Thread: Group seeks stronger U.S.-Mexico ties

Group seeks stronger U.S.-Mexico ties
The Associated Press
1/12/08

When Hurricane Katrina devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast region in the summer of 2005, the Mexican Army brought humanitarian supplies to some of the victims.

It was a first. Mexico had never before sent a disaster-relief aid mission to the United States, according to a report from the Department of State's information service. U.S. officials responded with gratitude.

A local group is hoping to use that example of assistance and other stories to encourage improved relations between Mexico and the United States.

Peter von Gundlach founded AMISTAD in 1988 in Tucson with a mission of promoting economic and cultural exchanges, and helping dispel biases and stereotypes on both sides of the border. AMISTAD stands for American Mexican Initiative Supporting Trade and Development.

"We are an information processing group that attempts to find solutions to dissension and dissidence between the two cultures," he said. "We are here to make things better and to lubricate the interface of the border."
Mexico also demonstrated its ability to comprehensively and efficiently respond to a disaster in its own country when the states of Tabasco and Chiapas were flooded in late October and early November of last year.

A U.S.-based organization called Hands On Disaster Response decided not to deploy a volunteer project there, according to an assessment report, because most of the flooded homes were cleaned out and inhabited soon after the floodwaters receded.

"The Army was there. They took care of it. They marshaled all the resources that they needed and there was minimal impact," von Gundlach said.

AMISTAD feels the U.S. is not taking advantage of everything that Mexico can supply.

In June, media outlets reported India's largest software services provider started outsourcing work to Mexico because of higher labor costs.
Jeff Harris, a coordinator for AMISTAD, said, "Why can't we recognize the value of Mexico and go directly to them and cut out the middleman?"

Also, AMISTAD recently suggested to the Bisbee City Council that it enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Agua Prieta, Sonora, to get help with repairing roads in Bisbee.

The roads in Agua Prieta are good, and Bisbee could benefit from the use of its engineering staff, von Gundlach said.

Harris said each culture has its own strengths and weaknesses, and each can learn from the other.

"If we can have something as tangible as having Agua Prieta help us put in new roads, people will begin to question the perceptions that all exchanges are one-way and that the Unites States has plenty to offer and Mexico has nothing to offer us," he said.

The group is currently working to reduce the emotional polarities resulting from illegal immigration and laws being implemented to control it.
AMISTAD does not support the new Arizona employer sanctions law, which makes it illegal to knowingly hire illegal workers.

"It leaves huge gaps open for stereotyping and for racial profiling and for arresting people who perhaps left their papers at home," von Gundlach said.

The United States needs to recognize that illegal workers have contributed significantly to the U.S. economy and culture, he said.
And AMISTAD praises the positive actions of some Mexicans.

For example, in November, a Mexican man who was illegally entering the United States found a 9-year-old boy wandering in the southern Arizona desert.

The boy's mother wrecked their van and later died. The man decided to rescue the boy and in the process of getting help, he turned himself over to the Border Patrol.

Von Gundlach also mentioned the significant accomplishment of Juan Quezada, a Mexican artist who developed a pottery style inspired by remnants of the ancient civilization of Paquime Indians.

Quezada trained family and neighbors in the village of Mata Ortiz in his techniques. Today, the pottery is recognized as some of the finest in the world. Harris said Quezada's work exemplifies one of the strengths of Mexican society.

"We don't have that sense of community that they do there," he said. "We have what would be known as predatory capitalism. By sharing his knowledge with all of his neighbors, everybody benefits."
Harris said AMISTAD is constantly looking for alternative ways to find situations.

"Sometimes a fresh approach can provide solutions that just didn't occur to other folks," he said.

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/border/73906.php

AMISTAD feels the U.S. is not taking advantage of everything that Mexico can supply.

Perhaps Mexico could suggest solutions for stopping the illegal invasion of Mexicans into the US.
I heard that they are quite efficient at stopping illegal immigration into Mexico.
We could use their help.

Von Gundlach also mentioned the significant accomplishment of Juan Quezada, a Mexican artist who developed a pottery style inspired by remnants of the ancient civilization of Paquime Indians.

Well that changes everything. A new pottery style? Let the whole country move here. :P

This writer needs to distinguish between any mutual admiration that may take place---and the ABSOLUTE NEED FOR THE US TO PROTECT ITS CITIZENS----AND THAT MEANS THEIR JOBS, TOO!!!! I may enjoy some Mexican guitar music but it's hard to feel all gushy if your employment has been either insourced or outsourced. THAT SORTA CHANGES EVERYTHING!

Group seeks stronger U.S.-Mexico ties

AMISTAD may seek stronger US-Mexico ties but the US needs to cut the apron strings to Mexico.

For example, in November, a Mexican man who was illegally entering the United States found a 9-year-old boy wandering in the southern Arizona desert.

The boy's mother wrecked their van and later died. The man decided to rescue the boy and in the process of getting help, he turned himself over to the Border Patrol.

I applaud this man who did what he did. But it's also only fair to mention the group who left the 30 year old illegal immigrant in the desert after she broke her leg and was unable to keep up with the group. She was rescued by our border patrol using a helicopter to find her. A second group entering the US walked past her, and when apprehended by the border patrol, one of the men in the second group reported her plight. Two groups left her to die in the desert.

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds"- Samuel Adams

AMISTAD feels the U.S. is not taking advantage of everything that Mexico can supply.

How about paying for and helping build half the border fence!

"We enforce our laws, and we defend law-abiding citizens. And we reserve the benefits of citizenship for legal residents."
Matt Blunt Governor of Missouri

How about paying for and helping build half the border fence!

You kidding? They would probably include secret passageways and trap doors.

cayla99 wrote:

You kidding? They would probably include secret passageways and trap doors.

Yes--was being sarcastic--they would put in revolving doors with the secret passageways and trap doors.

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil but because of those who look on and do nothing." --Albert Einstein

Originally Posted by MyAmerica

cayla99 wrote:

You kidding? They would probably include secret passageways and trap doors.

Yes--was being sarcastic--they would put in revolving doors with the secret passageways and trap doors.

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil but because of those who look on and do nothing." --Albert Einstein

I saw the tongue in cheek, was just playing

I think we Americans may elect someone President in 2008 whose father was born in the Paquime area. His platform on immigration is to send a large number of Mexicans back home indefinitely.


If Romney is elected President a lot of Americans are going to want to visit Colonia Dublan, Chihuahua out of curiosity as to what where his father was from is like. The ruins of Paquime and the pottery studios of Mata Ortiz are close by.