There Was A Better Way Out Of The Corner For Vasquez On The MLG Gun Ban, Plus: Noted NM Historian Passes And At The Movies

There was a better 

way out of the corner for Dem Rep. Gabe Vasquez who this week announced he would vote in favor of that US House resolution condemning MLG and her gun ban and in the process alienated many Dems and failed to satisfy Republicans who won't support him no matter what. 

Here's that way: 

I firmly disagree with the Governor and have told her so. I believe her gun ban is unconstitutional. But I will not be voting for the resolution because New Mexicans know how to handle their disagreements. They don't need Washington DC meddling in their affairs and trying to run our district and further divide us. 

The Republican majority makes it a habit of going off the rails as they again threaten to shut down the federal government. They need to learn how to do their current jobs before telling New Mexicans how to do theirs. The Governor and I completely disagree but we move forward, and we would appreciate the dysfunctional Republicans minding their own business. 

"God forbid," shout the overpaid DC consultants, "you can't criticize Republicans, Gabe!"

Well, yes you can. The winning margin in the congressional race with Republican Yvette Herrell will be in ABQ and Las Cruces—not Little Texas. And don't say we didn't tell you. 

MARC SIMMONS

Simmons

One of the state's greats passed away recently with little notice but Marc Simmons had a profound impact on the understanding and awareness of the Land of Enchantment, authoring dozens of informative and readable books detailing our storied history. From the New Mexican:

. . . “I gave up everything for history — salary, family, everything. History is my reigning interest and passion.” The historian and prolific author. . . died Thursday evening in a memory care unit at La Vida Llena Retirement Community in Albuquerque, friends said. He was 86. . .  

. . .A 2005 biography of Simmons with a bibliography of his works listed 43 books published. Simmons said. . . he would have to leave some projects unfinished. “I was hoping to get 50 books published by the time I quit, but I didn’t quite get there.” 

Simmons, a Texas native, developed an interest in history as a child. Family trips to Santa Fe and Taos hooked him on New Mexico. 

After receiving a degree in Latin American studies. . . he began graduate studies at the University of New Mexico, focusing on the Southwest’s Spanish colonial period. 

Simmons was highly regarded by other historians for his knowledge of the colonial period, the Santa Fe Trail and historical figures including Kit Carson. 

. . .Tom Chavez, a former state historian, said of Simmons in a 2016 interview: “No one will replace him. He is the dean of New Mexico historians and has been for some time.” 

Here is a list of books by Mark Simmons.

AT THE MOVIES

ABQ film buff and reviewer Eric Lucero heads into the weekend with a tip for mystery lovers:

A Haunting In Venice [PG-13] ***1/2 Stars out of 5, directed by and starring Oscar winner Kenneth Branagh again as the intrepid Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. 

This screen outing has Poirot lured out of retirement to reprise his signature sleuthing persona in post-World War II Venice. Mystery genres have established tropes and dictums which Branagh faithfully navigates Poirot through. Yet, the director and screenwriter still deliver a richer ‘back story’ from which radiates a freshness to Poirot’s character amid a mystery/horror show. 

This tale adroitly melds Shakespearian morality with a well-crafted, dark, supernatural and psychological terror. We expect and are rewarded with mayhem and murder in the first act, with a Halloween Eve Séance. And it works! The Gothic Manor where this Who-Done-It takes place is populated with a curious menagerie of characters, all with their own personal baggage that belies their guilty and dark motives. 

As Branagh has done with his earlier Poirot remakes, he purposely, deftly and successfully hones his unique vision of Agatha Christie’s memorable creation--Hercule Poirot. 

‘A Haunting in Venice’ is a special pre-Halloween treat for Christie/Branagh fans and one for all mystery and horror fans alike. 

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2023