I also feel compelled to point out, in case it's not completely obvious, that I am learning how to do this blogging, html thing, as I go, so if occasionally it seems as though I don't know what I'm doing—guess what? I don't. Hopefully by November I'll have figured it out.

Yesterday on NPR they carried a story about The Bush administration's desire to change the endangered species criteria for wild salmon so that farm-raised salmon would be included in the count. This would drastically reduce the chances of the species given the extra attention endangered species receive. And it's just one more example of why people need to vote in November. At The Santa Fe Reporter , we are working on a story about the diminished requirements the feds are seeking for WIPP, yet one more environmental issue that hits close to home for New Mexicans.

There's a great article in Salon today, Above the Law about the Bush administration's argument that it can keep US citizens locked up without charges, lawyer or a trial, by declaring them enemy combatants. These national issues, which are so strikingly bleak, make coverage of local elections seem difficult to fathom. But fathom we must! There's an amazingly large number of candidates running for the June 1 primary election, which is nice to see for a change. If you're not sure who they are, there's a complete list on the Santa Fe County website
And don't forget, rolls close Tuesday, May 4 for the June 1 primary. But if you miss out, you can still register to vote in the general election on May 7 and May 22 via The Hip Hop Voter Project.

The next Hip Hop Voter Project will be held Friday, May 7 at The Paramount Nightclub. Voter registration will be hosted by The Southwest Organizing Project. If you've never checked out Friday night, this would be a great time to start. In addition to voter registration, there also will be registration for two reserved tickets to the De La Soul show May 22 at Paolo Soleri.
Here's some history on the project. The Reporter and Chicanobuilt launched our voter project in January, 2004. The first Friday of each month, during Chicanobuilt's hip hop night, different organizations and groups from the area host voter registration. To date, those groups have included The People of Color AIDS Foundation, Santa Fe County Green Party, The New Voters Project and Forum 2004. Other groups lined up for future months include Planned Parenthood, Santa Fe Democrats and more.
The idea behind the project is to reach out to the young people who attend this very popular night at The Paramount Nightclub and get them registered so that come November, 2004, they have a voice in the future of our country. At the same time, by having different organizations host the voter nights, there is the opportunity to interest Santa Feans in a wide variety of issues and causes.
The Hip Hop Voter Project is not affiliated with any of the national projects linking hip hop and politics, but there are many. An article in today's Salon, in fact, describes the GOP's mistake in attacking John Kerry's support from today's hip hop movement.

Another article posted on Salon today proposes that Rock The Vote type efforts won't work, because 18 to 24-year-olds are too apathetic and won't be moved by glitzy efforts from organizations like Rock the Vote are ineffective. We hope to also use this blog to create dialogue on these types of issues.