Gregory Hollister

Lujan Grisham flips out after TX Gov. Abbott’s razor wire on NM border

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has expressed frustration in response to Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s ongoing efforts to fortify the Texas border with New Mexico, but Abbott’s actions reflect his firm commitment to securing his state from illegal immigration—something that Lujan Grisham has failed to address in the Land of Enchantment.

Gov. Abbott’s latest move involved deploying the Texas National Guard to install additional razor wire and fencing along the Rio Grande, particularly in the El Paso area. This action comes as part of his broader initiative to curb illegal crossings into Texas, a significant issue. 

Abbott has emphasized that Texas cannot sit idly by while the federal government struggles to address the ongoing border crisis. “Texas is fighting back. We are tripling our razor wire border barriers to deny illegal entry into our state and our country,” Abbott tweeted, underscoring his proactive stance on border security.

While Governor Lujan Grisham criticized the move, suggesting Abbott is treating Texas as if it were its own country (which it actually used to be) and ignoring the interconnectedness between states, particularly in regions like the oil-rich Permian Basin, her stance contrasts starkly with Abbott’s. 

“Gov. Abbott seems to be pushing to make Texas its own country without regard for his neighbors or the fact that Texas is already part of a great nation—the United States,” she claimed.

She has remained the only border-state governor to reject federal assistance aimed at alleviating the migrant influx, positioning her as an outlier among her peers when it comes to border management. This has left New Mexico more exposed to the fallout from border security lapses, particularly in areas like Sunland Park, where smuggling activities have been rampant.

Abbott and his supporters see these actions as essential in the absence of meaningful federal reform. Texas has seen firsthand the consequences of a porous border, and Abbott’s efforts reflect a commitment to filling the security gaps that, in his view, the Biden administration has neglected.

Lujan Grisham’s refusal to take similar actions or cooperate with Texas on border security continues to raise questions, especially as Texas remains vigilant in protecting its residents. While Abbott is taking tangible steps to safeguard his state, Lujan Grisham’s criticism highlights the stark difference in leadership approaches between the two border governors.

Starbucks under fire in Taos—literally! What’s sparking the outrage?

After two incidents of arson at a Starbucks construction site in Taos, New Mexico, a determined developer is making another attempt to establish the town’s first drive-through location for the coffee giant. The small community of 6,500, known for its history of resistance to outside influences, has given the would-be Starbucks the moniker “Charbucks.” In response to the attacks, a construction firm from Albuquerque has bolstered security with video surveillance and an on-site guard stationed in a camouflaged trailer.

The planned Starbucks, which the company aims to open by the spring of 2025, has sparked a range of reactions among locals. Just a short distance away, patrons at World Cup, one of Taos’ oldest independent coffee shops, remain guarded in their comments. One local, Todd Lazar, expressed his thoughts, saying, “We don’t know who did it, but we loved it,” reflecting the sentiment that national chains like Starbucks are unwelcome intrusions into the town’s unique culture.

Opposition to Starbucks in Taos mirrors the criticisms the chain has faced globally, with detractors arguing that it threatens local businesses and drains money from communities. Stickers opposing the Starbucks, featuring the company’s mermaid logo engulfed in flames with the face replaced by La Calavera Catrina—a figure associated with Mexico’s Day of the Dead—have appeared on local businesses.

The site of the intended Starbucks has been marred by two fires, the first in August 2023, followed by another in October. The initial attack left the words “NO” (preceded by an expletive) spray-painted on the partially burned structure. 

Sylvia Rodriguez, an emerita professor of anthropology at the University of New Mexico, described Taos as a “dynamic and volatile contact zone,” reflecting the town’s complex cultural landscape and historical resistance to outside influence. Despite these challenges, the Taos town council has supported the Starbucks project, viewing it as a source of jobs and tax revenue. However, local business owners like Andrea Meyer argue that jobs aren’t the issue, but rather the lack of affordable housing that forces many workers out of the area.

Following the second arson attack, two or three national chains reconsidered their plans to set up shop in Taos, according to Christopher Larsen, the town’s economic development director. He noted that the prevailing sentiment is that “Taos doesn’t want corporate America.”

Starbucks, a wake corporation, has emphasized the safety of its employees as a top priority. While no injuries are reported from the fires, the company plans to work closely with local law enforcement once the store opens. The town has offered a $30,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the fires, but so far, no arrests have been made, though authorities believe they have identified suspects.

Pablo Flores, owner of the Coffee Apothecary in Taos, expressed a mix of dismay at the growing presence of national chains and condemnation of the violent actions against them. Flores urged those unhappy with Taos’ changes to simply not support such businesses rather than resort to destruction, emphasizing, “Don’t burn it down, that’s not cool.”

Border Patrol arrests terrorist bomb maker in NM, second suspect on the run

New Mexico has become a focal point for security concerns, as it serves as a crossing point for criminal and terrorist aliens attempting to enter the United States. 

Recently, law enforcement in New Mexico arrested a Palestinian man at the border who was previously convicted in Israel for making bombs. 

The man, who had served 20 months in an Israeli prison for his involvement in terrorism, was apprehended as he tried to cross into the U.S. through the southern border.

The arrest is raising alarms among law enforcement agencies, as it highlights the potential for terrorists to exploit vulnerabilities in the U.S. border security system. According to sources, the search continues for another suspect believed to have terrorist ties, sparking concerns about whether more such individuals could successfully enter the U.S. unnoticed.

One key issue raised by local law enforcement is the lack of communication between federal agencies and regional police forces. News reports have indicated that while Border Patrol agents were alerted to the potential threat posed by bomb makers attempting to cross the border, local authorities were not informed in advance. 

This has led to frustration among local officials who feel they are not receiving the critical intelligence needed to protect their communities effectively.

New Mexico, with its vast, difficult-to-monitor terrain, is increasingly being seen as a hub for illegal crossings by criminal elements, including those with terrorist connections. 

The arrest of the Palestinian bomb maker is a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges at the southern border and the need for better coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement to prevent further incidents. New Mexico’s Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has refused calls to send resources down to the border to apprehend criminal aliens, terrorist aliens, and the flow of deadly fentanyl.

The hunt for the second suspect continues as security concerns mount.

NM’s July voter registration stats look promising for GOP

Registration statistics from New Mexico show that the number of Republicans is surging, at least in July, with a large number of new voters registered in the Land of Enchantment.

As Democrats continue infighting while lame-duck Biden stalls in the presidency and Kamala Harris attempts a shot at the White House, Democrats are slipping behind the GOP in new voter registrations.

1,233 new registered Republicans have appeared on the voter rolls, while Democrats only added 590 new voters in the same month.

Nationwide, it looks even more promising for Republicans, with a total of 252,794 new GOP voters added, while the Democrats lost 19,088 voters.

In California alone, Republicans added 94,667 voters while Democrats lost 43,733.

Democrats have reportedly lost 3.5 million voters since the contested 2020 election. Republicans have added a net 393,365 voters, while Democrats lost 3,584,321. New York and Pennsylvania have lost the most Democrats, with the Empire State Losing 410,386 and the Keystone State losing 329,289, respectively. 

New Mexico has lost 29,397 Democrats, while Republicans in the Land of Enchantment have lost only 3,963. 

With states like New Mexico in play for Republicans, momentum appears to be shifting toward the Grand Old Party.

In the state, the latest polls show Republican 45th President Donald Trump trailing Kamala Harris by a mere seven percent while Republican Nella Domenici is trailing U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich by only six points — showing the state is very much in play.

The latest voter registration data for New Mexico can be accessed here.

‘Shame on you’: Livid gov trashes ‘never serious,’ ‘failed’ Dems for resisting her

On Monday morning, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham visited a problematic area in downtown Albuquerque to highlight the need for the upcoming special legislative session aimed at addressing public safety and mental health issues.

Governor Lujan Grisham criticized some legislators for canceling critical meetings, lunches, and hearings ahead of the special session, stating, “Which tells me they were never serious about supporting any of these issues in the first place. My message for them on behalf of the business owners and the people living here is, ‘Shame on you.’”

Amid pushback from Democrat leaders, the governor declared, “Enough is enough.” She emphasized that legislative and city leaders, including Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, are committed to tackling these pressing issues. “I’ve got legislative policy markers, lawmakers who have a sense that the mayor and I, and others, aren’t really considering this issue from an affordability and a place of compassion,” Lujan Grisham said, aiming to prove her critics wrong.

During her visit to 1st Street and Prospect Avenue, an area plagued by homeless encampments, Mayor Keller noted, “We had 3,000 calls for service for encampments, and as I mentioned, we clean about 200 encampments a month.” Both the governor and mayor believe the proposed bills could bring much-needed relief. “You can’t walk on the sidewalk. You can’t enter these businesses. These business owners can barely keep their doors open. They spend more time on their own public safety and the environment around their business,” Lujan Grisham added.

One proposed bill would change how courts handle offenders found incompetent to stand trial. “If these individuals will not seek care and break the law and come right back to the streets, there is nothing we can do to interrupt this chaos,” the governor stated.

Local business owners, like William Johnson of ABQ’s Best Equipment Service, are frustrated with the situation. “We’re scared to be out there sometimes because they are throwing needles over the fence while we are back there working. Same thing, they are out there smoking whatever,” Johnson said.

Governor Lujan Grisham urged New Mexicans to support the special session, stating, “The climate is so harsh that you are not safe anywhere. I would say to those legislators, ‘I don’t believe New Mexicans think you can wait, and I don’t frankly understand why you think you can.’” She called on citizens to contact their lawmakers and hold them accountable for either addressing the issues or allowing the chaos to continue.

The special session, set to begin on Thursday, has sparked significant debate among lawmakers. Democrat leaders held a news conference on Monday, arguing that the session is a waste of time and taxpayer money. They claim there has been insufficient time to reach a consensus on the proposed bills.

“We appreciate the important issues that the governor has raised, calling this special session, particularly around the nexus of behavioral health care and public safety,” said House Speaker Javier Martinez. However, he emphasized the need for thorough legislative consideration, stating, “As state lawmakers, we also have a constitutional duty as a separate and coequal branch of government to fully consider the legislation that comes before us and the potential impact it may have on New Mexicans.”

Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth criticized the timing of the special session, stating, “Special sessions only work when the bills are cooked. We thought we had an agreement with the governor that she wouldn’t proceed unless there was consensus. The governor went ahead and called this session before we had even started working on these bills; that’s certainly her prerogative.” He added, “We have worked hard to try and find bipartisan consensus on the bills that were proposed. As the speaker said, we’re just not there.”

Senator Mimi Stewart expressed concern about rushing the process, stating, “We do not believe these concerns can be effectively remedied in a very condensed special legislative session. It’s simply too important to rush into this and risk harming that will take up more of our time down the road to unwind and repair.”

Republicans, meanwhile, are eager to address public safety issues. House Republican Leader Rod Montoya said, “Once again, progressive Democrats have failed to take the New Mexico crime problem seriously. House Republicans are prepared with a tough-on-crime package and are ready to work. New Mexicans are relying on their elected officials to ensure their safety. However, this chaos in the Roundhouse is disheartening and leaves New Mexicans feeling less secure than ever.”

Senate Republican Leader Greg Baca echoed this sentiment, stating, “Despite all of the voices of detractors on the prospect of improving our state, anything we can do to make our families safer is worth our time. We have many bills we are ready to introduce during this special session that we believe would make a measurable impact in the lives of the people of our state and we are ready to work with anyone to meaningfully address public safety.”

Governor Lujan Grisham’s spokesman released a statement criticizing Democrat legislative leaders for not engaging meaningfully with the governor’s proposals. “The governor’s proposals to improve public safety in New Mexico in a special session should have come as no surprise to any lawmaker who was paying attention. Legislators had competency legislation on their plate beginning in January, and they rejected it. Gov. Lujan Grisham then began signaling her intent to call a special session before the end of the regular session in February.”

The statement continued, “Democratic legislative leaders have failed to meaningfully engage with the governor and her team on the substance of her proposals to help keep New Mexicans safe. Over the past several months, they’ve resisted productive discussions of what would be possible to accomplish in a special session and refused to offer any viable legislative alternatives. If lawmakers adjourn without taking up the governor’s proposals to make our state safer this week, the decision will come at the expense of New Mexicans who are demanding public safety reforms. Just today, the governor met with two business owners in Albuquerque who have been assaulted and burglarized at their place of business. Crime is a serious problem in New Mexico. This can’t wait.”

Parents in seven NM school districts left in the dark about kids being ‘transitioned’

Seven major New Mexico school districts, responsible for the education of thousands of children, have implemented policies that allow students to change their “gender identity” in school without notifying their parents, as revealed by the DailyMail.com.

The conservative group Parents Defending Education (PDE) uncovered these policies through public records requests. The documents show that teachers are instructed to help transgender students change their names, pronouns, clothing, and gender identity without parental knowledge.

Transgender advocates argue that these guidelines are essential for protecting students from unsupportive parents. However, many parents believe these policies are dangerous and deny them the opportunity to support their children through difficult times.

PDE’s outreach director, Erika Sanzi, criticized the schools for their “indefensible and likely illegal” policies, stating, “Any time a school participates in or facilitates a student’s transition, they are engaging in a psychosocial intervention that requires parental notification and consent. Federal law guarantees parents the right to view every record maintained by the district, and that includes gender support plans.”

The schools in question—Los Alamos Public Schools, Rio Rancho Public Schools, Las Cruces Public Schools, Gallup-McKinley County Schools, Moriarty-Edgewood School District, Santa Fe Public Schools, and Gadsden Independent School District—did not respond to inquiries from DailyMail.com. PDE plans to add these schools to its national database of institutions with secret transgender policies.

New Mexico is known for its progressive stance on transgender youth, offering protections from discrimination and bullying. Last year, Democratic Governor Michelle Grisham signed a law safeguarding sex-change procedures in the state.

Santa Fe Public Schools, comprising 28 institutions, has one of the most stringent confidentiality policies, instructing teachers to “MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY — THIS IS CRITICAL.” The internal guide states, “Do NOT share the student’s transgender status with anyone else. This is HIGHLY confidential information.” Parents are only informed if a student wishes to change their name or gender marker in the school’s database.

In the Moriarty-Edgewood School District, teachers are instructed to determine if students “feel safe” and whether their “parents know” about their gender transition. When parents are unaware, only a counselor is involved.

The documents also include educational materials like the “Gender Unicorn,” which promotes the concept of gender as a fluid spectrum, and the ‘Genderbread Person,’ which educates about intersex and ‘genderqueer’ identities. These materials aim to challenge traditional notions of biological sex.

Parents’ concerns extend beyond New Mexico. In Wisconsin, a group of parents recently protested a gender support policy in the Eau Claire Area School District, appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on the matter. The group, Parents Protecting Our Children, argues that the district’s policy violates their constitutional rights by excluding them from their children’s gender transitions.

Nicholas Barry, a lawyer from America First Legal, asserted that the Supreme Court “should step in and protect parental rights,” emphasizing that parental exclusion from a child’s social transition is “simply disconnected from reality.”

Schools face pressure to support transgender students amidst a politically charged environment where gender identity has become a contentious issue. This debate includes whether “trans” teens should use restrooms and participate in sports that align with their gender identity. These matters often result in legal battles, with varying outcomes depending on the state.

Parents of transgender-identifying children express concerns about external influences, such as classmates, social media, and school staff. Some parents believe their children may not truly be transgender and advocate for delaying irreversible steps like puberty blockers or surgery, citing underlying mental health issues as a more significant factor.

The number of transgender children aged 13 to 17 has doubled, and insurance claims for puberty blockers and hormones have similarly increased. Supporters of “gender-affirming care” attribute this rise to greater awareness and acceptance, while concerned parents warn of a potential “social contagion.”

Vasquez posts bond, pleads no contest after TX authorities execute warrant

In March, police in El Paso, Texas, executed an arrest warrant against New Mexico Democratic congressman Gabe Vasquez, according to court documents obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.

The documents reveal that Vasquez failed to appear in court over two decades ago, in 2002, following charges of driving without a license, driving without insurance, and disregarding an “official traffic control device.” Subsequently, he was cited for failure to appear in court in September 2007, leading to an arrest warrant being issued in April 2008.

An El Paso constable executed the warrant on March 19. Vasquez paid a cash bond of nearly $900, pleaded no contest, and waived his right to a jury trial. According to court filings, Vasquez faces a pre-trial hearing in September and risks a conviction and forfeiture of his bond if he does not appear. A spokesperson for Vasquez described the September hearing as an “administrative mistake” and promised to provide the necessary documentation.

Vasquez’s plea document identifies his employment as “United States Congress.”

Despite the legal issues, Vasquez continued his public duties. On March 19, as his representative paid the bond, Vasquez hosted a “tele-town hall.” The following day, he issued a statement criticizing a “dangerous Supreme Court ruling” that allowed Texas to enforce a law permitting local police to arrest migrants temporarily.

“These traffic fines from over two decades ago when the congressman was 18 years old were paid off and no further action has been requested,” stated Vasquez’s campaign manager, Dylan McArthur.

Born in El Paso, Vasquez now resides in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Before his congressional run in 2022, he spent years criticizing law enforcement. During the summer of 2020, he called for the deconstruction and rebuilding of systems he described as oppressive, including law enforcement and the economy. He stated, “As long as white folks dominate this nation’s wealth and preside over our nation’s governing bodies and judicial systems, the racism, killing, and injustice will continue.”

While serving on the Las Cruces City Council, Vasquez often advocated for cutting police budgets and reforming law enforcement practices. In emails to constituents in 2020, he highlighted his involvement in a “small police-council group” focused on de-escalation guidelines and expressed strong support for police reform and the Black Lives Matter movement. “I wholeheartedly and absolutely support police reform and the #blacklivesmatter movement, and will not be stopping short of transformational reform that brings justice to our city and to people of color in our community,” he wrote.

During his 2022 congressional campaign, Vasquez shifted his public stance, removing social media posts that rationalized rioting after George Floyd’s death. He positioned himself as a law enforcement supporter, telling CNN he did not believe defunding the police was a path to fair criminal justice. In one campaign ad, he featured a retired sheriff affirming Vasquez’s support for law enforcement.

Vasquez narrowly won his congressional seat in 2022, defeating Republican incumbent Yvette Herrell by less than one point. He has launched his reelection campaign and will face Herrell again in a rematch this November.

Far-left Dem legislator calls MLG’s July special session a sham

In a candidate survey submitted to the Las Cruces Bulletin, far-left Democrat state Rep. Angelica Rubio (D-Las Cruces) blasted far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s plans for a July 18th special session supposedly focused on crime, with additions such as panhandling legislation, and possibly anti-gun measures.

“I have and will always stand by restorative justice as we head to a special session in July (to consider) legislation related to incarcerating those deemed incompetent and individual(s) who are panhandling and increasing penalties for felons with guns. I will not support it,” she said.

She then focused on Lujan Grisham, writing, “This special session is purely for political optics and will not do anything to address any of the issues communities around the state (and nation) are facing.”

The shift in perspective on the governor is interesting, as Lujan Grisham is lining up many Democrat primary challenges to more moderate legislators, but now even her farthest-left allies are breaking from her on the July special session, which is being panned as a political stunt. 

Recently, more moderate state Rep. Marian Matthews (D-Albuquerque) ripped into Lujan Grisham and other far-leftists targeting her seat, calling them “Woke” progressive bullies. Matthews has often put forward legislation that is an alternative to the farthest-left bills, but the fringes of the Democrat Party refuse to pass them.

In contrast, Rubio, who never debates any bills and whose sole focus in the Legislature is to secure herself a salary and kill more babies through abortion, has mostly been a backer of Lujan Grisham’s agenda, including her help in killing many crime bills in committee that could have saved lives. Read Rubio’s full questionnaire here.

Judge sides with Egolfs on how to handle high-stakes fraud battle

A legal battle involving Democrat former New Mexico House Speaker Brian Egolf, his wife, Kelly Egolf, and a group of prominent investors will be settled through arbitration rather than in court. District Judge Francis Mathew made this decision on Thursday, siding with the Egolfs, who had argued that an agreement between Kelly Egolf and her former business partners at New Mexico Fresh Foods required dispute resolution through arbitration.

“We have been clear from the beginning this case never should have been filed in court, and we are glad Judge Mathew confirmed that today,” stated Brian Egolf’s attorney, Mark Baker, after the ruling, per the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Meanwhile, Clifford Atkinson, representing the plaintiffs, said they are considering options for an appeal but did not provide further comments. The plaintiffs include Bob and Ellen Vladem (the namesake of the Vladem Contemporary Museum), real estate mogul Ed Berman, attorney Dan Perry, philanthropist Gail “Peaches” Gilbert, restaurateur Charles Dale, Jessie Groothuis, and Steven Lustig.

The group claims that the Egolfs devised a scheme to cut them out of New Mexico Fresh Foods by orchestrating a bank sale of its assets to Invictus, a company they allege was set up to defraud them of their $3 million investment.

However, the Egolfs’ legal team argued that the investors deliberately blocked Kelly Egolf’s attempt to secure additional funding when New Mexico Fresh Foods encountered financial trouble. In response, Brian Egolf created Invictus to prevent total financial collapse.

Aside from the investors’ contributions, New Mexico Fresh Foods secured about $700,000 in public funding and benefited from government tax breaks for equipment purchases. Additionally, the company received a $375,000 loan from the Santa Fe Community Foundation.

The Egolfs’ motions to enforce arbitration, filed by attorney Jennifer Noya on behalf of Kelly Egolf and by Baker representing both Brian Egolf and Invictus, also sought to either dismiss the lawsuit or pause the case while arbitration proceeds.

“This isn’t a dispute involving an arbitration agreement that’s buried in some sort of consumer contract or nursing home admission documents,” Noya explained. “Rather, this is a case filed by multiple sophisticated investor groups.”

Lujan Grisham regime hands nearly half a million dollars to UPS

In an era where politicians are quick to allocate public funds towards their own agendas, often without regard to efficacy, an interesting development has emerged in the realm of electric vehicle (EV) adoption by major delivery companies like FedEx and UPS. According to a recent Reuters report, as noted by Errors of Enchantment, these companies face significant hurdles in transitioning to green vehicles, primarily due to battery shortages and high EV prices, compounded by the financial struggles of startup electric van manufacturers.

Luke Wake, the vice president of fleet maintenance and engineering at UPS, expressed skepticism about the future landscape of these businesses, asking, “The question is how many of those (companies) will be here in five years, 10 years?”

Amid these uncertainties, an April 30 report from KRQE 13 highlights an initiative by far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s New Mexico Environment Department, which has allocated over $473,000 in grant money to UPS. This funding is intended for the replacement of 16 aging delivery vehicles with newer, presumably more “environmentally friendly” models.

“At UPS, we believe in contributing positively to the communities in which we live and work. With over 18,000 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles in our fleet, we are proud to collaborate with the New Mexico Environment Department to increase our number of renewable natural gas vehicles and make a difference on the road,” Ryan Bankerd, UPS Corporate Affairs director of sustainability, wrote in a press release. 

While delivery vehicles are arguably more suitable for EV technology compared to personal cars due to their routine city routes and regular return to a home charging station, the current challenges of battery shortages and an unstable supply chain raise concerns. These issues highlight the risks associated with relying on EVs for consistent delivery services.

Moreover, the decision to grant a substantial sum to UPS, a highly profitable corporation, sparks further debate. Per UPS, in 2023, it had an “[o]perating profit of $9.1 billion; adjusted operating profit of $9.9 billion.”

This situation begs the question of whether such financial support from taxpayer money should be cause for concern, particularly among those on the political left who typically advocate for responsible and equitable government spending.

Furthermore, this raises an additional query about whether FedEx will also receive similar support from New Mexico for its “green” vehicle initiatives, or if this assistance will remain exclusive to UPS. Such decisions are pivotal, especially in light of the potential implications they carry for the sustainability and efficiency of large-scale corporate transitions to environmentally friendly technologies.
Read more about it at Errors of Enchantment.

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