Doing what is right (vice wrong): otherwise, what will be left?



Eating mensaf at wedding reception in Wadi Mousa



Yesterday morning (27AUG11), as I was driving to meet some Santa Fe National Forest Site Stewards and archaeologists from the State of New Mexico’s Office of Archaeological Studies (http://www.nmarchaeology.org/cnma.html) for field work at the Pueblo of Ku-ouinge (LA 253, aka: Ku), I was thinking about a couple of new flashes: $100 million shortfall in State funds caused by accounting oversight/error several years ago (beyond the 2-year appeal-to-Feds for bailout timeframe); Gov. Rick Perry (Texas), a Republican candidate for President in next year’s election pledges to back a Constitutional Amendment banning gay-marriage.

Paternal grandfather with uncles

           As many of you know I’m from a family with deep-roots with the GOP (going back to abolitionist days on the Dutch, Irish & Scot maternal side) and I meet the generalizations of “Republicans are this” and “Democrats are that” with rolling eyes and thoughts of: “you wouldn’t say that about black Americans, Hispanics, Catholics or Jews… why is it OK to unleash your venom against someone with a different political point-of-view?” Being 1^st generation (paternal side) not reared on a farm/ranch (you might recall, I was literally raised in kennels: Burbank & Malibu) my family tradition is not overly known for its embrace of inclusiveness. My high School (Burbank) voted for Goldwater (Au.H2O.64) 4:1 in a mock election (not exactly a cross-section of Americana). But, we try to chart our course based on the basic principles of that we were taught as youngsters. One of course is accountability, the other fair-play (civil rights, with a level playing field).

I’ll get back to those in un momentito, but lets 1^st consider the field work at Ku yesterday. Nine of us met at 9AM out by Ku to identify and quantify ceramics found at the site. The area has been heavily disturbed by unauthorized excavations (“looters”) in the past, so the stratigraphy for scientific analysis in much of the area is lost. After pin-flagging some concentrations, we looked at a 1 meter x 1 meter sample area to see what was there. Bottom line for our sample was Biscuitware B (Bandelier) outnumbered Biscuitware A (Abiquiu) about 2:1. In an unscientific look at a nearby midden (trash mound) it was the opposite. Hmmm… imagine folks occupying a site and throwing older materials away. Sounds like a practice still employed, though we now have way more junk to toss. Trade wares? Yes, some were present- ceramics that probably came from Tsankawi, The Galisteo Basin (my home of 22+ years), and elsewhere (I noticed St. Johns polychrome in the literature). Just as the Site Stewards and other volunteers (none of us were being paid for this activity) came from various locales in the region, so too did the ceramics.

Having long realized that societies dictate the rights that they extend, or don’t (I’m unable to identify any that have just evolved without human effort, loss & sacrifice), I have reservations when I hear that such-and-such is a “civil right” (I heard that semi-recently regarding health). Society will decide what is and isn’t a right that they grant. Most have been battled for, with many efforts taking decades-to-centuries. One of the tenants of our culture that I recall was the right-to-fail, but that seems to be supplanted by “Big Government” and the idea that some things are “too big to fail.” Oh really? Was the Roman Empire too big? How about dynastic China? Without a doubt, the USA is too. The above examples show a state and federal government level of involvement: I’d rather not go there. I’m hoping that New Mexico is not rescued by Federal taxpayers, as it once again sends the wrong message (plus the State’s revenues are projected to be able to cover that amount). I do think someone should lose their job. Of course, this might already be the case as it happened under the previous Governor that had more political appointees. Quien sabe. I also think Gov. Perry should remember his core belief that “the government that governs least, governs best…” and stay away from selective “Big-government” intrusions on local (in this case states) societies in their granting of rights. Just some of my thoughts while driving to Ku yesterday…

Petra: Next Steps towards…

Site Steward Foundation trip, SE Utah

Today we’re scheduled for our next conference call re: our return trip to Petra Archaeological Park (PAP). We’ll discuss our initiatives to help PAP: goals, objectives and the ever-present challenge of logistics. Finances? For peace of mind, and the Federal debt ceiling, let’s not go there. Fortunately, there is a very professional staff at the other end of the call that does the heavy lifting (and the bureaucracy can be a load).

Next week we are to have another call regarding a study tour for two of their mid-level managers (Tahani & Talal): they’ll be around the US Southwest in September visiting Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Canyon de Chelly, Santa Fe & Tucson. They’ll be looking at historic preservation, museum management & National Park Service management plus other topics (sound like a worthwhile excursion?). During there time in-around Santa Fe I hope to take them to some of our finer institutions: Museum of International Folk Art? Well yes, that too… I was thinking of La Choza, Harry’s Roadhouse, & Maria’s (New Mexican Kitchen).

Site Stewards

Today (post-call) I’m going to think about the many financially uncompensated hours (and miles) selflessly contributed to heritage and natural resource protection by volunteers. Many are professionals, like members of the New Mexico Archeological Council (NMAC), who go way “beyond the call” of duty to our vocation. Some organizations, like the Archaeological Society of New Mexico (ASNM), have professional and non-professional archaeological talent helping to shoulder-the-load. Of course another group of volunteers I’ve been intertwined with for some years now are the many stewards of the State SiteWatch and Santa Fe National Forest Site Steward Programs. They are quite a group of impressive individuals, and I don’t think we’ll ever be able to thank them enough (I sure won’t). In some regions of this state their combined efforts contribute over a work-year (2,080 hours) of volunteer time each year + the thousands of miles they drive in their own vehicles each year in helping us be better stewards of the non-renewable heritage sites we are entrusted to care for, for future generations. In addition to resource monitoring, they also help with site survey and public education & outreach projects. I’ll be traveling with colleagues in September to orient a new group of resource guardians in Hobbs, NM. That’ll be new territory for me and SiteWatch.

SiteWatch at Petroglyph Hill

I salute the myriad of volunteers out there that help us get-the-job-done. This double-Leo (that was born at sunrise on a Sunday) thinks the month of August is an appropriate one to convey our THANKS to those that “do it”/make-it-happen. Gracias a todos…

NMAC:  http://www.nmacweb.org/ 

ASNM:  http://www.newmexico-archaeology.org/

Some very worthy Site Steward organizations in New Mexico:

http://sitestewardfoundation.org/

http://www.nmhistoricpreservation.org/PROGRAMS/sitewatch.html

http://sfnfsitestewards.org/

Petra: trade & slavery (Part II)

Slavery brings certain images to the mind: be it the field or house hands of the Ante-Bellum South, the Hebrew slaves of Goshen, or modern applications: forced labor and prostitution. It has been with us since the development of complex culture and civilization. It remains today. One of the dictionary definitions for slavery states: “a condition of submission to or domination by bondage; servitude.” Certainly sounds as if it survives. In reading its history the 1962 Encyclopedia Britannica states that: “nowhere has productive industry developed itself in the form of voluntary effort; in every country of which we have any knowledge it was imposed by the strong upon the weak, and wrought into the habits of the people only by the stern discipline of constraint.” I bet that wouldn’t be a popular view today, but it “might be” a historically accurate one. EB also goes onto state that slavery wasn’t practiced in hunter-gather times as the males of vanquished foes were slain and the females sometimes were carried off as “wives or as servants.” Gee, sounds like slavery to me. With the founding of agriculture came sedentary lifestyle, the city state, civilization and the desire for relatively inexpensive labor. To institution of slavery evolved as the strong and wealthy defeat or buy those of lesser means.

How did this involve Petra? Petra owed much of its development and existence to being on a caravan route. Trade goods were brought to/from distant lands through this city of the red rocks. As one reads the histories and influences of Persians, Greeks, Nabataeans, Romans and Byzantines at Petra it is interesting to note that all, except the Nabataeans, appeared to have slave populations. The Nabataeans didn’t, and this was the period (60 BCE to 200 CE) credited with the largest populations and active sculpting programs creating much of the monumental architecture of the city we see today.

During my time in Jordan earlier this year I noted that CNN International has as a theme this year: stop international slavery. As a middle class American, that seems like…well, “a no brainer.” Wasn’t that a historic issue resolved by international fiat and law some time ago? Of course, we know it wasn’t. Are the young girls of Juarez (or Germany for that matter) voluntarily plying the world’s 2^nd oldest profession (hunter-gatherer was 1^st)? How about the young boys of Thailand or the Chinese massage girls of Aqaba? For those thinking it is now in faraway isolated pockets it is time to take a look around and see what less-than-voluntary endeavors are being pushed in our own backyards. Considering the scope of the issue it seems that we have a big carcass to chew on, one bite at a time. (another case for “Think globally, Act locally.”)

http://www.newint.org/features/2001/08/05/history/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery

http://nabataea.net/petra.html

http://ancienthistory.about.com/b/2007/03/15/ancient-persian-slaves.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_in_ancient_Greece

http://www.grandview.com.jo/nabataeans.html

http://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-slavery.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_in_medieval_Europe

Petra: trade & slavery (Part I)

Today marks the annual trade deadline for Major League Baseball here in the Homeland, and it got me to thinking about trade and the impacts it has had on world history. As a young undergraduate (studied history and anthropology) I was fortunate to spend two consecutive Spring terms in Mexico looking at the impacts of a paved road into Puerto Angel, Oaxaca from Acapulco (pre & post-construction). It was overwhelming the changes that paved road brought: “build and he [and she] will come”. Fishing boats converted to tour launches, family homes to B&B like Posadas, and many restaurants. 

Now think of the changes that Wadi Mousa, Jordan at Petra’s gateway has seen. With visitation rocketing from +/- 800 per day during the high season in 2005 to 4-5,000 three years later (after making the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World list): the town’s population has exploded, dwarfing Umm Sayhoun the nearby Bedouin community. The Wadi Mousa (Valley of Moses) area has grown from nomadic camps watering at the many springs in the area to a small village to a mid-size town with many 5-Star/Luxury hotels catering to domestic and international guests: trade. Visiting the bakery, produce markets, eateries, and even the barbershop often had me thinking “this is a good life…” Would I want to “trade” my western US lifestyle? Probably not… I’m very accustomed to my niche… and as Joe Walsh sang: “Life’s been good to me so far…”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzxF-M2erx8

In a couple of months I plan to be walking and working amongst our friends there. I know that my tracks will be added lightly to the cumulative caste of the millions that have treaded that turf (in the slang sense). I will once again behold the facades, columns and work projects that stand testimony to the centuries of effort, labor, migration and trade: our continuing story since time began.  (Next time: slavery…)

http://www.jordanjubilee.com/meetfolk/wadimusa.htm

http://www.petrapark.com/petra-communities

http://travelogue.travelvice.com/jordan/the-bedouin-village-of-umm-sayhun/

N.M.’s Heritage, Future Under Attack in House

ABQ Journal - Jul 27, 2011

By Phil Young, Oscar Simpson, Rick Smith And Ken Whiton / New Mexico conservation activists on Wed,

This week, two landmark promises to the American people will again come under a barrage of withering attacks in the U.S. House of Representatives.


Nambe lake - Santa Fe NF



We’re talking about the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Antiquities Act. These two historic pieces of legislation have made possible the protection of Carlsbad Caverns, Valles Caldera, El Morro and Chaco Canyon. Dozens of other sites that have been attracting tourists and their dollars to New Mexico for decades have also been protected.

The threat? Amendments tacked on to the Interior Department funding bill, that seek to gut the Land and Water Conservation Fund. They would also hobble attempts by current or future presidents to designate national monuments under the Antiquities Act.
Our own Rep. Steve Pearce is leading the attack on both these measures. He supported similar amendments in February and is expected to lead the charge this week.
Why is it important to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund and to preserve the Antiquities Act?
First, the Land and Water Conservation Fund is not paid for by your tax dollars. It is funded by royalties generated by off-shore drilling activities. This money normally goes toward conservation efforts. It has paid for the development of 1,200 local parks and playgrounds in communities across our state but is often diverted to other purposes by Congress. This week, we will likely see an amendment to zero-out its funding altogether. Luckily, Sen. Jeff Bingaman has recently introduced a bill to mandate full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, but that effort has only just begun.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a popular program that works at no cost to the American taxpayer. It has enriched the American experience by supporting national parks and wildlife refuges across America. And it includes a state component that pays for local parks and recreation projects. Since the fund’s inception 46 years ago, it has enjoyed wide bipartisan support through 10 administrations, Republican and Democrat. The fund has protected more than 7.6 million acres of land and paid for more than 40,000 local parks, pools, ball fields and other recreation projects nationwide.
The fund has also supported conservation at many of New Mexico’s marquee attractions: El Malpais National Monument, Chaco Culture National Historic Park, the Organ Mountains and the Gila National Forest, to name a few. New Mexico has received $41 million for open space and recreation projects in all 33 counties.
Second, with regard to the Antiquities Act, 10 presidents – six Republicans and four Democrats – have used the act to protect land in New Mexico. These places draw tourists from around the world, contributing greatly to New Mexico’s second-largest private industry – tourism.
Detractors claim that they need to curb this president’s power to designate monuments. But that thinking is historically short-sighted and cuts both ways, since it will also apply to future presidents. In a move to prevent government overreach, the Department of the Interior is now soliciting more community input into monument designation than ever.

Valles Caldera National Preserve

This week is critical for the concept of conservation as a core value and an economic opportunity.
As Congress debates the Interior Appropriations bill, we implore New Mexicans who have enjoyed our wild places, who have used community parks and pools, or who make their living in the outdoor or tourism industries to stand up and be heard. Conservation is a good bet for New Mexico’s economy. Efforts to cut the Land and Water Conservation Fund or weaken the Antiquities Act will not only cause great harm to our state’s bottom line, they will also break a promise to future generations. That promise? That our kids and grandkids will have a wealth of cultural heritage and wild places to enjoy and pass on to future generations.
Young, Whiton and Simpson are members of Republicans for Environmental Protection; Smith and Young are National Park Service retirees; and Simpson is a member of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.

The Case of the missing altar…Here is to you Peter Falk:

I have occasionally been asked to write about archeological & heritage cases I’ve been involved with. Over the years I’ve quipped: “I would, but I don’t want to get sued.” In reality, many are long and convoluted (they are complex investigations) and I probably don’t remember enough to make them an interesting read. But, here is one:

It was a typical “May Day” morning in Santa Fe. I was working the compliance desk at HPD (Historic Preservation Div.) when I received a call. It was Ben Reimann a Senior Special Agent with ICE that I’d worked Customs cases with before retiring from the Park Service. Ben told me there was a Grand Jury investigation out of New York that was tracking an alleged stolen church altar from Peru to Santa Fe. He said: “We’re searching Ron Messick’s gallery and home this morning. Do you want to come?” I’d be a subject matter specialist for cultural property. I immediately recognized the name, as Customs had been interested in Messick’s trips to Peru for years. In the decade he’d been in town he had become “a player,” owning a gallery and properties. I replied that I’d like to participate, and asked if I could bring the new NPS investigator in Santa Fe with me: Dave Sandbakken… aka “Big D.” We got supervisory approvals and headed out to what is called an “agency assist.”

search warrant photo

At the briefing we were shown a copy of a search warrant photo showing a large (ca. 5’ x 8’ +/-) church altar that we’d been looking for. An informant had seen the altar at Messick’s residence recently. We were to find and recover same. After the premises was secured and made safe, I entered the residence. I was struck by how much it looked like a fine museum, with wonderful objects aplenty. I also noticed the many search teams scurrying about without being able to locate the large altar. After looking in the various rooms ourselves Big D and I were out in the main entrance area when Big D asked: “So, whadaya think?” My reply: “I wonder what Lt. Columbo would do?... I think he’d be looking for inconsistencies around here.” I asked for the search warrant photo again and noticed the color of the entry area wall was the same color as behind the altar in the photo. I then noticed two metal loops protruding from ceiling vigas with nothing coming out of them. I inspected the large historic wooden credenza below that and noticed linear gouging on its top. Inspecting a cabinet nearby I found two wire cables that could’ve been to support an object the size of the missing altar. This information was quickly conveyed to the agents.

Subsequent interviews with gallery employees and others, within the hour, confirmed that the Peruvian altar had been at that very location at Messick’s home 1-week before.  We didn’t recover the altar that day, but Messick’s attorney turned-it-over to ICE a few days later. The defense strategy that they appeared to be working towards was that the piece had been in the US and bought-and-sold since the 1960’s; before we’d signed onto the UNESCO Treaty. However, a book published in Peru decades after that showed it “in situ” (in place) at the church altar. Messick never had his chance to defend his actions to the Grand Jury; I heard he died from brain cancer before that came about. The altar was in El Paso in ICE possession for awhile, and my understanding is that it was then repatriated to Peru. I hope to someday visit its home (and have Pete Falk to thank… among so many others).

Hope you have a Happy 4th (and fifth)…

I love this time of year, more renewals: a new champion victorious from a fortnight at the Championships (Wimbledon) and the initial stages of the Tour de France. As fire consumes (and replenishes) acres nearby I rest & recover thinking of my mom and sister (Laura) with their physical rehab efforts: every day a new challenge. This upcoming weekend I’ll don the USTA Officials uniform for a national juniors tournament as hard court season begins inching its way towards The US Open. The Director of Petra Archaeological Park, Dr. Emad, is on a 3-week Leadership tour of the USA, and their schedule brings them to Santa Fe (“The City Different”) this Wednesday for a brief look-see.

I’ve missed sharing memories & thoughts since my last post, and 2011 is the 24^th anniversary of becoming a qualified Safety Officer in the Incident Command System (ICS), plus the death of my Dad that bleak autumn. As a semi-Former Action Guy, I’d recently been a Medical Unit Leader for a season, but wanted the increased responsibility (OK, one-year was enough and I wanted to escape the requirements of 24-7 at the Incident Command Post (ICP), and have the ability to recon what was happening on the line: it is sometimes hard to rid oneself of the adrenalin factor).  Headed into more involvement with the planning and Command Staff side of emergency equations I’d emerge as “Safety Dude” teaching at the Advanced Incident Management & Area Command courses during the 90’s. In 1987 I was green to this level. While on my 1^st assignment as the Safety Officer with a CA-South Zone Type II Incident Management Team (IMT) my father was becoming increasingly ill from his battle with cancer, and in his last 2-months of life. I can still feel his pride today. While at incidents (Yellowstone, Katrina, etc.) I have similar feelings with thoughts and reflections of the experiences that have made-n-molded me, with gratitude for: Meme, Justin, my family, Burbank High & Humboldt State chums, Navy & National Park Service (NPS) colleagues, and the list keeps growing… including you. The 1^st night my IMT arrived at the Klamath National Forest’s Elk Complex ICP it was late, dark, and foreboding. Our team was to start the transition to relieve a Great Basin Type I IMT that had been there for 21-days. The smoke from the inversion was so acute that a large tent with oxygen released was erected. I felt like I was in a scene from “Apocalypse Now.” Before turning in for the evening I grabbed my toothbrush and tube and wandered into the darkened woods for oral refreshment. At first taste this Safety Officer was reminded of Situational Awareness: the tube I grabbed in the dark was Ben Gay.

Next time: Thank you Peter Falk…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_de_France