Talk Friday, September 12, Las Vegas

what a beautiful website -- Horay lvpj is online -- nice work --

Today, June 11, 2008, at 5:00 PM NM time, the State of Texas plans to execute death row inmate Karl Chamberlain, son of Las Vegan Muina Arthur.

Please join us for a vigil today at 4:30 PM, outside the Presbyterian Church on Douglas Ave., across the street from the main post office.

I wanted to give a shout-out to Eleanor Chavez, Director of 1199NM and her victory in the Democractic primary over Rep. Dan Silva. I met Eleanor briefly while doing some work w/ 1199 and Alta Vista Regional Hospital. Way to go!

At a recent public forum for candidates to fill the 3rd District Congressional seat of Northern New Mexico, which was held in Farmington, Benny Shendo Jr. took his turn to ask Ben Ray Luján a question that implied Luján is gay. Shendo later issued a written statement … asking why Ben Ray had not told his parents that he is gay. Ben Ray Luján has stated previously that he is not gay.
A person’s sexual orientation is private and irrelevant to public life. If someone wishes to keep their sexual orientation a secret, it is up to them. Period. The issue of homosexuality has nothing to do with running for public office and the question should never have been asked. To ask the question at a public forum is simply meant to embarrass one’s opponent and appeal to the hate of the homophobes.
Benny Shendo also called for a public forum between himself and Ben Ray Luján where, presumably, Ben Ray will be able to present evidence that he is not now, nor ever has been, a member of the homosexual community. This is just like the McCarthy hearings in the 1950s where public figures were required to prove that they were not members of the Communist Party.
It is apparently Shendo’s position that Ben Ray appearing in public with a woman is deceit when he has not proved that he is in fact heterosexual.
This is all a smoke screen for folks to focus on, instead of the issues that really matter to the public such as food, health and education. Just like the race card — why is it even brought up? Beyond that, a later written explanation and backtracking by Shendo to say that the question “was intended to support young GLBT people who are struggling with this issue” is doubly disgusting.
Who appointed Shendo the sexual-orientation police officer in this campaign?
Robert Jones
Las Vegas