AMERIQUE:


A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: It is the unspoken statistic, but it is as real as anything to do with the lingering U.S. war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to the military, 1,800 American servicemen have killed themselves since the initial invasion of Baghdad. That is in addition to the more than 4,000 who died in battle. This week, families of the soldiers who committed suicide asked President Barack Obama to change the government policy of not forwarding letters of appreciation to mothers and fathers of these servicemen. By week's end, the White House had reversed the policy and agreed that such letters are needed, as well... - Eduardo Paz-Martinez, Editor of The Tribune

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Vignettes: Tattoo You...New Mayor...No New Mayor...No Smoking...Ah, Writing...

By EDUARDO PAZ-MARTINEZ
Editor of The Tribune

AUSTIN, Texas - Writing anything during the summer months is always a drag, mainly because it's the time of the year when you want to be someplace else. Winter, now winter is the best time for creative writing. Some warm cabin up in the Rockies, with a small fireplace, with good company, with a canyon path into town down below.

This morning, we're not going to plumb the depths of any one topic. We've done enough of that all year. So here are a few short stories and observations from the world of news:

THE WOMEN OF TEXAS - We have led the photo offerings here with the tattooed woman atop today's special because it represents the wild and fighting side of the fairer sex. And it plays into our belief that women in Texas take it all too often from state lawmakers. This year, the Texas Legislature shoved a sonogram down the throats of women opting to terminate a pregnancy by way of abortion. This, mind you, in the land of freedom. But it's now law, and Texas women will have to subject themselves to an invasive probe while being asked if they want to see the fetus inside their tummies. My surprise lies in the fact that women did not respond with any sort of rage when confronted by this silliness. It is, of course, the result of the ultra-conservative, pro-life Republican crowd in Austin. We're all for life, but we're also big believers in the idea that a woman is the one who answers to and for her body. Tattoos on women, meanwhile, are everywhere.

THE NEW MAYOR - Antonio "Tony" Martinez takes over today as figurehead political leader of our beloved Brownsville, home of the five-cent dream and the $60 marijuana ounce. Here's hoping Tony can get that broken down fruit stand back in the black. Of late, the city's politics has been nothing short of a bad corrido's boring lament. A bloody drug war rages next door in Matamoros, Mexico. People are being killed daily. Brownsville, meanwhile, moves as if a tepid caldo on its way from the cafe's kitchen to some fat fuck's table. The veggies are rotting in town. No dream emerges even as Martinez sets sail his administration. That city commission has had its facelift. Now, let's see if the next bowl of caldo de pollo is better than the last one.

HARLINGEN - Again, some slick dude wants to waltz in and be the next mayor of this sleepy, God-abandoned town between McAllen and Brownsville. Rick Morales is his name and the record shows that he arrives as a loser, following his defeat in a re-election contest for mayor of nearby Donna. Donna! Tiny, dusty, annoying Donna! It's a stretch, because Hispanics hate to settle for used tires, cheap barbacoa, battered Buicks, or oft-divorced women. That's just the way the romantic moon moves across that cultural sky. Pretender Rick Morales has as much chance of winning election in Harlingen as heavyweight Leon Spinks had of being elected anything anywhere. Morales hasn't said much, not even that he plans to seek the post. But that, too, is telling. A politicians who sics a throwdown blogger at this community in hopes of drawing attention is a weak-kneed fellow whose approach must be questioned. Even when the idea drew criticism, Morales laid low, perhaps thinking that one horrible step cannot be followed by another. It appears his candidacy has fizzled at the starting gate. No one is more relieved than the old women of Harlingen.

NO SMOKING - Texas is about to pass a law stomping on smoking in just about every public place in the Lone Star State. The future may well record that such a law was the best to come out of this, the 82nd State Legislature. Clean air is good. Smoking doesn't bother me, but there are times when one simply wants nothing to do with the aroma of a rotten Bugler being lit across the bar. Plus, New York City has banned smoking just about everywhere, including aboard the water taxis that take tourists on a sail up and down the East River or the Hudson. Try and find a cafe in Austin where lighting a Camel is okay with management. Not happening. And, you know, it may be a tad too late for the planet, but there's something to be said for going down fighting...

- 30 -

18 comments:

Fustrated Taxpayer of Harlingen said...

Paz Martinez, what happened? You used a four letter word? Was that a mistake? Who monitors the monitor?

El De Los Fresnos said...

Nice new look. Change is good. Plus good article today. Yeah, Pat Ahumada is gone from Brownsville. That's another good thing.

Patrick Alcatraz said...

FRUSTRATED:...If you refer to my use of "fat fuck," well, notice that I use it as a noun and not the verb we all know is not acceptable lingo here. The verb is the one we'd question. Another example: If you write "God damn it," that's okay, because you're asking for divine intervention. If you write "goddammit," well that's something else altogether. Hope that helps... - Editor

Cable Guy said...

This is a very professional blog. thankz. It is way better than Chapaneco's discount version. His is more of a flea market stand selling BS, rumors and the pornography of his pal Jake. They envy you so much. Everyone can tell. Now they're picking on jerry deal's computer. Son estupidos!

Anonymous said...

Chapa's blog is a city dump now. BS from JAKE AND JAKE'S WIFE today. Why would anyone want to write for that blog. Listening Benton? Everybody is laughing at the damned thing!

Anonymous said...

In Harlingen, no one really knows too much about R. Morales, other than what he did in Donna. Kenneth Benton, use to work in Donna Tx.
No one really knows what Morales does for a living. The rumor at the coffee shops,is that he might be involved in Insurance.
However, one of his associates, has been saying things around the coffee shops, not very favorable about to Mr. Morales.
In a campaign, things come out, and I don't think Mr. Morales can win a campaign with baggage.

Anonymous said...

You mean to tell me Chapa's blog is still on line, damn that loser is lucky, no one with any brain reads his b/s.

Ralph said...

This is a cool website. It gets better and better. Thank you. You should get advertising to pay for your time!

Mr. Harlingen said...

Juan ortega is calling out Jerry Deal about the Morales stuff. He is offering to give Jerry Rick's phone number. Wonder if he'd give it to The Tribune? that would be a real interview!

Anonymous said...

They'll never talk to the Trib. Morales is comfortable with chapa cause Chapa is not a smart man. chapaneco never asks the tough questions.

Heriberto said...

HEY, just to say that woman in the picture next to the Harlingen story actually lives here. Or I think I've seen her.

Danny C said...

Think I'll campaign for City Comissioner Jerry Prepejchal. If CHAPETE IS AGAINST HIM, HE CAN'T BE BAD AT ALL. ha ha ha ha

Red Neck said...

Jerry Prep is better than any dropout Tony Chapa and his band of migrants can throw at the city. They're hallucinating now.

Anonymous said...

Juan Ortega is a hycocrite, he bad mouthes Jerry Deal, and then he blogs on his blog.
Juan Ortega ran for county commissioner twice and lost. The word at mi rancho was that even his family voted against him. He is a dwarf, like T/c. Los dos no sirven para nada.

Anonymous said...

Dumb ass chapa is endorsing R. Morales, Chapa he is not going to buy you breakfast.
Quit kissing ass, pendejo.

Anonymous said...

I am voting agaisnt anyone who Chapete endorses. Chapaete and Jakey are bad for the community.

Anonymous said...

Chapete's blog is next to the city of Harlingen landfill. Chapete tell us about the incident at the Maryland apts. and how you wanted to shine the shoes of the detectives who came by your house for all the IP numbers, loser, viejo mojao, bueno para nada, mantenido de la cholona. Loser. loser,.loser, loser, chinche, loser.

Anonymous said...

Jerry Prep. has problems, their rumors of an opponent. However, if a real grass roots campaign is run, his chances are good. The only problem, who will help him run the campaign.