September 1, 2007

September cover

President Polk’s Little War

September 1, 2007

If you can’t identify this war, it is time to get up to speed because the heritage of this war is ever among us. It has not been that many generations since it brought the West into the United States of America.

Checking the Checkpoint

September 1, 2007

Tuesday, August 21, in Sahuarita, two community workgroups presented reports on the impending permanent Border Patrol checkpoint on I-19. There were cheers and whistles, there were groans and boos and laughter, there were no expletives, there were more than a couple of brief lectures on respectfulness and decorum. One wonders what the lecturer, U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, would think of an Arivaca meeting with Border Patrol officials. She’d probably fall over backwards in a dead faint.

I’ll Stick to Butterflies

September 1, 2007

There is risk to trekking alone in the wilderness. Most experts advise against it. The risks are of no laughing matter and I treat them seriously. By far the greatest risk is one of accident and not being able to summon help. My cell phone, which I use only for emergencies, is of course worthless in the more remote borderland areas. When I’m a few feet from the interstate – it starts working. I would need a satellite phone.