I could not bid goodbye to 2021 without acknowledging the impact my friend and colleague Cliff W. Gilmore had on my life this past year.

At the top of 2021, like many people here in America and around the world, I was looking for a career opportunity as the world was opening up. I applied to the Children Youth and Family Department of New Mexico to serve as a Digital Video Producer.

Cliff saw something in my past work and eventually extended a job offer to me. That job translated into months of valuable direct experience working with Cliff and a vital opportunity to provide support to my loved ones when they needed it the most. For Cliff’s belief in me, and this career opportunity, I will forever be grateful.

This work experience did not end as expected for either of us and that is well documented in newspapers here in New Mexico and websites available around the world. But this is not the time and place to reflect on that part of our lives.

Through it all, I have been proud to call Cliff a friend, mentor, and colleague. A year has passed, we spent that time reflecting on that chapter of our lives that saw us in Afghanistan – he as a Marine Corp Public Information Officer in Helmand, and myself working at Tolo TV in Kabul – and we wept together when the Taliban brought an end to a chapter in the American and Afghan story.

We exchanged notes on Dungeons & Dragons, shared a byline in the Albuquerque Journal highlighting the important shortcomings that we feel need to be redressed urgently at the CYFD and I had the opportunity to invite Cliff to join me as a guest co-host on my podcast The Ask.

This year would have been very different for me, absent his friendship. And I am thankful that I am heading into the New Year with someone I know will be a lifelong friend. Thank you Cliff. <3

Changing the climate at CYFD will take time

My experience at the Children Youth and Family Department of New Mexico was, at times, bizarre, disturbing, and disappointing.

I did however meet a handful of great human beings, among them my friend: Cliff W. Gilmore, retired Marine and former Public Information Officer for the CYFD, and conscience whistleblower.

If all I can take away from my seven months of time at the department is my friendship with Cliff, Debra, and Little Emma then I would argue it was all worth it.

Here, we share our thoughts on the needed steps to reform both the workforce and the treatment of the workforce. Secretary Vigil and her new Deputy Beth Gillia will face an uphill institutional battle, one that will need to be fought if vulnerable children here in New Mexico are to receive the care and support they deserve.

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/changing-the-climate-at-cyfd-will-take-time/article_47632464-596c-11ec-9341-9b6f20335e2b.html

And it goes without saying, in the near future I will have a few more words about my former colleague Charlie Moore-Pabst, my experience with him, his conduct, and his contribution to the Blalock-Locke legacy at the department.

How long have we known each other Richard Heydarian?

I have certainly known you long enough to recognize you as a leading voice on the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region.

My time living and working in the Philippines remains the most important chapter in my life and I want to see nothing more than the Filipino people rise to the greatness we all know is possible with good governance.

The Duterte chapter in Philippine history represented a clear step backward, to the days of strongman rule, and governance through violence and intimidation. And through it all, you have written fearlessly.

The Philippines either continues down this dark path or turns back and embraces a government accountable to the people and to the laws it purports to support.

This is, in my view, one of the most important articles you have written, on the eve of the most consequential elections in Philippine history. Well done brother.

I am so proud of you Leena Alam and proud to have had the opportunity to work with you.

This is a well-deserved recognition from the BBC, thank you for being a fierce voice for Afghan women and Afghan arts.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-59514598

I was privileged to have an opportunity to read some of the earliest drafts of the script that would eventually become the feature film SHEREEN while working at Tolo TV.

From the first few pages, I knew it would be something special: A story about a single mother in Kabul, struggling to raise her two boys, pursuing a career in law – despite many obstacles and dangers that the real Shereen’s faced down in their lives, in this last chapter of Afghanistan’s winding history.

Now, the lead actress Leena Alam لينا علم / Leena Alam and the writer and filmmaker behind this film and series, Max Walker, have dedicated themselves to Afghan friends and colleagues from the production get to safety following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

You can learn more about this remarkable film and effort here:

SHREEEN – Max & Leena Interview

You can support this important effort by purchasing modestly priced tickets via Fan Force:

Shereen