Articles from the December 24, 2009 edition

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats passed a landmark health care bill in a climactic Christmas Eve vote that could define President Barack Obama’s legacy and usher in near-universal medical coverage for the first time in the country’s history. “We are now finally poised to deliver on the promise of real, meaningful health insurance reform that will bring additional security and stability to the American people,” Obama said shortly after the Senate acted. “This will be the most important piece of social legislation since Soc...

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats passed a landmark health care bill in a climactic Christmas Eve vote that could define President Barack Obama’s legacy and usher in near-universal medical coverage for the first time in the country’s history. “We are now finally poised to deliver on the promise of real, meaningful health insurance reform that will bring additional security and stability to the American people,” Obama said shortly after the Senate acted. “This will be the most important piece of social legislati...

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-NM, today voted in favor of historic health care reform legislation that will provide quality, affordable health coverage to 96 percent of New Mexicans while reducing health care costs for individuals, businesses and government. The Senate approved the bill 60-39. The legislation, called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, expands health care coverage to 31 million Americans, including 305,000 additional New Mexicans. It also reduces the federal deficit by $132 billion... Full story

The Associated Press ALBUQUERQUE — The Farm Service Agency says it will issue nearly $3 million in payments to dairy farmers in New Mexico. The payments will be made through the Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Program. Eligible producers will receive a one-time direct payment based on the amount of milk both produced and commercially marketed by their operation during the months of February through July 2009. The agency says production information from these months was used to estimate a full year’s production for an o... Full story

The Associated Press ALBUQUERQUE — The Farm Service Agency says it will issue nearly $3 million in payments to dairy farmers in New Mexico. The payments will be made through the Dairy Economic Loss Assistance Program. Eligible producers will receive a one-time direct payment based on the amount of milk both produced and commercially marketed by their operation during the months of February through July 2009. The agency says production information from these months was used to estimate a full year’s production for an o... Full story

Gary Mitchell

Editor's note: When Amos went shopping recently, he encountered the trials of last-minute Christmas shoppers. In frustration, he called out for the real meaning of Christmas. Just then, Sammy Salamander wiggled by and pointed him to a little nativity scene far from the malling crowd but in the heart of Bugtussle. Jenny (the little girl mouse next door) was playing the role of Mary; Willifred the White Rat was Joseph; Freddy Flea was baby Jesus; Virgil the Praying Mantis was a shepherd; Robin Redjoy, Oliver Owl and Rawley... Full story

Freedom New Mexico It is curious in some ways that modern-day Western Christians have created a more lavish holiday — which in many ways has become a thoroughly secular and in some ways excessive celebration in which Santa Claus and Rudolph play a larger role than the baby in the manger — of the birth of Jesus than of the life of Jesus or even the more theologically significant death and resurrection of Jesus. Only two of the four Gospels even mention the birth, and while they are roughly consistent with one... Full story

Tibor Machan

For a long time, political philosophers were interested in identifying the nature of justice. It started with Socrates and lasted to when John Stuart Mill did his work, although by that time there had been talk of this thing called distributive justice. Yet, I have never quite understood why the idea has become so prominent since it is clearly question-begging. Distribution is something done by people who have things to distribute, who are legitimate, rightful owners of what may be wanted from them about town. Money, mainly....

The week before Christmas the farmer announced to the animals that he would not be giving them the traditional cheese and sausage box. The pig was relieved. The farmers suggested instead they should draw names. “Does that include non-domesticated animals, too?” asked the armadillo. “Yes, But only warm-blooded,” was the answer. Since not everyone had prehensile lips, the farmer offered to do the drawing in the giant name swap. On Christmas morn the gifts were exchanged. The buzzard had drawn the possum. He gave him a can of...

Tibor Machan

For a long time, political philosophers were interested in identifying the nature of justice. It started with Socrates and lasted to when John Stuart Mill did his work, although by that time there had been talk of this thing called distributive justice. By now, most political theorists dwell on little else. Yet, I have never quite understood why the idea has become so prominent since it is clearly question-begging. Distribution is something done by people who have things to distribute, who are legitimate, rightful owners of... Full story

I’ve known since last January that Christmas would be Dec. 25. So why can’t I prepare ahead of time? Last week it occurred to me I probably should do something about a tree, so I went to the local garden store. They had a gazillion trees, all set up in pots of water and smelling really good. My daughter and I picked one out, and the guy loaded it in my vehicle. Did I need a stand for it, he wanted to know? I said, no, I was sure I had one. At home we searched the garage — and found a stand. It’s a good one. You can p... Full story

Freedom New Mexico It is curious in some ways that modern-day Western Christians have created a more lavish holiday — which in many ways has become a thoroughly secular and in some ways excessive celebration in which Santa Claus and Rudolph play a larger role than the baby in the manger — of the birth of Jesus than of the life of Jesus or even the more theologically significant death and resurrection of Jesus. Only two of the four Gospels even mention the birth, and while they are roughly consistent with one...

Joan Clayton

Editor’s Note: This column has been printed in the anthology “Christmas Traditions.” Reprinted with permission from Adams Media Corp....

Freedom New Mexico Police are investigating a series of burglaries at businesses in north Clovis and Curry County. Clovis Police Chief Steve Sanders said Wednesday morning his department received at least four reports of businesses broken into overnight in north Clovis. Curry County Undersheriff Wesley Waller said his office has received several reports of burglaries in the same area. Burglars have used the same methods to gain entry and have stolen a variety of items, Sanders said. “We’re not sure who’s causing us this...

Liliana Castillo

CNJ staff photo: Liliana Castillo J'Mi Heflin, left, talks to Christy Drake Thursday about paper goods Heflin and her family brought Drake. Heflin and her family used money they would have spent on each other for Christmas to buy dinners for 10 families in Clovis. Helping her mother move into a new house in Austin, Texas, during the summer reinforced a revelation J’mi Heflin had last year before Christmas. “We have too much stuff,” Heflin said. Her mother, JoBeth Broadhurst, agreed. Last year, the two used the money they...

Liliana Castillo

Helping her mother move into a new house in Austin, Texas, during the summer reinforced a revelation J’mi Heflin had last year before Christmas. “We have too much stuff,” Heflin said. Her mother, JoBeth Broadhurst, agreed. Last year, the two used the money they would have spent on each other to buy four Christmas dinners for less fortunate families in Clovis and Portales. “Going into their homes, you wouldn’t have known it was Christmas,” Broadhurst said. “There wasn’t an ornament nor a tree nor a package. They were so th... Full story

The following are letters to Santa from the Portales area children and a printed as written:...

Freedom New Mexico As of noon Friday, the Empty Stocking Fund, a joint effort between Freedom New Mexico and the Salvation Army to feed and clothe the needy, had collected almost $900 more than last season’s drive. Officials said donations thus far total $8,998. Last year donations to the fund totaled $8,100.... Full story

Freedom New Mexico As of noon Friday, the Empty Stocking Fund had collected almost $900 more than last season’s drive. Officials said donations thus far total $8,998.91. Last year donations to the fund totaled $8,100....

Argen Duncan

Every year around Christmas, Santa’s helpers appear around Portales, handing out gifts and making children smile. And it’s Roosevelt County men who are under those red suits, hats and beards. Roosevelt County farmer and rancher Matt Rush and C&S Dairy Supply employee Mark Clark are two of the local men behind St. Nicholas. “I enjoy watching the kids get so excited,” said Rush, now in his sixth year as Santa. The job has taught him Christmas really is about the children, he said. Clark said it’s the season of giving. Playing S... Full story

CNJ staff

PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University senior outfielder Jereme Johnson has been selected a preseason All-America by Collegiate Baseball. Last year, the Roswell High graduate earned the school’s first All-America selection in baseball, garnering honorable mention status on the Daktronics All-America squad. while earning first-team All-Lone Star Conference honors. He set ENMU single-season records in batting average (.447) and on-base percentage while starting 13 games in center field, 14 in right field and five as t...

Freedom New Mexico Eastern New Mexico University senior outfielder Jereme Johnson has been selected a preseason All-America by Collegiate Baseball. Last year, the Roswell High graduate earned the school’s first All-America selection in baseball, garnering honorable mention status on the Daktronics All-America squad. while earning first-team All-Lone Star Conference honors. He set ENMU single-season records in batting average (.447) and on-base percentage while starting 13 games in center field, 14 in right field and five a... Full story