NMPolitics.net (https://nmpolitics.net/index/tag/washington/page/69/)
January 8th our nation was shocked by the mindless violence in Arizona. What did the shooter want to get? Sadly, the answer is notoriety. It is one of the most prevalent influences in our society. Yes, I am theorizing and do not know his mind. However, as I watch the coverage of major shootings in our society, all indicators point to this: Evil, thy name is notoriety. Continue Reading
Even in the wake of Saturday’s shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, members of the New Mexico delegation say they don’t want to build a wall of security between themselves and their constituents. Continue Reading
While we look for bigger antidotes for what ails our toxic public dialogue, each of us can hold ourselves and those we can influence to a higher standard of public discourse than we have before. Accepting dangerous rhetoric has become too costly. Continue Reading
Albuquerque City Councilor Dan Lewis, a Republican, has formed an exploratory committee as he considers challenging U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., next year. Continue Reading
We the people, and our politicians, political groups and media, all share some of the blame for this tragedy because we have tolerated – and some of us have even used – violent rhetoric that only serves to spread hate and division. Now we have to decide where to go from here. Continue Reading
UPDATED: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., is in critical condition after being shot in the head while she was meeting with constituents outside a grocery store in Tucson. U.S. District Judge John Roll was among five people killed in the shooting. Continue Reading
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., has been talking for months about changing the Senate’s rules. He’ll get his chance to propose changes today. But “today” might last longer than normal. Continue Reading
Former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson says she’s considering running for U.S. Senate in 2012 and “other opportunities.” Continue Reading
Gov.-elect Susana Martinez’s historic victory and the end of Bill Richardson’s tenure are among NMPolitics.net’s picks for the top 10 political and government stories of 2010. Continue Reading
As U.S. Rep. Harry Teague leaves office, what I can say is that he is an incredibly nice man who worked tirelessly. But he failed to be the sort of decisive leader New Mexicans want, and they responded accordingly by booting him out of office. Continue Reading
The 111th (lame duck) Congress did a few good things this past week. My favorite – from a center-right frame of mind – was that the 111th repealed the rather prehistoric “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy. Continue Reading
To address the growing problem of Mexican drug cartels, the United States must consider legalizing some drugs. And it must consider offering military aid to Mexico’s president. I’m not endorsing either idea, but I am urging serious discussion of those and other proposals. Continue Reading
U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich says President Barack Obama’s recent tax compromise with Republicans is concerning because it was “too one-sided” – and he’s hoping it doesn’t indicate a new trend for the president. Continue Reading
UPDATED: With Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid abandoning hopes of passing an omnibus public lands bill during the lame duck session, it appears that securing the permanent wilderness designation for hundreds of thousands of acres in Doña Ana County is going to have to wait. Continue Reading
The federal budget practice of “earmarking” – or “pork spending” as it is known colloquially – has exploded during the last 15 years. The Taxpayers for Common Sense – a Washington watchdog group – took a hard look at our pork requests from Senators Bingaman and Udall for next year. Continue Reading