Monthly Archives: July 2009

Elvis in Vegas

Posted on July 31, 2009 by

Forty years ago today, Elvis Presley performed before more than 2,000 screaming fans at the International Hotel in Las Vegas and, in so doing, began his “last comeback,” the final phase of his storied career in popular music and culture. … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, History, Personal | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

It’s getting hot in California

Posted on July 23, 2009 by

“No, I believe time wounds all heals.” –John Lennon The (very) tentative budget agreement between the California State Legislature and the Governor is a study in odd and tragic political realities infecting the Golden State.  You can easily find diatribes … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 1 Comment

Racism in the strawberry fields

Posted on July 18, 2009 by

Those brown bodies are not valued by government or society as embodying the same kind of human being as do white bodies. Their cancer rates are irrelevant; their wombs are collateral damage. Their humanity is dismissed as an appropriate risk and loss in order for us to have big, red strawberries. Continue reading →

Posted in History, News, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Racial hypocrisy in the Sotomayor hearings

Posted on July 14, 2009 by

Thus far, there are no surprises in the Sonia Sotomayor confirmation hearings.  Unfortunately, that is the problem. Two things are abundantly clear: many people remain ignorant on the historical legacy of race and racism in the United States; and many … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mexicans after the U.S.-Mexican War

Posted on July 13, 2009 by

Beginning in spring 1846, after various diplomatic, informal economic, and unofficial militaristic attempts to take and occupy part of Mexico’s northern frontier, the U.S. declared war on its southern neighbor.  A decade after their politically unresolved dispute over Tejas, this … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Feminism and the high court

Posted on July 9, 2009 by

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Sonia Sotomayor’s statement about being a “wise Latina woman”: I’m sure she meant no more than what I mean when I say: Yes, women bring a different life experience to the table. All … Continue reading →

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All-Time Top Movies

Posted on July 8, 2009 by

As a lover of movies and all things “Hollywood” I have been obsessed with the motion picture box office ever since I was a kid. As any Hollywood-file knows, however, the top earners list is not the same as the … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The “Border Beat” (July 8, 2009)

Posted on July 8, 2009 by

The “Border Beat” is back with its bi-weekly rundown of Latino-themed news and views.  The July 4th holiday and the typical summertime doldrums mean a slow time for politics, and that means immigration reform talk is, well, talk. Still, there … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The “Death” of Michael Jackson

Posted on July 7, 2009 by

They buried Michael Jackson today. The memorial served as the final spectacle for a man whose public life was almost nothing but. Fans, friends, and family said goodbye in a stirring series of recollections and performances.  Berry Gordy’s remarks for … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, History, Obituary | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bill Withers speaks out

Posted on July 6, 2009 by

Jesse Thorn of The Sound of Young America features an interview with legendary performer Bill Withers on his most recent podcast.  It is an informative discussion, shedding particular light on Withers’ decision to leave the limelight more than 20 years … Continue reading →

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