With reference to the Latin American situation, I have made comments and perhaps gave an answer to Professor Doug Cassel regarding his perception of Peru at the present.
It includes the judicial system and other relevant aspects of the atrocities committed against humanity during the era of the wanton terrorism; FUJIMORI, ET AL.
The situation in Peru can be related to the situation in many Latin American countries, that I prefer to separate into SUD AMERICA and the many small countries in CENTRAL AMERICA.
Most people get offended when one does not agree with the insulting simplification of the compounding of civilizations into groups. Indeed, it is very offensive when people relate to Mexicans as "A man sitting in the street with a big sombrero;" overlooking the large economy of Mexico that is so related to our economy in the USA that when an economic failure happens down there, it also happens up here, and vice versa.
The economies of the Central American countries, generally speaking (it is sinful to generalize, however I, sometimes resource to using it)are relevant to us in the U.S.A. more related to the economic aid that we provide (monies sent to support "LA MAMA O LOS NINOS"), especially to CUBA, or the fight against small revolutions and the standard dictators, that have included generals involved in the drug traffic.
While regarding SUD AMERICA, with many large very productive countries, we, Sud Americans, have the power of the production of needed goods. As an example I can mention Brazil and its tremendous economy that is able to sell airplanes to us and also large amounts of fruit juices; Peru practically gives to the world its national minerals and has been endowed with a succulent variety of products including gold, silver, copper, and URANIUM, not to mention the fish and the wood from the jungle.
The paper that I wrote and sent to professor Cassel (included at the end of the post) includes commentaries regarding the UGLY SITUATION OF THE POVERTY OF THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION in my native Peru, who are wrongly called INDIANS and that I INSIST ON CALLING THEM "CHOLOS;" BEING MYSELF a Cholo, WITH MUCH PRIDE OF BEING ONE, REGARDLESS OF HAVING THE SKIN A BIT LIGHTER THAN MOST OF MY FELLOW PERUVIANS.
It is amazing to realize that the discrimination among SUD AMERICANS, including with much emphasis on the discrimination that the ARGENTINIANS use against their own people; claiming to be, most of them EUROPEANS and calling "THE OTHERS" CABESITA NEGRA (black heads). What a generalized idiocy and arrogance. The most stupid and funny thing is that such aberration also exists in Peru, where one shade lighter of the skin or one more dollar in the pocket converts a CHOLO into a white man, or so they think.
In my native country, Peru, it has been reported (I wrote relevant commentaries regarding this subject also) that the misery is such that "HOSPITAL PERUANO OPERA CON HERRAMIENTAS DE FERRETERIA." In Huancayo, a mountain town, the corruption is such that the doctors have to use hardware store tools to operate on people, while EL MINISTRO acuses the regional PRESIDENTE of stealing the money for the medical supplies, and he in tern accuses another AUTORIDAD, and the sequence of corruptions never ends. Peruvians are so used to the CORRUPTION that they always have an answer for every crime or misdemeanor.
The President announced that before his term expires in 2011, he will reduce the poverty by 25 %. "PRESIDENT PLEDGES TO CUT POVERTY BY 25 PERCENT," Miami Herald Tuesday, July 29, 2008, page 7A, The Americas- Latin American Briefs.
It is very amusing to compare the situation in "SUD AMERICA," with the situation in THE MIAMI AREA. It is not unusual to read in the news or see on TV that one or another official of the government of Miami HAS BEEN INDICTED OR ACCUSED OF ROB ERIES OR MISAPPROPRIATIONS. And then, the ways of the politics in MIAMI are so similar to the ones, in this case I will term what we call SOUTH OF THE BORDER as LATIN AMERICA combining South and Central America; because, with few exceptions, the CORRUPTION of such part of the world can even be compared with the corruption in Miami or perhaps in New Orleans. But the illegal immigrants keep entering the USA with Wet foot/Dry foot or other, easy to use TRICKS, most acceptable under our illogical immigration system, which is a failure.
As I have previously said, there is the fear of calling A SPADE A SPADE and people are afraid of using the world "NEGRO" and instead, they think it makes it less insulting by calling them "AFRICAN AMERICANS." What a puritanistic pile of manure. I call myself a CHOLO and I am proud of being one.
When I was a child I was called a gringo; I was also called NEGRITO, chino, sambo, loco, flaco. However, there is one thing that we LATINOS have to be proud of, and it is that we do not get so easily insulted as my fellow Americans do; because, the color of your skin, despite the fact that IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE DEGREE OF CORRUPTION, while in practicality it does, according to the news more crime happens in the poor sections of cities where mixed races live, and more people in jail are "PEOPLE OF COLOR," such is so true as when we consider CUBANS DRIVING RECKLESSLY OR LATINOS IN GENERAL HAVING PARTIES AND THROWING TRASH AND MAKING INCREDIBLE NOISE WITH THEIR "boom, boom" MUSIC.
Thus I say, "DO NOT GET OFFENDED WHEN A PERSON OF COLOR IS IDENTIFIED AS SUCH, INSTEAD JUST HAVE THE COURAGE OF CORRECTING YOUR MISBEHAVIOR'S AND FORGET THE STUPID REGIONALISM or racial slurs, OF COURSE, SOMETIMES IT IS USEFUL TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT:
ACTING AS YOU USED TO DO IN YOUR NATIVE LANDS, SUCH AS CROSSING THE STREET WHILE THE RED LIGHT INDICATES OTHERWISE IS STUPID. I personally, do not care if my CUBAN friends get insulted because I have almost been killed several times by the CUBAN COWBOYS who while DRIVING LIKE MANIACS behave in an INSOLENT MANNER AND ARE DANGEROUS ABOUT IT, sometimes using the privilege of having a gun. And I say, WHILE LIVING IN MIAMI YOU ARE NOT LIVING IN CUBA OR IN LATIN AMERICA. THUS, RESPECT THE LAWS AND THE CUSTOMS OF NATIVE AMERICANS AND STOP BEING SO DISHONEST. WHAT A GENERALIZATION; IT IS SINFUL FROM MY PART
THE LETTER THAT I SENT TO PROFESSOR CASSEL:
Kind attention: Doug Cassel, Director of the Center for Civil and Human Rights
The Notre Dame Law School
doug.cassel@nd.edu
Dear Professor Cassel:
It is so important that a person of your caliber considers reporting the happenings in Peru. It is enlightening to learn that somebody is interested in the justice used in Latin America.
There are similar situations occurring in other countries; places where the brutality and human abuse have been considerable, under any circumstances, including the fighting against terrorism; IN A NON DECLARED WAR. That intrinsically has a very different meaning than the meaning of a declared war, where the Rules of Combat or the Rules of Engagement are totally different among civilized, law abiding countries.
After visiting Peru, my native country, almost every year since I left, I have had the opportunity of observing aspects of the massacres inflicted upon, mainly the indigenous population; the so-called CHOLOS. Thus, the issues and accusations against Montesinos and FUJIMORI, such LA CANTUTA and BARRIOS ALTOS as reported by the Peruvian press and the courts, are insignificant when one is aware of the acts of human abuse and wanton brutality committed during their regime; furthermore, during other Presidents/Dictator’s acts against humanity had also occurred and are kept in the shadows.
You just have touched the tip of the iceberg. And when one has visited the Soros Foundation in New York City and The Museum in Chorrillos, Lima, Peru a nauseating filling reaches the throat, and even the most callous person can shed tears of sorrow.
I have seen the pictures of people (natives mainly) being made to make their burial holes to be executed by the military; while the tortures incurred by the SENDERO LUMINOSO were even much more brutal and inhumane than the ones inflicted by the military, or the para military that was a diabolic force used by Dictators in most countries in Latin America.
When I was young and living in Peru, such criminals were called INVESTIGADORES; later on they took new names as SPECIAL FORCES, SEGURIDAD. The general public called them SOPLONES and other appellatives. Such person will kill and kidnap by orders of the many MINISTROS or the military. Everything in a calm, organized, criminal form, after having received training on how to commit such atrocities.
I have been informed, by retired officers of the armed forces of Peru of the indignities that their superiors made them commit in order to prove THE MACHISMO. However, such machismo has been used to brutalize and assassinate other Peruvians in a NON DECLARED WAR.
I have visited Peru and I pride myself to inform you that I know more about Peru than most of the so-called MINISTROS. I have seen the abuses that, until now, are committed against the CHOLOS. The abuses in the mines, the illnesses produced by contamination, the dissemination of their minerals that produce succulent fortunes TO THE POWER FAMILIES, THE MILITARY, OR THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE OLIGARCHY OF THE NEW “DEMOCRATIC ELECTED GOVERNMENT.”
While in the mountains in Peru, and after learning that more than 70 thousand Peruvians were killed during the era of the terrorism, mostly by the TERRUCOS and partly by the abusive military, the justice that is being applied to FUJIMORI/Montesinos is such a token of FAKE rulings that shows that Peru is not changing, that the process of law is infected and that such system only applies to a few. But the pomposity of the JUDGES and the Peruvian band around the succulent stomach and pantomime are the prime denominator.
The killings are only part of the crime, the human abuses and the TORTURE inflicted to women and even children is repulsive. Peruvians have the habit of forgetting and, therefore making heroes of people such as FUJIMORI, recognizing the futile principle OF:
“HOW DO YOU FIGHT TERRORISM?” My answer to it has been clear and concise:
‘TERRORISM MUST NOT BE FOUGHT WITH MORE TERRORISM, BECAUSE THE RESULT IS MORAL DECADENCE AND CHAOS”
Peruvian refused to learn from the past and are bought by packets of rice or a few dollars. It is because, being a beautiful and very rich country, the poverty that is rapidly graduating to misery prevails. While in Lima, the main object is how to obtain an income derived from illicit gain or by being appointed to a position using THE VARA or NEPOTISM and COMPADRASGO (to have a GODFATHER) are the rules and are accepted.
I thank you for having the integrity and courage to inform regarding the fake justice system in Peru. One has just to visit EL PALACIO DE JUSTICIA, a magnificent building that is decaying in which JUDGES have been found receiving illicit contributions. Sometimes the corruption in Peru resembles the corruption in MIAMI or New Orleans, with the difference that in the USA one has recourse; in Peru one does not. It has happened to us
Truly Yours
Alejandro “EL CONDOR” Arce
NOTE: Alejandro Arce a/k/a “EL CONDOR” is a bona fide American citizen, voter and taxpayer. He also holds Peruvian citizenship and ran for the office of President in the last elections.
Due to assault on his wife, we were advised that the police were the criminals and that we were the subject of a kidnapping; thus, we left Lima and reside in Miami, after living in Washington D.C. for most of his life.
Alejandro is an Environmental Toxicologist who, after working for several private laboratories, joined the U.S. Government. He has published many scientific papers and he has participated in the betterment of the City of Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Happy 4th of July. Let's Make America Better and Better
CELEBRATING OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY
Tomorrow we will be celebrating the Independence Day and we should be happy and thankful that we are a free country in which the rights of the people are respected.
What we have in America, as compared with most of the countries around the world is much better; perhaps not perfect, but by all means our life is easier and the benefits are immeasurable.
Where can you find a country in which anyone can move from the East to the West without requiring special permits or without having to put up with restricting regulations or controls every 200 miles?
Where can you find a country in which no matter what your situation IS there is always shelter and food and other types of assistance?
These are just a few things that are to our advantage and that we take for granted. We have unemployment compensation, food stamps, housing for the poor, medical attention for free if you take the time to find where the facilities are and what they can provide for you and your family.
Of course, most true Americans are proud people and do not look forward to use such assistance. The ones that find themselves in a situation of requiring help from the federal government, the states, the counties, or cities or charitable associations are not that many; and among them, many have a valid reason. But lots of them just do not make an effort to support themselves and make part of their daily living the use of the public assistance.
It is understandable that in any society there will always be people in need. However, when people believe that it is just as easy to request assistance rather than to find a suitable job, cities become isolated due to the burden and the poverty and misery grows exponentially.
Despite the criticism against the government, we have to realize that after September 11, our enemies have not cost us disgrace.
Our liberties have been reduced; not for the regular people but for the ones who, perhaps could present a danger to our security.
It does not mean that we have to change our free ways of life, it means that we have to be more careful and that it is our responsibility to safeguard our people and our country. Thus, some small sacrifices are not an imposition but a benevolent infringement on our freedom, such as the checking at airports and public buildings, some wiretapping of our communications that happens to the ones who present some kind of danger. It does not happen to regular people. At least it has not happened to me.
We have many enemies, that a re envious of our ways of life and our freedoms; regardless of the fact the many people from around the world hope to be able to enter America, even to become low paid workers. In most cases, even the lowest paid jobs and/or opportunities that such people encounter in the USA are much better than what they have in their countries of origin.
We, very easily criticize our ways of life and complain about almost every little inconvenience, but when one goes to the shopping mall and sees people spending money and buying products, not necessarily urgently needed, we do not see that part of our society with no money to spend. When we eat a tremendous amount of food, we do not think about how many hungry people there are in most countries. We just do not see things that we deem to be to our displeasure, but we are ready to criticize.
Of course there are many things that we can criticize regarding the U S A. Most of us are not in favor of having so many wars. Many of us are suffering because of the price that we have to pay for gasoline, but we drive large vehicles; many times with only one passenger.
Our economic security is in jeopardy due to the housing mortgage situation. And of course there are hundreds of things that make us uncomfortable, but on the average we live in luxury that most people around the world cannot afford. However, we do not criticize ourselves for the so expensive and poor education that we give to our children. Nevertheless, the majority look as an integral part of our education, the playing of football or basketball with little emphasis on learning languages or how to properly speak. We have to learn geography so we will not be presenting ourselves as arrogant, ignorant Americans who do not know where any capitol of the important countries or countries that are our allies or enemies are located; or their names. And of course there are too many arrogant people that claim that because of the fact of being born in the USA they are superior to other people without realizing that it is part of our pride to be Americans but that we should be better educated and better behaved than others if we want to be considered superior . . . Why and when is someone superior to others, anyway?
We have to learn that a country that is not unified is a country in trouble. We have to reunify ourselves and present to the world a front of strong but not abusive people. We have to present ourselves to the world as well educated, and well behaved people instead of arrogant bullies. We have to respect other cultures, despite the fact that they are different from ours. And then, we will regain our right to call ourselves the great American People that we deserve to be in one of the richest and most beautiful countries on the planet
Have a happy Fourth of July and enjoy your hamburgers, hot dogs and a good glass of beer.
Alejandro "EL CONDOR" Arce
A bona fide America, voter and tax payer.
Tomorrow we will be celebrating the Independence Day and we should be happy and thankful that we are a free country in which the rights of the people are respected.
What we have in America, as compared with most of the countries around the world is much better; perhaps not perfect, but by all means our life is easier and the benefits are immeasurable.
Where can you find a country in which anyone can move from the East to the West without requiring special permits or without having to put up with restricting regulations or controls every 200 miles?
Where can you find a country in which no matter what your situation IS there is always shelter and food and other types of assistance?
These are just a few things that are to our advantage and that we take for granted. We have unemployment compensation, food stamps, housing for the poor, medical attention for free if you take the time to find where the facilities are and what they can provide for you and your family.
Of course, most true Americans are proud people and do not look forward to use such assistance. The ones that find themselves in a situation of requiring help from the federal government, the states, the counties, or cities or charitable associations are not that many; and among them, many have a valid reason. But lots of them just do not make an effort to support themselves and make part of their daily living the use of the public assistance.
It is understandable that in any society there will always be people in need. However, when people believe that it is just as easy to request assistance rather than to find a suitable job, cities become isolated due to the burden and the poverty and misery grows exponentially.
Despite the criticism against the government, we have to realize that after September 11, our enemies have not cost us disgrace.
Our liberties have been reduced; not for the regular people but for the ones who, perhaps could present a danger to our security.
It does not mean that we have to change our free ways of life, it means that we have to be more careful and that it is our responsibility to safeguard our people and our country. Thus, some small sacrifices are not an imposition but a benevolent infringement on our freedom, such as the checking at airports and public buildings, some wiretapping of our communications that happens to the ones who present some kind of danger. It does not happen to regular people. At least it has not happened to me.
We have many enemies, that a re envious of our ways of life and our freedoms; regardless of the fact the many people from around the world hope to be able to enter America, even to become low paid workers. In most cases, even the lowest paid jobs and/or opportunities that such people encounter in the USA are much better than what they have in their countries of origin.
We, very easily criticize our ways of life and complain about almost every little inconvenience, but when one goes to the shopping mall and sees people spending money and buying products, not necessarily urgently needed, we do not see that part of our society with no money to spend. When we eat a tremendous amount of food, we do not think about how many hungry people there are in most countries. We just do not see things that we deem to be to our displeasure, but we are ready to criticize.
Of course there are many things that we can criticize regarding the U S A. Most of us are not in favor of having so many wars. Many of us are suffering because of the price that we have to pay for gasoline, but we drive large vehicles; many times with only one passenger.
Our economic security is in jeopardy due to the housing mortgage situation. And of course there are hundreds of things that make us uncomfortable, but on the average we live in luxury that most people around the world cannot afford. However, we do not criticize ourselves for the so expensive and poor education that we give to our children. Nevertheless, the majority look as an integral part of our education, the playing of football or basketball with little emphasis on learning languages or how to properly speak. We have to learn geography so we will not be presenting ourselves as arrogant, ignorant Americans who do not know where any capitol of the important countries or countries that are our allies or enemies are located; or their names. And of course there are too many arrogant people that claim that because of the fact of being born in the USA they are superior to other people without realizing that it is part of our pride to be Americans but that we should be better educated and better behaved than others if we want to be considered superior . . . Why and when is someone superior to others, anyway?
We have to learn that a country that is not unified is a country in trouble. We have to reunify ourselves and present to the world a front of strong but not abusive people. We have to present ourselves to the world as well educated, and well behaved people instead of arrogant bullies. We have to respect other cultures, despite the fact that they are different from ours. And then, we will regain our right to call ourselves the great American People that we deserve to be in one of the richest and most beautiful countries on the planet
Have a happy Fourth of July and enjoy your hamburgers, hot dogs and a good glass of beer.
Alejandro "EL CONDOR" Arce
A bona fide America, voter and tax payer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
