New Mexico Needs PDACNM — And PDACNM Needs You!

StickyOpinion

Following a time of reflection and consultation with our friends and allies about PDACNM’s future, as well as celebrating our mid-term victories, it’s clear that New Mexicans need a strong progressive voice and PDACNM is uniquely positioned to fill that role.

We believe the vast majority of New Mexicans want and deserve a single-payer universal healthcare system, a stable climate that can support all life, good jobs with fair wages and benefits, and a social safety net that protects our families and children. The challenges are many: including economic inequality, intergenerational inequities, discrimination against women, people of color, indigenous, and our LGBTQ brothers and sisters, homelessness and persistent hunger, a for-profit criminal justice system, and a military with an insatiable appetite for more profit from weapons of war and occupations. They’re all interconnected.

New Mexico is blessed with a large pool of talent and expertise to tackle each of these issues, and there are many groups working to move our state and communities in the right direction, among them Retake Our Democracy, New Energy Economy, Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates, New Mexico Working Families, ACLU-NM, New Mexico Common Cause, Think New Mexico, 350 New Mexico, Indivisible Albuquerque and many more. Working together when our interests are aligned strengthens us all.  However, given our shared goals and strengths, it’s fair for New Mexicans to ask: why does our state remain at the bottom of so many national lists on poverty, education, crime, homelessness, infrastructure, etc.?

Corporate control over our economy and our politics has rigged the system. When voters don’t see the system working for them, and elected leaders don’t appear to have the willpower to fix it, our country, state and communities suffer. That’s why we believe PDACNM is needed more today than ever before.

New Mexicans need a strong progressive voice to speak truth to power at all levels of government. Since 2004, Progressive Democrats of America has been working both inside and outside the Democratic Party to communicate and demand that our elected leaders act consistently with our “progressive vision of a renewed nation, fully integrated into the community of nations and peoples, respectful of the rule of law at home and abroad, and committed to the universal values of human dignity, justice and respect, and stewardship of the planet on which we live.” PDACNM’s strength is our role as progressive Democrats speaking to other Democrats to support the progressive actions of our allies and amplify our collective wisdom. 

Progressivism requires us to keep an eye on our goals, connecting the dots, and thinking in new ways about the serious challenges. As Einstein said, “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” PDACNM will continue to evolve and be a strong voice for our shared progressive values.  Stay tuned and stay involved!  

December 2022 – Lora Lucero   

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Rebirth of Albuquerque Peace and Justice Center on May 20, 2023

Information, Meetings

Cheers and a sigh of relief filled the community room in the new International District Public Library in Albuquerque on Saturday, May 20th. That’s when more than 70 members came together to vote on new bylaws for the Peace and Justice Center, and then elected a slate of new council members.

Many of us had not seen each other in person since before the Covid pandemic hit three years ago, and it felt like a mini reunion of sorts. Although the average age was probably north of 60 years, it was encouraging to see the young people, including the council’s new president, Joshua Orr. 

Given the challenges of the past few years, the new council has a lot on its plate. Everyone appears ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. The next regularly scheduled council meeting is 6/20/23 at the Center.  More details to follow.

The new council members are: Cecilia Chavez, Bob Anderson, Jeanne Pahls, Katarina Robinson, Torrence Green, Joshua Orr – chair, Alan Wagman, Aiden Hendrickson, Andreas Archuleta, Ilse Biel – secretary, Nancy Henderson, Anamargarita Otero – treasurer, and Bob Kermott.

Communication with the council members can be directed to Jeanne Pahls at  jeannepahls@comcast.net and Joshua Orr at orr.d.joshua@gmail.com with a cc. to board@abqpeaceandjustice.org

Hydrogen as a Source of Clean Energy

Information, Opinion

By Paul Stockes

First, organizations like 350nm.org and the Sierra Club have shown that it is almost certain that the hydrogen extracted from natural gas (blue hydrogen) cannot generate clean energy as the extraction process generates significant amounts of greenhouse gases.  Some proponents of blue hydrogen count on greenhouse gas sequestration (i.e. burying it) to eliminate its emission into the atmosphere, but that has been tried by the US and Australia and maybe others, and has been abandoned as economically infeasible.

Hydrogen produced by the electrolysis of water (green hydrogen) using energy from renewable sources does produce clean energy, but electrolysis is not very efficient, so it is far better simply to use the renewable energy to produce electricity.

Continue reading Hydrogen as a Source of Clean Energy →

CITY COUNCIL PROCLAMATION HONORS PEACEMAKING AND WHISTLEBLOWING

Information, News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Information: Julian Moya, 505-768-2511, julianmoya@cabq.gov

CITY COUNCIL PROCLAMATION HONORS PEACEMAKING AND WHISTLEBLOWING

Councilors Fiebelkorn, Benton, and Davis honor the work and sacrifices of Daniel Ellsberg.

Albuquerque, NM – City Councilors Tammy Fiebelkorn, District 7, Isaac Benton, District 2, and Pat Davis, District 6 are highlighting the bravery of whistleblowers by proclaiming the week of April 24th-30th 2023 as Daniel Ellsberg Week for the City of Albuquerque.

“Ellsberg was a true hero for the American people when he revealed the Pentagon Papers, risking life in prison, to enlighten the public about government corruption,” says Councilor Benton. “We should always remember whistleblowers and the courage it takes to stand for what is right.”

The proclamation highlight’s Ellsberg’s critical role in revealing the illegal activities the U.S. participated in relative to the Vietnam War, who copied the 7,000-page study, known as the Pentagon Papers, and distributed it to member of the Senate as well as the media, including the New York Times and the Washington Post. He was charged under the Espionage Act of 1917 along with theft and conspiracy, a total maximum sentence of 115 years, but charges were dismissed and the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the newspapers’ right to publish articles about the papers.

“The actions of Daniel Ellsberg helped end the war in Vietnam and encourages others to come forward if they witness nefarious actions within our own system of government. This proclamation serves as a reminder that whistleblowers are protected and commended for their fortitude,” stated Councilor Davis.

Ellsberg continued his work as a strong advocate for anti-war activism. He continues to support American whistleblowers and the end of nuclear weaponry.

“Daniel Ellsberg gave power back to the people. Honoring him is honoring our collective strength to combat corruption and ensure government accountability,” declared Councilor Fiebelkorn.

The proclamation will be presented to the Progressive Democrats of America- Central New Mexico at the opening of The Vegan Village, an event sponsored by Councilor Fiebelkorn, on Saturday, April 22 at 4:30pm.

WHAT: Daniel Ellsberg Week Proclamation Presentation

WHEN: Saturday, April 22, 4:30 PM

WHERE: Vegan Village at ABQ Collective, 1321 Eubank Blvd NE