Staying positive…

Hi and welcome back!

Well, looks like the summer is officially here, more or less. The days are uncomfortable, but not miserably hot all day and into the night hours.

I’m trying to be optimistic about it, but I know August and September will soon be here, and with it the heat. As I say, it’s not so bad, but I just wish it wouldn’t last through October.

Stand Up & Be Counted

• Louie Neira • 

There’s been a lot of turmoil and unrest in the recent weeks, some political, some civil, some school-related.

A lot of people think controversy is a bad thing, but in my opinion, they just don’t like rocking the boat and making waves. I can understand that, but in all seriousness, that’s what got us into this mess; people burying their heads in the sand and wishing the bad things go away.

Immigration, Amnesty, Prisoners and Social Reform

• Dondi Persyn •  

Most families in the United States are here because they (or their ancestors) immigrated here. This is the land of freedom and opportunity.

But the recent immigration hoopla has got me really fired up about this issue. Mostly because politicians refuse to listen to what the American people are telling them. And by the way- I don’t need my President to “convince me” of anything. I can think just fine for myself.

Things are getting better, right?

• by Louie Neira •

 

Yesterday, Paris Hilton was sent back to jail, crying and screaming.

Sure, she’ll get time off for good behavior, but it sends a message that no one, no matter if you have money or influence, is above the law.

It seems people here could learn a lesson from all this, but apparently it doesn’t work that way. Obviously, knowing the right people will do wonders if you’re ever in a jam.

If really makes me upset sometimes. Not that I wish this kind of thing wouldn’t happen, because there’s no stopping it, but because people are always saying they want justice, but that’s not true. They want justice – “just us” – for themselves.

It’s like the recent controversy in Sabinal. Both sides wanted justice, but for whom? I think justice is usually a compromise, but people seem to want everything their way while shouting “Equality!”

They demand equality, as long as things come out in their favor.

In Uvalde, I’m always hearing about officials who, according to the “oppressed”, have been in office for too long. They want them voted out and new people in their place because they demand a change “for the better”.

Yet who do they go to when they or their family are in trouble? Whom do they ask for leniency? Who gets re-elected into office? You guessed it, these same officials.

A lot of people tell me it’s the money-ed Anglos who are always scheming to keep their names (or their kid’s names) out of the paper. That might be true, but the Hispanic side would do (and has done) the exact same thing. You can’t go claiming racism when you’re guilty of doing it too (unless you don’t know the meaning of the word “hypocrite”).

It’s very frustrating to me sometimes, watching all this from the philosophical sidelines. People demand change – but to be more precise, they demand change from others so they don’t have to do any of the work to better their situation. They want fairness, but will withhold fairness from others.

I try not to be cynical, but it seems that’s the way it is.

These people were elected into office to support the community. They do their best and they do a good job (most of the time), but you have to ask yourself, “Why aren’t things getting any better?”

Our city, our schools, our government assures us constantly that things are improving and we have a bright future ahead. So why doesn’t that exactly make me feel confident about the way they’re running things? Why am I having a hard time believing these people? Why are people constantly showing up at my office door with problems?

I mean, there’s nothing really bad or wrong about these people. They’re very capable. They’re good people. They sincerely believe that they’re helping the community.

I like to believe that everyone has some basic good in them, but I’m also realistic and know that despite good intentions, people are sometimes weak when it comes to doing the right thing.

I really do want to believe these people. I like to think that they can’t be as self-absorbed and incompetent as the situation makes them appear to be, but…

The question stands. Why don’t things get any better?

Questions, questions, questions

Hi and welcome back!

Well, the weather here hasn’t really shifted into summer. It’s more of that in-between time during seasons where the days are a mix of sun and rain.

I don’t mind; either way it’s one day less of summer and while I still need to run my a/c, it’s not as bad as it could be and for that I’m grateful.