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After praising drilling ban, Vasquez silent on Haaland’s conflicts of interest

14 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Far-left Democrat Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-CD-02) lavished praise upon Joe Biden’s Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Deb Haaland after she ordered that a ten-mile radius around Chaco Canyon must be banned from oil and gas leasing to the ire of the Navajo Nation, which vehemently opposed the action after being shuttered from the process by the Department. 

“There are few places that are as important to our history, culture and heritage as Chaco – a sacred place worthy of protection. I stand with the Pueblos of my district and welcome @SecDebHaaland’s decision to withdraw mineral development in this region,” Vasquez tweeted following the decision.

However, shortly following Haaland’s Chaco Canyon proclamation, 11 U.S. House representatives sounded the alarm to the Interior secretary and top Interior Department ethics official Heather Gottry about her conflicts of interest regarding her family’s involvement in the decision.

The GOP lawmakers, led by U.S. House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR), wrote, “Under the standards of ethical conduct, federal government officials are required to recuse from particular matters involving specific parties where ‘a person with whom he has a covered relationship is or represents a party to such matter,’ unless authorized by the agency to participate.”

“Furthermore, a federal government official is barred from using their position for the private gain of family members or nonprofit organizations,” the lawmakers continued.

The signers noted that Haaland has been heavily involved with Pueblo Action Alliance (PAA), which lobbied extensively for the DOI to ban oil and gas leasing at the cultural site.

Fox News wrote, “PAA Executive Director Julia Bernal boasted in 2021 that she met personally with Haaland, whom she referenced as ‘Auntie Deb,’ about the group’s broad opposition to oil and gas leasing.”

Haaland’s daughter Somah, who works for PAA, lobbied for the ban to members of Congress and others involved in policy decisions relating to the order.

“In addition, the letter cited Haaland’s latest ethics filing, which showed her husband Skip Sayre does consulting work for the Laguna Development Corp., a firm that is affiliated with the Laguna Pueblo, an Indigenous tribe. Like the PAA, the tribe has advocated in favor of a buffer zone around Chaco Canyon where new leasing would be banned,” the report continued.

However, as Haaland’s clear conflicts of interest in the deal hit news waves, Gabe Vasquez remains radio silent on the Democrat former congresswoman from New Mexico’s actions as Interior secretary.

“Gabe Vasquez is always happy to jump aboard the extremism train at the expense of New Mexicans,” the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) spokeswoman Delanie Bomar wrote. “Vasquez will bend over backwards to excuse corruption and conflicts of interest as long as it means shutting down New Mexico oil and gas production.”

50 percent of New Mexico’s general fund derives from the oil and gas industry. Vasquez is a radical environmentalist who backs Green New Deal policies and “environmental justice” left-wing initiatives to attack the oil and gas industry. He narrowly claimed the seat he currently occupies in 2022 after far-left Democrats in the New Mexico Legislature gerrymandered the seat to snatch it from GOP hands. 

After praising drilling ban, Vasquez silent on Haaland’s conflicts of interest Read More »

First cases of tragic syndrome plaguing bats detected in New Mexico

3 Comments / New Mexico, News / By

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced Monday a tragic development in the deadly white-nose bat syndrome, revealing the first cases of the deadly bat disease in New Mexico.

Since 2006, the fungal disease has slaughtered millions of North American bats with a white fungus growing on their skin, leading to irritation of the little creatures. The irritation forces hibernating bats to wake up early from hibernation, which exhausts fat stores needed for winter survival. These events lead to the bats’ tragic deaths. 

“Samples from two live bats and two deceased bats were collected in late April from BLM-managed caves in Lincoln and De Baca counties.” wrote the BLM.

“The two dead bats were confirmed with WNS, one a fringed myotis in Lincoln County, the other a cave myotis in De Baca County.  Additionally, wing biopsies from two live cave myotis at the same Lincoln Co. site revealed microscopic lesions consistent with WNS. WNS is caused by an invasive fungal pathogen named Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). Although Pd was previously detected in New Mexico in 2021, evidence of the disease had not been confirmed in the state until now.”

“With the collaboration of a great team of partners, BLM New Mexico has been monitoring its most significant winter bat caves for evidence of Pd since 2011,” said BLM New Mexico’s Threatened and Endangered Species Program Lead Marikay Ramsey. “We will continue to coordinate with our state, federal, tribal and non-governmental partners to test and implement prevention measures such as restricted access to affected caves to minimize the spread of the disease in New Mexico.”

“Of the almost 30 species of bats known to occur in New Mexico, more than half are known or suspected to hibernate in the state during the winter,” said James Stuart, non-game mammal specialist with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. “All these hibernating species are potentially vulnerable to WNS when they spend the winter in caves or mines where the Pd fungus has become established. We don’t yet know to what extent WNS will impact our New Mexico bat populations, but we will continue to support monitoring of bat populations and caves throughout New Mexico for the presence of WNS and Pd.”

The fungus and disease do not affect humans or pets, but human activity in caves is said to lead to the fungus that kills the bats. At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, for example, guests entering the bat cave must disinfect their shoes to prevent the syndrome from entering.

Bats are critical for a balanced ecosystem, being avid pollinators that eat pests such as mosquitoes, moths, beetles, crickets, leafhoppers, and chinch bugs, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

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New video proves the dire need for completion of the border wall

3 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A recently posted video from Muckraker.com shows how easy it is for the cartel to smuggle illegal migrants and contraband items into the United States through gaps in the border wall left unfinished by Joe Biden.

The outlet posted a video of a major gap in the wall in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, first constructed under President George W. Bush, which had major flaws, such as huge squares being able to be chiseled out of the mesh fence along with gaps between the sides of each panel of the barrier. 

The video shows the current system’s failures, with reporters from Muckracker.com being able to easly slip from the U.S. side into Mexico, which those on the Mexico side of the barrier can do just as easily. 

When President Donald Trump left office, and Joe Biden took over, one of the 80-year-old Democrat’s first acts was to cease construction of the border wall started by the 45th President, leaving millions of dollars of supplies to rot, instead of using the materials to finish construction of the border.

Biden’s weak immigration policies have encouraged illegal border crossers, including cartels, which have been smuggling people, drugs, guns, and other unmentionables into the United States, including in New Mexico, which has at least 53 miles of open border wall and many ineffective Bush-era barriers. 

Shocking video report shows cartel smugglers ravaging NM’s southern border

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California AG probing illegal immigrant flight from New Mexico to Sacramento

7 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Far-left Democrat California Attorney General Rob Bonta is fuming after illegal immigrants were flown from New Mexico to California’s state capital city in Sacramento. The illegal immigrants were previously at a holding facility in El Paso, Texas.

Sacramento County is an illegal immigrant “sanctuary” within the “sanctuary state” of California, according to the Center for Immigration Studies.

The California State Capitol in Sacramento. Suvicce via Wikimedia Commons.

“California’s attorney general said the state of Florida appears to have arranged for a group of South American migrants to be dropped off outside a Sacramento church,” reported the AP.

Bonta said, “While this is still under investigation, we can confirm these individuals were in possession of documentation purporting to be from the government of the State of Florida.”

“While we continue to collect evidence, I want to say this very clearly: State-sanctioned kidnapping is not a public policy choice, it is immoral and disgusting,” he claimed.

U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to El Paso Sector, El Paso Station intercept a group of approximately 127 migrants. CBP Photographer Jaime Rodriguez Sr. CBP, 2019.

Bonta’s spokeswoman, Tara Gallego, said Florida’s Division of Emergency Management operated the flight carried out by contractor Vertol Systems Co.

The same contractor was paid $1.56 million to fly illegal immigrants to the “sanctuary city” of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, which made national news.

The AP continued, “The 16 migrants who arrived in Sacramento on Friday are from Colombia and Venezuela. They entered the U.S. through Texas. They were transported to New Mexico then flown by a charter plane to California’s capital, where they were then dropped off in front of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento, California officials said.”

California AG probing illegal immigrant flight from New Mexico to Sacramento Read More »

NM land commissioner issues edict further restricting oil and gas

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On Friday, Democrat state Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard issued an executive order from her office banning any oil and gas leasing within one mile of any school. 

She wrote in the edict, “I, Stephanie Garcia Richard, Commissioner of Public Lands, do hereby order and direct that the state trust lands located within one mile of a school or other educational institution shall not be leased for new oil and gas purposes until further order, effective immediately.”

It also read that “nothing herein shall restrict the State Land Office from authorizing the placement of infrastructure or permitted uses for the purpose of ensuring that appropriate public health, safety or environmental standards are met,” apparently attempting to usurp more broad power to restrict the oil and gas production under the guise of “health” and safety.” 

Nowhere in the order are citations to any studies or scientific evidence to justify her action. 

During a press conference, Garcia Richard said, “There is no reason to greenlight operations that produce dangerous pollutants so close to schoolkids when we have millions of acres of state lands to work with.”

“Ultimately, we need a public health buffer around schools enshrined in state law, and this order provides an opportunity to engage the Legislature, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders on developing a comprehensive and long-term solution,” asking lawmakers to pass legislation to codify this order.

Jim Winchester, Executive Director of the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico, wrote, “IPANM agrees that safe and reasonable setbacks are necessary between certain production sites and schools, however, we have concerns that the distance to be enforced under the State Land Office’s assumed discretionary authority is arbitrary and isn’t based on any definitive evidence of health impacts.”

“While it would have been appropriate for the State Land Commissioner to consult with industry before issuing this order carte blanche, we will work with her office on a case-by-case basis if there are particular tracts of land that might otherwise be safely and responsibly developed to provide critical revenues to improve New Mexico’s schools.”

Oil and gas revenues comprise 50 percent of the state’s General Fund, meaning further restrictions will directly harm state programs funded by oil and gas, such as education and health care.

NM land commissioner issues edict further restricting oil and gas Read More »

Santa Fe Archbishop Emeritus Sheehan passes away

2 Comments / New Mexico, News / By

On Saturday, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe announced that former Santa Fe Archbishop Michael Sheehan, 83, passed away. Sheehan served as Archbishop of Santa Fe from 1993 to 2015, retiring at 75 as customary of all Roman Catholic bishops.

He spent 50 years serving the church, 32 of those as a bishop.

“With sadness and with profound faith in the Risen Christ, I announce to you that Archbishop Sheehan passed away late this afternoon,” current Archbishop John C. Wester. “He died peacefully and with firm faith in his Lord and Savior. I am sure that he was very gratified by the many visitors he received these past few weeks.”

The Archdiocese wrote in a press release, “Archbishop Sheehan’s peaceful departure brings to an end a remarkable journey that spanned over eight decades, during which he selflessly guided countless individuals on their spiritual path and worked tirelessly to uplift the lives of those in need. Known for his unwavering faith, compassionate nature, and profound wisdom, he leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.”

“Beyond his pastoral responsibilities, Archbishop Emeritus Sheehan was deeply committed to social justice, evangelization, and worked tirelessly to abolish the death penalty in New Mexico. He championed initiatives aimed at eradicating poverty, promoting equality, and ensuring the well-being of the most vulnerable members of society. His unwavering advocacy for human rights and dignity earned him the respect and admiration of people from all walks of life. On June 17, 2003, he was named Apostolic Administrator of Phoenix until December 20, 2003, and was elected the Secretary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops November 12, 2003 – December 1, 2006,” the press release continued.

“Born July 9, 1939, in Wichita, Kan., Sheehan was ordained in Rome in 1964 and became the bishop of the Diocese of Lubbock, Texas, in 1983,” reported the Santa Fe New Mexican. 

“Archbishop Robert Sanchez had been forced to resign after admitting misconduct with women, and reports of child sexual abuse by priests were surfacing…. Claims of abuse would continue, eventually prompting a bankruptcy case that recently was settled with nearly 400 claimants for $121.5 million. By many accounts, however, Sheehan succeeded in restoring stability to the diocese and reviving its damaged spirit.”

The Archdiocese added, “The loss of Archbishop Emeritus Michael Jarboe Sheehan will be deeply felt by the Roman Catholic Church, the local community, and countless individuals. His motto, ‘Love One Another Constantly,’ will continue to inspire and guide the faithful to uphold the values he held dear.”

Santa Fe Archbishop Emeritus Sheehan passes away Read More »

Democrat state lawmaker announces resignation

23 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Saturday, Democrat New Mexico state Rep. Christine Trujillo of Albuquerque’s 25th House District announced her resignation from the Legislature effective July 1, 2023.

A press release announcing her departure noted her work during the 2023 Legislative Session to put feminine hygiene products in boy’s and girl’s restrooms in public schools and expand “school-based health centers” that would likely be feeders for clients to abortion mills and places to access “gender-affirming care.”

“It’s been the honor of my life time to represent our community in the Roundhouse for the last decade. Thank you to my neighbors for placing your trust in me as your representative. I hope I have made you proud by fighting for our public schools and working to make life easier for New Mexico families. I look forward to continuing to serve our community in my next chapter,” wrote Trujillo in the press release.

Legislative portrait of Rep. Christine Trujillo – 2023.

House Speaker Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) said the Democrat lawmaker was an “important voice in our chamber.”

Once Trujillo leaves the chamber, the Bernalillo County Commission will nominate a successor.

According to an analysis of Trujillo’s district’s partisan makeup by Princeton University, the seat skews heavily toward Democrats, with a 71.63 percent estimated vote share for the Democrat Party while only a 28.37 percent for Republicans. 

The seat will likely draw a competitive primary in 2024 for the seat, being a compact district in the heart of Albuquerque. Other seats, such as that of then-Representative, now-Sen. Moe Maestas (D-Bernalillo) resulted in two different Democrats occupying the seat following his abdication to the upper chamber.

Democrat state lawmaker announces resignation Read More »

Treaty broken: Navajo Nation unleashes on Haaland after Chaco Canyon ban

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On Friday, Joe Biden’s U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a former Democrat congresswoman from New Mexico, released her decision to ban permitting of any type of natural mineral extraction within ten miles of Chaco Canyon, resulting in fury from the Navajo Nation, which opposed the measure after unsuccessfully trying to work with the administration on a compromise.

“Despite the Navajo Nation’s position, Secretary Haaland proceeded to issue this decision one day after the Navajo Nation commemorated our Treaty Day, which recognizes the Treaty of 1868 and the start of the government-to-government relationship between the Navajo Nation and the United States. The Secretary’s action undermines our sovereignty and self-determination,” Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said. 

“Despite my concerns and denunciation, the Department of Interior has moved forward, which is highly disappointing. Secretary Haaland’s decision impacts Navajo allottees but also disregards the tribe’s choice to lease lands for economic development. Ultimately, this decision jeopardizes future economic opportunities while at the same time placing some 5600 Navajo allottees in dire financial constraints,” said President Nygren.

“The Navajo Nation strongly disagrees with the new public land order and the Department of the Interior’s assertion that there was significant consultation with tribal nations prior to today’s announcement. The current resolution and position of the Navajo Nation supports no land withdrawal. In the past, the Navajo Nation attempted to compromise by proposing a five-mile buffer as opposed to the 10-mile. The Biden Administration has undermined the position of the Navajo Nation with today’s action and impacted the livelihood of thousands of Navajo allotment owners and their families. While we explore our options, we remain open to discussing a path toward compromise,” said Speaker Crystalyne Curley.

The Navajo Nation wrote in a press release, “President Nygren and Speaker Curley urge President Joe Biden and Secretary Haaland to reconsider this decision as it is a breach of trust between the Department of the Interior, the federal government, and the Navajo Nation; the decision is unjust and may violate individual landowner rights (Navajo allottees). President Nygren respectfully requests the Biden Administration work towards a solution that respects the rights and dignity of the Navajo people due to the long-lasting consequences to the Navajo People.” 

The decision ignored opposition from the Navajo Nation through various statements and resolutions by the current and past tribal administrations and conflicts of interest with her own daughter, Somah Haaland, lobbying Congress in support of the ban.

Haaland slaps Navajo Nation in the face with Chaco Canyon decision

Treaty broken: Navajo Nation unleashes on Haaland after Chaco Canyon ban Read More »

New Mexico judge temporarily halts Eunice’s abortion lawsuit

2 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

This week, Fifth Judicial District Judge Lee A. Kirksey temporarily halted a lawsuit filed by the City of Eunice regarding the state’s newly passed H.B. 7, which attempts to usurp authority from local governments to enforce federal laws pertaining to abortion. The judge paused proceedings at least until the state Supreme Court rules on a case regarding local ordinances.

The City of Eunice argued that the federal Comstock Act makes it illegal to ship or receive abortion medication, which contradicts the new law set to go into effect in June. 

Six New Mexico cities and counties have passed pro-life ordinances that would enforce the Comstock Act. Other localities, such as Gallup and Artesia, are considering passing similar legislation. 

“We applaud Judge Kirksey’s decision to stay the lawsuit filed by the city of Eunice,” Democrat state Attorney General Raúl Torrez, who filed the motion for a stay, said, adding he looks “forward to definitively resolving this question in the proper forum — the New Mexico Supreme Court.”

Michael Seibel, who represents the City of Eunice in the case, said the judge’s action was not necessarily unexpected, telling the Albuquerque Journal, “This case is not going to be won at the District Court level.”

“We are just trying to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens from an overwhelming of Texas women coming in to have abortions,” Seibel told the Piñon Post. 

Far-left dark money groups, including the ACLU and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, have filed briefs in the case supporting Torrez’s attempt to subvert the federal statute. 

New Mexico judge temporarily halts Eunice’s abortion lawsuit Read More »

Haaland slaps Navajo Nation in the face with Chaco Canyon decision

13 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Friday, Joe Biden’s U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a former Democrat congresswoman from New Mexico, released her decision regarding banning drilling near Chaco Canyon. 

Haaland declared that she would issue the withdrawal of federal lands within a 10-mile radius of Chaco Canyon from new oil and natural gas leasing for the next 20 years.

The decision ignored opposition from the Navajo Nation and conflicts of interest with her own daughter, Somah Haaland, lobbying Congress in support of the ban. 

“Despite her conflicts of interest, Secretary Haaland announced a withdrawal of land around Chaco that threatens the livelihoods of 5,500 Navajos near the park. She completely ignored the democratic resolutions of the sovereign Navajo Nation whose lands surround the park to put the interests of her tribe, based a hundred miles away, and obstructionist groups first,” said Kathleen Sgamma, president of Western Energy Alliance (WEA). 

“The decision prevents Navajo property owners from accessing the oil and natural gas resources they own which provide them with their sustenance. Secretary Haaland didn’t even consider the Navajo compromise proposal when conducting the NEPA analysis necessary to support this decision, which leaves her and the Interior Department legally vulnerable.”

In May, the Navajo Nation voted to reject any buffer around Chaco Canyon. In its resolution, the 25th Navajo Nation Council stated, “If the buffer zone is adopted, the Navajo allottees who rely on the income realized from oil and natural gas royalties will be pushed into greater poverty.” 

“The economic costs of Interior’s land withdrawal and prohibition of oil and natural gas leasing will cost Navajo members an estimated $194 million over the next 20 years. Exposing the secretary’s fallacy that it will not impact Navajo lands, the Council noted that the withdrawal will cause Navajo lands to be landlocked and inaccessible to development,” noted WEA. 

The group noted, “Sec. Haaland has several conflicts of interest related to Chaco as the Alliance pointed out in a recent letter to the House Committee on Natural Resources. The secretary’s conflicts involve her daughter’s ties to the climate group Pueblo Action Alliance (PAA). While ignoring the Navajos during the review process, Sec. Haaland granted PAA special access to her office to further her daughter’s lobbying activities.”

In a November 2021 letter to Sec. Haaland, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, and Vice President Myron Lizer wrote, “By simply bypassing true and inclusive tribal consultation with the Navajo Nation and our Individual Indian Allottees, the Biden-Harris Administration is markedly undermining the trust responsibility they owe to the Navajo Nation and the 22,000 Individual Indian Allottees impacted by this decision.”

Despite the pushback from tribal stakeholders, Haaland flatly ignored the Nation’s input to instead push forward her daughter’s lobbying efforts on behalf of eco-left dark money organizations. 

Haaland slaps Navajo Nation in the face with Chaco Canyon decision Read More »

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