Treating Your Employees Like People

For twenty five years I held various supervisory and management positions where people worked under my authority and reported to me. Sometimes I can be a bit of slow learner, but in this matter it only took a few years to realize that If you treat people like animals, they will behave like animals. They react rationally to the way they are treated by management and the organization. It is simply physics: Action - equal and opposite Reaction.

The converse is not necessarily true. Just because you are honest and fair with your workers, doesn't always mean that they will always work hard and be fair with you. But it is a starting point. You must treat them like adults, and you must be rigorously honest with them. Once they realize that they can't trust what you are saying, you are sunk. After that there has to be accountability, leadership, and concern for the employee's family and his personal situation. The leaders must continually demonstrate that they are willing to do the same kind of nasty and dirty hard work that management is expecting from their employees.

What makes me think about this are several recent events. In this morning's newspaper I was reading about a Harvard educated, white, lady professor shooting and killing several of her supervisors and the other people who she felt were judging her and her job performance unfairly. This sort of work related violence where an employee, or a prior employee, shoots and kills his bosses and others who who have treated him badly is becoming commonplace. The shooter typically has developed such overwhelming anger and resentment about the improper treatment he has received, that he finally decides to take serious action, regardless of the personal consequences. Older or terminally ill workers who are nearer to the end of the road, have less to lose and can be especially prone to this type of violence and get-even behavior.

Yesterday afternoon I was driving home and I passed one of the local Toyota dealerships. I thought that Friday afternoon might be a good time to have the latest software upgrade for the anti-lock brakes on my new Prius installed. I do this sort of software upgrade for my home computers and their software often. It is so commonplace that it makes me wonder, “Why the hell I have to take my car into the dealership to have this done?” Anyway, driving by I didn't even bother to stop at the Toyota dealer because I saw the long line of cars still waiting to just get into the service department, and a group of obviously disgruntled Toyota owners milling about.

Over night I got to thinking about the mechanics who are performing the fixes for all these recalls. They are now working long hours and are under a great deal of pressure. I wonder if the dealerships are treating them well? No doubt there are a few of these Toyota dealership mechanics who feel that they are being expected to perform like brilliant but unemotional high speed robots, but who have very little job security, no health insurance, no pension plan, and are being paid a relatively low hourly wage. Now that the workload has increased, and the working hours have suddenly gone way up, you can be sure there are plenty of guys who last month were considered as nothing more than newly hired rank trainees who are now performing these various recall upgrades with almost no supervision and certainly not any post procedure testing to assure quality assurance.

Having a car dealership mechanic work on one's car is actually a bit frightening. Whenever possible I avoid this. I can't imagine the car dealerships which I know taking the position that good mechanics are important to their continued prosperity and survival, so these people should be treated properly. All the car dealerships I have ever had much to do with were first and foremost sales and marketing organizations. The few great car salespeople made a lot of money. The mechanics were generally ignored and looked down on. Second class citizens.

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Insurance Companies

I see today reading Democracy Now that health insurance companies are reaching unheard of profitability. And that this occurred during a period where the insurance companies dropped 2.7 million customers.

But still no great moral outrage among the Democrats, and not the slightest concern by the Republicans.


-------- Top Insurers Post Record Profits While Dropping 2.7M Policyholders

"A new report says the nation’s five biggest insurance companies set an all-time record for combined profits last year. According to Health Care for America Now, the companies WellPoint, CIGNA, UnitedHealth Group, Aetna Inc. and Humana posted cumulative profits of $12.2 billion. That marks a $4.4 billion, or 56 percent, increase over 2008 and amounts to an average profit margin of 5.2 percent. CIGNA saw the highest profit jump, with an increase of 346 percent. Health Care for America Now says the insurers’ record year was aided by three factors: dropping customers with costly medical needs; diverting spending from medical care to administrative costs and margins; and a higher enrollment in public programs, like Medicare Advantage, that pay insurers higher fees.

Overall, the insurance companies dropped 2.7 million customers from their rolls last year. The report’s release comes ahead of a day of nationwide rallies next Wednesday organized by Health Care for America Now."



LINK: http://www.democracynow.org/2010/2/12/headlines#1

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Elegant Technology

The third generation Toyota Prius has gotten some bad press recently. I drove a second generation Prius when I lived in Europe, and now that I am living back in America I drive a 2010 3rd generation Prius.

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I feel the same way about the new Prius that I do when I delve into any of my Nikon SLR cameras. They are exquisite, refined wonderful products. Nikon and Toyota both leave me with an absolute sense of awe.

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1984 Style Big Brother Government

Americans have been force fed so much pro-America propaganda over the years that “faith” in these almost religious beliefs of the mythical American Way has become part of the national culture.

America is the wealthiest and most powerful country. American citizens have the highest standard of living, the lowest infant mortality, and the longest life spans of any people on planet Earth. The American system of Democracy and the U.S. Constitution protects the individual from abuses by the rich and powerful. Employers are required to make sure that the workplace is safe and they are required to treat their workers fairly. People are treated as innocent unless they are proven guilty in a fair and open court. America has more of a commitment to solar energy and conservation than any other country. The American government always “plays fair” …. this is the American Way.

The government does not operate “secret” jails. If an American is arrested he is always provided with a competent lawyer and is guaranteed prompt access to the courts. No one ever languishes in jail for months or years without even being formally charged with a crime in open court, not in some secret government proceeding. The police and other government representatives are prohibited from lying to citizens in this country. Americans have more freedom of speech than the citizens of any other country, and poor people in America receive the same fair treatment when dealing with the American government as rich people do. The government is not allowed to spy on its citizens; the Bill of Rights and the Constitution protect people from these abuses.

All of the statements in the preceding two paragraphs are incorrect. I could write many more. Many people will respond by saying, “Yes, America is not perfect. But it is still the very finest country on the planet.” This statement is also far from accurate, and is an intellectually lazy cop-out. Anyone who takes this position is simply closed minded and ignorant. These people have not lived in other parts of the world for any significant time and have not seen that many other countries have figured out better ways of solving problems than America has. For example, almost all of the first-world wealthiest democracies guarantee adequate health care to all people (citizens and visitors) as a basic human right. All of the rich countries except America.

In today's news I see that Europe has rejected America's demand for detailed banking information on all airline travelers. The vote by the European Union brings into focus the fact that European countries assure their citizens far more personal privacy than the American government does.

Since becoming president one year ago there was great hope that Barack Obama would solve some of these problems. Instead of behaving like an open minded, well educated progressive, Obama's behavior on the major issues has been that of a center-right Republican. Kind of a more articulate and kinder/gentler George Bush Jr. --President Barack Obama is certainly “cooler” and nicer than President Bush II, but in actual practice his policies are not significantly different.


LINK: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/world/europe/12swift.html

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District 9

I watched this 2009 science fiction movie today. The producer was Peter Jackson, who also produced The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

This is a really one superb thrilling sci-fi action thriller.


LINK: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_9

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We R Doomed

Any Obama supporter who still stands behind Barack needs to read this blog entry by Paul Krugman.
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Check out a few of the reader comments too.
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My favorite: Washington works for the bankers, Obama's appeasing those in charge. America is ruled by predators and its citizens are the prey. Shockingly repugnant, but really hard to miss these days.
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------ LINK: http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/10/clueless/?emc=eta1

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Healthy Foods

I don't drink alcohol, I don't smoke, I avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates, and I get a bit of exercise each day. Here are the healthy foods that I have eaten today:

Oranges
Fresh Tomato
Purple Grapes
Fresh Blueberries
Fresh Strawberries
Fat free plain yogurt
Walnuts
Sunflower seeds, roasted not salted
Skim milk
Poached Eggs
Mackerel
100% Whole Wheat Bread

With breakfast I took a multivitamin, 2000 I.U. of Vitamin D-3, and a whopping big capsule of fish oil. If a healthy diet would make you well then I should be fine. But I'm not. Maybe eating right is slowing down the gradual degradation due to leukemia just a bit. Who knows? But it sure isn't stopping it. Nope, not at all.

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Europe and the Euro

Essential for the continued functioning of the European common currency called the Euro is economic and labor integration. I lived in Europe before the introduction of the Euro, at the time of the change over, and for years afterward.

Transparent economic integration is essential. But you cannot buy a new car in Germany and then get it licensed in The Netherlands without having to undergo great effort and outrageous paperwork. I know, I did it.

Labor has to be able to pick up and move to where the opportunities are. So a certificate of competency issued to a medical doctor in Poland or Italy must be fully accepted in England, the same with a plumber, an electrician, or a mechanical engineer. The European Union can't even agree upon one single household appliance plug. A British plug won't work in Belgium, etc. In Greece the government actually lied to the European Union about its budget deficits. Big time. But these aren't the biggest barriers.

All the different small country languages is the main issue. A Spanish worker who doesn't speak a word of French or German cannot in all reasonableness up and move to Germany or France and expect to get a good job.

To maintain one healthy organization, each member needs to be able to communicate with the others. I am fluent in Spanish, but I still recognize that it is essential all immigrants and long term residents coming to America must be highly proficient in speaking and reading English.

Do all these problems mean that the Euro is completely doomed to failure? Not necessarily, but it does mean that no matter how much some people would like to see America fail and the U.S. Dollar cease being the main reserve currency worldwide, it is unlikely to happen any time soon.

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Stupidity of Politicians

It is beginning to look like Sara Palin's ego is so wildly blown out of control that she hopes to run for president in 2012.

Something as ludicrous as this would normally be seen as good news for the Democrats. But they seem to be getting ever better at grabbing defeat right out of the jaws of victory.

Rham Emanual recently called the progressive wing of the Democratic party “fucking retards.” Apparently he is speaking for the President, because there sure haven't been any regrets offered by the White House to the liberals or progressives. They did appologize to the mentally challenged community for using the politically incorrect and offensive word "retard."

Mr. Obama and Mr. Emanual appear to have forgotten that these liberals are some of the most intelligent, well educated, and motivated people in the Democratic party.

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Superbowl Sunday

After Mandarin Chinese, English is the most widely employed language on the planet. Spanish is third, and French and German are somewhere around numbers ten and eleven. When you first arrive in Scotland you wonder whether that noise coming out of their mouths is in fact even English, but after a day or two you get used to their dialect.

In the overwhelming majority of the English speaking world the word “football” refers to the much more civilized sport that we Americans call soccer. The American form of football is much like American politicians: not very bright and completely brutal regardless of the consequences. Deviousness is highly regarded in both endeavors.

One hundred years from now when people look back and discuss American football, with all of its attendant injuries (especially the brain damage), they will describe American football as being a horribly evil form of brutality. Not quite as bad as the Romans throwing the Christians to the lions. More like dog fighting is viewed in the early 21st century.

Then there are those who claim to watch the superbowl only to see the commercials. I go to a lot of effort either to mute commercials or using the DVR to fast forward past them. This year the television censors are allowing a right wing, anti-abortion spot, but they have rejected one that was paid for by a gay social group. Of the top 10 ads several were by Bud Light, Doritos, Coke, and Snickers. No wonder Americans are a bunch of morbidly obese diabetics.

This whole situation is sick and ignorant, just like the sport of football.

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Dying Cultures

A few days ago I finished reading “Friday” by Robert A. Heinlein for the third time.

It is now the middle of the night. I awakened thinking so much about this book that I decided to get up, get dressed, and commit my thoughts to writing.

Back in the bad old days one had to write many, many papers in school before graduating. High school and college both. Apparently this is no longer so. I have heard of people who are getting near to graduating from University who are now having to write and turn in their very first paper. Can you imagine? This can’t be accurate, can it?

I find that when I write something down it forces me to greatly clarify my thoughts. It seems to help save these thoughts as memories too; in some other sort of backup memory. Many times I use my diary (the modern word is blog) as a place to deposit these written thoughts and memories.

In thinking about reading the book called “Friday” for the third time my initial thought was, How can one possibly enjoy re-reading books? I don’t know, but on TV last night I watched the first Harry Potter movie again for at least the third time. Of course I read the book first too.

With “Friday” I was in my late teens or early 20’s when I read it the first time. Just like “Stranger In A Strange Land.” Then I very much enjoyed re-reading them both when I was in my 40’s. Yes, of course I remembered many of the details, but over the years I had forgotten enough in these books that I really enjoyed reading them a second time. Then again in my early 60’s I got to enjoy the pleasure of reading them a third time. I works just fine. Actually the 2nd and 3rd times one sort of gets more out of a book.

Specifically what I was thinking about in the middle of the night was Heinlein’s analysis of what are the marks of a sick culture. He went into this in some depth in chapter XXIII. Much of the following should be directly attributed to Heinlein.

“It is a bad sign when the people of a country stop identifying themselves with the country and start identifying with a group. A racial group. Or a religion. Or a language. Anything, as long as it isn’t the whole population.”

Over the last 60 plus years I have travelled to many countries, lived for years in various parts of the USA, Germany, and then The Netherlands. I can see the above phenomenon in most modern cultures, and most certainly in American society and culture.

“Dominance of males over females seems to be one of the symptoms.” Just look at the dark age culture of the Muslim religious fanatics in Afghanistan or in parts of Africa. America is also afflicted with this but far less so. In fact, over the last 40 years things have turned around in America to where females now have a significantly higher graduation rate from university and some professional degrees than males.

“...before a revolution can take place, the population must lose faith in both the police and courts.” Just look back a little. The 55 mph speed limit was not accepted by the people, it was imposed upon them. The same with prohibition of all consumption of alcohol in the 1930s and then much the same with marijuana from the late 1960s onward. Rule-of-law begins to break down when the general populace of a democracy strongly disagrees with, and ignores or violates various laws. People begin to think that the laws of the land are only for other people, they should not apply to me.

Open corruption of law enforcement personnel is deadly to loss of confidence in one’s society. Corruption among one’s elected representatives is much the same.

When there are a zillion silly laws which are no longer enforced but which are not repealed either, it makes people lose respect for the importance of, indeed the absolute necessity of laws. The same thing happens when noncompliance doesn’t have any meaningful consequences.

“…one of the obvious symptoms: Violence. Muggings. Sniping. Arson. Bombing. Terrorism of any sort. Riots of course - but I suspect that little incidents of violence, pecking away at people day after day, damage a culture more than riots that flare up and then die down.”

Growing up in the 1950s we never ever locked our house. We couldn’t. We didn’t even have a key. Then one year somewhere in the early 1960s things had begun to break down with society. Before we went on our annual family vacation we went over to the dime store and bought a skeleton key, so that we could lock the house.

“Imprisonment without bail and without speedy trial.” Think about all the innocent people the U.S. military/government has killed or imprisoned and tortured, and then the individuals are not even ever charged with any crime. Certainly not ever actually convicted. The government blatantly ignoring the provisions and protections of the U.S. Constitution.

“Sick cultures show a complex of symptoms…such as you have named. But a ‘dying’ culture invariably exhibits personal rudeness. Bad manners. Lack of consideration for others in minor matters. A loss of politeness, of gentle manners, is more significant than is a riot.”

Think about the nightly news and the way that the political right wing and it’s gang of self-righteous racists are behaving. Look at how rude the majority of people are when they are driving in their big, anonymous, fuel wasting SUVs, and think about the people trying to openly cut into line ahead of you at the check out counter of Wal-Mart.

It seems to me that the United States of America very easily fits the definition of a sick culture. Had it gotten so bad that it would be realistic to view this as a dying culture? When one looks at the millions of people who are excluded from health care in America one also sees that there are plenty of folks who not only don’t care, but for whom it even makes them feel superior in a sick sort of way. Yes, the USA is well past its peak. The country and the American culture are now sliding down the declining part of the curve.

Is America the very worst? No, not close. Just look at Mexico or Afghanistan or Iraq. Are the American Way and the American culture any longer the best? Nope, as before, not even remotely close.

I am now an old Geezer in my 60s. I have travelled widely, lived abroad for many years, and I have been fortunate and lucky enough to have lived an amazing life. Whatever happens won’t have much impact on me personally. But if I were in my 20s I would take a cold hard look at what is happening in America. The choices are: Be lazy and do nothing (most will choose this option); try to reverse the political and cultural decline (hopeless? Maybe so); or emigrate to some other country where your chances of leading a happy and rewarding life will be greater.

We each have to make these decisions for ourselves. Most people just go along and don’t ever make any real choices. They are like corks floating down river. But there are a few special individuals who have the strength of character to set goals and follow through. I guess just like it always has been, there will be a few survivors and a few who are fortunate enough to lead satisfying lives. But I am very sorry to say that it is almost a certainty that most citizens of the United States of America are going to lead much shorter, poorer and less satisfying lives than their parents did. How sad.

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USDA Tracking of Meat

Even in the face of all the recent food scares and scandals, and the inability of food processing companies to track produce or animals back to individual farms, the United States Government has decided to cancel it's nationwide program of tagging and tracing farm animals, and just let the individual states take care of things.

When you buy meat at the supermarket you can be certain that most of it comes from another state. This is clearly interstate commerce. Traditionally letting the states handle things has just been a form of deregulation, only under another pseudonym.

This is just one more example of the Obama administration saying the correct things, but in their real life actions behaving like a bunch of center-right Republicans. Sometimes I think I must have gone through some kind of a time warp along the way, and what I am witnessing is really another parallel universe.

This sick society that I see today sure isn't the United States of America that I grew up in.

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Physicians For Single Payer Universal Health Care

Probably the most admired and trusted man in America right now is Bill Moyers. On Friday evenings he hosts the PBS show called the Bill Moyers Journal. The show is rigorously honest and objective. In it he delves in-depth into subjects that are frequently just alluded to in short sound bites.

On last night's show he interviewed Dr. Margaret Flowers. She is active with the group called Physicians for a National Health Program in encouraging our elected representatives in Washington, D.C. to pass “Medicare For All” or as it is more commonly called Single Payer.

Her personal experience that the final death knell of universal health care without any doubt came directly from the top levels of the White House is truly astounding. Actually it is more than a little frightening.

Is this due to Rahm Emanuel, or is it because Obama has no strong personal beliefs or backbone? Obama is looking like the ultimate slimy Chicago politician, just going which ever way the wind is blowing at the moment. It is now clear that neither Rahm Emanuel nor Barack Obama have been capable of accomplishing anything of any import. This loser Rahm Emanuel needs to apologize to progressives and liberals for referring to them as “fucking retards” then the crude jerk Mr. Emanuel needs to promptly resign.

Please take the time to click on this link. Then watch the video of Dr. Flowers. The problem is not just in the Senate, it is in the White House!



LINK: http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/02052010/profile3.html

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Tiger Woods

I think it was John Maher who recently said that Tiger Woods' problem is not some sort of mental illness or some kind of “sexual addiction.” His theory is that the problem Tiger has is a small one called Marriage.

I agree that having the sexual morals of a French whore are really quite normal. Many women and also many men seem to have the same approach to ethics and morals. If Tiger were not married, no one would be paying any attention to the fact that he seems to be determined to acquire a sexually transmitted disease.

From my perspective a far worse indictment of Tiger Woods is appropriate because of his dishonesty and arrogance. From his view he simply deserved the sexual favors of all those little Barbie Dolls.

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Hybrid Brake Software Updates

Ford is experiencing the exact same software problem that Toyota is having with its Prius. When the car switches from its fuel saving electronic braking to the more conventional braking, in rare circumstances there is a problematic delay.

So why is one hearing so much about the Toyota Prius and very little about the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids? Jealousy. Ford can only manage to get a rating of 35 mpg on their hybrids whereas Toyota has a rating of 50 mpg. Over the last 2,007.5 miles I have averaged 60.5 mpg in my 2010 Toyota Prius.

Toyota remains the best when it comes to engineering, quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. When you are standing on the top of the mountain there are simply more people shooting at you.

LINK: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2010/02/ford_fusion_brakes.html


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Toyota

I have been driving for almost 50 years now. I've owned many brands of vehicles, and overwhelmingly I have found that the ones made by Toyota are best. Highest quality, best fuel economy, best resale, etc. But now it seems that greed and the wild-eyed desire for increased growth and wealth has even affected Toyota. They seem to have become infected with the disease of dishonesty. What a pity.

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DOT 22-10
Thursday, February 4, 2010 Contact: Olivia Alair
Telephone: (202) 366-4570
Department of Transportation Addresses Toyota Safety Issues

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced that it is opening a formal investigation of the Toyota Prius Hybrid model year 2010 to look into allegations of momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole or bump.

The Office of Defects Investigation has received 124 reports from consumers, including four reports alleging that crashes occurred. Investigators have spoken with consumers and conducted pre-investigatory field work.

“Safety is our top priority,” said Secretary Ray LaHood. “That is why in recent weeks NHTSA has also issued a consumer advisory on the recall of several models of Toyota vehicles and the Pontiac Vibe involving pedal entrapment and sticky accelerator pedals. We will continue to monitor these issues closely.”

Late Wednesday, Secretary LaHood spoke with Toyota president, Akio Toyoda, who reassured him that Toyota takes U.S. safety concerns seriously and puts safety at the top of the company’s priorities.

Consumer complaints about possible safety problems are one of NHTSA’s most important sources of information about vehicles. Officials review each one within a single business day and analyze the information to ensure trends are detected early.

Of the 100 investigations NHTSA opens every year, there are currently 40 open defect investigations, three of which involve Toyota. NHTSA has the most active defect investigation program in the world, opening or closing an investigation almost every week. Over the last three years, NHTSA’s defect and compliance investigations have resulted in 524 recalls involving 23.5 million vehicles.

NHTSA is advising owners of vehicles affected by recent Toyota recalls to contact their local dealership if they detect a problem. For more information, consumers should visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/ or call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Election For Governor Of Texas

At the moment the state of Texas is suffering with Rick Perry as Governor. He is nothing short of an embarrassment. His Republican competitor is Kay Bailey Hutchison. She is a good bit classier than Rick Perry, but her right wing ideology is downright frightening.

So who do the Texas Democrats decide to run? A recent immigrant to America by the name of Farouk Shami. Mr. Shami speaks with a heavy middle eastern accent. He arrived in America just a few years ago with $77 in his pocket, and he became a multi millionaire in a very few years.

Farouk Shami may be well educated, and perhaps he is a fine fellow with really great ideas. I don’t know. I am more than a little suspicious of anyone who makes a great deal of money that quickly. It is rare for someone to get so wealthy so quickly without doing anything underhanded, but maybe Farouk is the exception.

But come on guys, Texas has become a racist, anti-foreigner, red neck state. When I was living abroad and George Junior was President, I was extremely ashamed to admit that I was also from Texas. The only place where I found that being a Texan was celebrated was in Scotland. In this post 911 era, anyone who looks even slightly like he may be from the mideast or might be a Muslim terrorist supporter, incites wild paranoia and xenophobia. Especially among a bunch of red neck, poorly educated Texans.

It is more than a little stupid for the Texas Democratic party to not have a credible candidate running for Governor. This is irresponsible. There are more progressives and liberals in the state of Texas than one might think. Mostly they are forced to keep their heads low and their eyes averted. But once they are able to enjoy the sanctity of the secret ballot, they are not ashamed to express their true preferences.

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Rahm Emanuel

President Obama’s Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is well know for being more than a little unsophisticated and crude. He is currently in hot water for saying that he thinks liberals are “fucking retarded.”

His dishonest and corrupt buddies, the Republicans and the Blue Dog Democrats, are the ones who are causing all this gridlock not the progressives and liberals.

The “fucking retarded liberals” are the ones responsible for Obama having gotten elected in the first place, but apparently Rahm Emanuel is too slow mentally to figure this out. The fact that President Obama surrounds himself with right wing bozos like this jerk is indicative of where Obama really is coming from.

At this rate Barack Obama is not going to end up being an effective one term president. He is going to end up being a one term president who will make Jimmy Carter seem like a towering bastion of leadership and backbone. The American voter sure was sold a bill of goods in Mr. Obama. Just another slimy Chicago politician.

What a pity for the country.

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Pope Benedict

I wasn't raised as a Catholic, and I suppose it is fair to say that I am not even a Christian any more. But I really do like Joseph Ratzinger aka Pope Benedict though. He is a humble and brilliant man.

In announcing his upcoming trip to Britain which will be the first papal visit since 1982, he also criticized British legislation that could force Churches to hire homosexuals or transsexuals as a violation of "natural law."

Since the Catholic priesthood worldwide is filled with child molesting gays, this statement by the Pope strikes me as rather disingenuous.

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The Mexican Culture

It is Monday morning in El Paso, Texas and the weather is beautiful here in the high West Texas desert. My three bedroom brick house lies in a modern suburb just 6 miles (10 km) north of the international border with the country of Mexico. The climate is so nice here at the Pass Of The North that people have been living here for many thousands of years. It is fairly common when I am out walking my doggie in the nearby desert to see bits and pieces of pottery left behind by the people who were living off the land here 1,000 or 1,500 years ago, well prior to the arrival of the Europeans.

In the twenty-first century beheadings have become so routine in our neighboring city of Juarez, Mexico that many times they are no longer even reported by our local newspaper or on TV. Juarez is now by far the most dangerous city on the planet. Much more deadly than Baghdad, Iraq or South Africa. The Mayor of Juarez, Mexico is so afraid to sleep in his own country that he owns a large house in one of the most prosperous parts of El Paso. Each night he comes north to America to see his family and sleep.

Saturday night there was a birthday party held in a middle class neighborhood of Juarez for a Mexican high school kid. Adult supervision was present at the party. Around midnight approximately seven or eight SUVs containing 15 to 18 men drove up and began shooting. Some of the cars blocked off streets. Survivors describe the gunmen as looking like “cholos.” These men then went inside and separated the girls from the boys, took the boys out to the patio and shot them all. Some of the guys tried to escape by jumping over walls and running, but most got shot and killed anyway. The gunmen moved next door and continued shooting. Bodies were found in at least three different nearby homes. Several hundred rounds were shot. Most of the injured ended up being transported to hospitals in private vehicles, because the police and ambulances were reportedly quite slow in responding to this latest mass murder. According to the most recent reports I have seen, at least 16 people were killed. This will change no doubt. The police claim to have no idea at all who the "bad guys" were, and none of them have been caught.

While being interviewed by a newspaper reporter, one witness asked the reporter not to pay so much attention to the guy selling crack on the corner. He told the reporter that a hit can now be bought in Juarez for eighty US dollars. The report claims that one can see kids too young to drive riding bicycles with pistols stuck in their waistbands. Life is cheap in Juarez. Violent death is so common that it has lost much of its stigma.

Even with the insanity of the obstructionist right-wing Republicans, America remains a much safer place to live than Mexico. Our commitment to honesty, the rule-of-law, and rooting out corruption is in stark contrast to what one sees under the Mexican culture. Bribery of government officials, which is know locally as mordida, or applying a little grease, is overwhelmingly the norm in Mexico.

I am still in favor of allowing immigration from Mexico. But primarily from the highly motivated, the well educated, and the professional classes; not from fruit pickers, criminals, and drug dealers who haven't been caught committing a crime recently. Certainly any person who wishes to come to America and then achieve permanent residency status or American citizenship must be able to read and speak English proficiently. Anyone who wishes to keep speaking Spanish and continue living by the corrupt cultural standards of Mexico is free to remain living in Mexico.

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