My experiences, thoughts and their expression: mi vida

On my recent trip to Brussels, I was impressed with the efforts by the EU in integrating society. That is, efforts directed at bringing people together...!!!  Just imagine!  Well, recently I came across - again - an article by Jay Janson in http://www.opednews.com/articles/Immigration-Solution--kind-by-Jay-Janson-080802-503.html in which the author brings out a perspective of interest. "Immigration Solution? Kindness ! Tex, Cal, Nevada, Utah, Parts of AZ, CO, NM, WY was Mexico "...!  In one sentence, he puts two tough arguments across: kindness, for one. (This one is for the pulpits across our State of Georgia!), and the annexation - no comment on how, yet - of all those 'bits and pieces' that were Mexico, into what is now the USA.  How does that play into today's immigration discussion? Do we have a short memory...or, given the psss-poor level of education in our schools, and therefore in our 'heritage', we know little, as a culture, as an 'age...

One of the most impressive photos of the week, for me, was this one. The process of the now 'previous President' climbing on this huge, massive green helicopter, and slowly rising up to flying altitude, and moving over the Mall, for a last look at Washington from the air. Or maybe for a last look at Washington, and for Washington to see them leaving the White House, as if to assure everyone they were ...ehem...'out'? The scene had a combination of feelings. Empathy drove a sadness for them: for the Prez and his wife. For the staff that had worked for them. For the people that would need to be with them these long hours. For their semi-sweet feeling of leaving, but yet - maybe - their rejoicing that it was now all over. The pain of change was to 'pass' now. A sadness for their feeling, maybe at a deep inner sense of self, that they - and those around them - had faced an overwhelming rejection by their compatriots, by their institutions, and by the world. Can you ...

Tonight, the U.S. President says "farewell" to the United States population via a televised network segment. That brings in mixed feelings. Really. For one, I will watch this man address the Nation - and the World - in either his typical demeanor and/or that familiar now, bully, side-mouth, facial expression. These, whether putting on a humble-looking stance, making you want to think that he is telling the truth, that he is sincere, that he is really transparent-ly sensible, or the "in-your-face-could-care-less-what-you-think" mafia boss, neighborhood-gang, bar brawling bully response" facial, will pull me in front of the TV once again tonight, and hopefully for the last time. I will pace myself before I utter - as I have done so many times - "Whoa!!! Where is he going with that?", whenever I sense another one of the bifid statements addressing multiple possibilities at the same time. Well in this aspect, know that I will miss watching these things, f...

A heavy week. More bad news on the economy. (as if we didn't know...). And the scary thing is that it took over a year for the "authorities" - Government, Economists, etc. - to declare a recession, officially, while the 'house was burning up' in plain sight of all to see. Yes, when the house had three bedrooms burnt all the way down to half the wall's height, half the kitchen gone, and the garage door fell off from the overheated spring, then the authorities had had the sufficient evidence to declare it - timidly at first - that we were in the middle of the "r". Even the VP and the Prez (?) tried to shuffle it under the rug after the word was out! But that is not the problem. The problem is that it took all that time for the 'con-sensus' to be in. For the recognition that 'we were in deep doo-doo'! So that, whenever we get to the recovery stage - and I hope that comes sooner than what it feels like it is going to take - the...

Yesterday 'we' were 'talking' about traditions, specifically the "Día de Reyes". Three kings - Magi - bringing gifts to the newborn child. These Magi " represent the non-Jewish peoples of the world ", and are also called " Wise Men" from Persia (Magi being Persian priests )." There is a lot of biblical, historical, liturgical references and depth behind these terms, and they encompass multiple cultures' beliefs and traditions. The feast's liturgical name is that of Epiphany, referencing the Incarnation of Jesus, the earliest reference to it as a Christian feast was in A.D. 361. It can also be a reference to Jesus' Baptism, depending upon the particular faith - West or East, respectively - followed. So that it is one of the most important liturgical feasts around. The readings of the day - check out this link here - are very interesting in terms of the allusions to Jerusalem, or to the "Alpha and Omega", or to J...

I just came across this website, CASA de Maryland, an organization founded in 1985 whose mission it is to "promote the quality of life and fight for equal treatment and full access to resources and opportunities for low-income Latinos and their families". It also "advocates for social, political, and economic justice for all low-income communities." The link that was being circulated that took me to CASA, referenced steps being taken to bring the subject of IR (Immigration Reform) to the attention of the new government. What a surprise - mine - to find out that as of last December ( seems eons ago! ), representatives of multiple organizations had met with key transition team members of President Elect Barack Obama to bring the subject up, including updates on raids, separation of families, broken immigration visa and related processes, etc. Moreover, "This meeting preceded a larger gathering between 2,500 grassroots community leaders , key Obama advisers and me...

¡Hola! Wanted to share with you a couple of things as regards the blog: USBCC and GALEO and JOB. You have been receiving an e-mail with the content of the blog, and two things come up for me. One, let me know if you are NOT interested in receiving the e-mail. That may be irritating and it fills in the inbox - one more thing to have to read on a busy day. The site provides for a way to see the blog, by visiting http://usbccgaleojob.blogspot.com/ This way you can catch up with my thoughts without having the nuisance - possibly - of an e-mail in your inbox. Also, by visiting the blog (you can also click at the link USBCC and GALEO and JOB at the bottom of the e-mail), you can also provide comments on the topic of that day, something which I would really like, and am interested in. So, hope you have a great 3 King's Day, and let me hear from you. Regards, /jblanco

Los Tres Santos Reyes...~...tonight...they come...there is excitement in the land...in kids' hearts...in grown-ups hearts, as they prepare for "los asaltos" that will come in, or not. "Asaltos" - a tradition, where friends, relatives and their friends, who might be 'strangers', sing carols at the doorstep, at any time of the eve or night, and one is to open the door, welcome them, and join in the singing, serve refreshments (!), and food, and whatever there is in the fridge! And when they feel it is time to go, they start singing as a group again, grab you by the arm, and there you go!, singing with them as they move to another friend's house, making the carol-singing-group yet larger by one more family unit. (This may go on till breakfast...I never - really - wished to be the last one: one is tired, somewhat 'fuzzy-dizzy', and now it is one's time to cook, prepare food for the carolers before they go to work (some) or to rest from the lo...