s and next year’s budget gaps during the 60-day legislative session that starts Jan. 20.

For the rest click here.

ABQ Journal: Public Transit Sees Huge Jump

By Brian Westley
The Associated Press


WASHINGTON — The nation’s public transportation systems saw the largest quarterly ridership increase in 25 years as more Americans shunned their automobiles even as gasoline prices began to ease, according to industry figures to be released today.
Subways, buses, commuter rail and light-rail systems saw a 6.5 percent jump in ridership from July to September, according to the Washingtonbased American Public Transportation Association. During the same quarter, Americans drove 4.6 percent less on the nation’s highways.

Read the rest from the Albuquerque Journal.

Some good has come from the rise in gas prices this past year. More people have turned to public transportation, which means a little less pollution in our air. Also, since I am one of those people, I find it a good way to get to know the different people in our city. The question is, will it stay this way now that gas prices are falling?

Photo by: barbwire55 on flickr.com

"Prop 8-The Musical"

This is hilarious!

Consumer Maddness

Doorknocking SWOP Style!

Pushback: After the Project

...An example of this within the network is New Mexico. In New Mexico, the Southwest Organizing Project initiated a non-partisan, nonprofit effort called the Campaign for a Better New Mexico. They agitate for the peoples of New Mexico to vote, because as they state in their literature, ‘If you don’t VOTE, they won’t listen…”
...

Increasing voter turnout in an election is only effective if it can serve as a catalyst in developing a large group of grassroots leaders. Promoting leadership from within your membership and increasing their ability to assert power within their communities is the lifeline of any grassroots organization.

SWOP is committed to building leaders through their youth program, Jovenes Unidos. They are dedicated to providing leadership development to young people with opportunities and access to resources we need to think for themselves and analyze their surroundings, to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives, and to build power in their communities.

I witnessed SWOP’s leadership development in action, when I rode with Joaquin Lujan and Aurea during a drag and drop on the last day of early voting in New Mexico. Despite the generational differences, the two of them worked together to achieve a common vision: turn out people to the polls. As we drove, they engaged in casual conversations.

However, it quickly became apparent that each was transferring knowledge onto one another. They both took turns sharing how they came to community organizing. Aurea talked about her experiences of being a young woman in Albuquerque and the issues that brought her to SWOP. Joaquin shared his experiences as a youth and the reasons why he’s continued to work for social change with SWOP. Both were respectful to one another’s standpoint.

Read more about SWOP, Pushback network, SAGE Council and our friends in Mississippi.

http://pushbacknetwork.org/2008/12/02/after-the-project/

Governor Richardson Appoints EXPO NM Redevelopment Task Force

Last week, Governor Bill Richardson announced that CH Johnson Consulting will develop a master plan for the State Fairgrounds redevelopment. CH Johnson will work with the EXPO New Mexico Redevelopment Task Force to develop the plan that;

"will incorporate ideas generated by the community into a plan that will best suit the needs of the State Fairground to include attractions, the equestrian center and additional uses for the property," said Governor Richardson.

Here are the Task Force members:

Brian O'Neill - New Mexico Sports Authority
Luke Otero - State Fair Commission
Vic Chavez - Chavez Grieves Engineering
Valerie Cole - New Mexico Horse Council
Mary Ann Weems - Gallery Owner
Bob McCabe - Architect, Former City of Albuquerque Planning Director
Representative Al Park
Representative Sheryl Williams-Stapleton
Senator Cisco McSorley
Bianca Ortiz Wertheim - City of Albuquerque
Lawrence Rael - Mid Region Council of Governments
Sam Bregman - Albuquerque Thunderbirds
Mahlon Love - Former State Fair Commissioner
Joanne Landry - Neighborhood Community Leader
Jay Czar - New Mexico Mortgage and Finance Authority
Senator-Elect Tim Keller
Judith Espinoza - EXPO New Mexico
Mike Sivage - Albuquerque Builder and Developer
Fred Peralta - Former EXPO New Mexico Director
Gary Morton - Equestrian
Task Force
Caroline Stevenson - Equestrian Task Force
Eddie Corley Jr. - Former State Representative
If you look close enough, there are 3 equestrian representatives and 1 community/neighborhood representative. It makes me question the reasoning for muting the neighborhood voice because the horse trailers have easier access off of I-40, then it would have in Mesa del Sol.

This is nothing against the equestrian community because they are an amazing asset to the Albuquerque community and have an amazing history in New Mexico, but I am disappointed that the EXPO neighbor who stares into a giant wall from their window is being silenced.

Now it is up to not only the communities surrounding the fairgrounds but the Albuquerque community as a whole to hold the Elected Officials accountable to the community voice.

by: Julian Moya

SWOP & SWU's Justice & Solidarity with Cuba Delegation

The 10 member Justice & Solidarity with Cuba 2008 Delegation recently returned from 12 days in Cuba.

Our time there was filled with extremely successful meetings discussing strategy and plans for future collaboration with different social justice organizations, organic farming cooperatives, academic institutions, people's power entities, and labor organizations.

Here's a link to pics we took. A full report is coming soon!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swopista/collections/