With just over a week to go, it looks to be a photo finish for Susana Martinez and Allen Weh. In last week's Eye Poll Eye On Albuquerque readers gave their indication of exactly how close the Republican Gubernatorial Primary is going to be.
Sliding in on top of our unscientific poll is Susana Martinez with 44% of the vote. Now, before the Martinez folks break out the bubbly, Allen Weh came in second with 43%. The difference? Just one vote.
Doug Turner took 3rd place with 9% and Janice Arnold-Jones and Pete Domenici, Jr. rounded out the voting with 2% each (view the results here). Unless there's a substantial change between now and June 1st, it's going to be a very late night for at least a couple of Republicans.
Lost in all of the gubernatorial hoopla has been that other statewide office - Lieutenant Governor. You know, the office that Diane Denish held before becoming a Republicrat (see the TV ad here).
In any case, believe it or not we've got 8 candidates in two parties vying for the number two spot in the state. On the D side it's Brian Colon, Lawrence Rael, Jose Campos, Gerald Ortiz Y Pino, and Linda Lopez. On the R side, Brian Moore, Kent Cravens, and John Sanchez are asking for the R vote. Tell us what you think in this week's Eye Polls!
May 24, 2010
May 18, 2010
Inquisition
If you watched the Albuquerque City Council for just about any amount of time during the trumped up "immigration debate," you were treated to an example of political grandstanding Albuquerque style. We're all used to this type of "debate" from Congress but the council's not usually quite as blatant in their pursuit of sound bites and political brownie points.
In Congress you can usually spot grandstanding when a senator or representative starts to question a witness, corporate executive, or bureaucrat with question like "don't you think that...?" Then follows those four words with a 10 minute speech about what the poor schelp testifying should be thinking.
Monday's little council melee' was an exercise in fear-mongering. Councilors Sanchez, Garduno, O'Malley and Benton were attempting to conjure up horrific images of citizens of Hispanic decent being dragged from their beds in the middle of the night to be handed over to ICE for interrogation and of victims of domestic violence who are here either legally or illegally being afraid to contact police because of a immigration status check.
The policy itself only applies to those who are arrested and taken into custody. Then it applies to everyone who is arrested regardless of race, creed, or color. Everyone is finger printed. Everyone is checked for immigration status. Just like everyone will be run through NCIC.
The fingerprinting policy alone could result in numerous arrests for outstanding warrants. The truth is most criminals tend to commit more than one crime. Those that have come here illegally have already committed a crime when they chose to ignore U.S. immigration law. How is checking immigration status any different than searching for wants and warrants?
Officers generally check to see if you're wanted for other crimes any time they make a stop. If you're speeding or your brake light is out, they're gonna check. The simple fact is - that information could save their life if they come into contact with someone suspected of a violent crime. Mayor Berry's new administrative policy won't go into effect unless and until a suspect is taken into custody.
Monday night's council meeting reminded us of the Spanish Inquisition with Councilors Sanchez, Garduno, Benton, and O'Malley acting as Grand Inquisitors. All that was lacking was an order to tie Mayor Berry's representatives to a rock and throw them in Tingley Beach to see if they float. If they float, the policy's evil and can be burned at the stake. If they drown, then... well... oops.
In Congress you can usually spot grandstanding when a senator or representative starts to question a witness, corporate executive, or bureaucrat with question like "don't you think that...?" Then follows those four words with a 10 minute speech about what the poor schelp testifying should be thinking.
Monday's little council melee' was an exercise in fear-mongering. Councilors Sanchez, Garduno, O'Malley and Benton were attempting to conjure up horrific images of citizens of Hispanic decent being dragged from their beds in the middle of the night to be handed over to ICE for interrogation and of victims of domestic violence who are here either legally or illegally being afraid to contact police because of a immigration status check.
The policy itself only applies to those who are arrested and taken into custody. Then it applies to everyone who is arrested regardless of race, creed, or color. Everyone is finger printed. Everyone is checked for immigration status. Just like everyone will be run through NCIC.
The fingerprinting policy alone could result in numerous arrests for outstanding warrants. The truth is most criminals tend to commit more than one crime. Those that have come here illegally have already committed a crime when they chose to ignore U.S. immigration law. How is checking immigration status any different than searching for wants and warrants?
Officers generally check to see if you're wanted for other crimes any time they make a stop. If you're speeding or your brake light is out, they're gonna check. The simple fact is - that information could save their life if they come into contact with someone suspected of a violent crime. Mayor Berry's new administrative policy won't go into effect unless and until a suspect is taken into custody.
[Sidebar]As we've said before, Mayor Berry's new policy might have prevented the rape of a 6 year old girl. And oddly enough, Governor Bill Richardson agrees.
Much of last night's debate involved whether or not the new "procedure" was a policy. Councilors Garduno and Sanchez were in a bit of a twist over the distinction. They claimed that if it was a "policy" then the city council should have been consulted.
The City of Albuquerque has a strong executive form of government. The mayor and his designees are charged with setting administrative policy. If the council wants to weigh-in they have the authority to do so through their charter granted legislative authority. Their efforts failed.
[End Sidebar]
Gov. Bill Richardson on Monday told the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department to start reporting violent juvenile criminals who are foreign nationals to immigration authorities.
CYFD has not been reporting them to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement since 2006, when Mary-Dale Bolson, then secretary of CYFD, suspended a state regulation requiring CYFD to do so, CYFD spokeswoman Romaine Serna said Monday.Look... The idea that immigration should only be enforced at the border is an abrogation of responsibility. In fact it encourages illegal immigration by removing the threat of deportation if an illegal can just make it far enough into the country.
But that regulation, which required CYFD to report all foreign nationals entering its system, was in place when Juan Gonzalez, a Mexican national who's now 20 years old, was accused in 2005 of raping a 6-year-old boy and molesting a 3-year-old girl.
Monday night's council meeting reminded us of the Spanish Inquisition with Councilors Sanchez, Garduno, Benton, and O'Malley acting as Grand Inquisitors. All that was lacking was an order to tie Mayor Berry's representatives to a rock and throw them in Tingley Beach to see if they float. If they float, the policy's evil and can be burned at the stake. If they drown, then... well... oops.
May 17, 2010
Political Theater
Councilors Ken Sanchez and Rey Garduno are looking for their time in the political spotlight. The two have alerted the media that they plan to try and add Mayor Berry's new APD illegal immigration policy to tonight's council agenda. Their objective is to prevent the mayor from checking whether or not a criminal has already committed a crime by entering the country illegally.
In addition, the two intrepid councilors are proposing that the city join the few states, schools, and cities that are "boycotting" Arizona. Siding with Sanchez and Garduno is none other than Isaac Benton.
This isn't Benton's first foray into international affairs. Back in January of 2009, Benton characterized the Israeli conflict with Palestine as "genocide" (ABQ Journal - Subscription).
Look... Mayor Berry's new SOP, is no different than checking those who are arrested for wants and warrants. We'd argue that the policy doesn't quite go far enough, but the truth is Berry's policy could have prevented the rape of a six year old girl earlier this month.
This looks to us like a case of political "me toos" designed to garner support from a far left constituency. It certainly makes for good political theater, but in reality a majority the public wants a secure border and Mayor Berry's new policy is a step toward that goal.
In addition, the two intrepid councilors are proposing that the city join the few states, schools, and cities that are "boycotting" Arizona. Siding with Sanchez and Garduno is none other than Isaac Benton.
This isn't Benton's first foray into international affairs. Back in January of 2009, Benton characterized the Israeli conflict with Palestine as "genocide" (ABQ Journal - Subscription).
Look... Mayor Berry's new SOP, is no different than checking those who are arrested for wants and warrants. We'd argue that the policy doesn't quite go far enough, but the truth is Berry's policy could have prevented the rape of a six year old girl earlier this month.
Juan Gonzalez told police he has "problems touching little children" after he was arrested earlier this week on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl at an Albuquerque gym, officials said.Not all immigrants are criminals - not even illegal immigrants (except for that whole illegally being in the country thing). But what Sanchez, Garduno, and Benton are proposing is that police officers intentionally ignore the crime of entering the country illegally when performing a legal investigation.
Gonzalez, a 20-year-old Mexican national, was being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center late Thursday on a $200,000 cash-only bond, jail records show. He is charged with criminal sexual penetration, kidnapping and evidence tampering.
This looks to us like a case of political "me toos" designed to garner support from a far left constituency. It certainly makes for good political theater, but in reality a majority the public wants a secure border and Mayor Berry's new policy is a step toward that goal.
When You Can’t Attack the Content
The Chavez administration - according to our Eyes - was obsessed with finding "The Eye." Now it seems new (and a few of the old) power brokers have launched a campaign against an individual they think is the Eye. While the attention may be flattering, the question is why does it matter?
“Thus, an ingenious attacker makes the defender at a loss how to defend; an ingenious defender makes the attacker at a loss how to attack.” Zhang Huimin
The individual formerly known as the Almighty Alcade died a slow political death of a thousand cuts. Eye on Albuquerque along with a number of other sites and media outlets, simply presented the issues and information as they were occurring. In truth, most of the cuts were administered by the Almighty Alcade and his minions themselves. Painful for a man with an Ivy League Education I know, but he must have missed the history class about Marcus Junius Brutus. (More on this later.)
As you watch politicians on the news, they will often use a common device. When they cannot answer a question they employ a distraction or avoidance technique. If they cannot evade, they attack the messenger. Again this is a normal political tactic.
One would hope they would be smarter than that. Recently our sources tell us that some city power brokers have become “concerned” and have tried to entice reporters to write articles about The Eye on Albuquerque. Yet, there are new posts and even new contributors. Priceless!
In my opinion it was more entertaining watching the chess games being played with the Almighty Alcade. When some of the new members stepped in, the games turned from chess to checkers. A good quote or sound bite is rarely a substitute for a sound strategy and never a substitute for honesty and integrity.
A bombastic nature is truly one of the greatest assets that can be developed in the media and provides for great entertainment. It can also be utilized to effectively distract the public.
You (as citizens) should ask some serious questions. We have a new administration that ran on a platform of lean government, transparency, and fighting crime. If this is true why do we have almost the same APD leadership? Why do we have a new public safety Czar? What does the position truly bring to the City of Albuquerque? What are the citizens getting for the salary? Why was this position kept when there are so many budget shortfalls? Was this a political payback, and if so for what?
Eye on Albuquerque was and is intended to be anonymous. Not to hide, but to allow a river of communication to emerge. It has emerged; in fact there are now thousands of posts and comments. This provides for something called content. It would appear the administration (past and present) has been unable to find a way to stop citizens from reading and posting about the issues that concern them.
Now some power brokers think they know who they should attack. Again, with vigor and zeal they march forward not knowing or understanding who or how to attack. Worse they have no concept of the stage on which they will be forced to perform.
Is the content so disconcerting? Is the message so dangerous?
Who am I? Who we are we? I am a shadow, one that is always there, one you will never see. Nice try, but you‘re not even close. As far as the content, Eye on Albuquerque will continue to post what we see, and let the readers decide. Remember you will always have a Shadow.
“Thus, an ingenious attacker makes the defender at a loss how to defend; an ingenious defender makes the attacker at a loss how to attack.” Zhang Huimin
The individual formerly known as the Almighty Alcade died a slow political death of a thousand cuts. Eye on Albuquerque along with a number of other sites and media outlets, simply presented the issues and information as they were occurring. In truth, most of the cuts were administered by the Almighty Alcade and his minions themselves. Painful for a man with an Ivy League Education I know, but he must have missed the history class about Marcus Junius Brutus. (More on this later.)
As you watch politicians on the news, they will often use a common device. When they cannot answer a question they employ a distraction or avoidance technique. If they cannot evade, they attack the messenger. Again this is a normal political tactic.
One would hope they would be smarter than that. Recently our sources tell us that some city power brokers have become “concerned” and have tried to entice reporters to write articles about The Eye on Albuquerque. Yet, there are new posts and even new contributors. Priceless!
In my opinion it was more entertaining watching the chess games being played with the Almighty Alcade. When some of the new members stepped in, the games turned from chess to checkers. A good quote or sound bite is rarely a substitute for a sound strategy and never a substitute for honesty and integrity.
A bombastic nature is truly one of the greatest assets that can be developed in the media and provides for great entertainment. It can also be utilized to effectively distract the public.
You (as citizens) should ask some serious questions. We have a new administration that ran on a platform of lean government, transparency, and fighting crime. If this is true why do we have almost the same APD leadership? Why do we have a new public safety Czar? What does the position truly bring to the City of Albuquerque? What are the citizens getting for the salary? Why was this position kept when there are so many budget shortfalls? Was this a political payback, and if so for what?
Eye on Albuquerque was and is intended to be anonymous. Not to hide, but to allow a river of communication to emerge. It has emerged; in fact there are now thousands of posts and comments. This provides for something called content. It would appear the administration (past and present) has been unable to find a way to stop citizens from reading and posting about the issues that concern them.
Now some power brokers think they know who they should attack. Again, with vigor and zeal they march forward not knowing or understanding who or how to attack. Worse they have no concept of the stage on which they will be forced to perform.
Is the content so disconcerting? Is the message so dangerous?
Who am I? Who we are we? I am a shadow, one that is always there, one you will never see. Nice try, but you‘re not even close. As far as the content, Eye on Albuquerque will continue to post what we see, and let the readers decide. Remember you will always have a Shadow.
May 16, 2010
Down to the Wire
The traditional Albuquerque Journal Brian Sanderoff poll hit doorsteps all over town Sunday. (We won't dwell on the diminishing number of doorsteps being hit by rolled up paper and ink.) Sanderoff's poll usually comes out a few weeks before an election and some believe it may have an impact on the election itself.
The Sanderoff poll places Allen Weh and Susana Martinez in a statistical tie with 31% and 30% respectively. Pete Domenici, Jr. came in next with 10%, Doug Turner with 6%, Janice Arnold-Jones came in with 3%, and there were 20% undecided (ABQ Journal - Subscription).
Needless to say, the leaders are busy trumpeting that they're "in the lead" in speeches, mailers, websites, and via email, while the trailing candidates start talking about election day surprises. The simple fact is that barring a miracle, it's a two-way race as we come to the wire.
So... What better time to bring back The Eye Poll? This week we're asking who you think will prevail in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Don't forget to vote!
The Sanderoff poll places Allen Weh and Susana Martinez in a statistical tie with 31% and 30% respectively. Pete Domenici, Jr. came in next with 10%, Doug Turner with 6%, Janice Arnold-Jones came in with 3%, and there were 20% undecided (ABQ Journal - Subscription).
Needless to say, the leaders are busy trumpeting that they're "in the lead" in speeches, mailers, websites, and via email, while the trailing candidates start talking about election day surprises. The simple fact is that barring a miracle, it's a two-way race as we come to the wire.
So... What better time to bring back The Eye Poll? This week we're asking who you think will prevail in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Don't forget to vote!
May 13, 2010
Albuquerque Moves Closer to Arizona
It only took a graphic example of what could have been prevented, but today at least the City of Albuquerque took a step closer to Arizona. Mayor Berry announced APD's new policy regarding illegal aliens which boils down to if there's suspicion that a person who's arrested is in this country illegally ICE will be notified. It will then be up to the Feds to determine whether or not the suspect is held for an immigration violation.
Unfortunately the move came too late to save a 6 year-old girl from an alleged rape, but at least police officers will be able to notify immigration authorities when they have an illegal in custody for another crime. Obviously the blame for the previous sanctuary policy rests squarely on the shoulders of previous administration. This new policy is a good start, but may not go far enough.
Unfortunately the move came too late to save a 6 year-old girl from an alleged rape, but at least police officers will be able to notify immigration authorities when they have an illegal in custody for another crime. Obviously the blame for the previous sanctuary policy rests squarely on the shoulders of previous administration. This new policy is a good start, but may not go far enough.
Welcome Shadow
Our last post was the 700th post on Eye On Albuquerque. It seems like a perfect time to introduce a new contributor. It's with great pleasure that we introduce our newest Eye... Shadow.
The one thing that's impossible to shake is your shadow and our newest contributor is busy following the power brokers and bureaucrats around the halls of government gathering all of the dark secrets ferreted away in those dark recesses. We look forward to a new contributor and a whole new set of revealing Eyes.
The one thing that's impossible to shake is your shadow and our newest contributor is busy following the power brokers and bureaucrats around the halls of government gathering all of the dark secrets ferreted away in those dark recesses. We look forward to a new contributor and a whole new set of revealing Eyes.
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