Grace Denied, Truth Suppressed: The Hypocrisy of Power in Alamogordo

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the story of the Prodigal Son—a young man who squanders his inheritance, returns home in shame, and is embraced by his father with joy and forgiveness. It’s a parable about redemption, grace, and the radical love of God. Yet in today’s Alamogordo, especially among those who profess Christian values and hold political power, we see a troubling contradiction: white-collar felons who have served their time and seek to rebuild their lives are met not with grace, but with scorn. And when they dare to speak truth to power, they are punished not for their past—but for their courage.

Chris Edwards is one such man. From Conviction to Contribution

More than a decade ago, Edwards accepted a plea agreement for one count of tax fraud and one count of mail fraud. He served his sentence, completed probation, and never hid his past. Instead, he embraced it—using it as a humbling example of how someone who once worked in the highest echelons of Silicon Valley and the wine industry could fall, learn, and rise again.

Since then, Edwards has led successful businesses, worked with Goodwill Industries overseeing dozens of stores and hundreds of employees, and become a respected journalist, author, and radio station operator in Alamogordo. His platform, 2nd Life Media and KALHRadio.org, has become a voice for the community—especially for those who are often ignored or silenced.

But that voice has made Edwards a target. That targeting should raise the fear of any local journalist of what the power structure will attempt to do to squelch free speech. 

 When Redemption Becomes Rebellion

Earlier this month, Edwards was scheduled to moderate a public forum hosted by LULAC in Tularosa. The event was meant to foster civic engagement and dialogue. But Superintendent Lynn Lindsey reportedly told organizers that Edwards was “not welcome in his schools,” citing negative articles published by Anthony Lucero on Edwards’ platform. No criminal allegations. No misconduct. Just journalism.

Leaders within the Otero County Republican Party—despite Edwards being a registered Republican and active voter—encouraged participants to boycott the forum if Edwards hosted. The goal was clear: suppress his voice, punish his platform, and intimidate those who dare to engage with him.

Then came another blow: an Alamogordo School Board member allegedly approached Edwards’ non-journalism employer and demanded they either fire him or find a way to silence his journalistic endeavors. This wasn’t just unethical—it was un-American. It was a direct assault on the First Amendment and a chilling message to every student watching: free speech is conditional, and truth is dangerous.

What example does this set for our children? That questioning authority is punishable? That exercising constitutional rights can cost you your job? That Christian values are weaponized to silence dissent?

This isn’t just political pettiness. It’s voter suppression. It’s a betrayal of the Christian values these leaders claim to uphold.

The Hypocrisy of Power

The attacks don't stop there. Anonymous mailers were sent this week to resurface Edwards’ 2012 conviction and were sent to prominent individuals in Otero County. No return address. No accountability. Just cowardice.

Meanwhile, those behind these smear campaigns—some with ties to disgraced judicial figures and others with personal scandals of their own—continue to present themselves as paragons of “Christian family values.” One prominent figure allegedly cheated on his partner. Another was urged to retire by the state supreme court. Yet they cast stones at a man who has been open, honest, and law-abiding for over a decade.

The irony is staggering. The hypocrisy is suffocating.

Christianity and Redemption

Christianity teaches that no one is beyond redemption. The Apostle Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, became one of the faith’s greatest evangelists. King David, a murderer and adulterer, was called “a man after God’s own heart.” The Bible is filled with stories of flawed individuals who were forgiven and restored.

So why do so many self-proclaimed Christian leaders in Alamogordo refuse to extend that same grace to Chris Edwards?

A Call to Rethink Justice and Integrity

Edwards has not been charged with any wrongdoing since 2012. He has spoken publicly about his past, written books, and held press briefings. His life is an open book. The only “dirt” his detractors can dig up is a decade-old conviction that he has already paid for—and grown from.

If we truly believe in grace, we must extend it universally. Redemption should not be reserved for the poor, the violent, or the visibly broken—it must also include those whose sins were committed in boardrooms and spreadsheets. Justice without mercy is vengeance. And vengeance is not the way of Christ.

Let us remember the words of Micah 6:8: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

It’s time we practiced what we preach.

Note: Mica Maynard is a political science and journlism student at the University of California working toward her masters with an eye on a potential law degree. As such she reached out to the law department concerning the recent actions against Mr. Edwards for thoughts...

"Public elected or appointed officials retaliating against journalists—especially by interfering with employment or public forums—may violate First Amendment protections. Chris Edwards’ case raises serious legal and ethical concerns about free speech, press freedom, and abuse of power.

Legal Context: First Amendment Retaliation

Under U.S. law, the First Amendment protects individuals from government retaliation when they engage in constitutionally protected speech, including journalism and political commentary. Courts have consistently held that:

• Retaliation by public officials—such as denying access to public spaces, pressuring employers, or encouraging boycotts—can constitute a violation of First Amendment rights.
• The Supreme Court has outlined three key elements of First Amendment retaliation:
  1. The individual engaged in protected speech.
  2. The government official took adverse action.
  3. The action was motivated by the protected speech.

In Edwards’ case:

• His journalism is protected speech.
• The school superintendent’s exclusion from public schools, and the school board member’s pressure on his employer, are adverse actions.
• These actions appear motivated by Edwards’ reporting and editorial stance.

If proven, these behaviors could expose the officials and institutions to civil liability under 42 U.S. Code § 1983, which allows individuals to sue for constitutional violations by government actors.

Press Freedom and Shield Laws

While the First Amendment provides broad protections, 48 states and D.C. also have shield laws that protect journalists from retaliation and forced disclosure of sources. New Mexico’s laws support press freedom, and any attempt to suppress Edwards’ reporting—especially through intimidation or employment interference—could be challenged under these statutes.

Ethical and Educational Implications

The alleged actions by Alamogordo school officials and political figures send a chilling message:

• To students: that free speech is conditional and dissent is punishable.
• To the public: that power will be protected at the expense of truth.

This contradicts both Christian teachings of grace and redemption and the civic values enshrined by the Founding Fathers. As Kenya Young wrote in a recent op-ed, “Our nation's founders enshrined press freedom in the First Amendment not as a favor to journalists, but as protection for citizens”

Chris Edwards: A Case Study in Courage

Despite these attacks, Edwards has continued his work with 2nd Life Media and KALHRadio.org, advocating for transparency, second-chance employment, and community engagement. His story exemplifies the power of redemption—and the threat it poses to those who fear accountability.

The irony is clear: those who claim to uphold Christian values are using cowardly, anonymous tactics to suppress a man who has lived those values more openly than most. And they do so not because of new wrongdoing, but because he dares to speak.