John Block

Liberal paper appears to glorify 19th century forced vaccinations to promote COVID-19 shot

On Sunday, liberal columnist and news writer Algernon D’Ammassa of the Las Cruces Sun-News appeared to praise Deming, New Mexico’s forcible vaccination in the 19th century during the smallpox outbreak.

In a column titled “How forced vaccinations and a brothel fought smallpox in Deming, New Mexico,” he drew similarities between the present-day COVID-19 pandemic with that of smallpox, citing a historian, C.A. “Gus” Gustafson, who said “door-to-door smallpox vaccinations were free to the public, ‘voluntary to most but forcefully to the reticent.’”

He said, “These men are not here to discuss constitutional theory or jurisprudence, nor to explore community ethics. They are here to inoculate you against a deadly contagious disease.” 

“Smallpox, eradicated by 1980 thanks to a global vaccination effort yet preserved in frozen vials around the world, laughs at COVID-19. Caused by the variola virus, it is highly contagious, producing dangerous fevers and lesions, often stealing one’s eyesight,” writes D’Amassa.

He says that “By the time smallpox arrived in Deming late in 1916, the U.S. Supreme Court had already ruled in favor of compulsory vaccinations in the interest of public health,” but noted how the COVID-19 disease is much less deadly than smallpox was in those days.

D’Amassa cites a Boston Globe report from that era which wrote, “writhing, cursing, struggling tramps … held down in their cots, one big policeman sitting on their legs, and another on their heads, while the third held the arms, bared for the doctors.”

“Deming seems to have gone even further than mandatory vaccinations. Physician Pinkney Minor Steed, who led the vaccination effort, also commandeered the brothel on San Carlos Street north of the railroad tracks, by Gustafson’s account, after the local hospital was overrun,” he continued.

D’Amassa wrote that since forcible inoculation, “we are in a different time both medically and legally,” where he happily got his COVID-19 vaccine, which has had many clinical reactions, by choice at the Deming Walmart.

“Instead of introducing a pathogen into my body — which troubles many vaccine resisters — this one instructed my body to create a spiky protein similar to SARS-CoV-2 so my body could practice how to kill it. This is why I experienced a mild fever and fatigue the following day,” he wrote.

He then said, “The vaccine is free and the state is imploring, not forcing, people to take it…. we are having arguments over how much we should accommodate healthy adults who refuse to be vaccinated.”

The COVID-19 vaccine is still in its infancy, currently in an experimental stage based on “emergency use authorization” by the FDA. In contrast, smallpox was active for centuries, with the first vaccine originating in 1796 and the world fighting the disease completely by 1980–184 years later. 

D’Amassa appears to glorify the medical practice of forced injection in the 19th century, trying to push the point that people were being forced to have a shot because it was “a deadly contagious disease.” He then tries to lump in the COVID-19 vaccine with his personal experience by downplaying the side effects of the vaccine while promoting the fact that it is not being “forced” on Americans.

However, even right here in New Mexico, workers have been allegedly forced to take the jab in many government agencies. In one case, a Doña Ana County Detention Center officer, Isaac Legaretta, sued his managers, claiming they threatened he would be fired if he did not take the COVID-19 vaccine. This is the first forcible vaccination lawsuit in the nation.

On Friday, Joe Biden announced he “may order all U.S. military forces to receive the coronavirus vaccine at a time of troubling voluntary acceptance rates among some troops.” 

The glorification of forced vaccination in the past by D’Amassa and the pending litigation regarding such a practice today could very well scare people into taking the COVID-19 vaccine in fear of government retaliation.

NBC News did a piece on Americans that may be forced to get the vaccine:

ABQ restaurant shut down by State Police after employees defy Gov. MLG’s mask mandates

On Friday, it was reported that Old Town Albuquerque restaurant Backstreet Grill had been shut down due to employees defying Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s mask mandates despite the CDC allowing fully vaccinated people to be outside without masks. 

The restaurant, which was previously shut down in 2020 for similar complaints, had been shuttered after multiple nameless, faceless individuals complained via Yelp about servers not wearing masks. 

“The hostess did not wear a mask. I asked her if she would, she said no,” one review said. “He kind of leaned over towards us, still no mask, to point at the menu. I asked him if he could wear a mask. He flat out said no,” said another.

KRQE 13 checked out the situation, where they caught multiple employees not wearing masks while serving food in the fresh outdoor air. 

The news station reached out to Christopher Cordova, one of the restaurant’s managers, for comment. He wrote back, saying, “We live in America where mandates are not laws, we have the right to refuse to wear a mask.” When asked if he would share his side on camera, he replied, “I’m not interested in talking about masks. It’s very boring for me.”

The station got a comment from Albuquerque Environmental Health Department’s Mark DiMenna, who said, “Very few instances where anyone flagrantly disregarding what the public health order is asking for,” and that “This is sort of an exceptional situation.”

After KRQE 13 reached out to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s environmental health departments, the restaurant was shut down by the New Mexico State Police just a few hours later for violating the health order. 

Other restaurants and other institutions across the state have been mask shamed and harassed by Gov. Lujan Grisham’s administrations throughout the pandemic. Her State Police have been employed as attack dogs to implement her orders while she has called out specific establishments and jurisdictions across the state during her COVID-19 press conferences, including Hobbs and Española. 

Three Rivers Fire activity is ‘minimal and smoldering,’ 13% contained

According to the National Forest Service (NFS), the Three Rivers Fire in the Lincoln National Forest (LNF) is now at 5,297 acres with 13% containment and the current state of the fire is “minimal and smoldering.”

While moisture in the area and crews battling the blazes have helped the fire dissipate, personnel “will continue to construct containment lines, scout lines, prep Bonito Road from South Fork camp ground to the Argentina Bonito Trailhead, recon structures and develop triage plans,” the NFS writes. 

Within the next 24 hours, high humidity levels will help stave off significant fire activity, however, an increase in fire activity is expected in “slash,” which is “downed large diameter woody material” in areas dominated by sheltered and canopied areas where precipitation is less likely to have permeated.

Within 72 hours, the fire is expected to “begin active movement upslope to the northeast on the southern portion of the fire within Indian Creek. Flanking movement to the north along the Crest Trail near Rattlesnake Canyon is also expected, but to a lesser extent due to a mixture of aspen fuels and previously burned areas to the east.”

The fire initially started approximately half a mile from the Three Rivers Campground on the backside of the White Mountains of the Smokey Bear Ranger District. 

The Three Rivers Fire has 266 personnel currently battling the blaze, and according to NPS, the containment date of the fire is projected for Friday, June 04th, 2021 at approximately 12:00 a.m. 

An update was given yesterday by Todd Abel, an operations section chief managing the containment of the fire, which can be viewed here. The most updated information on the fire can be found here.

Gov. MLG still not ‘satisfied’ with her far-left agenda in NM

On Thursday, embattled Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who was accused and later settled with $62,500 in campaign funds for sexual assault, sent out a fundraising email about her radical far-left agenda and what she has “accomplished.” 

In the email, she wrote to supporters, “We reinforced reproductive rights in our state, we invested in our public schools and early childhood education, and we delivered $200 million in pandemic relief to small businesses. We overcame Republican Party obstruction and got real results for New Mexicans from legalizing recreational cannabis to strengthening civil rights and so much more.”

She wrote, “We can do even more to help our great state thrive and chart our path toward a brighter future.”

But one line, in particular, stuck out. She wrote, “I couldn’t be prouder of everything that we’ve accomplished – but that doesn’t mean I’m satisfied. I know this team has the drive and the passion to make New Mexico a clean-energy leader, an educational powerhouse and a model for sustainable economic growth.” 

Despite ramming through the Green New Deal, abortion up-to-birth and infanticide, assisted suicide via lethal drugs, recreational marijuana, raiding the permanent fund, raising taxes, putting targets on the backs of law enforcers, destroying “right to work,” crippling small businesses with government-forced handouts, she is still not “satisfied.” 

When will Gov. Lujan Grisham be “satisfied”?

Lujan Grisham’s fundraising email comes one day after she announced the potential reopening of the state once 60% of the population is vaccinated, although her version of full reopening still includes mask mandates, a public health emergency, and more restrictions on New Mexicans.

Carrot, meet stick: MLG dangles nine-week ‘100%’ reopening goal in front of New Mexicans

On Wednesday, embattled Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who was accused and later settled with $62,500 in campaign funds for sexual assault, held a COVID-19 press conference. The presser comes after quite some time without one, where she claimed New Mexico could be open in nine weeks. She said, “In nine weeks, New Mexico, we are open,” given that 60% of the population is vaccinated by June 30. 

The news comes as more counties shifted from red, yellow, and green status to turquoise while the criteria for what these colors mean changed again to mean case numbers modified from 5% to 7.5%, test positivity rates move from eight to 10 per 100,000 people, and percentage of the vaccinated population is added as a new requirement with a 35% weekly threshold.

Under the new criteria,  24 counties are in “turquoise,” six are in “green,” three are in “yellow,” and none are in “red.” 

Human Services Secretary David Scrase said, “I think this is clearly doable,” but “it’s going to take extra work,” which can be interpreted as code as the administration once again moving the goalposts. 

However, if the state meets the 60% goal for “100% reopening,” it still means that indoor mask requirements will remain, masking for youth sports will remain, the Coronavirus state of emergency will remain, New Mexicans are still on stay-at-home orders. This comes despite a masked Rio Rancho athlete collapsing due to lack of air during a race due to Gov. Lujan Grisham’s mask-mandated athletics. 

Dr. Scrase and Gov. Lujan Grisham also both indicated that in the future, annual “booster” inoculations are likely coming. 

Countless New Mexico jobs have been destroyed forever. People have left the state in droves due to the lockdown orders. Many have been reliant on the government’s unemployment system despite some jobs reopening. New Mexico trails the entire nation with employment numbers as the third-worst unemployment state.

During the pandemic, Lujan Grisham has repeatedly skirted her own lockdown orders, forced New Mexicans to stand in cold breadlines over the holidays, misused government funds to buy $200 per pound Wagyu beef steaks and fine wine, and constantly changed the science and criteria on reopening the state. 

Gov. MLG hit with lawsuit from Eagles, Elks, Moose orgs. over lockdown orders

On Tuesday, it was reported that three fraternal organizations, New Mexico Elks Association, the New Mexico Aerie of the Brotherhood of Eagles, and the New Mexico Loyal Order of the Moose, are suing Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and her health secretary Dr. Tracie Collins over lockdown orders that have shuttered the organizations’ operations.

The groups argue that “the state has acted arbitrarily and capriciously by requiring their lodges to remain closed while establishments offering similar services — such golf courses and country clubs, gyms and restaurants — have been allowed to reopen under capacity limits and guidance for public health,” according to the Las Cruces Sun-News

In the complaint, they write that they “can implement the same safety precautions, policies and procedures that similar organizations were able to implement in order to resume organizational operations.”

The groups, which are nonprofit organizations, operate numerous lodges (aeries) across New Mexico. However, since March 2020, the Governor and her health orders have kept them closed without the opportunity for reopening. 

The lawsuit alleges the orders “violate their due process rights, the right to equal protection under the law and the First Amendment right to peaceful assembly,” the Sun reports. “The organizations are seeking a temporary restraining order preventing enforcement, a declaratory judgment on the orders’ constitutionality, unspecified compensatory and punitive damages and court costs.” 

The Department of Health and Gov. Lujan Grisham’s office declined requests for comment due to the pending litigation.

The New Mexico Elks has over 8,000 members in New Mexico from 22 different lodges. It is unclear how many members and lodges the Eagles run, although nationally, the group has 800,000 members and more than 1,500 locations. The Loyal Order of the Moose does not list how many members or locations are in New Mexico, but internationally the group has 650,000 members and roughly 1,600 lodges. 

Three Rivers Fire grows to 12,000 acres, 5% contained after some snow and rain

According to the National Forest Service (NFS), the Three Rivers Fire in the Lincoln National Forest has grown from 6,100 to 12,000 acres, with 5% of the fire contained. The fire started approximately half a mile from the Three Rivers Campground on the backside of the White Mountains of the Smokey Bear Ranger District. 

NFS lists the resources used to battle the blaze includes eight engines, six type-one crews, one type-two crew, two helicopters, one bulldozer, and one water tender. Total personnel fighting the fire has reached 210. 

The Forest service reports that an infrared (IR) flight was requested for Tuesday night “to pick up heat, which can then be used to map out the fire perimeter and the perimeter of any additional spot fires.”

On Tuesday morning, cooler temperatures and some snow and rain allowed firefighters to work to construct a fire line on the south end of the fire throughout the day. “Cloud cover began to lift mid-day, which resulted in increased fire behavior and smoke. Crews also continued scouting the rough terrain of the White Mountain Wilderness for potential fire line locations,” writes NFS.

“There are no reported injuries, and no structures have burned. The fire crossed onto Mescalero Apache Tribal Land at the northern border.  Mescalero and the Forest Service are now working in conjunction on fire management activities.”

“Firefighters’ challenges in the coming days are the extremely rugged terrain and limited road and trail access in the fire area. The Type-1 Incident Management Team (IMT) was briefed this afternoon and will take command of the fire tomorrow at 6 am. A Type -1 IMT is a multi-agency team that is dispatched to complex incidents. They include specialized personnel trained in the different functional areas (i.e., operations, logistics, medical staff, radio communications, etc.) needed to support a wildfire.  Incident Management Teams are typed from one to three, with one being the largest and most advanced.”

Evacuations: Evacuation notices have been lifted for these areas: • Nogal Canyon Area (until the Nogal Peak Trailhead) • Bonito Canyon Area up to the Bonito Lake Dam. Tanbark remains evacuated. • Church Mountain • Ranchman’s Camp • Loma Grande • Cora Dutton • Magado • Ski Apache Up to the Eagle Lakes turn • Villa Madonna.

Evacuation centers are still available: • Nazarene Church Camp at 200 Bonito Park Rd. Alto, NM 88316 • Capitan Senior Center at 412 Tiger Drive Capitan, NM 88316 • Ruidoso Downs Senior Center at 393 Highway 70 West Rd. Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346.

(Evacuees with livestock can take their animals to Lincoln County Fairgrounds at 101 5th St. Capitan, NM. Please call 575-336-8600 if you need assistance transporting your animals.)

Road Closures: • Bonito Canyon Road past the Bonito Lake Dam • Nogal Canyon Road past the Nogal Peak trailhead • Three Rivers Trailhead and Campground • Monjeau Lookout at Sierra Vista

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Rep. Herrell’s campaign delivers drinking water to firefighters battling Three Rivers Fire

On Tuesday, Congresswoman Yvette Herrell of the Second District wrote on Twitter that her campaign team is working to aid the firefighters who are working on controlling the Three Rivers Fire by delivering them drinking water.

In the post, Herrell wrote, “Team Yvette is headed up to the #ThreeRiversFire with drinking water for our firefighters. Pray for more rain!”

According to the most recent updates on the fire from the National Fores Service, 6,100 acres have been enveloped in flames with 0% of the fire contained.

The fire is “being driven by steep terrain and extreme fire weather conditions, including gusty winds and low humidity levels around 8 percent,” says the National Forest Service. The fire has spread almost to Ski Apache and into the South Fork area.

Following news of the blaze, public officials representing the area made it clear they are working with fire officials to [aid] in any way necessary. Republican Congresswoman Yvette Herrell wrote, “My staff and I are closely monitoring the Three Rivers Fire and staying in regular contact with the USDA, USFS, state, and local officials. Our prayers are with those fighting the fire as well as those in its path. Stay safe, heed the warnings and orders from authorities, and be prepared to relocate quickly if necessary. Please also beware of unconfirmed information about the situation, and follow official sources like U.S. Forest Service – Lincoln National Forest, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and nmfireinfo.com for the latest reliable and factual updates.” 

More information will be added once the National Forest Service has given an update on the Three Rivers Fire of 2021.

Three Rivers Fire in Lincoln National Forest has grown to 6,100 acres, 0% contained

On Monday morning, a fire, which is being called the “Three Rivers Fire” of 2021 started in the Lincoln National Forest. According to officials, the blaze has already enveloped 6,100 acres, starting approximately half a mile from the Three Rivers Campground on the backside of the White Mountains of the Smokey Bear Ranger District. On Monday morning, the fire was reported to be at 4,000 acres.

The fire is “being driven by steep terrain and extreme fire weather conditions, including gusty winds and low humidity levels around 8 percent,” says the National Forest Service. The fire has spread almost to Ski Apache and into the South Fork area.

“The fire is 0 percent contained. Firefighters, aircraft, and equipment are on scene. Additional firefighting resources, including three additional large air tankers and ground crews, have been ordered and will be arriving as soon as possible. A Type-1 Incident Management Team was ordered this afternoon, will be in-briefed tomorrow, and take command thereafter. There have been no reported injuries. No structures have burned.” 

“Smoke was highly visible from Highway 54 and is moving to the northeast into the adjacent communities of Alto, Capitan, and Ruidoso. Please visit the NM Department of Health’s smoke page for information on protecting your health during fires and on smoky days,” writes the Forest Service.

There is currently no known cause of the fire at this time, but an update is expected mid-morning on Tuesday with more information. As for now, those in the area should take heed of the following evacuation areas and centers, as well as the following road closures:

Evacuations: Evacuation notices are in place for:

• Nogal Canyon Area

• Bonito Canyon Area

• Tanbark

• Church

• Ranchman’s Camp

• Loma Grande

• Cora Dutton

• Magado

• Ski Apache

Evacuation Centers

• Nazarean Church Camp, 200 Bonito Park Rd. Alto, NM 88316

• Capitan Senior Center at 412 Tiger Drive Capitan, NM 88316

• Ruidoso Downs Senior Center at 393 Highway 70 West Rd. Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346.

(Evacuees with livestock can take their animals to Lincoln County Fairgrounds at 101 5th St. Capitan, NM.)

Road Closures

• Ski Run Road

• Bonito Canyon Road aka Rd 107

• Nogal Canyon Road aka 400

• Three Rivers Trailhead and Campground

Following news of the blaze, public officials representing the area made it clear they are working with fire officials to [aid] in any way necessary. Republican Congresswoman Yvette Herrell wrote, “My staff and I are closely monitoring the Three Rivers Fire and staying in regular contact with the USDA, USFS, state, and local officials. Our prayers are with those fighting the fire as well as those in its path. Stay safe, heed the warnings and orders from authorities, and be prepared to relocate quickly if necessary. Please also beware of unconfirmed information about the situation, and follow official sources like U.S. Forest Service – Lincoln National Forest, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and nmfireinfo.com for the latest reliable and factual updates.” 

To follow the latest information on the Three Rivers Fire, please follow the National Forest Service’s official page for the blaze on Facebook here.

A tale of two Catholic dioceses during Coronavirus: Las Cruces vs. Santa Fe

Following a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court ordering capacity limits on places of worship cannot be more restrictive than other places, such as schools, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham lifted her stringent “color-coded” reopening plan for places of worship.

While many places of worship rejoiced in the decision following a year-long assault by the Governor on people of faith, others remained at Lujan Grisham’s status quo, including the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, which kept the “red to green” framework restricting masses, funerals, weddings, and other essential church services.

Archbishop John C. Wester said in a statement, “It is of paramount importance to remember that the Church values everyone’s safety and well-being.” He added, “Life is sacred and we are taking every precaution to protect our people from the coronavirus.”

This means that the Roman Catholic faithful in northern and central New Mexico will remain restricted on their church attendance, including Colfax County, which currently sits at the “red level,” meaning it “may not exceed 25% of the maximum capacity of any enclosed space on the premises.” The six counties in the diocese at the “yellow” level will only be allowed to have a maximum of 33% capacity, according to the levels Wester is following. The ten other counties in “turquoise” will still only be allowed a max of 75% as well. 

The Diocese of Las Cruces is in light blue while the Archdiocese of Santa Fe is in red.
The current “Red to Green” framework from the Lujan Grisham regime.

However, another Roman Catholic diocese in New Mexico, the Diocese of Las Cruces, which covers most of the state south of Torrance County, is not cowering to fear and is letting each priest of each parish decide how to proceed. 

In a statement from the diocese, it declares that “Bishop Peter Baldacchino has removed the restrictions on Mass attendance and will continue to leave it in the capable hands of the priests in the diocese to celebrate Masses, Funerals, and Weddings at the capacity which they deem prudent while continuing to be aware of their parish realities and the current health precautions set forth by the State and Federal Government.” 

“[T]hose that are at risk for COVID-19 are encouraged to stay home and watch the numerous live stream Masses available in the diocese,” the diocese said.

The Diocese of Las Cruces was a trendsetter last April when Bishop Baldacchino resumed public masses, the first diocese to do so. 

“We [as priests] have been called by Christ and ordained to serve the people of the Diocese of Las Cruces, to bring them hope and consolation during this difficult time,” Baldacchino wrote at the time.

“In the events of these days and weeks the Lord is calling us out of our comfort zone, he is calling us to seek new ways to reach the people. In addition to this mission with which we are entrusted, we also have the mission to keep people safe. The two must be equally pursued.” 

“While it is true that we need to take every reasonable precaution to reduce the spread of Coronavirus, it is equally true that we offer the greatest ‘essential service’ to our people. The past few weeks have brought to light many unintended consequences of the ‘stay-at-home’ order,” he continued.

Bishop Baldaccio’s leadership is in stark contrast to Archbishop Wester’s, where the Diocese of Las Cruces is calling the faithful to live out their faith with their own choices, while the Archdiocese of Santa Fe is mandating Christians to follow strict guidelines that reduce their choices. 

Read more about Gov. Lujan Grisham’s assault on the faithful here. 

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