To walk, or not to walk?

I am a US born, Mexican. At, least that is what I consider myself. Having been raised in Mexico, I always considered myself an immigrant to this great country.

I am debating whether to "walk out" on Monday or not. I'm not sure this is going to work.
These low-wage workers need to get paid. They have no sick leave, no vacation time to take. They get paid by the day! It's a good idea. The point to prove: The US economy will suffer without this particular caste of workers. Let's not be naive though, as needed as they are, this country has always proven it can adapt to anything. The US will just find other sources of cheap labor. Both sides are as guilty in this particular case:

MEXICO
1. Cannot continue to depend on another country to provide work for it's unemployed masses.
2. The Mexican economy and labor law needs a MASSIVE overhaul.
3. The bureaucracy needs to be converted in favor of small businesses.
4. The unions are choking Mexican industry and simply stated not enough jobs are being created.
6. Mexico needs to lower its birth rate. The fastest growing segment of its population is the poorest, the one with the least access to education and opportunities.
7. Needs to teach English in its schools. I don't understand the resistance to bilingual (or trilingual) education in the Americas. The Europeans do this normally.
8. Mexico needs to respect its neighbor's borders. It is hypocritical for Mexican foreign policy to claim neutrality while the government turns a blind eye and in some cases assists illegal border crossings.

USA
1. The might and competitive nature of the US economy will always search out a way to lower operating cost. It's current solution; Low wage labor from where they can get it: Illegal Latin workers, South Asian clothing factories, Indian tech firms. Any deviation of this would put consumer prices beyond reach.
2. Needs to face reality. We need this labor. How do we formalize it without having costs skyrocket?
3. Get off the immigrant bashing. They are, and always have been the lifeblood of this country. I'm, tired of the argument that the previous migrant waves came in legally. Hello! The borders were open. All you had to do was go to Ellis Island. There is no current way to easy entry into this country.
4. Come up with a system. Quick! Get the immigrants to pay taxes and NOT have access to benefits for the first 5-10 years.
5. It is obvious immigrants work hard. Tax them and reward them.
6. Get off the "I hate Spanish" theme. Unfortunatley, in 1 or 2 generations these kids are completely assimilated and don't even speak Spanish. This is a shame!

MEXICAN immigrants:
1. Don't translate the US anthem to Spanish. It is a lack of respect. Your heart may be in Mexico, but your belly is in the US.


Well enough venting. So what do you think, should I walk or not?

There's a little yellow idol..

...to the north of Kathmandu.


Congratulations to the people of Nepal! After days of pro-democracy rallies the reigning monarch finally gave in to their demand; the reinstatement of the elected parliament.

From AP:

King Gyanendra's concession Monday night handed power back to elected politicians and cleared the way for the creation of a new constitution that could leave him largely powerless, or even eliminate the monarchy.

It is truly heartening to see that the roots of democracy are alive and well.

I have a question for President Bush and Dick Cheney. How many U.S. troops are there in Nepal? And yet this wonderful event ocurred... Democracy must bloom, not be yanked out!

Still hungry...

Had a light lunch today?

Thinking of what to do for dinner?

Cuatro Vientos (Edinburg): Located on Monte Cristo, 1 block west of Closner. An outdoor taco place. The BEST fajita tacos I've tasted. Their servings are HUGE! Great burgers and their "papas" are amazing. No diet food here! Sometimes you have to endulge.

Kiss of Death?

Late this week I drove by the Courthouse, as I was heading West, I saw what seemed like dozens of Joe Ochoa signs in front of Ramon Garcia's office.

Seems the shroud has fallen and these men have confirmed their allegiance. It makes sense...

Will this work for Joe Ochoa? - Recent events have proven that a Ramon Garcia endorsement doesn't necesarily result in a win. Ramon Garcia IS strong in Edinburg, however. Let's see how this pans out!

Holiday pounds

Having cast aside my hope of shedding the Holiday weight before the summer, I've decided to follow the example of the Taco Hunt Blog. In this case, I will focus on naming restaurants I find interesting and tasty. I will start in the Edinburg area, as it is where I have my academic pursuits.

NANCY'S (Edinburg)

Located on North Bus. 281 (Closner) / North of Schunior.
A small hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Actually I was turned-on to this place by Gene's uncle, Charlie. They have the BEST chicken tacos I've ever tasted. It's a small, but varied menu. Great taste and very moderatley priced. If ever in the area give NANCY'S a try.

This is hillarious!

Maybe a bit late in the game, especially since Ramon Garcia resurfaced. Nonetheless, this gave me a good chuckle! Of course I had seen the "Missing Ramon" art on Earn My Vote's Blog, which is Montxu's work. I wonder if Ramon Ramirez got his idea from that or was Ramon Garcia's abscence a collective thought? Either way this is awesome! Valley artists are beginning to have some influnce. Ramon Ramirez being the more established artist.

Happy Easter!

I want to wish everyone out there a Happy and safe Easter!

Seems Othal Brand, Jr. & family of McAllen got an early Easter Egg treat.

I'll say no more!

This bastard's been caught!

As outlined in today's The Monitor; Mexican police arrested Jose Luis Cantu.

"When asked what he was running from, he said he had strangled Nelly Casas with a wire for cheating on him, Montes said. “I’d do it again, too,” according to Montes’ account of what Cantu told Mexican investigators. "

Don't worry Jose Luis, you'll have a chance to cheat on her when your someone's wife in the slammer.

Aside from the fact that this guy is a BASTARD and I volunteer the tree on my front lawn to hang him, there are a couple of questions that come to mind:

(1) Why did her parents allow a 16 year-old girl to date a 19 year-old man? Isn't there risk of statutory rape? Call me old fashioned, but a 16 year-old child should not be subjected to the desires of a 19 year old male.

(2) If the parents where aware of abuse, why did they not FORCE her to end it? I would of chased him away with my shot gun.

(3) This story is indicative of the abuse that our women are subject to on a daily basis. We really need to rethink our machismo. As a young man, I'd hoped that when I became an adult I'd see the males of my generation and the younger ones treat women better. Sadly, that is not the case. Machismo and shovenism are very much alive.

(4) His family here didn't know where their 19 year-old son was? Please! He was even carrying a gun. Gun's ain't free or easy to come by in Mexico. I hope the authorities go after the family for obstruction. I'm real tired of all this half-way justice. Let's hold everyone that had even the smallest role in this tragedy accountable.

(5) I hope the authorities seek the death penalty for this BASTARD. Strangling with a wire would be appropriate. I'll hold him down.

Progreso backstep

From the Newschannel 5 website

http://www.newschannel5.tv/2006/3/30/7038/Sheriff-s-department-called-in

Seems that there is twist. There is no six year old brother who may have shot her:

"What is not known is who shot her. On Wednesday, police told NEWSCHANNEL 5 the girl shot herself. That story changed Thursday when police said the girl's 6-year-old brother shot her. The only problem with the claim: Saldana does not have a 6-year-old brother. "

So three days later, the Progreso PD calls in the County Sheriff for assistance. At this point the whole crime scene is possibly contaminated and key evidence destroyed.

Why did it take Progreso PD three days to call in the Sheriff? Who leaked the info about the six year old brother? In some of these cases the local authority must put their pride to the side and call in the big boys.