News
EPA Questions TCEQ on Asarco Permit
by David Crowder
EPA is questioning whether the decade-long shutdown of the Asarco copper smelter in El Paso should trigger “Prevention of Significant Deterioration” requirements that could mean Asarco should have to upgrade to the newest available technologies and apply for a brand new discharge permit versus a renewal.
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Their Son Already Jailed, Couple Faces Police Raid on Home
by David Crowder
The El Paso Police Department has opened an internal investigation into allegations aired at Tuesday’s El Paso City Council meeting by Paula and Ricky Bell that police barged into their house in 2006 looking for their son, who had been in police custody for three days, police spokesman Javier Sambrano said.
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On Zapata Anniversay, Protests and Conflict
by Frontra NorteSur
Protestors across the country raised the issues of energy, environment and agriculture. In Juárez, demonstrators also blasted last month’s assassination of farm leader Armando Villareal Martha and the recent arrests of social activists Cipriana Jurado and Carlos Chavez.
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Opinion
Regarding Spanglish
by Felipe de Ortego y Gasca
As a native speaker of Spanish and a professor of English for more than five decades, I speak Spanglish–and that’s not a sign of bad English and bad Spanish mixed together. It’s what happens with languages in contact with each other, enriching the discourse of expression.
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Plan on it: On the Road to Santa Teresa
by Wayne Grinnell
Some say El Paso should not build roads for New Mexicans to drive here to work. Quite the contrary, in the long term. El Pasoans very likely will be driving to New Mexico to work. Until they move there.
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Is ICE racist? It certainly seems so
By Joe Olvera
Is it bad judgment for high-ranking ICE officials to make fun of people who are so desperate to improve their lot in life that they risk everything to come to the U.S.? Or is it racist? Yes, it is bad judgment. But, it’s also racist, and racism is one element of U.S. life with which minorities have been struggling for centuries.
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Features
El Paso Smorgasbord
by Rich Wright
I went to the show looking for, besides the food, the easy imagery, allegories to the social fabric, or rents in the time-space continuum. Instead, I found allusions to identity. And that's probably what El Paso has more of than most other cities.
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The Teddy Bear Man
by Alejandra Gomez
His name is Jose Rios Escandon. He is 92 years old and has been working as a merchant since he was a kid. He says everything he knows he learned from his father.
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Culture
Poetry: Maria Miranda-Maloney
by Maria Miranda-Maloney
Born and raised in El Paso, Maria Miranda-Maloney has published poetry in "Xispas: Literary Journal of Chicano Literature & Arts," and in "Newspaper Tree," as well as other online publications. She coordinates the Tumblewords Project blog found at www.tumblewordsproject.blogspot.com/
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Short Story: A Loving Holocaust
By Rex Owen Waide, Jr.
The war was nearing its second year. The body count was rapidly closing on thirteen-million. Still, it grew every day, ever minute, every second. No one knew what the war was about anymore. Even if they did, the reason gave the actions and deaths of over thirteen-million people no justification.
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An Open Letter to the El Paso Arts Community
By Tim Holt
If we can afford to keep Starbucks running, we can afford to buy some art. The trouble is, El Paso as a whole does not seem to understand the importance of art, and I think it is incumbent on us to educate the community.
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Politics
Union Plaza Buses+Country Club Traffic=Unhappy Public at Council
by David Crowder
Two items involving the future of transportation -- and to some extent growth -- did not find favor with members of the public at the City Council meeting, but the items did pass.
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A 'Smart Growth' Tour de El Paso Takes Shape
by David Crowder
A hurry-up schedule for a running battle over details in development rules.
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The Inner Loop 1: Election Results=The 7 Percent Solution
by Owen White
A few thoughts on the poorly attended election.
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The Inner Loop 2: Moody Memo Mocks Margo Memo
by Owen White
Back and forth with Moody and Margo. Only what, six months to go? In this missive, Moody rebuts the Margo camp claims about an electoral advantage in District 78.
