Bob Rivard, Editor of the San Antonio Express-News, threatens the Esperanza Center because of my blog

On Friday, October 6, Bob Rivard, the Executive Editor of the San Antonio
Express-News, the only major newspaper in San Antonio, sent an email to
Graciela Sanchez, the director of the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center, one
of the most vanguard arts and cultural centers in the country, based in
San Antonio.  In this letter, he threatens to deny media coverage to the Center
because of my blog.  And while the email has a subject heading titled
"A Private Communication," the CC line includes all the editors
of the newspaper, see below:

CC: "Thacker, Brett"
"Bertling,  Terry"
"Richter,Bob"
"Thomason, Craig"
"Garcia, Guillermo"
"Davidson, Bruce"

I am not a staffmember of the Esperanza Center, but a consultant. I've
responded to Graciela Sanchez, explaining that with this letter, Rivard 
violates all standards of ethical journalism and shows a tyrannical 
disrespect for free speech.

Here is the letter from Rivard in its entirety:

Hi Graciela,

We don't believe reporters here are stating that they are prohibited
from writing about controversial issues. We invite you to provide
further details to support that assertion. If anyone here is saying
such things, we would quickly disabuse them of such a wrong-headed claim.
We publish controversial stories all the time.
On a larger subject, it is hard for us to reconcile the professional
tone of your communication here with the character assassination
offered by Esperanza staff member BRG on her blog. Her only possible sources
for her misstatements of fact and her fantasies are the Esperanza members
who attended the editorial board meeting with you. Do you or any of
the others really believe I was leering at someone's breasts during the
meeting? BRG seems obsessed with her sexual fabulsims involving me.
At least one prominent Latina journalist has confronted her about her
false rumor-mongering in the past. I also am at a loss to understand how
BRG can assert that I undercut Guillermo Garcia in the meeting. Guillermo
and I have been friends and colleagues dating back to our shared days
at the Brownsville Herald nearly 30 years ago. I asked him to account
for his anti-Semitism statement from Rabbi Block and he did so quite
convincingly after consulting his notes, which fully support his
story,which the newspaper stands by.
We have always welcomed you and your colleagues
to the Express-News,and we would like to maintain
a professionalrelationship with you and the
Esperanza.It's unclear to me whether that is
possible.
(emphasis mine)

Bob

Can I get a VIA Bus after my cerveza?

Okay, so today I met with Juan Lopez, who, like me, rides the VIA bus. If you live in the city, the bus is pretty good if you're going north/south. It's the crosstown buses and the 551 Looper that drives me crazy. I wish they were more colorful, like in Mexico, and that the drivers were allowed to play their music! This Calvinist heritage! But I love the bus. Babies, tattoos, the elderly, ride the bus. Humanity. For reals. Today, Juan said something really profound. "If the city is so concerned about DWIs (Los borrachos, he means), then why doesn't VIA offer 24-hour service during Fiesta?" Are you listening, VIA? I know you offer special service for the basketball games, the Rodeo, And God knows what else... Or is the City wanting the fines from the DWIs or maybe just wants to put more borrachos in jail? http://www.viasmartmove.com

Today is Tuesday, May 3rd, and so much has happened. A brain tumor. More yoga and walking. A little less combat. Weight dropping. Spirit rising. Back in the city, where I belong. Looking for good photos to give you, organizing my crazy files. And a new President! So much to say, more than beating up on him -- that will only take us so far. Time to hit the streets, challenge the fears that he represents. Don't be afraid, no tengan miedo. If I survived a massive brain tumor -- big as a grapefruit -- we can survive and transcend this. More tomorrow. One day a week from now on.

Twelve Heads in a Bag: Hector Saldana's Krayolas painting in bold, true colors

Longleaf pines are native to the southeast United States, and their conservation status is vulnerable. Only three percent of this historic, unrottable pine tree forest that can live up to 500 years remains. With long leaf pine (no smack gum) by the comeback sensations, The Krayolas, it is clear they intend to make great music for the long haul. I’m talking about one song in particular, “Twelve Heads in a Bag,” a deceptive rock-ballad (written and sung by Hector Saldana, with Max Baca on bajo sexto and Michael Guerra on accordion). Twelve Heads… is dedicated to the beheaded victims of Mexico’s drug wars. As has been said before but needs to be said again, it is the first corrido of the 21st century and it’s for the history books. Twelve Heads in a Bag makes you want to dance with a Lone Star in your hand, no matter the barbeque stains on your Tshirt, wondering why it wasn’t you in that bag.

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