Comments on: Obama Talks Tortas, Religion

By: Toby

Toby — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:06:38 +0000

Toby

I think you are absolutely on track here!

By: Joaquin

Joaquin — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:51:18 +0000

We live in a border region. It’s going to be a predominately Mexican-American area. I guess that is what’s referenced as to the lack of diversity. Using that gauge, a great many regions and cities in this country also lack diversity, with most being predominately white as in, for example, communities in Iowa and the Dakotas. That doesn’t make them bad places at all. It’s where they are geographically just like where we’re located.
Is having a largely homogonized population, be it Hispanic, black or white, bad? Not necessarily. We all can’t be big city elities, nor want to be, living in a United Nations of diversity like NYC or LA.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:39:06 +0000

“Geographically segregated,” Brownsville is in a unique place in the world. So unique, that diversity does not run rampant as it does in other cities. This diversity calls upon other peoples opinions, ideas, cultures, creeds, be it bias or not. Not to say that Brownsvillians do not have there own diverse marketplace of ideas, because plenty do and can be heard and seen day to day. The unfortunate aspect of a lack of diversity is what I was referencing to in my last comment. I love Brownsville, the culture and people, and even at times it’s unique isolation. But as Diversity goes, theres none to be found.

Oh, and Joaquin, I never stated the RGV or Brownsville are not capable of holding political discussions, I know plenty of individuals whom I myself have had discussions with, and know theres more out there.

By: Editora

Editora — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:48:22 +0000

We are in a disctinct corner of the world, agreed. But the notion that because we are not in middle America, or even middle Texas, we are somehow isolated from the issues or the political process is an unfortunate (and unfortunately popular) theory. If we’re going to matter to politicians all the way in Washington, D.C., or Austin for that matter, we have to decide amongst ourselves that we matter to each other, first. Respecting opposing points of view is a first step, though one that seems too large to make for a lot of political types here.

By: Joaquin

Joaquin — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:17:52 +0000

Thanks for the comments and posts. Gee, I think sometimes people are too tough on their hometowns. Brownsville is an “unfortunate geographically segregated city?” I’m not sure what that means. Is El Paso way out in West Texas by its lonesomes a geographically segregated city? How about Odessa and Midland?
In generations past, in the days before instant communications and the Internet, there were areas geographically isolated. With improved communications, air travel, etc., there’s hardly any such thing anymore.
People in Brownsville and the RGV are just as capable as people in Austin of having good political discussions. Saying otherwise strikes me as snobbery.

By: Nathan B

Nathan B — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 03:20:47 +0000

I really enjoyed this article. VERY well written, and un-bias by all means.
I’m tired of looking back on my hometown’s newspaper and reading comments of bias “Clinton Country” propaganda.

I hope the unfortunate geographically segregated city where I have spent 18 years of my life will opens it’s eyes to this candidate just a little bit more, so his message of hope can prevail as it has here in the state’s capital.

By: cbay

cbay — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 01:22:06 +0000

As one who grew up in a solidly Democratic Texas, it still feels like I’m in a parallel universe when we talk about a solid red Texas. I’m feeling really, really old. I miss Sissy, Ann and Molly.

On the other hand, is there still a chance that we will elect a President who has something on his or her mind other than re-election? Someone who might want to do the right work for the people who need it most regardless of the electoral consequences?

Oh, I forgot. Kucinich dropped out of the race.

By: Joaquin

Joaquin — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:33:38 +0000

Thanks for the posts, they’re both really good.
I think the degree of attention that Texas gets from 2009-2012 will depend if the state is seen as any sort of swing state by the new president. If Obama or Clinton are elected, and Texas is still seen as being a solid red state (probably), I doubt that we’ll see much of them.
Look for Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida to keep getting lots of attention from the new president be it McCain or one of the Dems.
Look at recent presidents. Clinton lavished attention on California when it was a purple state in the 1990s. Bush 2 focused on Florida and Pennsylvania.

By: C Bay

C Bay — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:47:08 +0000

Well said, Editora. We should all remember, though, that Kool-Aid is being offered in a variety of flavors this year, even though the selection is expected to narrow between now and November. It’s ALL Kool-Aid, regardless of who’s serving it. Obama’s not alone in his ability to attract hero worship. There’s something spectacularly meaningful to us human beings about being seen, even if our visage flashes ever-so-quickly across the retina of the candidate. I’d love to see a dialogue about how we maintain our position in the spotlight once the race is determined. Joaquin? Any ideas?

By: Editora

Editora — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:16:33 +0000

The sudden attention the Valley has received from presidential hopefuls is unprecedented, so rare in fact that the light from the national press cameras might be bright enough to blind some voters to the fact that while these appearances are valuable and a come-lately show of recognition for Hispanic voters and for South Texas, the real fight begins after Tuesday’s primary. That’s the fight to KEEP the attention of the presidential nominees and eventually the president. Right now, all anyone can talk about is Obama’s drop in on Sombrero Fest. And it’s understandable. Watching a potential president strolling the Washington Park grounds, eating a stuffed torta was enough for some to drink the Obama Kool-Aid and wash down the attention that we’ve never quite so enjoyed. What happens Tuesday is crucial to the future of the country. But it will be our willingness to fight for the spotlight during the next four-plus years that will make these moments in political times most valuable.