Democracy for New Mexico

Rep. Martin Heinrich Answers Questions After BernCo Dem Convention

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Rep. Martin Heinrich (D, NM-01) hosted an intimate grassroots campaign event at The Blackbird Buvette (highly recommended) in downtown Albuquerque after the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County's Pre-Primary Convention on Saturday, February 20, 2010. Rep. Heinrich, as always his low-key, informed and friendly self, mingled with the crowd both before and after his remarks, and took questions on a variety of topics.

The public option (L) and continuing the health care reform fight

I thought you might like to see videos of some of Rep. Heinrich's comments on the issues, as well as photos from the event.

Questions on Afghanistan (L) and troop withdrawals from Iraq

As I'm sure you know, Martin will face re-election in November of this year, and the Republicans are definitely going to be hyperactive in supporting their right-wing candidate, hoping to snatch back the NM-01 House seat for the GOP. We're not going to let them, are we?

Getting story out in media (L), corporations meddling in politics

You can donate online to the Heinrich campaign via Act Blue. Click to volunteer to help out at his re-election campaign.

All photos and videos by M.E. Broderick.

Think About It: Our Real Enemies

"Our real enemies are not in some distant land. They're not people whose names we don't know and cultures we don't understand ... The enemy is a system that wages war when it's profitable ... the CEOs who lay us off from our jobs when it's profitable ... the insurance companies who deny us health care when it's profitable ... the banks who take away our homes when it's profitable. Our enemies are not five thousand miles away. They are right here at home."

--Mike Prysner, Iraq War Veteran

Rep. Martin Heinrich Will Deliver Your Holiday Card(s) to Vets & Troops

Rep. Martin Heinrich (NM-01) announced his “Holiday Cards for Our Troops” program in a statement released by his office. Congressman Heinrich is collecting cards for service members recovering from injuries and stationed away from their families this holiday season. He will then hand-deliver the cards to patients at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center in Albuquerque. Rep. Heinrich is also partnering with United Service Organizations (USO) to send holiday cards to troops stationed overseas. Cards collected by Rep. Heinrich will be included in troop-support packages and sent to Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The holiday season can be a difficult time of year for the men and women who serve our country,” said Rep. Heinrich. “Being away from friends, family and the comfort of tradition during the holidays is an incredible sacrifice. Having spent time with our service members, I know how much it means to them to hear from folks at home. Thoughtful words of encouragement and support from our community can make a huge difference in boosting the morale of our brave men and women who serve our country with honor.”

To participate in the program, make or purchase a holiday card, write a message of thanks inside to a service member, and deliver or mail the card to Rep. Heinrich’s office in downtown Albuquerque or his new office in the South Valley by Saturday, December 12, 2009. Please follow these guidelines:

• Address each card to a “Brave Service Member.”
• Individual envelopes are not necessary.
• If the cards are in envelopes please leave them unsealed.
• All cards must be signed.
• Please do not include your personal contact information (email, address, phone, etc.) or inserts (photos, gift cards, phone cards etc.).

Below are the addresses of Rep. Heinrich’s district offices:

Downtown Albuquerque Office: U.S Representative Martin Heinrich | 20 First Plaza NW Suite 603 | Albuquerque, NM 87102

South Valley Office: U.S Representative Martin Heinrich | 3211 Coors Blvd SW, Suite B3 | Albuquerque, NM 87121

For the full details of the program and guidelines, visit Rep. Heinrich’s Web site:

Obama Speaks in Rose Garden on House Passage of Health Insurance Reform, and Iraq

I thought you might enjoy seeing a press release I got from the White House today. It's a transcript of President Barack Obama's remarks in the Rose Garden this afternoon about House passage of the Affordable Health Care for America Act, as well as something the President defines as "a significant breakthrough in Iraq where Iraq's parliament has approved a new election law that paves the way for national elections early next year."

Congressman Teague Announces Retroactive Pay for Stop-Lossed Troops

Congressman Harry Teague (NM-02) issued a statement today applauding the Department of Defense for its decision to begin distributing retroactive compensation to the more than 185,000 stop-lossed troops since September 11, 2001. The payment provides $500 for every month a service member or veteran’s enlistment was involuntarily extended. Congress established this payment in the 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act enacted this summer.

“Our service men, women and veterans have served our country tirelessly, never faltering even when asked to stay and fight longer. In return, they deserve the best our country can offer,” said Teague, who's a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. “The stop-loss policy places a tremendous burden on the troops and their families. This monthly payment is just one step in honoring their commitment and dedication to our country.”

The Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay is available to service members of every military branch who had their enlistment extended or retirement suspended due to Stop Loss between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009. As of yesterday, service members were able to begin submitting claims for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay. All applications must be submitted to the respective services no later than Oct. 21, 2010. Family members of deceased service members should contact the appropriate military service for assistance in filing their claim.

Any service members or veterans needing assistance filing a claim to receive their stop-loss compensation can contact Congressman Teague’s office at 1-888-9-TEAGUE or online at www.teague.house.gov.

Terry Riley Guest Blog: Do Demonstrations Work?

This is a guest blog from Albuquerque activist Terry Riley.

Do demonstrations work? I listened to Elliot Adams on Sunday at the Pentagon for Peace presentation at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church on Silver SE in Albuquerque. Elliot is the past president of Veterans for Peace. He feels that though we have not stopped the Iraq war/occupation or the Afghanistan war/occupation we have extremely likely prevented a pre-emptive attack on Iran. Now, that is really quite an accomplishment! We have likely also had an impact on how the military industrial complex has conducted themselves in Iraq and Afghanistan, though it is hard to imagine that it could be much worse.

Locally, here in Albuquerque there was a recent demonstration in response to a young mother who is dying of an extremely rare disease. The reason for the demonstration was that her insurance company, Presbyterian Health Care, had chosen to stop providing a (extremely expensive) medicine that was giving her relief even though her insurance premiums have always been paid. The demonstration was held in front of Presbyterian Hospital on a Sunday afternoon and, in addition to this action, many people e-mailed the head of Presbyterian Health Care in support of Kendra. 

Yesterday the Albuquerque Journal had a front page article announcing that Presbyterian Health Care has begun providing that medicine for her again. There are many details and certainly many influences to Presbyterian's decision, but I believe that the demonstration and the e-mails applied pressure in support of Kendra.

I believe that demonstrations do work. Demonstrations are not the only avenue to take but they are a necessary part of a strong campaign to support or oppose an important issue. Please consider this when you read the next request for people to come out and stand in the streets. We do matter, we do affect the outcome. We do need more people to join us so that our issues are acted on more quickly, please join us, we have a world to save, environmental issues, military issues, healthcare issues, etc.

This is a guest blog by Terry Riley. If you'd like to submit a piece for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link on the upper left-hand corner of the page.

Pentagon of Peace to Visit New Mexico in October

From Veterans for Peace:

PENTAGON OF PEACE:
“FIVE FOR TRUTH”
New Mexico Tour Presented by
VETERANS FOR PEACE:
Taos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque
OCTOBER 9, 10 & 11TH

Click for schedules and flyers for all three locations.

Rep. Luján to Host New GI Bill Benefits Sign Up on Memorial Day in Santa Fe

Rep. Ben Ray Luján announced that he will host a New GI Bill sign up on Memorial Day in his Santa Fe district office. Veterans and their families can visit the office and sign up for education benefits under the New GI Bill. May 1 was the first day that veterans could sign up for new college benefits under the new GI Bill for the 21st Century that takes effect on August 1. Last year, Congress enacted the bill to restore the promise of a full, four-year college education for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

“Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have an opportunity to receive significant education benefits under the new GI Bill,” said Rep. Luján. “I encourage Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to apply for this program on Memorial Day at my Santa Fe district office.”

The New GI Bill benefits sign up and meet and greet with Rep. Ben Ray Luján will take place on Monday, May 25, from 1:30-3:00 PM (MT) at Rep. Luján’s Santa Fe District Office, 811 St. Michael's Dr., Suite 104. Staff will be available in the office from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Members of the military -- including activated reservists and members of the National Guard -- who have been honorably discharged from service with at least 90 days of active duty service on or after September 11, 2001 could receive up to four academic years of education benefits. These benefits include stipends for housing and books, and are correlated on a sliding scale relative to years served. To receive full benefits you must have served on active duty for three years. Veterans will have up to 15 years after they leave active duty to use their education benefits.

The new college benefit program will pay for:

· tuition and fees up to the maximum in-state tuition and fees at a public institution in your state;

· a monthly housing allowance at the location of the school, based on the Basic Allowance for Housing for an E-5 with dependents; and

· an annual books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000.

At 10:00 AM on Memorial Day, Rep. Luján will deliver the closing prayer at the Santa Fe National Cemetery Memorial Day Service, Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 North Guadalupe St., Santa Fe, NM.

Terry Riley Guest Blog: Memorial Day

This is a guest blog by Terry Riley of Veterans for Peace Albuquerque:

Memorial Day, holiday in the United States observed in late May. Previously designated Decoration Day, it was inaugurated in 1868 by Gen. John A. Logan for the purpose of decorating the graves of Civil War veterans and has since become a day on which all war dead are commemorated.

The Columbia Encyclopedia. Copyright © 2001-09 Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

Veterans Memorial Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico. This park, located at 1100 Louisiana Blvd. SE in Albuquerque, focuses on Veterans of all wars and all branches of the military. Memorial Day and Veterans Day veterans and their families fill the park for services and speeches commemorating military service and the sacrifices people have made for our country.

The Memorial Day and Veterans Day events in Albuquerque have excluded participation of Veterans for Peace, as though speaking out against war is somehow not patriotic. The Albuquerque Veterans for Peace have had to stand outside the park on these days, holding signs expressing an anti-war and non-violent message. This year the Albuquerque Chapter of Veterans for Peace will be inside the park with a display table on equal ground with other veteran’s organizations. With the help of the Albuquerque ACLU an appeal was filed with the City of Albuquerque asking for equal opportunity to table alongside other veteran’s organizations.

As we remember the veterans of our military branches who have served our country, enjoy that this year all veterans organizations will be able to participate at the Albuquerque Veterans Memorial Park. Please thank the American Civil Liberties Union for providing the legal expertise and legwork that has brought justice and equality to the day that we are all celebrating those who gave their lives for these values; equality, rule of law, justice, etc.

This is a guest blog by Terry Riley of Veterans for Peace Albuquerque. To submit a piece for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link on the upper left-hand corner of the page.

Memorial Day: Memory, War and the Memory of War

Dr. Louis Bickford, who manages the Memory, Memorials, and Museums program at the International Center for Transitional Justice, provides a timely and thought-provoking piece for Memorial Day entitled, Memory, War, and the Memory of War. Excerpt:

Memorial Day is meant to remind us of the hardship of war, and on this Memorial Day I find myself asking how we will remember the "war on terror." What will our children's children know about this period?

We choose in the present how future generations will remember the past. One of the great contributions of the human rights movement is showing that how we remember and memorialize trauma in the past -- torture under brutal regimes in Argentina or during the apartheid era of South Africa, the evil committed during the Holocaust -- can help prevent abuses in the future.

... Imagining the future, we may choose to remember the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, for example, more in terms of heroism than error, since that is the tendency of all nations. We may remember the irreparable loss of life of those who went to fight, and we will think about their families and the suffering they endured. Our national memory may focus on the deaths of the Americans, in the same way that our memories of Vietnam focus largely on American causalities.

Will we remember that there was a place called Abu Ghraib on the dusty outskirts of Baghdad, and that torture took place there, for which we were responsible? Will we remember that we acquiesced to a terrible policy put forward by our leaders and with the endorsement of many -- Democrats, Republicans, journalists, legal scholars -- that allowed for us to ignore international and American law prohibiting torture?

If we care about the future, we must, first, clarify the truth. Second, we must find ways of clearly condemning torture wherever and whenever it was committed. Third, we must take steps so that we remember our rejection of those acts. Our thinking about future memory is one way of preventing torture in the future.

...If former officials succeed in making us forget that there was torture and that it was contrary to our values, they will establish impunity for the present and also for the future. That must not be allowed to happen. Extreme violations of human rights in any context, including a war, are too important to forget. We want future generations to remember that we insisted on accountability for them. Those are good reasons to have Memorial Day.

On his PBS show last night, Bill Moyers ended the program with a commentary on Dr. Bickford's piece and what Memorial Day means. You can view video and text of Moyers' statement here.

Memorial Days Past: Time flies, but the Iraq war continues. Last year we posted on a visit by then presidential candidate Barack Obama and Gov. Bill Richardson to a Memorial Day gathering in Las Cruces. In 2007, we featured a piece by paralyzed Viet Nam war veteran Ron Kovic on the forgotten wounded of the Iraq war. In 2006, I wrote a post contemplating Iraq war casualties after watching HBO's Baghdad ER. And in 2005, I posted on veterans and others I believe should be honored as we remember American sacrifices and American history.