An inspiration in our small resistance against the Usumacinta dam.
AlterNet: Arundhati Roy: Back In the U.S.A.
I'll get to it just as soon as I post this to my weblog.
Turning procrastination into your shitty first draft | 43 Folders
It's an old story but it's accelerating. And I'm in the middle of it.
Reuters AlertNet - FEATURE-Drug trade, land grabs threaten Guatemala rainforest
Spanish version:
Reuters.co.lta - ENFOQUE-Narcotráfico y toma de tierras amenazan selva Guatemala
Trying to get ready for a trip to Merida and a meeting on the Maya Forest, I came across this inspiring online tool created by The Nature Conservancy. Document library, collaboration/workspaces, other resources.
Welcome to the new ConserveOnline
Thanks to Alfonso for these links. First, regarding problems at the nearly completed El Cajon dam.
Pendiente, la remediación de daños ambientales causados por El Cajón
And the UN's requests to the government regarding La Parota and the local communities:
Gmail - La Jornada: Pide la ONU consulta sobre La Parota
So it turns out that the $100 laptop uses RoofNet meshed wifi connections.
And where are the RoofNet people from MIT this summer? On sabbatical, they say. Actually launching Meraki, a company that will make the tiny, cheap mesh units we've been waiting for on the Lower East Side. Can we be a beta site? Tune in this summer...
Good comments on this one, covering possible application to other vans, RVs.
Green Car Congress: USPS Introduces Diesel-Electric Parallel Hybrid Delivery Van
In Attack Mode, a Rightist Surges in Mexico - New York Times
But a new survey shows Calderon's lead dropping - now 36.7 to AMLO's 37.2. A statistical dead heat.
ansa.it - Ansalatina - CANDIDATO OFICIALISTA BAJO TRES PUNTOS
Oh, great.
Common painkillers may raise risk of heart failure | Health | Reuters.co.uk
Thanks to Elaine Schele for the link to the Smithsonian's electronic edition of this out-of -print work.
Electronic Biologia Centrali-Americana
Humorous analogy, appalling alliance.
Columnas - El Universal - Columnas - Itinerario Político, Ricardo Alemán, 21 de mayo de 2006
The best analysis I've read of the events and results of Atenco. Miscalculation on both sides and a derailing of plans for Dec. 1.
El Universal - Columnas - Estrictamente personal: Raymundo Riva Palacio 19 de mayo de 2006
And a sample of the backlash:
Marcos, ¿a la cárcel? | 2006-05-19 | La Crónica de Hoy
La Crisis - El juego de marcos extrema tolerancia oficial - Escrito por ISABEL ARVIDE
For the Lower Eastside girls.
WorldChanging: Another World Is Here: Edens Lost and Found Premier on PBS
El Financiero en linea - Promete Calderón plan de reordenamiento de frontera sur de México
David Broder of the Washington Post on the plan to put 6,000 National Guard troops on the border
Forbes and CNN picked up the same AP story with the scary premise - Mexico on the verge of chaos - as did ten Spanish language papers under the title " Temen el caos en México en vísperas de elecciones". Both versions claim the same thing:
"A poll published Friday in Excelsior newspaper found 50 percent of respondents feared the government was on the brink of losing control."
Mexico Voters Fear Nation on Edge of Chaos - Forbes.com
CNN.com - Fear gnaws Mexicans as vote nears - May 17, 2006
From the story:
George Grayson, a Mexico expert at the College of William & Mary, said the violence reflects Fox's lack of leadership.
"The state has become much weaker under his watch," Grayson said.
Recent polls show Calderon has overtaken longtime presidential front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, whom opponents have portrayed as a leftist demagogue similar to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
But that could change if PRI candidate Roberto Madrazo can convince voters that Mexico was more stable under his party's 71-year reign, which ended with Fox's victory in 2000.
Here's the Excelsior report on the poll:
Excelsior - El periodico de la vida nacional - Conflictos atemorizan a mexicanos
Regarding the 50% responses:
"Así lo demuestra una encuesta de Parametría en la cual se aprecia que 50 por ciento de los entrevistados cree que el país está en peligro."
Headline: Conflicts frighten Mexicans. That's sensible enough. What do 50% believe? That the country is in danger. Of what it does not say. Nowhere does it say the country is on the verge of chaos or that that is what people fear. And reading the column for other figures, the responses are much more diverse, with people placing blame on both the state and federal governments.
This has to be based on a new PRI campaign talking point. Go back to the old repressive PRI government for another 71 years? We'll see if that's really the national mood.
Here's the Wikipedia entry on López Obrador
Andrés Manuel López Obrador - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The lively debate around that entry:
Talk:Andrés Manuel López Obrador - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The entry for Calderón:
Felipe Calderón - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
And the discussion surrounding that entry:
Talk:Felipe Calderón - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Finally, Madrazo:
Roberto Madrazo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The discussion of Madrazo is much shorter, but pungent:
Talk:Roberto Madrazo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Reuters.com - Immigration is Mexico's disgrace - leftist candidate
Mexico conservative would not be US pushover: aide | Reuters.com
Erróneo el despliegue de la Guardia Nacional: Calderón | 2006-05-16 | La Crónica de Hoy
An interesting survey of the new information coming out about the Maya Preclassic, including the glyphs and murals at San Bartolo.
On Ancient Walls, a New Maya Epoch - New York Times
For more on San Bartolo, see my post on the 2004 discoveries, with video.
La Jornada - Profesores disidentes exigen la pronta liberación de los detenidos en Atenco
Their demands:
En ese lugar dio inicio un mitin en el que se hizo público el pliego petitorio de los profesores en materia educativa, que abarca tres rubros: desarrollo educativo, que incluye mantenimiento de la infraestructura escolar, desayunos, becas y uniformes a los estudiantes de educación básica; actualización profesional, que engloba aumento salarial, capacitación, mejores condiciones para los docentes y programas de estudios adecuados, y desarrollo social de la educación y sus trabajadores, que rechazan las reformas estructurales.
They were also joined by Atenco demonstrators, and called on Marcos to join forces with them.
Whoops, missed it. It was May 13. But check out Bird Trek.
WorldChanging: Another World Is Here: International Migratory Bird Day, Bird Trek and eBird
I've seen some incredible birds this spring, including scarlet macaws in the wild, and the blue crested motmot. And I heard yesterday of a cenote full of guacamaya nests, a short hike beyond the cave across from Yaxchilan. But that's another story...
Kekus Digital - Panorama Tools for OS X :: Download
Interesting insights on Marcos vs. Lopez Obrador
In protests over Atenco.
Protesters choke Mexico City | Reuters.com
KR Washington Bureau | 05/11/2006 | Flower dispute may impact Mexico's presidential election
File under Rumors, Guesses, and News:
I just went to the bus station to buy a ticket and found that all the buses from San Cristobal to Palenque are being routed through Tuxtla and Villahermosa - an 8 hour trip. Ticket clerk said it was due to asaltos between here and Ocosingo.
On the way back to my house the taxi driver said it was only dangerous in the middle of the night, and it was due to Zapatista activity. Don't know how accurate that is, but it might be a result of the red alert Marcos declared after Atenco. Closing the Caracoles includes closing the road? The cabby also mentioned Federal de Caminos blocking things at Ocosingo. Maybe the highway police aren't letting folks past there. In that case, the cabby's locating the problem around Agua Azul might make sense.
I'll try to find out more and if necessary get an earlier start tomorrow.
The solution: Google News, Mexico:
UNIONRADIO.NET - Centenares de indígenas conmemoran aniversario muerte de Zapata
Con marchas, labriegos rememoran el aniversario luctuoso de Zapata
RiosMayas partner, chief cartographer, and maniac paddler Ron Canter sent this story, about the 740 mile canoe trail that he's helped establish in the northeast United States. Another link in the Maya/Adirondack connection. Float on!
The Adirondack Daily Enterprise - Saranac Lake to host grand opening of canoe trail
I just discussed this back in New York with our non-profit's new network expert Jordan. Might be something here for quick daily backups.
Strongspace Weblog - Automated Backups with Transmit
Thanks to Xeni for the alert on this one. Now my secret favorite album is re-issued. David Byrne and Brian Eno in 1981 breakthrough in recording. 2 cuts offered online as multiple tracks for remix. No secret.
This article in La Jornada includes drawings and photos of a monolith found in northern Mexico that may change our understanding of early Olmec and Huasteca history.
Monolito hallado en SLP podría rescribir la historia de Mesoamérica
Science News Article | Reuters.com - Mexico monolith may cast new light on Mesoamerica
Jorge Castañeda, a former foreign minister of Mexico, on recent missteps, and the apparent fall from frontrunner status, of Lopez Obrador.
Mexico's Sinking Front Runner - Newsweek: International Editions - MSNBC.com
And another, somewhat longer version:
Mexico, up for grabs - Los Angeles Times
This columnist (José Carreño Carlón) summarizes press coverage of Atenco and wonders if the Atenco disturbance is a trial balloon for post-election conflicts in Mexico. So confusing to this American observer - the jockeying for advantage and placing of blame. Am I the only one who sees Chicago 1968 in this? Disorder and brutal response that will in fact throw the conservatives back in power. We will know on July 3.
Atenco, ¿ensayo del desbordamiento postelectoral? | 2006-05-06 | La Crónica de Hoy
Thursday morning, Mexican police moved into Atenco, arrested Ignacio del Valle and many of his followers in the Frente de Pueblos Unidos en Defensa de la Tierra, and began seeking his daughter, América del Valle. They also freed or accepted the release of 12 hostages taken by the protestors.
El Universal - Nación - PFP asegura que desarticuló el movimiento de Atenco
Cops crush riot in Mexican town | Chicago Tribune
UPDATE Friday PM: Marcos is still in the middle of things, returning to Atenco to address supporters. He showed rifle shells that he said were from government weapons, and challenged the TV media to report on them.
Saldrá Marcos del DF hasta que haya solución en Atenco - El Universal - México
Milenio - Advierte Marcos que permanecerá en la Ciudad de México por tiempo indefinido
Mexican papers are publishing comments by other residents of the town who are not in agreement with FPDT.
Marcos y Del Valle planearon la rebelión, acusan vecinos | 2006-05-05 | La Crónica de Hoy
And there is further backlash against groups sympathetic to Marcos and the FPDT, who may have been involved in the Atenco conflict.
El Universal - "Participaron grupos zapatistas" - Se solidariza EPR; llama a la "autodefensa armada"
From street fighting to a war of words.
Meanwhile, here is a clip from today's demonstration at the Mexican Consulate in New York City.
Hortensia and Elvira Colorado call for peace - iPod video 24.6 mb 4:10 (Spanish and English)
From our friends at EchoDitto, a quick look at Asterisk, the open source Voice-over-IP software.
EchoDitto Blog | Asterisk for Fun and (non)Profit
Now, there's even more need for this in light of this.
Also see my previous pointer to an Asterisk how-to.
After rioting, police action, and at least one person killed in an attempt to evict flowersellers, there's a lot of fingerpointing going on. Here are reactions from Lopez Obrador, Vicente Fox, and Subcomandante Marcos, who has called a red alert in the caracoles (autonomous communities) in Chiapas, and has suspended his tour.
Machete-Wielding Rioters Subdued Outside of Mexico City - Los Angeles Times
Reuters AlertNet - Mexico police take rebel town, seek hostages
El Economista -- AMLO se desmarca de sucesos en Atenco
EL INFORMADOR Diario Independiente - La violencia en Atenco, una afrenta contra la sociedad: Fox
Indígenas Chiapas acatan "alerta" Marcos y suspenden actividades
Tomorrow in San Cristobal (I'll miss it): an homage to Alberto Dominguez, who composed the international hit "Perfidia" and put Chiapas marimba music on the world stage.
El Universal - Espectáculos - Recordarán al compositor Alberto Domínguez en Chiapas
This article and accompanying pieces are making the rounds as people panic, er, prepare for the coming pandemic. Do it yourself or trust Bush, take your pick.
O'Reilly Network -- Building Your Own Teleconference System with Asterisk and Gizmo
Mexico election race turns as conservative surges | Reuters.com
Sunday night, 25 armed and masked men burned down the guard post in Yaxha, Peten, Guatemala.
PrensaLibre.com - Incendian puesto de control de Conap
Authorities speculated that it was a response to the eviction of an illegal settlement there a month earlier.
Archaeologists Debate Whether to Ignore the Pasts of Relics - New York Times
For my fantasy OS X server. Some day...
MySQL on Mac OS X: An Ideal Development Combination