Rodriguez has been noncompliant with his treatment and could become contagious as a result, Ginger Wick, nursing director for San Joaquin County, said in a letter requesting a warrant for Rodriguez’s arrest.

After failing one time to give himself the drugs, Rodriguez told a nurse he had gone on an alcohol binge and taken methamphetamine and didn’t want to hurt his liver, Wick said in her letter.

Rodriguez was arrested Tuesday and is expected to be arraigned Thursday on two misdemeanor counts of refusing to comply with a tuberculosis order to be at home at certain times and make appointments to take his medication.

This is a modern day case of Typhoid Mary, the woman who was responsible for multiple deaths in the early 20th century. The difference here is that Rodriguez appears to also have a drug problem, so I suppose a case can be made that his irresponsibility isn’t as motivated by douchiness as Mary Mallon’s was.

Many of those who do support criminal prosecution in the rarest of cases when public health is in jeopardy oppose the jailing of patients.

“I think it’s an error to confine someone in the criminal justice system for a public health crime,” said Lawrence Gostin, a Georgetown University public health law professor who drafted a model law adopted by several states struggling with the issue. “The whole intention is to protect the public’s health. It’s not to lay blame on someone.”

I can only get behind this in part. The criminal justice system is needed, but jail or prison isn’t appropriate. Rodriguez has to be quarantined until he is able to comply with public health interests. (Also, I disagree with Gostin’s implication that the purpose of the criminal justice system is to lay blame on someone. Its purpose is rehabilitation and public safety, not revenge.)

Armando Rodriguez, 34, was arrested and booked in the San Joaquin County Jail in French Camp for violating TB Control Orders of County Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Furst. The arrest was made by Stockton Police at the request of Public Health Services and the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office.

San Joaquin County has over time arrested and jailed a number of patients and on occasion non-patients for failure to comply with written TB Control Orders of the county health officer. Doing so is a misdemeanor and can be punished by up to one year in the county jail and two years probation.

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This case is not believed to have created an issue of exposure as there is no allegation that treatment was lost for a significant period of time, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Rodriguez reportedly first broke an appointment to be home on May 2 and failed to resolve his matter with the Public Health Services by phone calls and attempts to find him through May 9. A warrant was signed on Monday and Stockton Police arrested him Tuesday.

The county has had more than 30 tuberculosis prosecutions since 1984, prosecutor Stephen Taylor said. It also has prosecuted a woman accused of knowingly giving syphilis to her sex partners and refusing treatment.

Taylor said San Joaquin County is more aggressive than other jurisdictions in prosecuting tuberculosis patients to get them to take their medication.

“The criminal cases we’re dealing with generally involve drug users who are harder to treat and manage because the TB medicines conflict with street drugs,” he said. “We have to throw these people in jail and treat them as in-patients. They don’t cooperate as out-patients.”

Rodriguez was discharged in March from San Joaquin General Hospital with four medications for active tuberculosis and agreed to take the drugs under observation by a county health official on weekdays and on his own on weekends, authorities said.

He failed to self-administer the drugs on one day, telling a nurse he had gone on an alcohol binge and taken methamphetamine and didn’t want to hurt his liver, Wick said in her letter.

He allegedly refused to take the drugs on another day and then was not at home on three occasions and missed an appointment.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Surveillance video has surfaced in North Miami Beach from two weeks ago with a man resembling Rodriguez. The video was taken just before noon inside a ballet school on 159th Street.

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You see a man come in and grab brochures. According to detectives, he’s really casing his next victim.

A few minutes later detectives said Rodriguez returns, with a disguise on, and sits on a bench outside the school next to woman. A camera outside captures the man pulling a gun out, grabbing the woman by the neck and yanking her wedding rings off before taking off.

The ballet school didn’t want to talk about what happened as they are a bit shaken up by this since it happened just feet from their door. They now lock their door at all times of the day.

Investigators across South Florida are tying robberies to Rodriguez; including a home invasion on Miami Beach in February.

Surveillance cameras captured the whole thing there as well. Diego Chaar said he was sleeping when he woke up to see Rodriguez inside his home.

“Crowbar to the forehead; pistol in my mouth; get down,” Chaar said when describing what happened next.

He handed over his safe after getting a beating. Chaar said he has moved out and now carries a gun. “Safety, safety, safety. It ain’t going to happen to me again; I can tell you that much.” Chaar said.

Then there is the broad daylight mugging of a woman in Coral Gables. It happened in March across from the Bank of America on Madruga Court. Detectives have identified Rodriguez, a man who goes by the nickname “Rampage”, as their main suspect.

Documents uncovered by CBS4 raised questions of why he isn’t in prison.

In March of 2001 Miami Beach Police arrested Rodriguez for allegedly shooting at someone. Detectives discovered it was all over drugs.

For some reason though in 2006, the case was dismissed and charges were dropped. No one, not even the State Attorney’s office, can explain why.

Meanwhile, if police departments across South Florida have the right man, Rodriguez is living up to his nickname. The manhunt for Rodriguez is now getting even bigger as the reward has gone up to $5,000.

If you have any information on Rodriguez you can call Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).

It happened March 28th, just before 11 a.m., at 6400 Madruga Court. Trudy Courey, 48, said she was about to get into her Lincoln Navigator and head home to Miami Beach when she noticed a man walking toward her, she also noticed that he was pointing a gun at her. According to the incident report, the man ordered Courey to get into her SUV. When she did, he placed himself on top of her in the driver’s seat and ordered her to hand over her phone.

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Courey dropped her phone. He then demanded that she give him her purse. Before she could react, the man ripped the purse from her arm and grabbed two rings off her fingers before running off, according to police.

Jose Gonzalez, 47, said he saw the two together and at first thought it was just a husband and wife having a fight. But when Gonzalez saw the man run off with Courey’s purse, he realized he had just witnessed a robbery.

Coral Gables police officers canvassing the area found one of the rings ripped off of Courey’s hand.

Based on her description and their subsequent investigation, police said they suspect the man who robbed Courey was 33-year old Armando Rodriguez of Miami Shores.

Rodriguez, who is also wanted for a robbery on Feb. 11th in Miami Beach, is a suspect in a number of other active investigations across South Florida.

Police said Rodriguez is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone knowing his whereabouts is urged to call their local police department or Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS (8477).

Lately I visions of a large sculpted women dancing through the air have been settling into my psyche, so I decided to make a mini-replica (a rough cut) of my idea out of polymer clay so I could show my art teacher, Armando. I want her to pivot on her foot and turn on a lazy Susan style device. I call her Bella Donna. (her butt was flattened in the baking process, yikes!)

This is what emerged from deep within me; a woman without arms, instead wings, a large booty, slightly arabesque, no ears and a crown on a bald head. Now that she is out and in clay formation. There are so many more at the door waiting to be formed.

There is something about art in this tangible, structured form that feels so easy, fluid, & capable of saying everything within me.

Now, the only question is how do I get her to be life-sized so she can float in our front yard!!!

bella donna by Katariina FAgering

Check out our Facebook page for more images from this album.

my last monotype

For the last few months I’ve been taking a class on Monotypes. When I signed up for the class I actually thought we were going to be making something that I now know is called linoleum prints. Although I was at first a little disappointed, I became pleasantly surprised when I found out how fun & addictive this medium really is.

Armando Rodriguez taught the class in such a laid back yet supportive way that made it fun to just explore different styles, different palettes & more.

It turns out that I learned that a monotype is a print made from a plate that can printed only once. It is not like a linoleum print or a wood block print that can be printed again & again. It turns out that they are discovering that most of the great artist have done some monotypes throughout the past few hundred years.

Armando

painting the plate

The process begins by painting onto plexiglass, letting the paint dry, soaking cotton paper in water for a few minutes, blotting the water off the paper, laying the paper on the plate & running it through the printing press. Then wahla!!! There is the print, like magic. It’s so fun.

painted plexiglass

Scotti at the press

Maria painting - (Maria was Armando's art teacher in high school! Isn't that so cool?)

Prints drying

Most of those in this class have been taking the monotype class for maybe years. They just show up semester after semester to play & create with Armando & each other. They are very bonded & developed as artists. It was fun to be a part of this group, show up every week & spend the Thursday mornings with them.

I spent the class trying on different styles to see what works best with this medium. I did some scratching away, some impressionistic landscapes, abstracts, & flowers. I wanted to try out some nudes, perhaps by scratching them out & maybe I will get to that later.

one of my prints

my print

my print

pinned to my wall

If you google monotype & go to the images you will see the most vast & amazing array of monotypes that have been created by others. So cool to see the swirling sea of creativity!!

November 15, 2011

(CNN) – Three years after the killing of Mexican journalist Armando Rodriguez, his colleagues said they are more determined than ever to write about the nation’s drug cartels despite the risks. ”Those who ordered the killing of Armando were wrong because those who are left are more seasoned and we are working,” said Luz del Carmen Sosa, a reporter for El Diario de Juarez newspaper who took over Rodriguez’s crime beat after his death. “Those who believed we were going to take step back, they were wrong.”

On November 13, 2008, Rodriguez — called “El Choco” by his colleagues because of his chocolate skin tone — was about to take his two young daughters to school when a man approached the garage of his house and fired 11 shots into his chest. His daughters, one of whom witnessed the attack, have not spoken publicly since the incident and did not attend a memorial event for their father on Sunday. Rodriguez’s wife declined an interview request from CNN.

His colleagues believe he was targeted because of his coverage of drug cartels in the border town of Ciudad Juarez. Before his death, Rodriguez was among the first journalists to write at length about the violent shift in the city. He was a high-profile reporter for the most-read paper in the city, covering a dangerous beat. It was a job his friends believe cost him his life. Local reporters now look at the killing as the first of many targeting journalists for their work. Since 2000, 74 journalists have been killed in Mexico — 14 since 2010.

On the third anniversary of his death, his newsroom colleagues gathered Sunday to pay tribute and “remember Choco … friend, journalist, family man and a great man,” the paper’s editorial assistant Pedro Torres said at the public event. His colleagues criticized the investigation into his unsolved killing, saying it is an example of the hundreds of unsolved murders throughout the city — widely considered to be one of the most violent in the world.

Sandra Rodriguez Nieto, an El Diario reporter, said she believes that someone is “hiding those responsible” for Rodriguez’s death. It’s a charge prosecutors with the Chihuahua State Attorney General’s Office have denied. Early in the investigation they announced the detention of a suspect in the shooting, but never released details about who they held. The lack of information led to speculation among El Diario’s newspaper staff that there was a cover up.

Making matters more complicated were attacks on the investigators working on the case. In July 2009, a convoy carrying José Ibarra Limón, the first federal prosecutor designated to Rodriguez’s case, was riddled with bullets by unknown assailants. The following August, Pasillas Paul Fong, the secretary of the Seventh Agency who would inherit the case, was executed. Days later, a third investigator took the case, only to flee Juarez soon afterward. “This is a situation that hurts, an unacceptable situation,” Torres said.

Of the five publications in Juarez, El Diario de Juarez is the most popular paper in terms of circulation and has made a reputation for aggressively covering drug violence.

In September 2010, two of the paper’s photographers were attacked — one was killed. A clear motive was never established, but investigators at the time did note the car carrying the two young journalists was registered to the son of the inspector of the State Human Rights Commission, Gustavo de la Rosa Hickerson. Some believe the journalists were not the intended targets of the attack.

On the same day friends and family buried the slain photographer, the newspaper published an open letter to the drug cartels operating in Juarez. The letter, written by the editorial staff, pleaded for an end to violence against journalists.

No newspaper in Juarez had ever published an editorial directly addressed to the cartels; and no other paper has done so since. ”You are, at present, the de facto authorities in this city,” the letter said, “because the legal institutions have not been able to keep our colleagues from dying.”

In the wake of Rodriguez’s death, del Carmen Sosa said she has no fear and was ready to take full responsibility for her work, even if it means death. She said she operates under the same mantra as her predecessor. ”Unlike Armando Luis Carlos (Rodriquez), I’m alive,” del Carmen Sosa said. “I try to be responsible with my journalism and I have no fear.” In 2010, she was presented with an award for her courageous reporting. ”I can only thank God every day … because we need justice not only for Armando but for all the homicides in this city,” she said.

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A las nuevas generaciones de fanáticos cubanos no
les dice nada el nombre de Danny McDevitt; pero el tipo tiene un lugar en la
historia del beisbol de Grandes Ligas y en la del champion invernal, aunque en
facetas bien diferentes.

      El 24
de septiembre de 1957, el lanzador zurdo, en su temporada de recluta con los
Dodgers de Brooklin, le metió nueve ceros a los Piratas de Pittsburg con solo 5
hits permitidos y 9 ponches propinados; su catcher fue JoePignatano, en el
último juego de la legendaria franquicia en Ebbets Field, antes de instalarse,
al año siguiente, en Los Angeles.

      Esa
campaña el pitcher ganó 7 y perdió 4 con 3.25 clp. En 1959, su mejor año,
jugando para los Dodgers de Los Angeles, su récord fue de 10-8, 5 salvados y
3.97 clp.

      Sus
números totales en 7 temporadas en Grandes Ligas con Brooklin, Los Angeles,
Yanquis, Minnesotta y Atléticos de Kansas City fueron 21-27 con 7 salvamentos y
promedio de limpias de 4.40; se retiró en 1962.

    
Después, trabajó en la Aministración de Desarrollo Federal de Atlanta
como Real Estate y como director de una granja para el cultivo de árboles de
Navidad.

     La
campaña 1957-58 el pitcher estaba en La Habana actuando para los Elefantes del
Cienfuegos, con los que tuvo una temporada perdedora por guarismos de 9 juegos
pitcheados, 1 completo, 55 innings de actuación, 35 hits permitidos, 23 bases
por bolas y 31 ponches, su récord en ganados y perdidos fue de 1-6.

     Sin
embargo, a McDevitt se le recuerda en Cuba como al pitcher que se le
insubordinó y ofendió al umpire nativo Armandito Rodríguez por inconformidad
con un conteo.

   
Rodríguez fue el primer árbitro hispano en actuar en Grandes Ligas, de
amplia y fructífera trayectoria también en todo el Caribe y, preferentemente,
en Méjico, donde falleció hace pocos años en Veracruz.

     Como
respuesta por la protesta descontrolada, McDevitt recibio un caretazo en la
cabeza de parte del cubano que requirió algunos puntos de sutura.

     Las
causas de la muerte del pitcher de 78 años, según su nuera Kristie, son
desconocidas. Lo sepultaron en Covington, Social Circle, Georgia

El 31 de enero de 2010 fueron asesinadas 15 personas, casi todos muchachos estudiantes, en un barrio popular de aquella población, Lomas de Salvárcar. Ligero en su juicio, no obstante que carecía de información puntual puesto que se hallaba en Japón, el presidente Felipe Calderón lanzó una admonición contra las víctimas, creyéndolas delincuentes que perecieron en un ajuste de cuentas. Cuando se le enrostró su error, que añadió vituperio al agravio de la muerte misma, el presidente se vio obligado a encarar no sólo el desliz, sino la abominable realidad en que se había producido esa matanza. Viajó a Juárez el 17 de febrero para instaurar aquel programa; ha vuelto otras veces, y este jueves hizo un balance de lo realizado en este año. A pesar de que, medidas con criterios de productividad administrativa, las acciones han avanzado (¿y cómo no si el plan es invertir 3 mil 300 millones de pesos), lo cierto es que en el corto plazo la inseguridad permanece y empeora.

Para sólo citar casos aislados, ocurridos en la víspera de esta visita presidencial, en el centro de la ciudad fue atacado un vehículo sobre cuyo tripulante y su hijo de ocho años se lanzaron 39 disparos. Y en seguida el vehículo fue incendiado y las víctimas, ya muertas a balazos, quedaron calcinadas. No lejos de allí, en un enfrentamiento entre policías y matones, tres agentes quedaron heridos y dos delincuentes murieron.

Pero hubo acontecimientos más graves. En el término de 24 horas fueron incendiadas las casas de dos mujeres participantes en acciones y protestas contra la violencia. El domicilio de Malú García Andrade fue quemado, en obvia intimidación por su trabajo en la organización civil justiciera “Nuestras Hijas de Regreso a Casa”. Un atentado semejante había ocurrido poco antes en la casa de la señora Sara Salazar, como brutal respuesta a su pedido público de libertad para sus hijos Elías y Malena Reyes, así como para su nuera Luisa Ornelas, quienes hace dos semanas fueron levantados sin que se sepa de ellos desde entonces. La quemazón de la casa ocurrió mientras doña Sara y su hija Marisela protestaban no sólo por la desaparición de sus parientes, sino también por el asesinato de Josefina Reyes Salazar y su hermano Rubén, hijos de doña Sara, y de su nieto Juan Manuel.

El prolongado infortunio de esta familia ha ocurrido a despecho de las estrategias para hacer segura a Ciudad Juárez. Sean militares los responsables de esa misión, sean policías federales, sean operaciones que combinan la presencia de una y otra fuerza, sea que se incluya o se excluya a la policía municipal, no hay modo de contener la violencia, que genera secuelas destructivas, como el éxodo de quienes pueden pasarse al otro lado de la frontera y la disminución de las fuentes productivas, que son a su vez causa de desempleo que propiciará la búsqueda de la supervivencia por cualquier medio.

De esta realidad material, visible, medible, y del miedo que no se ve pero se siente, da cuenta cotidianamente El Diario, un periódico fundado en 1976 que ha tenido que adaptarse a las crueles condiciones en que hoy se ejerce el oficio de informar. A sus 35 años de edad, El Diario recibió el jueves pasado la buena nueva de que el prestigiado Pen Club Internacional le ha otorgado el premio a la excelencia periodística, por practicar esa profesión en un entorno adverso.

El galardón ha de significar para los periodistas y otros trabajadores de El Diario una mínima compensación ante la desgracia que los ha dañado. En noviembre de 2009 fue asesinado su reportero Armando Rodríguez, y en septiembre siguiente el joven fotógrafo Luis Carlos Santiago, de apenas 21 años de edad, padeció la misma suerte. Hace menos de tres semanas una distribuidora de ejemplares del periódico, Maribel Fernández, fue muerta a tiros en el céntrico crucero donde entregaba a voceadores y puestos fijos la dotación de periódicos que, pese a todo, siguen siendo reclamados por los lectores. El Diario ha tenido que intensificar su esfuerzo por colocar suscripciones porque la peligrosidad callejera dificulta la venta del modo tradicional. Y ha tenido que ajustar sus finanzas porque la colocación de anuncios ha decrecido en la medida en que el pánico achica la economía, por el cierre de negocios y el enclaustramiento de la gente en sus domicilios.

Tras el asesinato de su joven fotógrafo, El Diario imprimió un estrujante llamado a quienes mandan en Ciudad Juárez, los jefes de las bandas que contienden entre sí y arrastran a la autoridad y a la gente en sus agresivas querellas. El 19 de septiembre, un editorial de primera plana preguntó a los matones: “¿qué quieren de nosotros?”, para al menos conocer las causas de que el periódico tuviera que pagar su cuota creciente de sangre. No se trató de una capitulación, sino al contrario, de una postura gallarda que buscaba entender el entorno para no deponer los instrumentos de su oficio, de nuestro oficio.

Dos meses más tarde, el personal de El Diario pudo beneficiarse de un momento de satisfacción en medio de la desdicha. Las reporteras Sandra Rodríguez y Luz Soria recibieron en Madrid el premio Reporteros del Mundo, entregado por el diario El Mundo, debido a su cobertura valiente y certera de la violencia criminal en Ciudad Juárez. Alguien tiene que hacerlo. Y hacerlo bien. Esa es la tarea de El Diario.

Enhorabuena, pese a todo.

• November 23: Last date to offer salary arbitration. In the Mets’ case, this applies to Pedro Feliciano. Despite the fact that Feliciano can expect to be awarded a contract of about $4 million in the arbitration process, the Mets should offer it to him. Yes, rumors have swirled that the Mets’ offseason budget may be limited to $5 million, and at 35, Feliciano’s an increasing injury risk. But he is a premium left-handed reliever who would likely command a multi-year deal from another team (the Yankees are already rumored to be interested), so the odds of him accepting would seem to be slim. And if he does? Those same teams might be willing to trade for him. Either way, the Mets should be able to turn Feliciano into some sort of longer-term asset.
• December 5: Last date to outright a player before the Rule 5 draft. The Rule 5 draft is designed to prevent clubs from stockpiling talent in the minor leagues by allowing other clubs to select players who are not on the 40-man roster. The Mets have already made some moves in this area, outrighting Jesus Feliciano, Raul Valdes, Mike Hessman, Omir Santos, and Eddie Kunz, waiving Joaquin Arias, and adding Manny Alvarez, Zach Lutz, Jordany Valdespin, Josh Stinson, and Armando Rodriguez. There will be other moves made, as John Maine, Luis Hernandez, Oliver Perez, and Luis Castillo still have roster spots.
• December 6: The Rule 5 draft. This will be interesting. Considering their budget limitations, the Mets will probably make a few picks. I expect them to take a pitcher or two to compete for the open spots in the rotation or bullpen. It’s my goal to go through the other 29 rosters and identify a few targets before the draft but, given my recent track record, there’s a great chance it won’t happen. But I’ll give it a shot. Keep in mind that any players picked must stay on the major league roster the entire year or they get offered back to their former organization (for $25,000).

As an added bonus, there will likely be a free agent signing or three sprinkled in (though maybe not until January). We’re not going to see big signings, but we might see the next R.A. Dickey sign in the coming weeks. This is the fun part of the offseason, watching the moves that shape the roster for next year. Anything is better than watching beat reporters and fans try to read the tea leaves of a managerial search, then endlessly venting over the results (accurately depicted here). We can’t turn the page fast enough, in my opinion.

One indictment charges the following persons, all from Vernon, with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine: Armando Rodriguez, Jr., 43, Abraham Socorro Garcia, 22, Mario Escobar, Jr., 24, John Thomas Coston, 26, Beatrice Urista, 22.

All of the above individuals were arrested Tuesday and appeared Wednesday morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert K. Roach in U.S. District Court in Wichita Falls, Texas. All will remain in federal custody pending detention hearings set for next Monday and Tuesday before Judge Roach. In addition to the conspiracy charge, all are charged with at least one substantive count of alleged distribution of cocaine and/or methamphetamine. This indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation which would require the defendants, if convicted, to forfeit real estate as well as all proceeds received as a result of the offenses.

The other indictment charges one defendant, Jimmie Clifford Richardson, 47, also of Vernon, with alleged conspiracy to distribute cocaine base (crack cocaine) as well as with four substantive counts of allegedly distributing crack cocaine. This indictment also includes a forfeiture allegation which will require Richardson, if convicted, to forfeit all proceeds received as a result of his offenses.

Richardson was also arrested Tuesday and appeared before Judge Roach Wednesday morning. He too will remain in custody pending his detention hearing next week.

This case will be forced to deal with new legislation that was signed into law earlier this month, which has narrowed the longstanding sentencing discrepancy between crack cocaine and cocaine powder. The former ratio of 100:1 has now been reduced to 18:1. Before the new law was enacted, an individual in possession of 5 grams of crack cocaine would receive the same sentence as an individual in possession of 500 grams of cocaine powder.

Although the government has attempted to correct the severely unfair discrepancy, the 18:1 ratio still treats crack cocaine offenses more harshly. It is interesting to note that there is no evidence as to why the government believes that crack cocaine should be regarded as more dangerous or deadly than cocaine powder.

In this case, the first indictment alleges that the individuals conspired to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, however, the second indictment alleges that the individual conspired to distribute cocaine base (crack cocaine). Unfortunately, even though the new law has lowered the ratio to 18:1, if convicted, Richardson will most likely face a longer sentence. The new law is long overdue, but clearly, still imperfect.

Douglas McNabb and other members of the firm practice and write extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, Interpol Litigation, International Extradition and OFAC Litigation.

The author of this blog is Douglas McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.

It provides users with an instant connection to the sport and other enthusiasts globally by allowing them to see what other users are doing on the site — whether it’s becoming fans of a team, commenting on or recommending an article or replying to or rating a comment.

There are other dedicated soccer social networks also. Footbo.com, for example, is an online community for football (soccer) fans. It offers a user-generated section for amateur football players. This section of the social network is to enable amateur teams and players to create and manage their own player and team profiles, among other features.

Just in time for the start of Mexico’s popular Liguilla tournament, which kicks off on May 13, the new Yahoo! offering allows users to instantly connect with their contacts on the Yahoo! network and activate their Yahoo! profile from the soccer site. When users arrive on the site, they will see highlights of all user activity, including those who are not part of their Yahoo! network contacts.

“Our goal is to make Yahoo! Deportes a fun and indispensable online soccer community where fans can not only obtain comprehensive sports content, but can also meet, connect and interact with peers and rivals,” said Armando Rodriguez, general manager, Yahoo! Hispanic Americas. “This new social feature will allow our users to truly immerse themselves in their beloved game of soccer and share that passion with the global online community.”

Liguilla coverage on Yahoo! En Espanol Deportes will include up-to-the-minute tournament information, including photos, news, player and game stats per game, user comments on photos and articles, as well as live text-based updates every two minutes on the most important games.

Other features include fantasy leagues as well as pages devoted to the European league, Major League Soccer and World Cup 2010 that feature the latest headline news and photos.

The Yahoo! site with new social features is at: http://espanol.sports.yahoo.com/

Miami, 13 Nov (Notimex).- La Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa (SIP) condenó hoy el asesinato del periodista mexicano Armando Rodríguez, de El Diario de Ciudad Juárez, y pidió a las autoridades investigar de manera “expedita” el caso y llevar a responsables ante la justicia.

 La SIP expresó su solidaridad con la familia y colegas del periodista asesinado este jueves cuando salía de su vivienda en un vehículo propiedad del diario para llevar a su hija a la escuela, en Ciudad Juárez, en el norteño estado mexicano de Chihuahua.
Rodríguez fue interceptado por desconocidos que dispararon al menos en cinco ocasiones.
En un comunicado, el presidente de la SIP, Enrique Santos Calderón, pidió a las autoridades mexicanas “investigar de manera expedita y con profundidad el caso para llevar ante la justicia a los culpables”.

 “México se ha convertido en el lugar más inseguro de las Américas para ejercer el periodismo”, agregó Santos Calderón.

 El periodista, conocido como “El Choco”, laboraba desde hacía 14 años en El Diario de Ciudad Juárez, para el que cubría la fuente policiaca, También trabajó en el diario El Norte y para la cadena Televisa.

 La SIP indicó que aunque se desconocen los móviles del crimen, un informe del rotativo mexicano El Universal señaló que “a principios de este año el reportero, junto con otros siete periodistas que cubrían la misma fuente fueron amenazados de muerte”.

 Ante esas amenazas, Rodríguez tuvo que abandonar su empleo temporalmente para trasladarse a vivir a El Paso, Texas, desde donde regresó dos meses más tarde, agregó.
La SIP también condenó la agresión contra Nicolás Berríos Santana, periodista de la emisora Tu Nueva Radio Ya de Nicaragua, quien fue apuñalado la víspera en la capital Managua.

 Los atacantes amenazaron a Berríos Santana con cortarle la lengua si continuaba laborando en la emisora afín al gobierno del presidente de Managua, Daniel Ortega.

I spent most of the 90’s in Nashville, TN and one of the things I have been missing since returning to the Port City is real South of the Border food.  As many a Texan can tell you, Mobile’s Mexican scene is poor.  Most of the places we think of as being “traditional Mexican” restaurants are actually Tex-Mex, bad Tex-Mex at that.  They all have the same menu and their food tastes pretty much the same.  They rely mostly on precooked foods that they microwave – even ground beef which comes pre-cooked in one gallon cans.  Yes cans.

There are a few chains like Chili’s and El Chico’s but they are actually what is termed “Gringo Mex.”  Gringo Mex is a super watered down form of Mexican.  Not bad, mind you, but far from authentic.  The few shining lights in town have been La Cocina on Airport which is this town’s lone authentic Mexican (ask for the Spanish menu – it’s different) and Armando Rodriguez’s three eateries Aztecas and the two Hacienda San Miguel locations which all put out stellar Tex-Mex.

Now there is a new source for serious Latin flavors, 3 Banderas is classic Central American food.  You know, pupusas!  You don’t know pupusas?  They are kind of like corn flour pancakes that are stuffed with anything from cheese to roasted pork.  Top them with a little curtido (Salvadoran vinegar-based slaw) and you are set from some tasty and cheap eats (less than $3).  For dessert I recommend the empanada de platanos, from plantain and pudding concoction that is battered and fried.  Be sure to wash it down with one of their flavored waters like agua de melon (water and cantelope) or horchata (rice milk with cinnamon and nutmeg).  For you iron-clad gringos they do have chips, salsa, and many of the other dishes we mis-associate with Latin cuisine.

3 Banderas Restaurant is located at 7765 Airport Blvd at that dense Schillinger’s Road corner.  Call for directions (251) 607-7502.

There are a few chains like Chili’s and El Chico’s but they are actually what is termed “Gringo Mex.”  Gringo Mex is a super watered down form of Mexican.  Not bad, mind you, but far from authentic.  The few shining lights in town have been La Cocina on Airport which is this town’s lone authentic Mexican (ask for the Spanish menu – it’s different) and Armando Rodriguez’s three eateries Aztecas and the two Hacienda San Miguel locations which all put out stellar Tex-Mex.

Now there is a new source for serious Latin flavors, 3 Banderas is classic Central American food.  You know, pupusas!  You don’t know pupusas?  They are kind of like corn flour pancakes that are stuffed with anything from cheese to roasted pork.  Top them with a little curtido (Salvadoran vinegar-based slaw) and you are set from some tasty and cheap eats (less than $3).  For dessert I recommend the empanada de platanos, from plantain and pudding concoction that is battered and fried.  Be sure to wash it down with one of their flavored waters like agua de melon (water and cantelope) or horchata (rice milk with cinnamon and nutmeg).  For you iron-clad gringos they do have chips, salsa, and many of the other dishes we mis-associate with Latin cuisine.

3 Banderas Restaurant is located at 7765 Airport Blvd at that dense Schillinger’s Road corner.  Call for directions (251) 607-7502.

My server was Tiffany and she was a doll.  She made a genuine recommendation when I ordered a grilled steak chimichanga to add mushrooms.  This was not an upsale recommendation but rather her honest opinion.  It was a winner.  The “chimi” was light and crisp and lacked the greasiness often found at other Tex-Mex restaurants.  The salsa was quite good, a little light on the garlic for my personal tastes but crisp and refreshing none the less.  The cheese dip, too, was good - creamy and spicy and more of it was ladled over the chimichanga.  I look forward to returning to indulge in the tequila bar.

The beauty and flavors found at Hacienda San Miguel are a breath of fresh air for the industrial, blue collar Theodore area.  Finally, folks there have an elegant restaurant in which to celebrate their special occasions without having to venture into the city proper.  Buen apetito!

Hacienda San Miguel
5805 Highway 90
Theodore, AL 36582
(251) 653-9163

 - El otro combate

Fuente: Juventus Rebelde – martes, 20 de julio de 2004

En la estrategia que se trazó Fidel para conseguir el derrocamiento de la dictadura batistiana, la incorporación de las masas a la lucha activa, la participación y acción del pueblo, constituyeron objetivos fundamentales en los que se apoyaría la insurrección armada con su vanguardia revolucionaria al frente.

Entre los instrumentos para lograrlo estuvo la propaganda del Movimiento Revolucionario 26 de Julio, entendida como la forma de hacer llegar al pueblo las razones y las acciones de la Revolución, ya que ello no era posible mediante los medios de difusión. Por ello Fidel escribiría en carta a Haydée y a Melba desde el Presidio Político en la Isla de Pinos:“No se puede abandonar un momento la propaganda porque es el alma de toda lucha.  La nuestra debe tener su estilo propio y ajustarse a las circunstancias”.

Anteriormente había escrito “la verdad será dicha revolucionariamente, desafiando la represión”.

Paradigma

Entre los muchos documentos de la época hay uno que constituye un verdadero monumento de la propaganda revolucionaria: La Historia me absolverá.

Su contenido programático, su denuncia y proyección de acción revolucionaria, la redacción y la forma en que logró hacerla llegar desde la prisión, y su preocupación para que se imprimiera y distribuyera la mayor cantidad de ejemplares por distintas vías, testifica la importancia que le brindaba.

Fidel orientó a Melba y a Haydée el 18 de junio de 1954 la primera impresión y distribución de La Historia me absolverá, la que fue posible gracias al trabajo osado e inteligente de ellas dos y Lidia Castro y la ayuda prestada por Ángel y Gustavo Ameijeiras, José Valmaña, Elda Pérez, Ondina Matheu, Pedro Celestino Aguilera, Ángel Plá y José (Cheo) Quián, entre otros.

La pintura de muros y paredes con consignas revolucionarias desempeñó un importante papel en ese frente. El iniciador de este movimiento fue José “Cheo” Ferrer, responsable del Movimiento en el ultramarino pueblo de Regla.

Cheo Ferrer le hizo llegar a Ñico López, jefe nacional de las Brigadas Juveniles en ese momento, la tecnología para la confección de creyones, los que se producían en la panadería del padre de Segundo Pérez, sita en Factoría 67, en el barrio Arsenal en La Habana Vieja.

Este tipo de propaganda en la capital estuvo a cargo de las Brigadas Juveniles del MR-26-7, encabezadas por Gerardo Abreu Fontán. Muchos integrantes de las Briga-das crecieron y se formaron como revolucionarios escribiendo en las paredes habaneras consignas como Viva Fidel, Abajo Batista, Revolución.

Otras acciones

Otras acciones que contribuyeron fueron las manifestaciones y mítines relámpagos convocados por la FEU, que se convirtieron de hecho en un instrumento movilizador no solo de los estudiantes, sino del pueblo, para expresar su repulsa a la tiranía, hasta el momento en que fue clausurada la Universidad de La Habana con la última protesta, el 27 de noviembre de 1956.

Por otra parte, no habían transcurrido tres semanas del desembarco del Granma cuando Fidel envió a Faustino Pérez a La Habana para, entre otras orientaciones, lograr que llegara a la Sierra un periodista que diera a conocer al pueblo de Cuba y al mundo la presencia del destacamento rebelde que combatía en la Sierra Maestra, lo que se logró con la famosa entrevista de Herbert Mathews, periodista del New York Times, el 16 de febrero de 1957.

A partir de mediados de 1955 y hasta el triunfo de la Revolución, el Movimiento Revolucionario 26 de Julio contó con una estructura bien organizada en el frente de la propaganda. Fueron numerosas las publicaciones, entre las que se destacan Revolución y Sierra Maestra, Resistencia del Movimiento de Resistencia Cívica y Vanguardia Obrera de la Sección Obrera, todas ellas seguidoras de las publicaciones Son los Mismos y el Acusador, que salieron a la luz pública bajo la dirección de jóvenes de la Generación del Centenario. Los responsables nacionales de propaganda del Movimiento fueron Jesús Montané Oropesa, Faustino Pérez Hernández, Armando Hart Dávalos, Pedro Celestino Aguilera, Carlos Franqui (traidor), Marcelo Fernández Font, Enzo Infante Uribaso, Arnol Rodríguez Camps y Ángel Fernández Vila.

Para la impresión de distintos materiales se dispuso de litográficas, cartoneras y otros centros particulares de la gráfica, entre ellos la imprenta de la Plaza del Vapor cuyo propietario era Sergio González (El Curita), contando con la valiosa colaboración de Humberto Torres (Fonseca), que laboraba allí.

La FEU con Alma Mater y el PSP con Carta Semanal realizaban ediciones periódicas.  Papel relevante tuvo en la primera etapa el periódico La Calle, de Luis Orlando Rodríguez.

En todas las provincias se editaban publicaciones. En estaciones de radio, TV y periódicos nacionales como Zig-Zag, Alerta, El Mundo, El Crisol, Prensa Libre y Bohemia, existían militantes organizados que prestaron su valioso concurso a las actividades insurreccionales, entre otros, Wilfredo Rodríguez y Gabriel Palau; Enrique de la Osa, Elio Constantin y Carlos Lechuga.

En la Sierra Maestra se editaba El Cubano Libre, mientras la salida al aire de Radio Rebelde el 24 de febrero de 1958 fue factor fundamental en la información al pueblo y al mundo del desarrollo de la lucha armada en el país, en la orientación a los combatientes y a la ciudadanía y la denuncia de los crímenes de la dictadura, y la afirmación de la verdad de la Revolución frente a las mentiras de los gobernantes de turno. Se destacan las intervenciones del Comandante en Jefe en momentos decisivos de la lucha como la victoria rebelde sobre la ofensiva de verano, sus instrucciones al pueblo y los combatientes para garantizar el triunfo revolucionario.

Diversas acciones armadas se ejecutaron, también, por militantes clandestinos que tenían objetivos propagandísticos. De estas la más descollante fue el secuestro del campeón de carreras de autos Juan Manuel Fangio. El corredor argentino se encontraba en Cuba para participar en el principal atractivo de los festejos del 24 de febrero de 1958. Su secuestro constituyó una impecable operación de propaganda armada, que puso a Cuba en el primer plano noticioso internacional.

Después de concluida la carrera fue devuelto sano y salvo a funcionarios de la embajada argentina. Las declaraciones de Fangio fueron para enaltecer el respetuoso trato de que había sido objeto por parte de sus captores, “mis amigos los secuestradores”, según dijo.

0 3 C

La publicidad comercial se utilizó en forma creativa y hay dos acciones que ilustran lo que se logró en aquellos momentos.

A finales de 1957 el jabón Rina recibía una gran propaganda televisiva. En sus comerciales se oían, vinculadas al producto, dos frases que pronto calaron en el pueblo como el mensaje de esperanza que su autora, Iris Dávila, trabajadora de la agencia publicitaria Siboney, las había concebido. Estas frases eran: “Hay que tener fe, que todo llega” y “Recuerde que la fe mueve montañas”.

La sugerente música que servía de apertura y fondo al texto comercial era de Eduardo Saborit. La locución estuvo a cargo de Consuelo Vidal y la grabación la dirigió Alicia García de la Cerda.

Consuelito interpretaba las frases en forma excepcional con su fina y pícara ironía. Era conocido que su esposo Amaury Pérez se encontraba exiliado, lo que fue un motivo más para que el público captara el mensaje y lo propagara. Al poco tiempo la policía batistiana lo desapareció del aire.

Tiempo después, a finales de 1958 apareció durante diez días un enigmático anuncio en los periódicos de la capital, a dos por dos pulgadas, que logró crear una gran expectativa. ¿Qué es 0 3 C? El primero en publicarlo fue el Diario de la Marina, de filiación conservadora y oficialista. Finalmente el anuncio apareció a página completa en la revista Bohemia, de gran circulación nacional e internacional.

Justo Molina, entonces miembro de Resistencia Cívica, narró cómo lograron convencer a los censores militares del régimen para que publicaran este anuncio, en momentos en que existía una fuerte censura de prensa.

Para ello confeccionaron una etiqueta fijada a un frasco en la que se explicaba que se trataba de una loción para el cabello que supuestamente llevaba el mensaje de 0 CASPA, 0 CANAS, 0 CALVICIE.

A través de Radio Rebelde se dio a conocer el verdadero mensaje que llevaba:

Cubanos: 0 3 C es la “Consigna de la Vergüenza”. 0 3 C quiere decir 0 CINE, 0 COMPRAS,  0 CABARET.

Seguidamente, en La Habana se distribuyeron 150 000 plegables que contenían unas décimas, en las que se instaba a cumplir “la consigna de la vergüenza”.

Con esta ingeniosa acción se propinó un duro golpe a la tiranía, lográndose movilizar a la opinión pública y se puso en ridículo al régimen.

Jorge Serra, Emilio Guedes, Carlos Irigoyen, Armando Rodríguez, Martha Chacón y José Valmaña junto a Justo Molina, entre otros, participaron en esa operación.

Hacienda San Miguel, long a staple of the Schillenger’s Rd. area is opening a new location in Theodore on Hwy. 90 just down from Jimmy Lowe’s. Hacienda is the brainchild of Armando Rodriguez, owner of the Tillman’s Corner hot spot Azteca’s and brings with it what Mexican food should be as opposed to the many other places in town that serve pre-cooked food that comes in one gallon cans. Hacienda features gorgeous architecture and an inspiring menu.

Also on the South side, Two Dollars Bill’s on Halls Mill Rd. at the location vacated by Cock of the Walk after Katrina is closing its doors in the next two weeks according to employees who were informed in a meeting this week. Bill’s struggled when it first opened but had been really coming on strong. An overpriced lease was declared the main culprit and to be honest the location is worth a lot of money but is better suited for industrial business rather than a restaurant. Good luck to the folks at Bill’s in their future endeavors.