GOVERNOR FRIENDSTER:
Bill Richardson doesn't have any friends. Okay, the governor has one. But "Joe" is a hell of a friend to have. The strapping 21-year-old Santa Fe native and Amherst College student enjoys reading
Catcher in the Rye
, watching
The Incredibles
and dating men. And he is the only "friend" Bill Richardson has. Or at least the only person linked to a profile of Richardson on the online networking community known as
. The profile-which includes a cherubic photo of the governor in front of the State seal-includes basic biographical info like age (57), status (married) and sign (Scorpio).
The profile also suggests the governor is interested in meeting people as "Friends" and "Activity Partners" before giving a quick highlight reel (Congressman, UN Ambassador, Energy Secretary, former baseball player) of his resumé. The page also notes the top musical artists in Richardson's network, which include Radiohead, the Cure, Linkin Park and Eminem. Now, we have no doubt Richardson signs bills while listening to Kid A and chases the First Lady around the Governor's mansion while "The Real Slim Shady" bumps in the background. But we're a little suspicious that Richardson initiated his Friendster profile, partly because his office purported to have no idea what we were talking about but also because the profile's contact email is
. And we all know Richardson is not running for president. Yet. Then again, nothing says "grassroots" quite like building your constituency one friend at a time. (ND)
FIGHTING WORDS:
During last year's Indian Market, City inspectors told Native artisans to remove the back walls of booths so as not to obstruct the public's view of Lincoln Avenue businesses. This led to charges of racial discrimination by a group called Native Americans for Justice in Santa Fe. Alex Jacobs, spokesman for the group, says Native Americans for Justice took pictures of subsequent special events in Santa Fe and found that the ordinance City inspectors enforced during Indian Market-requiring vendors to remove booth backings-did not appear to be enforced. "It's discrimination. It's pain and humiliation," Jacobs says. "I don't know why they chose Indian Market to enforce this ordinance." Last week, Jacobs and other members from Native Americans for Justice appeared at two hearings the City of Santa Fe had on special events. The event was designed to give vendors, businesses and other stakeholders a chance to give the City input on how to handle special events in the future. Jacobs isn't sure what the outcome of the hearings will be but says they may result in the City moving smaller special events off the Plaza. This would reduce the number of days area businesses feel they lose out on sales due to special events. The outcome Native Americans for Justice would like the hearings to result in is simple. "We don't want the City over-regulating Indian booths," Jacobs says. Jacobs says that no matter how the City decides to handle future special events, Indian Market vendors who felt harassed and discriminated against last year will contemplate suing the City. "They messed with the wrong Indians," he says. (NK)
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