MEDIA WATCHATE!! THE SAN ANTONIO CURRENT GIVES IT UP TO SENATE WANNABE MIKAL WATTS AND YOU CALL THIS AN ALTERNATIVE PAPER?

Well, its official.

Back in the day, alternative newspapers were really that. Now of course it's sex ads and restaurant reviews and the publisher is livin large. Ok, I'll swallow that if you give me the news I can't find in the mainstream.

Here in San Antonio, we got the Editor of the San Antonio Current, Elaine Wolff, using her position to promote (D) Mikal Watts and his Senatorial campaign, whose claim to fame is that he's a very rich trial lawyer and anti-U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R).

Have I mentioned that Rick Noriega (D), a Texas legislator who served in Iraq is also considering entering the race? Have I mentioned that he's not rich?
http://halfempth.blogspot.com/2007/07/watts-v-noriega-in-blogosphere.html

(My disclosure: I'm no fan of war heroes, they tend to be conflicted about taking on the status quo, fearful of being called Mexicans instead of Hispanic and sent back to la madre patria. )

Back in the day, the alternatives would be all over the left-of-center Noriega, investigating, debating, making his nalgitas toast nice and brown on the political comal.

Here in San Antonio, Elaine Wolff disclosed in print this week that her husband, Michael Westheimer, has contributed to the Watts campaign. Hmmmm.
On the Current's new website, it went like this:
http://www.sacurrent.com/chismelibre/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24

What she didn't disclose in the printed version of the San Antonio Current is that her husband is a District 1 Zoning Commissioner and she sure didn't disclose that he gave a whopping $2300 on June 8, 2007. www.campaignmoney.com

This isn't hamburger-money folks. On the Current's website, Wolff discloses her husband's full name, who he is, and that she's independent of him.

But she doesn't disclose how much dinero he gave to Watts.

Personally, even if Wolff swears on the Bible she hasn't done it with her husband in a year, I smell some stinky, sticky, journalism.

If I can't trust the alternative to give me the other side, what then?

As the editor, Wolff is still in charge of writing the political stories. This week she interviewed - you guessed it - Watts. But her husband's contribution was over two months ago.

I don't know if this is related, but Dave Maass, her political writer - has resigned after less than a year at the Current. My sources say he challenged Wolff's veiled attacks on Noriega and her pimpy attempts at supporting el huevo-faced Watts. I still can't figure out what that man stands for, what his platform is.

And Keli Dailey, a black editor and Berkeley grad from San Antonio's eastside who was Maass' boss, (I like the way that sounds) got escorted out last month from the Current offices.

None of this was disclosed either.

photo credit: stephen.macek.faculty.noctrl.edu/.../photo1.jpg

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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