Why is it that the Mexican people in our small Mexican town are kinder to the American expatriates than Americans seem to be to one another in the United States? We have imposed ourselves upon the “natives,” yet they seem to accept us. We do not cry “racism” every time we are treated differently than the Mexicans. We accept our status here, and we always have the option of returning north of the border where “racism” seems to be a real part of daily life.
Watching American television, we see that the United States really has not progressed very much when it comes to racial issues. Some thought that the election of Obama showed how far Americans had come with their racial biases. But, nothing (racially speaking) changed other than the occupants of the White House. Even the President's comments at last night's press conference exemplifies this fact.
“Skip” Gates was arrested by Cambridge police after they responded to a call about a possible break-in at the Gates’ home. The police had no way of knowing that it was Gates fumbling with his keys trying to enter his own house. After an exchange between the police and Gates, Gates was released. The public does not know all of the facts surrounding this incident. CNN has reported that Gates was treated roughly, that there had been reports of attempted break-ins at the Gates’ home on other occasions and then of course the issue of racial profiling.
I wonder if this would have been an issue if a black police officer had responded. Oh well, we won’t know the answer to that one.
Or maybe, it would have been better if the police had not responded at all. But, if the police did not respond and the “burglar” was not Gates but rather an armed intruder, and property loss or bodily harm had resulted, what would be said of the police then? Would the lack of police response have been “racist” because everyone knew (according to CNN reports) Gates (“a prominent and intellectual black man”) lived in that house? If it had been a white man’s house and a black police officer responded, would this be such a newsworthy event? And, would CNN report a white man as being “prominent and intellectual?” I wonder, is CNN fueling the fires of racism?
It seems to me that the police were in a no win situation. Doing their job got the Cambridge police officer accused of profiling. Not doing his job would have led to accusations of the department acting in a discriminatory and prejudice manner.
Again, not knowing all the facts we cannot make a true assessment. But, I hope that in my lifetime, we can get to the point where we perform our duties in good faith and to the best of our abilities and will not have to fear that someone will find a racial motive behind the action.
If that day comes, then what will CNN report?
REMINDER: Blacks in America part 2 is on tonight with Soledad O’Brien - keep up the good
work CNN.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Medical care
After Dave had his usual chilaquiles y huevos for breakfast and I had my more American omelette de jamon y queso, we went to the market for the makings of our supper. I have finally gotten use to the meat hanging in the open air and watching as the butcher cuts off what you ask for. It is some of the best pork and beef that I have ever eaten. I still have not gotten to the point of buying fresh chicken, but I guess it really makes no difference as to the cleanliness and saftey of the food. We have been eating from the carts of the local street vendors most of the time that we have lived here and have survived with little or no discomfort. Everyone (even the locals) suffer from amoebas, but we just take medicine once a month to take care of that problem.
Speaking of medicine, we watch with interest the American debate on health care. Though our time watching American news is much less than when we first arrived, we do try to keep up with current events. It gets so frustrating though to see how slanted American media are when they present activities occurring south of the border. Life here is not nearly as dangerous as CNN portrays it. But, I will save my opinions on CNN for another time.
So back to health care. We are well taken care of here. Most medicines are purchased over the counter and a consultation with a Mexican doctor varies from 20 pesos to 30 pesos. If you want to use the services of the doctors who cater to the expatriates, you can easily pay thirty to forty times that amount before leaving their office (I guess some expatriates feel comfort in knowing their doctor drives a new jaguar and they don't mind paying the extra costs). We were foolish in not purchasing health insurance when we first got here, but because medical costs are so low we figured why go to the expense of buying insurance. But, then we thought better of it. IMSS, the government medical insurace, takes three years to fully kick in with coverage. The first two years cover some things but not all. After paying the third year premium, EVERYTHING is covered with no deductible. Our premiums increased 100 pesos this year. It is all based on age (by decade). So my annual premium is 2133 pesos and Dave's is 3211 pesos. Also, we live right down the street from Cruz Roja (Red Cross) which is nothing like American Red Cross. It operates like an emergency room/clinic and financed with charitable contributions and donations from the patients. If a person uses Cruz Roja, an amount to contribute will be suggested (which is minimal), but if the patient cannot afford it, then that is OK too. So, you can see why we watch with interest what the American health care program will be, who will benefit, and who will pay the costs.
The longer we live here the more I realize that living in a third world country is not like what the media portrays it. Though there might be some violence, government corruption, poverty, and even people without medical insurance, can't the same be said about the United States? Maybe the United States should look at third world countries and see how they deal with problems that all societies share. The United States always has solutions to problems (both domestic and foreign), but are the solutions always the right ones for others?
Speaking of medicine, we watch with interest the American debate on health care. Though our time watching American news is much less than when we first arrived, we do try to keep up with current events. It gets so frustrating though to see how slanted American media are when they present activities occurring south of the border. Life here is not nearly as dangerous as CNN portrays it. But, I will save my opinions on CNN for another time.
So back to health care. We are well taken care of here. Most medicines are purchased over the counter and a consultation with a Mexican doctor varies from 20 pesos to 30 pesos. If you want to use the services of the doctors who cater to the expatriates, you can easily pay thirty to forty times that amount before leaving their office (I guess some expatriates feel comfort in knowing their doctor drives a new jaguar and they don't mind paying the extra costs). We were foolish in not purchasing health insurance when we first got here, but because medical costs are so low we figured why go to the expense of buying insurance. But, then we thought better of it. IMSS, the government medical insurace, takes three years to fully kick in with coverage. The first two years cover some things but not all. After paying the third year premium, EVERYTHING is covered with no deductible. Our premiums increased 100 pesos this year. It is all based on age (by decade). So my annual premium is 2133 pesos and Dave's is 3211 pesos. Also, we live right down the street from Cruz Roja (Red Cross) which is nothing like American Red Cross. It operates like an emergency room/clinic and financed with charitable contributions and donations from the patients. If a person uses Cruz Roja, an amount to contribute will be suggested (which is minimal), but if the patient cannot afford it, then that is OK too. So, you can see why we watch with interest what the American health care program will be, who will benefit, and who will pay the costs.
The longer we live here the more I realize that living in a third world country is not like what the media portrays it. Though there might be some violence, government corruption, poverty, and even people without medical insurance, can't the same be said about the United States? Maybe the United States should look at third world countries and see how they deal with problems that all societies share. The United States always has solutions to problems (both domestic and foreign), but are the solutions always the right ones for others?
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Awakened by the rains
At 3:30 this morning we were awakend by the sounds of crackling thunder and flashing bolts of lightening. Lola (our 4 kg Mexican poodle) was less than pleased as the thunder rattled the windows. She found comfort by snuggling as close as possible to one of us. Even Jordan (our 45 kg black lab) was a little shaken by the sounds of mother nature. I guess they had forgotten what the rainy season can be like. I think it was the best (though not the longest) rain we have had since the season started last month. People were beginning to worry that this would be an unusually dry season which would mean that our beautiful Lake Chapala would suffer. But now our hopes are that this might be the start of bigger and better rains.
By 8:00, the rain had slowed to a heavy drizzle and I was able to take Jordan for his morning walk. He has had to learn that getting his feet wet is a reality to cope with during this time of year. While walking our regular route, the horses were trotting down the street as they were going from the field where they are kept at night down to the lake where they will be saddled and rented our for the weeked tourists to enjoy. What a site to see. Jordan just watches them pass by us. When Lola sees the horses, she wants to try to herd them.
Then Dave and I started our day. We walked to the market which is about 10 minutes from the house. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before getting vegetables and bread for tonight's supper and eggs for tomorrow morning's breakfast. (Here you buy eggs by the kilo.) After shopping, we walked down to the lake to see what was happening there. Tourists from Guadalajara escape the heat of the big city and spend the time at the lake to cool off. We have beautiful malecon (boardwalk) with play area for children and a wonderful park with swimming pool, football (soccer) fields, tennis courts, basketball courts and playground equipment for the children to enjoy. For just 5 pesos, you can enter the park and enjoy a relaxing time. All of this within walking distance to our house.
All along our morning walk, we were greeted by people sitting on their front stoops or walking along the avenida. Always with a smile and a friendly greeting to offer, we are reminded how simple life is here and why we decided to retire to a place so unlike what we left behind.
By 8:00, the rain had slowed to a heavy drizzle and I was able to take Jordan for his morning walk. He has had to learn that getting his feet wet is a reality to cope with during this time of year. While walking our regular route, the horses were trotting down the street as they were going from the field where they are kept at night down to the lake where they will be saddled and rented our for the weeked tourists to enjoy. What a site to see. Jordan just watches them pass by us. When Lola sees the horses, she wants to try to herd them.
Then Dave and I started our day. We walked to the market which is about 10 minutes from the house. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before getting vegetables and bread for tonight's supper and eggs for tomorrow morning's breakfast. (Here you buy eggs by the kilo.) After shopping, we walked down to the lake to see what was happening there. Tourists from Guadalajara escape the heat of the big city and spend the time at the lake to cool off. We have beautiful malecon (boardwalk) with play area for children and a wonderful park with swimming pool, football (soccer) fields, tennis courts, basketball courts and playground equipment for the children to enjoy. For just 5 pesos, you can enter the park and enjoy a relaxing time. All of this within walking distance to our house.
All along our morning walk, we were greeted by people sitting on their front stoops or walking along the avenida. Always with a smile and a friendly greeting to offer, we are reminded how simple life is here and why we decided to retire to a place so unlike what we left behind.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
I think I got it now
Two and a half hours later, and I think I finally have set up the blog on blogspot.....but only after somehow setting it up on YouTube. Dave had to help me straighten it out and even he cannot explain to me what I had done wrong. So if you should see some weird stuff show up from time to time, just remember I am experimenting with what I can do on here.
Also, some of my friends have a rather "sick" sense of humor so please do not be offended by anything that others might say. I am in the political minority here, and I should not be held responsible for the opinions of others. I guess that is one of the risks that one takes in the blogosphere.
Finally, there will be grammatical mistakes from time to time. In the three years that we have been here, I seem to have lost some of the intricacies of the English language. To us gringoes, that is not a bad thing, however.
Also, some of my friends have a rather "sick" sense of humor so please do not be offended by anything that others might say. I am in the political minority here, and I should not be held responsible for the opinions of others. I guess that is one of the risks that one takes in the blogosphere.
Finally, there will be grammatical mistakes from time to time. In the three years that we have been here, I seem to have lost some of the intricacies of the English language. To us gringoes, that is not a bad thing, however.
Today, I decided to join the "world of bloggers." The friends that I often eat breakfast with have been blogging for quite some time so I decided I can do it too. I know that I can count on them to help me through the process. Since I am technologically impaired, please be patient with me. As I look around at the endless possibilities of what can be done on here, I will begin sharing with you some of my thoughts and experiences
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