Fw: [Inside the Capitol] 9-2 Battleship New Mexico Invited to Japanese Surrender

I'll try embedding the attachment.

 

By JAY MILLER

Syndicated Columnist

      SANTA FE -- On September 2, 1945, Japan made formal the surrender it had declared on August 15. The ceremony occurred aboard the USS Missouri, in Tokyo Bay.

   The Japanese delegation, unable to find any vessel seaworthy enough to take them into the bay, boarded an American destroyer to take them on the 16-mile journey.

   An impressive 258 Allied warships filled the bay, making it one of the most formidable displays of naval power ever assembled in one anchorage. Many more could have joined them, but it was an invitation-only event for warships that had distinguished themselves in Pacific battles.

   The Battleship New Mexico was there, honored for her service in the Gilberts, Marshalls, Solomons, Marianas, Philippines and Okinawa. In her last two battles, she suffered three kamikaze hits, killing a total of 83, including the commanding officer, and injuring 206.

   Also present was Gen. Jonathon Wainwright, the beloved commanding officer who remained in the Philippines after MacArthur left.

   Wainwright, who had endured all the prison camp atrocities experienced by his troops and looking like a skeleton, was quickly rescued from a prison camp in China and brought to the ceremony.

   He took a place of honor, near MacArthur and reportedly received the first ceremonial pen when MacArthur signed the surrender document as the Supreme Commander of Allied Powers in Japan.

   The Navy was not impressed that MacArthur became supreme commander or that he would conduct the surrender ceremonies. MacArthur's promotion made it appear that the Army had won the war in the Pacific and not the Navy.

   Obviously, it took both But neither wanted to admit it because the two services were completely separate entities. Had Japan not created the same problems for itself, our divided command would have caused us even more problems.

   And the only reason the Air Force wasn't part of the argument was that it wasn't created until 1947.

   The solution to the Navy's displeasure was to have MacArthur conduct the ceremony aboard a Navy ship. And to get President Harry Truman's cooperation in the deal, the vessel chosen for the surrender ceremony was the Battleship Missouri.

   Instead of being conducted on the broad fantail of the Missouri, the signing took place on a narrow quarterdeck, around a worn table from the ship's galley, covered by a coffee-stained green tablecloth. The ceremony was short, which pleased both MacArthur and the Japanese.

   Another indication of evident downplaying of the ceremony was that the American officers wore khaki uniforms, the British wore shorts. Our other allies wore dress uniforms. The Japanese wore top hats and tails. That's an interesting progression from those who had the most to do with winning the war to those who lost.

   Although the ceremony was simple and understated, it was followed by a massive show of strength, as 1,900 Allied aircraft came roaring overhead.

   Following the August 15 surrender declaration by Emperor Hirohito, it took two weeks before the first American soldiers landed in Japan. Air drops to prison camps had been occurring and agents from the Office of Strategic Services had parachuted into prison camps to keep order until troops arrived.

   One of the first tasks of the soldiers who landed was to get to the airfields to remove propellers from Japanese aircraft. There still was unrest among many of the military and a fear that mutinous kamikaze pilots might make a last-minute bid for immortality during the surrender ceremonies.

   The first stage of the occupation was to provide for the care of Allies who had been held captive. It was accomplished as quickly as possible because our troops were clamoring to get out and families back home wanted to know of their loved ones.

   The Battleship Missouri can be visited in Honolulu by going to Pearl Harbor and taking a shuttle. Tours are conducted of various parts of the ship. Or one may go directly to view the surrender location and listen to a recording of MacArthur's words.

FRI, 9-02-11

 

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505

(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

 

From: Jay Miller

Sent: Monday, August 29, 2011 10:59 AM

To: insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

Subject: [Inside the Capitol] 9-2 Battleship New Mexico Invited to Japanese Surrender

 

--
Posted By Jay Miller to Inside the Capitol at 8/29/2011 10:57:00 AM

9-2 Battleship New Mexico Invited to Japanese Surrender

 

8-31 Skandera Closes Albuquerque PED Office

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- Public Education Department Secretary Hanna Skandera is closing the department's Albuquerque office and transferring the 18 employees to Santa Fe.. This follows her cut a few months ago of 33 jobs in Santa Fe
How can she do all this when Gov. Susana Martinez has frequently said she will protect public schools from budget cuts? Well, she later amended that position by stating she wouldn't touch classrooms.
At the same time Gov. Martinez said she wants major cuts in bloated school administration. In that category, she includes the Public Education Department, despite charging it with reforming education.
Skandera's position is that she doesn't need a lot of employees to bring about the education changes she wants. Plus, her department was hit with more than a 20 percent funding cut by the Legislature.
Some departments require more than one office because the staffing has grown to the point that one building won't hold them. But with the hiring freeze of the past three years, it now should be possible for many departments and agencies to consolidate into one building.
During the years of staff expansion to second and third locations, Albuquerque was a very popular place. A primary reason for this was that many cabinet secretaries already lived in Albuquerque and it was far easier to frequently work in an Albuquerque office than face the daily commute.
And there always were plenty of state employees living in Albuquerque who were more than willing to staff an Albuquerque office.
A few years ago when telecommuting became popular, many state employees living in Albuquerque opted for it. But the rule was that they had to report to an Albuquerque office.
That arrangement does nothing to help save on office space but the worry was that they would just goof off at home. Reports I received revealed that when the person in charge of the office had to be away, nearby coffee shops were full of state employees.
Working from home or from an unsupervised office is successful only when a specific amount of work is assigned and monitored. And that didn't appear to be very successful under the previous administration.
Another popular move in state government during the previous administration was to move Santa Fe offices as far south of town as possible so they would be closer to Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.
A massive office building complex was rejected by the Legislature at the end of the previous administration because of state budget problems. Otherwise we may have seen a further move away from the state Capitol complex.
The intent of the framers of our state's constitution a century ago seemed to be to consolidate state government in one place.
The constitution says, "The officers of the executive department, except the lieutenant governor, shall during the terms of their office, reside and keep the public records, books, papers and seals of office at the seat of government."
Lieutenant governors were excepted because they have no records, books, papers or seals of office. They didn't have an option of a job in Santa Fe until 1971.
When Albuquerque surpassed Santa Fe in size after the railroad arrived in the 1880s, the Duke City began trying to move the capital 60 miles south.
Those hopes were somewhat dashed with the construction of a new colossal capitol building in 1886. In 1892, the capitol burned to the ground. Many Santa Feans blamed Albuquerque for torching it but the cause of the fire never was determined.
It must be said that many Santa Feans didn't like the capitol either because of its audacity and high cost.
Will Secretary Skandera's decision to close the education department's Albuquerque office lead to similar closures by other departments?
It would seem to be consistent with the cost cutting efforts of Gov. Susana Martinez's administration.
MON, 8-29-11

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-29 Billy the Kid Still at Large

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- Here's an update on the Miller posse's efforts to Catch the Kid.
New Mexico's attempts to increase tourism have long been a favorite subject of this column. So when new Tourism Department secretary Monique Jacobson came up with a Billy the Kid treasure hunt, I was intrigued.
This contest is somewhat targeted toward younger adults because Jacobson noticed that most New Mexico tourists are older than average.
The game is easier to play using a smartphone. Since I'm not smart enough to have such a gadget, we included our kids and grandkids in the Miller posse.
They all live in Phoenix, where one doesn't like to be this time of year. So they plan summer trips this direction anyway. And besides Mom was laid up in the hospital and needed company.
I previously told you that one carload of the posse came last month and found lots of Billy's loot but no clues, due to technical difficulties. The second carload had better luck -- three clues and lots more loot.
The contest rules suggest enlisting family and friends for your posse. So I rounded up some Billy the Kid historians. After they started deciphering the clues, I realized that a knowledge of the Kid's history was not necessary. A knowledge of New Mexico is.
Fortunately, one of my Billy historians also has a superior knowledge of our state. That's as it should be. The purpose of the contest is familiarize people with our state, not with Billy the Kid.
After combining those three clues, we decided we know where Billy is hiding and even have a good idea when he will be found.
Since the thrill of the hunt was the important factor to us, we decided we will not vie for the $10,000 prize. In the immortal words of Mike Pitel, who figured out the most important clue, "I don't want the money, just the glory."
For those of you who would like a shot at that money, there still is time. It can be done. It is much fun. And there are many other great prizes.
Every week a prize drawing is held among those who have uncovered a clue. The prizes include lodging, meals and participation in the area's many activities.
Then there is a general store where loot gathered in every county of the state can be redeemed for resort nights, restaurants, services and merchandise. An indication of the contest's popularity is that nearly everything has been redeemed.
But there is still the $10,000 prize and the weekly prize drawings for posses that find clues during the coming weeks of September.
And the bonus is that you will have fun traveling the state. The loot is hidden in state parks and monuments. You've been wanting to get out and see those anyway, haven't you?
This may even encourage you to figure out how a smartphone works. What you do is download an app that opens when you get to the GPS coordinates of a clue or loot. It tells you the clue and the number of coins you have just won. The rest is done for you.
The big computer in the sky at the state Tourism Department credits your account with the number of coins awarded at that location and enters you in the drawing for the weekly prize.
Secretary Jacobson tells me the app developed for this contest is the first of its kind. A similar contest now is being run by a big national chain to try to get people to as many of its locations as possible.
You still can sign up your posse by going to www.catchthekid.com. Over 2,000 posses already have registered. Jacobson says she expected most of the posses to come from New Mexico but half of them have been from out of state.
Jacobson's background and creativity appear to have New Mexico tourism headed in the right direction.
MON, 8-29-11

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

82611Texas gets different rules

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- Texas has done it to us again. The state has enjoyed bullying us ever since it came into existence. This time it involves playing by different rules for the collection on drought insurance.
Last year, as the effects of drought became very obvious, the U.S. Department of Agriculture began touting a new drought insurance policy. Ranchers in New Mexico and Texas jumped at the opportunity.
Sure enough, both states are experiencing the worst droughts in recorded history. Texas ranchers have received $65 million in payments. New Mexico ranchers have received $2,000 for the $1.5 million they paid in premiums.
The Agriculture Department says New Mexico's problem is that pinons, junipers, cactus and snake weed that still are living count against us even though cows don't eat them.
So in Texas, the lack of rainfall qualifies ranchers for tens of millions in drought payments, while New Mexico ranchers qualify for a pittance.
The difference seems to be that New Mexico ranchers insured themselves against a decline in vegetation greenness. It wasn't drought insurance. Except New Mexico ranchers insist it was called drought insurance when they bought it.
On the surface, this may appear to be ineptness on the part of the U.S. Agriculture Department. And some of that likely is involved. But it also has a lot to do with Texas having a congressional delegation many times the size of New Mexico's delegation.
With 32 House members and two senators, Texas can pound the Agriculture Department for a favorable interpretation of the rules. With three House members and two senators, New Mexico is in a considerably weaker position.
We've also talked about New Mexico's seniority problem after the retirement of Sen. Pete Domenici and the resignation of all three House members in order to vie for his seat.
Sen. Jeff Bingaman and his 29 years of experience is all we have left. The combined experience of the other four members of our delegation hardly totals 10 years. That leaves Bingaman to fight the fight.
Bingaman is chairman of the Senate Energy Committee but in this situation, it doesn't carry the clout of former Rep. Joe Skeen who as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee's subcommittee on Agriculture, could promise to take a close look at the Agriculture Department's budget.
Anyway we are accustomed to getting knocked around by Texas. In the matter of Rio Grande water, New Mexico's allotment always has been unfairly low.
New Mexico farmers complain about having to conserve every drop of water they can, while Texas farmers flood their crops to the point water runs over the roads.
This may be a long, sad story. Scientists tell us we could be in for a 30 to 40 year mega-drought and Texas isn't going to do anything to help its poor New Mexico neighbor despite Texas Gov. Rick Perry's "miracle economy" and his close connection with the Almighty.
Texas began its efforts to dominate New Mexico back in 1841, when it invaded us from the east. Fortunately they never had seen mountains so they crumbled after hitting Anton Chico. They were marched barefoot to Mexico City.
The next invasion was from the south in 1862. The Texans did well as long as they stuck to the Rio Grande. But when they veered east at Santa Fe to take the supply depot at Fort Union, they ran into mountains again.
After we destroyed their supplies and killed their mules, we lent them shovels to bury their dead and sent them packing back down the Rio Grande.
That experience convinced Texans they weren't fighters so they resorted to being politicians. When New Mexico finally became a state, Texas required that we accept an incorrect boundary survey, which gave Texas an extra half-million acres.
A few years ago, then-Land Commissioner Patrick Lyons challenged the Texas land commissioner to a quick draw contest with the stakes supposedly being that disputed 500,000 acres. Lyons says the Texan cheated.
FRI, 8-26-11

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-24 Is Media Piling on PRC?

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- Is the media piling on Jerome Block, Jr. and the Public Regulation Commission? That's what PRC commissioner Ben Hall says. He notes that in America people are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Granted, a day seldom goes by without a new charge against Block making headlines. First I will note that all media are very careful to use words like alleged, charged and faces when talking about accused lawbreakers. It allows company lawyers to sleep better at night.
There has been one recent exception. For a brief period between jobs, former state public safety chief Darren White was the crime reporter for an Albuquerque television channel.
Station management reportedly joked that during his brief stint, White convicted more people than the district attorney by not being careful to use language presuming innocence.
But care in use of language aside, the media have found a fertile source of news in headline stories about daily revelations of Block's missteps.
Hall suggests that we report on good actions the PRC takes. The question is whether you would read it. Local newspapers go in and out of business based on the belief that people want to hear good news. That is what they say. But do they mean it?
Those "good news" papers usually don't stay in business long. It's like negative campaigning. No one likes it but it works. Political consultants wouldn't use it if it didn't work.
Political campaigns and the media both rely on frequent public opinion polls to determine their most effective message. They are not going to run something the majority does not like. Negative news is here to stay.
It should also be noted that the other four PRC members asked Block to resign and then stripped him of his vice chairmanship. So much for presuming innocence.
One group of public officials who likely don't begrudge the attention given to the PRC are state court judges who were taking it on the nose until the PRC redirected that attention.
In a previous column, I cautioned readers not to count Block out. No matter how many charges pile up against him. He is not going to resign that $90,000 a year job until forced to. No one is going to talk him into resigning.
The impeachment route is a possibility but it isn't practical. The process takes a very long time. If New Mexico had a full time legislature, the situation would be easier.
But as it is, lawmakers would have to tack the proceedings onto the end of the upcoming special session if the process could be readied in time. Otherwise it would take another special session or cramming it into the short 30-day session next January.
Gov. Susana Martinez likely would be willing to call a special session or add it to her call for next January's session. She already has called for Block's resignation and she could appoint a Republican to the seat if Block were to be impeached.
But there also are cost concerns. Everyone would have to lawyer up. The House committee that meets to decide whether to recommend an impeachment trial will need much legal advice. Say $100,000 worth.
The House will need its own legal advice for the actual impeachment proceedings. If impeached, Block then would go to trial by the Senate, which would need its legal advice.
Expert witnesses and extra staff would be needed. And unless these proceedings can be sandwiched into the Legislature's other business, which is unlikely, figure on another $50,000 a day. Some warn it may take 20 days.
Block could give up because of lack of funds to pay for his defense. That's not likely but many of Block's woes over the past two-and-a-half years have been financial.
Criminal charges could bring him down as they did with former commissioner Carol Sloan. But he may still be around for the 2012 elections. And remember, Block survived a primary and general election in 2008 despite much bad publicity.
WED, 8-24-11

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-24 Is Media Piling on PRC?

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- Is the media piling on Jerome Block, Jr. and the Public Regulation Commission? That's what PRC commissioner Ben Hall says. He notes that in America people are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Granted, a day seldom goes by without a new charge against Block making headlines. First I will note that all media are very careful to use words like alleged, charged and faces when talking about accused lawbreakers. It allows company lawyers to sleep better at night.
There has been one recent exception. For a brief period between jobs, former state public safety chief Darren White was the crime reporter for an Albuquerque television channel.
Station management reportedly joked that during his brief stint, White convicted more people than the district attorney by not being careful to use language presuming innocence.
But care in use of language aside, the media have found a fertile source of news in headline stories about daily revelations of Block's missteps.
Hall suggests that we report on good actions the PRC takes. The question is whether you would read it. Local newspapers go in and out of business based on the belief that people want to hear good news. That is what they say. But do they mean it?
Those "good news" papers usually don't stay in business long. It's like negative campaigning. No one likes it but it works. Political consultants wouldn't use it if it didn't work.
Political campaigns and the media both rely on frequent public opinion polls to determine their most effective message. They are not going to run something the majority does not like. Negative news is here to stay.
It should also be noted that the other four PRC members asked Block to resign and then stripped him of his vice chairmanship. So much for presuming innocence.
One group of public officials who likely don't begrudge the attention given to the PRC are state court judges who were taking it on the nose until the PRC redirected that attention.
In a previous column, I cautioned readers not to count Block out. No matter how many charges pile up against him. He is not going to resign that $90,000 a year job until forced to. No one is going to talk him into resigning.
The impeachment route is a possibility but it isn't practical. The process takes a very long time. If New Mexico had a full time legislature, the situation would be easier.
But as it is, lawmakers would have to tack the proceedings onto the end of the upcoming special session if the process could be readied in time. Otherwise it would take another special session or cramming it into the short 30-day session next January.
Gov. Susana Martinez likely would be willing to call a special session or add it to her call for next January's session. She already has called for Block's resignation and she could appoint a Republican to the seat if Block were to be impeached.
But there also are cost concerns. Everyone would have to lawyer up. The House committee that meets to decide whether to recommend an impeachment trial will need much legal advice. Say $100,000 worth.
The House will need its own legal advice for the actual impeachment proceedings. If impeached, Block then would go to trial by the Senate, which would need its legal advice.
Expert witnesses and extra staff would be needed. And unless these proceedings can be sandwiched into the Legislature's other business, which is unlikely, figure on another $50,000 a day. Some warn it may take 20 days.
Block could give up because of lack of funds to pay for his defense. That's not likely but many of Block's woes over the past two-and-a-half years have been financial.
Criminal charges could bring him down as they did with former commissioner Carol Sloan. But he may still be around for the 2012 elections. And remember, Block survived a primary and general election in 2008 despite much bad publicity.
WED, 8-24-11

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-22 Expect redistricting session fireworks

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- New Mexico's 2011 legislative redistricting of state political boundaries promises to be unique in terms of timing, content and politics.
September special sessions are not unusual in New Mexico but a special session beginning this early in the month is rare.
Redistricting special sessions normally are confined to that topic plus a few non-controversial items of a truly emergency nature. Not so this year.
Until 10 years ago, New Mexico's decennial redistricting sessions were fairly devoid of politics. The 2001 session shows us what likely will happen this year.
September special sessions are popular. They don't disrupt summer vacations and Santa Fe tourist traffic has subsided. But this session, called by Gov. Susana Martinez for September 6, comes before Santa Fe has finished its summer activities.
Santa Fe's 299th annual Fiesta activities start Saturday, September 3, the beginning of the Labor Day weekend. They continue for nine days, ending on Sunday, September 11.
Hotels still are full. Streets are packed. And even though the Capitol is several blocks south of the Plaza, it still will be impacted. Lawmakers requested a September 12 start but it is the governor's decision to make
So far, Gov. Martinez has not been sensitive to local conflicts. Asked to pick a date for an important event earlier in the summer, Martinez chose three possibilities. They were the dates of Spanish Market, Indian Market and the International Folk Art Market.
Had it been the Whole Enchilada Fiesta, she might have seen a problem. Typically, Republican governors seldom have had much love for Santa Fe. They don't get to know it ahead of time because there aren't many votes here although there is Republican money.
But lawmakers can work around the inconvenience. It will be their staff who will be most affected. Many of them have Fiesta responsibilities.
This redistricting session will be full of content. The extra items the governor has been adding to the session have been getting more discussion than redistricting itself.
The big item is taking driver's licenses from illegal aliens. Gov. Martinez promised that would be on the agenda as soon as it was defeated in the regular session. Animosities over that issue could color decisions on redistricting.
Allowing statewide restrictions on fireworks became an issue in early July when fires were raging around the state. This could wait until next January's regular session. It won't be uncontroversial. We have fireworks manufacturers in the state and they are friendly with our lawmakers
A capital outlay bill died during a session-ending filibuster. It means many jobs. This is the type of bill that usually gets added to a special session.
Among other bills the governor is likely to add to the special session are food stamps, in-state preferences for procurement, an unemployment tax adjustment, and a high-wage tax credit for employers.
The politics of redistricting will be cranked up just as it was 10 years ago when Republican Gary Johnson faced off with a Democratic Legislature.
Bruce King had been governor during New Mexico's previous three redistricting sessions. He had Democratic legislatures all three times but he told the Democratic leaders to cool it on any punitive changes they might have been plotting.
But this year, as in 2001, the shackles are off and anything is fair. If Democrats go too far, Gov. Martinez can veto anything she wants, just as Johnson did 10 years ago. That would leave the state Supreme Court to decide as it did in 2001. And that decision again is likely to be a "least change" one.
In 2001, Gov. Johnson began the session during Fiesta week and it went 17 days at a cost of $700,000. Don't expect anything better this time.
MON, 8-22-11

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

Cargo Bust & a $2,000 Turkey

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- Who were New Mexico's most off-beat governors? My choices are Dave Cargo, Gary Johnson and Clyde Tingley.
It isn't difficult for most New Mexicans to remember Gary Johnson. He was governor back just the other side of Bill Richardson. It often seemed as though Johnson was more interested in his athletic feats than in being governor.
But Johnson did attend to business, keeping New Mexico's budget under firm control while pushing his libertarian views of restraining government from interfering in people's business or private lives.
That famously included allowing people to do drugs as long as they didn't hurt anyone else. He also vetoed a motorcycle helmet law, saying people should be allowed to enjoy motorcycling any way they want as long as taxpayers don't foot the medical bills for bikers mistakes.
Clyde Tingley was governor way back during the Depression. He was a heavy equipment operator, with little education but his boundless energy, big personality and an eagerness to make things better led to tremendous improvements in the infrastructure of Albuquerque.
Many monuments to his efforts still are standing. They include the state fairgrounds, Tingley Coliseum, Tingley Field and Tingley Beach. A visitor Tingley was showing around remarked "Clyde, looks like they're going to canonize you.." Tingley's reply: "They've tried but I beat them every time."
Tingley's colorful speech and joy for life endeared him to President Franklin Roosevelt who invited him to the White House an amazing 23 times. Tingley parlayed that relationship into many more than our share of Depression-era programs for New Mexico.
And then there is "Lonesome Dave" Cargo. He wasn't really lonesome. He had many friends. But none of them were in the Republican Party hierarchy. No wonder. Cargo was a liberal Republican -- something we don't have many of in New Mexico.
He always had trouble winning Republican primaries. General elections were a bit easier even though there weren't many Republicans in the state back then.
Without any backing and no money, Cargo ran an entirely retail campaign. He had no ads in the papers or on radio or television. His motto was "Why buy the back page when I can get the front page for free?"
And that he did. Cargo always had a biting quip with a strong message. The media loved him. During his first campaign, Cargo drove the state in a beat up Volkswagen, painting his name on every roadside rock he could find.
When he ran for reelection, Cargo got a few good sized donations. His observation: "I have $56,000 to spend this time and I don't know how I'm ever going to spend it. Today's campaigns spend 100 times that amount.
That was well over 40 years ago and Lonesome Dave is still around. That's because he was the youngest governor in our state's history. In fact, he ranks as one of the youngest governors in our nation's history.
Cargo also is the first governor to have his bust placed in the state Capitol. That happened yesterday as a result of legislation passed unanimously in the 2011 Legislature.
As with many of Cargo's doings, the story of how it happened doesn't seem quite right. During the first year of his administration, sculptress Storm Townsend was commissioned to create a bust of Cargo.
Townsend says she doesn't remember who paid her but she cashed the check at Safeway and had enough money for a nice Thanksgiving turkey. Cargo says he paid her $2,000 out of his own pocket.
The placement of the governor's bust also raises some questions. It sits between the busts of two territorial legislators near the west entrance of the Capitol. I can remember seeing those two busts in that location ever since the building was dedicated in 1967. They have been the only busts in the Capitol.
But the joint memorial allowing placement of Cargo's bust in the Capitol approves its placement in the office of the governor.
FRI, 8-19-11

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

81711 PRC always in Turmoil

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- The current Public Regulation Commission difficulties involving Jerome Block, Jr. aren't the first time that five-member body has been in turmoil.
In its dozen years of existence it has been in almost constant disorder. The PRC was created in 1998 to replace a three-member state Corporation Commission that was always in havoc.
The solution created by the Legislature and passed by voters was to replace the Corporation Commission and the appointed Public Utilities Commission with one elected body that would be reined in by various popular "good government" features such as public financing and a ban on campaign donations or other favors from utilities they regulate.
Districts were created that were intended to provide seats for Albuquerque, North Central New Mexico, Northwest New Mexico, the Eastside and the Southwest. The political divisions looked good, with two districts leaning Democrat, two Republican and the Southwest district being a toss up.
It worked but it didn't make much difference. Just as with the former three-member body, political affiliations didn't matter much. Affiliations were based on personalities and who could gang up on whom.
In the beginning, it appeared Republicans had the edge but they elected a Democratic chairman. Then redistricting came along and the Democratic controlled Legislature sought to give Democrats an edge. But somehow the wrong bill got sent to Republican Gov. Gary Johnson to sign and he gladly obliged.
In the redistricting special session 10 years ago the focus was on urban vs. rural PRC districts. Albuquerque was upset that it had only one seat despite having almost a third of the state's population.
Little has been said about redistricting of the PRC in next month's special session but it could end up being a sticking point.
It appeared the 1994 Legislature was ready to abolish the elected PRC and make it appointive by the governor. The former Public Utilities Commission, which was appointed by the governor, had operated smoothly.
Three bills were introduced to create an appointed commission composed of experts in utility regulation. But then Ben Ray Lujan, son of House Speaker Ben Lujan, decided to run for the PRC. Little was heard of those bills again.
Streamlining of state government was a popular idea at this time last year but it too has disappeared. An appointive PRC wouldn't be a bad idea, along with sending some of its duties to other departments of state government.
Among the PRC's present duties are regulating utilities, insurance, transportation, pipelines and fire safety. That's a big order that might be more appropriately handled by other agencies, with more expertise.
As it currently stands, PRC members need not know anything about any of those subjects. All they need do is show up to work occasionally and collect a $90,000 a year paycheck.
The offices have attracted an interesting assortment of candidates over the years. They can be a launching pad for youngsters of well-connected politicians. Jerome Block, Jr.'s father preceded him on the commission as did Rep. Ben Lujan's son Ben Ray.
Or it can be a place where former office holders can settle in for their later years. PRC chairman Patrick Lyons is the former state land commissioner. Former chairman David King is a former state treasurer. Several former legislators have been on the commission including Linda Lovejoy, Shirley Baca and current PRC member Ben Hall.
The current state of affairs regarding PRC member Jerome Block, Jr. includes requests that he resign and moves by the state House of Representatives to impeach him.
But don't count Block out yet. He was in trouble before he ever got elected. There were requests then for him to drop off the ticket. But Block stayed in the race and beat some tough primary and general election opposition without attending forums or debates to answer questions.
WED, 8-17-11

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-15 Japanese surrender freed Bataan vets

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- Recent discussion of a Manhattan Project National Park and the use of atomic bombs on Japan make recognition of Japan's surrender 66 years ago today seem appropriate.
Japan announced its surrender to the Allied Powers on August 15, 1945, thus ending World War II -- except for the paperwork. This sometimes is called VJ Day but President Harry Truman decreed that September 2, the official document signing, would be observed.
In 1945, winning the war was cause for great celebrations in every city, town and village throughout the nation. The same was true in all the allied nations.
Next to the flag-raising on Iwo Jima, the most famous picture in the world may be of a sailor kissing a nurse on Times Square during New York City's celebration on August 14.
Confused about the dates? Was it August 14 or 15? It was August 15 in Japan but Aug. 14 in the United States. There's that messy thing about the International Dateline between us.
The event isn't celebrated anymore. Neither is the date of the German surrender. We don't like to rub the nose of two present allies in the dirt on an annual basis.
At high noon on August 15, Japan announced its acceptance of the Potsdam Agreement demanding complete surrender. Official confirmation was announced by President Harry Truman at 6:10 p.m. that same day, which was August 14 here.
I remember the day well. I was a seven-year-old, staying with my grandparents, on Melendres Street, in Las Cruces. At about 4:30 p.m., my grandmother and I heard many sirens and car horns. She said she had been hearing on the radio all day that the war might end soon.
We sat on the front steps to hear all the celebrating around town. I knew it meant that the fathers of some of my friends would be returning to Deming from Japanese prison camps. It was a joyous occasion.
What I didn't know was that boys who had just graduated from high school had been drafted and would soon be on their way to the Pacific to prepare for an invasion of Japan.
They had great reason to celebrate. U.S. military leaders estimated that we and our allies might lose as many as a million troops during the invasion. Japan would suffer even greater losses because of the number of civilians who would be killed.
We learned later that Japanese military leaders were trying to recruit a million kamikaze fighters to give their lives in suicide missions to repel our attack.
Another reason we don't commemorate the day when our last worldwide war ended is because of another commemoration that occurred last week and has occurred every year for a great many years.
Our decision to use the bombs was controversial. How could we have done such a horrible thing?
The bombs killed no more people than the saturation bombings of Tokyo and other Japanese cities we were conducting from Tinian Island every night.
But these bombs were different. They were bigger and they released radiation that brought disfigurement and death to many more people.
They were scary enough that even though many other countries now have nuclear arsenals, the weapon hasn't been used again in over 60 years of international strife.
But in 1945, we were aware that both Germany and Japan were working on nuclear devices. Germany didn't get its first bomb finished by the time it surrendered.
But a few days before, a German submarine slipped into the North Sea and out into the Atlantic, headed for Japan with all the makings Germany had assembled up to that point.
Fortunately the U.S. Navy intercepted the sub early in its voyage and diverted its cargo to the American nuclear program. But Japan was still in the war and with a little more time, it might have its weapon ready to use against us.
MON, 8-15-11

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-12 Some parallels and a big difference

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist

SANTA FE -- One can find many parallels between the beginning of Gov. Susana Martinez's administration and that of her predecessor, Gov. Bill Richardson. And there is one huge difference.
Martinez is accused of still being in campaign mode. Her top adviser is her former campaign consultant Jay McCleskey, who has his own consulting firm. Martinez still has an active campaign account.
Richardson kept an active campaign office open, headed by Amanda Cooper, daughter of then-Rep. Tom Udall, .and a second employee.
Martinez is accused of tailoring administration initiatives to produce political advantage in an effort to be chosen as a vice-presidential running mate. So was Richardson -- in a big way.
Martinez is being questioned about trips out of state and who is paying for them. Ditto for Richardson. Let's face it. Richardson was and Martinez is very attractive as an Hispanic governor with much promise.
And now for the huge difference. Richardson did it all at the speed of light. Martinez is much more deliberate.
In Richardson's opening speech to the Legislature, less than three weeks after his inauguration, he outlined his bold plans and then added "We'll move so fast you can't see us."
True to his word, Richardson fired everyone from the past administration that he could -- and some that he couldn't. And he immediately replaced them with his own people.
Traditionally cabinet secretaries are allowed to appoint their own deputies and division directors. But Richardson appointed them all. And if there wasn't a position available, Richardson would tell the cabinet member to create one.
It was said of Richardson that he never saw a political position he didn't want to fill. He had a never-ending list of cronies.
Martinez didn't have a deep bench of cronies to whom she had promised jobs. She appointed some of her former staff members, some friends and some friends of friends.
But the list ended far short of Richardson's numbers. Many positions still have Richardson appointees in them and many others remain vacant.
Thom Cole of the Albuquerque Journal calculates there were 337 governor-appointed positions at the beginning of the Martinez administration and that she has filled only about 218 of them.
I inadvertently quoted these figures in an earlier column without attribution. I even had one of them wrong. In this case, two wrongs didn't make a right. Sorry Thom.
We still have much to learn about the boldness Martinez promised in her administration. One doesn't have to move at warp speed to be bold.
Bill Richardson had the advantage of having been a member of Congress for 14 years, plus a United Nations ambassador and a U.S. Energy Department secretary before running for governor. He stayed very close to New Mexico statewide politics all that time.
To say he hit the ground running would be an understatement. Eight month after taking office he convinced New Mexicans to pass two controversial constitutional amendments giving him greatly increased powers over the state's public schools.
Education was Richardson's biggest concern and it has been a major concern of Gov. Martinez. Richardson continually tried different methods of improving education performance but without much success. Martinez has her own ideas. Let's hope hers work better.
Until the secret formula is discovered to make all parents the driving force in a child's education, we aren't going to find many answers.
Martinez has hired the much publicized Hanna Skandera to make some changes that other states have found helpful. With education, it takes awhile to determine success or failure, even when Bill Richardson is pushing the bus.
Martinez still is learning many of the issues and the players but we chose her promise over the experience of Diane Denish. We owe Martinez some time to gain that experience.
FRI, 8-12-11

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com

 

8-10 Gov. looking good nationally

By JAY MILLER
Syndicated Columnist
SANTA FE -- Gov. Susana Martinez continues to look good on the national level. We have talked previously about her national political ambitions and her frequent denials of any such interest.
But we haven't listened very closely because we became so accustomed to hearing her predecessor, Gov. Bill Richardson make similar denials before jumping in feet first.
We've also heard that even if Gov. Martinez prefers to concentrate solely on being a good governor, her 2010 campaign advisers, who still are sticking around, are itching for a 2012 national campaign.
Campaign staff usually don't stay after their work is over. A spot in the winning candidate's administration is incredibly boring compared to the frenetic action of a campaign.
That is true especially if one is young. Later on, with less energy and a family to support, a full time job looks much better. But most of Martinez's staff was young. So why did they want to stay? Many were New Mexicans, which is unusual for a major campaign.
Or is it that they think Martinez has something going for her that most candidates don't? That's where the good national publicity comes in.
Martinez is being viewed nationally as one of the few new Republican governors who haven't adopted a scorched earth policy to vanquish traditional opponents.
Some of those traditional opponents speak of the national Republican playbook provided to all new Republican governors. Based on the actions of most new Republican governors, such a playbook may exist.
But Martinez has chosen to be one of the few new governors who have chosen not to throw herself over a cliff while following orders but to leave well-enough alone and stop there -- for now anyway.
Those who have chosen to jump off the cliff have much higher name recognition nationally. But Florida's Rick Scott has fallen to a 29 percent approval rating in five months. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's approval has fallen to 41 percent while fighting recall attempts. And Ohio Gov. John Kasich is now at 33 percent.
These governors and others have chosen to try to produce radical changes through confrontational politics that have resulted in civil wars with their legislatures.
Gov. Martinez's relations with the New Mexico Legislature cannot be described as warm and fuzzy. The closest she came to war was a robocall blitz to produce calls to lawmakers.
Other than that, she mainly ignored the Legislature. It didn't win her any points but it didn't lose her much either. Her latest New Mexico approval rating stands at 52 percent -- one of the few positive scores among new Republican governors.
While Martinez is not popular with public employees, she hasn't taken them on directly as some other governors have. Instead of blaming teachers for education's failures, she has gone after superintendents, their public relations staffs and the Public Education Department.
Instead of trimming state employees, she has targeted the governor's personal staff, such as chefs, jet pilots and cabinet officers' payrolls.
Some political watchers contend that Gov. Martinez is not using a soft touch when it comes to taking drivers' licenses from illegal aliens. It was a divisive issue during this year's regular legislative session.
She didn't accept a Democratic compromise and now she is intending to stuff it in to next month's special session on redistricting. The session will be tense enough without that addition.
On top of that, Martinez has notified 10,000 foreigners with drivers' licenses to travel from all over the state to Albuquerque for an interview. After some heated protests, Martinez opened a Las Cruces office to handle license holders from the southern part of the state.
Could this be the cliff Martinez drives over? Not likely. Drivers' licenses for illegal aliens don't seem to be popular anywhere in the country. New Mexico is one of only two states in which they are issued.
Martinez comes out ahead nationally on this one too.
WED, 8-10-11

JAY MILLER, 3 La Tusa, Santa Fe, NM 87505
(ph) 982-2723, (fax) 984-0982, (e-mail) insidethecapitol@hotmail.com