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 Today two white guys and two black guys met at the White House Rose Garden for a brewsky and a little chit chat.  

President Obama, VP Biden, Prof. Henry Louis Gates, and the cop who arrested Gates and set off a stupidly national controversy, Sgt. James Crowley, enjoyed a quaff under the shade of a robust magnolia tree.

But this was not the most significant event for the president today.

Before the kegger in the Rose Garden the President announced the 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. 

Among the names of the 16 recipients of the PMOF were: 

Nancy Goodman Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s leader breast cancer grassroots organization.

Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow,the last living Plains Indian war chief, and author of works on Native American history and culture. 

Two Hispanics were recognized by the President for “breaking down barriers and lifting their fellow citizens.”

Chita Rivera, an actress, singer, and dancer who broke racial barriers and inspired a generation of women. She was the first Hispanic to receive the Kennedy Center Honor in 2002.

And Dr. Pedro José Greer, a U.S. physician, the son of Cuban immigrants and currently the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Chair of the Department of Humanities, Health and Society at the Florida International University School of Medicine. The founder of Camillus Health Concern, a charity which delivers health services to the homeless in Miami-Dade County and the St. John Bosco Clinic which serves disadvantaged patients in Little Habana.

Dr. Greer has been recognized by Presidents Clinton, H. Bush, and Carter for his labor  with Miami’s poor. He is also the recipient of three Papal Medals as well as the prestigious MacArthur ‘genius grant.’

President Obama said: “These outstanding men and women represent an incredible diversity of backgrounds. Their tremendous accomplishments span fields from science to sports, from fine arts and foreign affairs. Yet they share one overarching trait. Each has been an agent of change. Each saw an imperfect world and set about improving it, often overcoming great obstacles along the way.”

The Presidential Medal of Freedom was established by President Harry Truman in 1945, to honor civilian service during WWII.

The medal which was ostensibly revived by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, is the highest civilian award bestowed by an act of the U.S. Congress to recognize individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” The award is not limited to U.S. citizens.

Desmond Tutu, “South Africa’s moral conscience,” as he is affectionately known, is the Anglican Archbishop emeritus who was the leading anti-apartheid activist in South Africa. The Archbishop was also the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.

Recipients of the PMOF are selected by the President, either on his own initiative or based on recommendations.

The President will present the medals at a ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Recently someone wrote about the psychological effects of color on humans.

It is scientifically proven that color psychology has physical effects on humans and perhaps on animals; can a bull see red?

Some people see red and they see danger, others see passion; many drivers now days just see a chance  to bearly get across...

Then there is the perception of people by the color of their skin.

I'm a Mexican güero, so I get the "you don't look like Mexican" statement quite often.

I usually reply: "My sombrero is being dry cleaned and my burro is in the shop," I really do.

In the news today is the great controversy of the arrest of Professor Henry Louis Gates, a Harvard schollar, at his home.

A white woman reported seeing a house in Harvard Park being burglarized by "black men."

Professor Gates was having trouble opening the front door to his house.

The arresting officer, Sgt. James Crowley, a white officer with 11 years as a cop didn't see an outstanding African American  schollar; he saw a Black criminal.

He arrested Professor Gates for "disorderly conduct," he was not submissive.

The charges were later dropped.

Crowley claims tha he followed procedures. Apperantly  the academy does not teach effective communication skills, as in: "I apologize sir we made a mistake."

From personal experience and having written about this I have learned that police are confrontational with minorities. That is, they will taunt you until you react. Then, of course, following procedures, they will pulverize you and throw you in the slammer.

They don't serve lattes in the slammer.

Hiding behind the "blue shield," Crowley claims he did nothing wrong and will never apologize.

President Obama was asked about his thoughts on this. He said: "...the Cambridge police acted stupidly..." He didn't call anyone stupid he said actions were stupid.

In his book, The Odasity of Hope, President Obama wrote: 

"Although, largely through luck and circumstance, I now occupy a position that insulates me from most of the bumps and bruises that the average black man must endure I can recite the usual litany of petty slights that during my 45 years have been directed my way: security guards tailing me as I shop in department stores, white couples who toss me their car keys as I stand outside a restaurant waiting for the valet, police cars pulling me over for no apparent reason. I know what it's like to have people tell me I can't do something because of my color, and I know the bitter swill of swallowed-back anger. I know as well that [my wife] Michelle and I must be continually vigilant against some of the debilitating story lines that our daughters may absorb from TV and music and friends and the streets about who the world thinks they are, and what the world imagines they should be."

I think he too knows all too personally how it feels to be treated differently because of your ethnicity or the color of your skin.

The multi cultural mosaic that makes up the United States is multi-colored, that is what adds to the richness of this nation.

The question that begs to be asked is: Do we see red now or are we in the dark?

And by the way, bulls can't see red. They are color blind; they react to movement.

Few people understand the significance of el cinco de mayo. Some believe that it is the celebration of Mexico’s independence. Some believe that it is an opportunity to get drunk or buy things on sale. ¡LA GRAN VENTA DE CINCO DE MAYO!

The significance of el cinco de mayo is: It  represents the intrinsic will of a people to fight to remain a free and sovereign nation.

We observe it in the United States because it is one of the freedoms given to us under the Constitution. The freedom of expression and the pursuit of happiness take many forms.

Unfortunately there are those who will demean that which is an invaluable part of our culture.

I read somewhere where el cinco was celebrated as “El Drinko de mayo.”

Some of you may be too young to remember the song by José Alfredo Jiménez: "Llegó borracho el borracho.”

José alfredo vive en sus canciones, but not in that one. In Mexico as well as in the United States many felt that self-vilification was not acceptable. The song is no longer played by any radio station because the public felt that it was offensive to our culture.

We ran el borracho out of town along with the lazy Mexican - the little guy sleeping under a cactus (it is still seen in some places) - because it misrepresents our culture.

Let us not contribute to our own vilification but rather let us strive for the positive which reflects the richness of our culture; that which makes us proud and gives our youth a sense of dignity and of being rightful heirs to a legacy with a world of opportunities to excel in any endeavor.

If you don’t respect yourself, who will?

As we may all be aware, media coverage of Michael Jackson’s death and memorial has capture the attention of the nation and the rest of the world.

News media in almost every area has dedicated countless hours to the coverage of the demise of “the best entertainer of all times.”

Not everybody is happy or even tolerant; NY Congressman Pete King scowled that Michael Jackson was a “pervert and a low-life,” and should not be receiving all the attention.

African Americans who dominate nearly every aspect of U.S. society: Michael Jackson, King of Pop; Serena Williams, tennis pro; Tiger Woods, golf pro; Oprah, talk show celebrity; etc. are not ones to remain silent.

Almost as soon as congressman King finished spewing his nefarious comments fans of Michael Jackson mobilized to set up a fund raiser to fund any opponent who will go against King. Kin being rendered politically dead in the water.

King is notorious for putting his foot in his mouth. He has complained that there are too many mosques in this country and that Manhattan is like being in Baghdad.

I would like to invite him to Space City U.S.A. (Houston) where there is a taqueria in every corner.

One of the most qualified and able Hispanics is a nominee to the Supreme Court and under attack for her ethnicity: Judge Sonia Sotomayor.

The question is:

¿ what will we do Will we sit idly or will we contact our congressman and women and say: we will think of you in the polls the way you thought of us. Will our voices be heard?

Its another Fourth of July celebration. Most will be munching on hot dogs, sucking on some suds, going to parades watching pretty girls twirl in red white and blue costumes and at night gawk skyward with oohs! and ahs! as the night sky lights up with a kaleidoscope of colors.

The nation celebrates with a real bang what was envisioned as truth, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

In Texas we have a running dispute instigated by some whom we normally call “good ol’ boys,” for lack of a better term.

It seems there are some who believe that you should celebrate el cuatro but, how dare you celebrate el Cinco? de mayo that is.

I read in local newspapers irate writers who complain about the folkloric dances at school or other public places. We are told that the pursuit happiness lies only within their approved boundaries. Have you ever looked closely at the ingredients of a frank?

Around 1777, the Colonial rebels began their independence celebration not with fire works but with real cannon fire and by burning a statue of King George in effigy. A rather pyromaniac bunch.

For some two hundred years we hear the names Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, and a bunch of Williams and Thomases hailed loudly as heroes and “forefathers.”

The silence that rings more deafening than a liberty bell in your ear is the one that omits names like: Gálvez, Calvo de Irazabel, Gomez, García, et al. These are just a few of the names of Hispanics who were committed to the War of Independence.

Ken Blanchard, author of the “One Minute Manager,” defines committed by asking a neophyte what he had for breakfast? The neophyte replies: “Hamm and eggs.”

Blanchard goes on to say: “In your breakfast, the chicken was involved, the pig was committed.”

When the Anglo colonists decided that they did not want the English controlling their affairs, they started a revolution. They had enough tea and scones.

In an effort to quash the rebellion the English decide to cut off the colonists from English support. One of the first acts of restrain was to forbid the colonist the use of the British currency.

Financing a war without a coin was going to be a difficult task. The Colonist could not trade with others for much-needed supplies and munitions. The Indians were out of the question: The posture that “the only good Indian was a good Indian,” did not go over well with the native Americans. Although some tribes were suckered in.

Enter el rey Carlos IV of Spain. He declared himself “defensor de las americas.”

He commissioned Then-governor of Louisiana, Bernardo de Gálvez to provide all types of support to the revolting ( use this word loosely) colonists. Support came in the form of  provisions, munitions, financial and military support.

Spaniards such as Francisco de Saavedra under the command of General Gálvez provided vital military support to the colonists.

Saavedra is credited with planning decisive battles such as the one at Yorktown (the Grasse-Saavera convention). He was a military strategist and a financial adviser to the rebels.

As for a trade coin, Carlos IV, in addition to providing funds to the rebels authorized the use of the Spanish dollar. Hence the “$” symbol to identify money. The “S” represents plurality and the "II" was found on the back of the Spanish coin represented the Pillars of Hercules which before the time when Cristoval Colón discovered the New World, it was the boundary of the known world - “Nothing beyond here.”

Many other Spanish names have been conveniently omitted from the annals of the U.S. History of independence.

So, whether you celebrate el cuatro with a Dos tachas (Xs) and tacos al carbón, or a starchy-greasy tube in a bun, keep in mind that without the Spanish intervention we may be having scones, sipping tea and saying “cheerio my good man.”

As for the cinco de mayo celebration; if the Mexicans, led by Tejano General Iganacio Zaragoza, had not stopped the French in 1862, at a time when the Aglo Americans were nearly self-whitewashed by the Civil War - We would be having Escargots de Bourgone and freedom fries; with Champagne of course.

From its inception to today in the United States, Hispanics have remained committed to the defense of this nation and to the principles for which it stands: Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Feliz cuatro and stay thirsty my friends.

Immigration reform is a hot topic throughout the U.S. today: some would criminalize all immigrants other appreciate the value of cultural diversity.

Coming to a town near you is the former border patrol agent who shot a suspected illegal immigrant and was convicted along with his partner to 12 and 11 years in prison.

José Compean and agent Ignacio Ramos were convicted in federal court for the shooting of Osvaldo A. Dávila and for tampering with evidence, civil rights violations and obstruction of justice: they tried to cover up the incident.

Upon exiting his presidency, President Bush pardoned Compean and Ramos.

The two exconvicts have become national heroes to the conservatives and anti-immigration promoters.

The Temecula Republican Assembly has invited Compean to address the 4th of July dinner on July 3. Then on Saturday, Compean and his family will ride the assembly's 4th of July parade.

The assembly who presents the "Good neighbor award," has had as a guest speaker Scott Lively, the antigay activist who wrote "Pink Swastica," a book which alleges a relationship between homosexuals and Nazi Germany,

It is important to note that while Bush commuted the sentences of Compean and Ramos; that is, he set them free after serving a couple of years in prison. This does not exonorate the agents.

It was clear that they were convicted by a jury in a fair trial in which other agents testified agains them.

But of course, Bush is notorious for circumventing the U.s. Constitution.

"Hay que tener cuidado al elegir los enemigos por que uno termina pareciendose a ellos.  - Borges.

Happy Fourth.  In the "land of the free ... with justice for all."

Immigration Reform

June 25 - The White House

President Obama met members of congress in the State Dinning Room to discuss immigration.

The president addressed members of congress on what he considers a critical issue this nation faces and that is an immigration system in great need of resolution.

He met with a bipartisan members who participated in a meeting sharing an array of views and reaching a consensus that in spite of past differences, Americans want to see a solution for tightening down our borders and one that would deal with employers who use undocumented workers in unfair business practices and often mistreat those workers.

“We need an effective way to recognize and legalize the status of undocumented workers who are here,” he said to the guests in the dinning room.

He warned that is was not a general consensus but that the congressmen in the meeting agreed that immediate action was of the essence.

The President further affirmed that his administration sought to achieve comprehensive immigration reform. He asked the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Janet Napolitano to lead a leadership group from both the House and the Senate to start working through relevant issues.

The FBI has already cleared much of the backlog of immigration background checks to expedite the legal immigration process and DHS is now cracking down on unscrupulous employers, and in cooperation with the Department of Labor, poised to protect workers from exploitation.

The President also announced that in the next 90 days, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services Office (USCIS) will be launching a revamped Web site which will streamline inquiries from applicants on the status of their applications via e-mail and text message on line. This will reduce long lines at USCIS offices and being put on terminal hold when calling by phone.

He added that as president he is committed to ensure that the some 12 million or so undocumented who may not be paying taxes and who are living in the shadows will be dealt with in “practical, common-sense way.”

Finally, he commended John McCain, “because along with folks like Lindsey Graham, he has already paid the political cost for doing the right thing.” Then he recognized Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez (D) N.Y. , Chair Woman of the House Committee of Small Business for taking the leadership in the immigration reform issue.

June 29, 2009- The U.S. Supreme Court has reversed the controversial Ricci vs. Destefano case which was referred to the supreme court after a decision from the 2nd Circuit Court had ruled pro the City of New Haven in their decision to deny promotion to white firefighters who had passed a test that minority firefighters had failed.

The right-wing is having a field day because Judge Sonia Sotomayor was one of three judges who ruled for the city of New Haven.

Sotomayor has been attacked by right-wing extremists by calling her a racist, and criticizing even her taste for arroz con gandules.

One recent attack came from Mark Krikorian, of the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS).

The CIS, is a misnomer because Krikorian, a descendant of Armenians, is against all immigration; legal or illegal. ... America has outgrown immigration, and we must end it before it cripples us.” Krikorian said recently in an interview with Peter Robinson of the Hoover Institution. Krikorian’s condemnation states that Sotomayor does not pronounce her name correctly.

Now it seems the supreme court’s decision has provided more fodder to Sotomayor’s foes.

"This will be the focus of her attack..." said Mygan Kelly on Fox News.

The question that begs to be asked is: Should a decision which was made by several judges of the 2nd Circuit, be held against Judge Sotomayor in her confirmation for Supreme Court Justice?