Off to the Opera

It was a real busy week as you can tell by my week of no blogging. This week was sandwiched between some play time as well. Last weekend I hit the trails, horseback riding in the Chama area, we went from New Mexico, across into Colorado and back. I really enjoyed this and it was the perfect getaway after the prior weeks distressing news stories. It was kind of a City Slickers weekend and I was pretty sore after two days of riding as I don't get to ride to often.















Sheriff Greg Solano on "Apache"
















Break time on the Trail Ride
















One of Twenty lakes in the area we traveled.

After a week of one busy day after another in which we interviewed candidates for the jail administrator my wife Antoinette and I were off to the Opera to see Jules Massenet's "Cendrillon (Cinderella). I got into trouble with my wife for calling it "hokey" during intermission. The Santa Fe Opera puts on some great shows and even this one had some great costumes, props and scenery. This was probably a woman's opera since it seemed to appeal to my wife and a female friend of ours. My male companion and I thought it was kind of like a Hee Haw Opera. The two ladies seated behind us really enjoyed it since they were laughing as though Rodney Dangerfield was on the stage. Are you really supposed to laugh that hard at an Opera? I found myself nodding off during the third act however the fourth act was a bit more interesting and woke me up. This is not the Disney version of Cinderella, there was no mice, and this version has a father who's role is very prominent in the storyline. There was a Fairy godmother who sang very well and played a good role. Over all it was ok, and I can't ask for too much, we knew going in that it was Cinderella.













A scene from Santa Fe Opera's Cinderella

I have received this same question from a lot of people today so I thought I would answer it here.

NewMexiKen said...

While I understand you are doing as other officials, including Gov. Richardson, have done, I do not understand your motives. Mr. Epstein has been accused of a victim-less crime. He did not earn the money he donated to you or others from this crime. He has not, so far as I know, been convicted. And even if convicted, can a "bad" man do no good?

I for one would be interested in your thinking on this.

I could give you the politically correct answer but I don't work that way. The truth is that Republicans and other political attack dogs are criticizing me heavily on this issue. I know that this is something they will try and use against me and something that could haunt me for a long time to come. I decided it was better to just put this behind me and move on. The best way was to go ahead and make this symbolic donation and move on. I call it symbolic because of course the election is over and the campaign has ended, the money is all spent. So there is no way to give back or donate the actual money instead we will just have to come up with money and donate it so as to put the issue to rest and take it away from the attack dogs as an issue. Such is life when you go into public service.

It is true that these moneys are not alleged to be the fruits of any crime. If Mr. Epstein is guilty of what he is accused then even though the current charge is solicitation of a prostitute, the actual allegations are that the young girls he paid for sex and massages were actually as young as 14 and usually in the 16 to 17 year age. I have read the police affidavit for the arrest and was pretty disgusted by what I read. He also donated millions to charity and I hope the charities will not be pressured into returning the money. Thank you for the question and Thank you to all who have called, written and even sent in donations to assist me.

P.S. (if you sent a donation please don't get arrested !)

Sheriff Solano to donate funds to Charity

Sheriff Solano to donate funds to Charity
August 17, 2006
Sheriff Greg Solano will be donating $1000 to Mothers Against Drunk Driving and $1000 to Challenge New Mexico both local charities doing important work for citizens of New Mexico. The money represents money donated by Jeffrey Epstein to Sheriff Solano’s Campaign in 2005. Although the money had been spent and the election over in June of 2006 Sheriff Solano felt it was the right thing to do in this circumstance. Sheriff Solano will make the donations using a combination of new donations and his own money.

Republican Hack at it again.

Republican hack Whitney Cheshire, AKA The Wednesday Morning Quarterback is at it again not only criticizing my political life but taking digs at my personal life including calling me a wannabe blogger. That hurts, LOL. Whitney has to understand that I have thicker skin than to succumb to childlike name calling.

In a November 2005 Press Release Whitney Republican Hack Cheshire stated the following:

“I've found that liberal bloggers - with a liberal agenda - hit local candidates the hardest,” said Cheshire. Those candidates don‚’t have thousands of dollars to spend on radio and TV to counter the punches being landed on the Internet,” said Cheshire. Bloggers don’t have to be correct, and they don'’t have to be fair. And sometimes, it takes too much money to set the record straight, she said.



“Blog postings land in the press and have an effect on campaigns” said Cheshire. “That’s why it is irresponsible when bloggers refuse to seek comment from the candidates and people about whom they are writing. With The Wednesday Morning Quarterback, we’ll work to report fairly and present more than one side of the story,” she said.

As I read that press release and read her blog I realize, and I wonder if she realizes she has become that which she once criticized. She does nothing but bash Democrats in her blog whether deserving or not. The truth is unimportant to her. Even those whom she as a resident of Albuquerque are not even part of her voting districts are not safe from her pit bull attacks. I don't remember her asking me for comment before writing (or bashing) me on any of the occasions which she has done so. I give her the Fumble of the year award for her unabashed Democrat bashing and childlike behavior on the field.

Political Campaign Financing

Jay Miller has a thought provoking blog post which discusses campaign financing and the governor candidates views on the subject on his blog Inside the Capitol.

While I think voter participation in the process is important and many voters and supporters feel good about helping their candidates whether it is $10 or $1000 or by holding a sign or selling a raffle ticket. There is still a lot to be said about public campaign financing. It would allow candidates a chance to just get out and speak to the people instead of spending so much time fundraising. It would also remove any allegations of favoritism or special access for donors. But as advertising and media expenses rise and rise can the costs get too high for taxpayers to bear? Are they already too high? What do you think?


Cast Your Vote

Free Vote Casters by Bravenet.com

Billionaire Donor In Palm Beach Sex Scandal

Jeffrey Epstein a Billionaire with a 27,000-square-foot hilltop mansion on a 10,000-acre ranch outside Santa Fe has been indicted for felony solicitation of prostitution by a grand jury following accusations by teen girls. Many believed his home in Stanley to be the largest home in the state. Beginning in mid-March 2005, Epstein became the target of a sexual battery probe conducted by the Palm Beach Police Department, according to the affidavit, which alleges that Epstein, 53, paid a series of underage girls to engage in sexual activity with him.

Mr. Epstein is a donor to many democratic candidates across the nation and was considered an upstanding citizen. He has helped such candidates as John Kerry's presidential bid, the Senate bids of Joe Lieberman, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Christopher Dodd and Charles Schumer, and Bill Clinton. In New Mexico he has donated money to many statewide candidates such as Gary King, the reelection campaign of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and many other local politicians, Including my 2006 Primary Election Campaign. Most of these donations were in the $100,000 dollar range.

I am not sure if I ever met Mr. Epstein, I may have met him at one of many political or charitable functions I attend. I had heard of him and his large home in Stanley New Mexico. In August of 2005 I received a $2000 check in the mail from Mr. Epstein. I knew he lived in Stanley, one of the rural areas of the county where we provide almost exclusive police protection, with some occasional assistance from the state Police. So when I received the check I thought it was just a nice donation from someone who appreciated our services. I received several such checks in the mail although most were in the $100 to $500 range. In 2005 there was no such allegations and Mr. Epstein was still well respected. I learned of the indictment in late July of 2006 when I read about it on The Smoking Gun Website. I was very disappointed and it bothered me greatly that even though someone is innocent until proven guilty, I would never have accepted the donation if I had known the allegations.

Steve Terrell, political reporter for The Santa Fe New Mexican called me tonight to get my comments on the indictment. He asked me whether I would be returning the money he donated to my campaign. I received the $2000 donation in August of 2005 and used it for the June 2006 Primary Campaign. I completed the June Primary having spent all donations and actually ending the campaign over $2000 in debt. That debt means that the remaining money was paid out of my pocket. So the short answer is there is nothing left to return. It is now nearly a year since I recieved the donation and the campaign for Sheriff is over and done. As I have no Republican opponent I will not have to wage a General Election Campaign. I did not plan on any further fundraising although some who read in my campaign reports that I had ended with a debt offered to raise some additional money to clear the debt. If I did have the money I probably would return it or give it to a charity as the $2000, returned to Mr. Epstein who is a billionaire would probably not mean much to him.

Running for office and gathering donations to run a campaign is one of the hardest parts of public service. My opponent and myself each spent about $30,000 on the primary Sheriff's campaign. Other offices easily spend a million dollars or more in today's day and age. Publicly financed campaigns would remove this burden and perhaps remove the accusations that this money buys influence. In my case that would be a lot of money to just try and get out of a speeding ticket or buy influence in the few areas where I could really do anything. Of course I would never let donations influence my decisions.

So all I can do now is trust that the public will believe in me still and understand that there is no way when a donation like Mr. Epstein is received that you could ever know that something like this indictment could come a year or two later.

Senator John Edwards- The Road to the White House

I was watching "The Road to the White House 2008" on C-Span Sunday night and it featured Senator and former Vice-Presidential Candidate John Edwards recent event in Cornish, NH. I first met John Edwards when he was introduced to me by Attorney General Patricia Madrid who was heading up his New Mexico Campaign for President prior to John Kerry winning the nomination. He impressed me and seemed to have the ideals and energy of a John F. Kennedy. Even though John F. Kennedy died as my mother was bringing me home from a week in the hospital after my birth, my family worshiped him. I remember growing up there was a Saint Jude Statue right next to the statue of John F. Kennedy in my home. There for I was often told, read about and watched with my family the TV specials on John F. Kennedy as I grew up.


Back to C-Span, Senator Edwards spoke about raising minimum wages, about the Bush administrations support of the big Oil interests while inadequately supporting the efforts to rebuild hurricane ravaged areas. He spoke about poverty in America and the failures of our educational system. I still have not made up my mind about the Democratic nominee of my choice in the primary's to come but Senator Edwards impressed me again as he did the first time I met him.

It would be nice to see our own Governor Bill Richardson in the White House and that would do a lot for New Mexico. I still remember the days when the Clinton White House had economic stability and growth combined with a balanced budget plan. A time when the C.O.P.S. programs helped small departments like Santa Fe County's to hire personnel and buy much needed equipment. Perhaps Hillary Clinton could lead the country in that direction again? Any of these candidates would be better than another Republican Administration. Combine that with the Democrats re-taking congress this November and I believe our country will be back on the path to prosperity. After watching Senator Edwards speak again I think he will be one to watch in the 2008 race. He continues to impress me and seems to get better and better in delivering his message. Finally, for those of you in Rep. Heather Wilsons District, Please elect Patricia Madrid and take one giant step towards a democratically controlled Congress.

"Note: the opinions expressed on this blog are mine and only mine however, keep reading and maybe they will be yours too, if they are not already." :-)

Friday Funny- Santa Fe County Field Sobriety Test

Here is the proposed new Santa Fe County Field Sobriety Test.

My Trip to the World Series of Poker Part 3

Here is part 3 of my trip to the World Series of Poker.


After a little sleep (very little) I went back to the Rio arriving by 9 am because I was told Doyle Brunson would be at the Doyles Room Hospitality suite between 10 and 11 am before he was scheduled to play in the 11 am $1500 buy in Holdem tournament. I got there and found out that there was an early satellite tournament with a $175 buy in. The winner would get a seat in the $1500 tournament which included Doyle and Todd Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, Jennifer Tilley, John Juanda, Mike The Mouth Matasow, Phil Hellmuth and about 340 others. I decided to give up meeting Doyle in the hospitality suite and play in the satellite tournament.














Here I am playing in the WSOP Satellite tournament.

So I sat down put on my sunglasses and got set to play my first game in the same room as the greatest players in the world for a seat in a WSOP tournament and a chance at a World Series of Poker Bracelet. The first hour went well, I held my own and had nearly doubled my chip stack. The Main event was getting re-started at 11:00 so our table was moved to the other end of the room. I think this began a change in luck or my playing. Which ever it was I began to lose hands or be forced to fold when the turn or river killed me.

I received pocket kings and went all in pre-flop hoping to at least pick up the blinds and maybe get one caller with A,K or a smaller pair. I got two callers and immediately got nervous. One lady turned over pocket twos which made me sigh with relief and the other player turned over K,Q unsuited. I thought I had it won. The flop turned with only rags (low cards that did nothing for any of us). The turn came and it stung like a thousand bees. It was a two, I knew I was sunk but still held out hope as I asked the dealer to turn over a king. No king came and I was out of the tournament. I congratulated the lady and got up from my seat. I kept thinking to myself, HOW COULD SHE GO ALL IN PRE FLOP WITH TWOS! Oh well now I know how Phil Hellmuth and Mike the Mouth feel the only difference is I held the anger in.

I walked away and decided to go back to trying to meet as many big name poker players as I could. First to come within my radar screen was Jennifer Tilley. I was really happy about this after missing my chance for photo's and an autograph yesterday when I ran into her at Binions. Not to be shy I stalked her for about 30 minutes as I watched her play until a break. I then approached her introduced myself and gave her one of my Sheriff's Pins. I secured an autograph on an article about her in ALL IN Magazine and a photo with her. Much to my surprise she put the pin on a green sweater she had previously had hanging on her chair and then she put the sweater on. Late that night I ran into her again and she was still wearing the pin but had been knocked out of the tournament.

Next I hooked up with Todd Brunson and retrieved an autograph from WSOP Champions Johnny Chan, Barry Greenstein, Chris Jesus Ferguson, Mike Caro, Greg Raymer, Clonie Gowen, Daniel Negreanu, Mike Matusow, Amir Vahedi, T.J. Cloutier, Kathy Liebert,Cindy Violette, and finally the grand daddy of them all Doyle Brunson. I actually got to spend a few minutes with Doyle and felt truly honored to have spent that time with a living legend. After Stalking all these players, watching the main event all day and spending more time collecting free stuff, I headed back to Binions at about 11:30 at night, still excited about my two days at the World Series of Poker.

Here are some of the pics with the players.













Cindy Violette and Me.













Barry Greenstein and I with the card he signed for me.












Greg Raymer and Greg.


















Chris Jesus Ferguson and Me.
















Daniel Negreanu and I.

















The Grand Daddy of them all Doyle Brunson and an Ecstatic Me.

My Trip to the World Series of Poker Part 2

My Trip to the World Series of Poker Part 2














Day one of my trip to the World Series of Poker began with my arrival at Binions Hotel and Casino on the old strip. It was our home for the next few days. I headed to the poker room where the World series of poker was held for years before bieng moved last year to the Rio. While I was looking at the gallery of World Series of Poker previous winners in walks Jennifer Tilley and the Unibomber Phil Laak. I did not have a camera or anything to autograpgh so I just shook thier hands and said hello and how much I enjoyed thier poker playing skills. No one else recognized them so they looked at the photos on the wall then picked up some poker magazines and began flipping through them. Phil Laak remarked that he was not as well loved in the media at the time as he looked at all the other players in the magazines. They then headed out on to Freemont Street. I have always liked Jennifer Tilley as an actress and as a poker player after she won the ladies World Series of Poker Bracelet last year. I was kicking myself for not having my usual sharpie and camera.


Next it was off to the Rio Pavillion. It is a huge convention center at the back of the casino with the entire center booked with all things poker. Each online poker site had a hospitality room where givaways included, dvd's, t-shirts, hats, Special edition chips, books, poker diarys, pins, posters and probrably a lot of other things that I still havent realized I brought home with me.

Of course there was booths selling stuff but why buy anything when you got armloads of free stuff. Once I made my way through the hospitality rooms and after meeting my first Poker Celebrity Joe Hachem last years main event winner. I got an autograph but no photo. This was one of the few which I did not get a photo with on the trip. Next I ran into Phil Helmuth who was on a break in the Ultimate Bet Hospitality Room. I was the only one in a shirt and tie so I think when I walked past the public area and into the private breakroom I was probrably mistaken for an employee or security. I walked over to Phil and asked him for an autograph and a photo. He gave both and then we had a cup of coffee and talked strategy for about 20 minutes.















Phil Helmuth and Me.

Now it was off to the big show. Inside a large convention floor were over 200 poker tables. There were approxametly 300 players left from the 8700 which started at the begining of the main event. There were also cash games bieng played on one corner and a smaller tournament in another corner. This is truly heaven for a serious poker player and the greatest poker players in the world were seated in this one room. I walked around and gawked for a while before I had to leave. I had come to Vegas for a friends wedding and although I attended the wedding earlier in the day I had to meet the wedding party at Gilleys Western Bar.



So off to Gilleys where soon after we walked in we meet none other than Bill Engvall the comedian from the Blue Collar Comedy show with Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy. I had my trusty sharpie and camera and not one to be shy my wife and I walked up introduced ourselves and got a photo and two autographs. He offered me a shot of Crown Royal from his own bottle he had with him but I can't drink hard liquor so I declined. He was appearing over the weekend at The Orleans hotel and casino but he brought his wife to Gilleys for her birthday. The birthday was announced and the whole bar joined Bill in singing happy birthday.














Bill Engvall my Wife and I

That Concluded my first day at the WSOP. Stay tuned for day two and my first day playing at the WSOP.

My Trip to the World Series of Poker

My Trip to the World Series of Poker.



















This was photoshopped and given to me by the folks at the Full Tilt Poker Hospitality Room.

A couple of my good friends got married in Vegas on Friday (congrats Steve and Pam), and my wife and I attended the wedding. The trip coincided with the main event at the World Series of Poker and I could not pass up the chance to attend. Of course since I did not have the $10,000 entrance fee I attended as a spectectator for the most part. I say for the most part because I did play in a $175 satellite event which the winner would then be given a seat in the $1,500 holdem event. The $1,500 event had many notables in it also including Jennifer Tilley the actress and WSOP bracelet holder, Phil Hellmuth (the Poker Brat), Mike (the Mouth) Matusow, Johnny Chan, Barry Greenstein, and most famous poker player of all Doyle Brunson and his son Todd Brunson . Oh and I was eliminated from the Satellite event with pocket kings against trip twos when the ladies pocket twos held up with a third two on the turn. That's my bad beat story for the 2006 WSOP.















Doyle Brunson at his WSOP Table















Phil (the poker brat) Hellmuth and myself at the 2006 WYSOP.

The highlights of my trip to the WSOP was that I was lucky enough to meet, get photo's with and get autographs from nearly all the big names in poker. I even got to discuss strategy with Phil Hellmuth over a cup of coffee and talk about Doyle Brunsons book with Doyle Brunson himself.













Jennifer Tilley at the 2006 WSOP

Jennifer Tilley was really nice and she has become my favorite celebrity poker player. After I gave her a Santa Fe County Sheriff's Pin, she proudly wore it on her green sweater while she competed in the $1,500 event. I spent two days hanging around the main event and saw Daniel Negreanu (kid poker) get knocked out at 229th place and collect his $42,000 winnings. I also was present when Joe Hachem last years defending champion was knocked out of the main event at 238 place also collecting $42,000, after he outlasted all previous bracelet holders.

For those of you unfamiliar with the WSOP there were 8773 players who each put up $10,000 or won a seat from various online poker sites or they could have also won a seat from one of the thousands of casinos across the world. Out of all these players one will be named world champion with an estimated 12 million dollar first place prize. The top 12 players will each receive over 1 million dollars and even the 873 place finish paid $14,000 with prizes going up from there to the first place 12 million dollar prize.















WSOP Champion Johnny Chan at the 2006 WSOP

I took a lot of pictures but I used a 35mm camera so once those are developed I will post some of the more notable ones. I took a few with my camera phone and those are posted today in this blog post. In the next few days I will chronicle my WSOP adventure with photo's and also talk about meeting Bill Engvall the comedian from the Blue Collar Comedy show with Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy. We met at Gilley's located at the Frontier Casino. I also have pictures of Bill Engvall and provided my film develops ok I will post them, I have my fingers crossed. Until next post, be safe and have a great day!

Friday Funny- Making fun of the Media

Clever News Reporter
A car was involved in an accident in a street. As expected a large crowd gathered. A newspaper reporter, anxious to get his story could not get near the car.

Being a clever sort, he started shouting loudly, "Let me through! Let me through! I am the son of the victim."

The crowd made way for him.

Lying in front of the car was a donkey.


Funny Newspaper Headlines

* 5th-Graders Get to Grill Lions
* Enfield (London) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
* Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
* Man Struck By Lightning Faces Battery Charge
* New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
* Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
* Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
* Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
* Hospitals are Sued by Seven Foot Doctors
* Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
* 5th-Graders Get to Grill Lions (Detroit Free Press, Friday Jan 27, 2006)
* Autos killing 110 a Day; Let's Resolve to do Better
* Blind Woman Gets New Kidney from Dad she Hasn't Seen in Years
* British Left Waffles on Falkland Islands
* Child's Death Ruins Couple's Holiday
* Child's Stool Great for Use in Garden
* Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
* Deaf Mute Gets New Hearing in Killing
* Dealers will Hear Car Talk at Noon
* Dr. Ruth to Talk about Sex with Newspaper Editors
* Drunk Drivers Paid $1,000 in 1984
* Enraged Cow Injures Farmer with Ax
* Eye Drops Off Shelf
* Farmer Bill Dies in House
* Grandmother of Eight Makes Hole in One
* If Strike isn't Settled Quickly it May Last a While
* Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
* Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
* Juvenile Court Tries Shooting Defendant
* Kicking Baby Considered To Be Healthy
* Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in 10 Years
* Lawmen from Mexico Barbecue Guests
* Lung Cancer in Women Mushrooms
* Man is Fatally Slain
* Milk Drinkers are Turning to Powder
* Miners Refuse to Work after Death
* Never Withhold Herpes from Loved One
* Nicaragua Sets Goal to Wipe out Literacy
* NJ Judge to Rule on Nude Beach
* Organ Festival Ends in Smashing Climax
* Panda Mating Fails - Veterinarian Takes Over
* Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
* Quarter of a Million Chinese Live on Water
* Queen Mary Having Bottom Scraped
* Reagan Wins on Budget, but More Lies Ahead
* Robber Holds Up Albert's Hosiery
* Safety experts say school bus passengers should be belted
* Shot Off Woman's Leg Helps Nicklaus to 66
* Smokers are Productive, but Death Cuts Efficiency
* Some Become Unintentionally Suggestive
* Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Experts Say
* Soviet Virgin Lands Short of Goal Again
* Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim
* Stiff Opposition Expected to Casketless Funeral Plan
* Stolen Painting Found by Tree
* Teacher Strikes Idle Kids
* Two Convicts Evade Noose, Jury Hung
* Two Sisters Reunite after Eighteen Years at Checkout Counter
* Two Soviet Ships Collide - One Dies
* War Dims Hope for Peace
* William Kelly was Fed Secretary

America's Night Out Against Crime

Last Night I visited the plaza where members of the Santa Fe City Police, Sheriff, State Police, and City and County Fire Departments, along with the New Mexico National Guard and the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, participated in America's 23rd Annual Night Out against Crime.

It was a true community event with a Band, Cake Walks, Cotton Candy, Snow Cones, Popcorn, Games and Prizes. Each agency had booths with information, specialty vehicles and robots on display and lots of free stuff for the kids. The National Guard had a basketball toss game and one of the biggest hits a rock climbing tower.

The organizers did a great job of putting on the event and deserve much accolades for their hard work. The event was well attended by many locals who came out to celebrate National Night Out. Here are some pictures of the event. I apologize to the City Fire Department and the County Eldorado Volunteer Fire Department as well as the National Guard, I forgot to take pictures of their displays.















Judy and Corporal Vanessa man ( is that the right word?) the Sheriff's Booth.















My favorite booth, the popcorn and snow cone booth.














Jordan and the Safety Pup !















Sgt Ken, Corporal Vanessa and myself with our Community Support Services Vehicle.















Sgt. Ken and Corp. Vanessa with the Community Suport Services Vehicle. This vehicle is used to visit schools and community events and has been nicknamed "spongebob" by the kids.















My old Police Academy schoolmate and former partner Captain Gary Johnson from the City Police, and myself in front of their new Armored Swat Vehicle.















Britney and the New Mexico State Police Mobile Command Post.

Homeless Iraq Vets

A few weeks ago I read this article on Homeless Iraq Vets and made a note to myself to write about it. I first looked at this phenomenon in November of 2005 while researching for my short story "From Baghdad to Santa Fe". I was looking into soldiers returning with P.T.S.D. or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I learned that P.T.S.D. has gone by many names but goes back to all documented wars. In World War One it was commonly called Shell Shocked. In Vietnam many soldiers returned with mental illness and later had a hard time adjusting to civilian life. Vietnam Veterans brought a widespread acknowledgement of P.T.S.D. as a recognized mental disorder. Now our latest P.T.S.D. casualties of war are returning to the U.S. and discovering that the ravages of war are not easily forgotten.

P.T.S.D. is not just a soldiers disease it can affect anyone who lives through a traumatic experience. There are cases of P.T.S.D. from those who experienced the September 11, 2001 attacks on America, those who survived the hurricanes that ravaged the east coast, and even victims of domestic violence. One time I had to let go an employee who had an alcohol problem. It was very hard to do because I often wonder whether on the job stress contributed to the employee's problem. We had offered counseling and support but there was a point where the employee had to be let go. Those are the hard decisions that even months or years after its done you still think about from time to time.

Not all homeless vets have P.T.S.D. some just have a hard time finding jobs that pay enough to support themselves and their families. The U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says homeless veterans are mostly males (2 % are females). The vast majority are single, most come from poor, disadvantaged communities, 45% suffer from mental illness, and half have substance abuse problems. The VA estimates that nearly 200,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. And more than half a million experience homelessness over the course of a year.

What can we do to affect this problem? In my humble opinion, as employers we need to hire our vets when they return. As a government we need to provide transition services and screening for P.T.S.D.. We need to help match employers with the skills the vets have learned while in the service. We offer large bonuses to the soldiers when they sign up, maybe we need to give some of that money at the end when they leave. We also need to work with the soldiers and get them to save money for after their tours are completed.

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

A Vietnam Trilogy: Veterans And Post Traumatic Stress : 1968, 1989, 2000 is a very informative book for those experiencing P.T.S.D. or their families.

Friday Funny- Top Ten Things Not To Say to a Police Officer

Friday Funny- Top Ten Things Not To Say to Police Officers:


1. Are you Andy or Barney?

2. Do you know why you pulled me over? Okay, just so one of us does.

3. I thought you had to be in good physical condition to be a police officer.

4. Sorry, Officer, I didn't realize my radar detector wasn't plugged in.

5. I pay your salary!

6. Aren't you the guy from the Village People?

7. Hey, you must've been doing' about 125 mph to keep up with me. Good job!

8. You're not gonna check the trunk, are you?

9. Gee, Officer! That's terrific. The last officer only gave me a warning, too!

10. I was trying to keep up with traffic. I know there are no other cars around. That's how far ahead of me they are.

11. When the Officer says "Gee Son....Your eyes look red, have you been drinking?" You probably shouldn't respond with, "Gee Officer your eyes look glazed, have you been eating doughnuts?"

Congratulations Santa Fe Reporter

I am sure Julia Goldberg will go into more detail on her blog or in the next issue of The Santa Fe Reporter however, I want to congratulate the Santa Fe Reporter on its Best of Santa Fe Issue and the Awards Ceremony and Party held on Tuesday night (July 25, 2006). My Wife Antoinette and I were among the invited guests who filled the Lensic Theater for Santa Fe's newest version of the Academy Awards Ceremony.

Max Friedenberg the Director of High Mayhem Emerging Arts played Santa Fe's own Billy Crystal. He and the Santa Fe Reporter Staff put on a great music filled, witty and entertaining show. All this while they gave out awards for everything from the "best local politician not under investigation" to the "Best Soup when you want lunch that's liquid". I won't give away the winners, you will have to visit the Santa Fe Reporter Website or pick up the really nice 140 page issue that came out today. At the awards ceremony there was a great list of presenters and just like the Oscars the winner of the best band category played a set as well as the best female singer who gave a rousing performance as good as any I have ever seen at the Oscars. I did go home and have nightmares after seeing Reporter Nathan Dinsdale in a lime green dress and fishnet stockings as he accompanied Reporter Dan Frosch as presenters during the ceremony. My suggestion for next year, Let Dan wear the dress.

After the awards ceremony guests were invited to Swig and even provided some free drink tickets to gather and celebrate. Antoinette and I walked over to Swig where we joined many winners celebrating. One of the winners Governor Bill Richardson (ok I am giving away one of the winners names), who popped in and made quite a stir as people crowded around him for a photo or to just shake his hand.

So to the Staff at my favorite independent newspaper and its leader Julia Goldberg I congratulate you on a great night and an excellent issue. I look forward to next year, please don't forget my invite and we could have used more drink tickets. Of course I did not drink and drive!

Bill Richardson for President 2008 Memorabilia

Are you itching for a Bill Richardson for President 2008 Bumper Sticker, Clock, T-Shirt, Coffee Mug, or perhaps your dog has been howling for a Richardson 08 t-shirt ? Cafe Press is a Web Site where users design their own products and then sell them on the Cafe Press Web Site. If your item sells the company prints the item and ships it for you. They have a base price for each item and each seller then marks their items up to achieve the profit they wish to receive on the item.

A quick check on the Cafe Press web site shows at least 50 items for the Re-election of Governor Richardson and promoting Governor Richardson for the Presidential nomination in 2008. The items range from a Richardson for President Clock, to a Coffee Mug, and yes even your infant can be sporting a Richardson for President Bib, and Sleeper. Don't forget your Richardson for President Greeting Cards, and Postcards.

Richardson has even been combined with Barack Obama as a Vice Presidential running mate in a bumper sticker. I could not find a way to see how many items have been sold however for someone not running for President you can certainly buy many Richardson for President items. One thing I did not see yet was a Richardson for President set of Boxer shorts so if your dying to sell on Cafe Press, maybe I just gave you an idea for the next big seller.

Friday Funny- DWI

Normally in New Mexico we don't laugh much at DWI but here it is, hope you enjoy. Can you belive this guy was driving?

Meth- The Next Bad Thing?

Some are reporting problems viewing the above video, if you can not watch it from my blog try clicking here to try and view it from the you tube site.

The Santa Fe Reporter's Nathan Dinsdale did a piece in this weeks issue which attempts to look at the Methamphetamine problem in New Mexico and separate some of the hype from the facts. He does a pretty good job at looking at the hype and truths in the Meth problem. The basis for the story is the July 1, 2006 start of two new laws in New Mexico. The first makes pseudoephedrine a controlled substance just like heroin and cocaine. The law requires consumers to provide a licensed pharmacist with government-issued identification, sign a sales log recording their purchase and limits their purchases to nine grams of pseudoephedrine within a 30-day period. The law expands on New Mexico's previous requirement that products containing pseudoephedrine be sold from behind the counter and is intended to cut down production of home grown Meth.

The second new law expands the definition of a drug-free school zone to include private and parochial institutions while enhancing the criminal penalties for trafficking, producing and possessing Methamphetamine with the intent to sell. The basic sentence for Meth trafficking and production will increase from three years to nine years and subsequent convictions will result in a first-degree felony.

Both are good laws although I have to admit when my allergies were really bothering me last month, I went into Walgreens to buy Tylenol Allergy and Sinus which seems to work well for me. I always buy night time and day time and since you take two pills at a time a 12 pack only lasts 6 days. I tried to buy two of each (night and day) and they would not let me. I bought one of each and then had two come back in a week for a new batch. Once again a law for bad guys which inconveniences the rest of us. It is a small price to pay for keeping our communities safe.

Most Meth in Santa Fe County comes from Mexico. Meth use is not prevalent in Santa Fe County and as the story points out Heroin is a much larger killer of Santa Fe County Residents. In the Southern part of Santa Fe County Meth labs are more prevalent. This is primarily due to the proximity to Albuquerque and the rural nature of the Edgewood area. This allowed for Meth labs to go unnoticed for longer periods of time and for easy transportation of the drugs to the Albuquerque area. Northern Santa Fe County and Rio Arriba have the largest number of heroin overdose deaths in the country per capita. That is why this area is designated by the United States as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. At this time there are twenty eight H.I.D.T.A. area's in the United States. Along with the designation comes extra federal funds to help combat the drug problem.

Methamphetamine is a particularly dangerous drug in many ways. Those who manufacture Meth put themselves, many times their children and other household members as well as the whole neighborhood at risk. The manufacture of meth is dangerous and highly explosive. For each pound of finished methamphetamine, seven pounds of waste is produced. This waste is toxic. Ingredients include substances which can cause chemical burns or can easily ignite.

Meth use can cause heart palpitations, nausea, damage to blood vessels in the brain, shortness of breath, mental confusion, malnutrition, anorexia, severe anxiety and depression. A more severe manifestation of chronic toxicity is a state of paranoia closely resembling paranoid schizophrenia. Psychotic symptoms include visual and auditory hallucinations, paranoid delusions, and delusions of parasites and bugs in the skin. Continued use may lead to permanent damage to the brain or death.












"Before" and "after" photos of Theresa Baxter.
Copyright Multnomah County Sheriff

So, as we can all see Meth is a really bad thing, but does the threat live up to all the political hype? Yes and No, The awareness and measures taken to keep the ingredients out of criminals hands has helped to decrease the growth rate from what it probrably would have been had we not become alarmed and begun to take action. However, it is probrably not the greatest drug related threat to our nation. I believe the large media and political attention it has received has also made this a taboo drug much like heroin use. This means that it has not become mainstream and is more feared by the casual user of other drugs such as Marijuana and Cocaine. The before and after images like Theresa Baxter (photo above) and others on the "faces of meth" web site certainly have struck fear into casual or recreational users for even trying the deadly drug.

We must continue to battle drug addictions and illegal sales and we must use equal parts prevention, enforcement and the third part which is most lacking, treatment. While I don't believe funding for enforcement should be reduced I do whole heartedly believe funding for treatment and sobering centers should be greatly increased. One last note: While the Republicans and the current Republican Administration and Congress try to portray themselves as pro law enforcement and pro drug war the truth is that funding is at its lowest levels ever for C.O.P.S. Programs, H.I.D.T.A. initiatives and almost all other police and drug war initiatives. Maybe I wouldn't complain if the money was diverted to treatment programs but grants and funding for treatment programs has also been cut every year the Bush administration has been in office.

Meth Links.

Santa Fe Reporter : The next bad thing

Faces of Meth, Multnomah County Sheriff

Frontline: The Meth Epidemic, How it Destroys the Body

Crystal Meth Recovery and Treatment Website

High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Website

National Drug Threat Assessment 2005 Summary Report

More on Red Light Camera's

I ran across this Blog Post from M.G. Bralley a retired Law Enforcement Officer blogging from Albuquerque. Besides the Anti Mayor Marty Chavez sentiment at the end of the post, he does give an excellent description of how the Albuquerque Ordinance works and how they managed to get around the state law which requires traffic citations be given out by a Law Enforcement officer who witnesses the incident and is displaying his or her badge of office on a uniform.

I also ran across two more studies which shows that accidents increase at intersections with red light camera's due to motorists making abrupt stops in order to avoid the citation.

Maryland county's red light cameras net $2.85 million, increase accidents

Georgia: Accidents Increased with Red Light Cameras


Add these to the Washington study as well as others I mentioned on my last blog about Red Light Camera's coming to Santa Fe which show increases in rear end collisions which are equal or increased over the reduction which usually occurs in red light running crashes. Some studies show increases in injuries from the rear end collisions verses the red light running collisions.

The Saga of Judge Fran Gallegos

"I'm incompetent, but I'm not a crook.''.....Fran Gallegos

That has to be the quote of the year.

This was former Judge Fran Gallegos comment as charges against her were dismissed by Judge Michael Vigil. Judge Vigil remarked that she just didn't know any better and there was no criminal intent in her changing official court documents and claiming jail time and maximum sentences for those who were found not guilty or whose charges had been dismissed.

One thing I know we will see come out of this is the use of Fran as someone to point fingers at and say "see judges need to be lawyers". I truly feel that at the lowest levels the judges do not need to be lawyers. They need to have common sense and need to be professional. Across New Mexico there are just as many lawyer judges getting arrested or facing disciplinary actions by the Judicial Standards board as there are non lawyers.

In Santa Fe we have four Magistrate Judges, a Municipal Judge,and a Probate Judge who all do not require nor have they historically held Law Degrees. I have dealt with many of these Judges as well as the District Judges which must hold Law Degrees. I have seen good and bad judges with and without those degrees. I know that the New Mexican which has long advocated Law Degrees for lower court judges will come out with an editorial pointing at Fran Gallegos as proof that a Law Degree is needed as a requirement probably in the next few days.

The warning signs were there with Fran years ago, it is too bad the voters did not pay attention. I also feel there should have been some culpability in the criminal charges against Fran. I can not believe that she did not know better after all her years in office that you can not have a criminal sentence for someone who is found not guilty or who's case is dismissed.

Now the disclaimer: I have thought about running for Magistrate Judge in Santa Fe County in 2010. I have by no means made up my mind but I am term limited as Sheriff and while for the next four years I am going to just work hard and concentrate on the Sheriff's job, when that is over I will have to seriously look at what I do next. I am not nor will I probrably be a lawyer. I am working on completing a Criminal Justice Degree. I truly feel that "the Peoples court" really is that, " a true peoples court". It is very seldom and very foolish that someone go to District Court or higher without an attorney. You will get little help and little in the way of easy to fill out forms and pleadings to assist you in filing your case.

In Magistrate and Municipal Court on the other hand it is easy and ok, to handle your own case. Even when charged with a traffic crime or misdemeanors crime chances are very, very likely you will not even be up against an Assistant District Attorney, The officer or deputy will present his or her case and you will present yours and the Judge will make a determination.

Lawyers tend to complicate things and at this level and with the exception of DWI these matters can be handled in a more down to earth and Peoples court manner. The Magistrate and Municipal Court is not a "court of record". This allows the Judge to have a broader discretion when deciding cases. Cases are heard according to "common law". In Courts of Record, (District Court and Higher Courts), Cases are heard according to "Statutory Law" which is much more stringent and requires Judges much less discretion in how they handle the cases. This in itself is one of the primary basis for having a much more relaxed and informal atmosphere at lower level courts. The Judges and more importantly the courts have much more latitude in providing easy to use forms, in giving directions on how to file without giving legal advice. The Judges in theory at least are able to hear both sides cases on a more human level with out all the legal mumbo jumbo that costs defendants so much money for the attorneys.

I give DWI as an exception because the consequences have become so serious and the penalty's and stigma so harsh that attorneys almost always get involved in this day and age. I do feel that the state should provide more education and continuing education to Magistrates and other non-lawyer judges. I know for a fact that besides the mandatory hours the state does require, that many of our own Magistrates attend training, conferences and classes through organizations such as the National Judicial College that is far in excess of the minimum standards required by the state. So in concluding let me just say that I do not believe we should elevate this level of the court, (magistrates, municipal, probate and the like) to a level which will make it such that going to this court will require an attorney, both for the prosecution (the officers) and the defendants. This will turn a $60, traffic ticket into a thousand dollar expense. Also Magistrates currently make about Sixty Thousand a year, what kind of attorneys will we get for that price? If we raise the salaries to a level which will attract these attorneys then how will the State come up with the additional funds? Easy, raise the court fees and cost of the citations. This would probrably end up at least doubling these fees and fines.

Friday Funny- Top Ten Signs You're Dealing with a Dumb Criminal

1) He took public transportation to and from his bank robbery.

2) He is using his seeing eye dog as a look-out.

3) Instead of a cherry pie, she shoplifted yeast, flour, eggs, and a jar of cherries.

4) You caught him driving a stolen car with "The Club" still on.

5) He tries to convince you that he thought crack was a breakfast cereal.

6) He responds to your use of verbal force with a bunch of "Yo'momma" oneliners.

7) He makes himself laugh every time he says he's innocent.

8) He claims diplomatic immunity because he's a citizen of the Republic of Texas.

9) He asks the judge for a senior citizen discount on his 7-year sentence.

10) He left footprints and a bloody glove at the crime scene.

Controversy Over City's New Armored Vehicle

A Bearcat Armored Vehicle similar to the City of Santa Fe Police New Vehicle.


There is a lot of comments in the Free New Mexican Web Site being made about the City Police Departments new Swat Armored Vehicle purchased with $250,000 of Homeland Security Money. Some are calling it a waste of money and others believe it is overkill. My guess is that the City was offered the opportunity to apply for this vehicle or maybe even offered the vehicle as part of the Homeland Security funding. If the City did not take up the offer it would have gone to someone else. These type of funds are earmarked for these purposes and once earmarked cannot be spent on other projects. I think the City Police would have been stupid to turn down this opportunity and with Gods help this may never be used but if its needed it would be there.

Some believe if we needed one in Santa Fe that we could just Borrow Albuquerque's. Borrowing one from Albuquerque would take hours as someone is not just sitting in it waiting to drive off where ever its needed. Just getting the approval and having a driver go pick it up and bring it down would take too much time. Lives would be lost waiting for it. I know that 5 years ago when a report was made saying that millions needed to be spent to rebuild the levys in New Orleans and every said it was too expensive and it was not needed. Now Billions are being spent to rebuild New Orleans because of the short sightedness.

This vehicle will also benefit all the surrounding area since we have Mutual Aid Agreements with the city and surrounding agency's. I could call on this vehicle if needed and the wait time might only be 45 minutes to get it verses hours for the City of Albuquerque to loan us theirs. This is also only available if they are not using theirs. It could be used at the penitentiary or jail if a major incident like the 1980's riot occurred. Some comments are that these type of incidents don't happen in Santa Fe. The truth is we have many, many, swat callouts between the City and the County as well as State Police. Because of the expertise of the swat teams almost all end without serious incidents or injures therefore the public does not hear about them. I for one would rather have a tool in my garage than trust that I could borrow the neighbors when I need it.

A DAY ON THE SET OF WILD HOGS

One of the advantages to being Sheriff is that since we do a lot of traffic control, security, and dignitary protection, I get to meet many Presidents, Vice Presidents and celebrity's. I often try to take my wife and kids when I can to meet them also. Yesterday we visited the set of Wild Hogs a movie in which a group of suburban biker wannabes hit the open road in search of adventure, but get more than they bargained for when they encounter a New Mexico gang called the Del Fuegos. The movie stars John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence, and William H Macy as the biker wannabes and Ray Liotta as the head of the biker gang the Del Fuegos. Also present on the set was Marisa Tomei. They were on their last few days of filming in Madrid before heading to the Jemez Mountains and other parts of New Mexico.

We had a lot of fun and watched for hours as they painstakingly filmed the end of a fight scene over and over getting it from many different angles. It always amazes me that they will spend an entire day or half day filming what ends up being minutes in the final film. We got the usual autographs and photos with most of the cast. Ray Liotta stayed real busy and we never met him but it was fun watching him work. Marisa Tomei was the only one who refused to sign autographs or take pictures but maybe she just didn't feel like it on this afternoon. I am going to post some pics here of the actors and us on the set. They were filming fight scenes so they have various cuts and bruises applied on their faces.

John Travolta was really nice and polite, He told me how he puts in 16 hour days and then just drives to the home he is renting (reportedly for about $80,000 a month) on Santa Fe's North side, for nothing more than a good nights sleep. He is a pilot and has a plane at the Santa Fe Airport. He flies home every weekend and then returns for work on Monday morning. I had him sign my two Saturday Night Fever Albums ( I collect old Vinyl records and albums) and he politely did so. One of the other visitors to the set had him sign a Urban Cowboy CD and a DVD of the movie Face Off while another had the soundtrack from the movie Grease. He joked that he was seeing his whole life flashed before his eyes.














My Wife Antoinette, Daughter Sylvia, and myself with John Travolta.

Tim Allen told me about his new movie coming out on August 11 called Zoom. It is a movie about an ex superhero brought in to teach a new generation of kids to be superhero's and save the world. This is a Disney movie and so is Wild Hogs. Tim Allen was also really nice and joked with me about the picture I brought for him to sign which was one of a much younger Tim Allen.















The Family with Tim Allen (sorry came out too bright)

Martin Lawrence was a real character. The first time he arrived on the set after we arrived he was driven up in his Black Cadillac Golf Cart. This was definitely the most stylish ride on the set. He arrived and immediately began cheering and getting all the extras to join in. His bus was a huge two story Semi Rig which was a stylish black and reportedly has a circular staircase to the top level and is outfitted with plasma screens every where.














Martin Lawrence and Marisa Tomei review one of the scenes after it had been shot.
















My Daughter Sylvia next to Martin Lawrence's Cadillac Golf Cart.

We also got to see, but not meet William H. Macy. Earlier in the week Peter Fonda made a cameo appearance on the set and my understanding is that he garnered a lot of attention during his one day stay. There were a lot of locals on the set both as cast and crew. Banners were set up proclaiming the Madrid Chili Festival, put on by the County of Madrid. Of course Madrid grows no chili nor is it part of a Madrid County. I got to meet the Sheriff of Madrid County and even though he is a recognizable actor for the life of me I cannot remember his name.

I also ran into Santa Fean Lenny Vullo who is Production Manager for the set and has also been Production Manager for Meet the Fockers, Meet the Parents and many other films. He gave us the royal treatment making sure we had a great lunch. At all these movie sets the food is always equal to that of many top restaurants and I had Chicken Marsala, two kinds of great pasta and a great salad bar. All day we were offered drinks, ice cream and all kinds of other goodies but we never made our way to the goodies trailer. A man even came by and offered us sun block as we watched the filming. Former Santa Fe Police Sergeant Dan Chappel as well as many local bikers were cast as a members of the Del Fuego biker gang. Originally the Gang was going to be called the Hell's Angels however the real Hell's Angels threatened a lawsuit and Disney changed the name.

These movies when they use our deputies, hire off duty deputies to work on an overtime basis. The costs to the movies is slightly higher than the deputies wages and this helps us to cover overtime for crimes and major events that happen in the county. The money is placed back into our overtime budget and this helps reduce some of the taxpayer money needed to cover major crime investigation and other overtime in the Sheriff's Office. We had a great afternoon at the set and I want to thank the cast and crew for bieng such great hosts. The governors programs aimed at bringing these types of films to New Mexico has been a great success. Tim Allen thought so also and said he really liked Governor Richardson when they met him a few weeks ago.

Santa Fe County Reserve Deputy Program

A while back, (sorry it took so long) I was asked to explain a little about the Sheriff's Reserve Deputy Program. What it is and how it works. Reserve Deputies are volunteers who give their time to work as sworn deputies in the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. Many of these are retired or ex law enforcement however the majority are not. I like to describe these as citizens who for what ever reason have always been interested in law enforcement but either already have full time jobs they enjoy or perhaps they earn much more money than law enforcement pays. Or as I stated earlier they may be retired or just want a meaningful way to give back to their community.

Reserve Deputy Sheriffs are utilized to supplement the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office's Sworn personnel. Like Full-time Deputies, Reserve Deputies are professionally trained and duly sworn law enforcement personnel. In most cases, Reserves are assigned to the same duties as Full-time Deputies. Since Reserve Deputies have the same powers of arrest as Full-time Deputies we require a lot of the same hiring, background,physical and psychological standards as Full-time Deputies.

Reserve Deputy Sheriffs enjoy the challenge and excitement offered by law enforcement, as well as the satisfaction of providing a worthwhile community service. Reserve Deputy Sheriffs first complete an extensive in house training program and then work assignments on evenings and/or weekends as their regular jobs permit. Most of the time spent on duty is done around your own schedule however there can be mandatory training which is usually scheduled on nights or weekends to accommodate your other full time jobs. The initial training is done over eight consecutive weekends and this portion is the most demanding and time intensive portion of the service. After this most field training is done around your schedule.

Reserve Deputy Sheriffs are issued a badge, an identification card, uniforms, a duty weapon, handcuffs, baton, and most other necessary equipment. Reserve Deputy Sheriffs have full peace officer powers when on duty or may act as a peace officer according to Sheriff's office Standard Operating Procedures when emergencies arise while off duty.

Reserve Deputy Sheriffs volunteer a minimum of 20 hours per month of their time with the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office. Reserve Deputy Sheriffs serve at the will of the Sheriff, must obey all Departmental regulations, but do not fall into the framework of the civil service system. Reserve Deputy Sheriffs supplement the regular operations of the Sheriff's Department by working in Uniform (Patrol),or in other capacities as matched by their skills and desires as well as the needs of the Sheriff's Office. So, This is the program in a nutshell if you are interested in becoming a part time deputy, full time hero, contact Corporal Vanessa Pacheco or Sergeant Ken Johnson at 505-986-2400.

TOP TEN REASONS TO BECOME A RESERVE DEPUTY!

10. Make your community safer.
9. Gain respect & admiration from your peers.
8. Earn respect & gratitude from your employer.
7. Meet new, interesting people and arrest them.
6. Show yourself and others you've got what it takes.
5. Give back to the community.
4. Its Fun.
3. Its Challenging.
2. Its Interesting.

1. Finally be able to knock their socks off when
someone asks "And what did YOU do this weekend?"

Happy Fourth of July!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

I wish you all a Happy Fourth of July from my family to yours! At this time of the year we all clean off the BBQ Grills, pull out the lawn chairs and celebrate the freedoms that come with independence day. On this day in 1776 America declared its independence from Great Britain. It was the begining of a free America. These freedoms did not come easy and many lives were given up to ensure these freedoms for our generation. Our generation will also give up many lives to ensure these same freedoms for our children and grandchildren. That is a hard pill to swallow. Many times these are easy words to say, much harder to live, when your loved one is one whose life was given in the pursuit of freedom. From our soldiers through out the world, to our law enforcement officers across the nation, from our firefighters, border patrols, and yes even our politicians and news crews throughout the world all have given lives in the daily struggle to keep our nation free and live up to the ideals drafted by our forefathers.

Today as I sit on my comfortable patio with my laptop and wireless connection, the BBQ grill hot and ready and the cool breeze of a perfect afternoon keeping the temperature down, I think about those who don't have it so easy today. The soldiers in war zones trying to picture themselves at grandmothers house with all the kids running around and the intoxicated uncle starting to get on their nerves, and wishing they were actually there.

I think about the officer patrolling the streets, hoping that their tour of duty takes them near home so they can stop in to say hi and grab a piece of watermelon, all while rushing from call to call to deal with a few of those intoxicated uncles. The border patrol agents are in my thoughts and prayers as they man their posts and patrol the border. Out in the middle of no where there is little chance for a Fourth of July Celebration, little chance that they can run by the house and grab a quick piece of watermelon. The firemen and women come to mind, grabbing a quick Fourth of July lunch before they head out and patrol the streets looking for illegal fireworks and just being a presence in the neighborhoods. Each of them hoping that the only fires they will see is the flash of sparklers but realistically praying that the inevitable fires will all be small and easily manageable.

You notice I mentioned politicians and media in my post. I am reminded of the assassinations of great politicians like Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, the attempted assassinations of presidents like Ronald Reagan . The deaths of news crews at war torn nations as they perform the noble service of keeping us informed and government in check comes to my mind as well.

All of these hero's and many others like the activists such as Martin Luther King and Ceasar Chavez, who make America what is through the ultimate sacrifice come to my mind today. So, as we each celebrate Fourth of July lets not forget those who's sacrifices make this day possible. Tomorrow as we go back to our jobs lets not forget that we may be called upon to make a sacrifice, maybe a small one, or maybe the ultimate sacrifice, and when that day comes we must step up, remembering that we must insure the Fourth of July's for the future generations.


Have a very Happy Fourth of July.