Thanks for the electric energy rebate, I think?

By Jesus Manuel Mena Garza -

Having worked for a utility marketing department for many years before I moved back to California, I know that rebates are essentially a sham. What better way to divert attention away from their monopoly then by distributing an insignificant number of rebates.

Thanks for giving me some of "my money" back. Utilities pretend to be altruistic when offering energy rebates when in reality they would terminate the practice if everyone started to take advantage of the program.

Utilities and their bloated (award winning) marketing departments are great at spewing the energy-saving mantra when in the end they know more people will have to use their product. Yes, with the growing number of iPods, cell phones, computers, and coffee bean grinders and such, their jobs are not in danger. Business is good. Being a monopoly, utilities can typically cover even expected losses by charging as little as an additional half a penny per KWH and still make off like bandits. Where else are you going to get your electricity?

In the end some energy company bureaucrat has to drive the company car (gas and insurance included) and alert the media about the wonderful job they are doing. Lets of course not forget to talk about those fantastic rebates.

Yes, I worked for an electric utility. As long as you make your manager happy, somebody has to prop up his or her feet up on the desk all day and read the newspaper.Yes, my old utility company typically had the AC set at 68 degrees during the summer while it was 110 outside. No need to make your own people sweat. By the way, did that press release go out asking people to conserve while offering rebates?

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Rudy Madrid: Aug. 4, 1949 - Jan. 23, 2010

By Ben Cadena

Where do you start to talk about an old friend compatriot and fellow musician? He left us too early but had been faring poorly in recent months. Local bar owner Brigitte Tapia of the Keyes Club at Eighth and Keyes said, “We have to love him while we still have him.” This was just before Christmas. Strangely, Rudy had called me in October to complain and to try to find out who was spreading rumors of his demise. Rudy was born in Fresno Aug 4 th 1949, son of Manuel and Lola Dolores Madrid, compadres of Linda Ronstadt.

On a YouTube video this last August 24th at Rudy’s birthday and fundraiser bash, one could see Linda Pawlovich on piano, Ben Cadena (myself) on bass, Monico Flores on drums, Jim Flores on trombone, all came from the Andy Flores Band of the late ’60s .There also was longtime compatriot Abe Vasquez on sax and Bruce Kurasaki on trumpet. Tom Sosa played most of the night on bass. I remember Rudy sitting in, and then becoming the band’s vocalist in 1967 or so. Rudy was a young Overfelt High School student then and went to Santa Clara University later.

At San Jose State College, we would play for the Huelga gigs on Seventh Street with the late saxophonist Richard Herrera, Rudy’s compadre on sax. Then the University police would chase us off for not having a band permit. We had long hair drank Red Mountain wine (chicano gasoline) and at times we would play on the beach at Santa Cruz where the tide caught us instruments and all, or sneak into Professor Tino Esparza’s finals and play for them. We played for wine tastings and many times at Father Moriarty’s Sacred Heart Church on Palm in San Jose. Rudy's band always played for the 5 of May parades and of course Rigo Chacon's Abrazos and Books.

“Rudy was a truly gentle man and a community leader for United People Arriba in the ’60s and played for 250,000 people at the peace march in San Francisco,” recalled local labor organizer Fred Hirsch.Rudy was a C.O. during the Vietnam era. Rudy and I played for countless party’s and fundraisers, At the Keyes Bar we had just played for the 13 th fundraiser with Linda Pawlovich on piano and Monico Flores on drums and Rudy’s nephew Joey "Jam" Flores showed up, drummed and sang a few tunes also. The fundraiser was for an orphanage in Mexico and the local Carmelite nuns, Rudy could proudly say that we had raised some $73,000 for those institutions.

Rudy had also played with some famous names such as Little Joe, and Johnny Hernandez

of the Familia. He also played with Danny Valdez of Teatro Campesino fame. We toured in the 70s and played bars in Bakersfield and the Painted Wagon in Reno for the off duty bartenders and card dealers. In 1979 and 1980 Sweet Soul rudy's band representing San Jose was made up of Rudy, Monico Flores, Ben Cadena, Joannie Porras and Clay Shanrock on Bongos in Veracruz ,Mexico. 1980 found Rudy and Monico playing first in Las Vegas and later at the Willow Glen Inn on Lincoln in Willow Glen and the Greek owner recalled “Rudy put my kids through college.” In the 90s Rudy played at the Caravan downtown and with Steve Mendez's Big Band at the Three Flames Restaurant on Meridian. Rudy was a proud member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and once boosted their membership by at least eighty members when he signed all his friends up.

Rudy was always a cheerful jokester and loved to treat his friends to good food and always knew where the eats were on, being at Patty’s Bar or the old Bears" on Alma.

At his party on Aug 24 th he was presented with 4 plaques from the Congressman Mike Honda to plaques from the City Council and true to form when they called him up to stage he was getting a cold one in the local pub at the G.I. Forum. Rudy was always social and willing to lend a hand for anyone’s benefit.

He will be missed by all of us in his extended family and tons of local musicians and artists. Vaya con dios, Rudy I know you’ll be playing for him in the mas alla.

Adios tu bajista, Ben Cadena.

bencade1@hotmail.com

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Rudy Madrid: August 4, 1949- January 23, 2010

By Ben Cadena

Where do you start to talk about an old friend compatriot and fellow musician? He left us too early but had been faring poorly in recent months. Local bar owner Brigitte Tapia of the Keyes Club at Eighth and Keyes (San Jose, CA) said, “We have to love him while we still have him.” This was just before Christmas. Strangely, Rudy had called me in October to complain and to try to find out who was spreading rumors of his demise. Rudy was born in Fresno Aug 4 th 1949, son of Manuel and Lola Dolores Madrid, compadres of Linda Ronstadt.

On a YouTube video this last August 24th at Rudy’s birthday and fundraiser bash, one could see Linda Pawlovich on piano, Ben Cadena (myself) on bass, Monico Flores on drums, Jim Flores on trombone, all came from the Andy Flores Band of the late ’60s .There also was longtime compatriot Abe Vasquez on sax and Bruce Kurasaki on trumpet. Tom Sosa played most of the night on bass. I remember Rudy sitting in, and then becoming the band’s vocalist in 1967 or so. Rudy was a young Overfelt High School student then and went to Santa Clara University later.

At San Jose State College, we would play for the Huelga gigs on Seventh Street with the late saxophonist Richard Herrera, Rudy’s compadre on sax. Then the University police would chase us off for not having a band permit. We had long hair drank Red Mountain wine (chicano gasoline) and at times we would play on the beach at Santa Cruz where the tide caught us instruments and all, or sneak into Professor Tino Esparza’s finals and play for them. We played for wine tastings and many times at Father Moriarty’s Sacred Heart Church on Palm in San Jose. Rudy's band always played for the 5 of May parades and of course Rigo Chacon's Abrazos and Books.

“Rudy was a truly gentle man and a community leader for United People Arriba in the ’60s and played for 250,000 people at the peace march in San Francisco,” recalled local labor organizer Fred Hirsch.Rudy was a C.O. during the Vietnam era. Rudy and I played for countless party’s and fundraisers, At the Keyes Bar we had just played for the 13 th fundraiser with Linda Pawlovich on piano and Monico Flores on drums and Rudy’s nephew Joey "Jam" Flores showed up, drummed and sang a few tunes also. The fundraiser was for an orphanage in Mexico and the local Carmelite nuns, Rudy could proudly say that we had raised some $73,000 for those institutions.

Rudy had also played with some famous names such as Little Joe, and Johnny Hernandez

of the Familia. He also played with Danny Valdez of Teatro Campesino fame. We toured in the 70s and played bars in Bakersfield and the Painted Wagon in Reno for the off duty bartenders and card dealers. In 1979 and 1980 Sweet Soul rudy's band representing San Jose was made up of Rudy, Monico Flores, Ben Cadena, Joannie Porras and Clay Shanrock on Bongos in Veracruz ,Mexico. 1980 found Rudy and Monico playing first in Las Vegas and later at the Willow Glen Inn on Lincoln in Willow Glen and the Greek owner recalled “Rudy put my kids through college.” In the 90s Rudy played at the Caravan downtown and with Steve Mendez's Big Band at the Three Flames Restaurant on Meridian. Rudy was a proud member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and once boosted their membership by at least eighty members when he signed all his friends up.

Rudy was always a cheerful jokester and loved to treat his friends to good food and always knew where the eats were on, being at Patty’s Bar or the old Bears" on Alma.

At his party on Aug 24 th he was presented with 4 plaques from the Congressman Mike Honda to plaques from the City Council and true to form when they called him up to stage he was getting a cold one in the local pub at the G.I. Forum. Rudy was always social and willing to lend a hand for anyone’s benefit.

He will be missed by all of us in his extended family and tons of local musicians and artists. Vaya con dios, Rudy I know you’ll be playing for him in the mas alla. Adios tu bajista, Ben Cadena.

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How Do You Think Our President Is Doing?

Express Yourself

Barack H. Obama has been in office for over a year now. Please take time out of your busy day to tell our President what you think.

Maybe you feel our President is doing a fine job. Or you may believe Obama has more to do. Here is your chance to tell your President what you think.

Below is a link to our President's contact page.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Comment on Chinese Labor and US Corporations

Jesus Manuel Mena Garza

It has become increasingly obvious to me that American corporations are working hand in hand with the Chinese government to render the US, a second rate power. This is being done in two ways.

First, it is well known that corporations love profits. Who doesn't like a little extra cash in their pocket. What Americans aren’t aware of is that corporations don’t need US workers to become successful. If an American company has a great product they can probably make it cheaper in China. So everything from iPhones to granite counter tops are shipped to us from the Peoples Republic of China. Why pay an American worker $12 an hour when you can pay a Chinese person much less.

American corporations are quick to scuttle US plants and their associated costs in favor of cheap overseas labor. Hell, they might even get a tax break courtesy of the our government. The effect is, every year there are fewer products “Made in America.”

Talking about strange bedfellows. The socialist republic has apparently found a partner in the boardrooms of American corporations. This association requires that American companies share their technology. Greedy American corporations don’t mind sharing tech in exchange for short term profits. If history is any teacher, these American partners will be eventually abandoned when the Chinese master production.

The Chinese are a proud and diverse people. They understand that their 1.3 billion citizens have become the manufacturing engine of the world with the aid of international corporations. Apparently their long term goal is to become the world’s greatest economic and military power, surpassing the US.

The Chinese admit they already pirate American movies, jewelry and clothes. Just imagine what they can do with the assistance of multi-billion dollar corporations. Who can prevent them from achieving their goals sooner than later with such powerful corporate partners?

All the while the United States government turns a blind eye to corporate irregularities. In fact we give our corporations billions in taxpayer dollars even when they fail. If you don’t know by now, the American legal and tax system is designed to increase profits for America’s elite.

Here is a quick example. Can the average American write off the cost of a vacation or a car? Well, corporations can. All they have to do is call them business trips and auto leases. Ripping off the American public is considered business as usual. That is why corporations won’t invest in American workers and they will in China and pocket the profits.

Corporate America and their new Chinese partners could care less about shuttering an American plant. Yes, American workers can live in cardboard boxes as long as their stock goes up in value. That is why Republicans and the corporate class continue to complain about funding welfare and other social programs. They understand that many blue collar Americans are destined for the soup line en route to oblivion.

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Humberto Montes de Oca To Speak In San Jose On Mexican Labor Lockout

Bay Area Tour of Humberto Montes de Oca
Interior Secretary, Mexican Electrical workers Union (SME)
January 18-28, 2010

Forty-four thousand electrical workers in central Mexico have been locked out of their jobs since October 10, 2009, when the government of President Felipe Calderon, who was imposed by fraud in the July 2006 election, closed the public utility company Luz y Fuerza del Centro with the aim of privatizing this nationalized corporation and destroying the powerful and militant Mexican Electrical Workers Union (Sindicato Mexicano de Electricistas, or SME).

Learn first hand from one of the central leaders of this union, Humberto Montes de Oca, about this struggle which is being waged by these energy industry workers and their union - with the support of hundreds of thousands of others who have taken to the streets for more than three months to protest the firings at Luz Y Fuerza and the attack on the SME union.

Learn about the history of SME and how it has spearheaded the movement across Mexico against NAFTA, privatization, and the entire predatory corporate agenda. And learn what we can do to help these workers in their struggle -- which, in many ways, is our fight too.

The ten-day tour is sponsored by the San Francisco Labor Council, supported by the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council, Santa Clara County Building Trades Council, Plumbers & Fitters Local 393, UFCW 5, many other unions and councils, MAIZ Movimiento de Accion Inspirando Servicio and many other community organizations.

In San Jose, Humberto Montes de Oca will appear at the Labor Temple, 2102 Almaden Road (corner of Canoas Garden Road), Tuesday, January 26, 7:00-8:30 P.M.
Performances by vocalist, Tema Quinonez and poet, Agustin Palacios
Refreshments provided For information about the San Jose event call 408/250-9245 or 408/831-1394.

To learn more about the tour and where Humberto Montes de Oca will be appearing at public forums, organizational meetings and fundraisers, please call 415/513-5393.

To offer immediate solidarity with both the tour and the struggle of the energy workers in SME, write your check to the San Francisco Labor Council (SME Organizing Tour) 1188 Franklin St., San Francisco, 94109-6852. For more information call 415/513-5393

Article courtesy of Fred Hirsch fredhirsch@cruzio.com

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40th anniversary of first Latino political party

[Click image to enlarge or header to see original article.]

By Carlos Munoz Jr.

Mexican Americans made political history 40 years ago when, on Jan. 17, 1970, they founded their own independent political party in Crystal City, Texas. They called it “La Raza Unida Party” — or, translated, “The United People’s Party.”

A look back at this party can give us clues about where we need to go today.

The call for an independent political party came out of a national 1969 Chicano youth conference held in Denver by the Crusade for Justice, the first Mexican American civil rights organization to emerge during the 1960s. The conference produced a plan for Chicano liberation called “El Plan de Aztlan.” The document called the two-party political system “the same animal with two heads that feed at the same trough” because they represented the nation’s political power structures that historically had oppressed and colonized Mexican Americans since the end of the U.S.-Mexico War of 1846-1848.

As was the case for blacks in the South, Mexican Americans had been victimized in the Southwest — from lynchings to segregation.

The party’s strength was in Texas and California, the two states with the largest Mexican American populations. With the exception of Crystal City, where the party gained control of the city council and school board, and several other South Texas cities, there were few victories for the party, due to strong opposition from both conservative and liberal white and Mexican American sectors.

For example, Henry Gonzalez, a liberal Democratic congressman and the only Mexican American from Texas serving in the U.S. Congress at the time, publicly denounced Jose Angel Gutierrez, the leader of the party.

In California, the party was not able to get the required 66,000 voters registered to get on the state ballot. It was able to register only 22,000 people, mostly college students. It never came close to a single political victory.

The party’s last hurrah came in the 1972 Texas governor’s race when its candidate, Ramsey Muniz, received 6.43 percent of the votes.

Soon after, the party started to decline due to ideological divisions.

The party did not meet its goal of becoming an independent political institution, but it helped open doors for Mexican Americans into the two-party political system. After the party’s decline, many of the party’s activists went into the Democratic Party.

More significantly, the party contributed to the political awakening of the Mexican American people and other Latinos. It put the issue of political representation of Latinos on the agendas of local, state and national politics. Prior to the emergence of the party, there were only a relative handful of Latino elected officials. Now, though still underrepresented, there are hundreds of them throughout nation. For example, in 1970, there were five Latinos in the U.S. Congress. Now there are 25, including two U.S. senators.

The increase in elected officials, however, has not resulted in fundamental change, primarily because those officials, no matter how liberal they may be, are an integral part of the “animal with two heads.” Racial or ethnic identity does not guarantee the representation of communities of color — specifically, those who are poor and working class. The best example today is the president of the United States. The majority of black and Latinos voted for President Obama expecting he would act in the interest of their communities. He has not.

The story of the La Raza Unida Party teaches us that independent political parties based on racial or ethnic identity will not work. An independent mass political party that can represent the needs of our more complex diverse society must emerge to challenge the two-party duopoly. Such a party could lead to an authentic multiracial, multiethnic and multicultural democracy for the 21st century.

Carlos Munoz Jr. is professor emeritus of ethnic studies at the University of California, Berkeley. He was one of the founders of the La Raza Unida Party in California and is the award-winning author of “Youth, Identity, Power: The Chicano Movement.” He can be reached at pmproj@progressive.org

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2010 Creedo

A Lofty Goal For The New Year

Those engaged in the practice of compassion feel much happier internally, more calm, more peaceful and other people reciprocate that feeling.

— His Holiness The Dalai Lama

The Big Filter

[Click image to enlarge. Photo by Jesús Garza. Delilah Montoya and Ann Marie Leimer at a Santa Monica gallery.]

In the world of American art and photography, there is one center. New York. Here, careers are made or destroyed.

This metropolis touts their power. What happens in New York according to sycophants reverberates worldwide. Artists must submit to the Big Filter.

Chicanas and Chicanos are not a concern to the Big Filter. In fact, Raza does not exist in their myopic eyes. Other cultures and groups supersede Raza. The Big Filter doesn’t hate Raza; they are just ignorant and arrogant.

They are ignorant of a growing Chicano/Chicana arts community. Also arrogant to assume that only their pain, love and creations are manifest. Raza has to be content to sit on the sideline.

A New Yorker will pass through the Big Filter’s sieve easily. Apparently they have the appropriate ethnic or religious qualifications. What are Raza to do?

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What I Want For the Holidays - Nikkor AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 EC VR II

[Click on image to enlarge. Yes, I want this lens. Who wouldn't. I think, I am in love. Article by DPReview.com]

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, December 10, 2009 – Nikon Europe today announces a new super telephoto lens to replace the AF-S VR NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED. The AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II features the new generation of Vibration Reduction technology (VR II) and a new A/M focus mode, making it an ideal choice for sports, action and wildlife photographers. This lens is designed for those who are serious about photography.

Zurab Kiknadze, Product Manager Lenses, Accessories & Software, Nikon Europe says: "The AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II comparatively light weight and compact dimensions make it a perfect choice for hand held super telephoto photography, particularly when used with a teleconverter. The new VRII system offers four or more stops of compensation, and makes this a really practical solution for the news and wildlife photographer". The evolution of the NIKKOR lens reflects a commitment to developing a range of products tailored to photographers’ needs, and it strengthens the line-up of high-performance NIKKOR lenses.

Sharper action images

The AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II features the second generation built in Vibration Reduction (VRII), providing the ability to shoot at shutter speeds up to four stops slower so sharper images can be achieved when using the camera for hand-held shooting. In addition, the new A/M mode added to existing M/A and M modes enables autofocus priority even if the focus ring is being handled during shooting. Weighing in at 2,900g this is a lens that ticks every box for those who are serious about action photography.

Built for any environment

This super telephoto lens is designed with the photographer in mind and has the same excellent optical system as its predecessor. Those who need extreme speed and quiet to capture wildlife, can rely on the autofocus with a built-in silent wave motor to ensure you won’t disrupt the action. To top off the extensive features,, this lens is also sealed to withstand the affects of dust and moisture, allowing photographers to keep shooting whatever the conditions. Finally, the lens construction features eleven elements in eight groups, including three ED glass elements and Nano Crystal Coat.

Article courtesy of DPReview.com and photo by Nikon USA

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Time For A Massage?

Christmas is just around the corner and I have found the perfect gift. Give your partner a Swedish massage. Here are some G rated videos that offer great instruction. Massage is a great way to destress after a hectic 2009.

Here is the link to the page and below is a sample video:

http://givebestmassageever.com/tag/effleurage/



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