PRD is holding its 14th party congress, and among its tasks is to elect 64 of the members to its national council. This is interesting as it allows for a glimpse of the relations of strength within the party:
* The social-democratic current Nueva Izquierda got 25 of the seats
* Its ally ADN, also close ideologically, got 14
* The infamous IDN current of the Bejarano-Padierna couple got only
* The list backing Marcelo Ebrard got only 3
* Foro Nuevo Sol, also a moderate current allied to Ebrard, got six
In sum: Despite all the bravado talk of taking over the party, the "radicals" of IDN remain a minority within the party. Perhaps they should consider joining instead the PT.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Manuel Espino and Calderón-the-drunkard
Last week's Proceso had long excerpts from the book Calderón de Cuerpo Entero, a biography of the Mexican president by Julio Scherer García, who is also the founder of the magazine, and as such sets the tone for the often rather erratic tone of the stories and rather unsubstantiated information in what is nonetheless a very important investigative news magazine.
Regardless: Much attention has been given to Calderón's alleged drinking problem. But as critics of the book have pointed out: Scherer hasn't exactly come up with much.
One key source for the book (based on at least its excerpts) is Manuel Espino, formerly PAN president, of a very unappealing and venomous personality and belonging to the very far right of PAN, which even expelled him given his criticisms of the party. Espino is a very, very bitter man, and to say that he is someone with an axe to grind is merely an understatement. Yes it does, to be sure, allow for some interesting reading and gossip.
Regardless: Here Espino is again in an interview with Milenio today, reminding us again of his character in an involuntarily funny way:
Q: Do you know that the Church has paid millions for their pedarats?
A: No. I don't know. It is not a topic I have gone deep into.
Q: Do you have children, Manuel?
A: I have three children.
Q: And have you also instilled in them your own phobias and loathing?
A: No. I have taught my children human values, respecting their freedom of decision.
Q: Have you asked if they are gay?
A: No. It is not necessary,they are not
Q: Have you asked them?
A: Myself? It is not necessary: I have no doubt.
It is not to Scherer's credit that so much of the book appears to be based on the bitterness of this little man.
Regardless: Much attention has been given to Calderón's alleged drinking problem. But as critics of the book have pointed out: Scherer hasn't exactly come up with much.
One key source for the book (based on at least its excerpts) is Manuel Espino, formerly PAN president, of a very unappealing and venomous personality and belonging to the very far right of PAN, which even expelled him given his criticisms of the party. Espino is a very, very bitter man, and to say that he is someone with an axe to grind is merely an understatement. Yes it does, to be sure, allow for some interesting reading and gossip.
Regardless: Here Espino is again in an interview with Milenio today, reminding us again of his character in an involuntarily funny way:
Q: Do you know that the Church has paid millions for their pedarats?
A: No. I don't know. It is not a topic I have gone deep into.
Q: Do you have children, Manuel?
A: I have three children.
Q: And have you also instilled in them your own phobias and loathing?
A: No. I have taught my children human values, respecting their freedom of decision.
Q: Have you asked if they are gay?
A: No. It is not necessary,they are not
Q: Have you asked them?
A: Myself? It is not necessary: I have no doubt.
It is not to Scherer's credit that so much of the book appears to be based on the bitterness of this little man.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
No condom for you!
Mayor Alejandro Higuera Osuna (PAN) of Mazatlán has with amazing speed and vigor halted the handing-out of free condoms by gay organizations during upcoming carnival festivities.
The reason? Why of course, because handing out condoms "undermine morality," mind you.
To be precise: We're not talking of any government-funded condoms, but the mayor wants to ban organizations from handing out their own condoms.
Why not ban their sale altogether? I bet mayor Higuera would if he could. Nothing says "morality" like sabotaging efforts at people having safe sex.
The reason? Why of course, because handing out condoms "undermine morality," mind you.
To be precise: We're not talking of any government-funded condoms, but the mayor wants to ban organizations from handing out their own condoms.
Why not ban their sale altogether? I bet mayor Higuera would if he could. Nothing says "morality" like sabotaging efforts at people having safe sex.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Exactly where is "La Chingada"?
It caused a bit of kerfuffle a couple of days ago when AMLO was caught on tape, in what was a private, closed meeting with business sectors, stating that unless he wins in 2006, ahora sí a la chingada, loosely and mildly translated perhaps as "then I will get the hell out of here." Unwisely, he first denied to reporters he had said this, until confronted with it on tape, which only made it seem bigger than it really is.
What's the big deal? To Joaquín López-Dóriga, he was merely referring to a family estate in Palenque, Chiapas, actually called "La Chingada," believe it or not.
As Ciro Gómez Leyva noted, more important is the other line that AMLO said:
"I have more experience now than before. I have less vigor, though, because I'm tired."
In short, it truly is this time, or never. No 2018. I see nothing wrong in stating this, quite the contrary.
Who would not be tired after what AMLO has done, visiting every single municipality in the country twice or so, constantly holding meetings, for six years straight?
What's the big deal? To Joaquín López-Dóriga, he was merely referring to a family estate in Palenque, Chiapas, actually called "La Chingada," believe it or not.
As Ciro Gómez Leyva noted, more important is the other line that AMLO said:
"I have more experience now than before. I have less vigor, though, because I'm tired."
In short, it truly is this time, or never. No 2018. I see nothing wrong in stating this, quite the contrary.
Who would not be tired after what AMLO has done, visiting every single municipality in the country twice or so, constantly holding meetings, for six years straight?
Don't trust the polls
It's a topic that has gotten some traction recently, but it warrants even more: Polls in Mexico are unfortunately often very unreliable, and purposely so: Rather than to present a snapshot of public opinion, the figures are "massaged" to present one candidate or party in a good (or bad) light. Pollsters - not all, but many - are unfortunately for sale.
Yes, some candidates take it too far, questioning any and all polls and refuse to rectify a failing strategy (think AMLO 2006). But many have a reason to do so, and perhaps AMLO more than many others these days:
Francisco Abundis, head of Parametría, warned that parties will try to use any data the coming weeks in particular to suggest that that the presidential contest is getting narrower, and that AMLO is not growing in the polls. The step is then very short to specifically ask polling companies for "results" - give us something that backs however we want things to be.
Abundis' advice strikes me as very sound: Take polls with more than a pinch of salt, and look for patterns across various polls and across companies, and over time.
Yes, some candidates take it too far, questioning any and all polls and refuse to rectify a failing strategy (think AMLO 2006). But many have a reason to do so, and perhaps AMLO more than many others these days:
Francisco Abundis, head of Parametría, warned that parties will try to use any data the coming weeks in particular to suggest that that the presidential contest is getting narrower, and that AMLO is not growing in the polls. The step is then very short to specifically ask polling companies for "results" - give us something that backs however we want things to be.
Abundis' advice strikes me as very sound: Take polls with more than a pinch of salt, and look for patterns across various polls and across companies, and over time.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Mexican church again at war with the left - and the law
Mexico's church is not allowed to call for a vote in favor - or against - parties and political candidates, nor to interfere in politics. It may sound oppressive and intolerant for an outsider, but this is a church that after all, as an institution,
1) fought against independence
2) betrayed Mexico by favoring French intervention in the 19th century
3) virulently fought against the revolution
4) sponsored a religious uprising in the 1920s
5) has often failed to respect loyalty to the state and its insitutions
Etc, etc.
Now the church openly calls for Mexicans to vote in favor of parties that oppose gay marriage and women's reproductive rights.
Norberto Rivera Carrera, Mexico's cardinal - a man who should be locked up in prison not only for his failure to act against child raping priests, but specifically for his active sabotage of the investigations of these hideous crimes and his cover-up and protection of those responsible - has the following to declare:
1) fought against independence
2) betrayed Mexico by favoring French intervention in the 19th century
3) virulently fought against the revolution
4) sponsored a religious uprising in the 1920s
5) has often failed to respect loyalty to the state and its insitutions
Etc, etc.
Now the church openly calls for Mexicans to vote in favor of parties that oppose gay marriage and women's reproductive rights.
Norberto Rivera Carrera, Mexico's cardinal - a man who should be locked up in prison not only for his failure to act against child raping priests, but specifically for his active sabotage of the investigations of these hideous crimes and his cover-up and protection of those responsible - has the following to declare:
it is not possible to make a political option those who are supporters or promoters of false rights and freedoms which threaten the teachings of the scripture, tradition and doctrine of the Church.In one way, it is at least an improvement: At least they didn't declare, "God free us from a fascist party like the PRD" as they did last time.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Best comment yet on Paredes' Mexico City mayor bid
From La Jornada:
"As president of PRI, I backed Ulises Ruiz and [Mario Marín], and I made deals with PAN against the rights of women.
Ah! But now if you give me your vote, I will govern as if I were of the left."
Ah! But now if you give me your vote, I will govern as if I were of the left."
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