John Block

Far-left lawmaker rammed into three parked cars, insists no alcohol, drugs involved

18 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Friday evening, far-left state Sen. Jacob Candelaria, a former Democrat-turned leftist independent, rammed his cars into three parked cars in Old Town, according to a KRQE 13 report. 

The lawmaker claimed the incident was due to a “truly freak traumatic accident.” He said, “. In which I am as much of a victim as these individuals. I did have a seizure condition when I was a child… I now have an appointment with my primary care provider for a follow-up next week to start seeing if there is an explanation.”

“Candelaria says he was on his way home from work, and the last thing he remembers was waking up upside down in his Chevy Equinox near Mountain and Rio Grande. He says police and paramedics evaluated him,” the report notes. Candelaria insists there were no alcohol or drugs involved.

The incident happened in front of the home of Felipe Tapia, where three vehicles were parked. 

“After the accident, when I talked to Jacob, Mr. Candelaria, he told me that he’s not going to leave any of us hanging without a vehicle. He said we’ll be fully compensated a hundred percent. Shaking my hands,” Tapia said. “You can’t just do that to people and walk off and say sorry and say you’re going to be compensated 100 percent.”

“Me missing work means lost wages, you know, having to find other rides for children, trying to move around town and get kids to school and back, get to the store and back, get to the gas station and back, and with this going on,” said Tapia to KOB 4. “We have to borrow vehicles.”

“It’s been a nightmare,” said Tapia. “It’s been a nightmare since I walked out that day.”

KRQE News 13 contacted police to confirm the details of this incident but has not received an answer.

Check out the damage to the vehicles:

KOB reports, “According to police, witnesses said Candelaria’s vehicle was speeding and ran a red light prior to colliding with the three parked vehicles. Candelaria reportedly told police he did not remember the initial cause of the crash, and he could have possibly fainted.”

“I was coming home and the last thing I remember is, I just coughed, and then everything went dark,” Candelaria said. “I honestly don’t know.”

A report showing lapel camera footage from the incident can be seen here:

Far-left lawmaker rammed into three parked cars, insists no alcohol, drugs involved Read More »

Woke op-ed: NM’s ‘free’ college holding state ‘hostage’ because oil & gas funds it

7 Comments / Editorial, New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a hilarious move, the left-wing “Source New Mexico” blog ran an op-ed by a person called Jonathan Juarez-Alonzo, who the website says “is a queer, two-spirit Indigenous climate activist” who is “working on the frontlines of combating environmental racism and ecological destruction here in New Mexico.”

Alonzo claims the extreme taxpayer-funded “free” college passed last year by the Democrat-dominated Legislature doesn’t go far enough because of “climate change” and funds from oil and gas being used to fund the socialist program. Because of the supposed climate crisis, Alonzo says he is “on an indefinite leave of absence from the University of New Mexico”

Oil and gas made up 33 percent of the state’s revenue in the last fiscal year.

“[F]unding these scholarships with volatile oil revenues, students like myself feel our futures are being held hostage: Do we invest in ourselves and take advantage of free higher education? Or should we even be wasting these last fleeting years of our youth in a classroom when our elected leaders are leading us down a path toward total climate collapse,” writes Alonzo.

Throughout the rest of the piece, he claims victimhood, invoking the name of slain fentanyl addict George Floyd, saying that is why he quit college to go into “criminology and social work,” writing that he grew up “surrounded by one of the most violent police forces in the nation.”

Alonzo then calls for the total decimation of the oil, gas, and all extractive industries, writing, “We’re lacking the political willpower to dismantle and transform an industry that holds every aspect of our state in economic hostage.”

“New Mexico is handing out symbolic victories like tuition-free college that are meaningless when thousands of New Mexicans are being displaced by wildfires, and our farmers are losing their crops because the acequias are running dry,” he writes, claiming that fires and droughts are caused by the fictitious “climate change” emergency.

He claims “real solutions” entail “investments in proven renewable energy and battery technologies, and investments in industry cleanup (which our politicians should make the polluters cover),” but does not take into account that states that have implemented far-left enviro-Marxist policies like California are facing raging blackouts statewide, which have led to the deaths of people.

Solar and wind have extreme environmental impacts due to the materials mined to make these “renewable” energies a reality. Also, the ecological impact kills countless wild animals, such as solar killing around 138,600 birds annually and wind turbines responsible for about 538,000 bird deaths and 900,000 bat deaths every year.

But despite the radical Democrats passing the Green New Deal via the “Energy Transition Act” to totally annihilate the oil and gas industry, that is still not enough for Alonzo and the folks at “Source New Mexico.”

Woke op-ed: NM’s ‘free’ college holding state ‘hostage’ because oil & gas funds it Read More »

Abortion up-to-birth Gov. MLG claims we must ‘protect ALL of our children’

13 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In another spout of irony, far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham claimed “we must protect ALL of our children,” citing a shooting in Uvalde which left 19 children and two adults dead.

Lujan Grisham wrote, “In the wake of Uvalde, I think about our children’s safety every day. Democratic governors are the last line of defense against gun violence, and we must protect ALL of our children. For the security of your families and mine, vote like our kids’ lives depend on it.”

The Governor using the slain children as political props to push for anti-gun measures is not new since she has done this on multiple other occasions in the wake of mass shootings to weaponize the issue for political gain.

But even more ironic, Lujan Grisham’s tweet claims to want to “protect ALL of our children” and save “our kids’ lives,” but backs policies to kill the most vulnerable babies in the womb up to the date of their birth.

In 2021, Lujan Grisham signed a law stripping all protections for mothers, children, and babies, legalizing abortion up to the date of birth. Planned Parenthood and pro-abortion groups rejoiced when she did this.

So Lujan Grisham saying she supports “ALL” children while pushing anti-gun laws to strip citizens of the right to defend themselves and promoting killing children through abortions does not pass the smell test.

Abortion up-to-birth Gov. MLG claims we must ‘protect ALL of our children’ Read More »

Feds indict man on charges of attempting to establish ISIS training camp in NM

7 Comments / New Mexico, News / By

On Saturday, it was reported that Herman Leyvoune Wilson, also known as Bilal Mu’Min Abdullah, 45, of Albuquerque, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of attempting to set up an “Islamic State Center” in the state.

Wilson’s center would “teach ISIS ideology, provide training in tactical maneuvers and martial arts, and serve as a safe haven for individuals preparing to travel and fight on behalf of ISIS in the United States and abroad,” the DOJ said.

According to a Fox News report, “The DOJ also charged Wilson with attempting to obstruct, influence and impede an official proceeding for allegedly shutting down an online platform to destroy and conceal records. Wilson allegedly used the platform to promote ISIS ideology and recruit others to join ISIS and come to the center he allegedly attempted to establish in New Mexico.”

Two Texas men, Kristopher Matthews and Jaylin Molina said Wilson radicalized them, adding that “without Wilson’s influence, they would never have committed the crimes.” Both Matthews and Molina pled guilty to conspiring to provide material support to ISIS.

The DOJ wrote that “When Matthews and Molina were arrested, Wilson allegedly instructed online platform members to destroy evidence of their use of the group. Matthews and Molina were sentenced in July 2022 to 20 years and 18 years in prison, respectively.” 

The report notes that if Wilson is convicted, “he faces up to 20 years in prison for the charge of attempting to provide material support and 20 years for attempting to impede an official proceeding.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Views of the site of a massacre by the Islamic State and mass grave of Ezidis in Shingal (Sinjar) in summer of 2019 as field fires approach the location. Via Wikimedia Commons.

Feds indict man on charges of attempting to establish ISIS training camp in NM Read More »

MLG attacks gun owners with latest anti-gun executive order

8 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

While still recovering from testing positive for the virus after a fundraising trip to Aspen and Denver, Colorado, far-left Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham took time out of her day Friday to attack legal gun owners by doubling down on her 2020 “red flag” law.

She signed an executive order to create a task force “dedicated to the coordination and promotion” of her red flag law, which strips away New Mexicans’ inalienable Second Amendment rights, as well as Fifth Amendment due process rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

According to a press release from Lujan Grisham, the red flag task force “will be chaired by Department of Public Safety Secretary Jason Bowie and consist of six additional members appointed by the governor with professional experience in law enforcement, mental health, or public health.”

Lujan Grisham was angry that most sheriffs, who support the Constitution, have refused to implement the unconstitutional law, which has resulted in only nine uses of it since its passage. 

The law is useless since most criminals have illegally obtained firearms (which this law would do nothing about), and the law punishes those who have obtained firearms legally, just to be ripped away through a law based on presumptions — not facts — about an individual. 

“We applaud this executive order and thank the Governor for her work,”  said Sean Holihan, state legislative director of the dark money Giffords organization, which just so happened to have a phone bank for the embattled governor earlier this week. 

After the order was made, the extremist anti-gun organization “Everytown For Gun Safety” founder Shannon Watts wrote on Twitter, “VICTORY IN NEW MEXICO! @GovMLG just issued an executive order to help implement the state’s [red flag law], which authorizes law enforcement to petition courts to temporarily remove guns from people who pose a risk to themselves or others.” 

The New Mexico Shooting Sports Association responded to Watts’ tweet, writing, “​​She has no idea what she is talking about. New Mexico has had a red flag gun confiscation law for 2 years now. Violent crime went way up since it became law. No one is safer, we just have fewer rights while @Michelle4NM plays games for big money out of state donors.” 

READ NEXT:

Anti-gun Dems gag opposing voices in committee as they launch new gun grabs

MLG attacks gun owners with latest anti-gun executive order Read More »

Dems attack Ronchetti’s wife’s $2K loan, ignore MLG’s husband’s $229K loan

17 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A recent piece in the Santa Fe New Mexican pointed out how Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Ronchetti decried Joe Biden’s $10,000/apiece student loan forgiveness but appeared to try and paint him as a hypocrite because his wife, Krysty Ronchetti, received a $2,500 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for her small business, SJ Communications, in May 2020 that was reportedly forgiven. The Piñon Post has not been able to independently verify the status of Ronchetti’s loan.

“This is completely unacceptable and wrong,” Ronchetti said in a statement about the Biden student loan handout. “I firmly oppose Biden’s elitist bailout.”

“Ronchetti personally benefited from thousands of dollars of … federal loan forgiveness but opposes student loan forgiveness for tens of thousands of New Mexicans,” Democrat Party of New Mexico spokesman Daniel Garcia claimed in a statement.

Enrique Knell, Ronchetti’s campaign spokesman, clapped back in a statement, telling the New Mexican, “The PPP program was designed to provide short-term bridge grants during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, where the Governor used the government to force businesses to close their doors,” adding, “There is less than zero similarity between that and a student loan, no different than a car loan or mortgage, which you agree upfront to pay the balance with no expectation of anyone else covering your debt. And you shouldn’t be allowed to shift the burden of your student loans to the mechanic, grandmother, or waitress down the street, either.”

Despite the Democrats’ attacks on Ronchetti over the loan, they forget that Lujan Grisham openly encouraged New Mexicans do take out PPP loans, writing on Twitter on January 14, 2021, “New Mexico business owners are strongly encouraged to apply for federal PPP funds, particularly those who have not yet received any PPP assistance.”

The New Mexican piece failed to mention one key detail: While it called out Krysty Ronchetti for a small loan during the Governor’s pandemic lockdown for her business, it failed to even glance at how much Lujan Grisham’s husband, Manny Cordova, received in PPP loans that were forgiven.

Cordova, who lists himself as the “Owner/President” of Southwest Collision Craftsmen, Inc., an automotive shop in Albuquerque, received at least two PPP loans, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Both loans are “ongoing,” according to FederalPay.org, meaning, “This loan has been disbursed by the lender and has not yet been fully repaid or forgiven. The exact status of ongoing loans is not released by the SBA.”

One loan approved on January 30, 2021, totaled $108,693, while another approved on the same day totaled $120,242 — adding up to $228,935.

According to the SBA, 80% of all PPP loans have been fully or partially forgiven, making it extremely likely Cordova’s business has been forgiven the loan.

These key details about Cordova were left out of the New Mexican report, but they show a trail of massive hypocrisy on the part of New Mexico Democrats for attacking Ronchetti’s wife for something Lujan Grisham’s husband is guilty of, especially since Krysty Ronchetti’s loan was a mere 1.09% the amount of that taken out by Manny Cordova.

Dems attack Ronchetti’s wife’s $2K loan, ignore MLG’s husband’s $229K loan Read More »

Lujan Grisham tests positive for COVID-19 after fundraising trip to Colorado

21 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

According to breaking reports, far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has tested positive for COVID-19.

KOB 4 reports, “In a statement issued Thursday morning, the governor is reportedly experiencing mild symptoms and is taking the antiviral medicine Paxlovid. She reported being fully vaccinated and twice-boosted for COVID. The governor is isolated at her residence and will continue her schedule remotely. This is the first time she has tested positive. She previously tested negative for COVID-19 on Wednesday.”

She wrote on Twitter, “This morning I tested positive for COVID-19. I am very grateful to be experiencing only mild symptoms after being fully vaccinated and twice boosted, and I will continue my work on behalf of New Mexicans while working remotely.”

Lujan Grisham was previously in Colorado to attend Democratic Governor’s Association fundraising functions. She chose to hobnob with wealthy Colorado donors instead of attending a NAIOP function with small business leaders in Albuquerque.

Lujan Grisham had strict lockdowns during the pandemic, which included barring out-of-state travel, mask mandates, and vaccine mandates for health care workers, state employees, and others.

READ NEXT:

Lujan Grisham killed 1,100 restaurants during brutal pandemic lockdown
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New Mexico: We’re in an abusive relationship with MLG. It’s time to break up with her

Lujan Grisham tests positive for COVID-19 after fundraising trip to Colorado Read More »

‘Bizarre’: All-Dem NM Supreme Court says illegal aliens can obtain law licenses

12 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a unanimous ruling by the fully Democrat-controlled New Mexico Supreme Court, illegal aliens will be allowed to practice law in the state as attorneys despite their very presence in New Mexico being against the law.

In a new set of rules regarding admission to the New Mexico bar, “the court held that a lack of U.S. citizenship or immigration status may no longer be used to deny a law license to individuals holding a law degree and otherwise qualifying for membership in the New Mexico Bar Association. In issuing the order, the court concurred with changes recommended by the Board of Bar Examiners and the Code of Professional Conduct Committee,” according to The Epoch Times.

“License to practice law shall not be denied based solely on the applicant’s citizenship or immigration status,” it wrote. 

Far-left Democrat Chief Justice Shannon Bacon claimed the change “is grounded in the fundamental principle of fairness, and is consistent with New Mexico’s historical values of inclusion and diversity in its culture.”

All members but Justice Michael Vigil were appointed by Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who faces a tough reelection battle against Republican Mark Ronchetti, who is polling within single digits of the embattled governor.

Legal commentator Curt Levey, President of the Committee for Justice, Curt Levey, told the Times, “It strikes me as interesting that the Chief Justice issued a statement,” adding, “Normally, the majority opinion would speak for itself.”

Levey added that it is “bizarre” that in the state, “you can be here illegally, subject to arrest and deportation, and yet at the same time, you could be representing as a lawyer another illegal alien who’s facing the same thing.”

‘Bizarre’: All-Dem NM Supreme Court says illegal aliens can obtain law licenses Read More »

Leger Fernandez wants the GOP to ‘stay OUT of New Mexico’

14 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Over one week since conservative firebrand Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) visited New Mexico to stump for GOP Congresswoman Yvette Herrell of the Second Congressional  District and GOP gubernatorial nominee Mark Ronchetti, far-left Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez of the Third District is still having a fit over the Republican governor’s Carlsbad rally.

In an angry-sounding fundraising email, Leger Fernandez’s team wrote, “DeSantis’ presence here, less than 100 days out from the election, is further evidence that the GOP is preparing to flood New Mexico with dark money and far-right propaganda in the coming weeks.” In actuality, DeSantis has disclosed his campaign donors, and so has Ronchetti. 

Leger Fernandez, on the other hand, has taken dark money from the likes of the pro-abortion groups EMILY’s List and Planned Parenthood, as well as other leftist dark money organizations. As for the so-called “far-right propaganda” spread, there’s no evidence to suggest anything of the sort.

The Democrat’s campaign team continued, “In a GOP-led New Mexico, we could see dangerous legislation like the anti-voting, anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ+ bills passed in states like Florida by extremists like DeSantis.”

“We must make our stand now and reject their extremist ideology — ahora es cuando! We need every New Mexican to add their voice — tell DeSantis and the GOP: Stay OUT of New Mexico!”

The Leger Fernandez team’s panicky rhetoric is devoid of facts. DeSantis has enacted measures in Florida to make it easier to vote but harder to cheat. He has also enacted bills against the grooming of children in schools, which Leger Fernandez apparently finds “dangerous” and anti-LGBTQ+” despite most Americans supporting such reforms.

Leger Fernandez, a first-term representative, faces a much tougher re-election challenge this year with the political map gerrymandered by Santa Fe Democrats to steal representation from the southern GOP-held congressional district, which diluted her previously Democrat+14 district to a mere Democrat+5 partisan lean. Republican Alexis Martinez Johnson is running against the Democrat congresswoman.

Leger Fernandez wants the GOP to ‘stay OUT of New Mexico’ Read More »

MLG ditched NM business forum to hobnob with wealthy Colorado donors

9 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Tuesday, it was confirmed by the Santa Fe New Mexican that Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham did, indeed, dodge the NAIOP forum in Albuquerque to instead hobnob with wealthy donors at a Democratic Governors Association in Aspen, Colorado. The forum she ditched was with business and real estate leaders. Only Republican Mark Ronchetti showed up.

The Governor’s spokeswoman Delaney Corcoran finally disclosed to the New Mexican that Lujan Grisham was in Colorado “for a long-planned event with other Democratic governors.”

The paper added, “Lujan Grisham attended a Democratic Governors Association conference Monday in Aspen, but her travels in Colorado also include Denver. A spokeswoman for the association did not return a message seeking comment.”

The Ronchetti campaign previously questioned if the Governor “skipped a debate hosted by New Mexican small business owners to hang out with millionaires in Colorado.” Now they have their answer.

“The Governor arrogantly skipped out on New Mexico’s small business forum to hob-knob in Aspen with high-dollar donors and got caught trying to cover it up,” Ronchetti’s spokesman, Enrique Knell, said in a statement. “She failed to tell the press or the public that she was out of state, which meant no one knew the Lieutenant Governor was Acting Governor. The public has a right to know who’s running the state, but covering up politically inconvenient truths is how the Governor operates.”

The NAIOP forum had around 400 business leaders who were looking forward to hearing Lujan Grisham’s defense after her lockdown orders killed around 20 percent or nearly 1,100 New Mexico restaurants. The Governor’s own Department of Tourism previously revealed that over 40% of New Mexico’s small businesses had closed amid the Governor’s lockdowns. 

But the Governor was conveniently absent to instead party with out-of-state donors in Colorado.

MLG ditched NM business forum to hobnob with wealthy Colorado donors Read More »

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