Stephen Spitz - New Mexico People Places and Ideas: Recent Episodes
Stephen Spitz
Stephen Spitz hosts this monthly talk show featuring in-depth interviews with people who have an impact on New Mexico history, politics, public policy and culture.
Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State and an advisor to 12 of our Presidents, died on November 29, 2023 at the age 100. Among other accolades, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his diplomacy in ending the war and in Vietnam and was credited for being the person responsible for opening Mao’s China to the US and the world. But Kissinger was not only celebrated, he was also reviled.
On today’s show we revisit New Mexico People Place and Ideas’ host Stephen Spitz’s interview with author Christopher Hitchens. In his book, The Trial of Henry Kissinger, Hitchens outlines atrocities authorized by Kissinger in Indochina, Bangladesh, Chile, and East Timor, “including conspiracy to commit murder, kidnap, and torture.” All this was done in the name of US policy, but did it ultimately benefit the US? Hitchens will give his take.
Produced with the assistance of Lynn Schibeci, Gus Tofoya, and Roman Garcia.
Raul Torrez, who took office on January 1, 2023 as our Attorney General, is changing the Office in ways that seem to embody a different philosophy. The examples are many: cooperate rather than fight plaintiffs in the Yazzie education lawsuit, criminal charges against police officers, and starting a new Civil Rights Division. AG Torrez is undertaking these and other ambitious goals while of course still performing all of the traditional duties of his Office.
On today’s show, Mexico People Places and Ideas’ host Stephen Spitz is joined by Attorney General Torrez to discuss this seeming break from the past, and what principles will guide his actions.
Produced with the assistance of Lynn Schibeci, Gus Tofoya, and Roman Garcia.
In a landmark 2018 decision, the court in Yazzie/Martinez held that the State was violating New Mexico students’ constitutional right to a “sufficient education”. The State was therefore required to invest in the programs and services that have proven successful in raising outcomes for Native Americans, English Language learners, those with disabilities and students from low income households. Leading the way for plaintiffs have been Native American rights groups, and on today’s show New Mexico People Place and Ideas’ host Stephen Spitz is joined by Regis Pecos, Chair of the Tribal Education Alliance on education.
The show will focus on why the education of Native Americans and others was found to be insufficient, what are the programs and services that raise those outcomes, and if they have changed since 2018. We will also discuss the NM Attorney General’s announcement that he intends to replace the law firm defending the case after meeting with plaintiffs and Native American leaders.
Produced with the assistance of Lynn Schibeci, Gus Tofoya, and Roman Garcia.
Today we listen back to an interview with renowned Albuquerque civil rights lawyer, Nancy Hollander, who was portrayed by Jodie Foster in the 2021 film, the Mauritanian. The film portrays Hollander’s fight to free her client, Mohamedou Slahi, from US prison in Guantanamo, Cuba. Slahi had been “extraordinarily rendered” to Jordan from his home in Mauritania and later tortured.
New Mexico People Place and Ideas’ host Stephen Spitz also discusses with Hollander her defense of “Holy Land”, once the largest the Muslim charity in the US, against terrorism charges, and her suit against the US Government to stop the wire-tapping of attorney-client conversations.
Produced with the assistance of Lynn Schibeci, Gus Tofoya, and Tristan Clum
Today’s guest is Michael S. Vigil, a former undercover DEA agent in Mexico, who rose to be the DEA’s Chief of International Operations worldwide. In our March 2023 show, Vigil traced the origin and development of the Mexican drug cartels. … Continue reading →
How does stress affect brain function and conduct? Can be stress passed on epigenetically ( not experientially) to succeeding generations? Can the effect of stress on the brain actually be measured and mapped via non-invasive neuroimaging of the brain? The Mind … Continue reading →
By early Spring New Mexico had already experienced its two largest wildfires in history as well as the McBride fire, which destroyed more than 200 homes in Ruidoso. Is this the new normal? And are controlled burns really the answer … Continue reading →
From potters to political game changers, women have been shaping New Mexico history for centuries. However while NM’s Historic Roadside Markers program began in 1935, as of 1996 it was unclear how many women had been so recognized. That year Patricia French, after stopping to read a historic marker on the Santa Fe trail, wondered out-loud to her friends Beverly Duran and Alexis Girard, how many women had been mentioned?
They found out the answer was only 1 woman out of 500 markers and launched an effort to put the record straight. Now the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Initiative highlights the accomplishments of more than 100 women. How exactly does one explain this disparity, what did Patricia French and her colleagues do to change the Program, and who are the women now recognized on State markers?
New Mexico People Place and Ideas host Stephen Spitz will put those and related questions to Patricia French this Friday at 8:00 am.
Produced with assistance of Gus Tafoya, and Roman Garcia.
Sunday, May 28 is the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 mile race. The Unser family, Al, Bobby, and Al Jr., have won the 500 a record nine times. Our guest is racing legend Al Unser, who passed away on December 9, 2021 and who still holds the record for most Indy wins.
New Mexico People Place and Ideas host Stephen Spitz sat down with Al in 2005 at the Unser Museum to talk about the Museum, what its like to first take the track at speeds over 200 mph, how to win, and racing against your own son. The show explores all this and much more.
Produced with assistance of Gus Tafoya, and Tristan Clum.
Politics inside New Mexico’s “Roundhouse” are notoriously complex with legislative success dependent on personal connections, intra-party rivalries, the power of lobbyists, and basic deal making. This year saw a change in House leadership, a different more friendly vibe, and push-back against the Governor’s agenda by fellow Democrats. Meanwhile, there was also record spending and a 30% budget surplus. Bills regarding paid family leave, paid legislators and staff, crime, and the environment were introduced. What, of significance, occurred?
New Mexico People Place and Ideas host Stephen Spitz will put that to this month’s guest, Joe Monahan, the lead political blogger in New Mexico: he will provide listeners with an inside look at what passed this Session along with the big misses.
Produced with assistance of Lynn Schibeci, Gus Tafoya, and Tristan Clum.
This month’s guest is Michael S. Vigil, a former undercover DEA agent in Mexico, who rose to be Chief of International Operations worldwide.
One of his favorite accolades is a narcocorrido tribute from a famous Mexican musician, Alberto Angel, the ballad elevating his fame to rival those of the international drug lords he pursued. But why choose to be an undercover agent and what is it like living on the knife’s edge of danger? Host Stephen Spitz will explore this along with the escalating violence of the Mexican Cartels, and what can be done to stop them?
Produced with assistance of Lynn Schibeci, Gus Tafoya, and Tristan Clum.
Albuquerque, like most US cities, has a housing crisis. But, it’s acute here. According to the City, the shortage is 80,000 homes, 30,000 units for those with low and moderate incomes and 50,000 market rate houses and apartments. Those with lowest incomes face the greatest challenges and, of course, this is one cause of homelessness. But the lack of available housing also affects workforce and economic development. In response, the City has announced a “Housing Forward” initiative to spur conversion of old motels and offices and the construction of new market rate housing.
Joining host Stephen Spitz to discuss this is Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. We will explore how Albuquerque got here and how “Housing Forward” could change the housing landscape.
Produced with assistance of Lynn Schibeci, Gus Tafoya, and Tristan Clum.
Contrary to pre-election surveys, the Latino electorate did not veer sharply Right and was pivotal in key Senate races in Nevada and Arizona. Was the polling wrong about the importance of the economy and unpopularity of Biden with Latinos? And how does this square with the much-publicized result in Florida, where Latinos did veer sharply Right?
Joining host Stephen Spitz to discuss this is UNM professor Gabriel Sanchez, who has provided election analysis for Albuquerque TV stations, Latino Decisions, and NPR. We will explore the above questions as well as Latino support for Democrats in New Mexico what Republicans need to do to win state-wide races.
Produced with assistance of Lynn Schibeci, Gus Tafoya, and Tristan Clum.
Today’s guest is the most famous comedian you have never seen and didn’t even believe existed. His name is Jack Handey (yes that’s his real name), and the name is undoubtedly familiar to fans of Saturday Night Live.
Jack Handey, a long time resident of Santa Fe, is the person responsible for SNL’s consistently hilarious series, “Deep Thoughts”, along with many other sketches. On SNL Deep Thoughts was an interstitial segment between sketches that was introduced by Phil Hartman and read live by Handey (neither actually appeared on screen). Handey’s one-liners proved to be extremely popular. Hartman would intone “And now, Deep Thoughts, by Jack Handey…” and peaceful easy listening music would play while the screen showed soothing pastoral scenes, much like a New Age relaxation video. Handey would then read the Deep Thought as the text scrolled across the screen.
Now Handey has written his first novel, The Stench of Honolulu: A Tropical Adventure. The plot is not complicated, a search for treasure in Hawaii, but the humor will definitely appeal to anyone who enjoyed Deep Thoughts.
Please join host Stephen Spitz and Jack Handey as we learn how Handey got into comedy and what makes comedians and jokes “funny”. Produced with the assistance of Joe Green.
Constitutional Amendment #1 would increase funding for early childhood education and K-12 via an 11/4% annual distribution from New Mexico’s $25B Land Grant Permanent Fund (LGPF). Will this change educational outcomes? In Paul Tough’s NYT-bestselling How Children Succeed, he first introduced us … Continue reading →
Constitutional Amendment #1 would increase funding for early childhood and K-12 via an 11/4% annual distribution from New Mexico’s $25B Land Grant Permanent Fund (LGPF). As a Constitutional Amendment voters, must approve it this November to become law. What is … Continue reading →
New Mexico is experiencing its worst drought in more than 1000 years. Available surface water has already decreased by one-quarter and is forecast to significantly decline. To make up for this, groundwater pumping has increased, but since much more water … Continue reading →
By early Spring New Mexico had already experienced its two largest wildfires in history as well as the McBride fire, which destroyed more than 200 homes in Ruidoso. Is this the new normal? And are controlled burns really the answer … Continue reading →
Corrales resident Sandra Postel is the winner of the Stockholm Water Prize, considered the Nobel Prize for water. We are honored that she will be our guest. Host Stephen Spitz will begin the discussion with Ms. Postel’s latest book, Replenish—the … Continue reading →
Slavery and the legacy of slavery are frequently analyzed these days. Native American slavery, however, is often glossed over. Why? How extensive was it, who were the enslavers, and who exactly were the enslaved? Joining host Stephen Spitz to discuss … Continue reading →
On Jan. 18, 2013, 15 year-old Nehemiah Griego shot dead his father, mother, and three siblings. Why? In “Sins of the System”, Dr. Regina Griego, Nehemiah’s aunt and guardian, lays out his complex family history as well as a broken … Continue reading →
Last year we interviewed Albuquerque, representative Javier Martinez as an up and coming legislator. His most prominent legislation was tapping our $ 25B Permanent Fund to expand early childhood education and legalizing marijuana. He has since become House Majority Leader … Continue reading →
Politics inside New Mexico’s “Roundhouse” are notoriously complex with legislative success dependent on personal connections, intra-party rivalries, the power of lobbyists, and basic deal making. A good example of that complexity is the lack of success of Democratic Governor Michelle … Continue reading →
In 2020 PNM and Avangrid, an energy company with utilities and generation facilities in 24 states, announced their intentions to merge. The $8.3B purchase is worth a very healthy 20 times PNM’s projected earnings and would result in a hefty … Continue reading →
Joining host Stephen Spitz this month is Don Hancock, Director of the Nuclear Waste Program for the Southwest Research and Information Center (SRIC). We will discuss the proposed expansion of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in southeastern New Mexico. … Continue reading →
Growing up in Baltimore, UNM Music Professor Richard Antoine White did his best to care for his mother, who was battling alcoholism, while experiencing homelessness and hunger. Searching for his mother one night resulted in a near death experience in … Continue reading →
How should our criminal justice system deal with crimes committed by substance abusers? Our guest, UNM Sociology Professor Noah Painter Davis, is presently studying drug diversion and parole/probation programs in NM. The promise of these programs is that we can … Continue reading →
What should the approach be to increasing homelessness in Albuquerque? UNM’s Paul Guerin is the Director of the Center for Applied Research and Analysis and one of the author’s of a definitive study, demonstrating that for vulnerable Albuquerquians, “housing first” … Continue reading →
Homicides in Albuquerque have soared and will likely double the high rate of 2020. But is crime really out of control? After all, the homicide rate has dramatically increased in most cities during the Pandemic. And what does the data … Continue reading →
Corrales resident Sandra Postel is the winner of the Stockholm Water Prize, considered the Nobel Prize for water. We are honored that she will be our guest. Host Stephen Spitz will begin the discussion with Ms. Postel’s latest book, Replenish—the … Continue reading →
Bobby Unser, a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner and part of the only pair of brothers to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” has died at his home in Albuquerque. He was 87. In April 2010 host Stephen Spitz had the chance to sit down with Bobby Unser.
If you are interested in what it is like to first take the track at Indianapolis at speeds over 200 mph, while the owner of a million-dollar car nervously watches a rookie driver immediately go for top speeds, then you must hear Bobby tell the story of his initial attempts to qualify for the 500. We will also ask Bobby what it is about this family –individually or collectively– that makes it the most successful family in racing if not in all of sports. (Besides Bobby and Al, Al, Jr. has won Indy twice and two other family members have competed an additional seven times in the 500.)
Produced with assistance of Tristan Clum, John Burgund and Lynn Schibeci
Albuquerque, South Valley, representative Javier Martinez has become one of the most prominent, if not the most prominent, legislator in Santa Fe. On this month’s show Representative Martinez joins host Stephen Spitz to discuss his journey from his childhood home in Juarez, Mexico, to an organizer in Albuquerque’s South Valley, and then on to our Legislature.
Among other things we will discuss Representative Martinez’s sponsorship of the two most contested actions in the 2021 Session: tapping our $ 22B Permanent Fund to expand early childhood education and legalizing marijuana.
Produced with assistance of Tristan Clum and Lynn Schibeci
In June 2020 it was front-page headlines that two long-time Senate leaders, both conservative Democrats, had lost primary election bids along with two of their colleagues. Then in the November general election, three progressive Democrats won seats formerly occupied by Senate Republicans.
The person widely credited for these progressive victories is former State Senator Eric Griego, head of the NM Working Families Party. How and why did this happen, did it impact the 2021 Legislative Session, and what are the long-term prospects? Host Stephen Spitz will put these and related questions to Senator Eric Griego on this month’s show.
Produced with assistance of Tristan Clum and Lynn Schibeci
Should President Biden prohibit oil and gas production or impose dramatic restrictions on industry methane and carbon dioxide emissions? This and related actions are adamantly opposed by the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NMOGA) which points to the industry’s contributions to New Mexico’s economy and State budget. NMOGA’s President is Harvard educated Ryan Flynn, the former head of New Mexico’s Environment Dept., and he joins host Stephen Spitz this month.
Among other topics we will discuss the current status and long-term prospects for oil and natural gas production in New Mexico and how this squares with climate change? Similarly, what is being done to protect against the risks of methane leaks, a much more powerful greenhouse gas than CO2.
Produced with assistance of Tristan Clum and Lynn Schibeci