A PUBLIC SHAME

 

RECOGNIZE ANYONE?

 

About 10 days ago a high profile fundraiser was held for the incumbent mayor of Albuquerque, RJ Berry. Oddly enough the fundraiser, marked at $500 per attendee, was held at the law office of Paul J. Kennedy, whom many of our readers know has done quite well for himself in suing the City of Albuquerque and in other nefarious affairs. Some concerned citizens forwarded to us the pictures of many of the folks who showed up, and when they couldn't get a picture of their faces because people literally fled inside the offices of 201 12th Street NW, they were able to get their car's plates.

One may ask why is the Eye doing this? The answer faithful reader is in the days since this fundraiser, MUCH has come out about not only about who these people are supporting, but who many of these people may be. As we've seen, the problems plaguing Albuquerque also plague the state. This cabal of Republicans, who in fact know NOTHING of true Republicanism but plenty about fascism, is chin deep in corruption. And it doesn't take a 1st-grader to connect these dots.

A few days ago Governor Martinez's former campaign manager was indicted on federal charges stemming from activities involving the governor's staff. And no sooner had the state's Republican cheerleader and failed DPS secretary, failed county sheriff, and failed public safety director, Darren White say or express words to the effect of "Look this has nothing to do with me and my ignorance in knowing nothing about construction or business operations or the ABQ Downs," did a high ranking Republican fundraiser come forward and confirm that she was interviewed by FBI special agents concerning the ABQ Downs deal and NOT the campaign manager. At issue is whether or not the Martinez administration participated and benefited from what is yet another "pay to play" incident in a state known across the country as one of the most corrupt places in the country. Despite all of the fiscal conservative talk by Martinez and her cronies, if you're a friend of Susana, no expenses will be spared to take care of you. Be it a $100,000+ salary or a lease worth over $1 Billion to Martinez supporters.

So here, while all this corrupt activity is going on, we have yet another fundraiser involving the same people who supported Martinez, at the law office of Martinez's personal lawyer, and coordinated by the very people that coordinated Martinez's campaign. All this in a city that since RJ Berry took office has seen reverse economic growth, a reduction in services, who are seeing the state's largest police force wither in their very eyes all while a failed police chief continues to say all is good like those violinists who continued to play while the Titanic was sinking.

And oh, where is Martinez? Oh she's in DC at another fundraiser glowing in artificial light cast upon her simply because the IDEA of a Hispanic female office holder is what the RNC thinks will be the next best thing. We say idea because we know it isn't because of anything Martinez has done for she's done simply nothing all while the rest of the country has moved forward.  Does anyone think a huge fund raiser like this should have been held in New Mexico where Albuquerque and/or New Mexico would benefit from it.

So look at these people and the plates. Some of our Eye's recognize these $500 per person attendees because their names come up quite frequently. Or maybe print them up and put them on a dartboard and play beer games.

But know this, when you hear yet another story about Albuquerque on yet another top ten bad list (like last week's annual real estate report....still a buyer's market, still in a recession), remember these are the people that not only donated to RJ Berry and want to keep him as Albuquerque's mayor, but profit from everybody else's misery and hardship.