Backbone Wins Grammy's For Dixie Chicks

By now everyone has heard that the Dixie Chicks have taken five Grammy awards. When their latest album was released I emailed FM radio station KASE in Austin Texas and asked why the didn't play any of the songs off of the latest album. Bob Pickett's response was, "The chicks are maketing this album to a rock audience. Garth did the same thing with his Chris Gaines project". He also wrote, "Nothing on the country charts from that CD". Yet the album peaked at 36 on the Billboard country music charts.

My question is, how is it that an album that doesn't get radio air time still manage to make it to 36? Maybe because it is a good album. Another thing, isn't it possible for a country album or song to be a crossover success? If so, wouldn't it be equally possible for other genre's to attain crossover success in country music? KASE played the Kid Rock duet with Sheryl Crow till I was sick of the song, somehow to me they don't seem like a country act to me.

Regardless of what country radio thinks of the Dixie Chicks two thing are true, those ladies were right about President Bush and backbone wins.


Gratias Tibi Ago Deus


Wonko's Bud

Above And Beyond The Call of Duty

Carlos Guerra columnist from the San Antonio Express News has penned a really good article about the PBS documentary, "The War". It is produced by the noted documentarian Ken Burns, who has also produced definitive works such as "The Civil War", "Jazz," and "Baseball". It is being reported that this supposed definitive history of the second world war is being produced without a Latino/Hispanic perspective.

I have emailed the Austin PBS station requesting information about the new documentary. As of yet I have not received a response.

If what is stated in the article is true then the documentary will fall short of the over all goal of PBS, to educate. I agree that if the contributions of Latinos is overlooked then a significant portion of our country's history is being deleted from our collective consciousness. I have not seen the documentary nor have I read much more than what is being reported but here are a few things that may be overlooked if there is no mention of Latinos.

On the foreign relations side, the fact that our neighbors to the south did not throw in their lots with the axis powers was a boon to the war effort here at home. There is an old Mexican lament, "So far from God, and so close to the United States." It would have been easily justifiable for the rest of the our hemisphere to have sided with the axis powers. If for nothing else, they could have stood up against the American jingoistic policy towards the southern nations. As to foreign relations, military support( though a token amount) was given to the Allied powers. I of course am referencing the air squadron 201, the Aztec Eagles. They were a group of Mexican airmen and pilots that fought in the war. Here is a link to a short blurb and a short four minute video.

But that is not the only example of foreign nationals helping with our war effort. Regardless of your opinion of the Bracero program, one thing can not be disputed, it provided the United States with a great pool of labor that helped us win the war. Funny thing is that after all these years this is still an issue in the United States.

On the home front Latinos also went to work, whether in the factories or on the farm, Latinos provided for our nations ability to fight the war. But that is not all, our fathers and mothers answered the call to arms and donned our nations uniform. They fought for the United States, a country for whom most weren't considered real Americans. Latinos fought in every major combat engagement and served in every theater of operation. For more information about Latinos I direct you to Among The Valiant. It is a book written by a local central Texas native with the introduction by LBJ. For those of you from San Marcos, you will be surprised to see a very young Augustine Lucio pictured in the book. Augustine is a long time family friend and was an important political force in central Texas.

Some may wonder why I call this posting Above And Beyond The Call of Duty? As an ethnic group Latinos have received more Congressional Medals of Honor than any other group in the twentieth century. We have fought for this country on the battlefield, on the farm, in the town square and at the ballot box. Why? I think the noted historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. said it best, "My country right or wrong. When right keep it right. When wrong make it right."




Gratias Tibi Ago Deus


Wonko's Bud

Proof That Republicans Are Not Always a Waste of Space

Seems that State Senator Jane Nelson(R), has introduce legislation that would mandate at least thirty minutes a day of moderate or vigorous physical activity for students in grades K through 8. The bill would also require physical assessments twice a year for kids from K through 12th grade. I think that this is a great idea. If this Senate bill and its companion in the House passes and if there is adequate funding then I say, Suit Up!

Since 1995, when physical education was limited by the legislature in favor of classroom academics, the health of kids has become an ever increasing problem. Recently, in an effort to combat childhood obesity, effort's have been taken to remove junk food from schools. Most school districts use the money from junk food to fund what local property taxpayers won't or can't pay. I commend those districts who have made such efforts, but the availability of junk food is only a part of the equation.

In the documentary Super Size Me, Morgan Spurlock, covered part of the issue. It is a movie I highly recommend people watch. Private and public researchers agree that twenty minutes a day of moderate exercise coupled with a sensible diet are the essentials of a healthy lifestyle. This bill should address one part of the problem. If we can teach kids how to take a test (TAKS) then we should be able to teach kids how to live healthier.


Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud

Dream Candidate?

There has been much speculation lately about Al Gore running for President. After working locally for his election back in 2000 and being miserably disappointed by the Florida debacle, I would strongly support Gore for 2008. He has raised the issue's concerning our stewardship of the environment to a level that I don't think even Bono could do.

His foreign policy, congressional, and bureaucratic expertise is without dispute unparalleled by most of the current Democratic field. There is one exception, Governor Richardson of New Mexico. But that is another post. Most observers have noted lately the Al Gore that I was accustom to seeing on C-SPAN; relaxed, passionate, and in command.

Because of his work on the environment Gore has been nominated for the Noble Peace Prize.It is possible that Gore could be the first President to receive a Noble Peace Prize before entering office. I think because of the above reasons Al Gore would have the best chance of recouping the United States lost honor and prestige amongst the global community. Next to Governor Richardson, Gore has the best chance of cleaning up President Bush's murderous blunder.

Oh yeah before I forget, Gore winning the White House would be poetic justice for Florida 2000.


Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud