NAACP

June 20th marks the next Juneteenth celebration at the Alamogordo Public Library. from 11:00 to 2:00 and everyone is invited to attend.

Our theme this year is in a salute to  Native Americans.  We have commitments from native singers, dancers, and speakers. We have also invited, as we do each year, our neighbors from  the Mescalero Apache Reservation, who in turn have always invited the Alamogordo community to attend their Coming of Age Ceremony,  held every year on the first week of July.

This post will be updated as new information  is made available.

This weekend I had the opportunity to accidentally ‘bump into’ Fox News and hear Mr. Glenn Beck talking about the “Bubba Effect.”

For those of you who may not know, this is the tendency for some in our society to ‘take-to-the-hills and bury ammo and Bibles because THEY is a comin.’ Now the question you have to ask yourself is, who is they? United States Army (Ret) Command Sgt Major Tim Strong as well as an ex-CIA agent were guests of Mr. Beck. Mr. Strong spoke at length without being specific about the ‘Bubbas’ and indicated several known separatist groups as well some that most people are unaware of buried deep in our society. Again, they were not mentioned by name but having spent 20 + years as an AT specialist I am familiar with what he is talking about.

In my opinion, the show on it’s most transparent level attempted to address people’s fears about the unknown in these trying times. Along with the idea that big government has become to intrusive. However, due to the slick presentation and propaganda package that Fox News likes to use the actual message was closer to validating insurrection and homegrown terrorism.

I suggest that all of you take the time to scan news sources and listen with an unbiased and informed ear. Listen to what they are saying, pay attention to your next door neighbor or that guy down the street. I’m not saying that we need to spy on each other but what I am saying is that there are a lot of disgruntled (or better yet Gruntled) people out there and in their haste to do something/anything could in fact do our country great harm.

Respectfully

RJ Peeler

Abraham, translated by Esther Hicks, responds to a mother’s question about her 7-year-old son being uncomfortable hearing the story of Martin Luther King. Then Abraham presents their own version of Dr. King’s dream, as told from Non-Physical Source’s empowering perspective.

By Denise Lang
President Peace and Justice of La Luz

The film, V Day Until the Violence Stops, will be shown twice on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the New Mexico State University-Alamogordo campus in the Technical Education (Pro-Tech) Building, Room 128. (NE side of campus) The subject is how people are working to end violence, reclaim peace, and to celebrate women’s sexuality and strength. Admission is free!

Peace and Justice of La Luz (Pajoll), a local non-profit organization, proudly supports 2009 events to help celebrate women, their strength and their sexuality.  Pajoll is part of Otero County’s Take Back the Night Committee, bringing a controversial documentary film to Alamogordo to share with community members.

The NAACP of Otero County held their 2008 election at the Vision Ford Atrium, 1500 S. White Sands, Alamogordo, New Mexico.

The following candidates were elected to serve:

For President: Rev. Warren Robinson
Vice President: Carolyn Peeler
Secretary: Nathan Christian
Treasurer: Denise Lang
Vice Treasurer: Ron Peeler

Thanks to all those who have served so tirelessly as officers of our local chapter.  We would especially like to thank Joel Hamilton for his excellent work as treasurer the past two years! He continues to serve as the New Mexico State NAACP Treasurer.  Also, we welcome our newly elected treasurer, Denise Lang.

Disclaimer: The NAACP of Otero County in no way endorses the Democratic Party or the Progressive Party of Otero County, New Mexico.

The following are my notes from the Forum on Substance Abuse held by the Otero County Chapter of PDA June 25th – Ken Nicholson

The Otero County chapter of Progressive Democrats of America hosted a panel discussion on the substance abuse situation in the county. Panel members Dr. Gil Heredia, physician and chair of the Otero Libertarian Party, Sharon Hodges of the New Mexico Department of Health, and Ken Larson, Certified Peer Specialist and Recovery Mentor presented a comprehensive survey of the drug problems we are facing in Otero County to an interested audience of local activists. Al Kissling of PDA NM was the moderator.

Dr. Heredia said that the so called “War on Drugs” was having a more devastating effect on our community than the actual use of drugs. He cited the emphasis of the drug war being on law enforcement and leading to incarceration rather than treatment and rehabilitation. When those caught in the system have finished their time, they are released back into the community, still addicted, without the root of their situation being addressed. Heredia noted the high cost of incarceration versus treatment. Also, drug crimes are crimes against oneself and not directly against the community. He said that if drugs were legal, market forces would pressure dealer profits, and the supply of drugs would dwindle. One community activist added that the prison industry has lobbied for mandatory minimum sentences to the benefit of the private prison industry while removing judges’ discretion. (more…)