Taos Kiss and Tell!
The melodrama, known in Taos as realpolitick, requires that the viewer hold two contradictory thoughts in mind. For instance, a school board member who has lobbied for the recall and/or banishment of his fellows from their elected position at Taos Municipal Schools (TMS), also says he wants to “work with the board.†Say what? This example of “double-think†or believing that both propositions are true creates the basis for “cognitive dissonanceâ€â€”reshaping reality to fit one’s belief systems–regardless of the unpleasant facts.
Even the legal system, according to a variety of briefs, motions, and appeals is variously interpreted. A flutter of recent letters from lawyers, court decisions from judges, and federal lawsuits served on school board members indicate little more than an expression of personal fear and loathing as the basis for claims. Pretentious pronouncements about civil liberties and that old saw about “justice†have little to do with the sacred law and more to do with profane professionals, who supplement their bank accounts.
This week’s publication of The Taos News’ supplement, called “Return to Sacred Places,†further illustrates the retreat to psychobabble that preserves and protects irrational community claims from the threat of reason or evidence. Last year critics pointed out how the town promoted the “The Summer of Love†though the concept might have been more aptly termed “The Summer of Violent Retribution†in 1969.
The theme, “The Return to Sacred Places,†might be more accurately called, “The Celebration of the Profane.†The so-called “sacred†has been commodified by the sale of new age solutions to age-old spiritual crises. Render to the sacred what is sacred and to The Taos News mammon for advertising. Paid advertisements and puff pieces allude to self-proclaimed guides, who can help with “long-distance healing†or tell how interpreters of “labyrinths†can lead the damaged psyche on the path to reunification. Testimonials from experts in water studies (Jesus walked on it) fly fishing (think miracle of loaves and fishes), and bartending (holy fellowship) celebrate the discovery of spiritual identity.
Taos is, after all, one of the holies of holies, as we know, because Mr. Easy Rider himself said so. And certainly, he suffered like a saint, while he lived here, “lost,†only to re-emerge as “found‖having now been recognized with a star at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in LA.
On the profane level of politics, local residents, who would remain sane, must not believe but still hold two (or more) opposing ideas in mind. Media reports generally cover up the myriad contradictions in this the “paradox of paradise.†While the Taos Municipal Schools Board and the administrators have filed a flurry of lawsuits aimed at each other with the idea of redressing personal grievances, in Questa, last Tuesday night (May 19), two school board members, we hear, settled differences the old fashioned way: One punched the other. We congratulate el porquito y El Grande for this display of parking-lot mediation taken into the boardroom. The street fight is less expensive and a more authentic expression of local culture than going to court.
Last week Questenos were much in the news. The three musketeers, Dave, Jodie, and Roberto, scored points at the expense of do-gooders from R3G, claiming the latter would cooperate with the Village of Questa and harmonize in an effort to agree on criteria for cleaning-up the Superfund Site, aka Chevron Mining’s Moly Mine. The Mine is the alleged source of pollution affecting the Red River (dead), public health (children and adults), water supply (poisoned by tailings), and school children (smothered in dust), etc.
At the County Commission meeting, May 18, 2010, Commissioner Nick the Nitpicker Jaramillo, referred to the relationship between Mother Moly and Questa as a “cover-up†and suggested the “the Mine has offered to buy them off†and “sell water rights downstream.†Spokesmen from the Red River Restoration Group (R3G) urged the commission to intervene with EPA. The EPA Super Fund funds R3G for technical and planning purposes. R3G also admitted that the draft plan does not address acequia issues, dust, ground water, economic development, or health concerns.
Hence the concern by Commissioner Jaramillo and the three musketeers mentioned above from Questa—Dave, Jodie, and Roberto. But as Commissioner Andrew Chavez said, “There’s something stinky in Questa.â€
Questa Attorney Marcus Rael, Village Politicos, and Commissioner Larry Sanchez, who is in a tight race with Ernie Marquez, Mr. Mezcal of Arroyo Seco, are all being accused of a “cover up.†Historically, the mine has bought water rights from locals, donated land and equipment to the community, and generally done its bit as part of their public relations campaign. Now, Chevron says they will build a $10 million solar facility in cooperation with Kit Carson Electric Coop.
Some of the activists blamed the culturally challenged outsiders for the mess: the Mine’s owners and the enviro do-gooders. But the real crux of the matter concerns suspicions that alleged vendidos politicos in Questa are selling out the next generation of children, due to dust and contaminated water—not to mention the despoliation of a once beautiful part of Taos County–one of the best trout streams ever—now dead to fishing.
As Commissioner Andrew Chavez said, “We forget the big picture when we fight among each other. “ Nick put a capper on the conversation, saying, “We need to wake up from this nightmare.†Commissioner Sanchez of Questa lamented, “What could I do?†As Nick said to applause, “Let’s not let the damage fester.â€
But, in the end, little was accomplished by an exploration of this local labyrinthian history of science and politics. Perhaps the community will engage in what? Long-distance healing? Wish upon a star and all will be right with the Red River?
Pax Vobiscum (No Charge.)
P.S. A well-known recovering Taosena is starting a 21-Step program for “recovering Taosenos with issues†in the Bay Area. The Hippies used to go to San Francisco during the real summer of love. KCEC trustees go to Las Vegas. Now, Taosenos, who hate to love Taos, can go where the inner glow shines year round, thanks to long distance healing.