Justice Daniels and Domestic Violence Bill

Supreme Court Justice Charlie Daniels faces no opponent for November.

Something’s are just too clear from the start. Governor Richardson appointed Justice Daniels to replace the late Pamela Minzer on the court. I meet Supreme Court Justice Daniels at the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County’s Christmas Party last year. He impressed me as just the right person for the position. I am glad that he will be running unopposed in the fall election. Supreme Court Justice Daniels will not have to run for reelection until 2010. We are all lucky to have him on our state supreme court. It is with pleasure that I note that all five Supreme Court Justices are democrats.

The current New Mexico State Supreme Court includes: Edward L. Chavez, Chief Justice, Patricio M. Serna, Petra Jimenez Maes, Richard C. Bosson and Charles W. Daniels. Should you like to learn more about the State Supreme Court the website is: http://nmsupremecourt.nmcourts.gov/bios/index.html.

Domestic Violence Bill Headed to Governor’s Desk

At this point in time people who mistreat dogs get more jail time than men who beat women in this state. Shows were this state's priorities are placed. Also shows how much some men in this state respect women. In New Mexico you have to kill or put your stalking victim in the hospital before the police will put someone in jail. Our state’s first lady Barbara Richardson has made this one of her few outspoken causes this year. We, New Mexican women, should truly appreciate Mrs. Richardson’s efforts on this issue. In the past any women who has been outspoken about this issue was treated rather poorly by the men of this state. Clearly this bill is long overdue in New Mexico. My only fear now is that these men will kill their victims rather then give them the change to report a third offense. I also fear that women will be more reluctant to press charges when they have been beaten. Nevertheless it is a step in the right direction for the women in New Mexico; there can never be a perfect answer when it comes to someone who is incapable of treating women with the respect they deserve. I just have to wonder why someone has to be seriously harmed or killed before the law will step in and put a stop to this kind of treatment by men of women. I also wonder who has to become a victim before lawmakers in the state capital will find the time to create more laws to address this problem in New Mexico. Because of the way state laws are written on this subject, local lawmakers in the cities and towns can not make harsher laws that could address this problem. I know that I have asked my State Senator Cisco McSorley to step in and write more laws to deal with this problem but I fear it fell on deaf ears. Maybe it is time to replace a few lawmakers in order to prove the point that this is a problem that women in the State of New Mexico care a great deal about fixing.