A Clash of Cultures
E Pluribus Unum Today
By Daniel Rose

The term “culture clash” implies not simply a dispute over preferences but a confrontation of different ways of thinking, different value systems, different ways of looking at the world
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If one prefers potatoes to another’s rice or noodles, sliced white bread to frittatas, or southern fried chicken to murgh mahani, that is not a culture clash but a difference in taste.

When, during the British Raj, a Hindu said, “my culture calls upon me to tie a grieving widow to her husband’s funeral pyre,” and a British officer replied, “my culture calls upon me to execute murderers,” they had a culture clash.
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Does it pay to be bilingual in TV news?
By Lou Martínez

Europeans have always bragged about their ability to speak several tongues. In a way they have the right to brag. In this country the ability to speak several languages is held in high regard. It elevates someone to a level of prestige and snootiness. In social circles, if you speak more than one language you’re held in high regard. Headhunters salivate for prospects with multilingual skills. Federal Agencies give top ratings and top dollar for people who possess at the very least bilingual skills.

“Command of Spanish and English languages and two years experience in a commercial television news environment preferred.” This was listed in recent job opening for a TV station in El Paso, Texas.
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Foreign Accent Intolerance
By Rafael Martinez-Alequín

New York City has been from its very birth a city of immigrants, when the Dutch arrived and snatched this land from the real Native Americans, whom they called Indians due to Christopher Columbus’s error.

Today New York City’s status as a city of foreigners not only remains unchanged, but more than ever in its history it is home to New Yorkers the range of whose roots spans practically every region of this planet. Over 150 languages are spoken here. It’s my opinion that if serious research is done, this number will total over 200, if we take into account those languages that due to reasons of political imperialism are classified as dialects.
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Treasuring A Pirate
By Rafael Martinez-Alequín

Only one number in the history of Major League Baseball has been permanently retired from use by all big league clubs, and that is Jackie Robinson’s No. 42. No one except for players who were wearing No, 42 when baseball retired it in 1997 can wear that number again.

We would suggest that another player in addition to Robinson should have his uniform number universally retired. There is no more deserving a player than Roberto Walker Clemente. His contribution to the sport is unparalleled. Let the powers that be get it done!
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Land of Opportunity-
New Yankee Stadium will revitalize the
South Bronx
By Rafael Martinez-Alequín
For Yankees Magazine

Some people say using current parkland to build a new Yankee Stadium is a misuse of a precious community resource. But in reality, Macombs Dam Park, the site of the future Stadium, reaches out in need of help everyday, Grass in the park grows like hair on a balding man, and the sad upkeep of the park confirms many derogatory stereotypes that have burdened the Bronx for decades.

In order to build the new Stadium, 400 trees will be sacrificed. The carbon monoxide suckers will be sorely missed. But in their place will be young, strong saplings ready to do the job. After the completion of the new Stadium, there will be another Macombs Dam Park, perhaps with a different name, but with better lighting. It will be more welcoming for a new generation of Bronx residents.
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Bloomberg's Snow Show
By Rafael Martinez-Alequín

The snowfall this week was expected. But the refusal to not suspend alternate side parking was a surprise. A storm of this consistency merited a day or two for drivers to dig themselves out. Not so said Mayor Bloomberg. Standing tough in his characteristic sway, he condemned motorists to a tiresome dig. An excavation that could rival a fossil search since the snow was so hard. But dig they did. Some found it just too hard literally, and opted for the orange paper on the windshield. Forty-eight hours later, the "snow" hit the fan.
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My Brother's Keeper
By Daniel Rose

All modern societies should provide effectively for public well-being; and as our systems converge, we must learn from each other how best to respond to our common problems.

All societies provide in some way for their destitute and distressed, provide vehicles for health and education, and support culture and the arts; but nations pursue these goals differently depending on their customs, traditions and beliefs.
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Bloomberg's Inconvenient Truth
By Rafael Martinez-Alequín

Mayor Bloomberg’s administration has been in the forefront of creating a clean environment. When he announced the congestion price $8.00 (tax?) for cars entering Manhattan South of 86th street, it seemed a win-win situation, for the environment and for the average citizen.

At the time, the mayor made his announcement citing a similar program in London as the model for New York City. Also, former Vice-President Al Gore, during a news conference at the opening of the Tribeca Film Festival, endorsed the mayor’s congestion price enthusiastically. However, Mr.Gore, does not realize the political history of previous City Hall administrations. They tried to impose tolls on the East river bridges. In a Bronx news conference, when a New Jersey reporter asked the mayor how the congestion price would affect New Jersey drivers, the Mayor’s response was, “New Jersey, and Connecticut drivers will not be affected, because they already paid a toll getting into Manhattan.”
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