New Mexico Mercury

Is New Mexico Justice Crisis at a Tipping Point?

The recent killing of a homeless camper by APD is just the latest in a long list of egregious violations of public trust by local and state law enforcement authorities that erupted in Albuquerque protests on Tuesday.

Enfranchisement: Right or Duty?

In June, 2013, the US Supreme Court struck down the most important aspect of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), thus paving the way for the flood of states that have since, either legislatively or judicially, opened to marriage equality. It was a pivotal moment for LGBTQ citizens and our allies. At the same time, in Shelby County vs. Holder, the Court gutted Section 4b of the Voting Rights Act, achieved through struggle and sacrifice at the height of the Civil Rights Movement in 1965. That decision was as disappointing as the other was joyous...

Only the Sane Love Susana

One of the most solid and fubsy accomplishments of our dear Republican governor Susana Martinez—the systematic destruction of social services, especially mental health services, is a sterling monument to the wider fulfillment of human potential and ethical greatness of heart, the fulfillment of holy prophecy to shrink government, and the fulfillment of  divine law that each and every human should be identity chipped and examined as a potential profit center. Faulty chip sets must be eliminated. Anyone who hints “abnormal” must be destroyed...

APD Killing of Homeless Man Alarming & Heartbreaking

The release of a video showing the latest Albuquerque police shooting and killing of a homeless man camping in a restricted area in the foothills of the Sandía Mountains casts yet more serious questions about one of the state’s largest law-enforcement agencies. Two Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officers each fired three shots at 38-year-old James Boyd, who police claim made threatening moves and refused to drop a knife in each of his hands.

The lack of resources and programs to help those who are struggling with mental-health issues is quite evident in incidents like these...

El Machete: WIPP Leak

WIPP Leak

Provincial Matters, 3-24-2014

V.B. Price's weekly collection of appreciations and observations.

El Machete: Sister Megan Rice

Sister Megan Rice

The Scorecard on ABQ Sprawl

The Albuquerque region has been engaged in an epic growth battle for at least the past decade. Much of the struggle occurs in the city council chambers, in the county commission public hearings, and in water and air board meetings. The combatants are large landholders, property developers and businesses (think Chamber of Commerce and NAIOP) on one side, pitted against neighborhood activists, conservationists, smart businesses, planners and good government folks on the other.

One side wants business-as-usual (BAU) where the levers of public power can be manipulated for private gain.  The other side sees a very different future...

Never Connect the Dots

One of the things I never do is connect the dots. I also never follow the money, or listen for the other shoe to drop. This warm and numb attitude has made me the happy-go-lucky guy I am, a guy with an unwavering smile on my face even while I sleep.

This morning, after waking with my ever-present grin, I even laughed a little when I learned about Fantase Public Schools. They have started a new program up there called Engage Fantase to recapture students who have dropped out of school because they were bored with the public kind of education...

The ACLU’s Border Checkpoint

Driving on 1-25 north of Las Cruces, New Mexico, motorists are forced to detour through a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint set up to enforce immigration and drug laws.  Often, a friendly agent will ask the vehicle occupant (s) to affirm U.S. citizenship status before sending the traveler on his or her way.  Occasionally, agents will simply peer into a car and wave travelers on without first asking questions. Other times, drivers are asked to pull over for a vehicle search that might include a go-over by a dope-sniffing dog.

On Wednesday, March 19, travelers heading north on 1-25 encountered another checkpoint for the first time ever: the “Know your Rights Checkpoint” organized by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)...