The Publius NM blog provides an anonymous forum for discussing political, legal, and philosophical ideas the contributors find interesting. We’ve chosen to remain anonymous both to foster more open and frank discussion, and also to ensure the focus is on the ideas and opinions expressed rather than on the author of a particular post. As the authors of The Federalist Papers, who chose to publish as “Publius,” explained in their first essay:
In the course of the preceding observations, I have had an eye, my fellow-citizens, to putting you upon your guard against all attempts, from whatever quarter, to influence your decision in a matter of the utmost moment to your welfare, by any impressions other than those which may result from the evidence of truth. . . . I frankly acknowledge to you my convictions, and I will freely lay before you the reasons on which they are founded. The consciousness of good intentions disdains ambiguity. I shall not, however, multiply professions on this head. My motives must remain in the depository of my own breast. My arguments will be open to all, and may be judged of by all. They shall at least be offered in a spirit which will not disgrace the cause of truth.
So we welcome your judgments on the merits of our arguments rather than on the motivations of each author.
The contributors are all current or former New Mexicans who share a common belief in the free market and principles of limited government. We are not all lock-step thinkers who share the same opinion about everything, which makes this little experiment a bit more fun.
Importantly we all attend or have attended at some point the “center-right” lunch group meeting that has been running for almost thirty years in some format or another. We do not claim to speak for all who attend the lunch, but that forum will often shape the content you find here…in one way or another.
The Publius Lunch Group
The lunch group is a by invitation-only opportunity for New Mexicans with different concerns on the “center-right” movement in New Mexico to hear from activists and experts, to learn what others or similiar persuasion are doing, and to plan common action. The discussions are off-the-record. The lunch group is an alliance, not an organization formulating an orthodoxy—thus we seek common ground for practical action.
The meetings are informally structured and everyone is encouraged to participate—whether on the day’s selected topic, or by bringing up an issue of importance. Attendees are encouraged to be as brief as possible, to allow others the opportunity to present their ideas. Generally presentations are limited to three minutes and questions or back-and-forth exchanges go through the chair.
Handouts are not only welcomed, but encouraged; and attendees often receive press releases, commentaries, and position papers, among other resources.
Neither a debate society nor a political rally, the lunch group is simply designed to allow the free-flow of ideas and information in a friendly environment.
Rules of the Road for Lunch Group Attendees
- Everything said is 100% off the record. If anyone wants to repeat anything to someone outside the room, they need to get permission from the person who said it. This does not include printed handouts – if you put it in print, assume it’s going to be publicly available.
- Attendance is by invitation only. This is primarily – though not exclusively – as means of enforcing Rule 1.
- No one is endorsing anything anyone says, sometimes even the person posing the question or comment — return to Rule 1.
- Discussion is the theme — questions, comments and ideas are encouraged, see Rule 1.
- We may not always agree, but we’re still friends! Remember that a presenter whose views you see as ill considered on a particular matter today may be an essential ally on another matter just down the road.