The Eastern New Mexico News - Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

One way you can tell laws are not legitimate, ethically or morally, is in the way they vary from place to place. Those of us who live near an arbitrary political line — a state line or a national...

I love watching the market work. I don’t call it “the free market” because if it’s not free it’s not a market. Under government rules and regulations what survives is a pale shadow of a...

It amazes me how often people create worse problems while trying to solve problems. Most problems can be solved; some probably can’t. Don’t give up trying to solve the hard problems, though. You n...

There’s a sense of personal accomplishment, of self-worth, when you make something with your own hands through your own efforts. Even if you seek guidance from someone with experience, you’ve...

A few years ago, I was hiking down a trail in Colorado. Exploring trails — and off trails — is probably my favorite activity. After a few hours, I decided I needed to turn around and head back....

Preferences are a personal thing. Some people prefer dogs while others prefer cats, and some like both species equally. None of these choices is wrong, even if one choice might make more sense or be...

Would you rather live in a world where it’s normal for people to try to convince each other of something, or a world where it’s acceptable to just give an order and shoot anyone who doesn’t imme...

It’s fascinating how easily people accept something they would otherwise know is wrong when someone they view as an authority figure tells them it’s right. Voltaire observed, in 1765, “Those who...

I’m sure there will be a final answer on the racetrack/casino any month now. Right? Those who support a local racino must see by now how giving government the power — permission from the people ...

Imagine you have an antique car in your back yard behind a privacy fence. A neighbor climbs your fence, sees the car, and decides something must be done about it. How he decided your property is his...

“Validly enacted laws.” This is how New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas deceptively characterizes the new anti-gun laws he wants enforced against you. They aren’t validly enacted. They...

Recently, out of curiosity, I scanned the daily jail log for Curry County. I had never done so before and probably won’t do it again. Afterward, I felt guilty and was ashamed of myself. I learned...

Never before have I needed my emergency preparations twice in so short a time. For the second time in just over two weeks, I’m glad I make a point to prepare for the unexpected. First, it was the...

People are often their own worst enemies. They listen to those they should ignore or laugh at while they ignore (or laugh at) those they should listen to. It’s always been the same. Harriet Tubman,...

How much did you enjoy our recent “shingle apocalypse” brought on by the little wind storm? Probably about as much as I did. I even went out and took a walk in it. I love the feel of gravel...

It’s interesting to me how many people want their own rights respected, while also wanting other people’s rights to be violated. People who want their rights as gun owners respected often...

While I appreciate when governments express support for natural human rights, I wonder if they really understand the rights they claim to support. Roosevelt County was recently declared a “Second...

It was once a common theme in science fiction humor for a flying saucer to land in front of witnesses, with little green men coming out to say: “Take us to your leader.” If this happened to you,...

I’ll never understand how the output of the government’s court system passes for “justice.” If you ever find justice in a courtroom it will be a fluke; an accident. Justice doesn’t require...

How much of what you want government to do is based on your emotions? On your feelings about what you wish other people would do or believe they should do, and your willingness to use government viole...

Last week, a local business delivered to my home — even though I didn’t ask and it wasn’t expected. Just to be nice and to make a good impression. And it worked. This reminded me of the...

It’s a bitter pill to swallow, and one many people can’t accept, but you and I can never know everything. This means if you want to act politically, you’ll come from a place of ignorance whether...

You’ve probably been hearing about the “deep state” recently, with some pundits saying it’s a danger and others saying it doesn’t even exist. It’s real, but it’s not the conspiracy...

When an addict’s supply is cut off, it’s usually an agonizing journey through withdrawal to the other side of the addiction; where the poison finally loosens its grip on the person, giving him a...