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April 20, 2003
For Prof. Fabio Cupul
Well, Fabi, you've really put your
foot in it now! I admire your conviction but you won't
win any disciples with rancorous rants. I agree with
you one hundred percent on one issue, that of depleted
uranium shells.
How their use on the battlefield
apparently became commonplace with no discernible oversight
or public debate dumbfounds me. Let's hope this war
ends quickly so the boys on all sides can go home, and
we can demand an end to this ecocidal poisoning. It's
not just stupid, it's un-American.
Mike McDermott
Dear
Editor,
One of the reasons we moved to Vallarta
was because of the tolerance of what some folks would,
euphemistically, term "alternative lifestyles".
We are a middle-aged male couple (legal domestic partners
in the state of California & the county of San Francisco)
who have been together nearly 8 years. We moved to PV
last September, and, shortly thereafter my 79 y.o. mom
came down to live with us. Although we don't try to
flaunt "what" we are, we sure as hell are
not embarrassed by "who" we are. And, we have
found a very accepting community down here. We are lucky
to count many nationals among our friends, and have
been welcomed by their multi-generational families without
reservation. The ex-pats and most tourists we have met
have been open-minded and inquisitive. So, what could
be wrong?
How about strolling along the Isla
Cuale and having vendors shout "Hey, you want boys"?
How about every time you walk the Malecon you are besieged
with "Paco Paco!", "Gay Cruise!"?
How about going about your errands along Olas Altas
& having solicitors scream across the street "Hey,
you looking for the Blue Chairs"? We have thick
skins, but think about it; what if you were out with
your spouse, and someone was yelling "Hey, you
want (men, girls, children)". It is downright disgusting,
and I, for one, will not tolerate disrespect of myself,
or others, regardless of where I am living.
TONIGHT 8:45 PM: Walking down B.
Badillo toward Olas Altas - several doors past Café
de Olla, we were hit on by 3 national males soliciting
business from an open store front @ 156-B Basilio Badillo:
"Hey, shake a Mexican hand", "Let me
ask you a question", to which I responded (in my
broken Spanish),"No gracias, amigo. No tourista,
se residencia." After we passed: "Hey are
you two a couple?", then, "F***ING FAGGOTS,
F***ING FAGGOTS!". I turned & yelled "Naco"
while stroking my crossed index fingers as a sign of
shame on you. One shook his fist at me & screamed
"You want some of me, faggot?" Not a pleasant
experience.
Tomorrow morning I will call "First
Class Auto and Tours", as the sign indicated that
they are the tenants of the space. It is possible that
someone sublets from them, perhaps only at night. I
will ascertain if this is, indeed, the attitude of whoever
owns the business operating out of that location this
evening.
K.J.
Dear
Editor,
This goes under “lost and not
found….yet.” (Thank you for your great newspaper.)
Years ago, in Bucerias, we had a
great place to eat called Linda’s Economica. Linda
then operated the Carnitas Uruapan across from the airport
and did great food, etc. Well, all of a sudden Uruapan
closed down and her loyal followers want to find out
if she is opening or operating in a new location. Should
anyone have any news of Linda opening a new Uruapan
in PV or wherever, there are folks out here who want
to know…
Can you help us?
Diane L.,
Bucerias.
Hi!
We had the great fortune of visiting
Puerto Vallarta two Summers ago. While I was there,
I bought a bottle of Reyna Mexican Vanilla from one
of the local shops. We love it - but I'm almost out!
Can I buy it somewhere online?
Thanks for your help!
Warm Regards,
Jan Shahan
Blood
Drive - Thank you!
I would like to take this opportunity
to thank the wonderful people who "gave from the
heart" on Wednesday, April 9, 2003 by donating
blood. Due to the generous offering of the International
Frienship Club for the use of their clubhouse, we had
the perfect place to hold this blood drive.
30 people came to donate with 18 being accepted. A small
turnout, unfortunately, but we had 18 units that we
did not have at the beginning of the day! Hopefully
the seed has been planted and as we continue the plan
to spread the word about the dire necessity for blood
donations here in Puerto Vallarta, the number of donors
will increase. We hope to make this a bi-monthly event.
Thank you to the people that donated
cookies and juice, Los Arcos Hotel for the donation
of the lounge chairs, IFC members and most of all to
the people that donated their blood, giving life to
those in a medical crisis. Mil Gracias!
Pamela Thompson
Ambulancias Global
pmt@prodigy.net.mx
Dear
Editor,
This is a complaint from a student
at “Ingles Practico”. 2 weeks ago there
was a problem related to an affiliation of ASU and Ingles
Practico. A group of excellent teachers resigned from
that school in order to separate themselves from the
fraud the director Sergio Diaz Herrera was
doing. I and other students tried to contact ASU and
we got the following response:
Dear (name withheld),
Thank you for your message. Arizona State University
has no affiliation with the school in Puerto Vallarta.
There is no one here named Betty Miller and our program
has been running continuously since Sept. 11 (you can
visit our website listed below). Many students have
written to me from your school and here is a copy of
the letter I have been sending them:
March 28th, 2003
Dear Students and Professors of "Ingles Practico",
It has recently come to our attention that the school,
"Ingles Practico", has asserted an affiliation
with our intensive English language program here at
Arizona State University. We have also learned that
letters were created to look as though they were official
correspondence from our university.
We do not now, nor have we ever had
any affiliation with "Ingles Practico". Please
let me know if I can provide you with any additional
information or assistance.
Erica Schlather
Arizona State University
American English and Culture Program
Box 873504
Tempe, AZ 85287-3504 USA
Ph. 480-965-3039
Fx. 480-965-8529
http://www.asu.edu/esl
----------
Sent: Tuesday, April 8, 2003 11:26 AM
To: ericasv@asu.edu
Subject: importante!
I am a student in an English school
in Puerto Vallarta Mexico, I study in the school Ingles
practico and as a student I am concerned about something.
Before I bought the course the people told me I had
the right to go to your university. Many students have
already won the trip and the director gave us a letter
where a person called Betty Miller apologized because
the school is closed because of the attack of September
eleventh. We want to know if that is true and you would
probably help me. We are suspicious the school is using
your name for selling courses but we have got nothing.
Thanks
(name withheld)
that is all the email.
The director has been faking faxes,
e-mails and telling a bunch of lies even talking bad
things about the ex teachers. I feel bad because we,
the students don't do anything to stop this situation,
because we are afraid. When are we going to stand up
and speak, if we want honesty and justice
let’s do something or we will wait for the rest
of our lives. I am disappointed of many of the students
at Ingles Practico and specially the director and his
sales department which are responsible. I want to give
a public apology to the ex-teachers who were really
brave and fought
corruption. Thanks to all of you, Jimi, Lupita, Jared
and Sara.
Thanks to you the Tribune to publish
this.
Please, new teachers, if you want
to do something about it do it, it is never too late.
Sincerely,
A disappointed student but very
honest.
And to all the people my advice before you buy something,
ask them to show you the whole product, (books, exercises,
etc.)
Hi
Anna,
Just thought I would drop you a quick line, regarding
a new column we started with Susan Pass. It didn't even
click with me that the title was far too similar to
what you used to have in the Tribune and for that we
will print an apology and I will make sure that Susan
changes her 'catchphrase'.
(The Times’ publisher’s
wife) pointed it out to me straight away and of course
by that time it was too late, but we hope very much
that we haven't caused you any inconvenience or upset
you in anyway about this. As they say, imitation is
the sincerest form of flattery, but it was in no way
intended or implied to cause any offence.
Have a good Semana Santa, looks like
it is already starting, the roads are packed and the
tents are appearing on the beach!
Thank you once again for your understanding
in this.
Kind regards as ever,
Dayna Leake
Editor
The Times
Dear Ms. Leake,
Anna Reisman’s column has
been a regular feature in the Tribune for close to six
years now and in the PV Mirror since its inception.
It is not something she “used to have”,
it continues to be.
We were a little disappointed
to note that you did not print an apology as promised,
and somewhat surprised that someone who claims to be
a psychotherapist doesn’t have more imagination
and has to resort to imitation, even though it may be
the most sincere form of flattery as you say.
The Ed.
Sirs:
Is there any way I can get via e-mail,
records of burials in the municipal cemeteries of PV?
Does the city government have a record department, with
an e-mail address?
Thank you,
Walter Downham
w9alt@tds.net
Dear
Editor,
How many more accidents?
As concerned citizens around the
area of 690 Carretera a Barra de Navidad, we have had
our fill of damages due to drinking and driving and
speeding.
Our light pole is gone, our building
damaged and about a dozen cars hit. The last accident
took out five cars.
This is an ongoing problem. About
four or five times a year, our property gets hit. The
transit office is very familiar with all of us. I am
sure their records are full.
Please, City of Puerto Vallarta,
could we, please have two topes, one going north and
one going south?
They need to slow down before someone
is killed!
Yours sincerely,
Nancy Bates
(Letter accompanied by petition signed by numerous
people)
Dear
Editor,
Good Day from Vancouver!
Does anyone know when "Puerta Vallarta Squeeze"
will be released?
I can't wait to "visit" your beautiful city
through this movie.
Sincerely,
David
Dear
Editor,
I love Puerto Vallarta, and what
I particularly love is the unfailing courtesy one encounters
all the time and everywhere. That good ole’ dependable
sun, and universal courtesy by themselves are worth
the trip.
This time, though, we found one small
exception: several rude cab drivers who expected -but
did not get- a tip. As a whole though, cab drivers in
Puerto Vallarta are still worlds more courteous than
the boorish cabbies who drive us around in North American
cities.
I’m a gardener and if I end
up living in Puerto Vallarta, I will volunteer to work
- as a labor of love - to help care for the lawns and
shrubs in the public squares. I saw a man watering the
grass in Cardenas Square. I will be his assistant.
Best wishes,
Robert M. S.
Hi!
We have been vacationing in PV for a few years now and
we love it.
Now with the war going on, my sister-in-law
has just cancelled her PV trip.
My husband and I are thinking of
retiring somewhere in Mexico. With all that is going
on, is there any problems against Americans who live
there now? Is it at all dangerous?
We lost our only child 2 years ago
and Mexico is all we have to look forward to. Our dream
is to live there and start a new life. Please let me
know how things are now.
We have a few more years before we
can move. Of course the bad times will have passed by
then we hope.
Thank you so much.
C.M
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