In New Mexico, in the southern and central region you will find a town called Truth or Consequences. “Truth or Consequences, New Mexico” is the title of a film starring and directed by Kiefer Sutherland. It’s something of a tragedy, that movie.

Truth or Consequences was once called Hot Springs, named for the natural hot springs found in the area. The name was changed in the middle part of the last century for what was then a popular radio game show.

Just outside of Truth or Consequences you will find Elephant Butte Lake, at one time one of the greatest and most treasured of lakes in the American southwest, and hopefully it will be again soon. It’s just too bad the foolish politicians and bureacrats of that state drained that particular lake for Texas and Mexico. There are plenty of other lakes, where the governor’s rich friends play, that could have been drained. Oh well, hopefully, in a few years Elephant Butte will be back to its onetime splendor.

About thirty miles outside of the Truth or Consequences area the world’s first commercial space station, owned by the Virgin Corporation is being constructed. In less then a decade, healthy individuals with a decent-sized pocket book will be able to soar up past the clouds and see a view of an earth only possible in science fiction movies of the decades past.

The official state capital of New Mexico is Santa Fe, a rather liberal city, rich in art, culture, history and sophistication.

However, “the city” of New Mexico, one referred to by Bugs Bunny, who should have taken a left turn here, is Albuquerque. Known as “Buque” or “Burque” (pronounced Boo-keh with emphasis on the second syllable) to the locals, this city provides the youth with the city environment the so crave—the clubs, the night life, and the crime that has made Albuquerque a favorite site for the popular television show “Cops.”

Financially speaking, New Mexico is not a wealthy state. Some would joke that the economy is based on three things: tourism, drugs, and law enforcement to fight the drugs. Sure, this state is in the heart of the American drug pipeline. Some of the people here, are willing to accept that marijuana, called “mota” by many is, for better or for worse, a part of the culture. Like the rest of the nation, there is a flow of cocaine here, and unfortunately, like the rest of the states, that evil methamphetamine is prevalent here.

But, don’t get the wrong impression. This is universal of the U.S., and much of the world today.

The people of New Mexico, Love to party, and in that beautiful and proud Hispanic culture you find a people who look for cause to celebrate. New Mexicans celebrate two Independence Days. The Fourth of July and Cinco de Mayo. Fireworks, beer, Tequiza, Corona, Tequila, and the occasional “mota” to remind the people what life, America, and freedom are all about.

Many pioneers of various kinds of lived in this state. If you want learn about Billy the Kid this is the state to travel. If you want to learn about the history of science fiction, one of its greatest pioneers, Dr. Jack Williamson, a man who several decades ago coined the terms “genetic engineering” and “terraforming” amongst others calls this state home.

In the eastern part of the state resides a museum called the Black Water Draw, where one can gaze upon the remains of the Clovis Man, some of the oldest human remains ever found.

The countryside of New Mexico can take your breath away. Vast desert covers the southern and central parts of the state, including the ever beautiful white sands. But, travel north into Taos, or Chamas country and you will see beautiful snow-capped mountains.

New Mexico is more than a state on the map. It is a culture all its own where traditional Caucasian culture exists with an even older Hispanic culture, and nestled amongst them here and there, a small population of once great peoples, that we today call Native Americans. Here, in New Mexico the old live with the young, the conservatives and the liberals, perhaps begrudgingly, call the same places home. For some people here, the war, whichever one it might be, is still going on, and for others the 1960’s never died.

New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment. You will never find another place like it on Earth.