New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Calls for a “New Realism” in American Foreign Policy

WASHINGTON, DC- Yesterday Governor Bill Richardson  outlined his vision for a renewed and strong American foreign policy and his detailed philosophy to confront world challenges during a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC.  

The Governor defined a clear, sensible, and powerful approach that addresses critical areas and will reverse the current administration’s lack of realism that has led America and the world to an unstable and dangerous place. 

“In an era of terrorism, they have squandered our military power, undermined our diplomatic leverage, and depleted our treasury,” said Governor Richardson.  “They have emboldened our enemies and isolated us from our friends.  They have confused our moral compass and compromised our national security.” 

Governor Richardson believes that under the Bush administration the country’s foreign policy has been guided more by “wishful thinking than by reality”.  He believes the United States must take a different path in foreign affairs. 

“This is a path not of hard words, but of hard work,” added the Governor.  “A path of moral strength, not pious judgments.   A path of strong diplomacy, backed up by a strong military and strong alliances.  This is the path of American leadership. A path that I believe can lead to an Axis of Reason to confront urgent global problems.” 

Governor Richardson‘s foreign policy vision includes a seven-point plan that provides the foundation for the New Realism. It specifically details how America must not only lead with strong words and a strong military, but must also lead through actions that are true to what this country stands for. 

“The United States once was – and again must be – a human rights example to which others aspire,” said Governor Richardson.  “We must be impeccable in our own behavior, and we must reward countries which respect the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. And we must negotiate, constructively but firmly, with those who do not.

“We need to present the Arab and Muslim worlds with a better vision than the apocalyptic fantasy of the Jihadists.  A vision of peace, prosperity, tolerance, and respect for human dignity.   For this to be credible, we need to live up to our own ideals. Prisoner abuse, torture, secret prisons, renditions, and evasion of the Geneva conventions must have no place in our policy.” 

Governor Richardson believes America must lead the way in the global fight against poverty, which is the root cause of violence around the world.  US support of trade agreements and economic development, nutrition programs, and education in challenged areas of the world will boost diplomacy and strengthen our friendships and alliances. 

“Development alleviates the injustice and lack of opportunity that proponents of violence and terrorism exploit,” Governor Richardson said.  “To those who say we cannot afford an aid program to build pro-American sentiment in the developing world, I say we cannot afford not to.”

A video version is available at http://blip.tv/file/145718?filename=RichardsonforPresident-GovBillRichardson199.wmv
 

extra tickets for UNH event

Fellow Obamaniacs,

As many of you may know by now, the Senator's Town Hall Meeting being held at UNH on Monday night no longer has tickets available. It's exciting to see an Obama appearance sell out within hours and we want to make sure he has as many supporters there as possible. If any of you have extra tickets, please let us know ASAP, as many of NH's DraftObama members would like to attend but were shut out. If we hear from any of you, we'll put you in touch with those looking for the tickets. Thank you very much.

NH Draft Obama
nh@draftobama.org

Interim Warden recommended for NH State Prison in Concord

( Concord , NH ) New Hampshire Department of Corrections Commissioner William L. Wrenn will recommend to the Governor and Executive Council that Richard M. Gerry be appointed Interim Warden of the NH State Prison in Concord . Warden Gerry currently serves as Warden of the NH State Prison for Women in Goffstown. Prior to his May 2001 appointment in Goffstown, Warden Gerry was Director of Security for the Concord facility.

Commissioner Wrenn will also recommend that Division of Community Corrections Director Joanne H. Fortier be appointed Acting Warden of the NH State Prison for Women. Director Fortier is a twenty-one year veteran employee of the Department and has served in her current management position since July 2000.

Commissioner Wrenn will reassign Shea Farm Unit Manager Christine N. Cook to be Acting Director of the Division of Community Corrections. Unit Manager Cook has sixteen years experience with the Department serving as a Halfway House Unit Manager since 2002.

They will remain in these interim positions while the Department conducts a nationwide search for a permanent Warden at the Concord facility.

Senate Republicans Call for Parity on Flooding Assistance

Today in the Senate Committee on Finance Republican Leader Ted Gatsas (R-Manchester) presentedSenate Bill 35 (SB 35.)

This legislation appropriates funding for disaster relief assistance in response to the May 2006 floods (a.k.a Mother’s DayFloods) in which 113 New Hampshire communities were affected. The bill limits a municipality’s cost share to 12.5 percent or $5,000 whichever is less.

Senator Gatsas began,“this legislation is about parity. SB 35 is about giving the devastated communities the same financial assistance that we gave to those municipalities victimized in the southwestern part of the state in October of 2005.”

Speaking in support of the bill Senator Bob Clegg (R-Hudson) added, “when the legislature responded to the October floods we set a precedent in fast-tracking natural disaster legislation. SB 35 simply asks for the exact same action. The state has an obligation to the municipalities and up until now we have been neglectful.”

Governor John Lynch lauded his support for SB 35. In a letter sent to the Senate Finance Committee he surmised that based on the severity of the May floods the state has an obligation to step in and reimburse the municipalities.

SB 35 was passed favorably out of the Senate Committee on Finance OTP 6-0 and will face a vote before the full Senate.

NH State Prison Warden to leave post

( Concord , NH ) NH Department of Corrections Commissioner William L. Wrenn accepted the resignation of NH State Prison for Men Warden Bruce W. Cattell. Warden Cattell submitted his resignation for personal reasons.

"I would like to thank Warden Cattell for his years of service to the New Hampshire Department of Corrections. I wish him success in his future endeavors," Commissioner Wrenn stated.

The Department will conduct a nationwide search for his successor. Commissioner Wrenn will name an interim Warden at a later date.

In February 2001, Warden Cattell retired after twenty years of service in the Arizona Department of Corrections to become Warden of the Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility in Berlin . In May 2004, he was appointed Warden of the NH State Prison for Men in Concord . His resignation is effective March 2, 2007 .