Headline Fiesta! Mucho Calór!

MMM MORNING! Now that we are awake, let’s run laughing through swaying fields of heather! Or….no! That would be horrifically corny!

So, let’s instead sip our sweet café and tear through the towering virtual stacks of news and get a quick hold on what’s going on out there in this wide, wonderful and wicked, wicked world!

1

Manson Supporter and Almost-Presidential-Assassin Squeaky Fromme Set Free From Prison; Framed Native American Spiritual Leader Leonard Peltier Denied Parole

Child protégé and Manson cheerleader Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme walked free last week, straight through the front doors of Fort Worth Federal Prison, into a brilliant Texas sun.

Fromme attempted in 1974 to assassinate then President Gerald R. Ford. She did three decades and four years for her bungled attempt. …

Now, cut to the pending case of Native American spiritual leader Leonard Peltier who has also served almost 35 years behind bars, for a crime that has never been proven. Peltier’s case was rocked by government misconduct, including the extensive falsification and suppression of evidence.

So it would seem to be a no brainer: If you’re going to release Fromme, still a self-proclaimed Manson supporter, it’s time to free this internationally revered indigenous leader who was clearly framed by the government and then ground through the racist prison system.

Indians are a necessary target of this government. Always have been. Even now, in the way Mexicans are treated. After all, what the hell is a “Mexican”? Unless you are talking about the increasing influx of US expats to Mexico who may or may not be tied to the continent’s history by blood—A Mexican is simply an Indian blend. Sometimes puro indigenous, sometimes blended with blacks, sometimes with euros. But what Mexico has always been is a land of many indigenous tribes. And despite the codes—”mexican,” “alien,” “illegal,” spic, “Undocumented”—the Indian remains under the crosshairs of this nation.

That’s why so many find it totally natural to suggest our economy employ battalions of INDIANS to man our warehouses, fields, and factories—but only until the season is done! After that it is preferred they take the train back downtown. Just like in Irvington, NY, where the help rides in on the morning train—nannies, mows, washes, and cooks—and then at dusk goes back to the Bronx. Guest worker, indentured and socially validated servant/help/slave. Never human, never equal.

Nor are we here at UMX strangers to the awareness that the socially constructed state of Whiteness bestows rationality, authority, credibility, and humanity upon a person—as a rule. Even to felons, apparently. So welcome back to your society, Squeaky. And don’t be surprised that packing heat at Presidential appearances is now in vogue; after all, this is the nation’s first black president.

Finally, Leonard Peltier, your life would be wasted behind bars. But if this be your terrible fate, know that your suffering or at least your incarceration will only inspire those of us out here more; to remember the injustices that keep you there and to fight them until we, too, are either killed, caged, or fade away.

PS: I have faith you will see freedom again.

2

Old White People on Government Health Care Rally To Prevent Black President From Giving Health Care to Brown People

I mean…let’s stop playin’. This is silly. The racial core of this argument is that THEY WANT THEIR COUNTRY BACK because it’s not fair that someone who looks so DARK could give health care to OTHER DARK people! Because it will come from the taxes of….not their retired asses, that’s for sure! And aren’t we supposed to be locking those brown folks up? Not giving them help!!!! And CERTAINLY not electing them into OFFICE!!!! WE WANT OUR COUNTRY BACK!!!

You hear the naked truth of the racist resistance baring itself more and more, lately. Good. It’s appalling. Let the ugly reality stand in its appalling pool of primordial goo. Strip fakers and fronters of their code phrases. I mean look at this crowd!!! I’m betting THEY ARE ON GOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE in large part! And they rally against it because….oh, let me stop. It’s too much! I’m seething again.

But do read Daisy’s post, which includes original reporting of this rally. And probably one of the most striking parts of this is that the area in question has basically segregated itself over the issue.

We attempted to chat, but we mostly just stood there speechless and shaking our heads at each other. “We don’t belong in there,” one said. I agreed with the sentiment. She told me another meeting was happening in Spartanburg, a PRO health care meeting.

Spartanburg. And then, another realization hit me:

Spartanburg is heavily black.

The upstate has re-segregated itself into Greenville (run by whites, although a large black population) and Spartanburg (run by blacks, although a large white population) Counties. Why were there so few blacks at this meeting? They need health care, too, okay? But if I was scared to go in, I assume they would be, too. In fact, no doubt: If I were black, I’d stay far away.

Tell me, is this DEMOCRACY in action, Congressman Inglis? Are you the representative of the white upstate or ALL the upstate?

One of the women pointed back at the entrance to Gateway, and told me authoritatively, “You know, this is all really about integration. That’s really what it is. Always has been.”

Yes, I know.

I understand that Obama needs to NOT look like he is furthering race relations by talking honestly on these things. It’s almost as if the racist right is baiting him. People showing up strapped to rallies. And you know how that Reverse-Racism crowd is. They so fear discussion on race that they turn into podpeople screaming the second you truthfully point it out. But for someone who wants his “portfolio” to include moving forward on race…POTUS seems to be passing up a lot of opportunities at being real.

3

Even With Violent Madman at the Helm, Mexico Saner Than USA

At least in one sense.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico enacted a controversial law on Thursday decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other drugs while encouraging government-financed treatment for drug dependency free of charge.

It’s true that FeCal probably only went along with this to better dress up his REAL war on drugs, the one that has killed over 13,000 people since late December 2006, and even the MX police say the move simply formalizes what is longstanding habit. But the US ought to take a page from this book. Chasing people around and punishing them for how they affect their own consciousness when it happens to not pay off big pharma is astoundingly stupid, hypocritical (considering the plethora of legal cocktails in use every day in every state), and cruel, but its NOT EFFECTIVE and a waste of money and resources.

Then again—if you look at the US’ War on Drugs as another part of the war on non-whites, it’s hugely successful!

4

Within a Five Year Span, Coca Cola Invests 10 Billion In Mexican Markets

MEXICO CITY -(Dow Jones)- Global soft drink behemoth Coca-Cola Co. (KO) and its local bottling partners will invest $5 billion inMexico during the next five years, the company’s chief executive, Muhtar Kent, said Thursday.

The investments – part of a long-term plan to develop Coca-Cola’s operations in Mexico - are in addition to $5 billion invested since 2004, Kent said at the inauguration of a factory outside of Mexico City.

Once again it’s clear that our southern “border” (social barrier and construct, like Race) are to keep poor people poor and in their place. Coca cola, WeinerDrink and many other corporations shall not be bound by it, slowed down, nor prevented from exploring new markets to siphon dry.

But keep those ILLEGULS out of our pristine nation! Because they are destroying it.

5

ACLU files lawsuit against Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s office

In their press release, Dan Pochoda, Legal Director of the ACLU of Arizona and lead counsel on the case claims that, “Our clients suffered egregious constitutional violations and were terrified when held against their will for three hours by armed MCSO personnel. Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s deputies had absolutely no reason to stop these two men and drag them off to a worksite raid. This is yet another example of MCSO sacrificing the rights and well being of workers in the name of immigration enforcement.”

Just the fact that Arpaio is still operating is a clear sign of the racist currents that empower the law in this nation. He is simply one of those old folks at the health care rallies, but in his case he has guns, handcuffs, a jail, deputies, and a lot of pink shorts. He’s no different, fearing an imaginary world slipping out of his gnarled hands and willing to do whatever it takes to stop it.

He will fail.

6

Commentary: Tragic Neglect of Immigration

I grew up on the border and I can honestly say, it pains me to watch us squander billions on a border fence when we’ve yet to see a man-made structure that can stop the forces of nature. What we call “immigration” — in the case of Latinos — is actually a pattern of migration, a natural movement of homo sapiens dying of thirst and hunger, seeking water and nourishment in more fertile grounds.

Comprehensive immigration reform should thus be viewed as an essential measure to protect human rights on our soil and continent. This is a time to think big, not small. This is about more than laws and lines drawn on a map.

It is about the origins of our humanity, not our nationality. Real people are suffering as raids continue, border deaths and hate crimes escalate, and families are destroyed.

Exactly what I’m often writing about. It’s so funny how the US Govt tries to pretend it sees things in a limited way, selling wholesale bullshit to the People. USGOV knows perfectly well why people are migrating here. Our politicians are not so stupid that they don’t have a clear notion of these patterns and social fluctuations, especially when inspired by the US’ own rapacious appetite and reneged treaties. They—the pols—are not the stupid ones; that is the frothing masses opposing full and fair protection, inclusion, and compensation for the laborsof ALL humans, especially those from which we benefit.

They—the politicians—are simply the exploitative ones, hiding what they know to be truth, and acting in the benefit of the corporations.

7

Keeping Death Quiet

On any given day, more than 32,000 people who are not American citizens are held in detention in a patchwork of county jails, privately run prisons and federal facilities while the government decides whether to deport them. In the year ending Sept. 30, 2008, more than 407,000 people spent time in custody, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

In October 2008, Congress approved $2.4 billion for detention and removal operations as part of $5.9 billion allotted for immigration enforcement through next September — even more than the Bush administration had requested and double the spending four years ago.

Getting details about those who die in custody is a difficult undertaking left to family members, advocacy groups and lawyers.

As the immigration detention system has ballooned to meet demands for stricter enforcement of immigration laws, Congress has listened to complaints about the secrecy and confusion surrounding deaths in custody.

The House passed a bill in January 2008 that would have rewarded states that require jails to report all deaths, but it was stalled in the Senate. At present all legislation has failed and awaits reintroduction in the 2009 Congress.

My emphasis. Because…why on earth would you not pass a law requiring prisons and jails to keep accurate records of who is hurt or who dies?  I can only think of one reason.

Which brings me to our final comment,

8

My Tone.

It’s silly and reductive to claim I am espousing some “Pro-Aztlán” (esp “vs.” Pro-American!) viewpoint. You only make yourself look ridiculous. First of all, I could easily make the case that Pro-American is contra-frontera, porque “America” is the entire continent, sans fence. And in that way of thinking (grammatically correct, if you’re into that kind of thing) both a “Pro-Aztlán” and a “Pro-American” view would, by necessity, be against this “border” idea.

But anyway, aside from a sloppy use of words, let’s be clear what my focus is here!

I do not write about a mythical homeland circled by white Mexican birds or something. This blog is not dedicated to a Spicy Mexican Lion, either. It’s all much simpler than that, though no doubt still just as confrontational to those who would run from the blog due to “tone” or “ugly” graphics or whatever you tell yourself is getting under your skin.

What I talk about here is imperialism, racism, sexism, corrupt law, media messaging, reality over symbol, truth over appearance, people power as opposed to nationalistic propaganda and legislated oppression, and I try to celebrate peoples, cultures, and traditions that the dominant culture does its best to erase or nullify. I also don’t give a shit about my tone because I’m talking about horrors and injustices. And real life, realtime blindness which the much-louder megaphone of MSM messaging perpetuates. So deal with it or don’t. But don’t kid yourself about what’s going on.

And with that, I’m out. Peace, y’all! But not before Justice.