|
|
|
 Editorials | Letters
 You Talkin' to Me?
We get a whole lot of letters about what we do at BanderasNews, and sometimes we even get some really cool ones that remind us why we do it!
Dear Editors Thanks for posting OMNI citizen colleague's article about women and abuse in Mexico, by Erich Adolfo Moncada Cota. (see Mexico's Military and the Murder at Zongolica) If I may say, you have one of the best graphic layouts and presentations for a website I have ever seen.
- Michael Werbowski, Worldpress
The new president of Mexico has vowed to create jobs for young Mexicans so they will not have to come to the U.S. to find work. Clearly, this is a plot by the Mexican government to bring down the U.S. by destroying our economy. Everybody knows that Mexicans come here to do jobs that Americans will not do.
Ask President Bush. Without those workers, who would work in the meat processing plants, the motels and the restaurants. Who would pick our fruit and vegetables, cook our food and make our beds? Who would cut our lawns? Without them, no houses would be built and no roads would be repaired. Nothing in this country would get done. The country would collapse. At least, that's what we're told.
Therefore, to save the country, it is imperative that we form a brigade and march on Mexico City. We must keep those Mexican workers coming. I'd join ya'll if I weren't too old. But you have my support.
- Bob Womack, Crystal River
As an African-American woman, I take exception to the decidedly racist attempt at humor published on your website. The offending "joke" is shown below. The poorly worded attempt at Ebonics is pathetic. No African-American would refer to themselves as "street people." References to women as "bitch" and "ho" are generically unacceptable, as is the perpetuated concept that African-Americans are single minded in their quest for "free shit" from the poorly administered U.S. government. You would do well to realize that federal and state statistics have proven that the vast majority of recipients of "free shit" from government agencies are individuals OTHER THAN African-Americans, in fact the primary recipients are economically challenged WHITES (or in "street" vernacular that your readers may understand: poor white trash)...
- Tobi Moree
Well, it appears our African-American friends have found yet something else to be pissed about...
A black congresswoman reportedly complained that the names of hurricanes are all Caucasian sounding names. She would prefer some names that reflect African-American culture such as Chamiqua, Tanisha, Woeisha, Shaqueal, and Jamal. She would also like the weather reports to be broadcast in language that street people can understand. I can hear it now: A weatherman in Houston says...
"Wazzup, Mutha-fukkas! Hehr-i-cane Chamiqua be headin' fo' yo ass like Leroy on a crotch rocket! Bitch be a category fo'! So grab yo' chirren, yo' Ho, leave yo crib, and head fo' de nearest guv'ment office fo yo FREE shit!"
You're right, and it's a shitty joke anyway, so we've removed it.
- Ed
The Iranians (Persians) are a remarkable people of one of the Cradles of Civilization. After years of exploitation by colonial interests, in the early 1950s they finally acquired a democratic government with the election of Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh. Its significance was marked by Mossadegh being named Time Magazine's 1951 Man of the Year.
Mossadegh was passionately opposed to the colonial domination of his people by foreign oil interest and thus nationalized the Iranian oil industry that was being exploited by British and American business interests.
This did not set well with those that had been profiting at the expense of the Iranian people, so in 1953 British interests maneuvered the CIA into engineering the overthrow of Mossadegh. Thus, the operation of the Iranian oil industry passed into the hands of a Western oil consortium, and Shah Mohammad Reza stayed on the throne and acquired dictatorial control over internal affairs.
Up until the revolution of 1979, Iran remained in attune to the outside geopolitical interests of the West, and the Shah stayed in power by means of a brutal secret police, the SAVAK. It operated secret dungeons, tortured the uncooperative, assassinated challengers, and kept oil-friends abroad comfortable.
Hey, if you want to make a buck, you got to keep the oil flowing. Just ask Cheney’s old company about that. You know, Halliburton, the Texas based company that got all of those no-bid military contracts for the war in Iraq.
The Halliburton theme song must be “Don’t fence me in.” At least they seem to know how to play on both sides of the fence. Though the US has sanctions against Iran, as of 2003 Halliburton was still doing oil-related business with Iran. I don’t think that the oil is for French fries, do you?
- Sam Osborne
 Congratulations to everyone! The January 27 demonstration was a powerful boost for the movement to end the war and to Impeach Bush.
Don’t believe CNN when it says “thousands” attended, or the New York Times when it claims “tens of thousands” in its headline, or the Washington police's unofficial claim that the demonstration was under 100,000. Our estimate of the numbers is significantly higher. 150,000 people participated.
(Click HERE for more...)
Behind the Mexican Exodus
What's causing so many Mexicans to break the law and risk the journey to come to the United States? Surely the lure of plentiful, though low-paying, jobs is part of the answer. But another part is a powerful force no action by the U.S. government can counteract: a population boom and economic slump in Mexico.
According to a Washington Post report, four decades ago improved rural health programs allowed more Mexican infants to survive. That boosted the current population of working-age Mexicans from 34 million to 44 million - a 10 million increase in a period when the Mexican economy was adding only 8 million jobs.
NAFTA, a free-trade agreement with the United States, did create more manufacturing jobs in Mexico, but also allowed in U.S. agricultural exports that have driven many Mexican dairy and poultry farms out of business.
Controlling the influx of Mexicans seeking jobs here won't be possible unless opportunities in Mexico improve. Otherwise, if we build a 20-foot fence, they'll build 21-foot ladders.
- Trace
We can greatly admire those from among us that step into harm’s way in defense of all of the rest of us.
We need not admire those that twist support for our brave troops to justify their questionable actions and judgment—particularly when what is proposed and excused mires our service men and women in a place of grave danger.
These magnificent members of our military stand and fight and do not hide behind anyone; the man that has sent them there should not try to hide behind them.
How long will George W. Bush try to conceal his misjudgment behind their valiant service? In his State of the Union, he claimed we cannot fail in Iraq. The fact is that Bush already has. His war in Iraq is a failure and the task we now face it to pick up the pieces as best we can.
The failure is not that of our troops; it is that of a man who has misused their valor, dedication to duty, and precious lives. The failure is also that of those that are still willing to tolerate his disgracefully incompetent leadership.
All distortions that attempt to mask the horror that is Iraq will not change what is obvious; we have an incredibly incompetent president backed by a straggling band of sycophants. This man can only lead sheep - may his dwindling flock of followers have a nice bah, bah, bah.
- Sam Osborne, West Branch, IA
What Could Benefit Mexico is More Guns
 The front-page article Tuesday, "U.S. guns pour into Mexico," alleges that the 1994 U.S. assault-weapon ban barred the sale of certain types of weapons, including the AR-15.
Actually, the 1994 ban barred the sale of certain weapons (including the AR-15) with specifically prohibited features. You could purchase an AR-15 at any time during the ban.
"Gunmakers also note that in the United States, the crime rate has dropped in recent years despite an increase in the number of guns in civilian hands," according to the article. I offer an alternative thought: The increase in the number of guns in civilian hands is directly correlated to the decrease in crime rate. An armed society is a polite society.
I suggest that Mexican authorities consider suspending their "much stricter" gun laws so citizens in communities like Zalzapa can arm themselves and resist criminals the next time they ride into town and decide to shoot up the place. That kind of stuff does not happen on that scale here in the United States, and it is because we are armed!
Finally, I wouldn't put too much stock in observations or opinions from employees of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Remember, these are the folks who brought us Ruby Ridge and Waco!
- R.K. Watkins, Mesa AZ
What Salma Hayek and other women are fighting to prevent is honorable, but it needs a cause and effect perspective.
(Ref: Salma Hayek Hands over Cheques to Mexican Groups Fighting Domestic Violence)
Why must women always date and prostitute themselves outside their race, then fight for causes created by the very men they body-slap with? In the monolithic mindsets of women, men know if they control the revenue and jobs, then seduce women with the opportunities they can offer, ALL women are prostitutes, harlots, Jezebels, guilty of idolatry and violating God's Tenth Commandment "...don't ASSimilate" outside your Anointed race).
More clearly put, only 13% of "minority" men in the U.S. hold down quality paying/respectable jobs, while the job markets are flooded with their women, as tools of oppression and subserviency. This is why the men are blowing physical-gaskets and abusing their women. Not that they're blaming their women for the opportunities non-Black men are offering them, but men are action figures - when upset and angered, they touch, hit, slap, murder.
Remember too, it's what the white male does to them and teaches them (violence wise) how you 'handle' people, and disputes?
Non-white men (Hispanic, A-A) look way better than vitamin A deficient, pineapple skinned, white men, but look how white men dominate the movie and TV screens - while men Of Color watch their women whorified by these very whoremongers of the world. It's enough to cause "Mentacide."
- TheeLordsRebel
Call To Action Against Mexican Consulates
Friday, as many who are reading this probably already know, an amazing companero, journalist, anarchist, freedom fighter, earth firster, musician, and human being was shot down and killed in cold blood, along with three other companeros, by officials employed by the Mexican Government.
His name was Bradley Will, and he was shot at the barricades of Santa Lucia, in Oaxaca, Mexico, as an indymedia reporter telling the story of the amazing resistance of people of Oaxaca.more »»»
A Letter of Gratitude
When I was visiting Puerto Vallarta from Sept 16th-21st, I stayed at La Palapa Condos and dined at La Palapa Restaurant everyday. Sometimes more than once a day. Something happened that I am still finding hard to believe.more »»»
That’s it? A 700-mile fence along the U.S. border with Mexico?
No guest worker program for needed foreign laborers. No realistic reform of citizenship procedures - much less streamlining ways for immigrants to obtain legal residency status while they’re working in this country.
Nope, after months - nay years - of bombastic rhetoric and institutional bickering between the House and Senate in the Republican-controlled Congress, ‘‘meaningful’’ immigration reform has boiled down to this: A 700-mile fence that is long on symbolism and short on near-term effectiveness.
Chalk it up as the major failure of the current session of Congress.
For openers, the wall is very expensive and the bill passed just before Congress adjourned doesn’t even pay for it. The estimates for total cost of construction of 700 miles of fencing range from $2 billion to $9 billion, so Congress will need to allocate huge amounts of money for the project in future years.
A fence alone is the worst possible scenario for addressing immigration reform - an outlay of huge amounts of money without a necessary relief value. It does absolutely nothing to address the growing issue of millions of illegal immigrants in this country.
- Trace
Mexican Waste Dump: A hazardous waste facility planned for south of the U.S.-Mexico border is raising concerns on the Tohono O'odham Nation - and rightly so.
The La Choya Hazardous Waste Facility would be about 25 miles south of the U.S. border and eight miles from one of the most sacred sites for the O'odham, whose members live on both sides of the border.
The project would bring up to 45,000 tons of industrial waste annually from across Mexico to the Sonoran Desert. It was approved largely in secret and the United States wasn't notified, as required by international agreements.
This is a project that must be investigated by experts on both sides of the border before it opens.
- Tucson Citizen
'Time Share' or 'Time Scare' in Vallarta?
 - Eleazar Yetman, Toronto, Canada
I just spent another delightful month in beautiful Puerto Vallarta. This was our 22nd trip to Mexico. The people are so friendly. It was so delightful throughout the entire trip except for one bad experience to do with time share (what else).more »»»
Poor leaders will claim that great purpose has been achieved even through a most egregious blunder. They will also try to deflect leftover blame onto anyone but their most sycophantic followers.
Aside from possibly thinking he could one-up his father by deposing Saddam Hussein, with little forethought George W. Bush launched his "pre-emptive" war into Iraq. Now, in words of justification befitting a juvenile delinquent, he passes off this mistaken venture by claiming that the world is better off without Saddam Hussein.
If a tsunami had swept up the Tigress and Euphrates and gotten Saddam, but in the bargain taken thousands of lives and cost our nation dearly, we might expect Bush to also find great good in the wall of water and take credit for its course. This man can only lead sheep. To his dwindling flock of followers, have a nice bah, bah, bah.
- Sam Osborne, West Branch, IA
I just wanted to thank you for covering my “The Mexico City College Story” on BanderasNews last July. I'm writing to let you know that as of today, our website, MexicoCityCollege.com, has been updated.
The History page has been extended by more than a third, and an interactive map of the Km 16 campus has been added as well. There is also an aerial map dating from the mid 50's, and an antique “Founders’ Book,” which concludes with a short Author’s Comment that may raise the hackles on some at UDLAP.
Those who are interested in our project will also find a direct link to the digitalized issues of the “MCC Collegian.”
- Thanks for your support, Joseph Quinn
To the Editor - [See editorial 'Bush Is Not Incompetent!']
| | Bush's disasters are the natural, even inevitable result of his conservative governing philosophy. |
"Incompetent" is the word most used when increasing numbers of Americans are asked to describe President Bush. This Pew Research finding is not surprising considering Bush’s leadership failures.
He has been unable to motivate his administration or anyone else to get things done. Even when he tries to sluff his responsibility onto others, be it business, local government or foreign lands, he fails in using the bully pulpit to inspire others to make things happen.
This failure at the helm stands in contrast to other presidents that have with few words inspired others to undertake even arduous personal tasks of minimal import to the nation. To wit, back in 1963 President John F. Kennedy jocularly suggested that his chubby press secretary, Pierre Salinger, demonstrate the physical fitness of the White House staff by walking fifty miles in twenty hours.
By Monday following JFK’s offhand remark, thousands of Americans picked up the challenge and were off and walking. When European television showed images of these marchers, a walking craze swept Europe and on as far as Japan. To this day there is an annual Kennedy March in Sittard, Netherlands.
In a more serious matter in later times, lest we forget President Ronald Reagan’s motivating words to one of this nation’s most intractable enemies: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" And he did.
Of course, those were the days of men who successfully changed the tenor of their times; in these, Bush apologists fudge the times in diminution of the man’s inadequacies.
From rebuilding Baghdad to New Orleans, to fixing Social Security to the borders, no mission ever accomplished, no high-water mark along which George W. Bush leaves footprints.
Sam Osborne, West Branch Iowa
Dear Team - Thanks again for your offer to publish newsletters from Overseas Vote Foundation (OVF). This is overwhelming support, and more than we ever expected! I'm just touched. This is so important to us and we thank the whole BanderasNews team again.
- Marina Mecl, Voter Outreach Director - Overseas Vote Foundation
I just received news about Lazaro Cardenas Park. It seems destined to go the way of the other parks and the City of Vallarta as a whole. At this moment, I am in Vermont were people are given tax breaks if they give up development rights to their land and leave it as green space. Vermont is a tourist destination and if it is not beautiful, people will not come. People have been drawn to P.V. for its beauty and that is being destroyed by over development, traffic and pollution. I would think that long-time Mexican residents would care and stop their elected officials from getting rich in the name of improvement. The quality of life is what will make Vallarta desirable - not another parking space, devastated hill sides and more smog that already can be seen hanging over the shoreline.
Sincerely - Joyce Dann
Isn't it about time the city did something about all the overhead lines on the streets in Centro and Zona Romantica? Having just visited Guadalajara and Morelia, the overhead lines here make Puerto Vallarta look like a slum in comparison.
- Raymond Beaty
The letter to the editor written by, Alejandro Riestra, (see here) though civil, I am afraid missed the point of my article.
In his letter he wrote, "Puerto Vallarta still belongs to the Mexicans, it is still being used by the nationals, and the less privileged people that live here deserve Doug's respect, because after all, this land still belongs to them. I'd like to extend an invitation for the writer of this article to return to this country, or to buy a house in Punta Mita, where the large walls that surround the development will keep away the poor Mexicans, who without a doubt will continue to live here with more dignity than the American political class."
I am afraid Mr. Riestra is a bit confused. I did not write the column about Puerto Vallarta. In fact, I have written how that PV seems not to exhibit some issues evident in central Mexico. That was the point of the article. What Mr. Riestra also missed, was that I live in Mexico and have been here for many years.
 Congratulations on your review of la Plaza del Sexo en Mexico [see Sex Plaza In Mexico Gives New Meaning to Strip Mall]. As a Mexican living in this huge city I think it is a great opportunity to get anything you need to fulfil everyone's fantasy, and for a women to go out for lunch and enjoy a nice strip show. I don't see any perversion on that. I definitely applaud the Plaza, and the people around it should not be worried - they definitely will get more business, and they will reach a different kind of customer.
These letters are vital to us, as they keep us apprised of what our readers are thinking, and place us in a much better position to direct our future efforts accordingly. Please keep them coming to SoundOff@BanderasNews.com! -thx |
| |
|
|
|
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us
