The newmeXico-Files

What Would Jesus Mulder and Scully Do?

Instead of highlighting New Mexico's picturesque desert landscapes, art galleries or centuries-old culture, a new tourism campaign features drooling, grotesque office workers from outer space chatting about their personal lives.

They're featuring RNC staffers?

But to increasingly vocal critics, the state-financed ad campaign is a possible threat to the well-being of the state's $5.1 billion tourism industry. In other words, while the ads may yield a chuckle or two, the joke is on New Mexico.

Because using images associated with the second-most famous event in New Mexico's history to lure the average American who's all-but-overdosing in the gooey soup of pop culture is a horrible idea, beneath the likes of, you know, marketers. My state helped deliver George Bush to the world in grand fashion, so lighten up, E.T..

"New Mexico has a lot to offer — we don't need to bring our standards down," said Ken Mompellier, head of the convention and visitors bureau in Las Cruces, the state's fast-growing second-largest city, which has refused to use the alien ads to bolster local tourism pitches, as it normally would.

Okay, try pitching your state solely on the likes of Native American history, the Mexican-American War or the stunning scenery. Or better yet, how about Los Alamos, one of those black sites where humanity decided to shirk its soul into the dirt? Gotta use all the available resources, sir. "Here's where Ken Blackwell had his minions reprogram the Diebold machines!"

"My first question would be: What does this campaign show of the things that we are known for?" Mompellier asked. "I look at this campaign and I don't see the fit. And the things I'm hearing from people, some of it is very negative."

Perhaps you're right. "Come for the tinfoil hattery and cheap alien trinkets, stay for the pueblos and Four Corners" is just immoral. Let's get our favorite FBI agents on the job.
*knock knock*
"Agent Scully, it's me, Randal. We need your help!"
"Come in."























Oh, Dana, how could you.

New Mexico, you're on your own. I have to go cry in my booze.