As most net nuts know, there was a serious meltdown yesterday at Blogger, which hosts this blog.
My Roundhouse Round-up column I posted late Thursday night got deleted. Blogger says it will be restored. If it's not back in a few hours, I'll repost it here myself.
Sorry 'bout that ...
Showing posts with label bloggers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bloggers. Show all posts
Friday, May 13, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Trip Is Covering the Film Credit Debate on His New Blog
Check out my New Mexican colleague's Trip New Mexico RIGHT HERE
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
The Blog That the PRC Does NOT Want You To Read
Hello, freedom loving readers at the state Public Regulation Commission! According to a source over there, this blog is one that's been approved for your reading by your wise superiors.
However, Green Chile Chatter, the blog maintained by my Capitol Bureau colleague Kate Nash, is not so lucky. According to my source, if you try to go there, you get a message saying NMPRC internet policy does not allow this web site to be accessed.
That's not fair! Why does she get to be the banned one? That's a lot more fun than being the government-approved site!
Anyway, here's a copy of Kate's latest post. Ironically, it's about the new state government Sunshine Portal.
However, Green Chile Chatter, the blog maintained by my Capitol Bureau colleague Kate Nash, is not so lucky. According to my source, if you try to go there, you get a message saying NMPRC internet policy does not allow this web site to be accessed.
That's not fair! Why does she get to be the banned one? That's a lot more fun than being the government-approved site!
Anyway, here's a copy of Kate's latest post. Ironically, it's about the new state government Sunshine Portal.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2010
New sunshine portal to launch sooner than expected
Good news in the good government category: the state's sunshine portal will be unveiled Thursday at a press conference in Albuquerque.
The site promises a ton of public information in one spot, including the yearly budgets for each state agency, with a categorized monthly expenditure list, a monthly summary of the State Investment Council's investments, info on all state employees, positions and titles and revenue the state is receiving, broken out by category. In addition, it will have a regular update of the state's check ledger.
If it works as promised, this will be a super handy tool for anyone who wants quick access to accurate information about how taxpayer money is being spent.
Sen. Sander Rue, who sponsored the bill to create the website, called it a one-stop shop.
"With the click of a mouse, the public can more actively participate in its state government. This one-stop shop website allows members of the public to more readily and easily become engaged in how government runs with our tax dollars," he said in a statement.
So far, it sounds like the site will quickly become a favorite for those following state government.
The site promises a ton of public information in one spot, including the yearly budgets for each state agency, with a categorized monthly expenditure list, a monthly summary of the State Investment Council's investments, info on all state employees, positions and titles and revenue the state is receiving, broken out by category. In addition, it will have a regular update of the state's check ledger.
If it works as promised, this will be a super handy tool for anyone who wants quick access to accurate information about how taxpayer money is being spent.
Sen. Sander Rue, who sponsored the bill to create the website, called it a one-stop shop.
"With the click of a mouse, the public can more actively participate in its state government. This one-stop shop website allows members of the public to more readily and easily become engaged in how government runs with our tax dollars," he said in a statement.
So far, it sounds like the site will quickly become a favorite for those following state government.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Roundhouse Roundup: NM's Straw Poll
A version of this was published in The Santa Fe New Mexican
September 10, 2009
You might think that the first balloting in the lengthy U.S. presidential selection process takes place in Iowa in January.
You’d be correct about Iowa. But, at least on the Republican side, the first balloting for president is the Ames Straw Poll, which takes place in the month of August the year before the election.
It’s not a binding ballot. Anyone who buys a ticket to the fundraising dinner for the Iowa GOP is eligible to vote. A very small number of people actually participate. But the candidates spend a lot of time, energy and big cash bucks to load people from all over the state onto buses to get to that dinner and cast their proverbial straws.
About the closest thing in New Mexico we have to the Ames Straw Poll is the weekly Web poll on Heath Haussamen’s N.M. Politics Web site. At least when the question deals with electoral matchups. Nobody spends any significant money, but the campaigns do their best to get out their supporters.
This week, the question is which of six announced Democrats should win the lieutenant governor primary next year.
As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, former Democratic Party state chairman Brian Colón had a commanding lead in the Haussamen poll. Colón had 412 votes, 50 percent of the online votes cast. His closest opponent, Santa Fe Sheriff Greg Solano, had 153 votes, or 18 percent.
This might not be an accident. On Wednesday morning, Colón, using his Twitter account, began promoting the poll. “Please support our campaign for Lt. Governor by voting in Heath Haussamen’s poll today,” he said in a message, which also appeared on his Facebook page. Naturally, there was a live link to Haussamen’s site.
Early in the afternoon, Colón zapped a similar message to those on his campaign e-mail list.
“Participating won’t add you to any future e-mail list,” the e-mail said. “Click your choice and let’s send an early message about our grassroots movement with the campaign.”
Colón wasn’t the only candidate to use Facebook to get the word out about the poll. Similar posts could be found on pages belonging to Joe Campos, Jerry Ortiz y Pino, Lawrence Rael and Solano, who also used Twitter to plug the poll.
But, as Haussamen said in an e-mail conversation, “Colón has been by far the most active.”
Of course, this week isn’t the first time in recent months that candidates have rallied their troops to participate in the online poll.
In early June, Republican gubernatorial candidate Allen Weh won Haussamen’s poll, narrowly beating former Congresswoman Heather Wilson — who has said she’s thinking about running. Weh issued a news release saying, “A recent online poll on one of the state’s most popular political blogs shows that Albuquerque businessman Allen Weh is the preferred GOP nominee for governor in 2010. … The results reveal that New Mexicans believe I’m the strongest candidate to take on Diane Denish in 2010.
Haussamen wrote at the time, “While I’m flattered that the Weh campaign takes my site so seriously, the reality is that I intend the non-scientific polls for fun only. It’s no secret that such polls can be manipulated.” He pointed out that his polls usually attract about 200 votes, but the week Weh won there were more than 400. “Which means someone, or more likely more than one someone, made an intentional effort to get people to this site to vote in the poll,” Haussamen wrote.
A month later, Republican challenger Adam Kokesh got 79 percent of the poll vote against incumbent Democrat Ben Ray Luján. That week there were 951 votes. Haussamen noted that there were posts on at least two Web sites associated with supporters of Ron Paul. It can’t be determined how many of the votes cast came from the heavily Democratic 3rd Congressional District.
“Online polls can be manipulated in nefarious ways, but in general, I’ve found that the candidates who win the polls are the ones who tend to be well organized, so it does tend to be a test of organization,” Haussamen said Wednesday.
September 10, 2009
You might think that the first balloting in the lengthy U.S. presidential selection process takes place in Iowa in January.
You’d be correct about Iowa. But, at least on the Republican side, the first balloting for president is the Ames Straw Poll, which takes place in the month of August the year before the election.
It’s not a binding ballot. Anyone who buys a ticket to the fundraising dinner for the Iowa GOP is eligible to vote. A very small number of people actually participate. But the candidates spend a lot of time, energy and big cash bucks to load people from all over the state onto buses to get to that dinner and cast their proverbial straws.
About the closest thing in New Mexico we have to the Ames Straw Poll is the weekly Web poll on Heath Haussamen’s N.M. Politics Web site. At least when the question deals with electoral matchups. Nobody spends any significant money, but the campaigns do their best to get out their supporters.
This week, the question is which of six announced Democrats should win the lieutenant governor primary next year.
As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, former Democratic Party state chairman Brian Colón had a commanding lead in the Haussamen poll. Colón had 412 votes, 50 percent of the online votes cast. His closest opponent, Santa Fe Sheriff Greg Solano, had 153 votes, or 18 percent.
This might not be an accident. On Wednesday morning, Colón, using his Twitter account, began promoting the poll. “Please support our campaign for Lt. Governor by voting in Heath Haussamen’s poll today,” he said in a message, which also appeared on his Facebook page. Naturally, there was a live link to Haussamen’s site.
Early in the afternoon, Colón zapped a similar message to those on his campaign e-mail list.
“Participating won’t add you to any future e-mail list,” the e-mail said. “Click your choice and let’s send an early message about our grassroots movement with the campaign.”
Colón wasn’t the only candidate to use Facebook to get the word out about the poll. Similar posts could be found on pages belonging to Joe Campos, Jerry Ortiz y Pino, Lawrence Rael and Solano, who also used Twitter to plug the poll.
But, as Haussamen said in an e-mail conversation, “Colón has been by far the most active.”
Of course, this week isn’t the first time in recent months that candidates have rallied their troops to participate in the online poll.
In early June, Republican gubernatorial candidate Allen Weh won Haussamen’s poll, narrowly beating former Congresswoman Heather Wilson — who has said she’s thinking about running. Weh issued a news release saying, “A recent online poll on one of the state’s most popular political blogs shows that Albuquerque businessman Allen Weh is the preferred GOP nominee for governor in 2010. … The results reveal that New Mexicans believe I’m the strongest candidate to take on Diane Denish in 2010.
Haussamen wrote at the time, “While I’m flattered that the Weh campaign takes my site so seriously, the reality is that I intend the non-scientific polls for fun only. It’s no secret that such polls can be manipulated.” He pointed out that his polls usually attract about 200 votes, but the week Weh won there were more than 400. “Which means someone, or more likely more than one someone, made an intentional effort to get people to this site to vote in the poll,” Haussamen wrote.
A month later, Republican challenger Adam Kokesh got 79 percent of the poll vote against incumbent Democrat Ben Ray Luján. That week there were 951 votes. Haussamen noted that there were posts on at least two Web sites associated with supporters of Ron Paul. It can’t be determined how many of the votes cast came from the heavily Democratic 3rd Congressional District.
“Online polls can be manipulated in nefarious ways, but in general, I’ve found that the candidates who win the polls are the ones who tend to be well organized, so it does tend to be a test of organization,” Haussamen said Wednesday.
He also observed sardonically, “The candidates seems to take these polls way more seriously than I do.”
Friday, May 8, 2009
Friday Morning Fun
TPM Muckrucker connects some Marc Correra dots in this article.
It talks about Lori Schiaffino, a placement agent who who helped a hedge fund called Optima get a $50 million investment from the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board.
Rosen is chairman of a business called Diamond Edge. Of Diamond Edge, the Muckrucker article says, "Records show the firm booked at least $3.25 million on four New York pension fund investments in 2005 and 2006 and an unclear amount on another four in New Mexico. "
As Flakey Foont used to say, "What's it all mean, Mr. Natural?
XXXXXXXXXXX
The Monahan vs. The World battle is getting weirder.
Early this morning Joe Monahan accused The Santa Fe Reporter of trying to sandbag his advertisers.
The Reporter responded:
To be continued, I'm sure.
XXXXXXXXX
I might be the last blogger in Blogville to run this video of Gov. Bill Richardson's audition for the new Solid Gold Dancers. (Actually it's apparently some event at Acoma Pueblo).
But in case you haven't seen it -- or even if you have, enjoy.
It talks about Lori Schiaffino, a placement agent who who helped a hedge fund called Optima get a $50 million investment from the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board.
Correra and Schiaffino have something in common: they have both worked as agents for a placement agency called Diamond Edge Capital, which is run by Marvin Rosen, a former finance director for the Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign co-finance chair in Florida in 1992. ... If Rosen sounds familiar, it's because he was one of the key figures involved in promoting sleepovers in the Lincoln bedroom for top campaign contributors in the nineties.
Rosen is chairman of a business called Diamond Edge. Of Diamond Edge, the Muckrucker article says, "Records show the firm booked at least $3.25 million on four New York pension fund investments in 2005 and 2006 and an unclear amount on another four in New Mexico. "As Flakey Foont used to say, "What's it all mean, Mr. Natural?
XXXXXXXXXXX
The Monahan vs. The World battle is getting weirder.
Early this morning Joe Monahan accused The Santa Fe Reporter of trying to sandbag his advertisers.
A couple of our advertisers, including Dan Serrano, report they were called by a reporter from the Santa Fe Reporter--an alternative weekly newspaper--and asked if they were an Alligator, why they advertise here and inferring, reports construction company owner Serrano--that they shouldn't. Well, they advertise here, as Sally Field once said, "because you like me! You really like me!" And any cub reporter knows an Alligator never admits to being an Alligator or he wouldn't be an Alligator! But those who buy ads here are not responsible for the ideas expressed here. Are they in the Reporter? But there we go with one of those sticky freedom of the press and freedom of association questions. Hmm. Is there a "news" story here?
The Reporter responded:
As everyone also knows, the idea of a Santa Fe Reporter journalist trying to intimidate advertisers away from one news source over another is absurd. ... Actually, if you were to return Dave Maass’ phone messages to find out why he was calling, you’d probably learn it’s because he’s reporting on the already reported “blog fight” between yourself and, well, everyone else, I guess.
To be continued, I'm sure.
XXXXXXXXX
I might be the last blogger in Blogville to run this video of Gov. Bill Richardson's audition for the new Solid Gold Dancers. (Actually it's apparently some event at Acoma Pueblo).
But in case you haven't seen it -- or even if you have, enjoy.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Blog Fight!
It's Joe Monahan vs. ALMOST EVERYONE ELSE!
First Joe posted THIS early Monday morning -- "alligator" tips that former Richardson campaign higher-up Amanda Cooper had been granted immunity in the CDR investigation. He also said Chris Romer, a Colorado banker connected with the GRIP bond deals reportedly had been granted immunity by the feds.
(Disclaimer: I sure don't know whether either is true. I saw Cooper last week in Albuquerque and asked her why she'd stopped returning my phone calls. She said there are some things she can't talk about. )
Monahan's post got some blistering commentary in Blogdom.
Majorie Childress in m-pyre said:
Heath Haussamen got in on the fun:
Then to the NM liberal blogosphere in general, Monahan wrote:
First Joe posted THIS early Monday morning -- "alligator" tips that former Richardson campaign higher-up Amanda Cooper had been granted immunity in the CDR investigation. He also said Chris Romer, a Colorado banker connected with the GRIP bond deals reportedly had been granted immunity by the feds.
(Disclaimer: I sure don't know whether either is true. I saw Cooper last week in Albuquerque and asked her why she'd stopped returning my phone calls. She said there are some things she can't talk about. )
Monahan's post got some blistering commentary in Blogdom.
Majorie Childress in m-pyre said:
"...if he is correct, what's the context? Does that mean they've admitted to wrongdoing? Or would they simply not agree to talk to the grand jury about what they may or may not know without immunity?
We don't know, because Monahan doesn't give us any context or anything on the record. He simply passes on the leak as it was handed to him. Someone gave him some info, possibly with an agenda, and he obliged them by getting it out there.
It's those hidden agendas that one has to keep in mind when it comes to Monahan's blogging about real people who've built real careers.
Heath Haussamen got in on the fun:
What Monahan writes, especially as it relates to alleged criminal activity, has a real effect on people’s lives. He should take that fact more seriously.Monahan early Tuesday struck back.
Until he does that, it’s impossible to take what he reports seriously.
Geez, that sounds awfully self-righteous, doesn't it? Well, Heath, when you stop taking anonymous donations on your Web site to support your "journalism" and also reveal what individuals contribute to the nonprofits that finance the online newspaper you draw a paycheck from, we'll be able to take you seriously.He also said something about Heath rewriting press releases, which really was unfair. Like everyone else, he does rewrite some press releases. But Heath puts more journalistic effort into his blog than anyone I know.
Then to the NM liberal blogosphere in general, Monahan wrote:
... the self-appointed kiddie corp that police "journalism" in the so-called NM "progressive" blogosphere--FBIHOP (a pancake house blog?), Marjorie Someone, John "I want to be a blogger" Fleck of the ABQ Journal, the aforementioned Heath Haussamen, Den Mother Barbara Wold at Democracy for NM and the gang at the New Mexico "We're not really a progressive front group for Eli Lee" Independent--is going to spit out their Cap 'N Crunch when they read that one.To quote the old Santa Fe band 27 Devils Joking, "Spread the Love Vibration!"
... to our critics we say in the spirit of friendly competition: Read it and weep--and enjoy your cereal!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
BLOG RIOT!
A reader -- and fellow blogger -- who is upset with the state Senate leadership's decision not to Webcast floor sessions (despite an overwhelming vote by the full Senate to do just that) wants me and some of my fellow bloggers to lead an effort to "storm the castle."
Ched MacQuigg writes:
I emailed MacQuigg and quipped, "You start the riot and I'll cover it." Let me say here for the record that I am not advocating or trying to incite a riot. That would be wrong, as President Nixon used to say. There are so many federal agents sniffing around New Mexico right now thanks to all these scandals, I don't want there to be any misunderstanding ...
But, in all seriousness, that indeed is my role as a journalist. MacQuigg's friend had it right. If someone wants to organize a protest on the Webcasts or anything else, I'll be the one with the notebook, not the one with the bullhorn. True there are advocate/journalists, but that's not what I do. It's certainly not what the people who sign my paycheck pay me to do.
Besides, like many reporters, I barely can organize my desk, much less a riot. Heath would have to drive up all the way from Las Cruces and Monahan only goes to riots where there's free food.
Ched MacQuigg writes:
I believe that the blogosphere could lead in that encouragement.
A friend offered that, Terrell can't incite to riot, because he is a Journalist, and his credibility as a Journalist would be compromised by taking a side in the fight.
Why not let his readers be the judge?
Is it impossible to report the news candidly, forthrightly and
honestly, while at the same time standing up for what you believe in?
We have the appearance of a conflict of interest. The problem is addressed by full disclosure; it is no longer a problem.
Terrell could ask his readers to join him on the capital steps, and then report upon how many people showed up, and upon their effect.
So could Monahan.
So could Haussamen.
So could the Duke City Fix.
What if every blogger in New Mexico, offered their readers
an opportunity to gather together , and storm the castle?
What if every blogger offered their readers an opportunity to gather together, all together, to take back control over power and resources that are fundamentally their own?
I emailed MacQuigg and quipped, "You start the riot and I'll cover it." Let me say here for the record that I am not advocating or trying to incite a riot. That would be wrong, as President Nixon used to say. There are so many federal agents sniffing around New Mexico right now thanks to all these scandals, I don't want there to be any misunderstanding ...
But, in all seriousness, that indeed is my role as a journalist. MacQuigg's friend had it right. If someone wants to organize a protest on the Webcasts or anything else, I'll be the one with the notebook, not the one with the bullhorn. True there are advocate/journalists, but that's not what I do. It's certainly not what the people who sign my paycheck pay me to do.
Besides, like many reporters, I barely can organize my desk, much less a riot. Heath would have to drive up all the way from Las Cruces and Monahan only goes to riots where there's free food.
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