Today’s Librotraficante events covered in the Star, Weekly
by David Safier
Kudos to Alexis Huicochea of the Star for today's story about the Librotraficante Caravan, Ethnic studies support rolls in. My favorite line is from author and caravan organizer Tony Diaz about why he plans to have a taco truck distribute books in Tucson.
"Tacos are delicious and it's great to have books in the taco truck," he said. "It's like food for thought – people can have their barbacoa tacos and their contraband books."
The Weekly's Mari Herreras also has a good post on The Range, The Wet Books Are Coming! The Wet Books Are Coming! It links to an interview she did with Diaz a few weeks ago with lots of good background information.
Both reporters talk about the group Diaz helped found, Nuestra Palabra: Latino Writers Having Their Say. The group's purpose is to promote interest in Latino literature and reading in general, featuring reading showcases and book giveaways. The group also does television broadcasts and a radio show. According to my interview yesterday with Lianna Lopez, the term "Librotraficante" was coined awhile ago when they were loading books into a van after and event and someone commented, "Hey, we're Librotraficantes!"
When I mentioned to Lopez what a fine piece of political theater this whole caravan is, filled with spot-on imagery and a flair for the dramatic — part of a long, proud tradition — she said the group is an active participant in the international conferences on Pedagogy & Theater of the Oppressed and will be presenting a workshop on the subject this afternoon during the Ultimate Lit Teach-In starting at 1pm (Flier of events below the fold).
Don't forget: If you want to hear some premier authors reading from their works, attend tonight's Literary Showcase, 7pm, UA Social Sciences Building, Rm. 100, 1145 E. South Campus.
Censorship and enabling by Arizona media
Looks like someone made “Don’t make me angry” Frank a little angry
Librotraficante (almost) makes it to town
by David Safier
I went to the John Valenzuela Youth Center this afternoon to attend the Librotraficante Caravan press conference. It turns out they were delayed — something about problems with Border Control as they crossed from New Mexico into Arizona. . . . OK, I made the Border Control part up, but the caravan still had a long way to go before it made it to Tucson. Probable time of arrival: 5:30pm.
I called the bus and talked to Lianna Lopez (don't know if I spelled that right). She told me about great crowds they've had for their evening readings. In El Paso, 350 people bought dinners at an event and another hundred attended as well. In Albuquerque last night, the 400 seat auditorium was packed and caravan members had to stand in the back.
The numbers are no surprise if you see the names of some of the authors who are reading and speaking at the events: Sandra Cisneros (House on Mango Street), Luis Alberto Urrea (The Devil's Highway) and others. You can see the list below the fold.
The readings will be at 7pm, UA Social Sciences, Room 100, 1145 E South Campus.
Speculators are driving up the price of oil and gas at the pump
Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Have you heard the latest joke about "President Obama is responsible for rising gasoline prices"? Not in the way Tea-Publicans tell the joke.
Actually, the real reason for rising gasoline prices today is the same as it was during the 2008 election — these guys. OK, let me be clear, not these guys in the photo specifically, but speculators in the commodities futures trading and derivatives markets in general.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters
Traders on the floor of the New York Mercantile Exchange.
The rise in gasoline prices has almost nothing to do with energy policy. It has everything to do with America’s continuing failure to adequately regulate Wall Street. Robert Reich writes, Why Republicans Aren’t Mentioning the Real Cause of Rising Prices at the Gas Pump | Truthout:
As I’ve noted before, oil supplies aren’t being squeezed. Over 80 percent of America’s energy needs are now being satisfied by domestic supplies. In fact, we’re starting to become an energy exporter. Demand for oil isn’t rising in any event. Demand is down in the U.S. compared to last year at this time, and global demand is still moderate given the economic slowdowns in Europe and China.
Dr. Richard Carmona statement on legislature’s attempt to block access to contraception
Stock investors fare better under Democrats
