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An Evaluation of Calderón's Administration

mexicoinstitute — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:27:46 +0000

Consulta Mitofsky, 11/30/09

Nearly 9 out of 10 Mexicans (87%) believe the economy is worse today than a year ago. The indicator, measured throughout this century, is at its worst level and shows a decline of 21 percentage points since the start of the administration of President Calderon.

If the assessment of the economy is bad, we do not have high expectations of an improvement, and 8 of every 10 Mexicans (78%) believe that in 2010 the trend will continue and will not improve.

The percentage of citizens who approve of President Calderon’s administration is 58%.

Hey Turkoglu, you suck!

Jeremy — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:51:04 +0000

The Magician

It’s taken me some time to check in with a recap of this one, because to be honest, Raptors basketball is making me pretty, pretty sad these days. The boys extended their losing streak to three and dropped to 7-11 on the season yesterday, falling 113-94 to Steve Nash and the Suns at the ACC.

The Raptors never led in this one and let it get away in — you guessed it — the third quarter. After trailing by just one at the half, Toronto quickly let the Suns extend their lead to 19 before coming within eight on a Hedo Turkoglu three-point play at the end of the quarter. After starting the fourth with another and-one, Turkoglu proceeded to finish the way he’s finished every game this season — by doing nothing in crunch time. Our prized free agent finished 4-of-14 for 10 points in yet another uninspired effort.

It’s too bad, because strong games from Turkoglu and Jose Calderon (two points, seven assists) would’ve given the Raptors a shot at handling one of the league’s top teams. Chris Bosh was terrific, finishing with 30 points and 17 boards, and Andrea Bargnani kept Toronto afloat with a strong start en route to 24 points and seven boards. The Raps’ main downfall was the long ball — they finished a dreadful 1-of-20 from three-point land, compared to the 13 long range bombs the Suns dropped. If you’re a team that relies on shooting, you’re never gonna win with outings like that.

Of course, I can’t leave without mentioning the masterpiece of an effort by that young Canadian kid, Steve Nash. Nash finished with 20 points and 16 dimes, nailing that patented little fadeaway in the paint a couple times in the fourth to help put it away. The man is incredible.

Anyway, it gets a bit easier with Gilbert Arenas and the washout Wizards in town Tuesday to help the Raptors get back on track. It better be a win, because afterward it’s road time for three games.

Calderón Calls for the Reelection of Legislators and Mayors (in Spanish)

mexicoinstitute — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:16:03 +0000

El Universal, 11/30/09

President Felipe Calderón announced yesterday that he will propose to Congress 5 in-depth structural reforms modifying Mexico in the areas of politics, energy, telecommunications, regulatory, and labor.

In leading the ceremony in the National Palace for his third year in office , Calderón announced that in politics he will raise issue of the reelection of legislators and mayors across the country, “to force accountability.

President reaffirms reform agenda

dbmwilson — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:21:16 +0000

Speaking to an invited audience at the National Palace, President Felipe Calderón reaffirmed his 10-point ‘Agenda for Change,’ as he marked the start of the second half of his government. His most extensive remarks were devoted to the need to strengthen public finances. He said that despite addressing the immediate shortfalls in the 2010 budget, “the truth is that we are very far away from a solution to the structural problems that confront the Mexican State.” He called again for a broad debate on fiscal reform and a second round of energy sector reforms. He also repeated his call for a political reform “to generate the conditions that will enable us to overcome the institutional paralysis that has blocked the country from reaching agreements on fundamental issues.” (Presidencia 11/28, Universal 11/29)

Supreme Court declares SCT regulations for granting radio and TV concessions unconstitutional

dbmwilson — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:18:53 +0000

The Supreme Court, by a vote of 8-2, declared that the SCT regulations issued in January 2009 by President Calderón were unconstitutional. These regulations gave the Secretary of Communications and Transportation the exclusive power to award, extend, or revoke radio and TV concessions. The Court found that this power belonged to Cofetel, the telecommunications regulator, and could not be assigned to the Secretary (though Cofetel is part of the SCT). Columnist Miguel Ángel Granados Chapa wrote: “This counterfeit introduces yet another conflictive element in the topsy-turvy panorama of radio and TV, where the competitors are constantly litigating to avoid the application of norms that are disadvantageous to them.” (Universal 11/23, Reforma 11/28)

Pobreza será primera prioridad de Calderón

portalaltonivel — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:06:42 +0000

El mandatario dijo que el combate a los narcos y la seguridad pasarán a segundo plano.
Cerca de 34 millones de mexicanos viven en situación de pobreza, y esto bien lo sabe el presidente Felipe Calderón quien ayer llamó a la población a luchar contra este fenómeno social que afecta el desarrollo de los países.

Pobreza será primera prioridad de Calderón

“Debemos hacer del combate a la pobreza la lucha más noble de México”, dijo el mandatario, quien además convocó a los actores políticos, sociales y económicos a que se comprometan con una solución a fondo.

Durante el foro “Por un México sin pobreza. Juntos podemos superarla”, el mandatario dijo que advirtió que el país debe enderezar el rumbo social “a pesar de la crisis y por la crisis”.

Calderón dejó en claro que el combate a la pobreza será la prioridad central de los próximos tres años de su gobierno, luego de poner sus principales armas de lucha, durante la primera mita de su sexenio, para mantener la seguridad y el combate al narcotráfico.

El presidente llamó además a dar vuelta la página luego de los desacuerdos originados tras el presupuesto fiscal de 2010. “Ya hemos dejado atrás las discusiones sobre el presupuesto, ahí (pobreza) queda mucho por hacer y por corregir”, exhortó.

De acuerdo con datos de la Secretaría de Desarrollo Social (Sedesol), en el país viven 14 millones de personas con menos de 2 dólares diarios. Este fenómeno habría empeorado a consecuencia de la crisis económica mundial generando un incrementó de 6 millones de personas en esta categoría.

Nota Original:

Fuente: Altonivel.com.mx
www.altonivel.com.mx

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La corrupción va para largo

paulinocardenas — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:00:55 +0000

PAULINO CÁRDENAS

El planteamiento de la semana pasada del presidente Felipe Calderón, de que la transparencia debe extenderse a los partidos políticos para contribuir a eliminar la corrupción, parece que no será más que un enunciado que quedará en una mera intención y en un buen deseo.

Antes, el auditor Superior de la Federación, Arturo González de Aragón, había afirmado que los partidos políticos se han convertido en mafias que utilizan al país como botín para repartirse el patrimonio público. Y fue claro: Mientras persista “el intercambio de complacencias”, la corrupción y la impunidad no terminarán.

Pero González de Aragón dijo más: “No podemos ser fábrica de indulgencias plenarias ni instrumentos de la lucha partidista; no podemos expedir cheques en blanco a favor de nadie ni debemos buscar una rentabilidad particular mediante el intercambio de complacencias”.

Ante el presidente Calderón, el auditor Superior de la Federación señaló que el camino al frente de esta instancia de vigilancia de la Cámara de Diputados, ha estado lleno de obstáculos y que en el cumplimiento de su labor de fiscalización de los recursos públicos federales, él ha recibido amenazas.

Dijo también que ha sido objeto de acusaciones mendaces en los medios de comunicación y que ha enfrentado controversias constitucionales –reveló incluso que la Secretaría de Gobernación había interpuesto un controversia ante la Corte para evitar sus auditorias–, presiones que han inhibido el trabajo del órgano a su cargo.

El presidente Calderón, al participar en la misma ceremonia de conmemoración de los 185 años de existencia de la entidad de fiscalización Superior de la Federación, dijo que es necesario eliminar toda excepción en la fiscalización, y aseguró que los partidos políticos deben ser los primeros que deben abrirse más al escrutinio por los recursos públicos que manejan.

Indicó que toda aquella instancia que maneje recursos públicos debe rendir cuentas y los partidos políticos también deben abrirse a la fiscalización e incluso están obligados a hacerlo primero que otras instancias. Afirmó Calderón que no tolerará actos de abusos ni de corrupción, tras reconocer que este flagelo es percibido por la ciudadanía como uno de los principales problemas del país.

Arturo González de Aragón comentó que la excepción de la fiscalización son los partidos. “En su artículo 2 fracción IX habla de las entidades fiscalizadas y dice a la mitad del párrafo: las entidades de interés público distintas a los partidos políticos”.

Por ello, criticó la nueva Ley de Fiscalización y Rendición de Cuentas de la Federación porque en un monumento a la opacidad. El decreto del viernes 29 de mayo de 2009 en el que se publica la Ley de Fiscalización y Rendición de Cuentas de la Federación es un monumento a la opacidad, reveló.

La Cámara de Diputados está por elegir al nuevo titular del Auditoría Superior de la Federación (ASF), puesto que González de Aragón concluye su segundo periodo de cuatro años el próximo 31 de diciembre. El auditor cree que no podrá reelegirse porque hay intereses que se oponen, refiriéndose, sin mencionarlo, al PAN, que según ha trascendido, no quiere su reelección.

Por lo que se ve, el saqueo a la nación seguirá mientras el sistema siga permitiendo la impunidad. Por ello, la propuesta de Calderón –a la que se sumó también el presidente del Senado, el perredista Carlos Navarrete– difícilmente se convertirá en realidad. Tendría que haber un cambio de 180 grados y no hay en el horizonte quien tenga ‘los tamaños’ para hacerlo. Al menos por ahora.

pcardenascruz@yahoo.com.mx

La corrupción va para largo

paulinocardenas — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:00:50 +0000

PAULINO CÁRDENAS

pcardenascruz@yahoo.com.mx

La corrupción va para largo

paulinocardenas — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:00:05 +0000

PAULINO CÁRDENAS

pcardenascruz@yahoo.com.mx

Petizione per legalizzazione dell'aborto in Messico

Fabrizio Lorusso — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:00:55 +0000

En México cada año ocurren hasta casi 1 millón de abortos clandestinos, en los que se mueren cientos

Boston Massacre

Jeremy — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:22:51 +0000

Rondo and the Celtics took it to us tonight

Hey Jose and Andrea, next time you don’t feel like showing up for a game against a good team, do you mind informing the rest of the team in advance so they can try about 200% harder? Behind a pair of no-shows in their starting five and another patented third quarter collapse, the Raptors fell to the Celtics 116-103 in Boston tonight. Excuse the negativity, but there’s just nothing good to say about this team right now.

Calderon had nine points, four assists and three turnovers and Bargnani had seven points and four boards, negating strong efforts from Chris Bosh and Hedo Turkoglu, who each had 20 in the loss. After starting hot, Turkoglu didn’t help his cause by picking up his fourth foul of the night early in the third quarter, in which Toronto was outscored 33-17 and officially put to bed. In the past three games, the Raptors have been manhandled 105-64 in the third.

This one actually looked pretty good at halftime — despite committing 14 turnovers and allowing Boston to shoot 68% in the first half, Toronto held a one-point advantage and stretched it to four in the early minutes of the third before the wheels fell off. Paul Pierce capped it off by making a poster of Bosh early in the fourth, causing Jay Triano to raise some hell to which his team, not surprisingly, didn’t respond.

In the end, a loss that was likely to happen one way or another. Still, pretty disappointing when two guys that’ll be counted on if this team hopes to be any sort of a contender don’t bother making their presence felt.

Now 7-10, the Raps are home to face the Suns on Sunday in the first of two straight at the ACC.

Gameday: Raptors-Celtics

Jeremy — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:52:23 +0000

"Why are you so mean, KG?"

I usually love watching the Celtics play, but that mood changes considerably when they’re facing the Raptors. Fresh off a 116-81 pounding at the hands of the Bobcats, Toronto will look to bounce back tonight against Jose Calderon’s best friend (Mr. KG, in case you forget) in Boston. As always, check in at Raptors Republic for the best preview in the business.

As easily as the Celtics have handled us in Toronto the past couple years, the Raps have actually put up some decent battles on the parquet floor in Boston. Calderon took over a game in January ‘08 (the Celts’ championship year) before his famous encounter with Garnett early last season, and Andrea Bargnani forced overtime with a late three in an eventual 115-109 loss in the second meeting. The Celtics come into this one looking a little susceptible too, following a tight win over a Sixers team they usually pound and a near-disastrous loss to the Knicks over the weekend. Still, at 11-4 and with the Fantastic Four still in tact, they’re as good a bet as any to win the East this season.

Toronto comes in desperately in need of a bounce-back following Wednesday’s embarrassment in Charlotte. I called out Chris Bosh yesterday and stand by it — now’s the time to step up, big man. This is as tough a game as you’ll play all year, so let’s go make a statement.

The Raptors and Celtics get going from TD Banknorth Garden at 7:30.

Calderón piensa en su futuro y olvida el presente

Raúl Trejo Delarbre — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:56:43 +0000

Las cifras macroeconómicas parecen mejorar, pero la sociedad se vuelve más arisca respecto del gobie

Calderón quiere 'dejar huella'

paulinocardenas — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:00:40 +0000

PAULINO CÁRDENAS

Como si anduviera en campaña, el presidente Felipe Calderón sigue hablando de lo que piensa hacer en los “tres largos años” que le faltan porque, como se lo dijo a Joaquín López Dóriga, no quiere ser un Presidente más, sino que ‘quiere dejar huella’. Hace unos días, en la ceremonia del 99 aniversario de la Revolución mexicana dijo que el 2010 tiene que ser el año de la ‘transformación pacífica’, profunda e intensa del país.

Expresó aquel día en la explanada de Los Pinos, que se tiene que cambiar lo que se deba de cambiar independientemente de lo que ello implique. Lo que no dijo es quién -o quiénes- que en el horizonte no se ve, encabezaría esa gesta heroica. Planteó que cuando se cumplan 200 años de Independencia y 100 años de Revolución, 2010 debe ser el año de la inflexión; el punto de cambio. Calderón sostuvo que la Revolución no fue hecha por ángeles ni demonios sino por personas con defectos y virtudes.

He aquí donde está el meollo del asunto, porque quienes disputan por el poder son más demonios que ángeles y tienen más defectos que virtudes. Por eso muchos se preguntan: ¿Quién será capaz de liderar esa gesta de transformación pacífica, profunda e intensa, que ciertamente tanto requiere México? Porque para ello, como lo dijo Calderón hace poco, se requieren ‘tamaños’, mismos que al gobierno a su cargo le han faltado para lograr los cambios que requiere México, empezando por la impunidad.

Y como si apenas arrancara su sexenio –y estrenando nueva obsesión, la de que en México ‘ya no hay petróleo’–, justo a la mitad de su gobierno el presidente Felipe Calderón hizo un llamado a políticos, empresarios y al resto de los sectores de la sociedad, a abatir la pobreza extrema y a verla como “primera prioridad para los tres largos años que faltan” y se analicen las acciones a seguir “sin divisiones ni cálculos políticos”.

A pesar de la crisis, dijo, “es hora de enderezar el rumbo social del país”. La declaración del mandatario panista fue hecha el pasado miércoles, al encabezar el primer Encuentro por un México sin Pobreza que se desarrolló en el Centro Banamex, en donde señaló que la superación de la pobreza es el mayor reto de nuestra generación y constituye una prioridad que no se podrá alcanzar sin la comprensión, el apoyo y el trabajo de la sociedad civil.

Y con Joaquín López Dóriga, en su noticiero de televisión, el mandatario panista hizo un repaso de lo que quiso haber hecho en los primeros tres años de su administración en cuanto a programas de gobierno, pero que por diversas razones se quedaron en el intento. No obstante, siguió porfiando en que México requiere un profundo cambio institucional, que sin duda le está urgiendo.

Pocos creen que sea el desgastado mandatario quien pueda enarbolar las banderas que conforman la gravedad de la economía y la recesión que aún no comienza, aunque él mismo haya dicho que ya terminó. Quizá por eso los llamados que ha venido haciendo en los últimos días en una suerte de cruzada nacional, de que gobierno y todos los sectores de la sociedad, con un esfuerzo adicional, podrán jalar juntos la carreta de la Nación.

Con López Dóriga, además de reconocer varios fracasos en su administración, dio pista sobre cuál será su estrategia en el futuro inmediato: echarle la culpa a los anteriores mandatarios por el estrago que hoy sufre la industria petrolera, que era la ‘caja grande’ del erario público, olvidando que él fue secretario de Energía con Fox y que, tampoco, nada se hizo. Por tanto, la nueva obsesión que se convertirá en cantaleta es la de que “ya no hay petróleo”, con miras a plantear muy pronto otra reforma petrolera.

Por lo pronto, nadie duda que el 2010 será el peor año del sexenio, no sólo en lo económico, sino en lo político y lo social. La pregunta es saber quién o quiénes integrarán la mesa redonda para decidir el rumbo y los destinos de la nación, cual lo plantea y lo seguirá planteando Felipe Calderón. El PRI de hecho tendrá que decidirlo, porque es la nomenclatura de ese partido la que ya gobierna México.

pcardenascruz@yahoo.com.mx

Calderón quiere 'dejar huella'

paulinocardenas — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:00:27 +0000

PAULINO CÁRDENAS

pcardenascruz@yahoo.com.mx

Calderón quiere 'dejar huella'

paulinocardenas — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0000

PAULINO CÁRDENAS

pcardenascruz@yahoo.com.mx

Presidente

doritos69 — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:19:29 +0000

¡Que Onda con el Presidente?. Se pone a decir muy preocupado que nos vamos a quedar sin petroleo y e

Time to step up, "superstar"

Jeremy — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:02:16 +0000

The story of the night

Yeah, so the Raptors were pounded last night in Charlotte. How does that happen, even on the road and in the second of a back-to-back? Well, here’s how: The team just ain’t that good. And what’s this breakout year everyone is talking about Chris Bosh having? The team is 7-9! Not sure if you recall, but last November Bosh had even better numbers than these, then got tired at the end of the month and limped the rest of the way home. If you’re a superstar, CB, then let’s see it. Win some games.

Anyway, that’s my opening rant. I’m probably overreacting, because realistically this is a slightly-better-than .500 team and that’s probably where it’ll end up at the end of the year. Still, last night’s effort in Charlotte was embarrassing. After making an apparent first quarter defensive stand, the Raps let their guard down, allowing the Bobcats — a team that had scored 100-plus three times in 14 games and never more than 104 this season — to score 116 and set franchise-record with a 35-point win. Toronto shot a season-low 34.5% from the field and was out-boarded 49-42.

There isn’t much use going around pointing fingers, since this was just an all-around ugly effort. Jose Calderon had six turnovers, Bosh was held without a field goal until right before halftime, big-time free agent signing Hedo Turkoglu had five points and no rebounds and the bench, aside from Amir Johnson, combined to shoot 4-of-27. Johnson was the only real bright spot, finishing with 13 points, eight boards and three blocks in 23 minutes.

As bad as that was, it may get worse — the Raps are off today but are in Boston to face the Celtics tomorrow. How about this is where you prove you’re a star in this league, CB4?

Sigue la racha de los Nets

matraco — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:17:26 +0000

Los Nets siguen haciendo historia. Su derrota de anoche ante los Blazers de Rudy (12-2-1, 4 triples) les lleva a 15 derrotas consecutivas. Impresionante marca negativa, que les coloca a 2 derrotas de las históricas marcas de Clippers (1999) y de Miami (1989). Dallas y Charlotte, en New Jersey, serán sus próximos rivales.

La jornada de ayer nos dejó otra victoria de los imparables Suns (12-3) actualmente el mejor equipo de la NBA. Impresionante temporada de los de Arizona, que ayer vencieron a los Grizz (Marc Gasol: 13-7-1). Toronto sigue con récord negativo, y ayer cosechó una fea derrota ante los Bobcats. Mal día de Calderón (6-2-8, 6 pérdidas), que los de la M roja compararán con el pésimo día de Jarret Jack (2-0-1, 1/9 fg, 2 pérdidas).

Dallas hizo la friolera de 130 puntos ante los Rockets de Adelman, que han perdido algo de fuerza de su increible inicio de temporada. Los Mavs, con 3 jugadores con más de 20 puntos, promediaron un 65.5% en acierto de campo.Este partido será histórico para Jason Kidd que desde ayer es el segundo máximo asistente de la historia de la NBA, tras el inalcanzable John Stockton.

Destacados:

Monta Ellis: 42-4-4, 1 triple, 3 robos, 1 gorro, 16/25 en campo y 9/10 en libres. Gran partido. Haciendo de hombre franquicia
Jason Terry: 27-2-10, 4 triples, 10/11 en campo, 3/3 en libres, y 0 pérdidas. Rozó la perfección
Gerald Wallace: 31-13-3, 2 tapones, 2 robos, 10/20 en campo y 11/12 en libres. Gran actuación. Buena temporada. Brutal en rebotes y ayer bien en todo
Brook Lopez: 32-14-2, 2 gorros, 1 robo, 13/25 en campo y 75% en libres. Lo único para ser optimistas en New Jersey
Paul Pierce: 27-6-6, 3 triples, 1 robo, 1 gorro, 10/15 en campo y 4/4 en libres. Sin pérdidas y tirando del carro verde
Tony Parker; 32-4-7, 2 robos, 10/18 en campo. Mal en libres (12/17). Estaba lesionado, pero ayer hizo su mejor partido. Longorio está de vuelta
Jason Williams: 25-3-8, 4 triples, 1 robo, 9/12 en campo. Genial regreso. No soy muy partidario de los retornos, pero con Chocolate Blanco quizás esté equivocado
Dirk Nowitzki: 25-8-1, 2 robos, 2 gorros, 10/16 en campo y 5/6 en libres. Es un seguro de vida.
LeBron: 34-8-7, 1 robo, 1 triple, 12/24 en campo y 9/11 en libres. Perdió 5 balones, la noche de la victoria en Detroit
Tim Duncan: 20-10-6, 3 gorros, 10/12 en campo. Sólido, consistente e histórico

Troy Murphy Trophy

Marcus Camby: 15-21-3, 1 triple, 3 robos, 2 gorros y sin pérdidas. Pudo mejorar su 6/14 en campo, pero hizo un partidazo

Otros destacados:

Los 20-10: David Lee (25-12-1), Brewer (22-13-4), David West (27-10-5), Zach Randolph (24-13-1), Warrick (22-10-0)
Anotadores: Amare Stoudemire (28 puntos), y un grupo con 25 puntos: Nate Robinson, Baron Davis y Iguodala, Stuckey
Rebotes: Dwight Howard (16), Jermaine O’Neal (16), Bosh (14) y Okafor (13)
Asistencias: Nash (16), Ridnour (10), Barea (9)
Triples: espectacular Donte Greene (6)
Robos: B.Jennings (4)
Tapones: Donte Greene (6) y Tyson Chandler (6)

Vaya día!!!

Horroroso Will Bynum (1/13). Mal este grupo de tiradores, que estuvieron por debajo del 20%: Stoja, Hayes, W.Chandler, Bogans, T.Douglas, K.Lowry, Al Thornton, Tyler Hansbrough, Kaman y Jarret Jack.
NULO: Chase Budinger (0/7) en campo
Triples: nulos Gerald Wallace, Toney Douglas, Budinger y Jack
Mal Corey Brewer en libres (2/6)
Sean Williams jugó 14 minutos sin mirar a canasta. Finley y Bonner, de los Spurs, tiraron una vez cada uno.
Sin rebotes: Gibson, Head, Flynn, Brooks, Turkoglu (qué raro!), Belinelli, Devin Harris, OJ.Mayo y el, catastrófico ayer, Will Bynum
Sin asistencias: R.Stuckey (y jugando de escolta!), Troy Murphy, T.Young y Kaman

Nuestros galardones:

Zapatilla de oro: Monta Ellis y B.Lopez tiraron 25 veces. Lo cierto es que lo hicieron bien, por encima del 50%
Concha Velasco: 7 pérdidas para Chauncey Billups
Benito: Tyson Chandler, 5 puntos, pero 6 gorros y 1 robo
Mario West: Chris Wilcox (sigue en la NBA!!!!) jugó 4 segundos. Ayer estuvo realmente reñido este premio ya que Jodie Meeks (MIL) jugó 7 segundos , y Lester Hudson 21 segundos.
Seleapareciólavirgen: Donte Greene hizo 6 triples y 6 gorros. Desconozco cual ha sido la última vez que un jugador alcanza estas cifras en un partido

La pregunta del día:

¿Quién es el único jugador que en lo que va de temporada ha anotado 20 puntos o más en TODOS los partidos?

CFE ¿empresa de clase mundial?

paulinocardenas — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:00:09 +0000

PAULINO CÁRDENAS

Como ha sido práctica común en México, las famosas licitaciones para otorgar contratos gubernamentales a prestadores de servicios y proveedores de la iniciativa privada suelen arreglarse ‘fast track’ con el famoso ‘ten-per-cent’, haciendo a un lado las disposiciones de orden normativo y jurídico establecidas paralas empresas que pretenden obtener contratos del gobierno federal.

Pues es el caso de la Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), organismo que se hizo cargo de los servicios que prestaba la Compañía Luz y Fuerza del Centro (LyFC) hoy en proceso de extinción, la cual se publicita a través de costosos anuncios que pasan día y noche por televisión, como una ‘empresa de clase mundial’.

Resulta que el Departamento de Justicia de Estados Unidos investiga una red que entregó sobornos por cientos de miles de dólares a cuando menos cuatro funcionarios de la Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE). El anuncio fue dado a conocer apenas esta semana, aunque las investigaciones sobre el caso de soborno venían de tiempo atrás.

Agentes del FBI detuvieron a John Joseph O’Shea, acusado de conspiración, violación de la ley anticorrupción, lavado internacional de dinero y falsificación de registros. Este hombre de 57 años, fue gerente de una empresa suiza, ABB, encargada de suministrar asesoría técnica especializada en materia eléctrica, y era el enlace para sobornar a la red de funcionarios corruptos de la CFE.

Otro hombre, Fernando Maya Basurto, había sido también detenido en abril pasado en Dallas, Texas, acusado de haber colaborado como representante en el Distrito Federal de esa misma red de corrupción, quien se encargaba de pactar contratos sin licitación alguna en la CFE, por medio del famoso ‘ten per cent’. Maya Basurto reconoció haber hecho pagos a cuatro funcionarios corruptos de esta empresa mexicana.

John Joseph O’Shea sobornó a funcionarios de la Comisión Federal de Electricidad en México para recibir dos contratos que le generaron ganancias a esa empresa suiza por 44 y 37 millones de dólares respectivamente.

El primer contrato fue otorgado en diciembre de 1997, siendo presidente Ernesto Zedillo, secretario de energía Luis Téllez –quien después fue secretario de Comunicaciones y Transportes con Felipe Calderón–, y el director de CFE Rogelio Gasca Neri, hoy consejero privado de Pemex.

Las autoridades norteamericanas dieron a conocer que 4.4 millones de dólares se habrían usado para sobornar a funcionarios de CFE para obtener los dos contratos.

En octubre de 2003 se renovaron ambos contratos, siendo presidente Vicente Fox, secretario de Energía el hoy presidente Felipe Calderón, y director de CFE Alfredo Elías Ayub, quien sigue en ese cargo. Para este contrato se habrían canalizado 3.7 millones de dólares de acuerdo con datos del gobierno de Estados Unidos.

Según el director general de la CFE, Alfredo Elías Atub, no tenía conocimiento de estos sobornos, hasta el lunes 23 de noviembre de 2009 cuando el gobierno de Estados Unidos dio a conocer esta información por medio de un boletín. Información que en nada ayuda a la actual administración panista.

Sin embargo, Martín Esparza, líder de los electricistas de LyFC, dijo que uno de los funcionarios implicados en el caso de corrupción de la firma O’Shea y la CFE, aún forma parte de la estructura administrativa de esta empresa. Se trata, afirmó, del director de operaciones de CFE, Néstor Moreno Félix, quien ha estado implicado en varios actos de esta índole e incluso fue inhabilitado en 1998 por diez años, que no cumplió.

Esparza presentó un documento en el que este funcionario es implicado en un acto de compra de favores por parte de la empresa Techint para obtener la licitación de la construcción de la Terminal de Recibo y Manejo de Carbón de la Central Petacalco. Ello es prueba, dijo, de que el actual director de la CFE, Elías Ayub, sabía de estos actos de corrupción.

pcardenascruz@yahoo.com.mx

CFE ¿empresa de clase mundial?

paulinocardenas — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:00:06 +0000

PAULINO CÁRDENAS

Las autoridades norteamericanas dieron a conocer que 4.4 millones de dólares se habrían usado para sobornar a funcionarios de CFE para obtener los dos contratos.

pcardenascruz@yahoo.com.mx

CFE ¿empresa de clase mundial?

paulinocardenas — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:00:05 +0000

PAULINO CÁRDENAS

Las autoridades norteamericanas dieron a conocer que 4.4 millones de dólares se habrían usado para sobornar a funcionarios de CFE para obtener los dos contratos.

pcardenascruz@yahoo.com.mx

A New United Movement Stops Mexico for a Day

mlyon01 — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:56:44 +0000

San Francisco Gray Panther Earl Gilman has been in Mexico for several weeks reporting on the massive strike of Mexico City workers in the municipal electrical power system which was recently privatized, leading to firing of the workers, who were in one of Mexico’s most militant unions. The workers took over a power plant, and a massive police action was necessary to dislodge the, leading to nation-wide sympathy strikes.

Earl wrote:

In response to the Mexican government´s firing of 44,000 electric workers strikes and stoppages took place throughout Mexico n November 11th. In the central square in Mexico City 200,000 electric workers, students, teachers gathered to denounce the government action, which appears to be geared to privatizing the industry and destroying an oposition union. (The government claims that there were 60,000 at the demonstration.)

The head of the union, Nartin Esparza, stated: “Power comes from the people and when this is affected, a peaceful social movement needs to rise up.”¨

In Oaxaca the local teachers union closed down classes in 13 thousand schools. Also in Oaxaca the Peoples Assembly (APPO) closed down access to all offices and substations of the power system.

The federal highways between Mexico City and Tuxpan as well the highway between Mexico City and Pachuca the toll booths were taken over and motorists were allowed to pass without paying,. On the highway between Mexico City and Queretaro the police shot at the demonstrators who were blocking the highway.

At the National University there was a 12 hour strike of professors and students.

Thousands of demonstrators rallied in front of the two major television stations that support the government. The TV stations have accused demonstrators of attacking their reporters, but this seems the action of provocateurs.

The government has offered compensation equivalent to 2 and half years wages to electrical workers who accept by this weekend. The government is also offering re-training courses for work in sewing factories and gardening. But it appears at least half the workers have refused the government offer and want their jobs back. The movement that defends the electric workers faces the problem that the families of at least 22,000 workers will have no income.

The following story is from Upside Down World, which reports on Latin American activism and politics.

Upside Down World – A New United Movement Stops Mexico for a Day

A New United Movement Stops Mexico for a Day Print E-mail
Written by Tamara Pearson
Tuesday, 17 November 2009

In the many metro stations of giant Mexico city, amidst the ugly smell of Pizza Hut and the newspapers vendors yelling out, “Gráfico! 3 pesos!”, youth crowd around the hand written posters recruiting for the national police daily. At 12,000 pesos (US$1000) per month, and with increasing unemployment and harder prospects for the country’s youth, the offer is very tempting.Since the US-Mexico trade agreement, NAFTA, the number of Mexicans illegally crossing the border into the US seeking employment has risen to 500,000 a year. Add to this the financial crisis (Mexicans repeat to me “When the U.S sneezes Mexico gets pneumonia”) and Mexican president Calderon’s measures to handle the crisis, which consist in a “fiscal package” of an increased consumption tax including food and medicine, new communication taxes and decreased government spending. Then add the fact that the minimum wage in Mexico today buys a third of what it bought twenty years ago, and you can see how the government’s firing of 44,000 electricity workers, members of the county’s most combative and independent union, SME (Mexican Electrical Union), became catalyst for a movement of people deeply angry at both an unfair economic system, and towards a president who, most studies admit, used fraud to win the elections in 2006.The electricity workers were fired on October 10th. On October 16th, around 500,000 people marched in the capital in protest. One month after the firing the people’s anger still had not cooled, and on November 11th there were again massive marches, road blocks, full strikes and partial strikes all across the country.

The Assembly

The decision to strike was taken on November 5th, in a massive meeting of the newly formed National Assembly of Popular Resistance. This is a convergence made up of around 400 unions, student, rural workers, and indigenous movements, women and gay rights organizations and left and revolutionary political parties from across the country.

The meeting was meant to start at 5, but at quarter to, the hall was already full and the streets outside where loud speakers were setup were also starting to fill up and block traffic. The chair was already welcoming each group, “Comrades from the teachers union, welcome. Compañeros of the Socialist Front, welcome,” and so on. It took about 25 minutes to welcome everyone.

There was an atmosphere of excitement, support and solidarity. In fact “support” (“This support really is seen!”) was the chant of the day as speaker after speaker from various unions declared that their union would also march and strike on November 11th, and, for four hours running, each organization declared that they would contribute to the campaign, hold their own assemblies, print leaflets, rally and march in the lead up to the strike. After and during each speaker, the audience stood tirelessly, waving their fists in the air and chanting.

On the few occasions when unions declared their support in the march, but said they would but not strike, everyone stood up and demanded, “Strike! Strike! Strike!”

The speaker from the telephone union detailed the union’s donations of food to the fired workers, while the left parliamentary party, Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) spokeswoman, a legislator, said the PRD had agreed to support all the SME’s decisions and to promote any marches, and handed over a cheque for 154,000 pesos (US $11,700).

University students promised to organize a range of political-cultural events and an “information week” to counter all the misinformation in the mainstream media, while a rural worker said the SME demands were their demands, but that they would also add the demand for food sovereignty. Even the association of retired people had a detailed and ambitious schedule of action to prepare for the national strike.

Martin Esparza, general secretary of the SME, was the last speaker. He told the meeting, “With this movement we’re going to define what kind of country we want… we have to advance and organise the people of Mexico…We create the wealth, and they socialize the losses… we pay to import what the Gringos (U.S) don’t want.”

“They’re after our collective contracts and our unions,” he concluded, talking of inequality, the need for dignity and for organization.

With more chants of “It’s a struggle of all workers of this country”, “Here the workers’ movement is forming”, “Give me an S, M, E…what does it spell…SME! SME! SME!” and “Unions united will never be defeated!”, the meeting concluded with a vote to strike on November 11th and to allow the SME to form a temporary organizing committee of movement representatives to coordinate the strike plans and campaign.

The Campaign

It was an intense week of campaigning. The next morning, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) students had already put large stickers for the strike all over the insides of the trains, and there were hand painted banners in most faculties of the university, calling for assemblies and covering the walls with virtual articles on what had really happened to the SME workers.

Many workplaces held their own assemblies and even high school and primary school students marched 10 kilometres on 8 November, placards such as ‘Don’t steal my future”. SME workers marched in the thousands in the centre of the capital on 9 and 10 November.

The March

The long anticipated November 11th march was due to leave at 4 PM, but when I arrived at 2.30, and already there were thousands of people. Many were taking a snooze on their banners, while others were sitting on curbs reading the news. One group was spray painting a huge SME logo on the road, joking about needing Whiteout to fix their mistakes, and chanting when they finished it.

The street vendors, which really make up an ever growing army of their own in Mexico as the unemployed look for alternative ways to stay alive, sold corn, chips, and nuts from carts with posters for the strike taped all over them. When the march left they pushed their carts along with it. One woman with an SME bandana and placard alternated between joining the chanting of the march and calling out, “Two gum packets for 5 pesos!”

one street vendor, Octavio Manzera, wasn’t working that day. “I’m supporting the movement; I think it’s a just struggle. The government is acting in an unconstitutional way, violating the laws and constitution of Mexico, for commercial reasons and in order to privatize,” Manzera said.

Bernando Mejia, a young worker, said “I’m here to support the Mexican people, I’m one of those who doesn’t support the government we have here.”

“I’m here to support the union,” said Ana Laura Flores, a self-described “wife of a worker.”

“I’m supporting the SME. I’m here for the solidarity more than anything,” said university student Omar Vazquez.

“I’m an SME worker, I’m an electrical engineer and I was unjustly fired. This government is a sham, it’s a government of thieves, they took our jobs unconstitutionally, violating our rights as workers and as humans,” said Omar Ruiz. Ruiz was eager to say much more, but the march had already started to leave.

Marchers chanted “If there’s no solution there’ll be revolution!” and “From north to south, east to west, we’ll take on this struggle, no matter what it costs!”, while others sang, and some stuck flags in the arms of the various metal statues that line the wide main avenue.

An hour later, we arrived at Mexico City’s huge Zócalo plaza, filling it, squashed together to the point where an interesting system of lines of humans with hands on shoulders formed in order for people to move through the crowd. Members of this march kept arriving for another two hours, while marches from six other locations also continued to arrive.

One of Many

Organizers estimated that 200,000 people participated in the march, while the newspaper La Jornada reported that police estimated 60,000. However, the march in Mexico City was just one of many, with large marches taking place across the country and in outer suburbs, and workers and movement members blocking roads from 6 in the morning.

University students closed off the roads leading to TV Azteca, one of the most right-wing TV stations in the country, and there was also a protest by “the Other Campaign” in front of the US embassy. Universities went on strike, and students and teachers joined the march after their own protest on campus. The telephone and judicial power unions also went on strike, and some shops had signs saying they were turning off their lights or electricity in solidarity, while many shops were simply closed. Miners sent a contingent to the main march and held other marches in seven of the main mining cities and towns, and the National Organisation of Administrative, Manual and Technical Workers of National Anthropology and History Institute organized partial blockades of museums and archaeological zones of the country.

La Jornada reports that 14 toll booth points were also taken over. At one road block, on a main road to Puebla, one of the closest cities to the capital, national police dispersed the blockade with tear gas. La Jornada reported four injured protestors and three police. Eleven protestors were arrested and, on Thursday, Esparza told the press that they had been detained incommunicado and some had been beaten.

The Zócalo

Standing, listening to the speakers in the Zócalo, with my feet at unnatural angles in the little ground space available, a man in a mask shared his mandarin with me, and everyone around me listened with good humour and concentration to the speakers. A group wedged their way in front of us with a large plastic SME banner tied to ladders.

“Lower the banner! We can’t see!” yelled out the crowd around and behind me. The banner holders did, and the crowd called out, “Thanks compañeros!”

Meanwhile, the students to my left were having a ball chanting vehemently, laughing and smiling and jumping up and down and sharing bags of apples.

By 7:30, it was dark and freezing, and I watched the end of the march arrive. In it came a group with drums, a dancer and a violinist. Someone in the plaza set off fireworks and the palace was lit up. The smell of roasted corn rose above the milling people as they drummed and sang, some with large paper mache masks of politicians. A group of chanters defied their audibly sore voices, and a truck with music arrived, then more drums.

Covered and Uncovered

The next day, Mexican mainstream media chose to highlight an incident involving tear gas, with headlines of “Violence” and “Chaos.” The Excelsior headlined with “Patience tested,” and its biggest photo was of the tear gas. It bemoaned “children left without classes” and naively stated: “We can’t see what Chiapas is protesting about; SME has nothing to do with them.”
What the media did not want to talk about was a new solidarity that has formed, and how the movement has gone well beyond a labour conflict, with much more youth participating than during the protests against the electoral fraud of 2006.

An SME leader (who prefers to be described as a member), Jose Hernandez, told me the mobilization was much bigger than any previous ones, but that it was less apparent as it was spread out in various places and times.

“Up until now,” Hernandez said, “we’ve heard of 16 marches in other states, and just in the state of Michoacan for example, 11,000 schools went on strike, as well all the higher education institutions.”

“It’s also necessary to consider the amount of disorganization and domination which the large part of the Mexican working class has found itself in. What happened today signifies, without any doubt, a ‘leap’ in the consciousness of the Mexican working class. We need to be patient, but it seems to me that we’re on the threshold of qualitative change.”

Earlier articles on the Electrical Workers’ strike in Upside Down World

Mexico’s Utility Union Bust Reveals Flaws in NAFTA

Electrical Workers of Mexico Take on Calderon Government

Gameday: Raptors-Bobcats

Jeremy — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:26:50 +0000

Time to make it two straight, Rasho

Last night was fun, but here’s hoping the Raps have something left in their run-and-gun legs. Coming off a 123-112 home win over the Pacers, Toronto is in Charlotte tonight to face the 4-9 Bobcats. Full game coverage and other great Raptors stuff is available over at Raptors Republic.

Charlotte snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 104-88 win over Indiana on Sunday, its first win since picking up renowned douchebag Stephen Jackson in a deal with Golden State early last week. Jackson’s production with the Bobcats has been par for his course — decent scoring numbers (17.6), low shooting percentages (42.6 from the field and 29.4 from deep) and little in the way of wins (one in four games). He and Gerald Wallace share the scoring load on a team void of any real star players — one that Raptors should be able to handle even on a back-t0-back.

Last night’s Raptors performance was typical of the way they’ve played in most of their wins this season — great offense, no D and a sketchy second half before closing out strong. Jose Calderon had his best game, attacking early both with the drive and from deep and finishing with a season-high 21 on 8-of-11. Chris Bosh was sloppy offensively, but I’m counting on him bouncing back with a strong effort and leading the boys to a win tonight.

The Raptors and Bobcats get going from Charlotte at seven.

Los blancos de los Raptors

alejandroarmesto — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:40:39 +0000

Hace unos días hablé de la mala defensa de Toronto. El equipo canadiense sigue sin defender bien, y muchos partidos se le van por la falta de intensidad en campo propio. El hecho de que sus titulares sean blancos tiene mucho que ver en ello. Turkoglu, Calderón, Bargnani y Belinelli no son modelos de buenos defensores; sus limitaciones físicas, si las comparamos con los jugadores afroamericanos, hacen que tengan muchos problemas para proteger su canasta. Sin embargo, tampoco C. Bosh y DeRozan ayudan demasiado en este aspecto.

Los Raptors deben mejorar mucho, de lo contrario, si quieren ganar partidos tendrán que irse a los 120 puntos, como ocurrió frente a Miami e Indiana. Los jugadores de Jay Triano enamoran con su juego ofensivo, pero llevan un balance de siete victorias frente a ocho derrotas, y todo apunta a que será la tónica que seguirán hasta final de temporada. Es una pena, pero parece que se meterán en play-off por los pelos, y una vez allí se eliminarán en primera ronda. A no ser que cambien mucho las cosas…