New Mexico

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. 

Gov. MLG paid her daughter, a cosmetologist, $1,040 in campaign funds for ‘media preparation’

Embattled Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who was accused and later settled with $62,500 in campaign funds for sexual assault, did not only pay off an accuser with campaign cash.  

According to the Lujan Grisham campaign’s most recent filing, she paid $1,040.00 to her daughter, Erin Grisham at “Beauty By Erin Grisham” for “media preparation” on October 13, 2020. It appears suspect that the campaign made sure to list the Governor’s daughter’s services as “media preparation” instead of as hair and makeup, since she is a freelance hair and makeup artist, according to her LinkedIn profile. Erin Grisham does not have a registered LLC or other registered taxable entity with the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office, although she holds a cosmetology license that expires in 2022, according to the New Mexico Regulation & Licensing Department. 

On her professional profile, Erin Grisham writes that she has been a “Hair and make-up stylist for members of the NM State Representatives and New Mexico State Democratic Party.” On LinkedIn and her website, Erin Grisham lists no other services she offers other than hair and makeup. It is unclear if Erin Grisham still resides in the state since, on her website, she writes, “ I started my career in New Mexico and recently moved to California to further my education in the beauty industry.”

According to New Mexico state law, “Expenditures that are reasonably attributable to the candidate’s campaign and not to personal use or personal living expenses are permissible campaign expenditures.” Makeup and hair expenses are not appropriate uses of campaign funds, per state law.

For the date the expenditure was made to Erin Grisham, Gov. Lujan Grisham was at a virtual fundraiser for the re-election of Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D-Bernalillo) from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. According to her official calendar from the Office of the Governor, Lujan Grisham had a cabinet meeting at 10:00 a.m., a “USC Climate Discussion” from 11:50 am to 12:50 noon, and a call with Vice President Pence and other governors scheduled for 12:00 noon. 

Later in that week, the Governor had a “Casey Foundation: Opportunities for Young People in New Mexico” on October 14th, a press conference on the 15th, and multiple calls with Democrats and Dr. Deborah Birx on the 16th. 

In the same campaign finance report, Lujan Grisham’s largest expenditures were the $62,5000 to James Hallinan, sexual assault accuser, $50,000 to the Democrat Party of New Mexico, and $34,100 to Anne Lewis Strategies of Washington, D.C., which is listed in the campaign finance report as an “online consultant.” 

Marijuana dealer Darren White of PurLife gave the Governor’s campaign three separate payments of $10,000 in December 2020, just weeks before the 2021 Legislative Session, where the Governor’s recreational marijuana bill was rammed through. Lujan Grisham also received a $10,000 contribution from Bright Green in Grants, which the campaign finance report identifies as a marijuana company. 

This story will be updated if Lujan Grisham’s campaign responds to the Piñon Post‘s request for comment.

Ben Ray Luján wants Big Tech CEOs to ban RFK Jr., doctors for ‘anti-vaccine’ posts

In mid-April, Democrat Senators Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico sent a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey demanding they purge a dozen accounts. Individuals on the list included multiple medical professionals who are critical of the COVID-19 vaccine. Certain vaccines, such as the Johnson & Johnson shot, have been shown to cause side effects. 

Klobuchar and Luján wrote, “We write to express our concern about the public health ramifications of online coronavirus vaccine disinformation and to urge you to remove the accounts that have been identified by experts as responsible for producing the majority of this disinformation on social media platforms.”

The move comes at the behest of a far-left fringe group, “Center for Countering Digital Hate” compiled a list of 12 individuals who the organization calls the “Disinformation Dozen.” Among those included on the list are Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, Dr. Joseph Mercola, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and numerous other big-name medical professionals for alleged violations of the platforms’ community standards. 

On the website for the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), the group writes, “Misinformation militates against our success in containing COVID-19, and threatens to undermine open society values in the post-pandemic world.” The terminology “open society” is eerily familiar to billionaire George Soros’ group, Open Society Foundation.

Ex-journalist Imran Ahmed, who has written for The Huffington Post in the past, founded the CCDH. The organization has previously demanded advertisers blacklist sites including “American Greatness, Moonbattery, American Thinker, Big League Politics, Zero Hedge, WND, The Washington Standard, Gateway Pundit, Breitbart and The Federalist,” according to the Daily Mail

Now, Klobuchar and Luján are capitalizing on the far-left dark money bully group’s research to silence the voices of those who are hesitant to support the COVID-19 vaccine, including the former Attorney General of the United States’ son, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. 

“Websites and accounts maintained by these content producers host a high volume of content that contains vaccine disinformation, which is ultimately posted and shared on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Quite troublingly, some of this content targets Black and Latino communities with tailored anti-vaccine messages,” allege the two senators in their letter. 

The two explicitly noted how since these twelve individuals identified by CCDH have large followings on social media, they should be gagged merely for disagreeing with people like Dr. Anthony Fauci who have religiously pushed the vaccine, while also telling people who have been inoculated that they should still wear masks and social distance regardless. “Despite your policies intended to prevent vaccine disinformation, many of these accounts continue to post content that reach millions of users, repeatedly violating your policies with impunity,” write Klobuchar and Luján. 

“Most Americans want to get vaccinated. Across all ages, ethnicities, and races. No matter where they live. However, vaccine hesitancy remains a large threat to public health. A recent poll found that nearly 1 in 4 Americans said they will not get the coronavirus vaccine.”

The demands come as the Joe Biden regime is paying off social media influencers, possibly millions of dollars, to push vaccinations and masks, which is clearly not working for a quarter of the country that does not want the vaccine, as Klobuchar and Luján note.

Biden’s press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters, “We’ve run PSAs on the ‘Deadliest Catch,’ we’re engaged with NASCAR and country music TV. We’re looking for a range of creative ways to get directly connected to white conservative communities.” It is curious how the two senators allege the “anti-vaxxers” on their hit list of twelve are supposedly targeting “Black and Latino communities with tailored anti-vaccine messages,” while Biden’s own press secretary admits that the regime is targeting “white conservative communities” to ram the vaccine down their throats. 

Frustrated, the two senators concluded their letter writing, “As we continue to distribute and administer vaccines across the country, your platforms must step up and take action against people that are spreading content that can harm the health of Americans.” 

Karen Bedonie announces candidacy for New Mexico governor

On Saturday, businesswoman Karen Bedonie of Mexican Springs, north of Gallup, entered the 2022 race for governor of New Mexico, making her the second Republican to announce their candidacy following Sandoval County Commissioner Jay Block who announced last Saturday. 

In an announcement video, Bedonie says, “I am a woman of courage and I have worked tirelessly to formulate a liberating plan for the beautiful state of New Mexico.”

“The heaviest burdens that weigh my mind are what we need to do to save our state: energy, safety, law enforcement support, education, reducing taxes, cutting the red tape for small businesses, freedom, independence, jobs, agriculture, forestry, and all of our very precious industries here in New Mexico. And we also need to keep God in our endeavors.” 

“I have respect for the moderate Democrat[s] that are also the same as my Democratic parents. The common ground is based on conservatism. It’s the teachings that have shaped my life to become a loving person and a hard worker.”

The announcement video, which features inter-spliced photographs of Bedonie holding a rife, posing with law enforcers, her husband, and her family, portrayed her campaign’s focuses on a family, faith, and freedoms-based message.

“I believe the Second Amendment of the Constitution is absolute, written so beautifully that the builders of this nation installed these rights to withstand tyranny and the trampling of our liberties and freedoms. As a mother of five daughters, we will bear arms to protect ourselves. Missing, murdered, and indigenous women is real and is also unresolved,” Bedonie said in the announcement video. 

Bedonie’s formal announcement took place at Allen Hall in Grady, New Mexico, where people from across the state, including Albuquerque-area and Hobbs, gathered to support the candidate. At the event, Bedonie and her daughters served fry bread to attendees and spoke with supporters about issues to turn the state around. She previously ran for Congress in 2020 for the Third District, which covers most of northern New Mexico.

If Bedonie wins the GOP nomination, she will face embattled Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who was accused and later settled $62,500 for sexual assault. Lujan Grisham has been a controversial figure in New Mexico, grabbing national headlines for her hostility toward New Mexicans during COVID-19 and her penchant to ram through extreme far-left legislation to further her agenda.

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