The Mystifying New Mexico GOP Party

Strikes me as a mystifying decision: to hold a major party event in Amarillo rather than someplace in New Mexico. I know they have good hotels in Amarillo, and all, but still…. If they wanted to cater to the oil crowd, why not host the event in Midland, and save everyone some travel expenses?:

Two weeks before the GOP had its first chance to pick up a seat in Congress since Joe Biden became president, the Republican Party of New Mexico hosted a three-day event dubbed “Operation Freedom.” State Sen. Mark Moores, who was running for the open seat, addressed a crowd of a few hundred party leaders, activists and donors in a hotel conference center. Afterwards, he left the hotel and drove nearly 300 miles back to Albuquerque, where he was actually competing for votes.

New Mexico Republicans had opted to hold their marquee event in Amarillo, Texas. 

When the votes came in, Moores had lost to Democratic State Rep. Melanie Stansbury by 24 percentage points—even more than the margin by which Joe Biden had won the district. Nationally, it was seen as a referendum on Biden’s first months in office. But in New Mexico, the story is longer and more complex. For some frustrated New Mexico Republicans, the Amarillo episode and Moores’ loss last Tuesday highlight deeper problems with the state party’s leadership and direction over the last few years....

Seven Year Old Sings "Highway To Hell"

Cute!:

The children are definitely alright, and will be alright for a long time if seven-year-old Jesús del Río is any indication. He performed AC/DC's "Highway to Hell" and much like the judges, I could not believe what I was hearing. 

As much as the reactions were fun to watch, del Río channeling his inner Bon Scott and nailing the vocals was the true sight to see. del Río will be making it to the next round, and we can't way to see him become an even more powerful singer. 

Virgin Galactic's Launch in New Mexico

Captivated as much by the background as by the spaceship. There is the Rio Grande River Valley, and the malpais near Carrizozo. It's a clear day. You can see EVERYTHING!

 

Patti Smith: "Land: Horses / Land of a Thousand Dances / La Mer (de)"

I lived through the Seventies. I can't believe I completely ignored Patti Smith. She's great! At the time, I thought she was a punk rocker, and I wasn't interested in that. Listening today, she sounds like a Sixties wild child, a fresh avatar of the Beats, and a reminder of just how creative those decades were!