DAILY LOBO new mexico
The Independent Student Voice of UNM since 1895
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wednesday September 26, 2012
Deceased student mourned at vigil by Svetlana Ozden news@dailylobo.com
Juan Labreche / Daily Lobo Sophomore Jaidyn Domina stands among a crowd of about 75 people during a “life celebration” and candlelight vigil for recently deceased UNM freshman Daniel “Alex” Baker. Friends of Baker said he was found unconscious in his dorm room Sept. 17 following an attempted suicide and died last Thursday. If you or someone you know is experiencing depression, call the Agora Crisis Center hotline at (505) 277-3013
Family and friends will mourn the loss of a student whose smile, they said, could light up the world. A candlelight vigil was held at the Duck Pond Tuesday night in memory of 18-year-old UNM student Daniel “Alex” Baker, who passed away Thursday. UNM student Jenna Hagengruber, who was a friend of Baker’s, said Baker’s roommate, Jaylen Davis, found Baker in his dorm room on Sept. 17. Hagengruber said Baker was alone in his dorm room for about an hour and that he had hanged himself. Hagengruber said Baker was rushed to the hospital and was announced brain dead on Thursday. She said Baker was announced dead later the same day, but that he was left on life support until Friday morning so that his heart and lungs could be harvested.
“They were pretty sure he wasn’t going to make it,” she said. Hagengruber said Baker had suffered from depression before and that his depression peaked during his sophomore year of high school. She said Baker’s friends and family weren’t aware that his depression had since become worse. “Sophomore year it was pretty bad, he was depressed and we didn’t really know a lot about it, but a lot of us talked to him,” she said. “We thought it had gotten better, but apparently it didn’t, but he always seemed fine.” Hagengruber said Baker was known for making jokes and always having a smile on his face. “Whenever anyone had a bad day he’d be the first person to come up to you and he would make a joke, he’d just be like ‘So what’s up your butt today?’ or something,” she said. “He was super sarcastic but he was always so sweet and so genuine. He had a contagious smile.”
UNM student Kayla Galetti said Baker was on the varsity soccer team at Eldorado High School and that he was outgoing and fun-loving. She said Baker was well-known for his unique laugh. “Whenever he laughed, he laughed so hard and he’d throw his head back, he was really handsome,” she said. “He was so full of life and so genuine about everything and he was always there for everyone all of the time and we all loved him so much and we’re going to miss him so much.” Davis, who shared a story about Baker at the vigil, said although Baker was popular among the ladies, he was a great friend and enjoyed talking to everyone. “I came up here to show that he had more than just girl friends — he did like talking to both sides, just sayin’,” he said. “I’ve known Alex (Baker) for five years and it was great knowing him.”
2012 ELECTION VOTER GUIDE by Alexandra Swanberg news@dailylobo.com
New Mexico State Rep. Martin Heinrich (District 1) Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate @Heinrich4NM, Facebook.com/VoteMartinHeinrich, heinrich.house.gov, MartinHeinrich.com, YouTube.com/ user/voteMartinHeinrich, P.O. Box 25763, Albuquerque, NM 87125, (505) 242-4416, info@martinheinrich.com
According to MapLight.org, University employees contributed a combined $32,000 to Heinrich’s campaign fund, approximately .013 percent of the total campaign contributions he received July 1, 2009 – June 30, 2011. He has never been included in a CREW’s Most Corrupt list. The annual report is based on reviews by CREWsMostCorrupt.org of media articles, Federal Election Commission reports, court documents and members’ personal financial and travel disclosure forms, all of which are analyzed in light of federal laws and regulations as well as congressional ethics rules. Among his actions in Congress, Heinrich recently introduced House Resolution 785, according to OpenCongress.org. The resolution condemns “the discrimination, hate crimes, racism, bigotry, bullying and brutal violence perpetrated against Sikh-Americans, and all acts of vandalism against Sikh Gurdwaras in the United States.” The site also reports that he votes with his party 90 percent of the time, and includes his complete record of legislation sponsorship. According to Watchdog.org, Heinrich called for passing the DREAM Act, an act that aims to provide residency for eligible undocumented immigrants, to be added to the Democratic National Convention’s platform. “The DREAM Act is the type of fair, practical immigration policy that Americans are demanding,” Heinrich said in a campaign news release. “It’s time to make the dream a reality.” In response to Missouri second district Republican Rep. Todd Akin’s remarks about “legitimate rape,” Heinrich wrote in a Facebook post, “All rape is a violation and can never be ‘legitimate.’ New Mexicans should be able to make their own choices about family planning. I trust that women, not politicians, will make the best medical decisions for themselves and their families.” For more information, check out our Storify piece on Heinrich at storify.com/aswanny/nm-state-repmartin-heinrich-d-1 (or follow the QR code).
Inside the
Daily Lobo volume 117
issue 28
In the words of Thomas Jefferson: “Democracy demands an educated and informed electorate.” In that light, the Daily Lobo has compiled its own voter guide to keep you in the know. This is the first in a weekly series of elections updates that will run until the November elections.
Former representative Heather Wilson Republican candidate for U.S. Senate @Heather4Senate, Facebook.com/Heather4Senate, HeatherWilson.com, info@heatherwilson.com, P.O. Box 10248, Albuquerque, NM 87184, (505) 899-2009, YouTube.com/user/Heather4Senate
CREWsMostCorrupt.org named Heather Wilson one of the most corrupt members of Congress in 2007. She is not listed on OpenCongress.org. Wilson called for Rep. Todd Akin withdraw from his bid for Senate following his remark about “legitimate rape,” according to Watchdog.org. In a statement her campaign released, Wilson said, “As a woman and a mother, I found Representative Akin’s comments this weekend to be sickening and deeply offensive. There is no such thing as ‘legitimate rape.’ His remarks undermine his ability to command the respect necessary for leadership and he should step aside.” According to Watchdog.org, Wilson does not support amnesty for undocumented immigrants, but in terms of the DREAM act, which would provide residency for some young undocumented immigrants, she said, “We are talking about children who were brought here through no decision of their own and we owe it to them to find a long-term solution.” For more information, check out our Storify piece on Wilson at storify.com/ aswanny/heather-wilson (or follow the QR code).
Buck them broncos
Try your hand
See page 5
See page 7
Jon Ross Barrie Independent American Party candidate for U.S. Senate @jonbarriesenate, Facebook.com/JonBarrieforSenate, JonBarrieForSenate.com, YouTube.com/user/JonBarrieSenate, 7316 Williamsburg N.W. Albuquerque, NM 87114, jon@jonbarrieforsenate.com
According to Barrie’s campaign website, he does not accept corporate money. He has no campaign contribution records listed on MapLight.org and has never been included in CREW’s Most Corrupt list. He is also not listed on OpenCongress.org. Barrie’s campaign pledges include donating half of his salary to children with disabilities in New Mexico. The pledge is motivated in part because Barrie is the father of a special needs child. According to VoteSmart.org, Barrie supports repealing the Affordable Care Act, which aims to provide more affordable health coverage, and not requiring individuals to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty otherwise. His other positions include allowing undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as minors to pursue citizenship without returning to their country of origin, and not requiring immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship. On women’s issues, Barrie is quoted on the site as saying “I believe it is up to the woman, her family and clergy to make abortion decisions and there should be no government interference in her decision. There should be no government funding of abortions.” For more information, check out our Storify piece on Barrie at storify.c om/aswanny/jon-ro ssbarrie (or follow the QR code).
see Election
GuidePAGE 3
TODAY
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