State of the Union Tonight

As one who could be called a "political junkie", I make it a point to watch the annual State of the Union address by the President of the United States.

Some addresses are better than others, but since the advent of Donald Trump in the White House, I find them very entertaining.

Tonight Trump will deliver his first official State of the Union Address (last year's joint session doesn't count) of his second term of office.

With Democrats boycotting, there should be few, if any, disruptions and silly antics. 

New Mexico Democrats’ Gun Grab Collapses

Above, the New Mexico State Capitol "The Roundhouse". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Thanks to a boatload of amendments to Senate Bill 17 in the New Mexico legislature, the bill died a well-deserved death just before the legislative session ends.

According to Pinon Post:

In the final stretch of New Mexico’s legislative session, two sweeping gun control measures championed by progressive Democrats have effectively collapsed — a major victory for New Mexicans’ Second Amendment rights.

Senate Bill 17, the so-called “Stop Illegal Gun Trade and Extremely Dangerous Weapons Act,” was rolled indefinitely in the House Judiciary Committee, halting what critics described as one of the most aggressive gun control packages ever introduced in New Mexico. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 261, which sought to dramatically expand so-called “gun-free zones” around polling places and ballot drop boxes, failed to advance out of the House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee after Ranking Member Rep. John Block forcefully exposed what he called “massive holes” in the legislation.

According to reporting from the Santa Fe New Mexican, the bill’s sponsors admitted the bill’s effective death, with state Sen. Debbie O’Malley telling the outlet, “There’s not enough time to hear it again.”

With time running out in the session, Democrats were unable to muster the momentum needed to ram the bills through — despite heavy pressure from national gun control groups. Pro-gun groups, lawmakers like Rep. Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park), concerned citizens, and others were instrumental in the death of the radical bill — described the most far-reaching anti-gun measure in the entire country. 

It is said that radical leftist Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will call for a special session to try to revive the bill.

To read more, go here. 

Second Amendment Rally Tomorrow At NM State Capitol

 

DOJ Settles With Family of Ashli Babbitt

 

🚨 #BREAKING: The Trump administration has CONFIRMED they reached a settlement with the family of Ashli Babbitt, the unarmed woman who was shot and kiIIed on J6

President Trump vowed to look into this matter. And he kept his word.

This is STEP ONE of Justice for Babbitt. Her… pic.twitter.com/flpOc3ow4z

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 2, 2025

Second Amendment Supporters Rally At Roundhouse

Above, the New Mexico Capitol Building in Santa Fe. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The timing of yesterday's snowstorm put a big dent in the attendance numbers of the 2nd Amendment rally at the state Capitol building, known as the Roundhouse.

I attended a similar rally there in January 2020 which drew several hundred people.

According to the Santa Fe New Mexican:

About 40 gun rights supporters gathered outside of the Roundhouse on a snowy Saturday to express their opposition to gun control measures being considered by the Legislature.

Specifically, Senate Bill 279, which would outlaw the sale, transfer and receipt of gas-powered semiautomatic rifles that use high-capacity magazines and ban magazines holding more than 10 rounds.

Gun owners who currently own one of the weapons to be restricted would be allowed to keep them but would have to certify them with the state. The bill advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 5-4 vote Friday night, along party lines except for Sen. Joe Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, who voted against it.

Further on in the article, it was written that more moderate Democrats, who were Second Amendment supporters, were primaried out of office by more radical Democrats during last election cycle.

The big question is: Will people of New Mexico comply of Senate Bill 279 passes and is signed into law? You can bet there will be lawsuits filed if it does.

To read more, go here.

Megyn Kelly: Democrats Embarrass Themselves

 Review of last night's joint session of Congress by President Trump:

2nd Amendment Rally At The Roundhouse March 8

 

Inauguration 2025

It was very cold in Washington, D.C. today. It was also very cold here in Jamestown, New Mexico. It was a perfect day to stay indoors to watch all of the inaugural events and that's what I did.

While doing so, I also made a pot of chili. A perfect meal for blustery days.

The inauguration was not dampened by the cold temperatures. I thought it went off well and President Trump's address to the nation was right on the money. He did not mince words. 

I was pleased to see Rev. Franklin Graham there delivering an invocation. He is a great successor to his father, Rev. Billy Graham.

A highlight for me was seeing my current favorite Country singer, Carrie Underwood, singing "America The Beautiful" and the end of the ceremonies. It seemed that she was originally scheduled to sing just before Vice President J. D. Vance was to be sworn in. Apparently, the schedule was juggled.

I have not been so enthused over an inauguration since President Reagan's 1981 inauguration. It was a joyous day for me and many others.

Some photos taken of the inauguration from my television screen:

As I mentioned, I made a pot of chili today. That should be enough for a few meals (and snacks).

Here I am giving it a taste test:

SCOTUS Sides With J6rs

Things are getting worse and worse for the Democrats!

 

Shōgun and Osaka Castle

Above, Osaka Castle in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in the 1980s, there was a mini-series based on James Clavell's book, Shōgun. It was basically a soap opera set in feudal Japan. 

It was an enjoyable mini-series and, in 1977, I met James Clavell in Sacramento at a birthday party at the Capitol.

Above, James Clavell is at right in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Shōgun is now back in the form of a new FX mini-series. It is seeing rave reviews.

One place that the new mini-series is set at is Osaka Castle. I visited Osaka Castle twice. The first was in 2004 with G-TOUR and then in 2015.

Screen Rant has posted an article on the significance of Osaka Castle in Shōgun.

They begin it with:

The new FX hit series Shōgun features Osaka Castle as a setting, and there's prominent real-world history and information that's fascinating to know about the location. Based on the 1975 novel of the same name, written by James Clavell, the 2024 TV series has been met with astounding acclaim, with critics even drawing comparisons to Game of Thrones in the show's scale and production value excellence. Set in the year 1600, Shōgun may be based on a novel, but its narrative is rooted in fascinating history.

To read more, go here. 

Video: Second Amendment Rally In Santa Fe

 

Rain, Snow Showers This Weekend

It looks like snow showers, rain and gusty winds are part of the weather menu over this weekend.

I was considering going to the Second Amendment rally in Santa Fe Saturday, but snow showers are forecast on Friday and into Saturday there. Looks like I am staying put at home.

This morning, we are having some winds and scattered rain in Jamestown. More is on the way.

According to the National Weather Service:

Overnight

Rain showers likely before 4am, then rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 32. South wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday

Snow showers, mainly before 2pm. Some thunder is also possible. High near 40. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night

Scattered snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 27. West wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday

Isolated snow showers before 11am. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 39. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

2nd Amendment Rally Saturday In Santa Fe

Above, Zac Fort of the NMSSA addresses the 2020 Second
Amendment Rally at the State Capitol. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This coming Saturday, the Second Amendment Rally will take place at the State Capitol in Santa Fe at 10:00 am. 

Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and plenty of concerned citizens will attend to support our Second Amendment rights.

Here's the official flyer:

 

Santa Fe's House of Horrors

Above, New Mexico State Capitol. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one thought that the federal legislature has gone completely insane, then they haven't seen what's in store during this year's New Mexico 30-day legislative session. The New Mexico legislature is far worse.

The Piñon Post has presented a list of horrors that the Democrats want to impose on New Mexico's citizens.

It begins with:

Starting Monday, radical leftist bills are being heard in legislative committees, including proposals to take Second Amendment rights away from law-abiding citizens, “diversity, equity, and inclusion” bills, and more.

On Saturday, the House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted 7-4 along party lines to pass a “clean fuels standard” (H.B. 41) that will raise gas prices by 50 cents or more per gallon. 

On Monday at 8:30 a.m., the House Health and Human Services Committee (HHHSC) will consider H.B. 35 from Rep. Pamelya Herndon (D-Albuquerque) to create an “office of diversity, equity, and inclusion” at the University of New Mexico, which would cost the taxpayers $1.2 million annually.

The list goes on.

To see what else the insane party has in store, go here.

2nd Amendment Rally: Return To The Capitol

Above, the January 31, 2020 Second Amendment Rally at the Capitol. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that the 2024 legislative session is about to begin in New Mexico, the announcement that there will be a Second Amendment rally at the Capitol building (the Roundhouse) on February 3 reminds me of the rally what was held there in 2020. It was just before the pandemic started.

Above, yours truly at the 2020 Second Amendment Rally.

I attended that one and it was a cold morning when it was held. There were several hundred participants at that rally in Santa Fe. I stayed the night before at an RV park in Santa Fe. If I go this time, I will likely stay there again. It's a 184 mile drive from home.

Now, like then, the lunatic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is trying to pass legislation that would infringe on New Mexicans' Second Amendment rights. Citizens of the state fought back and got "Second Amendment Sanctuary County" resolutions enacted back then.

Here's the flyer for the February 3 rally:

Depending upon the weather, I may attend the February 3 rally. I am already planning to go to Santa Fe for a Republican legislator reception and dinner on January 25.

Second Amendment Rally At NM Capitol February 3

Capitol Police Officer Appears To Have Lied In Court

Above, one of many video captures. About this one: "At 2:56:17 p.m.,
Lazarus is still one floor below and has still not arrived at the
 staircase where he claimed to have seen Dunn's encounter with
 the four Oath Keepers. By this time, those OKs have already
 left the Rotunda and are about to exit the East doors."

It appears that a Capitol police officer lied under oath (he wouldn't do that, would he?) that led to the conviction of pro-Trump Oath Keepers protesters on January 6, 2021.

The Blaze has some video captures showing the officer was not where he testified he was at.

The Blaze starts their article with:

U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Georgia) has released video images from Jan. 6, 2021, showing the movements of a Capitol Police officer who Blaze News investigative journalist Steve Baker said appears to have given false testimony regarding his whereabouts that day during a key encounter with members of the Oath Keepers.

Loudermilk, chairman of the Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight, said in a statement to Baker that he released the still frames — from closed-circuit TV video with timestamps — of U.S. Capitol Police Special Agent David Lazarus because "an allegation of a Capitol Police officer lying under oath is very serious and must be fully investigated."

Thank goodness there's video evidence proving perjury on Officer Lazarus's part.

To read the full article, go here.

Gun Control Activists Storm Tennessee State Capitol

Above, gun control activists storm Tennessee Capitol.

Left-wing anti-gunners stormed the Tennessee legislature today. It took a British media outlet to tell the truth.

The Daily Mail posted:

Gun control activists were seen storming Tennessee's State Capitol Thursday amid rising fears of a left-wing uprising at a rumored protest in Washington, DC.

Footage of the ongoing insurrection, posted to social media just before 2pm, shows progressive protesters attempting to enter the Nashville legislation building, and being batted away by several members of the city's sheriff's department.

Such dramatics were not exclusive to Nashville, however - as feelings of unrest continue to boil over after a recent mass shooting at a city school involving a transgender gunman who once attended the institution.

Bo Snerdley said it best at Twitter:

When liberals storm a legislative house - like in Tennessee today - the MSM doesn't talk about the end of Democracy.  Will the FBI track down every single one of these insurrectionists -and put them in jail?  Will Biden call them terrorists?

To read more, go here.

"QAnon Shaman" Released Early

Good news, folks!

Sebastian Gorka posted the following: 

Jacob Chansley, has been released 14 months early after Speaker Kevin McCarthy released January 6th footage that proved he committed no crime.

 

Sen. "Chuck-you" Schumer's Meltdown