Musings on California
To keep sane on the long cross-Valley freeway commutes, I like to listen to books on tape. Currently, I am entertaining myself with "California: A History," Kevin Starr's excellent history of the Golden State. It's as interesting as it is disturbing.
I knew the general outline of the state's history, but this fills in the bloody blanks and reminds me that though things may change, they don't change all that much
For example, a handful of wealthy men control most of the state's assets, decide who the politicians are and make the rules. And while the wholesale slaughter of people is frowned up, there's still as much hate for the low-class workers imported to build the state's wealth (the Chinese, the Mexican, the Irish and former slaves back then. The Mexican and Central Americans today).
Plus, it's a fun read (er, listen)
Actually, today's "low class" Mexicans and Central Americans are not "imported" but illegal mostly, quite the opposite of the blacks who were brought here initially. If you want to see "hatred" for this class just look within Mexico itself where skin color, how many degrees removed from Spanish blood and with Indian/meztizo blood etc., leave the large underclass despised and without jobs. Those elites truly loathe their own "low class" and send them here, over 400,000 a year.
Of course, you're the one who thinks Arellano, one of those that Mexico doesn't want or bother to provide jobs for, is like Rosa Parks, because "neither were treated like citizens." Guess what: Arellano is a criminal twice over, NOT a citizen.
I'll say this, though: for a conservative paper with Chris Weinkopf at the right extreme, and Bridget Johnson in the middle, you exist just to really infuriate the readers they bring in, to shake things up. Is that an editor choice?
We're not a conservative paper, Jill. In fact, we're very balanced and open minded on our opinion pages. Your assessment that I am here merely "to infuritate the readers" is more a reflection of your own biases, rather than that of the papers', or even our general readership.
You're right though that rasicm exists in Mexico, but only in equal measure of our own. The difference, I've always thought, is that we are a enlightened, kinder and more generous society. Comments such as yours make me wonder if I might be wrong.
Most of the States assests are contolled by wealthy men. You must be referring to our two female US Senators and the female Speaker of the House who haisl from Frisco, right?
Perhaps you should've said "wealthy white men" and you coulda had the Socialist/Leftist trifecta for condoned hatred.
No, no. I'm talking about the people who control the politicians. You know, the "powerbrokers," we like to call them in the press. The billionaires, the developers, the magnates, etc. It sure ain't you and me, friend. That's not hate; just facts o' life
You'd be referring to the "powerbrokers" who tricked the voters into electing tax-and-spend Socialists like Fabian Nunez and Don Perata to lead the legislature, and the Governor who wants to tax more businesses to pay for healthcare for illegal aliens, right?
Yup. You got it.