The county planning and zoning commission had approved his application in March but commissioners tabled the matter in March after Kilmer’s neighbor Abran Tapia appealed the approval, citing Kilmer’s “racist” comments in magazine interviews and his refusal to allow neighbors to fish on his property.

Commissioners asked Kilmer to appear before them to explain his comments about violence and alcoholism in northern New Mexico. The ACLU had offered to represent Kilmer.

Tapia opposed the permit in part because local Hispanics cannot afford Kilmer’s guest ranch rates, which range up to $500 a day.

In an October 2003 Rolling Stone article, Kilmer described San Miguel County as “homicide capital of the Southwest” and claimed 80 percent of residents “are drunk.” In a 2005 Esquire article, Kilmer said men who fight in U.S. wars are “borderline criminal or poor.”

Kilmer flatly denied critizing soldiers or war veterans. Kilmer said his comments about New Mexico were taken out of context and emphasized his work to improve the state’s wildlife habitat and film industry. He has has lived in northern New Mexico for more than 20 years, and has raised his children there, he said.

“I can only ask that you view my apology as a stepping stone toward repairing this misunderstanding between us so that we can go forward, working together toward a common interest in promoting and protecting our beloved New Mexico,” Kilmer was quoted by the Associated Press as telling commissioners.

State senator Phil Griego reportedly reacted to the magazine articles by inviting Kilmer, who last year suggested he may run for governor, to leave New Mexico if he is unhappy here.

The ACLU has offered to represent Kilmer and his First Amendment rights, but that offer now has a critic in the form of the Committee on Chicano Rights. President Herman Baca last week sent a letter to ACLU-NM Executive Director Peter Simonson criticizing the offer:

“It appears to many, and to the CCR that the NM ACLU has lost its way by violating its own founding principles to protect free speech, equal rights, and civil liberties by shamefully soliciting to represent Kilmer on contrived bogus charges of his1^st Amendment rights being violated,” the letter states.

Here’s the full text:

June 10, 2010

Peter Simpson, Executive Director

American Civil Liberties Union

P.O. Box 566

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103

Re: Val Kilmer

Mr. Simpson:

As a native born New Mexican, this correspondence is to state my personal and our organization’s position concerning New Mexico’s (NM) American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) position in soliciting to represent actor (“Joker” he ain’t no Batman) Val Kilmer before San Miguel County Commissioners. The ACLU’s actions were supposedly taken on the grounds that San Miguel County Commissioners violated Kilmer’s, “first amendment rights.” San Miguel residents forced Commissioners to order Kilmer to appear before the commission to explain his incendiary statements to them before voting if a moneymaking permit involving his $33 million 6,000-acre ranch should be issued.

For the record, note our organization’s following positions:

1. Express our unequivocal support to Mr. Abran “Abe” Tapia, San Miguel County and NM residents who are seeking and demanding an apology for the insulting, incendiary, racist and degrading statements against persons of Hispano/Mexican ancestry, and Vietnam veterans by “Joker” Kilmer.
2. Support the justifiable demands of Mr. Abran “Abe” Tapia, San Miguel, and NM residents to stop “Joker” Kilmer from being granted the zoning changes by San Miguel Commissioners and,
3. Adamantly oppose and condemn yours and the NM ACLU’s ludicrous and unbelievable position of soliciting (ambulance chasing) to represent “Joker” Kilmer’s before San Miguel Commissioners.

The ACLU’s position on soliciting to represent “Joker” Kilmer appears to have little to do with “first amendment rights” violations, but appears to be a cheap publicity tactic to politically pressure San Miguel County Commissioners to approve passage of Kilmer’s moneymaking zoning scheme.

What is incredulous to us is that the you and the NM ACLU (Johnny come lately’s) under questionable and bogus legal grounds have chosen to side against persons of Hispano/Mexican ancestry whose ancestors have resided in NM for hundreds (Spanish side) and thousands of years on our Native American side.

Even more incredulous is the ACLU’s position was taken after Kilmer was quoted as stating the below about NM residents, and with full knowledge that Rolling Stone and Esquire magazines stand by their articles:

1. “San Miguel County is the homicide capital of the Southwest, and carries a gun in his car,”
2. “80% of the people in my county are drunks, so driving home on the highway, especially with kids it’s (having a gun) just a precaution.”
3. “We shoot the automatic weapons at the trespassers and people a different color than us” and,
4. Vietnam veterans – “He’s some punk, most guys were borderline criminals or poor, and that’s why they got sent to Vietnam. It was all the poor, wretched kids who got beat up by their dads, guys who didn’t get on the football team, couldn’t finagle a scholarship. They didn’t have the emotional equipment to handle the experience.”

It is the opinion of the CCR, a rights organization for over 40 years that your position of; “a clear and obvious violation” of Kilmer’s first amendment rights is absurd, especially after reading that,

• He has yelled fire (which is illegal) in the proverbial crowed theater by stating “we shoot the automatic weapons at the trespassers people of a different color then us.”

Your position on this matter would be parallel to the ACLU defending KKK hoods or hangman’s nooses in an Afro-American schools as a 1^st Amendment free speech rights violations.

We find it strange that if Kilmer, (who has long contended since 2003) was misquoted, why he hasn’t (with all his millions) sued both Rolling Stone’s and Esquire magazines for slander and libel? Could it be that he and his attorneys know full well that one cannot sue if the statements are TRUE?

In our opinion, if the NM ACLU goes into a court of law, it will have a hell of a time (based on the above published statements) to legally or morally justify first amendment rights violations.

We question if the NM ACLU is so concerned about Kilmer’s (a millionaire) rights, where was the organization in the recent torturing and branding (with a hot iron) of a Nazi swastika into the skull of a Native American by white supremacists in Farmington, NM? Or the constitutional violation of Mr. Abran Tapia’s freedom of speech rights after he was charged $75 to address and seek redress on the Kilmer issue by the San Miguel Planning Commission?

It appears to many, and to the CCR that the NM ACLU has lost its way by violating its own founding principles to protect free speech, equal rights, and civil liberties by shamefully soliciting to represent Kilmer on contrived bogus charges of his1^st Amendment rights being violated.

In closing, rest assured that the CCR will continue to expose your ludicrous position, assist Sr. Tapia, San Miguel and NM residents in their just struggle to seek an apology from “Joker” Kilmer, and politically urge San Miguel Commissioners to deny Kilmer his money making permit!

Herman Baca, President

CC. Abe Tapia, National ACLU, Organizations, News Media, Gov. Bill Richardson, San Miguel Commissioners.

That might buy Kilmer some good will in Santa Fe, but it is unclear whether or not it will help him at next Wednesday’s San Miguel County commission meeting, where he will have to allay commissioners’ concerns about his “racist” comments to entertainment magazines before they will approve his permit application to run a guest ranch.

In March, San Miguel County’s planning and zoning commission approved Kilmer’s application to run a guest ranch, despite neighbors’ complaints that he prevents them from fishing on his property and accusations that he had made “racist” comments regarding alcoholism and crime in northern New Mexico.

But San Miguel County commissioners refused to approve that decision. They made national headlines when they tabled approval of Kilmer’s application until next Wednesday’s meeting.

Commissioners said they want Kilmer to appear at a public meeting before the commission to explain comments he made, published in 2003 articles in Esquire and Rolling Stone magazines, saying he lives in the “homicide capital of the southwest,” keeps a gun in his vehicle, and that “80 percent of the people in my county are drunk.”

Kilmer, who in the past has suggested he might run for governor of New Mexico, claims he was misquoted.

Friction between native New Mexicans and affluent Anglo newcomers is not uncommon in beautiful—but impoverished—northern New Mexico. But Kilmer’s fame has amplified what might have been quieter complaints.

Complicating the situation is an unfortunate nugget of truth related to Kilmer’s inflammatory remarks: San Miguel County does have one of the state’s highest rates of alcohol-related deaths. According to UNM Health Sciences Center’s 2010 County Health Report Cards, San Miguel’s alcohol death rate is 70 per 100,000 residents, compared to 48 per 100,000 for New Mexico as a whole. Neighboring Santa Fe County has an alcohol-related death rate of 45 per 100,000.

But statistics likely won’t help Kilmer in his appearance before the commission.

Kilmer unsuccessfully attempted to sell his $33 million, 6,000-acre Pecos River Ranch last year. The ranch website was not functioning Monday.

If members of the public want to fish on Kilmer’s property, they can do so for a mere $500 a day. For that much money, Kilmer’s guests can “be a range boss for the day” and fish the Pecos, according to a press release.

For half that kingly sum, one can be a “ranch hand,” and for $125 a day, you get to be a “wrangler” for half a day. Proceeds go the film festival.

Today, we have video from Kilmer’s visit to the Legislature where he chatted with venerable state Rep. Luciano “Lucky” Varela about rapper and drink mogul 50 Cent.

The best part is when Kilmer describes how 50 Cent (real name: Curtis Jackson) got shot in the face nine times.

“He’s amazing,” Kilmer said after describing how 50 Cent lived through being a drug dealer yet has a healthy mind and attitude. “But they shot him nine times. That’s what makes him — nine, not twice, nine–and once in the face. And he just — he’s bionic.”

(By the way, we haven’t been able to figure out who shot this video. Let us know and we’ll happily give you credit.)

From the KOB story:

Later, Kilmer says, “Well, you never know in politics. I’ve learned that much.”

Antonio: “So you’re leaving the door open?”

Kilmer: “No. No, I’m not running. I’m looking forward to supporting our Democratic candidate.”

Once again, Kilmer reiterated that his comment to Rolling Stone (that he lived in the “homicide capital of the Southwest”) was taken out of context. He said that he was talking about the “great deal of drunk drivers” in San Miguel County. “Which is everyone’s concern. That’s just a fact, that’s not an opinion,” Kilmer said.

He also said when he put up his 6,000 acre ranch for sale that he was not planning on leaving New Mexico.

“I only listed the whole ranch to try and attract a business partner for an idea I have about a sustainable, off-the-grid community,” Kilmer said.

Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish is the only announced Democratic candidate for governor so far. Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez has formed an exploratory committee.

The Internal Revenue Service filed a $538,858 lien against Kilmer on July 15 in the Bergen County (N.J.) Clerk’s office.

Kilmer put up his 6,000 acre ranch for sale this April, hoping to get $33 million for the land near Pecos, New Mexico.

And what did Kilmer have to say about it?

“Kilmer’s agent, David Unger, did not return calls seeking comment,” Detroit News reporter Robert Snell wrote.

To political reporters in New Mexico who tried to get a hold of Kilmer for any sort of comment on any issue, that last part comes as no surprise.

So news that Kilmer is in talks to act in the upcoming movie MacGruber make a run for governor even less likely, as he would most likely be filming during a time when he otherwise would need to be campaigning.

Entertainment Weekly reports that Kilmer is conceived as “a nuclear-armed villain” who MacGruber (played by Will Forte) would have to stop.

Kilmer had been floating the idea that he’d run as a Democrat. Meanwhile, Democratic Lt. Gov. Diane Denish has already announced that she is running, and fellow Democrat and New Mexico Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez has formed a gubernatorial exploratory committee.

MacGruber was a skit from Saturday Night Live based on (not surprisingly) MacGuyver. Instead of saving the day, however, MacGruber skits always ended in him dying in an explosion.

Though the role couldn’t be worse for his political career than Arnold Schwarzenegger being Mr. Freeze in Batman and Robin.

Below are some MacGruber skits co-starring Seth Rogan.

Now, Turner is considering going from managing candidates to becoming a candidate himself.

Already, National Guard Brigadier General Greg Zanetti, former state Republican Party Chairman Allen Weh and state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones have expressed interest in the job.

Turner believes “the environment is good” for the Republicans to take the seat back, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The seat has been in the hands of Democrats for eight years, since Gary Johnson left office after being term-limited.

Two other Republicans have repeatedly been linked to a potential gubernatorial run: Former U.S. Reps. Steve Pearce and Heather Wilson. Pearce pushed back a decision on his political future to late July. Meanwhile, Wilson faces frequent questions on her Facebook page about running for governor, to which she says she has not decided.

On the Democratic side of the equation, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish in the race, and New Mexico Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez said a few weeks ago that he would decide in a few weeks.

And actor Val Kilmer has disappeared off of the New Mexico political radar — for now.

Simmons attended the playoff game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets last night in Los Angeles, and among the star-studded crowd was Val Kilmer. Add Val Kilmer, Tom Cruise and some Kenny Loggins music and what do you get? Apparently comedy.

From Simmons’ latest mailbag feature:

Anyway, there was a really funny moment Thursday night that could have only happened at a Lakers game. Near the end of a third-quarter timeout, they showed Val Kilmer and three of his chins on the Jumbotron, punctuating the moment by playing “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins. You know, a “Top Gun” homage. He took a second or two to get the joke, then unleashed one of those “Very funny, you got me, just know that I’m on a lot of meds right now” smiles. And this would have been enjoyable on its own, but they cut to someone else in the stands …That’s right…

Tom Cruise!

He caught on a little quicker and did the Tom Cruise Over-Laugh. And this would have been great on its own, but the Lakers pushed it to another level: They went split-screen with Kilmer and Cruise with “Danger Zone” still blasting. As far as I was concerned, this was the most emotional reunion in Lakers history. Cruise kept laughing; Kilmer looked mildly perturbed. (After all, he’s an actor, dammit! That was 23 years ago! He’s made a lot of movies since then!) At this point, I was praying they’d cut to Anthony Edwards in Section 312 but he wasn’t there. Still, I couldn’t have enjoyed the sequence any more and it dwarfed the remainder of the game for me.

Can you top seeing Mav and Ice reunited on a Jumbotron? I don’t know.

New Mexicans still aren’t sure if Val Kilmer is planning on a runnning for governor in 2010 or not. But if he does, he probably will start seeing some Lobos and Aggies games instead of Lakers games.

The good news? No Jumbotrons at The Pit or the Pan Am Center.