Border Blogs: Expressing our Border Culture

Mayor John Cook has joined sheriff Richard Wiles in support of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White's border security plan.

The plan promises immediate funding for 1,250 law enforcement officers to secure Texas' border with Mexico. 

For more about the plan read our story here.

Gov. Rick Perry, who will face White in November, has said the plan offers nothing new. Both Cook and Wiles disagree.

Below are Cook's statements:

“Bill White’s border security plan is the first plan that I have seen that meets the needs of leaders all along the border who want to improve safety and assure that lawful commerce is not disrupted. I am humbled that Bill asked for my input and perspective on this issue.”
 

“As the mayor of the largest Texas city on the U.S./Mexico border, and the worlds largest International Borderplex I believe I understand which current policies aren’t working and the practical solutions which will see tangable results.  The Bill White plan will take the pressure off local governments as we deal with national border security issues.”

“Mayor White has the support of sheriffs who protect 98 percent of Texans living in counties along the border. I know Mayor White and have seen him work and am confident that he will get results.”

White also released a television commercial about his plan. Here it is:

(Below is my eulogy for those indicted. I have modeled my requiem on speech by William Shakespeare) Jaime O. Perez - Friends, Americans, El Pasoans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury the Corrupt Among Us, not to praise them. The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones; So let it be with the Corrupt Among Us. The noble Debra Kanoff Hath told you jaimeoperezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168740247697542660jaimeoperez@yahoo.com0

Steve Mostyn, a Houston-based lawyer and president elect of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, might be the largest single Democratic donor in the state.

His name may sound familiar because many of the city's representatives have received donations from him. Mostyn contributed thousands of dollars to State Rep. Norma Chavez as she faced challenger Naomi Gonzalez. Gonzalez, who was backed by Texans for Lawsuit Reform, ultimately won the race for House District 76.

R.G. Ratcliffe of the Houston Chronicle profiled Mostyn a few months ago. Here is that story.

Elise Hu over at the Texas Tribune also interviewed Mostyn about his donations and efforts to oust the Republican Party.

Her interview is below:

Monday's story about the Eagle in the Sun Triathlon didn't have enough space to print the winners of the relay competition. Too bad, too, since the winners were none other than a trio made up of El Paso Times staffers....

"7 cartel clashes at root of drug war"

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_15994354The Killing Fields: Harvest of Women, the first investigative book about the Juarez murders by a U.S. journalist.

Chris Lopez has made it official. The El Paso Times editorial board endorses the idea that government planning is the motor of economic development. They write, "Somewhat like finding a treasure map, it appears our city leaders of the young-adult generation have discovered what economically struggling El Paso could have been ... should have been. Now we know where such young city jaimeoperezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168740247697542660jaimeoperez@yahoo.com0

This faux exchange between Ben Bernanke, head of the federal reserve bank and jaime o. perez is modeled after an exchange in the movie A FEW GOOD MEN. Ben Bernanke is in the role of Col. Nathan R. Jessup Jaime O. Perez is in the voice of Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise). Ben Bernanke: You want answers? Jaime O. Perez: I think as an American I'm entitled to them. Ben Bernanke: You want jaimeoperezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168740247697542660jaimeoperez@yahoo.com0

Mr. Lopez, Yesterday the US Attorney's office came down with 11 indictments against prominent members of El Paso's political community. Everyone knew all day long that it was going to be one of the biggest stories of the year. Knowing that, one would think that you would have taken the time to make sure that your usual shoddy product, with fact mistakes, typos, names misspelled, inaccurate quotes, etc., would not be the order of the day today. One would think that you would know the difference between the lawyers and the accused. Nope. That is too tall of an order for you. On page 11A, you have a list of "players" referring to the accused and on top of the description which includes the words, "charged with fraud, racketeering," you have lawyer Sib Abraham's picture, who is not accused of anything. He represents an accused person. Now you have published to the world that Sib Abraham is an alleged criminal, mug shot and all. Nice slander suit you may have there. I wonder what corporate would think? But you have been warned over and over again. Last year you and your reporter Darren Meritz, mishandled another one of Mr. Abraham's stories, the Kuchle case. You published that Mr. Kuchle was involved in the drug violence in Juarez when that was not the case AT ALL. A lawyer from Mexico City had to call you to correct your wrong and damaging publication. You are a menace. We have to write you about your terrible mistakes and your lies. This week a district court judge did. You and Marty Schladen were the butts of criticism on the radio, again, yesterday for your protective coverage of Veronica Escobar. When are you going to buckle down and run the shop correctly, starting with being there and then hiring talent. On a major news day, you were out to dinner with your family instead being at the paper burning the midnight oil, making sure things were done correctly. Not you. Steak first, facts second. Theresa Caballero Stuart Le ..

Culture is valued differently according to each country, and its people’s beliefs, although it is not always clear how one could measure this. According to Ernesto Piedras, in his book “¿What is the value of Culture? Economic Contribution of Copyright Protected Industries” the value of culture considers activities which are developed upon artistic and literary original creations, which are subject to copyright. Ernesto Piedras implies that cultural industries are by themselves, a sector of economic activity that shares similar characteristics to other economic activity sectors.

Although Mexico is known for its cultural heritage around the world, culture is sometimes not given the importance that it really has based on its contribution to the economy. This shows how culture is esteemed in the country. Cultural industries in Mexico, which will be shortly explained, have an above the average value when compared to the rest of the world. This sector is of great economic importance given its contribution to GDP, high productivity and, ultimately, to the extent that provides the country with competitive advantages in commercial interaction with the rest of the world.

To perform this study, Piedras followed the guidelines of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), which classifies the companies into five main categories, namely:

a) Base Industry: press and literature, music, film and video, radio and television, photography, visual and graphic arts, advertising and collective societies
b) Independent Industry: TV sets, radios, VCRs, CD players, DVD players, video games and similar devices, computers and equipment, musical instruments, photographic and cinematographic instruments, photocopiers and paper
c) Partly related industries: textiles clothing and shoes, jewelry, other types of art, furniture designs collection for music in nightclubs and discos, design of household goods, china and glassware collection for music in bars and restaurants, architecture, engineering and interior design museums
d) Not engaged Industries: wholesale and retail, general transport, libraries, and internet
e) Illegal and informal economy Industries: production and sale of works of art without registration, production and marketing of illegal discs, videos and books, printing and marketing illegal posters, pictures and photographs and public communication unregistered music.

It is important to note that WIPO takes into account both the legal and illegal economic spillover, which allows to realistically approach the actual value of culture in a country.

Mexico, in a comparison with 12 countries, holds the third place on the list on the value of cultural industries in relation to the total GDP of the country, just below the United Kingdom and United States, both with 8 per cent contribution to GDP. Mexico´s cultural industries contribute 6.5 per cent of GDP, while the average in Latin America, including Brazil, is just over 3 per cent. Spain’s contribution of culture to the GDP is about 4 per cent, below Mexico.

In some cases, like in Mexico, culture had more weight in the country’s GDP than the construction sector, with 5 per cent or telecommunications, with 4.2 per cent.

So we must ask ourselves, what are we telling ourselves about the cultural impact and level of the country? What do figures tell us about the actual level of Mexico’s culture? We must learn to see Mexico as the country it really is, allowing us to acknowledge it and its people in a powerful way.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White released a campaign video today that goes after Gov. Rick Perry for saying the projected budget deficit of up to $18 billion is "a number that somebody just reached up in the air and grabbed."

“But this milestone should serve as a reminder to all Americans that our future is ours to shape if we move forward with confidence and commitment. It should also serve as a message to the world that the United States of America intends to sustain and strengthen our leadership in this young century.”
 
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“At every turn, America’s men and women in uniform have served with courage and resolve. As Commander-in-Chief, I am proud of their service. Like all Americans, I am awed by their sacrifice, and by the sacrifices of their families.”
 
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“Tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country. This was my pledge to the American people as a candidate for this office.  Last February, I announced a plan that would bring our combat brigades out of Iraq, while redoubling our efforts to strengthen Iraq’s Security Forces and support its government and people. That is what we have done. We have removed nearly 100,000 U.S. troops from Iraq. We have closed or transferred hundreds of bases to the Iraqis. And we have moved millions of pieces of equipment out of Iraq.”
 
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“Ending this war is not only in Iraq’s interest – it is in our own. The United States has paid a huge price to put the future of Iraq in the hands of its people. We have sent our young men and women to make enormous sacrifices in Iraq, and spent vast resources abroad at a time of tight budgets at home. We have persevered because of a belief we share with the Iraqi people – a belief that out of the ashes of war, a new beginning could be born in this cradle of civilization. Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq, we have met our responsibility. Now, it is time to turn the page.”
 
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“Today, our most urgent task is to restore our economy, and put the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs back to work. To strengthen our middle class, we must give all our children the education they deserve, and all our workers the skills that they need to compete in a global economy.  We must jumpstart industries that create jobs, and end our dependence on foreign oil. We must unleash the innovation that allows new products to roll off our assembly lines, and nurture the ideas that spring from our entrepreneurs. This will be difficult. But in the days to come, it must be our central mission as a people, and my central responsibility as President.”
 

Copyright@2010 Kelly McKenzie

Dispatch from the U.S.-Mexico border
By Kelly McKenzie - 09012010

At least 80 percent of Mexico’s drug-related homicides were concentrated in several regions of the country.

The Joaquin “Chapo” Guzman cartel is fighting on four different fronts, and its battles with four other Mexican cartels have left 19,097 people dead.

La Familia cartel and its battle against two other groups claimed 1,800 homicides.

As of July 30, the government reports that 28,353 people have died in drug-related violence since the president announced the crackdown against drug-traffickers.


###The Killing Fields: Harvest of Women, the first investigative book about the Juarez murders by a U.S. journalist.

http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/as-many-as-200-women-babies-gang-raped-in-congo/19605217The Killing Fields: Harvest of Women, the first investigative book about the Juarez murders by a U.S. journalist.

On August 26, 2010, I will be making a presentation to Commissioners' Court relative to my views on balancing the budget and reducing taxes. Stop Spending - Moratorium on Capital Projects 1. Impose an immediate moratorium on $21 mm capital projects excepting two on-going projects already in progress: a. IT (redundant) data center and the Fabens port of entry improvements. Target basic jaimeoperezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05168740247697542660jaimeoperez@yahoo.com0

Several national blogs and media-biz websites have picked up the story about the KTSM-TV Channel 9 Miss Universe slip up. In case you missed it, a technical glitch left the KTSM studio mics open while the final results of the...

Mexico has made strides in the last 10 years on diminishing teenage pregnancies. A study by the Swedish doctor and researcher Hans Rosling, with data from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators Online, shows how in Mexico teenage pregnancies rate per thousand women aged 15 to 19, has significantly lowered.

Today, there are 65.84 pregnancies per thousand teen women, while in 1996, 77.8 were observed; twelve teen pregnancies less per every thousand women each year.

Overall, Latin America has still high rates of teenage pregnancy. Moreover, according to Rosling, the Americas has high rates compared with the rest of the developed world. Of course, there are differences within the continent. Brazil, for example, is far from Mexican standards, with a teenage pregnancy rate of 89.36 per thousand inhabitants. On the other hand, Chile and Argentina have lower rates than Mexico with 60 and 57.7 respectively.

What’s interesting here to observe is the velocity with which these figures have moved lately. Particularly in Mexico, it has had a significant improvement in the last ten years compared with other countries. Spain, for example, a country with a higher per capita income has had an increase in teen pregnancies by 1.47 in the last decade. On the other hand, in LatinAmerica, Brazil rates are exactly the same as nine years ago, no advance whatsoever. With a fertility rate of 89 pregnancies per thousand women, Brazil has 37% more teen pregnancies than Mexico.

Apart from countries differences, this figure is not easily modified and seems to be related not only to the country’s income level. Evidence to support this is the relatively high rate of pregnancies that the United States has when compared to England. The United States has 34% more income per capita than England, and yet almost twice the number of teen pregnancies per thousand.

In general, according to Rosling, considering income levels, America as a continent, has a higher rate of teenage pregnancy than Europe. Africa has rates that surpass the 200 teen pregnancies per thousand women.

As a country, Mexico has definitely improved and there is still room for improvement. However, mexico is definitely on the right way, along a path that presents great challenges for all countries.

Clearly, Mexico has a teenage fertility rate that is closer to first world than to that of developing, and continues to improve. Why then do we insist that Mexico is a country comparable to the BRIC group, with the third world? Mexico is doing the job and obtaining first tier results on efforts challenging to all, developed and developing countries. This is how the OECD lives Mexico, this is how other countries live Mexico and this is what statistics show. Begin to aknowledge where Mexico really is standing and live it that way!

Texas teachers can use videos and podcasts on i-Tunes as extra resources for their students through a free new initiative, announced Tuesday by Gov. Rick Perry.

Texas Education on iTunes U is aimed at helping teachers with professional development and making support materials more accessible. It also is an attempt to provide a resource for students to download materials that will help them understand new concepts. State agencies and non-profit organizations will also be able to use the site to post videos.

“The quality of education in Texas is steadily improving as we continue to combine tried and true teaching methods with new technology to achieve educational success,” Perry said in a statement.

As thousands of El Pasoans set their televisions to KTSM-TV Channel 9 to either watch the Miss Universe pageant or wait for the 10 p.m. newscast, they were treated to one of those live TV slip ups that come only...

Diana Natalicio, president of the University of Texas at El Paso, spoke about a weekend shooting in which a bullet hit the UTEP campus. Here are Natalicio's observations:

"I am very, very sad that the violence in Juarez has touched us directly in this way, but I am very grateful at the same time that this incident, a random stray bullet, arrived on our campus at 6:30 in the evening on a Saturday, which is probably one of the least likely times that it would find anyone around or anyone actively moving about the campus. We had the good fortune that this didn't occur at a time when the campus was crowded with students, faculty and staff and visitors. It is nonetheless very sad to me that we are, all of us in El Paso, being touched directly by the violence in Juarez.

"We recognize that it is a random occurrence, a random event, and there is not a whole lot we can do on a practical level to protect ourselves from random events, that's very difficult to do. However, there are precautions that we should take in terms of providing students faculty and staff with safety tips or suggestions. We have a text message mobile phone warning system that not a lot of our students have signed up for. We are going to strongly recommend that they do that because it could also be a case of natural disasters or lots of other things.

"We need to reinforce the safety precautions that we have developed on the campus and this is a good reminder that we have to refresh our memories in the way of procedures and things like this but in the way of preventions it seems to me extremely difficult to be able to develop strategies that would reduce the risk to zero.

"We are consulting with a whole host of law enforcement agencies and a number of other entities like the University of Texas System. I've already spoken with the chancellor and we are talking with them about risk assessment procedures. That will be an opportunity for our own health and safety people to consult with their risk assessment team, I've talked with Congressman Reyes' office and I've talked to the mayor. We are trying to make sure that we touch all appropriate bases to seek advice to make sure that we get all best practices because there are people who are very experienced at these kinds of things.

"We are trying to explore all possible avenues to protect students, faculty and staff. That is our highest priority. Random acts do occur and this was one of them. Our great good fortune was that it happened at a time when it resulted in minimal damage to the campus and the people on it. So, it's a very difficult situation to devise proactive strategies to prevent.

"Balance is really the important issue. Overreacting only creates more panic and I don't think we want to encourage or foster a notion that moving about in El Paso, Texas, is a highly risky proposition. It is very easy to exaggerate this and I think we should not contribute to that. We need to be measured in what we say and we need to think carefully about how we approach a problem like this. It's very complex and many of the variables are beyond our control.

"Everyone on the campus should understand that their safety and security is our priority and we have been working since this incident was discovered nonstop trying to work our way through all of the issues that are associated with it. I do think that we have to be realistic in assessing the situation. There is some risk but I think that overstating it or exaggerating it or using one incident, which appears to be random, we weren't targeted. It was not as though this was intended to enter the UTEP campus; it was a stray. This is the first time this has happened on the campus and I hope it will be the last time and we are going to do everything we can to prevent it from happening again. But realistically we are going to have to recognize that living at very close distance from a very violent environment is going to have some impact. It's going to impact us in a variety of ways. And, so the sooner that the situation in Juarez is brought under control, the better off we will all be. We have been sister cities forever and it is important that we return to a more peaceful co-existence.

"There is naturally apprehension on the part of people who may feel more vulnerable because their building is closer to the border but again I think we need to emphasize that this is the first time this has happened. It does not appear to be something that we can assume will be repeated.

"Keeping it in perspective is what's so difficult. You want to do everything you can to protect people but at the same time you don't want to overreact because you really do create more problems then in terms of people making bad choices or unnecessary choices. It is a balancing act. "There's really a limit to how much you can do. We are certainly going to have conversations with our risk assessment people and we are going to look at everything very carefully but again, the idea that you can protect yourself from a random bullet is probably not very realistic. There are certain precautions that we can take if gunfire does break out in Juárez. That people would move to another area or something like that. Those are the kinds of things we've been talking about.

"It's pretty difficult to build barriers. We do have a fence along the border. That didn't seem to have any effect. There is just a limit to what you can do.

"The probability of something like that happening again is pretty remote but nonetheless, it's certainly not a good thing.

"I would like this not to become fodder for overreaction of any kind. It is definitely not a good thing that first, there is violence at this level in Juárez and second, that the violence has a way of touching us directly in El Paso on occasion. It is something that we should all regret very much but again I don't think that we want to overstate what happened here and generalize to a point that we conclude that living in this region, or attending the university, or going to your job at city hall is unsafe. That's quite a leap. We should all be measured in how we think about this and how we talk about it."