New Mexico Mercury

She Shoulda Said It Better

In her gold necklace, and $3000 red dress, the neatly coiffed New Mexico Secretary  of Human Services, Sidonie Squier knows a thing or two about hunger and poverty. Obviously, from her getup, we know Squier knows the feeling when the growling stomach bumps up against the spine, the hands tremble uncontrollably and thinking is a dull haze. Obviously, Squier knows the dread of staring into your own child’s eyes and seeking an apology, some remorse, some explanation because there is nothing to eat in the house..

With All Our Sun and Wind, Why Isn’t New Mexico Number One?

The extent to which the fossil fuel industry’s powerful lobbies have New Mexico’s vision of its future in their thrall can best be seen in a head-shaking omission. New Mexico is not competing to be the solar and wind power capital of the world. And we all can guess why.

It’s not about the price of technologies, not about batteries, not about the “intermittency” of wind and solar sources. These matters are handily dismissed by money, incentives, legislative will, and executive vision. It’s all about who will lose money from transitioning to renewable energy and who won’t...

Weekly Poem: durable whiteness

still flayed by the swollen pelt racked by pain
durable whiteness
amidst the cracked red sea
a new landscape across my canvas
a new story
you orestes
me hypatia
alack...

Let them eat tortillas

Mercury Musings

Voting in the ABQ City Election Requires Your Provide an ID

When you go to vote in the upcoming municipal election, be sure to bring an ID with you. There is a lot of confusion out there about the procedure, but city elections require you bring a form of ID to the poll with you (driver’s license, student ID, credit card.)

Here’s how this came about...

The Mexican Uprising Deepens

Less than one year after taking office, the administration of Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto faces serious challenges to its core policies. Leading the opposition are tens of thousands of public school teachers protesting the new No Child Left Behind-like law they contend will cost jobs,  aggravate educational inequities and lead to privatization.

The protest, which counts months now, is expanding in both scope and participation and more and more assuming the character of a multi-issue popular movement...

Fortune Teller

El Machete

Whitest Emmys Ever (and Michael Douglas’ Gay Jokes)

Modern Family creator Steven Levitan said, “This might be the saddest Emmys of all time” while accepting his award for best comedy. I argue that this may be the whitest Emmys ever. Whiter than other Emmys? Probably not. But it feels that way. And it feels a little homophobic, too.

Every, single winner on the awards show was white. Levitan’s comment was in reference to the many, sad “in memoriam” segments in the show. I think it was sad, too, because I’m saddened by television’s lack of commitment to strong roles for people of color...

Monetize the Rio Grande Now—Gotta Do It!

Our low profile, no controversy mayor has just released new plans for the Richard Berry Bosque Access Center (RBBAC) with the fifty story riverfront Disney Hotel complex and the Aldo Leopold Memorial ten-story parking structure, sculpture park, and miniature golf metroplex.

The project is slated to be built in the next two weeks before anyone has a chance to ask any unpleasant questions.  Contractors from Arizona have all been chosen, so don’t worry your pretty little head about all the noisome details...

Keep Big Money out of Publicly Financed Races

Voters in Albuquerque and Santa Fe overwhelmingly voted to establish public financing systems in both cities to eliminate the influence of special-interest money on our elected officials and to permit them to take office beholden to no one but the voters who elected them.

The systems are now facing two challenges, one old and one brand new...