Language:
English
Pages:
1 online resource (27 minutes)
,
002610
Keywords:
Border crossing.
;
Emigration and immigration.
;
Mexicans.
;
Arizona.
;
Canada
;
Documentary films.
Abstract:
John and Pam run a genuine 'Mom and Pop diner annex gas station.' The small wooden building and its porch have undergone virtually no change since it was built in 1950. Outside, two ageless gas pumps bear witness to what still functioned, for better or for worse, four years ago. The rehabilitation laws put an end to the independent running of this kind of small gas station. No sooner do you enter the restaurant then you find yourself in a convivial atmosphere. There's not much room, the tables are small, the bar is low and the stools too, the walls are covered in knick-knacks and trinkets. But what matters here are many regulars who feel at home here and who come to chew the fat. John is a big talker and an uncompromising, hard-line Republican. Pam is the eccentric owner, who keeps in the background with her parrot. But she obviously wears the pants around here. People constantly come and go. Local customers seem to be rather uncouth and harsh-voiced, but they like the contact and enjoy talking. They have fixed opinions and don't shy away from any expression, as strong as it might be. In the middle of the room is the liars' table. Every morning, a few locals (not always the same) gather here to discuss daily concerns: the collapse of social security system, politics, the situation in their home town, the illegal aliens ... Opinions vary. Nelson, a real cowboy, doesn't conceal his bitterness. He takes his anger out on the immigrants who, by coming here, are the cause of everything that goes wrong and will be the cause of everything that will get even worse. John, the owner, is more tolerant. He has an impressive array of guns but he would never think of using them on any Mexicans; 'They're humans, too.' Another local, Mac, likes to show off his guns, which he carries on him. With his two SS marks on the back of his tee shirt and tattooed on his hand, he doesn't go unnoticed. This rugged, greying sexagenarian has his secret reserves of tenderness. Greg is a fireman. He's virtually the only Democrat in town. He's nicknamed 'the fool.' He prudently points out that the region they live in was originally Mexican soil and that it's the Americans who are the illegal immigrants here. Dave is the local sheriff's deputy. He looks like someone out of a James Dean movie. His speciality consists of capturing rattlesnakes that enter homes. He is more at ease in their company than with his fellow humans. Most of the 'liars' fully understand the reasons that drive Mexicans to the United States. It's not just a matter of finding a newer and better life here, but it also involves finding a social security system that provides immigrants with a safety net. For instance, they aren't arrested, and don't get prison terms or fines: if need be, they are simply escorted to the border. If they are sick, they are accepted by hospitals where they receive free treatment. There is, in fact, 'no risk' involved in their perilous adventure. Americans are even convinced that many of the dead found in the desert didn't perish of thirst or exhaustion but because they were ill and chose to run the risk in the hope of getting free medical care in the United States. The Mexicans obviously seek to get as far as possible and keep a low profile. So the disturbance is minimal and the annoyances are limited to some night time noises and the unchecked dumping of garbage. It is clear too that there has been no increase in crime. Still, every citizen has several guns at home and in every fenced-in ranch there are guard dogs. In the wake of the illegal refugees hovers the shadow of drug dealers. We will hear many stories, several opinions, and much sighing. But the dominant feeling is that the situation seems without a resolution and without prospects. The social system is out of joint and falling apart. The Mexicans are bringing down labor costs in comparison to normal pay for US workers. At the liars' table, we also meet Chris Simcox, the outraged, rabid journalist who has created a private militia. He is neither understanding nor tolerant. Chris dreams out loud about erecting a large wall along the U.S.-Mexican border. He has no respect for all those politicians who make the local population bear the brunt of expenses created by these migrations. Simcox thinks that this money could have been better used for building the wall. For such problems, prevention rather than cure. Simcox also thinks that the bad faith shown by the federal government to solve these problems has to do with the fact that the State is merely the puppet of the industrial lobby, which is mostly interested in having cheap labor and is in favor of liberalizing trade exchanges through the NAFTA agreements with the Mexican government. Migration means business and sources of income. The Palominas Trading Post is where Chris's men meet up before a hunt.
Note:
Title from resource description page (viewed October 06, 2015).
,
In English.
URL:
http://www.aspresolver.com/aspresolver.asp?ANTH;2654984
URL:
https://fid-ska.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://www.aspresolver.com/aspresolver.asp?ANTH;2654984
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