On Revolution Abroad and at Home

While alleged WickiLeaks agent, Pvt. Bradley Manning, who released the cables, lies naked and tortured in a U. S. Navy Brig, I am reminded of how revolutions spreading across America and the Arab World began: Call it the “Internet Facebook” confrontation with dictators. The common denominator in the wikileaks’ revelations can be summarized in email leaks that show how the governors in Arabia and America hold the average citizen in contempt. The hypocrisy of diplomats and dictators knows no bounds. The US of A supports Arab dictators who abhor the hoi polloi on the Arab Street even as the governing elite dine together at the same clubs.

At Taos Friction, we keep hoping Ghaddafi will voluntarily resign. Perhaps one of the drones aimed at the Taliban in Afghanistan that “accidentally” kills women and children could be better employed in Tripoli, eh? The Tahrir square protesters, valiant and praiseworthy, are cheering on their brave brother and sister Libyans, fighting for freedom against the dictator y La Familia.

And here’s a shout out to the “On Wisconsin” labor movement that has been re-ignited by the Tea Party—Koch puppet Governor. In two years, the U.S. Congress may see a new batch of representatives, who vote with—instead of against—the working men and women of America. Barack Obama, who learned his “rope-a-dope” politics from Muhammad Ali, the greatest of all time, is maneuvering Republicats into a corner by looking for consensus among the rich and poor, while the GOP caters exclusively to the fat cats.

In New Mexico, little of substance—except for budget adjustments—is going on at the state legislature. Governor Martinez appears to be hamstrung by Speaker Ben and the boys. A mean-spirited bill aimed at revoking drivers’ licenses from immigrants may pass but the devilish details mean the DMV will make our (legitimate?) lives more difficult.

“Prove you’re a citizen, born and bred?”

(The losers of civil liberties in the War on Terror—due process and the right to privacy—affect not the alleged terrorists in the short run but in the long run the citizens in the US of A.)

In Taos, grass-roots activists have bent the KCEC Rabbit and his Rubber Stampers to their will at the PRC, while saving members hundreds of thousands of dollars in electricity costs. (Thank you Jerome et al.) The long-running rate protest hearings will continue in late May. Meanwhile, KCEC is installing $60 million worth of Broadband fiber optic cable in remote regions of Taos County. The burgeoning debt and irresponsible management—cross subsidization of entrepreneurial adventurism by electric side revenues is at the center of the PRC controversy.

And the trustees continue to travel: Toby, Manuel, Luis in Florida this week.

The eleven-member Coop board has gerrymandered districts so the many are represented by the votes of a few: It’s a club for good old boys and one woman. Apparently, trustees believe the Coop’s purpose is designed to subsidize their jaunts to meetings out of town while their CEO bops about, looking for accolades as “Mr. Techno—Greenman” (except for the transparency part).

But the members pay the freight for Coop follies.

At Taos Municipal Schools, the new board, we hear, is an harmonious mix of individuals: One Harvard PhD; one BUS from UNM; two high school grads; and one, the president, with an undetermined scholastic record. During the recent board election, the harmonious candidates avoided discussing issues affecting education, recognizing that the community wanted fuzzy-wuzzy.

During the last decade, enrollment at THS has decreased about 40%; test scores, according to NMPED, have been in decline; graduation rates vary between 40% to 70%, depending on the matrix, according to NMPED; auditors consistently find the district lacking—no inventory or asset controls. (Nobody knows where the fabulous art collection hangs or the shop equipment is stored.) And, administrative salaries have risen well-above state averages, according to comparisons—despite the above record of decline.

(The treatment of food service employees and children with special needs is too scandalous to discuss, what with lawsuits filed and civil rights violations occurring on a regular basis.)

It’s one heck of a lot easier to adjust the message than change the system. Unlike the lovely former board member or even the cantankerous Chicano, this fuzzy-wuzzy board would have you believe, “Everything is just fine.” In the past, KCEC CEO Luis Reyes has said everything is just fine at the COOP as did his band of Trustees (except for losing millions on the Propane, Internet, the Command Center, and now, Broadband). At TMS school children (human beings) are at risk but never mind.

“Everything is just fine,” said Flavio, “Ghaddafi lost control of the message. But sing it loud, I’m on time and everything’s fine.” (Sing it to the tune of James Brown, “Say it loud, I’m black and I’m proud.”) “Sing it loud, I’m on time and everything’s fine.”

It was Fine, fine, fine—until my Daddy took my T-Bird away.