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longer are we going to let our families and our land be devastated by agenda driven zealots who are succeeding in destroying everything in their path? And, don’t overlook the fact the federal government is paying them to do it. Meanwhile back at the ranch…
We are losing own freedom fighters. It is amazing how fast a person can become ingrained in your life. When I interviewed for the job with the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association in early 1997, I didn’t even know who Jimmy Bason was. Oh, how that was to change. During the interview gauntlet I soon learned that for whatever reason, Jimmy was a champion for me. He was on the search committee so that was huge. Rumor has it that he even turned down an invitation to the “other” room to discuss his vote. During his years as president-elect Jimmy’s “privacy issues” began to surface. I soon learned that there were a lot of things he just didn’t think were any of my business. I often disagreed. His love of the practical joke also became apparent. One of his favorite tricks during the two Legislatures we worked together was to leave my cell phone or pager number on the back of his card during his nighttime excursions. I learned not to return a page unless I was pretty sure who I was calling. Jimmy also had a slightly different approach to travel and outreach. My first full two years was with Bob Frost. Bob and Jane and I covered lots of miles, but the routine was fairly standard. You got up early in the morning, worked at a fair clip all day, and by about 9:00 p.m. the day came to a close. Not so with Jimmy. When traveling with Bason, there was no need to rise early and there was usually time for an afternoon nap. But you better be ready to dance until the band quit playing. Jimmy never let the social issues of the day curb his tongue. At one point during his presidency Jimmy was concerned that I was working too much. I didn’t disagree, but when there are so many needs, how do you determine who you are not going to help? One night at dinner the topic of conversation came up. He looked at me awhile and finally said, “It’s a wonder you don’t have a house full of kids.” That went right over my head. He
finally said, “You have never learned the word NO.” I think he got a lecture from a past president over the meaning of sexual harassment. I almost got even once. Randy, Callie and I were out to dinner in Albuquerque. Lo and behold, in walks Jimmy with a date. This was pre-Pattilu. He didn’t see us and was seated in another part of the restaurant. I begged Callie to run to his table and say, “Daddy, Daddy, Momma and the kids really need you. Won’t you please come home?” She, probably wisely, refused, but we did stop by his table before leaving. He was
none too pleased to see us. It was about that time that he began to accuse me of having a tracking chip on him. Fun was a definite part of Bason’s persona. But it wasn’t that that made him larger than life. It was his firm grasp of right and wrong along with his willingness to go to the mat every time for anyone who needed it. He was smarter than most people and definitely more cunning than just about anybody. Jimmy was a strong believer in alliances. During his tenure as NMCGA continued on page 160
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