Bush and Schwarzenegger: Personae non gratae in Mexico?
By Barnard R. Thompson
Thompson is a columnist for www.mexidata.info. He can be reached via e-mail at mexinfoix.netcom.com.
November 12, 2003
In a politically motivated act that can only be described as asinine, deputies in the state legislature of Baja California Sur are proposing to
declare Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger a persona non grata. Moreover, should the initiative be approved, Schwarzenegger will become the second
undesirable and unwelcome representative of the American people so designated in recent times.
The state's first persona non grata was ? is ? President George W. Bush.
And like the action before, this initiative is being proposed by ostensibly concerned elected officials in a remote, strapped-for-money state that is
dependent on tourism from the United States, largely California, for its all-important visitor industry.
State Deputy Elsa de la Paz Esquivel Amador, in news reports disseminated nationally on Nov. 7, insists that "it is a reprehensible mistake for the
governor to endorse and promote racist campaigns against immigrants, especially in California where 25 percent of the population is Latino and, of
those, 75 percent are of Mexican origin."
A member of the Democratic Revolution Party, the governing party in Baja California Sur, the congresswoman similarly authored the state legislature's
declaration against Bush. That pronouncement additionally calls for International Criminal Court prosecution of Bush for alleged war crimes resulting
from the decision to invade Iraq.
Claims that the governor-elect is involved in racist campaigns against immigrants, as embroidered by people like Esquivel, are simply not true.
Schwarzenegger has opposed issuance of California driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants, as he calls for any and all who might apply for
official state documents to pass appropriate residency and background checks ? nothing more, nothing less.
In this regard, can a non-citizen visitor to whatever state in Mexico ? regardless of his immigration status ? receive a driver's license without
requisite documentation? The answer is no.
The second condemnation against Schwarzenegger is that in 1994 he voted in favor of Proposition 187, the so-called "Save Our State" initiative. Making
things supposedly worse, opponents denounce alleged proof of bigotry through the inclusion of former Gov. Pete Wilson as co-chairman of the
Schwarzenegger campaign. Wilson has been vilified for everything and anything that was wrong with Proposition 187, and in Mexico (as well as in the
Spanish-speaking media in the United States) he has been the object of venomous scorn ? whether he deserves it or not ? ever since.
Proposition 187 was a flawed yet popular ballot initiative that passed by 59 percent in 1994, although it was subsequently struck down in the courts.
The proposition sought to deny unauthorized aliens most state-financed benefits, including public education and non-emergency health care. But as much
as a reaction against undocumented workers, Proposition 187 was a show of disaffection with the costs of illegal immigration.
As for Wilson (who did use Proposition 187 to help get re-elected), the measure was part of an effort to get the federal government to pay the state
for illegal immigration costs that are federal in responsibility ? expenses unfairly shouldered by California taxpayers.
Rep. Bob Filner, D-Chula Vista, an often mean-spirited politico, has ties with the PRD that could allow him to influence anti-American politics in
people like Elsa de la Paz Esquivel. And even since the Oct. 7 election, Filner has sought to further inflame Mexican passions against Schwarzenegger.
"The win by Schwarzenegger could bring negative consequences to Mexicans living in California. We know very little about Schwarzenegger, but one thing
we do know is that his main political ally is Pete Wilson, the same governor who was clearly against the migrant community and who pushed for
Proposition 187. The win by Schwarzenegger means that the entity will return to the climate of hostility that existed during the era when Pete Wilson
was in power," Filner said in the Tijuana daily Frontera on Oct. 9.
This is the same Filner who spoke against U.S. private-sector energy interests in Baja before a closed-door gathering of PRD federal deputies, in
Mexico City, on July 8, 2002. But he apparently did not realize that minutes were being kept, and one quote from the seven-page transcript is
especially fascinating.
"I have now been in Congress for 10 years, and we have a re-election in November. As such, I need to return to my district in order to continue with
my campaign. Therefore, we will try to keep this meeting secret, so that they will not find out about it in my district," Filner said.
Skeet/Loreto - 11-12-2003 at 10:47 AM
We have Nuts on both sides of the Border.
Skeet/LoretoDavid K - 11-12-2003 at 12:29 PM
I guess the concept of the people voting for their government is not understood in Baja California Sur???
[Edited on 11-12-2003 by David K]Dave - 11-12-2003 at 12:44 PM
David , I'm not suggesting a boycott. The citizens of BCS should be screaming at their legislators! Unless of course they don't care about U.S.
tourist dollars. What idiots!David K - 11-12-2003 at 12:47 PM
I know you're not, Dave... I edited out my boycott thought in case others misunderstand me. Stupid politicians do stupid things as often as smart
politicians do!
Democracy in Action!!!
yosemitejim - 11-15-2003 at 07:41 AM
Whereas the US is a Republic and not a democracy, Baja California Sur is a direct democracy in that almost all votes count (except those for
candidates that garner very few). All views are represented in the legislature not just the 2 dominant parties.
This results in lots of grass roots actions such as the declarations. We in the US are certainly not hesitant about declaring nations or people
despicable. Is it so wrong for the Mexican people to do the same?
Respectfully,
Jim
Bajabus - 11-15-2003 at 12:33 PM
soon I will be able to vote in Mexico and look forward to endorsing the above declarations. I am even prouder of baja today as a result of the above.
long live democracy.Dave - 11-15-2003 at 12:54 PM
Uh...Max,aren't you in BUSINESS down there? BUSINESS must be great, that you can afford to alienate even 1% of your potential clientele. I'd love to
be able to turn away customers I don't politically agree with....NOT! Bajabus - 11-15-2003 at 01:09 PM
Hey it's a free country and I'm not going to prostitute my views just to not alienate anyone. I don't turn anyone away. if you want my product and
services you are welcome to purchase. In fact for my republican clients I even show them how to get rush's show over the INTERNET. I sleep better at
night this way.Dave - 11-15-2003 at 03:29 PM
I'm not suggesting you or anyone prostitute their views. You are (or will be when you become a Mexican citizen) free to post a sign in your place of
business exposing them.
Regarding your republican clientele:
I fear that this irresponsible behavior by the legislature will result in fewer and fewer of them. If you are OK with that then more power to you. If
I were in business down there as a republican, democrat or whatever I would be peessed!
It's one thing for a proprietor to decide a certain class of customer is unwelcome, it is another thing entirely for the state to make that decision
for him. I wonder how the housekeepers, dishwashers and the like feel about the real possibility that an action by their representatives could wind up
in keeping bread off of their tables?Bajabus - 11-15-2003 at 04:02 PM
Dave seriously, the act is symbolic and in no way prohibits the two individuals from traveling to Baja. If it prohibited them from traveling here
purely because of their political views then I would not stand with it. I doubt there will be any shortage of republicans coming down here and buying
land, building homes and needing reliable communications solutions. I welcome other opinions with open arms, I may not agree but I will listen.
Besides any good republican worth his/her salt would never turn down an opportunity to buy land if it was a "good deal". They wouldn't give a rats
ass what the neighbors thought. I like letting my freak flag fly for all to see. I offer a great product with excellent service at a nice price
point, that's all that really matters. The rest is just peeing at the wind. Any way, in my opinion your fears are unfounded. I see lots of
construction going on and I would venture to say that the ramblings of a third world legislature have little impact on the thinking of conservatives.
Besides boycott is not really in the neoconservative lexicon.Dave - 11-15-2003 at 04:17 PM
"Besides boycott is not really in the neoconservative lexicon."
Really? Read THIS
NATION
Abortion foe starts boycott, halts work on Planned Parenthood clinic
By Jim Vertuno
ASSOCIATED PRESS
November 15, 2003
AUSTIN, Texas ? Weeks into the project, the contractor hired to build a Planned Parenthood clinic hit a brick wall: Plumbers and carpenters would not
work for him. Drywall installers and heating subcontractors would not do business with him. Cement suppliers for miles around would not touch the job.
He had been hit with a boycott organized by abortion foe and construction-industry executive Chris Danze.
The builder finally quit the job this month, stopping the clinic project in its tracks, in what national Planned Parenthood officials said was the
first such boycott they have ever seen.
Danze, a 48-year-old who has protested outside of clinics, compares the building of clinics that provide abortion services to construction of
concentration camps during the Holocaust.
"We can't just look the other way," he said. "We can't just take the blood money and run."
The decision by Browning Construction Co., one of the state's largest contractors, to pull out of the project stunned Planned Parenthood, which
denounced the boycott and said it will press on with construction to discourage similar tactics elsewhere.
The privately funded $6.2 million clinic was set to open next year. It would be Planned Parenthood's first Austin clinic to offer abortions, and the
fourth licensed abortion provider in Texas' capital city.
The clinic also would provide health care for women and men, including gynecological services, AIDS testing, vasectomies, cancer screening and
contraceptives, Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Danielle Tierney said.
Danze, an owner of Maldonado & Danze Inc., a concrete-foundation contractor, oversaw a telephone and letter-writing campaign urging more than 750
Austin-and San Antonio-area businesses not to provide supplies or services for the project.
He recruited contractors to join what he called the Texas Contractors and Suppliers for Life Association.
Soon, contractors were flooded with phone calls from the public warning them to stay away from the clinic project or face losing business.
Texas Right to Life, which claims 75,000 members, called contractors to thank them for not working on the project and to offer to share the companies'
names with the anti-abortion group's members, spokeswoman Elizabeth Graham said.
Churches got involved, too.
"When churches started asking me for lists of people who were working on the project, that's when we turned the corner," Danze said.
He said hundreds of subcontractors agreed to boycott the project, though not all of them said whether they were anti-abortion. Some simply did not
want to get involved in a controversial project, he said.
Planned Parenthood said the boycott was waged through "intimidation and harassment."
Tierney said one subcontractor, whom she would not identify, received more than 1,200 calls from around the country ? many to his home ? warning him
not to participate.
"This is not a simple demonstration of free-speech rights," she said.
James Browning, who runs San Antonio-based Browning Construction, said he got a polite call from Danze warning him about the boycott. Groundbreaking
on the clinic was held in September, and over the next six weeks the project ground to a halt.
By the way I LOVED the story about the Zappa sticker. I guess the soldiers weren't up on their revolutionary heros.Bajabus - 11-15-2003 at 05:03 PM
That was not a boycott it was a campaign of fear, intimidation and not so subtle warnings. Thats how some operate. Firebombing, murder, maiming all
in the name of god. How pitiful. If one can't win in the courts they resort to arm twisting and violence. I think it's telling that contractors
that stayed away did not express a view, they just wanted to avoid controversy and not get firebombed. Do not insinuate that by their silence they
tacitly endorsed the view of the anti abortionists. Scaring someone into subjugation is hardly a peacefully, voluntary boycott.Bajabus - 11-15-2003 at 05:04 PM
BTW what happened to that thread with the Zappa story?......Deleted?JESSE - 11-15-2003 at 08:04 PM
It only makes sense, Baja California Sur is governed by the PRD, the same people who have senators that drive Harley Davison motorcicles to congress
while their drunk
The same people who have senators who are ex cabaret dancers like this one.
No wonder this country is a mess.
Yeah, It was a boycott alright,
Stephanie Jackter - 11-15-2003 at 08:09 PM
and a well done one if you ask me. But I wager there will be many supporters coming in from outside the area to help get the job done. If I didn't
have to take care of my kids, I'd go pound a few nails myself just make the point that there's no reason to be cowed by this. There will always be
enough women wanting family planning services to keep Planned Parenthood in business. Those people have a perfect right to boycott, but the rest of
us should be making it clear that we won't do business with those who refuse to do business with Planned Parenthood. Unfortunately, many of us have
taken the right to have these services for granted for so long now, we don't realize how quickly the anti-choice crowd can put those rights in danger.
The clinic will be built quickly though. It will be the prime directive of Planned Parenthood to get it done post haste to show they can't be stymied
with this kind of intimidation.
As for the Zappa story, I seem to be missing all the good stuff before it gets bleeped these days. Well, anyway, watch out where the huskies
go.....-StephanieHerb - 11-15-2003 at 09:45 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
From the SD Tribune today. Unbelievable!
In this regard, can a non-citizen visitor to whatever state in Mexico ? regardless of his immigration status ? receive a driver's license without
requisite documentation? The answer is no.
Not exactly true!
That non-citizen can drive legally and obtain insurance using their US license regardless of his immigration status.
By the way, the whole hoopla about the drivers license thing cracks me up. People are so upset that their license will no longer be a valid "proof of
legal residence" because of this new law.
The fact is, it never was. If you don't believe me, call a US Customs office. A California (or any other state) Drivers License does not constitute
proof of legal residency in the US. Never has.
Most countries, including our own, have enough sense to seperate the documents which grant one the right to drive and the right to live somewhere
legally.Bajabus - 11-15-2003 at 11:15 PM
anyone can walk into the todos santos police station show any kind of ID, get a photo taken for a fee and have a Mexican drivers lic. No hoopla, no
hassles, no nada.elgatoloco - 11-15-2003 at 11:34 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajabus
anyone can walk into the todos santos police station show any kind of ID, get a photo taken for a fee and have a Mexican drivers lic. No hoopla, no
hassles, no nada.
Are they printed at Technica Maximo?? Bajabus - 11-16-2003 at 08:40 AM
I wish, tecnically I only print out residency papers and other offical documents for the EC Delegatos when their typewriter is broken. I do keep a
small stack of letterheads for emergencies
In La Paz
Tucker - 11-16-2003 at 08:57 AM
An FM-3 or better is prerequisite to obtaining a drivers license, a drivers license is required to register a vehicle.Bajabus - 11-16-2003 at 09:09 AM
hummmm. I guess it's a little more lax at TS. Go figure. I can show my usa drivers lic. This was a few years ago.
