In The News

Some interesting things have appeared in our local rag sheet, Por Esto, lately. The ones of interest to me are:



* Our local gynecologist has deserted his job, leaving patients waiting. Wage increases for the doctors in our local clinic have repeatedly been denied and this is the result. How far will this go? How many doctors are we going to loose as they seek a "worthy wage" elsewhere?



* Z Gas has gotten another "cuff on the ears". This company is pathetic. They are the only suppliers of propane gas to the island. They use this monopoly arrogantly to deliver gas when and where they feel like. They do not keep to any scheduled routes and it is almost impossible to get a tank of gas from them. They are rude and arrogant. They supposedly have a warehouse on the south end of the island. The Office of Civil Defense has told them that they have to shape up. There was no "or else" statement though. Civil Defense is concerned about the danger to people and property as more and more people are loading their propane tanks onto their motor scooters and either driving around the island looking for a truck or going directly to this warehouse. It is only a matter of time before there is a devastating accident and explosion.



* Since President Calderone has announced the freeze on gas prices in Mexico, the local taxi drivers union has announced that it will also freeze taxi fares at their present level. No new fares will instituted until the freeze on gas prices is lifted.



* The Mayor has dismissed over 50 City employees in the recent weeks for failure to perform the job for which they were hired. Most of these have occurred in the area of Public Security and Income and Control. Surprisingly, most of these people are ones that supported her candidacy and that she appointed.



* About time for this one. Local citizenry has filed complaints against our only grocery store, Super Express. Among the complaints are double charging for items (ringing it through twice), charging full price for an item that is tagged as "on sale", poorly trained and ill mannered staff and refusing to give refunds and keeping the original receipt while they conduct an "official investigation". They also complained about the long lines at the cash registers due to under trained and/or uncaring staff.



* There has been an increase again in burglaries to our south end residents. This is commonly known as the wealthiest neighborhood on the island. The Mayor has assigned four full time police officers to patrol this area. They will all be undercover. The best part? They will be on bicycle!



* I am really concerned about this last item. The head of the USA Dept of Defense, Robert Gates, has placed Mexico on the same list that contains Pakistan as a threat to American security and way of life. The reasons stated are Mexico's inability to get organized crime and drug trafficking under control. This is causing chaos and instability to the Mexican government and threatens American security. The USA has issued a warning that must get this under control or suffer invasion from American troops to remedy the situation. I find this unbelievable and insane. Has anybody heard about this? If so, I would like more information. I can't even imagine what will happen to us expats if the USA invades. Scary stuff.


* It was on this day, 29 years ago, that B and I met. That would make today our anniversary.

EDITED TO ADD:

Many readers have sent links via Comments to news stories regarding the possible intervention of the US into Mexican territory. I found the El Paso Times article very good. In part, it said:

"Any descent by Mexico into chaos would demand an American response based on the serious implications for homeland security alone."

It doesn't state what the "American response" would be, but we all know what liberties the US takes under that horrible umbrella of homeland security. I'm not worried, but a bit concerned.

The article also goes on to say, in part:

"...two large and important states bear consideration for a rapid and sudden collapse: Pakistan and Mexico."

This may be true. Mexico's economy is quickly getting out of control. Today the offical exchange rate for the dollar is a little over 14 pesos! This can't continue or we are going to see a serious devaluation of the peso, like in the early 90's.

Go to Comments to read the entire articles provided by readers.