The Crime against the Democratic Congresswoman
Published in La Jornada
(Mexico) on 10 January 2011
by Fidel Castro Ruz (link to original)
As we know, the state of Arizona, a territory wrested from Mexico by the United States, along with many other tracts of land, has been the site of painful events for hundreds of Latin Americans who die trying to emigrate to America in search of work or to join parents, spouses or other close relatives who live there.
In this country, they do the hardest work and live under the constant fear of arrest and forced deportation. Despite drastic measures, the number of those who die in the attempt increases every year. Hundreds of thousands each year are deported to their countries of origin. Also increasing is the number of Americans who oppose that abuse, like those who supported and, for the third time, elected the young Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
The state of Arizona is presently one of the richest in the U.S. because of minerals extracted, especially copper and molybdenum; it has a high production of cotton and beef, employing vast tracts of land; the beauty of its landscapes, including the famous Grand Canyon, are considered to be among the most beautiful in the world; and there is also one of the three major indigenous communities. The state is visited annually by 30 million national and foreign tourists. Some 30 percent of its population is of Hispanic origin.
On the other hand, the tea party, formed by the most reactionary and politically backward sections of society, is attempting to drag the Republican Party into extreme and warmongering positions. This — especially when considered in the midst of the crisis and the disappointment over promises that Obama has been unwilling or has not known how to keep — may lead the country into the abyss. Significant conclusions may be derived from the debate that will undoubtedly follow.
Regarding the status of the congresswoman, on Monday Jan. 10 Spain’s El Mundo published this:
"The bullet entered the back of the head of the Democratic congresswoman, [...] crossed the left hemisphere of the brain and exited in front. After two hours of surgery, removing the remainder of the bullet, some dead brain tissue, and about half of the skull — to be saved for later reimplantation — the surgeons at University Medical Center in Tucson [... ] show ‘cautious optimism.’”
“The intervention appears to have gone well, according to the report by the hospital’s head of trauma, Dr. Peter Rhee, who explained that the patient, even though she is sedated, being ventilated and thus unable to speak, is able to communicate through gestures and to respond to simple orders, such as squeezing a hand or raising two fingers, which indicates the existence of cerebral function.
"Dr. Francisco Villarejo, head of neurosurgery of the Hospital Niño Jesús and the Clínica La Luz, who is experienced in this type of surgery, told El Mundo: ‘The most dangerous thing for the congresswoman at this time is for the brain to swell because, in passing, the bullet has brazed portions of bone, a potential source of inflammation — increasingly at risk post-surgery, because the area is very sensitive.'"
May the world be made aware, as soon as possible, clearly and precisely, the actual state of the congresswoman. It is a matter of concern to everyone.
In this country, they do the hardest work and live under the constant fear of arrest and forced deportation. Despite drastic measures, the number of those who die in the attempt increases every year. Hundreds of thousands each year are deported to their countries of origin. Also increasing is the number of Americans who oppose that abuse, like those who supported and, for the third time, elected the young Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
The state of Arizona is presently one of the richest in the U.S. because of minerals extracted, especially copper and molybdenum; it has a high production of cotton and beef, employing vast tracts of land; the beauty of its landscapes, including the famous Grand Canyon, are considered to be among the most beautiful in the world; and there is also one of the three major indigenous communities. The state is visited annually by 30 million national and foreign tourists. Some 30 percent of its population is of Hispanic origin.
On the other hand, the tea party, formed by the most reactionary and politically backward sections of society, is attempting to drag the Republican Party into extreme and warmongering positions. This — especially when considered in the midst of the crisis and the disappointment over promises that Obama has been unwilling or has not known how to keep — may lead the country into the abyss. Significant conclusions may be derived from the debate that will undoubtedly follow.
Regarding the status of the congresswoman, on Monday Jan. 10 Spain’s El Mundo published this:
"The bullet entered the back of the head of the Democratic congresswoman, [...] crossed the left hemisphere of the brain and exited in front. After two hours of surgery, removing the remainder of the bullet, some dead brain tissue, and about half of the skull — to be saved for later reimplantation — the surgeons at University Medical Center in Tucson [... ] show ‘cautious optimism.’”
“The intervention appears to have gone well, according to the report by the hospital’s head of trauma, Dr. Peter Rhee, who explained that the patient, even though she is sedated, being ventilated and thus unable to speak, is able to communicate through gestures and to respond to simple orders, such as squeezing a hand or raising two fingers, which indicates the existence of cerebral function.
"Dr. Francisco Villarejo, head of neurosurgery of the Hospital Niño Jesús and the Clínica La Luz, who is experienced in this type of surgery, told El Mundo: ‘The most dangerous thing for the congresswoman at this time is for the brain to swell because, in passing, the bullet has brazed portions of bone, a potential source of inflammation — increasingly at risk post-surgery, because the area is very sensitive.'"
May the world be made aware, as soon as possible, clearly and precisely, the actual state of the congresswoman. It is a matter of concern to everyone.