Author: mopress

  • A Plug for the Marti, Juarez, Lincoln Conference in Mexico

    By Nick Braune

    An upcoming conference is scheduled which will, I hope, foster better understanding between three countries with revolutionary traditions: Cuba, Mexico and the U.S. Here is a quick online interview with one person in the Rio Grande Valley prominently promoting the conference, an English professor at U.T. Pan American, David Anshen.

    Braune: David, I am really happy you talked me into attending the Marti, Juarez, Lincoln Conference next month. Could you give the readers an overview of it? And I am sure many people would appreciate being reminded who Benito Juarez and Jose Marti were.

    Anshen: The International Conference, “Marti, Juarez and Lincoln: In the Heart of Our America,” is a gathering in Monterrey, Mexico, October 15-17, for scholars, activists, working people – anyone supporting democratic exchange. Panel discussions on cultural, political and historical issues will be offered, as well as general dialogue on the future of the Americas. With prominent figures from Mexico and the U.S. and the head of the Marti Institute, Armando Hart, joining the panels, this conference has political and social importance, particularly in the face of the growing economic crisis racking the three countries and the world.

    To answer your other question, Nick, it’s important for working people and youth to learn the real history of revolutionary struggles, the class dynamics that led to the developments of modern-day capitalism in the Americas. Part of what the conference aims to do is provide education about the role of these three great historic figures:

    Juarez led a revolution in Mexico in the late 19th century against feudal privileges. Marti, a Cuban hero, fought for the independence of Spain and against U.S. encroachment upon Cuba’s national sovereignty. Marti also inspired future generations of Cuban revolutionaries. Lincoln, as is better known, led the nation in a war that eliminated slavery. This conference will discuss all three figures, including discussion and debate about their ideas and their relevance for the future relations between these three countries.

    Braune: I understand there may be several people from Pan Am and the Valley attending or on panels. How is that coming along? And also why is it important for Valley people to attend?

    Anshen: We expect the largest U.S. contingent attending will come from the Rio Grande Valley. This is understandable because of our geographic proximity to Monterrey, but more importantly because of our cultural, political, and economic links to Mexico. So far there has been an enthusiastic response among students, scholars, cultural figures, and activists. We plan to fill at least one bus, subsidized and sponsored by the Office of International Programs at UTPA, and a second bus if possible. Our goal is to ensure that anyone interested in the ideals of the Conference will be able to attend. Tell your readers I can be contacted at danshen@utpa.edu.

    Braune: A little off topic, but surely related: Do you advocate, and do you realistically foresee, any changes under Obama for our current Cuba policy?

    Anshen: You ask about the possibility of better relations between the Cuban government and the Obama administration. The Conference is based on the idea, going back to Jose Marti, of truly friendly relations between peoples, and therefore the Conference will support the full ending of the horrible economic trade embargo against Cuba.

    But I personally am not hopeful, in the short run, about any major changes of policy under the Obama administration in regards to Cuba, because it is the political independence and revolutionary character of the government of Cuba which has earned the hostility of successive U.S. administrations since the virtual beginning of the Cuban Revolution. This is just my personal view. However, conferences like this are a concrete act of solidarity and make it harder for the U.S. government to justify its illegal, immoral, blockade.

    Braune: Thanks, David. See you in Monterrey.

    [This interview also appeared this week in the Mid-Valley Town Crier]

  • Texas Death Row–Again

    Does your sense of horror increase or decrease with each passing
    announcement that the state will "administer" death as a "procedure"
    accompanied by signed forms, armed guards, strict schedules, and
    designated observers? As if cold-blooded killing can be a
    solution to something…

    Check out Austin Indymedia’s index
    to sources in the scheduled killing of Frances Newton. Her
    husband and children were shot at close range. When she called
    police to report the crime, they tested her clothes and hands, but
    found no blood or powder burns. In a recent interview, the
    prosecutor allowed as how there was a second gun that they failed to
    mention during trial, etc.  And yes, once again, we are talking about Harris County.–gm

  • A Chief Justice for the State: The Roberts Record on Search & Seize

    Scott Henson compiles a fine takedown on the nominee for Chief Justice,
    who bats 1,000 when it comes to the government’s right to crash your
    party. Chew on your Fourth Amendment with your Grits for
    Breakfast here.

    It will be interesting to watch Washington in the next few weeks.
    If the Democrats continue to play lapdog to the President, what will
    they be risking? Or to put it another way, is the Deaniac wing
    anything more than a mouthpiece of dissent?

    For progressive activists, it would be difficult to imagine a more
    auspicious moment to pull together something more than opposition
    politics. Suddenly, people may be in a mood to listen to truly
    refreshing alternatives. Can anyone remember what they are?–gm

  • CounterPunch: Soap Opera Moments

    Grinding Out the Truth
    on Guadalupe Street:
    Soap Opera Moments
    in

    Texas School Funding Trial

    By GREG MOSES

    CounterPunch 9-11-04

    By the way

    she wears her colors and slings her political clichés, you’d be excused if you took her for Opal

    Gardner-Cortland. So when I walk into the courtroom and see her sitting in the witness stand, I think I

    might have fallen into the set of All My Children. But the witness in the wooden box is Texas

    Commissioner of Education Shirley Neeley, and–for a little while at least–she is having a fine time

    performing her self-proclaimed role as “cheerleader for Texas education.”

    Get the complete story at CounterPunch!

  • Somos Todos Unos: Prison Writing from Ramsey

    Dear Friends:
    The health of Ramsey Muniz has improved! On Thursday
    he again underwent a procedure called an ERCP. The
    doctor removed two stents that were previously placed
    in him and inserted another larger one. Again we
    thank everyone for the spiritual support given during
    our difficult tests of faith, hope, and the power of God.

    Enclosed is the latest essay by Ramsey Muniz, entitled
    "Somos Todos Unos." He wrote these sentiments in great pain
    (prior to having surgery). How strange that while compiling
    his writings I glance at a September 9, 2005 article in the
    Kansas City Star which states, "A Mexican army convoy
    of nearly 200 people crossed the border into the
    United States on Thursday to bring aid to hurricane
    victims. It was the first Mexican military unit
    to operate on U.S. soil since 1846. The unarmed soldiers,
    physicians, nurses and dentists aboard the convoy wore
    green uniforms with yellow armbands that said ‘Humanitarian
    Aid’ in Spanish.’" This is the essence of who we are,
    who we always have been, and always will be.

    Irma Muniz

    Somos Todos Unos
    8/14/05
    11:05 PM

    "The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1848, is one through which
    the United States of America annexed and seized by force Texas,
    Arizona, New Mexico, part of Oklahoma, Colorado, part of Kansas, Utah,
    Nevada, and California. The terms of this treaty were "among the
    harshest imposed by a winner upon a loser in the history of the world."
    Abe Lincoln named this entire episode for what it really was – armed
    robbery. And now you tell me, Mexicanos of the 21st century and of our
    Sixth Sun, who are the illegal aliens. It is written in our ancient
    Mexicano past that the day would come upon us once more to rediscover,
    and to reclaim that which was ours from the beginning of our creation
    as Mexicanos – not only in our Holy Land (Mexico), but the entire
    border which incorporates all of Aztlan."

    Hermanos y hermanas of the 21st century, remember our revolutionary
    brother and proud soldier of Mexi (me-shee) – Emiliano Zapata. He once
    stated unto us, "The revolution has not yet triumphed. In your hands
    still is the will and the power to save it. But if unfortunately you do
    not, then the shades of Cuauhtemoc, Tlacaelel, Nezahualcoyotl, Hidalgo,
    Juarez, and our heroes of all time will stir in their graves to ask,
    ‘What have you done with the blood of your people?" We must understand
    that our Mexicano/Mexicana revolutionaries were visionaries!

    "From the heart of the earth Mexicanos feel their resistance and
    persistence rise up in him, like the maize that is proud, turning its
    green leaves outward. Be proud like the maize and let your ancient
    roots go deep, deep, for the rains are here and it is time for us to be
    growing in Aztlan."

    –Tezcatlipoca

    It is time for all Mexicanos y Mexicanas that presently live in the
    United States of America to rise in protest against racist, oppressive,
    and inhumane actions and ill intentions against our Mexicano sisters
    and brothers who are only fulfilling our ancient legacy and history by
    crossing our rivers into Aztlan (the entire Southwest). The entire
    world, different religions, and organizations are aware of the
    atrocities against nuestra gente. Our so-called Mexicano/Hispano/Latino
    Chicano political leaders must be vocal where our cries for justice can
    be heard all the way to our holy temples and our Holy Land of Mexico!
    One life, one child, one mother is too much to take away from us and
    claim that it was the heat or the currents of our rivers. The world,
    the humane community has to become aware of the conclusion that we as a
    people, as a race, and as a nation within all nations will no longer
    tolerate the increasing deaths of our sisters and brothers at the
    borders.

    "Does history repeat itself? Or are its repetitions only penance for
    those who are incapable of listening to it? No history is mute. No
    matter how much they burn it, break it, and lie about it, history
    refuses to shut its mouth. Despite deafness and ignorance, the time
    that was continues to tick inside the time that is. When it is truly
    alive, memory doesn’t contemplate history. It invites us to make it.
    More than in museums where its pour soul gets bored, memory is in the
    air we breathe, and from the air it breathes us."

    –Galeano, Eduardo H. Upside Down. p. 210.

    We cannot continue to deny who we are in this world. We must return
    to our roots and our spiritual history. The oppressor has known from
    the beginning that we are like the seed of the maize which grows from
    the deep of our Mother Earth. The oppressor was not aware of the fact
    that we are Mexikan — Mexi (God) and Kan (chosen people), or God’s
    chosen people. And if some doubt my words which come from the darkness
    of a racist/oppressive history against mankind, look around you. We
    became the majority minority in the entire United States of America.
    Most importantly, we became the majority in the land that has risen
    (Aztlan) in the Southwest of America. Please advise racist
    organizations and vigilante groups that it is really too late, because
    history is on our side!

    Why must we tolerate national policies and specific legislation
    that applies only to our sisters and brothers from our Holy Land? We
    cannot continue to wait for the conscience of our Democratic and
    Republican Hispanic elected officials to dismiss the atrocities
    committed against nuestra gente. We cannot afford to stage in a realm
    of illusions. Therefore, we the grass roots, los barrios, our
    communities, our schools in the barrios, Mexicano political prisoners,
    la gente del pueblo, will take the forthcoming issue of humanity and
    life into the entire free border within all Aztlan (Southwest of
    America).

    This is a very spiritual issue stemming from our past cultura into
    this night. We come from a past of strength, power, compassion, honor,
    dignity, harmony, and liberation. How do you know that the last
    Mexicana who died in the desert of Arizona was not your half sister?
    Somos todos uno! It saddens me to watch the reality of America when it
    presents some of our own Mexicanos/Mexicanas speaking against the most
    modern day spiritual journey from our Holy Land, crossing the borders.
    We must find it in our hearts to forgive them and remember the biblical
    message in the New Testament, "Forgive them for they do not know what
    they do."

    What can we say? Our cosmic ancient future has already been
    determined, and decreed in the heaves, and we, the Mexicanos of our
    Sixth Sun, will behold, sacrifice, suffer, and bring about a great
    mystery which must come to pass in Aztlan."

    –Tezcatlipoca

    "These people who watch us walk through the streets of the
    town are a defeated race. Their stares are tame, almost fearful, and
    completely indifferent to the outside world. Some give the impression
    that they go on living only because it’s a habit they cannot shake."

    –Jose Marti

    The most important issue within the masses of our people
    (over fifty million) is the protection, safety, and livelihood
    for our children, mothers, and families. The oppressor, the
    violator of human rights, must be put on notice that we, los
    Mexicanos of the 21st century and our Sixth Sun will no longer
    permit for our government to assist minutemen and other
    vigilante groups in tracking down our people, as if we
    were some type of animal crossing the rivers that call
    upon our raza to join us here in the Southwest (Aztlan). I
    have had visions and dreams of what is to happen to us as a
    race, and lately the message of us all uniting as one continues
    to be part of my present Mexicano political life. "While
    Europe was passing through its dark ages, Americans (Mexikas)
    were flowering in superb cultures. The Golden Age of Mexico
    is known as the Clas

    sic Period. It reached from about
    150 B.C. to A.D. 800 or 900…"

    –Peterson, F. Ancient Mexico.

    In exile,
    Tezcatlipoca
    *************************************************************

    http://www.freeramsey.com