It's de Dia Bonita Thing

Dear America,

feliz seis de Mayo.

clearly, our president lives in a world quite different than the rest of us -- entertaining the illusion of international diplomacy and governance of OTHER countries, even as he acts above the law here at home, becoming more and more dependent upon shrouds of secrecy no matter what happens, no matter where.  

We know what you said last week -- as well as, the week before -- as well as six months before.  Better yet, word travels, and fast, Mr. President; it travels faster than the speed at Talladega (how about that finish? almost worth every minute of that deliriously long rain delay, which naturally created the perfect conditions for an afternoon siesta, but i digress).

His opening line:

"Hola!  Buenos dias!  It is wonderful to be back in México, lindo y querido." 

Nice touch added at the end there...my best translation arrives at "lovely and dear."   And that would be the first thing I think of when I think of Mexico, too.  But of course, this was only the beginning.

Here's more,

"It is an honor to be back in Mexico City—one of the great cities of the world.  Es un placer estar entre amigos.  It’s fitting that we gather at this great museum, which celebrates Mexico’s ancient civilizations and their achievements in arts and architecture, medicine and mathematics.  In modern times, your blend of cultures and traditions found its expression in the murals of Rivera, the paintings of Frida, the poetry of Sor Juana and the essays of Octavio Paz...

Paz once spoke words that capture the spirit of our gathering today—in this place that celebrates your past, but which this morning is filled with you, the young people who will shape Mexico’s future.  “Modernity,” Paz said, “is not outside us, but within us.  It is today and the most ancient antiquity; it is tomorrow and the beginning of the world; it is a thousand years old and yet newborn.”

perhaps this is why some of the immediato y genuino responses to the president included this:

“[That was] a really good speech by President Obama, but what Mexico was he talking about?” said Jose Carlos Cruz, 24, a graduate student in international relations. “Unfortunately in our country, the situation is terrible: There’s poverty, unemployment, and even worse, the future is anything but promising."

FOR MORE from that angle, just go to the LA Times, here.

classic, right?

Surprised a rambunctious 'get real' didn't come bellowing out of the crowd...que insinuas realista? 

Don't even think that translated correctomundo...
but let's get through this, shall we?

"Despite the deep bonds and values we share, attitudes—in both countries—are sometimes trapped in old stereotypes.  Some Americans only see the Mexico depicted in sensational headlines of violence and border crossings.  Some Mexicans may think America disrespects Mexico, that we seek to impose ourselves on Mexican sovereignty, or, alternatively, wish to wall ourselves off.  And in both countries, such distortions can breed myths and misunderstanding that only make it harder to make progress together."

Generalities like this have the power to crush us, Mr. President.  Think Talladega again, with the "78 car" rolling over on top of the innocent bystander just trying to drive within the lines and win a race.  How about we just go back to the 1849 borders while we're at it?

"I have come to Mexico because it is time to put old mindsets aside.  It’s time to recognize new realities, including the impressive progress in today’s Mexico.  For even as Mexicans continue to make courageous sacrifices for the security of your country; even as Mexicans in the countryside and in neighborhoods not far from here struggle to give their children a better life…it’s also clear that a new Mexico is emerging."

where?  where are the courageous sacrifices?   where exactly is that new Mexico emerging?

"Indeed, I see a Mexico that has lifted millions from poverty.  Because of the sacrifices of generations, a majority of Mexicans now call themselves middle class, with a quality of life that your parents and grandparents could only dream of.  This includes new opportunities for women, who are proving that—when given the chance—you can shape the destiny of your country, too."

fluffy y patronizing, ole.

  

"Here in Mexico, you’ve embarked on ambitious reforms—to make your economy more competitive and your institutions more accountable to you, the people.  As you pursue these reforms, know that you have the strong support of the United States.  Because whether you’re looking for basic services, or trying to start a new business, we share your belief that you should be able to make it through the day without paying a bribe.  And when talented Mexicans like you imagine your future, you should have every opportunity to succeed right here in the country you love."

indeed.
best part there..."we share your belief that you should be able to make it through the day without paying a bribe."

But doncha know, Mr. President, bribery y threats, boot to the throat y whistle-blower take downs, make the world go round.    Wednesday will be some kind of fun, no?

Oh the things we say, or do, or hide, to maintain political power.

But here's more from the president of the Americas:

"In the United States, we recognize our responsibilities as well.  We understand that the root cause of much of the violence here—and so much suffering for many Mexicans— is the demand for illegal drugs, including in the United States...

We recognize that most of the guns used to commit violence here in Mexico come from the United States.  In America, our Constitution guarantees our individual right to bear arms, and as President I swore an oath to uphold that right—and I always will [until I can get away with changing it]...Meanwhile, we’ll keep increasing the pressure on the gun traffickers who bring illegal guns into Mexico, and we’ll keep putting these criminals where they belong—behind bars."  [oh and I had nothing to do with that botched Fast y Furious program.]   

...We’re grateful to Mexican Americans in every segment of our society—for teaching our children, running our companies, serving with honor in our military, making breakthroughs in science, and standing up for social justice.  As Dr. Martin Luther King told Cesar Chavez, we are “brothers in the fight for equality.”  Indeed, without the strong support of Hispanics, including so many Mexican Americans, I would not be standing before you today as President of the United States."

Well, for every reason Mexico sucks, it's America's fault.  

Just what is the president's goal here?  What are his intentions? 
Can't help but notice he seems to be everybody's president these days.

"That’s one of the reasons I acted to lift the shadow of deportation from DREAMers—young people brought to the United States as children.  And that’s why I’m working with our Congress to pass common sense immigration reform.  Reform that continues to strengthen border security and strengthen legal immigration, so citizens don’t have to wait years to bring their family to the United States.  Reform that holds everyone accountable— so immigrants get on the right side of the law and so immigrants are not exploited and abused.  Most of all, reform that gives millions of undocumented individuals a pathway to earn their citizenship.   And I’m optimistic that—after years of trying—we’re finally going to get this done."

Accountable  to a

6.3 Trillion dollar

point. 

And muchas gracias to the Heritage Foundation, for the completo y gordo facts on immigration y amnesty real costs --  offering the American people all things supportivo y amplio global of the American Heritage-oh.  But back to the presidente of the Americas....

"indeed,

without the strong support

of Hispanics,

 including so many Mexican Americans,

I would not be standing

before you today

as President of the Untied States."

 

 

"Some Mexicans

may think America

 disrespects Mexico,

that we seek to impose ourselves

  on Mexican sovereignty,

 or, alternatively,

 wish to wall ourselves off."

Taking back scratching to an art form --

It's time for real reform.

Indeed.  But now let's surely gum up the day and head to Ohio:

"Still, you’ll hear voices that incessantly warn of government as nothing more than some separate, sinister entity that’s the root of all our problems, even as they do their best to gum up the works; or that tyranny always lurks just around the corner. You should reject these voices. Because what they suggest is that our brave, creative, unique experiment in self-rule is just a sham with which we can’t be trusted.

We have never been a people who place all our faith in government to solve our problems, nor do we want it to. But we don’t think the government is the source of all our problems, either. Because we understand that this democracy is ours. As citizens, we understand that America is not about what can be done for us. It’s about what can be done by us, together, through the hard and frustrating but absolutely necessary work of self-government.

...

The cynics may be the loudest voices—but they accomplish the least. It’s the silent disruptors—those who do the long, hard, committed work of change—that gradually push this country in the right direction, and make the most lasting difference."

indeed. can you say fundamental transformation in Spanish?   anyone? 

And what do mean by questioning those who question authority?   Are you kidding me?  THAT is democracy in action, organizing for action, for AMERICA.   What America are you talking about? Or is it just the opposition of this tyranny that you want us to reject?


[Emphasis added by y for more at The Blaze, here.]

Co-mingling speeches is great fun, isn't it?

"I dare you,

Class of 2013,

to do better.

I dare you to do better."  

The president was speaking in front of graduating students at Ohio State University, somewhere in the middle of the United States of America.



Taking questions, Mr. President?

Do you even know what Self-Rule, self-government, is supposed to look like?  According to these modern times, is government tyranny lost in translation somewhere in the delusions of grandeur of the bi-coastal, bi-America's world, in which you happily reside -- stunningly unaware of reality?  

"In modern times,

your blend of cultures and traditions

found its expression

in the murals of Rivera,

 the paintings of Frida,

 the poetry of Sor Juana

and the essays of

Octavio Paz..."

"Here in Mexico, you’ve embarked on ambitious reforms—to make your economy more competitive and your institutions more accountable to you, the people.  As you pursue these reforms, know that you have the strong support of the United States.  Because whether you’re looking for basic services, or trying to start a new business, we share your belief that you should be able to make it through the day without paying a bribe.  And when talented Mexicans like you imagine your future, you should have every opportunity to succeed right here in the country you love."

For this president ....tyranny y Mexico and tyranny y United States seem to be running incognito y reforma north y south of the border.  For the rest of us --   the loud ones who "incessantly warn of government" --  not so much.  aye, aye, aye-aye

Make it a Good Day, G