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I ended up checking out Vicente Fox's appearance at Caltech, as per this story that didn't make it into the paper.
We were going to have a photo run, but despite Caltech assurances, Fox's PR people banned any photography inside Beckman Auditorium. Because ... there is so much commercial appeal to a picture of the ex-prez in front of a red curtain ...
Yelling things out in support of Fox was fine, but if you yelled out anything critical or insulting, a big goomba gave you the arm-walk out of the room. Best moment goes to Caltech Pres Jan-Lou Chameau, for pointing out that vocal criticism of public figures is de rigueur in his home nation.
Fox: Immigration debate flawed
By Kenneth Todd Ruiz, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 10/16/2007 10:00:59 PM PDT
PASADENA - Isolation, not immigration, poses the greatest threat to the United States, former Mexican President Vicente Fox said Monday night at Caltech.
Fox underscored ascendant aspects of Mexico's economy and criticized the construction of a border fence, the war in Iraq and what he characterized as "misinformation" in the debate about immigration.
"Immigration is not only an issue of legality and illegality, it's human histories and it's families divided," he said, while urging further unity in North America in the face of consolidating centers of economic and political power in Europe and Asia.
Although the audience inside Beckman Auditorium was mostly favorable to Fox, about one dozen protestors rallied outside and security removed one man from inside before the former president even took the stage.
"He's a thief. He has no shame. Don't listen to him!" the unidentified man shouted during opening comments by Caltech President Jean-Lou Chameau.
"This reminds me of France," Chameau said.
Fox is on tour promoting his book "Revolution of Hope: The Life, Faith and Dreams of Mexican President.
He compared the construction of a fence along the border to the Berlin Wall and said it was its "irony is that wall is also being constructed by Mexicans, who else?"
Contrasting his country's current economic viability versus that of a decade ago, when inflation and unemployment were out of control, Fox said Mexicans still came to the United States "because someone hired them" for more pay.
Outside, Jose Sosa of South Pasadena said despite Fox's depiction of Mexico's economy, its citizens continue to enter the United States because they still lack opportunity amid a politically corrupt culture.
The Mexican Congress recently began investigating accusations Fox misused campaign funds to renovate his lavish ranch in San Cristobal.
todd.ruiz@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4444
www.insidesocal.com/pasadenapolitics