And then there were two, down from the original three Latino cabinet appointments made by President-elect Barak Obama. This is still breaking news but it appears at this point that NM Gov. Bill Richardson has asked his name to be removed from consideration as Secretary of the Commerce Department.
While not typically much of a sports fan, it is fun when your team is so disrespected on the national scene and wins against a storied, national power house in Alabama. The Utah Utes stun Alabama - and almost everyone else 31 - 17! The BCS has hopefully been busted. Time will tell... but that unfair system should be put to rest thanks to 2009 Sugar Bowl champs and other Mountain West teams!
One of 2008's New Years Resolution Fulfilled: My reading list
Sunday, 04 January 2009
One of my new year's resolutions for 2008 was to read more. I accomplished that and was better for it, though reading books for extended periods has become more difficult due to time spent on the net both reviewing thoughtful, provocative articles to share and my progressive inclination to get my news from the web. Since I started this blog in 2008, I didn't share my 2007 reading list to use as my base. Thus, I'll share both here as well as the list of books on tap to read sometime soon.
This is the list of books I
Read in 2007:
Where The Heart Is, by Billie
Letts - picked this book up in a yard sale sometime during the summer. Into the first chapter, I realized it was a cute movie that I watched on HBO and admittedly liked. It was a 'cute' book and a pleasant read and used as a respite from my usually heavy reading.
Worse Than Watergate, by John Dean - Strong opinions by one truly in the know. I really loved this book, the first I've read by John Dean, definitely not the last. John Dean was White House Counsel to U.S. President Richard Nixon from July 1970 until April 1973.
Conservatives Without A
Conscience another book by John Dean. After reading his first (for me), I had to read this one. The book analyzes the evolution of the Republican Party, and the different forms of conservatism, largely in terms of authoritarian personality. The book makes extensive use of the research into right-wing authoritarianism. The title is a play on The Conscience of a Conservative, a seminal book attributed to Barry Goldwater. Goldwater and Dean had planned to write such a book in the 1980s in response to their disaffection with the religious right.
Lou Dobbs Criticizes Appointment of Pro-Union Labor Secretary
Sunday, 04 January 2009
There's so much to report on to begin 2009 but there are a few things I wanted to write before 2008 ended but just didn't get around to it. We returned from Florida and I just haven't been able or willing to get back onto the blog. I hope you'll forgive my belated indulgence for a few more posts.
I guess no one should be shocked that Lou Dobbs makes another gaff. Of course, it was a bit back but I wanted to mention it, not sure why as what difference does it make what he thinks? I only share it with our reader and the only reason to share this as "news" is because it continues to reflect what a bigoted ass this man is. I really can't understand how any self-respecting Mexicana (or Mexican American or Hispanic or .. well, you know what I mean) can be married to him. Maybe it's his way of covering for his hatred.
Why bagpipes? Well, I used to live in Scotland. It's where I did my mission (Utah speak but not the same - Military mission).
OK, here's one from Gloria Estefan in part to provide some Latin flavor to the New Year wishes and because I just came back from her area, Florida! Happy New Year from everyone at BrownViews. Enjoy!
We'll be home soon, BrownViews spending needed rest & sunshine in sunny Florida
Monday, 29 December 2008
For our regular readers, thanks for your continued support as best as I can determine by numbers of visitors to BrownViews pages. We're enjoying a break away from cold and snowy Utah winters in uncharacteristically warm Orlando but we'll be home soon.
We almost feel a little guilty reading and watching the news of the cold and snow in the Rocky Mountain west. I have family in Spokane also who are boasting their snowiest winter on record. My wife has always detested Utah winters. I've always believed that it has to do with her physcial need of more sun than is available in Utah winters which cause her to fall into a bit of a depression during our snowy, cloudy and cold winters.
For a few days, we're enjoying Florida's unusually warm winter in short sleeves, shorts and sandals while Orlando is boasting of temperatures in the middle-70's and lower-80's. Just what the doctor ordered. We hope it will stop snowing and the sun will come out by the time we get home. We'll see you all soon to ring in the new year together!
Utah
was the nation’s fastest-growing state between July 1, 2007, and July
1, 2008, as its population climbed 2.5 percent to 2.7 million,
according to estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Arizona was the second fastest-growing state, increasing 2.3 percent
between 2007 and 2008. Texas, North Carolina and Colorado completed the
top five, each with a growth rate of 2.0 percent. Nevada, which had
been among the four fastest-growing states each of the last 24 years,
grew 1.8 percent and ranked eighth over the most recent period.
Texas
gained more people than any other state between July 1, 2007, and July
1, 2008 (484,000), followed by California (379,000), North Carolina
(181,000), Georgia (162,000) and Arizona (147,000).
The
only two states to lose population were Michigan and Rhode Island.
Michigan’s population declined 0.5 percent (46,000), while Rhode
Island’s fell 0.2 percent (2,000).
Presentation of Mike Martinez before the Legislative Interim Immigration Committee Hearing on 12/18
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Attorney Mike Martinez's testimony before the Utah State Legislative Sham Public Hearing was a real success ... if not to the legislators who wanted all to think they were being open and willing to listen, then at least to those who attended the hearing, who heard about it after or those who are sympathetic or at least "compassionate" about the human plight of the undocumented, or even the immigrants, or even the non-Mormons living here in Utah. Mike was kind enough to share his testimony with us here for your reading pleasure and edification. Feel free to cut and paste it and share it with others, but please remember to attribute it to the author.... Mike Martinez.
I appreciate your allowing me to
give historical perspective to SB81 and similar legislation. Because
SB81 focuses on the Hispanic community I am different than the majority
of your presenters. I can give some personal insight into what effect
your legislation has on our community. I also come to remind the
Empire of it’s roots.
I am a life long resident of
Utah. In my youth I and others like me worked the beet fields of
Riverton and South Jordan. We picked cherries in Orem and tomatoes in
the fields off 5300 south and 1300 west, near the Jordan River. Those
beet fields are now subdivisions and strip malls. The cherry orchards
morphed into schools to educate the growing population. The Jordan
River now has a Parkway which hosts families of joggers, bikers and
skateboarders.
My point is that change is constant. Change
is inevitable. Change impacts the status quo. Change can be
harnessed. We plan for population growth, for educational growth, for
economic growth and even disaster. But, sometimes we take the path of
least resistance, because the status quo is so comfortable.
For Hispanics, Sen. Ken Salazar's selection as Interior secretary represents both a milestone and a setback.
President-elect
Barack Obama's choice of Salazar to join his Cabinet — the second
Hispanic, along with Commerce Secretary-designate Bill Richardson —
acknowledges the political clout of the nation's fastest-growing voting
bloc.
It also leaves the Senate with a shrinking Hispanic caucus. And it
underscores a paradox that underlies Obama's historic election:
Minorities remain underrepresented in Congress.
T'was the night before Christmas .... Chicano Style!
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Though the top of this article says this was written by me - like other articles - it's something I'm trying to fix. I didn't write this, it's one of those things that makes the rounds this time of year. It's cute, fun and often something we can relate to. I hope you enjoy it.
T'was the night before
Christmas
and
all through la casa
not
a creature was stirring,
only the masa.
Mama
making tamales con mucho cuidado
In hopes old Santa would feel obligado
To bring all the hijos, both buenos y malos
A nice batch of dulces and other regalos
Mis hermanos and I went to sleep in our camas
Some in calsones, some in piyamas
Cuando out in the yard I heard un gran grito
That I jumped to my feet like a frightened cabrito
And who in the world do you think que era?
El mero mero with his venados estaban afuera
Santa Claus in a sleigh with a big sombrero
Came dashing along like a little bombero
I watched as they came, and this little fat hombre
Was shouting and whistling, and calling by nombre
"Ay PEPE, AY JESSE, AY CUCA, AY BETO
AY PANCHO, AY CHATO, CHUY Y NETO!"
Then standing straight up, with his hands on his pecho,
He flew to the top of our very own techo
With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea
He struggled to squeeze down our old chimenea
Then huffing and puffing, and a little cansado
He picked up a bag that looked so pesado
He filled all the stockings with lovely regalos
For none of the hijos had been very malos
Then chuckling aloud, seeming very contento
He turned like a flash and was gone like the viento
As I heard him exclaim and this is verdad, "MERRY
CHRISTMAS A TODOS! FELIZ NAVIDAD!"
As the Navidad approaches, I thought I would share a few Christmassy notes... admittedly not the most reverent but fun. I know I'm sure to receive some offline emails, but oh, well. I wish folks would respond on the blog but some want to deal directly with me and not let everyone know how they really think. Well, think about this one!
Here is Cheech and Chong’s Santa and his old
lady skit.
Rep. Hilda Solis: President-elect Barack Obama's selection to head the Labor Department
Friday, 19 December 2008
(CNN) -- Labor unions Thursday praised President-elect Barack Obama's selection to head the Labor Department, Rep. Hilda Solis.
Rep. Hilda Solis is viewed as a strong advocate for working men and women by organized labor.
A Washington-based labor official for a major union told CNN's John
King that the California Democrat was Obama's choice for labor
secretary.
Obama is expected to officially announce his
nomination of Solis during a press conference on Friday. Obama is also
expected to name Illinois Rep. Ray LaHood as his choice for secretary
of transportation.
Utah Legislative Interim Committee Hearing on Illegal Immigration - What a joke!
Friday, 19 December 2008
As
the end of one year and the beginning of the next are upon us, the regular, annual session
to see who can show how right wing they are, who's more righteous, and
who best represents the ghosts of Reagan past, present and future in the annual circus we call our Utah State Legislature follows on it's heels.
It's also the time for our public servants to see how much they can
hurt immigrants, ethnic minorities and people who don't make love like
they do. Given the size of these Utah famililes, we know there is 'Big Love' and lots of it.... just not for immigrants that worship differently than they do. And they've been preparing.
But it was a sham. It's the only "public" hearing where they
actually allowed the "public" to attend and participate. Though, I
must say, when I emailed John Hunsaker to ask to be on the agenda to
speak, I received an email telling me there was no more time. "Sorry!"
At that point, the agenda listed on the Utah State Legislative page
listed Attorney Mike Martinez as the last speaker. Indeed, Mike had
even expressed to me in conversations that he was doing the "wrap up"
and had some things to say. And late Wednesday night, I realized that the
committee managed to find time for two more speakers.
