iPads being used in Hilltop Middle classrooms to learn science.

 In Benjamin Black’s 8th grade science class at Hilltop Middle School, students don’t get ready for class by sharpening their pencils, opening their textbooks and preparing to take notes. Instead, they reach for their iPads, power up their devices and make sure that they are logged on to the school’s Wi-Fi.

Earlier in the school year, Black, like a few other teachers in the Hilltop Middle Foreign Language and Global Studies (FLAGS) Program began using the iPad as the primary tool for instruction in class. The iPads were bought through a fundraising effort and students are paying for the devices in monthly payments so that they can keep the devices.

“IPads are minimum maintenance,” said Black. “The iPads use an operating system that students are used to. It’s very intuitive.”

In a warm-up exercise, Black’s science class is asked a series of questions to which the students respond on their iPads. Black, who is walking freely about the classroom can immediately see the students’ responses and then using a web-based application called Socrative, asks students to vote on the best responses from among their peers.

Students in Black’s class go through all the regular routine as they would in any other class in terms of reviewing the subject material, daily learning targets, use of standards-based curriculum, homework and even exams. However, use of the iPad has made this routine completely paperless and has given students and teachers the opportunity to see immediate results.

“We get our assignments faster and we can even see our grades right away,” said 8th grader Samantha Dow.

Black says that although students have only recently begun using the iPads, he has already seen an increase in academic achievement. On a recent exam, he says that this year’s students are outperforming students from the same class last year.

Superintendent Dr. Edward Brand believes that these examples of using technology in the classroom are important to the success of students.

“If we want our students to be competitive in the global economy, we have to make sure that they have exposure to the latest technology,” said Brand. “Teachers like Benjamin Black are leading the way for not only Hilltop Middle, but the entire Sweetwater District.”

It might be called Puerto Vallarta’s “Stairway to Heaven.” Climbing up a double row of steps and fronting white homes with red-tiled roofs, the cobble-stone heights of Iturbide Street offer a magnificent view of blue Banderas Bay and its population of wintering humpback whales and playful dolphins. From the high ground, the eyes can see the far-off flutter of sail boats, the medium-shot profile of the upright Sea Horse statue on the boardwalk below and the close-up touch of the downtown’s historic Roman Catholic Church.

Usually exuding calm, Iturbide Street is actually one of the flashpoints in an ongoing struggle to shape, re-define and direct the Mexican resort city’s future. On a recent January day, as workmen pounded away with a jack hammer to make way for a new garden at the bottom of the street, a small group of residents held a protest against a city project they contended would choke off circulation in the neighborhood.

A placard posted on the construction enclosure read: “No to street closures.” The new garden, they charged, would make parking impossible and hurt small, struggling local businesses in tough economic times. “We need ambulances to have access,” added Berta Elena Martinez, a 57-year resident of the neighborhood.

Busily collecting a growing list of signatures on a stack of petitions, Alicia Munguia asserted that Puerto Vallarta’s municipal administration, which leaves office after local elections scheduled for later this year, had not taken residents’ opinions into account. The official dissing, she continued, was reflective of a larger governing style that included last year’s demolishment of the old boardwalk, or Malecon as it is known locally, and its replacement with a newer, more manicured one.

The ongoing Malecon renovation, Munguia added, even dared to move the Sea Horse statue to a new spot on the boardwalk, thus tinkering with a community symbol where Vallartenses had long gathered to celebrate events such as the latest victory of the popular Chivas soccer team.

“First it was the Malecon,” Munguia said. “It was torn down without a consensus.” Adding insult to injury, the long-time resident said, was the pending plan to finish moving Puerto Vallarta’s downtown city hall to a new facility located in an outlying part of the Pacific Coast city this year. If Mexican downtowns have two elemental institutions, Munguia and her husband joined in, they are the church and the city hall. “The authorities have to be downtown,” Munguia argued.

In response to the Iturbide Street controversy, Puerto Vallarta’s municipal government published a display ad in a local newspaper. “We are working for the improvement of the historic downtown with the construction of the Iturbide walk-way,” the ad proclaimed. The city-sponsored message included the photos and words of three local merchants and residents. Salvador Pena Davalos, who was listed as living in the immediate neighborhood since 1945, was quoted praising the project.

“I find it acceptable,” Pena was quoted on the new garden, saying that Iturbide Street had become a “pig-sty” where passerby openly urinated and drivers double-parked. “This part is going to be prettier and more visible from above here.”

At first glance, the Iturbide Street skirmish might seem like a strictly local spat of a passing nature. In the bigger picture, though, the conflict is part of a larger one that has also flared up around rapid growth and traffic congestion, illegal condominium developments, invasions of street vendors, the razing of Puerto Vallarta’s downtown parks for parking garages and, of course, the Malecon renovation began in 2011. Underpinning the controversies are the contradictions between commercial development and community planning, mass tourism and sustainable visitation and the uncertain, turbulent transitions from old-school authoritarian rule to democratic governance, an unresolved matter across Mexico.

Perhaps ironically, one of the last exhibits to likely grace the interior of the old municipal palace was a recently-concluded show of Jalisco photographers that focused on themes of democratic participation and access to information. Images of protesting citizens stood out in black and white.

Undoubtedly, Puerto Vallarta’s long, spectacular Malecon is a defining if not the defining tourist attraction in the growing resort city of more than a quarter-million people.

By day, jogging and dog-walking locals scurry alongside crawling groups of now-mainly older foreign tourists that meander by a wishing well, elaborate sand sculptures, statues, hustlers and restaurant/bars promoting cheap margaritas and beer. Street vendors dart in and out of the throngs, selling dolls, gum, jewelry, popsicles, and even massages. Flying v-formations of pelicans glide over the bayside boardwalk, while a trio of Aztec dancers performs for the tips of gabachos. On another end of the Malecon, the indigenous flying men from Papantla, Veracruz, scramble up a tall pole and then hurl themselves over a platform suspended upside down by ropes, slowly twirling down to the sand while accompanied by the breaking, dramatic notes of a flute. A bilingual Spanish-English sign staked in front of the spectacle appeals to the onlooker:

“Papantla Flyers: On each flight risking life to give continuity to ancient culture. Your donation is important because it is our only wage.”

By night, the Malecon undergoes a metamorphosis. Flashy night-clubs with names like Mandala or the Zoo pound thumping, pill-friendly sounds for hopping, gyrating bodies from Mexico and abroad-much to the disdain of old-timers who complain of the loud disruptions to their lives. The party never really ends. Early one morning, a pair of shirtless young men wandering down a side street spotted another shirtless young buck standing on a balcony. One of the men on the street barked in English: “Hey, angel baby, got any bud?” “Yeah, come on up!”

For months last year, the Malecon was virtually shut-down after work crews moved in and commenced ripping up the pride and joy of Puerto Vallarta. New palm trees were planted and a new, more pedestrian-friendly boardwalk closed off to vehicular traffic and rolled out for the walking shoes. Sporting a leprechaun on its sign, a new casino, the Foliatti, opened its doors in December. The Foliatti is part of a new gambling culture that’s taking hold in the port city. In residential neighborhoods, so-called “tragamone-das,” cheap slot-like machines that reputedly pay small cash prizes to a winner, are cropping up inside and just outside small stores, notably where many children gather.

As part of the Malecon’s new look, the local government has installed new public bathrooms, albeit with a 40 cent entrance fee. There is no charge to use the bathroom in the soon-to-vacated old city hall next to the Malecon.

While relieving oneself on the Malecon bears a cost, bicycling and kayaking can be enjoyed for free. The municipal government now lends 15 bicycles, 20 baby carts and 15 kayaks for intervals ranging from 30 to 60 minutes. A user has to leave a piece of identification as collateral. “Many, many people have used this service,” said city staffer Susana Quesada. “It’s a permanent thing.”

As the Christmas season loomed late last year, the Malecon renovation was behind schedule and workers stepped up the pace to complete Vallarta’s new crown jewel just in time for the high season. Then tragedy struck.

On December 28, Aide Maribel Pacheco Arizmendi and her younger sister Rocio were in town for the holidays. A 31-year-old teacher from the state of Mexico, Aide Pacheco was posing for a photo at one of the new metal sculptures on the Malecon. Making the unforeseen mistake of touching the work of “art,” the educator was reportedly zapped with a charge of electricity. While attempting to rescue her collapsing sister, Rocio was also shocked.

Interviewed on a You Tube video, Rocio claimed that it took paramedics 10 minutes and an ambulance about 15 minutes to show up at Puerto Vallarta’s most-visited tourist draw. When the emergency responders showed up, it was too late anyway. Aide Pacheco was pronounced dead, killed in a freakish accident while on a much-deserved vacation with her little sister. It’s unclear precisely how Pacheco was electrocuted, and weeks later the press is mum about the young woman’s death.

“It’s not right that this should happen,” a tearful Rocio said on You Tube.

Generally outraged by the Pacheco death, locals have mixed opinions about the outcome of the Malecon project. Berta Elena Martinez and her son Juan Agustin Murillo have sold children’s toys and flashing plastic lights on the Malecon for 11 years. The renovation put them out of business for six months, and left a pile of debt they are still trying to pay off. Murrillo said the verdict is still out on the positive or negative impact of the new boardwalk. “This is something new,” he said. “We’re accustomed to having a flow, and we have to adapt ourselves to this model.” But Murillo added that some businesses were probably unable to survive the long closure, as he noticed more and more closing near the construction zone.

With more than a decade in Puerto Vallarta, Liliana Cueva now manages the two Huichol Collection outlets on the Male-con. Featuring on-site craftsmen, the stores sell the stunning art of the indigenous Huichol people of Jalisco, Nayarit and Durango. Made of paper maiche, wood, clay or ceramic, many products also come in the form of the animals central to Huichol cosmology. Striking beads from the former Czechoslovakia- the “best” in the world- are the “principal part” of the Huichol’s artwork, Cueva said.

The young retail manager said the new Malecon is a toss-up in commercial terms so far, with extra business in one store and about 50 percent less in the other because of the detour of pedestrian traffic away from the latter’s particular location. Yet the Huichol Collection’s overall business is still down before pre-economic crash levels, according to Cueva. “People only pay their stay and their food,” she said. “People don’t have money to spend on souvenirs, like they do in other ways.”

Cueva said her business was given a 30-day notice before the Malecon construction got underway, but still had to pay rent and utilities for the one store that remained open during the project’s peak activity.

Some people approached for their opinions declined to give their names for this story. A woman behind a counter in a jewelry store quickly cut off the conversation, cryptically warning of being “watched” by neighboring businesses. A U.S. citizen with nearly two decades under her belt as a regular visitor to Puerto Vallarta said she went by the Malecon one day last year and came back the next for a big surprise.

“One day all of a sudden, these gates are up and there are armed guards all over the place,” she recalled. The new Malecon, she continued, is “nice but I don’t think they should have spent the money.”

The woman was very critical of the way construction began, nearly ensuring that citizens who had earlier protested the renovation would be caught off-guard. The frequent visitor said she preferred to remain anonymous because her family has property in Puerto Vallarta and did not want “trouble.” Speaking out in Mexico is not the same thing as in the U.S., she insisted.

For Puerto Vallarta’s powers-that-be, the ultimate acceptance of the new Malecon is a high-stakes affair. Considered Mexico’s second most-popular tourist destination, Puerto Vallarta is showing renewed spunk at a time when competition is fierce for scarce tourist dollars. The federal Tourism Secretariat reported a 11.4 percent in local hotel occupation during the first two weeks of January, compared with same period in 2011. The increase in hotel occupancy even beat out Cancun and the Riveria Maya for the first two weeks of the year.

Recently, Puerto Vallarta scored a major coup when it landed the decades-old Tourism Tianguis, which had previously been held every year in Aca-pulco. Set for next month, the event draws thousands of industry heavies who wheel and deal for short-term and long-term tourism packages and profits. And Puerto Vallarta delivered another blow to violence-ridden Acapulco when the relatively tranquil, smaller city on Banderas Bay got some of the legendary Spring Break business that has fled the tarnished old pearl of Mexican (and world) tourism.

The big, U.S.-based Spring Break promoter Student City is advertising 2012 Spring Break “party packages” at Puerto Vallarta clubs known for all-you-can drink sprees.

“From tequila manufacturing and bullfights, to raging day parties-you’ll be sure to have a blast chilling with the thousands of other students who flock to PV,” read a Student City Internet promotion that was a little sloppy on Mexican economic geography but more accurate on the endless party scene, or “reventon,” as it is known in Mexico.

In the current scheme of things, the fate of Puerto Vallarta’s downtown and its beloved Malecon are tied to national and international currents of fame, fortune and failure.

Interviewed at his street display, one artist contemplated Puerto Vallarta within a global context.

“I love the Malecon. I love Vallarta. That’s why I live here,” he said. Nonetheless, he added, local developments are bound to the rise of China, the decline of the US, the turbulence in Europe and the historic emergence of the frugal tourist. “We understand the world is in crisis, and the reduction in tourism is not exclusive to Mexico,” he said. “If part of the U.S. hurts, it affects our whole body..there are no sales. The thing to do is to put up with it for a spell. We have to continue creating our art for better times,” he concluded. “It’s not the end of the world.”

Frontera NorteSur: on-line, U.S.-Mexico border news Center for Latin American and Border Studies New Mexico State University Las Cruces, New Mexico

Estuve leyendo los comentarios que hicieron a mi columna “Mitt Romney: ¡Ay, Chihuahua!”, acerca del padre nacido en México del candidato presidencial republicano y de su bisabuelo refugiado en el vecino país, que se publicaron en el portal de internet del diario El Nuevo Herald de Miami.

Entre los mensajes, la mayoría en mi contra, encontré una catilinaria de 431 palabras colocada por un usuario que se identificó como “comejenalpiano”, quien trataba de calmar la molestia de otro internauta por mi escrito.

Transcribo sus palabras: “Felicitaciones. Pero no se cabree mucho con esta rata infecta de Zartha, que es sólo un impenitente odiador de Estados Unidos y un agentón comunofascista, que vive aquí y se aprovecha de nuestra espléndida y a veces demasiado permisiva democracia”.

En el resto de la diatriba me llama otra vez rata y me acusa de ser parte de una conspiración en contra este país, al que amo y del que soy ciudadano naturalizado.

Pero, cinco minutos después de leer la monserga entera, recibí una llamada desde Lafayette, Luisiana. En la otra línea estaba el activista comunitario Fernando Pérez-Viart del Proyecto Hispano de Ayuda a la Comunidad, quien me dijo que había reproducido un escrito mío contra la ley HB56 de Alabama.

El activista, originario de Cuba, quería alertar a la comunidad de Luisiana sobre las desastrosas consecuencias que ha tenido la medida antiinmigrante en el estado hermano del sur y para que nada parecido haga metástasis en su área.

Después de colgar con Pérez-Viart, tenía otra comunicación en el celular. Clarissa Martínez, la directora de Inmigración y Campañas Nacionales del Consejo Nacional de La Raza (NCLR), estaba respondiendo a un pedido de declaración sobre el último invento de los intolerantes de Washington contra los indocumentados y sus hijos ciudadanos.

Se trata de la Ley H.R. 1956: Acta de Reforma de Verificación de Elegibilidad para Reembolso del Crédito Tributario por los Niños. La normativa fue introducida el año pasado por el congresista republicano por Texas, Samuel Johnson, junto con 37 copatrocinadores, y fue aprobada por la Cámara de Representantes el 14 de diciembre pasado.

Básicamente lo que prende la normativa, que actualmente se encuentra en las negociaciones de un comité de conciliación de la Cámara de Representantes y el Senado, es negarle los reembolsos a que tienen derecho los indocumentados por sus hijos ciudadanos, si pagan sus impuestos con el número de identificación tributaria, ITIN o W-7.

La devolución, que fue un derecho adquirido desde 1998, con el propósito de impedir que los niños nacidos en Estados Unidos entren en el renglón de pobreza, sería abrogada por la propuesta del texano.

Más de 4 millones de niños ciudadanos resultarían afectados por la medida, pese a que sus padres estén cumpliendo sus obligaciones fiscales con el Tío Sam.

Contrario a las mentiras de los antiinmigrantes que dicen que los indocumentados no pagan impuestos, el año pasado los trabajadores irregulares aportaron 9 billones de dólares (en inglés) para sostener el seguro social y el medicare. Y se calcula que en los últimos diez años han aportado 90 mil billones de dólares.

Lo irónico de la normativa es que está siendo negociada por 20 legisladores, de ambos partidos, para subvencionar una porción de la extensión del recorte de impuestos salariales, iniciativa que entregaría 1,426 dólares en los bolsillos de 121 millones de hogares estadounidenses, incluyendo los de los desempleados. Es decir, que se trata de quitarle el pan de la boca a los niños ciudadanos, hijos de indocumentados, para dárselo a otros.

Si por defender los derechos de menores de edad nacidos aquí, me llegan a calificar de rata infecta y conspirador, no me importa. Sé exactamente que no estoy actuando como roedor, sino todo lo contrario.

PD: Siempre he dicho que no estoy a favor de una política de fronteras abiertas, pero creo que se debe legalizar a los indocumentados afincados aquí que no son bandidos o delincuentes.

Rafael Prieto Zartha es el director editorial del semanario Qué Pasa-Mi Gente, en Charlotte, Carolina del Norte.

Los funcionarios de la Ofi-cina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de los Estados Unidos (U.S. Customs and Border Protection, CBP) inaugurarán el 23 de febrero un carril rápido piloto para peatones en el puerto de entrada Otay Mesa. De modo similar que para los actuales carriles rápidos para vehículos, todo viajero con un documento aprobado que tenga la tecnología de identificación de frecuencia de radio (Radio Frequency Identification, RFID) puede utilizar el carril para cruzar la frontera más rápido.

El “Ready Lane” para peatones estará abierto de 4 a.m. a 8 p.m. de lunes a viernes y de 8 a.m. a 10 p.m. los sábados y domingos. Los documentos que pueden utilizarse en el “Ready Lane” son la tarjeta pasaporte de los EE. UU., la tarjeta del Programa de Viajeros Confiables (SENTRI/ FAST/Global Entry) y las versiones más nuevas de las tarjetas de residentes legales permanentes y de las tarjetas para cruce de fronteras/visas láser emitidas después de 2008. Todos los viajeros mayores de 16 años deben poseer una tarjeta de viaje habilitada por RFID para utilizar el carril.

“Esta prueba piloto nos permitirá evaluar la mejor manera de sacar provecho de la tecnología existente para reducir el tiempo de procesamiento para los viajeros que cruzan la frontera a pie”, explicó Chris Maston, director de Operaciones en Campo, en San Diego. “En la CBP, tenemos el compromiso de continuar buscando maneras de hacer que nuestra frontera sea más segura y eficaz”.

La CBP instalará tres puntos nuevos de escaneo en el puerto de entrada Otay Mesa para el “Ready Lane” para peatones. Los viajeros que cumplan con los requisitos para utilizar el “Ready Lane” para peatones ingresarán a la instalación desde la izquierda, en una línea separada de los viajeros comunes sin docu-mentos válidos para el “Ready Lane”.

Cuando un viajero llegue al punto de escaneo, escaneará su documento acercándolo al lector de tarjeta, que permite leerlo de forma electrónica antes de dirigirse a la cabina de inspección. Esto le permite al funcionario de la CBP recibir la información del viajero por adelantado para poder realizar el procesa-miento más rápido al mismo tiempo que se mejora la seguridad general.

Los funcionarios de la CBP necesitan acceso en tiempo real a la información de un viajero para tomar una decisión de admisibilidad rápida y minuciosa. Al recibir la información por adelantado, después de que el viajero escanea su propio documento en el punto de escaneo, el funcionario de la CBP puede centrarse, en cambio, en la persona, lo que mejora la seguridad del funcionario y permite acelerar el procesamiento.

Un sistema algo diferente de procesamiento rápido para peatones, que utiliza documentos de viaje aprobados por la Iniciativa de Viaje del Hemisferio Occidental (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative), ya se encuentra instalado y en prueba para peatones que utilizan el puerto de entrada Paso del Norte en El Paso, Texas. Los resultados de las pruebas piloto en El Paso y Otay Mesa ayudarán a la CBP a determinar si los sistemas ameritan extender su uso a nivel nacional.

Los “Ready Lane” para vehículos han probado ser eficaces para mejorar el procesamiento con un rendimiento del 20 al 25 %, que se traduce en un beneficio para los via-jeros al reducir el tiempo general de cruce.

La construcción de los puntos de escaneo en el “Ready Lane” para peatones en Otay Mesa comenzará el 5 de febrero, pero se realizará solo durante la noche para no incomodar a los viajeros.

La CBP continúa alentando enérgicamente a los viajeros a obtener documentos de viaje habilitados por la RFID para agilizar su entrada a los EE. UU. y ayudar a que el cruce de la frontera sea más eficaz. Los viajeros que tengan uno de los documentos de viaje seguros habilitados por la RFID pueden utilizar tanto el nuevo carril “Ready Lane” para peatones como el actual “Ready Lane” para vehículos.

Para obtener más información, visite www.GetYou Home.gov o www.CBP.gov.

Antes de inaugurar el carril rápido para peatones en Otay Mesa el 23 de febrero, los funcionarios de la CBP probarán el sistema e invitarán a los medios de prensa para ver y utilizar los nuevos puntos de escaneo en una fecha a confirmar

Por Herman Baca

Sería realmente increible si alguien en nuestra comunidad en 2012 pudiera honestamente decir que, “politicamente algo esta fundamental o sistematicamente mal en nuestra creciente comunidad.” Las recientes acusaciones en el Distrito Sweetwater por la Fiscal, Bonnie Dumanis, lo deja claro.

En la politica hay un viejo dicho que dice, ” a veces lo que ves no es lo que ves, a veces lo que oyes no es lo que oyes, y a veces lo que es, no es!”

Mirando el panorama general la verdad es que, algo está fundamental y sistemáticamente mal politicamente. Esto está confirmado a nivel local y nacional por la legal (legislacion gubernamental) e illegales (vigilants) ataques a los derechos humanos, civiles y constitucionales de nuestra gente. Muchos creen que los ataques no son casos aislados, sino que son bien planeados y orquestados ataques politicos, por una reducida minoría anglo que sabe que no tiene tiempo y tienen miedo que perderán control político y económico. Muchas personas han empezado a cuestionar el por qué los políticos, desde el Presidente Obama hacia abajo nuestros His/Her Panics dicen poco o nada políticamente sobre los ataques.

Numerosas personas han atestiguado los ataques a nivel nacional que han emanado desde Arizona con SB 1070, legislacion para destruir Chicano Studies (nuestra historia) y la prohibición (estilo Nazi) de libros Nativo Americanos y Chicanos. Aparte de eso, antiguos estados esclavistas tales como, South Carolina, Georgia y Texas han legislado leyes de immigracion tipo “Jim Crow” en contra de los Mexicanos. Para agregar daño al insulto, la Gobernadora malinchista de Nuevo Mexico, Susana Martinez, desgraciadamnete se ha echado a cuestas dirigir los partidos linchistas de supremacia blanca y Partido del Te (Tea Party) en contra de su propia gente. La legislación aprobada en esos estados ha resultado en la muerte viciosa de odio en Pennsylvania del immigrante Mexicano Luis Ramirez por matones racistas y el horrible asesinato de la niña de 9 años Brisenia Flores por los Minutemen.

En CA la situación política Bell con población de 37,000, 90% Mexicanos, entrada doméstica media $29,946 fue robada por políticos y administradores con total participación y adquisión de políticos elegidos Her/His Panics. La ratería incluyó al Administrador de Bell (un blanco) ganando $787,637 por año, Asistente de Administrador (blanco) $367,288 y el Jefe de Policía (blanco), $457,000!

En el Condado de SD tendrían que estar ciegos para no ver las notables similitudes entre Bell, CA y National City. NC como Bell es una ciudad pobre (la más pobre en el Condado de SD), población 70% de ascendencia Mexicana, entrada doméstica media de $39,000, con empleados (no de seguridad) de la ciudad entrada promedio $55,000 y policias de seguridad pública y bomberos ganando $86,000!

Como la reportada ratería en Bell, NC ha sido y continúa siendo saqueada con su llamado impuesto sobre la venta de 1 centavo (uno de los más altos de CA) y suma de 80-90 millones de dólares en un periodo de 10 años. Un impuesto que ha sido gravado sobre las espaldas de los residentes más pobres del Condado de SD!

Como en Bell, NC está haciendo lo mismo… Con la total participación y adquisición de su Alcalde blanco y (4) políticos electos Her/His Panics.

En el Norte del Condado la población de cerca de 50% de personas de descendencia Mexicana, cinco personas indocumentadas y desarmadas fueron muertas por agentes de la ley. Escondido es una ciudad con segregación racial de Mexicanos, con una fuerza policiaca tipo guardabosques Texanos del alguacil Joe Apario y un consejo municipal del cual Hitler se hubiera sentido muy orgulloso en la Alemania Nazi. Continuan con sus puntos de control policial, pasó ordenanzas en contra de rentar a Mexicanos, y per-mitiendo que los agentes de los Ice Migra viajen con sus oficiales de policia, irónicamente.

Entonces ¿por qué está politicamente sucediendo esto a nuestra comunidad?

Solo la historia nos puede contestar esta pregunta. Muchos olvidan que a finales de los 60’s nuestra gente ni tan siquiera existía para las instituciones políticas, sociales y económicas de E.U. A nuestra gente se le refería como la minoría silenciosa,invisible y olvidada. Politicamente esta-bamos representados por el Asembleísta Alex Garcia, la única persona de descendencia Mexicana en la Legislatura del Estado de California y en el Condado de San Diego, el Consejal de National City, Louie Camacho.

Esta triste situación política no empezó a cambiar sino hasta1959 con los esfuerzos organizativos de Bert Corona, Ed Roybal y Eduardo Quevedo quienes organizaron (MAPA) la Asociación Política de Mexico-Americanos. Irónicamente las primeras victorias políticas con base en la comunidad fueron ganadas predominantemente en las elecciones de la junta escolar fidecomisarios del Sur de La Bahía. Individuos como Ernie Azhocar, Ben Moreno, Oscar Cañedo y otros abrieron las puertas políticas a individuos que les siguieron, tales como Pete Chacon (2do Asembleísta electo de CA) y después Consejal Ciudadano, Jess Haro.

¿Cuáles son las razones históricas por lo que lo antes mencionado le ha pasado a nuestra comunidad?

1. Como un professor de Estudios Chicanos preguntó, “¿qué ha cambiado en los 43 años en los que has estado envuelto?” Mi respuesta, “Si somos honestos la única cuestión tangible que ha cambiado políticamente es… Datos Demográficos”. Te apuesto, le dije ” que nuestra poblacion en esos 43 años se ha incrementado 10 veces” pero desafortunadamente, agregué, “nuestra estupidez política se ha incrementado en 50!”

2. La falta de infraestructura política para proteger, avanzar y hacer políticos especialmente de los nuestros que rindan cuentas a nuestros intereses. Como un político lo declaró: “Si vas a estar en la política, tienes que saber como contar, ya sea gente o dinero, porque eso es la base de todo el poder político.” No obstante agregó, “tienen que ser personas organizadas y dinero organizado porque la política no es un juego de individuos sino de intereses en competencia.” Nuestra pregunta es… ¿En dónde está nuestra gente organizada y el dinero?

3. Por último es el asunto de nuestra explosión demográfica, una población que nos hará la mayoría en un futuro cercano en CA y otros estados del Suroeste. Si nuestra gente no se educa (no sólo en las escuelas, pero en conocimiento de su historia, lenguaje y cultura), politicarse para entender los aspectos que afectan sus intereses, y se organize, las cosas seguirán igual o se pondrán peor. Finalmente, si lo arriba mencionado no se hace, nosotros y nuestros hijos y nietos podríamos posiblemente vivir bajo un sistema de tipo apartheid, tal como el mundo lo vio en Sudafrica!

Baca es presidente del Committee on Chicano Rights en National City. La parte 1ra de esta perspectiva se publicó en Enero 20. Puede encontrar este artículo en nuestra página web en: http://laprensa-sandiego.org/?p=16145

(Gracias, traducción por Sr. Hector Juarez)

Connected to a network of professional committed to solving the nation’s foreclosure crisis one homeowner at a time, Marilu’s message to financially strapped homeowners: “more help is available than ever before. Since 2007, 7.9 million homes in the United States have been lost to foreclosure, and my mission is to stem the tide of foreclosures within South San Diego.

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), Marilu is knowledgeable of the entire landscape of foreclosure avoidance options and is distinctly qualified to negotiate with banks and help financially strapped homeowners to regain peace of mind and a sense of stability for the future.

Marilu has developed a free report entitled, “Are You Living Under the Cloud of an Unmanageable Mortgage?” that is accessible from her website, www.CasasChulaVista.com

The report provides an overview of qualification criteria for the most common foreclosure alternatives, cites red flags for scams, and reminds home-owners why avoiding foreclosure needs to be a top priority.

Upheaval on Wall Street has gotten a lot of attention, but until recently, homeowners have been left to their own devices. ORTIZ is on a mission to change that.

About: Marilu Ortiz – Broker Owner of Real Estate Casablanca, DRE. Lic.# 01376496 651 Third Ave, Suite D, Chula Vista, Ca. 91910.

Durante todas las épocas del año las actividades de-portivas ya sea a puerta cerrada o al aire libre hacen parte de la vida de niños y jóvenes. Por eso es importante tomar las precauciones necesarias y evitar accidentes.

De acuerdo con los datos de los Centros para Control de Enfermedades de Estados Unidos – CDC – las lesiones son la principal causa de muerte en menores de 19 años. Anualmente, cerca de 9.2 millones de niños entre 0 y 19 años de edad reciben atención médica en salas de emergencia por lesiones y unos 12,175 niños mueren por esta causa.

Es claro que todos queremos evitar accidentes y lesiones, pero a veces el descuido le gana a la precaución y las consecuencias pueden ser fatales.

Para empezar es importante monitorear las actividades extracurriculares de sus hijos. Si los ha inscrito en alguna actividad deportiva después de la escuela, debe asegurarse de las certificaciones de la institución en la que inscribió a sus hijos, conocer a los maestros e instructores e identificar las rutinas y las personas con las que su hijo estará compartiendo parte de su tiempo.

La meta es proteger y mantener seguros a nuestros jóvenes y ayudarlos a disfrutar de sus actividades. Los padres pueden hacer la diferencia siguiendo ciertos pasos para mantener a sus hijos seguros en campos de juego, canchas y escenarios deportivos.

Asegúrese de que su hijo cuente con el equipo necesario para practicar el deporte o la actividad que haya escogido y que cumpla con todos los requerimientos de seguridad como el uso de equipos de protección —cascos, rodilleras, coderas y bandas de protección en las muñecas— además de las otras prendas deportivas adecuadas para la actividad o posición en que jueguen.

De acuerdo con la información difundida por los CDC es importante asegurarse de que esos equipos deportivos de protección estén en buenas condiciones. Un equipo del tamaño inadecuado puede incomodar y distraer pero además, es posible que no ofrezca la protección nece-saria.

Muchas veces el amor que le tenemos a nuestros hijos nos lleva a complacerlos en cosas en las que no deberíamos hacerlo. Si su hijo no tiene las condiciones necesarias para cierto deporte es mejor que lo entienda y lo supere. Si sus condiciones físicas no son adecuadas para determinada actividad su riesgo de salir lesionado puede ser mayor.

Es importante que los niños aprendan y practiquen las habilidades que requiere el deporte o la actividad que realiza. Por ejemplo, el manejo de las técnicas adecuadas de bloqueo y defensa son claves en la prevención de lesiones en la práctica de deportes como el fútbol tradicional o el americano.

Las denominadas técnicas biomecánicas o relacionadas con el movimiento y la alineación, también juegan un papel en la prevención de lesiones en deportes como el béisbol. Además, asegúrese de incrementar la actividad poco a poco y en forma segura para mejorar la condición física del niño, ya que esto lo protegerá contra las lesiones.

Los cambios bruscos de temperatura pueden tener consecuencias. Dé tiempo a los niños deportistas para que se ajusten en forma gradual a las temperaturas calientes y a los ambientes húmedos, así puede prevenir lesiones o enfermedades relacionadas con el calor.

Los padres y los entrenadores deben estar muy pendientes de que durante estas actividades los jugadores estén hidratados y vestidos adecuadamente. 

La comunicación entre padres, entrenadores y deportistas es siempre importante, igual que el buen ejemplo. Usted puede dar buen ejemplo practicando conductas seguras, como usar casco y seguir las normas de seguridad.

Como patrocinador inalámbrico oficial, Boost Mobile seguirá teniendo presencia en los partidos en la gira estadounidense y trabajará con el portero, Luis Ernesto Michel del CD Guadalajara como embajador de Boost Mobile. El patrocinio también llegará a vida en las tiendas de Boost Mobile con materiales y mer-cancía de las Chivas desple-gados.

A lo largo de la asociación Boost a patrocinado “la Zona Chivas”, un área interactiva con actividades, premios y oportunidades para los fanáticos a que se tomen fotos con su jugador favorito. Además, nuestro embajador Luis Michel y otros jugadores de las Chivas han hecho apariciones en tiendas de Boost Mobile. Estas actividades y muchas más continuarán en 2012.

“Boost Mobile ha sido el patrocinador inalámbrico oficial de CD Guadalajara desde 2008 y esperamos continuar con esta valiosa asociación”, dijo Steve Gaffney, vicepresidente de mercadeo corporativo de Boost Mobile. “Nuestra continua alianza sirve como una sólida plataforma para poner valor en el servicio nacional, sin contrato, sin límite de Boost y oferta internacional”.

Los fans de las Chivas podrán mantenerse conectados con sus familias y amigo en México con Boost Mobile que ofrece el más competitivo plan de llamadas a México y otros destinos internacionales con llamadas y textos sin límite a México por tan solo $5 al mes cuando se agrega al Plan Mensual Sin Límite con Redupago. Por $10 al mes el International Connect Plus de Boost Mobile ahora ofrece tarifas reducidas a teléfonos fijos y móviles a más de 200 destinos, incluyendo $0.15 centavos por minuto a teléfonos celulares en México. Esta mejora al International Connect ofrece algunas de las más bajas tarifas internacionales por minuto de la industria. 

Además, los clientes actuales con el International Connect Plus por $10 más al mes, automáticamente recibirán estas tarifas reducidas como parte de su plan. Para ver la lista completa de tarifas con descuento, por favor visite al www.boostmobile.com/internationalconnect.

POSTMARK AND E-MAIL SUBMISSISION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012

The University of California, San Diego Early Academic Outreach Program has for fourteen years been a leader in honoring the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez through their annual essay contest. Please distribute this information widely. If you are in education please download and share the application at the link below. Be part of this San Diego traditions by helping us promote the longest running essay contest honoring Cesar E. Chavez in the state!

Instructions for completing essays: Write a two-page, typed essay answering the essay prompt presented. Be sure to develop your essay in a clear, concise manner. Include your name, address, phone number and school name on the Essay Contest Application.

Download the Essay Packet at: http://eaop.ucsd.edu/_files/2012-Chavez-essay.pdf

Free Tax Assistance now available at Chula Vista Libraries

This tax season don’t deal with the frustration of misplaced forms and tax publications or struggle to answer tax questions. To help low and middle income residents with their taxes, the Chula Vista Public Library has free tax assistance offered by trained volunteers under the auspices of AARP, as well as paper copies of many tax forms and instruction booklets. Special attention will be given to residents over 60.

We invite our residents to use the library’s services to help prepare their taxes, said Library Director Betty Waznis.

Whether you need copies of forms or come in for personal assistance, the library is here to make this stressful and busy time easier.

Free personal tax assistance is offered on the following days and times:

· Civic Center Branch, 365 F Street: AARP has scheduled sessions every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

· South Chula Vista Branch, 389 Orange Avenue: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The library is unable to offer appointments in advance. The service is offered on a same day first come, first serve basis and will end on April 15.

In addition, paper copies of most basic tax forms and booklets are available at both branch libraries.

For more information, visit the Chula Vista’s library, or go online at www.chulavistalibrary.com.

February 16 Public Meeting to Discuss Water Quality, Tijuana River Flood Control, and Watershed Planning

The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission has scheduled a public meeting of the USIBWC Citizens Forum on Thursday, February 16, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Tijuana Estuary Meeting Room, 301 Cas-pian Way, Imperial Beach, CA 91932. The meeting will focus on water quality and flood control issues.

Members of the public who would like more information about the meeting may call 619-662-7600 or e-mail sally.spener@ibwc.gov.

MTS Kicks Off the 10th Annual MTS Coca-Cola Laptop Scholarship

Entries are now being accepted for the 10th Annual Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Coca-Cola Laptop Scholarship.

Application forms are available on-line on the MTS web-site at www.sdmts.com or at The Transit Store at 1st and Broadway in downtown San Diego. Information is also available at high school counseling offices.

Adelante Mujer Conference, Latinas Inspiring Young Latinas

The Adelante Mujer Conference is an all day celebration in hopes of inspiring a higher percentage of Latinas to continue their education beyond high school. The 19th Annual Adelante Mujer Conference will provide various presentations by professional San Diego Women who serve as exceptional examples for younger Latinas and their mothers. Many presenters have had to overcome barriers and struggles in order to accomplish their success. The festivities will include a small breakfast, several breakout workshops, lunch and entertainment.

This year’s Adelante Mujer Conference will take place at Eastlake Middle School on Saturday March 3, 2012 from 7:45 am – 2:00 pm for girls in grades 6

th-12th and their mothers. A scholarship is awarded to an outstanding Latina senior who has maintained a high grade point average while being actively involved in her community. Adelante Mujer presents an opportunity to maintain and strengthen the connection between students, schools and the community.

U.S. National Educator of the Year say’s “Americas Education System is being BLOWN AWAY by the Chinese!”

Local public school veteran teacher and national recognized educator including the “Milken” United States National Educator of the Year, Keith Ballard, traveled to China and India to learn from their public education system in comparison to the United States. This coming week, Feb. 16, Ballard will share his experiences and perspective from his travels with South Bay audience at Chula Vista High School.

Ballard will reveal that the US Public School System is being “Blown-Away” and simply won’t be able to compete without undergoing major changes! Making the comparison to a football game, Ballard contends that the Chinese public school system (K-12) is so good that is something like the NFL, where as the United States is playing high school football. Ballard states “the main reason I did this project is because I have a 7 year old son and I have “deep concerns” weather his education in the US public school system will sufficiently prepare him to compete for the best jobs in the future.”

Event: Understanding the New Tsunami “The Chinese Public School Educational System” & How to prepare your Children to Compete for the High Tech, High Paying Jobs of the Future!

Date/Time: Thursday, February 16th (6:30pm – 8:30pm)

Location: Chula Vista H.S., Jack Tygett Performing Arts Center (820 4th Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91911).

New fires are steadily igniting in different corners of the Mexican political system. As the country plunges head-long toward the July 1 elections, clashes over candidacies, bouts of negative campaigning and a new spying scandal are lighting up the political scene.

A bizarre video game with a barely concealed subliminal message, “Super Ernesto,” stars National Action Party (PAN) presidential primary candidate Ernesto Cordero in a showdown that has the former economy minister vanquishing rival party presidential candidates Enrique Peña Nieto and Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador as well as fugitive crime boss Joaquin “Chapo” Guzman.

If current polls are accurate, Cordero will be the one who gets zapped, and as early as February 5, the day of the PAN presidential primary. Surveys show the candidate in third place behind Santiago Creel and Josefina Vazquez Mota in terms of PAN voters’ preferences.

On another front, the rival Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) is projecting a youthful image and stressing the “New PRI” in its bid to re-conquer the Mexican White House from the PAN and win other key elections this year.

But an examination of the PRI’s proposed list of candidates for the Senate reveals many career politicians, losing candidates for other offices, sons and daughters of old-time PRI leaders (“babysaurs”) and personalities wrapped in layers of controversy. Seven ex-governors figure high on the candidate list including Patricio Martinez of Chihuahua, Ma-nuel Cavazos of Tamaulipas and Rene Juarez Cisneros of Guerrero.

A booster of closer economic ties between Chihuahua and the U.S. border state of New Mexico, Martinez left office in 2004 surrounded by human rights scandals involving his police agencies.

Of special note was the fabrication under torture of multiple scapegoats in the killings of women in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City, crimes that Martinez claimed had significantly diminished after he took office in 1998. While he was still governor, Martinez was quoted as referring to a 2003 Amnesty International report on the mounting murders and disappearances of women in Chihuahua state as “that damn report.”

The last year of the Martinez administration was also marked by the so-called “House of Death” scandal in Ciudad Juarez, when Chihuahua State Judicial Police commanders and officers were linked to narco-related kidnappings and executions of a dozen or more people. During Martinez’s term femicides spread to Chihuahua City, and the Juarez drug cartel firmly implanted itself in the capital city.

Nowadays, Chihuahua City is submerged in violence between rival criminal groups.

In the southern state of Guerrero, which also excels as a hot spot in the so-called drug war, the PRI is poised to elevate former Governor Rene Juarez (1999-2005) to the Senate. Juarez assumed his governorship amid an intense post-electoral conflict that erupted after rival candidate Felix Salgado Macedonio of the center-left Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) claimed fraud. Salgado’s supporters marshaled evidence of election irregularities and staged a march to Mexico City. Nonetheless, they were unsuccessful in their demands to overturn the election results.

Like the nearly parallel Martinez years in Chihuahua, Juarez’s period of governance was punctuated by scandals involving state police, the expansion of organized crime and an increase in femicides.

Additionally, Juarez’s state law enforcement apparatus came down on different social movements like the Campesino Environmentalist Organization of Petatlan and Coyuca de Catatlan. The two most recent leaders of the group, Eva Alarcon and Marcial Bautista, were abducted by armed men late last year and remain missing; local police have been implicated in the disappearances.

Another familiar name appears in the nomination for the second PRI senatorial candidate from Guerrero. Claudia Ruiz Massieu is the daughter of Jose Francisco Ruiz Massieu, a former governor and general-secretary of the PRI who was gunned down in Mexico City in 1994. Claudia Ruiz Massieu’s uncle, Raul Salinas de Gortari, was accused of the crime and spent a decade in prison before being exonerated. The still-murky slaying happened while Raul Salinas’ brother Carlos was the president of the Mexican Republic.

The final list of PRI candidates for the Senate is expected to be approved or disqualified by the party’s internal affairs commission this week. Elected to a single six-year term, Mexican senators enjoy more power than in the past. The well-paid elected officials also get annual Christmas bonuses valued at approximately $40,0000, and are largely immune from prosecution.

The scramble for the PRI’s senatorial prizes not only heightened internal tension, but triggered reverberations that could affect the presidential race. Several of the proposed candidacies touched off public controversy, including the bid by Maria Elvira Amaya, the wife of former Tijuana mayor and gambling magnate Jorge Hank Rhon. The gaming czar has been investigated but never prosecuted for a variety of crimes including alleged arms possession and murder.

“The PRI has to decide if it wants a candidacy with moral quality, or if it wants one that is from a lot of money of murky origin like casinos,” said Felipe Ruanova, PRI representative on the Baja California Electoral Council.

Ultimately, Amaya was left out of the contest but did not discount running for future public offices.

Disputes over possible Senate seats led to a partial break-up of the PRI’s national electoral alliance with two minor parties.

Last weekend the National Alliance Party (PANAL), founded by teacher union leader and ex-Priista Elba “La Maestra” Esther Gordillo, announced it was leaving the coalition to run its own candidates. Reportedly, veteran PRI members were upset at the prospect of the much smaller PANAL receiving a disproportionate share of candidacies.

Both the PRI and PANAL have since attempted to put a good face on the split, insisting it is an amicable parting of ways instead of a nasty rupture. But the break-up could spell trouble for PRI presidential candidate Enrique Pena Nieto, especially if the race tightens. The PRI still maintains its alliance with another small party, the Mexican Green Party.

PANAL General Secretary Monica Arriola, who is the daughter of “La Maestra”, told a Mexican interviewer that her party counted on three percent of the vote, undoubtedly a small slice of the electorate but one that could prove critical if the 2012 election shapes up like the controversial one in 2006 in which Felipe Calderon was declared the victor by a razor-slim margin.

Gordillo’s back-room support for Calderon in 2006 was considered an important reason for the latter’s official triumph.

For 2012, about five million Mexicans have been knocked off the voter rolls because they allegedly failed to renew voter identification cards by the January 15 deadline.

Prior to the PRI-PANAL affair, a former governor of Yucatan and ex-national president of the PRI warned her party of the consequences of political in-fighting. Dulce Maria Sauri said the tensions over Congressional candidacies were reminiscent of 2000, when similar political rows disrupted the party and the PRI lost the presidency for the first time. “Nothing is more contagious than conflicts,” Sauri warned.

The admonishment came as the PRI’s Enrique Pena Nieto was showing signs of faltering in his campaign for the presidency.

Not all were convinced the PRI-PANAL break-up was genuine. The presidential standard-bearer of a center-left coalition encompassing four political organizations, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called the announced split a “simulation” designed to publicly distance the PRI and Pena Nieto from the controversial Elba Esther Gordillo while still maintaining a behind-the-scenes political agreement.

In general terms, the rhetoric rising from the political class has grown more negative in recent days. National Action Party (PAN) presidential primary candidate Santiago Creel said the PRI had a candidate (Pena Nieto) who was full of “holes,” while PRI President Pedro Joaquin Coldwell said the last 12 years of PAN governance were a “nightmare” filled with decisions ranging from “stupid” to “mediocre.” The right has “never learned to govern,” Coldwell said. For his part, Lopez Obrador declared that a return of the PRI to the presidency would be akin to a “collective masochistic act.”

As if the political scene did not already have enough heat, a big, ugly piece of kindling was discovered smoldering this week after the bugging of the lower house of the Mexican Congress was exposed. Some parts of the Congressional headquarters in the San Lazaro building were shut down, and the federal attorney general’s office (PGR) initiated an investigation after receiving a complaint from Congressional staff.

Legislators urged a thorough inspection of both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The building in which the alleged bugging of telephone and Internet communications occurred has about 500 video cameras. One lawmaker expressed surprise, saying that San Lazaro has a strong computer security system that on average resists 2,000 hacking attacks every day.

Chamber of Deputies President Guadalupe Acosta Naranjo said the eavesdropping appeared to be “generalized” throughout San Lazaro, but special targets could have been Acosta’s office as well as the one belonging to Congresswoman Carolina Viggiano, the wife of ex-PRI head Humberto Moreira.

A former governor of Coahuila, Moreira is still embroiled in legal controversies over a large public debt he left behind in the violence-torn, northern border state. The PGR is currently investigating any illegalities that might have been committed in contracting the state debt. Humberto’s successor and brother, Governor Ruben Mor-eira, recently announced a new state program to investigate the forced disappearances of 1,658 people-1,113 men and 545 women-in Coahuila mainly since 2006. Involving entire families and razed communities, the disappearances are largely blamed on organized crime.

Interior Ministry Alejandro Poire quickly distanced his office and CISEN, Mexico’s national intelligence agency, from the reported San Lazaro bugging. Political spying is an old story in Mexico, one which was written under the long rule of the PRI and its government security apparatus before 2000, but was widely considered to be an odious if still breathing mummy from the past.

PRD Congressman Mauricio Toledo cautioned that the still-developing espionage scandal (Watergate South 2012?) broke at a moment when the Mexican state was in a “condition of worrisome weakness.” “We are in a state of institutional fragility that is not convenient for anyone,” Toledo warned.

Frontera NorteSur: on-line, U.S.-Mexico border news Center for Latin American and Border Studies New Mexico State University Las Cruces, New Mexico.

U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, a Tucson Democrat who is a caucus member, said he had spoken Friday with the caucus chairman, U.S. Rep. Charles A. Gonzalez, D-Texas, and officials from the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights about the Tucson Unified School District’s recent decision to end its Mexican-American studies program.

Earlier this week, the caucus sent a letter to the office demanding an investigation for alleged civil-rights violations. The caucus argues that the program’s elimination is a violation of students’ constitutional and First Amendment rights.

Federal officials “advised us that they’re evaluating it,” Grijalva said Friday. “Now that it (the program’s elimination) has been implemented, they have cause to evaluate it.”

Grijalva said the caucus wants the department to make the investigation a priority.

The school board’s decision earlier this month stopped Arizona Superintendent of Public Schools John Huppenthal from cutting millions of dollars from the district’s budget as a penalty for alleged violations of the state ethnic-studies law that he wrote with help from his predecessor, now-Attorney General Tom Horne.

Huppenthal had declared the program illegal under the law, which bans classes that promote the overthrow of the U.S. government, encourage resentment toward a race or class of people, are designed solely for students of a certain ethnicity, and that advocate ethnic solidarity instead of the treatment of students as individuals.

The board’s decision and Huppenthal’s allegations have angered many of the 700 students who were enrolled in the now-dismantled classes, and have prompted a series of student-led marches and protests this month.

The board and district officials have been accused of banning some of the key texts that had been used in the classes – a move which was condemned this week by the American Library Association.

TUSD officials have denied that they banned the books, saying they placed them in storage but left copies in school libraries.

A federal lawsuit by students challenging Huppenthal’s decision and the state law is pending.

Mitt Romney, a todas luces, será el candidato del Partido Republicano a la presidencia de los Estados Unidos en noviembre de 2012. Al parecer, la idea de Newt Gingrich de darle un chance de legalizarse a los inmigrantes indocumentados “que tengan más de 20 años viviendo en el país y paguen una multa y aprendan inglés” fue demasiado para los votantes. De legalizar a los inmigrantes a correrlos a todos, mejor correrlos, parece ser la conclusión.

La propuesta básica de Romney, el hijo del mexicano George Romney, “Chihuahua George” para sus cuates, es que los inmigrantes sin papeles se deporten solitos, por cansancio, como consecuencia de hacerles la vida imposible en Estados Unidos. Esa le ganó, al parecer, la votación de tres cuartos de millón de votantes de Florida, contra el medio millón de Newt Gingrich.

El plan es simple: si un inmigrante quiere trabajo, tiene que mostrar papeles; si quiere una licencia, tiene que mostrar papeles; si quiere una identificación, tiene que mostrar papeles; si quiere rentar una casa, tiene que mostrar papeles. Es tan simple que se parece horrorosamente a lo que los Republicanos han tratado de hacer en Alabama, Arizona, Georgia y otros estados, nomás que a nivel nacional. La “consecuencia” de pedirle papeles a todo el mundo por todos lados, dice el mexicanito Mitteo, como le llaman ahora, es que la gente se va a cansar y se va a ir “voluntariamente”.

La idea, además, es que se vayan gratis.

Corría el año 2007 cuando la entonces jefa de La Migra, Julie L. Myers, declaró que “nuestra agencia calcula que costaría por lo menos 94 mil millones de dólares deportar a todos los inmigrantes indocumentados”. Para 2009, el Director de Operaciones de la Migra, Kumar Kibble, declaró en una audiencia pública que “el costo real de arrestar, encarcelar y deportar a cada inmigrante indocumentado es de 12 mil 500 dólares”.

Según Kibble, deportar a 393 mil inmigrantes ese año, había costado unos 4 mil 900 millones de dólares. Por lo

tanto, el costo de deportar a 11 millones de indocumentados para ese año sería de 137 mil 500 millones de dólares. Ese número, lleno de ceros, es exactamente igual al déficit del gobierno federal de noviembre del año pasado. Y son números de 2009…

Que se Vayan Solos

Para este año de 2012, el costo de deportar a todos los sin papeles está calculado en casi 200 mil millones de dólares, considerando entre otras cosas 29 mil millones en arrestos, 3 mil 350 millones en encarcelamiento, 7 mil millones en costos legales, y 6 mil millones en transportación, según dice La Migra. El plan del mexicanito no está mal en los números.

En vez de reventarse una lanota por buscar, arrestar, encarcelar, juzgar y transportar 11 millones de personas, les harían la vida de cuadritos y se van solos. Fácil.

Nomás que no tiene mucho sentido cuando se le compara con la terca realidad real.

La realidad real es que hoy, si un inmigrante quiere trabajo, tiene que mostrar papeles; si quiere una licencia, tiene que mostrar papeles; si quiere una identificación, tiene que mostrar papeles; si quiere rentar una casa en algunos lugares, tiene que mostrar papeles; si se pasa un alto tiene que mostrar papeles; si quiere una licencia comercial tiene que mostrar papeles. Y en muchos empleos, el que tiene que mostrar papeles es el patrón, por aquello del E-Verify, y así por el estilo.

Desde ese punto de vista, la propuesta del radical de derecha Romney es tan simple que se parece horrorosamente a lo que los Demócratas han estado haciendo a nivel nacional desde la Casa Blanca desde hace tres años.

Pero la realidad real es que mucha gente no se ha ido a sus países de origen, sino a pueblos, ciudades y estados menos gachos y ya. Y la realidad real es que los chambeadores que ya de plano no pueden agarrar chamba ni en una agencia temporal se vuelven lo mismo que eran allá en el terruño, vendedores ambulantes de anteojos oscuros y tamales en las banquetas y se quedan y ya.

Pero ni es cuestión de lana ni cuestión de deshacerse de los inmigrantes sin papeles. Ni el plan de Romney de que “se vayan solitos” ni el de Obama de deportar a los más posibles tienen nada que ver con la realidad o con resolver la cuestión migratoria. Tienen que ver con ganar las elecciones y ya.

Contacto Jorge Mújica Murias e mexicodelnorte@yahoo.com.mx

Cathy Espitia, Erendira Ramirez, Bridgette Castillo, Myra Rodriguez, and Isabell Peña.

Unión del Barrio, -an organization that for over 30 years has struggled for the self-determination and liberation of La Raza, and other oppressed poor and working class people,- held a community forum on Thursday January 19, 2012, at the Memorial Senior Center. The Center is located in Memorial Park, found within a mostly Mexican and African American community in San Diego. The objective of the forum was to address the critical issues facing our community and the importance of the participation of women in these particular struggles.

The forum was also part of Unión del Barrio’s ongoing work to build a liberation movement that can challenge the oppressive and violent system known as capitalism that controls most of the world today.

The forum, organized under the theme of “La Mujer: Al Frente de la Lucha por la Liberacion de la Raza”, brought together more than fifty participants, which included men and women, teachers, mothers, students, and community organizers. Also, the Save Our Barrio Committee (SOBC), Association of Raza Educators (ARE), Lindsay Community School, and the Chicano Mexicano Prison Project (CMPP) displayed information and art, and sold their group’s material.

The program began with a welcome by Compañera Isabell Peña, a leading member of Unión del Barrio. Compañera Isabell explained to the audience the importance of participating in events like the forum, which provides a space for ideas to be exchanged and to have a dialogue with different sectors of our community. She stressed that forums help us develop the knowledge and creates the unity that will move our struggle forward. Compañera Isabell specifically referred to the forum as part of the work to build a mujer national liberation conference that will be organized by Unión del Barrio on March 10, 2012, in Los Angeles, California.

The keynote speaker of the forum was Wendy Arroyo, member of the Frente Popular Revolucionario (FPR) Baja, California. A member of the State Committee of the FPR, Compañera Wendy’s main area of work has been working with labor unions, focusing on the defense of workers’ rights.

Compañera Wendy spoke on the role of women in the struggle for national liberation and against capitalism-imperialism. Her presentation began with a personal narrative that describe her participation in an International Women’s Day march.

Compañera Wendy also spoke on the fact that women face oppression and exploitation both at the home and at the work place. Women are not only expected to work 8 hours or sometimes longer at work, but also to come home and fulfill gender roles imposed on her by society, taking care of the household maintenance.

Compañera Wendy concluded her presentation making clear that women and men can only liberate themselves by overturning the capitalist system and creating a socialist-communist society where there will not exist any forms of oppression or inequalities. Central to her position on this matter was that the struggle against oppression cannot be one based on gender, but one based on class, and thus only united can both men and women win their freedom.

The second part of the program was a panel of four women that participate in local community organizations. These women shared with the audience their experiences in organizing and why it is important for women to be part of an organization. The panelists were: Cathy Espitia, a member of Unión del Barrio who was coordinator of the CMPP (Chicano Mexicano Prison Project) for more than five years. Compañera Cathy spoke on the mass imprisonment of Raza and its effects on women and their family. Prisons, she explained, serve to oppressed people of all nationalities, specifically Africans and Mexicans, and make a profit off of their imprisonment. She stressed that the role of women is to raise the consciousness of our community and educate ourselves on the real reasons why there is a mass incarceration of Africans and Mexicans.

Also on the panel were two student leaders from Lincoln High School, Bridgette Castillo and Mayra Rodriguez, who actively participate in school organizations. Compañera Bridgette is a founder and member of Women’s Empowerment Organization, and Compañera Mayra is vice president of Lincoln MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán). Both young ladies shared with the audience their perspective on why youth should be involved in the social justice movement. They spoke on the importance of an education that teaches Raza their true history and raises consciousness as a form of empowering youth. Compañera Mayra specifically addressed the need to overturn the cultural dynamic that is so derogatory towards women and the need to create respect amongst young men and women, so that united all can participate in creating a better society.

The last panelist was Erendira Ramirez, an English teacher, and member of Unión del Barrio and ARE (Association of Raza Educators). Compañera Erendira spoke on the role of educators in the struggle for the liberation of la mujer. She expressed that there is an urgent need to be positive role models of struggle for our youth and create a relationship based on respect and equality between the teacher and student. Compañera Erendira explained that a “real educator” enables the student to become critical thinkers with the means to analyze their problems and find ways to resolve them.

Judy de los Santos, Central Committee member of Unión del Barrio and head of the organization’s Women’s Commission, gave a brief update on the Women’s Conference (of March 10, 2012). One of the aims of the conference will be to commemorate International Women’s Day. Judy invited all to attend the conference so that we can promote the participation of women as leaders in a social movement that will destroy the capitalist system that oppresses both women and men alike, a system that does not discriminate by gender only, but exploits all people.

Unión del Barrio believes that the absolute and unequivocal liberation of women is fundamental to any revolutionary organization or social movement. The subjugation of Raza women is a major part of the overall oppression of our people under capitalism and imperialism, and the only solution is organization. Raza-Mexicano/as will not see equality between genders until we are free as a class and are able to self-determine our future as a nation.

We urge all to join an organization, get involved and participate!

You can follow them on FaceBook, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Uni%C3%B3n-del-Barrio/212431572108611?sk=wall

“The new report shows 21.2 percent of California voters have no political party preference, a new all-time high,” said Secretary of State Debra Bowen, the state’s chief elections officer. “The percentage of voters who have no party preference (NPP) – previously known as decline to state voters – has steadily increased in recent years. The previous record high of unaffiliated voters was 20.4 percent of all registered voters, reported in March 2011.”

The Report of Registration includes data gathered 154 days before the June 5 Presidential Primary Election and reflects updates to voter registration rolls in California’s 58 counties, including the removal of registrants who have passed away, moved out of state, or have been determined to be ineligible to vote, as well as the addition of new registrants.

The complete report, which includes voter registration data for a variety of political subdivisions, is on the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ror/ror-pages/154day-presprim-12.

Registering to vote is easier than ever, thanks to the Secretary of State’s online fillable form at https://www.sos.ca.gov/nvrc/fedform/ which just needs to be printed, signed and mailed. (The form is even pre-addressed to the registrant’s county elections office.) Californians can also pick up a voter registration form at any U.S. post office, public library or county elections office. Voters can check their registration status through a portal at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/registration-status.

About California’s Primary Elections

California’s Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act, which took effect January 1, 2011, renamed partisan offices as voter-nominated offices, which include state constitutional, state legislative, and U.S. congressional offices. Under the Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act, all candidates for voter-nominated offices are listed on one ballot and only the top two vote-getters in the primary election – regardless of party preference – move on to the general election.

Lamentablemente, y desde que tenemos memoria como especie, el crimen ha hecho parte de la vida del hombre. Nadie está exento. Cualquiera puede ser víctima en algún momento de asaltadores o personas inescrupulosas. Por eso es importante, primero, tomar precauciones y después, por si acaso, saber que hay que hacer.

Un hecho que vulnere nuestra integridad, aun cuando no haya consecuencias corporales, como un robo o un atraco o una circunstancia en la que la fuerza excesiva sea usada como un arma pueden alterar nuestra vida dramáticamente. La violencia en cualquiera de sus formas deja huellas. Debemos saber como manejarla.

Una circunstancia violenta puede dar al traste con la confianza que las personas tengan en sí mismas y en los demás y afectar seriamente el comportamiento y las relaciones humanas de una persona.

Para regresar a la vida normal, cosa que cualquiera está en capacidad de hacer, el individuo que ha sido victimizado necesita el apoyo de su entorno, de sus familiares y amigos.

Actualmente y a nivel nacional existe una gama de servicios y recursos creados para ayudar a las víctimas a recibir justicia y reparación.

La Oficina para Víctimas del Crimen – OVC- del Departamento de Justicia de Estados Unidos es la encargada de garantizar que usted sepa que, de ser víctima de un crimen, tiene derechos y puede recibir la ayuda necesaria.

De acuerdo con esta agencia la mayoría de estados han enmendado sus constituciones para garantizar ciertos derechos a las víctimas del crimen. En general usted tiene el derecho a ser notificado de todos los procedimiento judiciales correspondientes a las ofensas. De ser pertinente, debe asegurarse de la situación particular de su estado, condado o ciudad.

Usted tiene el derecho de ser razonablemente protegido del delincuente acusado y el derecho a declarar y presentar cargos ante los tribunales y el de ser informado acerca de la culpabilidad, sentencia, prisión y liberación del victimario, entre otros.

Dado el caso, usted puede obtener información a través de su programa local de asistencia a las víctimas y testigos de la oficina del Procurador General en su Estado o en las oficinas de los Procuradores o Fiscales Federales.

Existen gran cantidad de programas – estatales, privados o sin fines de lucro – que ofrecen servicios y protección a las víctimas del crimen en todo el país. Las víctimas pueden acceder a servicios compensatorios y de asistencia y obtener reembolsos por los gastos incurridos en razón del crimen.

Entre los crímenes cubiertos están el homicidio, la violación, la conducción de vehículos en estado de embriaguez, la violencia doméstica y el abuso o abandono de menores. Las víctimas pueden obtener auxilio con los gastos médicos, funerales y el lucro cesante o pérdida de ingresos.

Además de los programas de asistencia a las víctimas de crímenes existe una gama de servicios que incluyen refugios de emergencia, defensa ante la justicia penal y transporte.

A través de los años miles de personas que en algún momento fueron víctimas, convirtieron su experiencia en una fuerza de cambio positivo. Víctimas y sobrevivientes de delitos graves, se han dedicado a trabajar para que las víctimas de delitos similares reciban verdadera justicia, asistencia efectiva y un tratamiento compasivo ante la ley.

Si usted ha sido víctima de un crimen lo fundamental es que no se rinda ante el miedo.

Para obtener información sobre los recursos disponibles a nivel nacional y una guía sobre los procesos y beneficios en su estado visite http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/.

The Trujillo family were first generation Hispanic-American ranchers in Alamosa County, Colorado in the 1880s.

Wide open spaces and fresh air are pretty much foreign concepts to most Latino families who live in cramped urban areas or suburban neighborhoods with postage stamp-size yards, where pollution from car emissions or nearby factories are just facts of life — and far away from any national park. In fact, because of safety and health concerns, the closest most Latino kids get to one of the most popular national park past-times, camping, unless they’re a scout, is pitching a makeshift tent — in the den.

So, to say that the National Park Foundation is facing an uphill hike when it comes to turning Latino families on to visiting national parks is an understatement. It could explain why the Foundation’s American Latino Heritage Fund (ALHF http://www.nps.gov/history/crdi/latino.html) is taking such a unique approach in making national parks relevant to Latinos — an approach that some would say should be coming from the Dept. of Education rather than the Dept. of Interior.

The National Park Foundation is launching several Latino-focused initiatives to get Latino families more involved with national parks and the other side to the national park system — appreciating historically important buildings.

The first initiative is called the American Latino Theme Study. The goal of the study project is to highlight the role of Latinos in the development of the country.

What does that mean?

Well, the first installment of the project is due to be released in June 2012 and is an in-depth look at Latina/o history since the 15th century.

Hand-in-hand with the Theme Study is finding and designating sites/landmarks important to Latino history in the United States.

The 2010 census counted 50.5 million Latinos in the US. Yet despite a 400-year history in North America and the existence of vibrant communities throughout the United States, only 3% of the 86,000 sites on the National Register of Historic Places explicitly recognize and celebrate our country’s ethnically diverse cultures. The National Park Foundation’s ALHF will seek to assist the National Park Service in its efforts to identify, document, nominate, and preserve historic places highlighting Latino contributions.

The final component of the initiatives is making Latino involvement long-term by getting young Latinos involved in special park youth summits. The summits educate young people about the importance of historic preservation in communities and the responsibility of taking care of historic landmarks, along with, national parks.

The American Latino Heritage Fund has a web site listing their initiatives and links to current resources to which they envision adding the Latino perspective, such as the “American Latino Travel Itinerary.” The online itinerary will showcase Latino historic properties featuring national parks and National Historic Landmarks. There’s also a link to current park initiatives related to Hispanic Heritage Month (http://www.nps.gov/history/hispanicheritage/).

Yet, the first step is to remind this generation that Latinos have always been an important part of the history of the United States.

“American Latinos have played a pivotal role in shaping this country,” said Neil Mul-holland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “We are proud to lead the charge in creating a movement to protect and preserve this rich culture and reaffirm our commitment to fully represent the nation’s diverse cultural groups and their role in our national park system.”

Reprinted from Latina Lista (http://latinalista.com/).

Roderic Ai Camp, left, and Miguel E. Basáñez talk about Camp’s recent books about politics in Mexico. SHFWire photo by Salvador Guerrero

WASHINGTON– The United States isn’t the only country facing a contentious presidential election this year.

Mexico will elect a new president in July, and some experts think the National Action Party (PAN) will be ousted from office by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which held power for 71 years before the PAN took over in 2000.

Roderic Ai Camp, professor of the Pacific Rim at Claremont McKenna College, said Friday that two issues are likely to be important to voters: increasing family income and reducing violence.

He spoke at a forum sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars Mexico Institute and the Hispanic Division of the Library of Congress.

“It will be interesting to see what PRI is really proposing that will be different from PAN on two major issues,” Camp said. “One is how do you increase personal income, and how do you reduce violence, therefore increase personal security.”

Religion may be a third issue, Camp said. The Catholic Church has played a major role in politics, coming under fire at times when it has spoken out against officials and pushed democracy in the last 15 years.

“They were critical in urging ordinary Mexicans to vote, both in 1994 and in 2000,” Camp said.

He said there is little academic work done on the relationship between politics and religion in Mexico because scholars choose not to explore the subject.

“The church plays two roles. It has always been a critic of neoliberalism,” Camp said. “There is an agreement on human rights. They would stand up for human rights, and they actually practiced this in the ‘90s. … What is interesting to me is they haven’t been outspoken as they have been. Only a few selective bishops have made very clear statements.”

The country has been plagued by a drug war that has taken thousands of lives. Camp said the problem does not arise just from Mexico but stems from the drug consumption of Americans.

“Members of Congress don’t have the courage to address it. That’s the fundamental issue. If you don’t have the demand, you don’t have the drug problem,” Camp said.

He said 9 percent of all Americans over the age of 12 use some type of illegal drug.

“Why don’t members of Congress talk about this? Because it is so much easier to say the problem is next door rather than to admit it is a social problem,” Camp said. “Why are people consuming the drugs? That is a much more common message.”

The political atmosphere in Mexico has been a tumultuous one the last few decades, with the drug war and the shakeup in presidential elections.

Camp is one of the foremost experts on politics in Mexico and is frequently consulted in the areas of comparative elites, church-state relations and civil-military affairs. Last year, he released three books, “Oxford Handbook of Mexican Politics,” “Mexican Political Biographies” and “Mexico, What Everyone Needs to Know,” that discuss the lives of politicians and topics relating to political institutions.

“He in a way is a synthesis of so much knowledge of Mexico,” Miguel E. Basáñez, professor at the Fletcher School of Tufts University, said. “When you look at the structure of the handbook, you can see what is Rod’s brilliance.”

Reach reporter Salvador Guerrero at guerreros@shns.com. Reprinted from the Scripps Howard Foundation Wire (http://shfwire.com/).

Dicen por ahí que en una competencia siempre que alguien gana alguien también pierde. En otra variante, digamos que cuando hay solamente dos competidores en una competencia, no hay primero y segundo lugar, sino solamente un ganador y un perdedor.

La diatriba anterior viene a cuento porque la semana pasada alguien le espetó a una bola de representantes de los 7 partidos políticos mexicanos reunidos en Chicago, capital de México del Norte, que “vamos a ver qué país, cuál de nuestros dos países, nos hace ciudadanos primero, México o Estados Unidos”.

La frase y el concepto no son demasiado nuevos, los hemos estado repitiendo desde hace algunos ayeres, pero se ha popularizado en los últimos tiempos. Tiene que ver con el concepto de “ciudadano” como distinto a “nacional”. Nacional es el originario de alguna nación, nacido ahí y con los derechos que ese hecho le otorga. El otro, el Ciudadano, es una nacional que participa políticamente en los destinos de esa nación.

Y ahí entra la cosa de “a ver quién gana”.

Por obviedad, obvia, los mexicanos en el exterior somos nacionales, pero no necesariamente ciudadanos. Es más, según los números preliminares del registro de mexicanos para votar desde el exterior, nomás habremos unos 35 ciudadanos mexicanos viviendo en el extranjero a mediados de año. Y conste que digo a mediados, porque en una de esas muchos de los registrados ni siquiera alcanzan a votar.

Así le pasó hace unos meses a los michoacanos, que se registraron para votar y nunca les llegó la boleta electoral. Se quedaron en nacionales michoacanos nomás. De los treinta y tantos mil registrados para votar en julio, no me extrañaría que pase lo mismo con algunos, y nos queden menos ciudadanos al rato que ahorita.

La frase del “a ver quien gana” no es tan desatinada, es un desafío porque hasta el momento México no parece no tener ningún interés en darnos la ciudadanía. Al contrario, para los partidos políticos que vinieron a Chicago, parece que lo que les interesa es que haya menos ciudadanos, porque en 6 años no fueron capaces de cambiar un solo parrafito de la ley electoral para darnos el chance de votar. 

…Y el Último

Y lo mismito nos pasa de acá de este lado. Tampoco hay interés en que nos hagamos ciudadanos de verdad.

Hace un par de días se aprobó en Chicago la llamada “redistritación”, engorroso proceso que obliga a todo el país a recomponer los mapas electorales según los resultados del Censo de 2010. La altamente democrática obligación se resuelve de la manera más antidemocrática posible, para varias, y en la que los ciudadanos no tienen nada que ver y difícilmente se enteran de por dónde anda la bolita.

En el caso particular de Chicago, el Censo dice que en un chico rato y nos hacemos más que los demás. Nuestra población es un 32 por ciento negra, un 32 por ciento blanca, y un 29 por ciento morena. El resto está compuesto de todos los demás colores del arcoiris mundial.

Siendo así, a los latinos les corresponderían matemáticamente 15 asientos en el Ayuntamiento, contra unos 17 y 17 de los otros grupos étnicos mayores, y uno de propina para los demás.

Pero como las matemáticas no cuentan en la política excepto a la hora de contar mal los votos que se hayan depositado en una urna, el “acuerdo” de una bola de políticos tramposos, mentirosos y corruptos como siempre, es que a los latinos les van a tocar nomás 13 curules. Los negros bajan de 19 a 18, y los blancos se quedan con los 17 que hasta hoy tienen. El resto son “distritos” de influencia pero no de mayoría”, dicen, o sea que cualquier raza los puede ganar si se entiende con otra raza.

Lo curioso del caso es que uno de los distritos de indudable mayoría latina está representado, desde hace como tres décadas, por un blanco. Como quien dice, serás mayoría en población, pero no necesariamente te van a dejar ganar las elecciones.

En conclusión, ni aquí ni allá nos toca la ciudadanía de verdad. La de México porque ni siquiera nos dejan votar, y la de Estados Unidos porque en caso de votar de todas formas hay que elegir a un blanco para que nos “represente”.

Contactio Jorge Mújica Murias e mexicodelnorte@yahoo.com.mx

Long lines snake through the halls at the San Diego Marriot. Women dressed in suits and men wearing ties, all holding on to their resumes and hopes of finding a job.

This is a job fair with 17 companies and schools, including the army and the Border Patrol, seeking to find new recruits, amongst people looking for a career or a career change.

“We´ve quadrupled the number of attendees compared to previous job fairs held in November and December” said Job facilitator Robert Brown.

“We usually had about 150 searchers, we had 200 at the last event but today over 800 people came looking for a chance” he added.

The number is very telling of a faltering economy affecting thousands of San Diegans.

According to Labor Statistics unemployment in San Diego had dropped from 10.6 in July to 9.2 in November 2011, but the drop might be explained by seasonal hires for the Holidays, and those same people found themselves without a job in January.

“Unemployment is high, people are desperate to get back to work. I see people with Master´s degrees willing to go into sales, and kids fresh out of high school doing the same. I´ve been surprised to see people in mid-career willing to go back to school to become more employable” Brown adds.

His perception is backed up by a recent study by the non-partisan think tank Equinox that just released its annual Quality of Life Dashboard. Researchers found the number of jobs has increased over the last decade, but the increase has been in low paying sectors such as leisure, hospitality and food services.

San Diego as a region has lost jobs in mid-high paying sectors, bad news considering the cost of living in the area is increasing at a faster rate than the national average and other major cities in the West coast.

Amongst the job hunters was 24 year old Israel Cay-etano, who recently quit his job as manager at a pizza chain and is now thinking of joining the Border Patrol as a way to get some job security.

“What convinced me is the possibility of earning up to $75 grand a year, after three years on the job” Cayetano explains, “what I want more than anything is a steady job, I want to stop feeling anxious that I will lose my job at any moment.”

But not only the very young where among the crowd, but 36 year old Joel Gutierrez, a family man who used to make a good income as a phone salesman.

“I used to earn up to $60,000 a year as a salesman and now I could be happy to secure $20 grand. I have a job but need more because the bills keep coming every month and are starting to pile up,” he explains.

Amongst the job offers is the direct sale of women´s clothing by Jockey, hoping to recruit women to start their own business.

“It is the new division of the firm and we are hoping to recruite 500 women in the first quarter of the year” said sales representative Marijane Ralph.

But those offers and others including going back to school are not what Gutierrez is looking for.

“There are too many schools and direct sales offers here” Gutierrez lamented, “Those sales companies ask you to invest and that is not solution for my problems at the moment.”

Gutierrez might not be interested, but many others seem open to getting back to school and changing careers all together. One of the booths with the longest lines to ask for information was Link 2 Life, a technical program for Emergency Technicians and patient care personnel. 

They offer paramedic training for 10 weeks, intensive course for 14 days y guarantee financial support to pay for studing.

Melissa Lundsford was the one in charge of giving out information in the booth, in her experience San Diegans are not so much out of a job but in low paying jobs that don’t allow them to pay off their debts.

“This career path is mostly attractive for the very young, recent high school graduates that are looking for a career and those in their 50s and 60s that made a career in fields that are no longer as profitable as they used to be, such as insurance, real estate and sales” she explained.

“Those people are looking for job security that their old jobs no longer offer, in fact, people are looking for a sure thing which is more elusive than ever”, she added.