Voces de Casa Maria

NOW THIS IS EVANGELISM!!!

By Brian Flagg,

VIVA Raul!

VIVA Fidel!

VIVA CUBA!

VIVA el PAPA FRANCISCO!

In case you missed it, Cuban President Raul Castro visited Papa Francisco yesterday at the Vatican. They spoke in Spanish. He went to thank the Papa for helping to get the U.S. to lighten up on Cuba!

Papa Francisco will visit Cuba in September en route to the United States.

Raul said at a news conference, “I read all the speeches of the pope, his commentaries, and if the pope continues this way, I will go back to praying and go back to the church, and I’m not joking.”

“I am from the Cuban Communist Party, that doesn’t allow (religious) believers, but now we are allowing it, it’s an important step.”

Speaking about Francis, Raul said he has been “very impressed by his wisdom, his modesty, and all his virtues that we know he has.”

I personally don’t see this as a one-sided deal. Not only has Raul benefited from the witness of Papa Francisco, but Francisco’s life has been informed and enriched by his knowledge of the 55 year experiment in Socialism by the Cuban people.

Check out the article in today’s Star (May 11, 2015) at: http://tucson.com/news/world/castro-pope-francis-so-impressive-i-might-return-to-church/article_61519502-4fb6-586b-ade9-ef89adfcbc91.html

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¡¡¡Esto es Evangelismo!!!

Por Brian Flagg,

¡VIVA Raúl!

¡VIVA Fidel!

¡VIVA CUBA!

¡VIVA el PAPA FRANCISCO!

Por si te lo perdiste, ayer el Presidente de Cuba, Raúl Castro visito al Papa Francisco en el Vaticano. Ellos hablaron en español. ¡El fue a agradecerle al Papa por su ayuda a mejorar el trato de los Estados hacia Cuba!

El Papa Francisco visitara Cuba en Septiembre en ruta hacia los Estados Unidos.

Durante una conferencia de prensa, Raúl dijo “He leído todos los discursos del papa, sus comentarios, y si el papa continua de esta manera, yo regresare a rezar y asistiré a la iglesia, y no estoy bromeando.”

“Yo soy del Partido Comunista Cubano, el cual no permite creencias (religiosas), pero ahora las estamos permitiendo, este es un paso importante.”

Hablando sobre Francisco, Raúl dijo que está “muy impresionado por su sabiduría, su modestia, y todas sus virtudes las que sabemos que él tiene.”

Yo personalmente no veo esto como un evento de solo un lado. No solo Raúl se ha beneficiado del testimonio del Papa Francisco, pero la vida de Francisco ha sido informada y enriquecida con el conocimiento de 55 años del experimento del Socialismo en las personas de Cuba.

SPIRITUAL POWER

By Brian Flagg,

The summer before last I went to the 8 day silent retreat at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Los Altos, CA and somewhat arrogantly proclaimed to my young Jesuit seminarian spiritual director that “I’m here to gather spiritual power to unleash on a corrupt political and economic system that persecutes my people, the poor and working people”.

Something to that effect.

After 2 eight day silent retreats there and especially after last summer’s 30 day silent retreat, I can still totally relate to that proclamation, but hopefully with a much more contrite and humble heart, one that is much warmer, less judgmental and much more in tune with the heart of Jesus.

It was there that my relationship with Jesus was re-kindled and heavily nurtured. It was like a return to my spiritual roots.

This ongoing encounter with Jesus, which hopefully flows into a countercultural lifestyle, informed totally by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, is everything. It totally stands on its own, without any quid pro quos such as “I will be with Jesus in exchange for spiritual power for the Revolution”.

Who the hell am I to advance crap like that?

At the same time believers really do need to develop what Pope Francis in The Joy of the Gospel refers to as a more mature Catholic faith.

To be authentic, the faith has to have content and context. The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatious and The Conscious Examen Prayer and everything else the Jesuits can teach you is great. But it’s little more than an exercise in self-help if it doesn’t challenge one to bear fruit in the context of the oppressive and massively unjust capitalist system in which we live.

We are citizens of a global Empire that pimps the faith of most Christians. The Empire uses our mostly co-opted Christian Catholic faith to uphold the status quo. It tells believers to do a little charity along the way and everything will be fine. Jesus’ mission to do justice and liberate the oppressed is conveniently not stressed or omitted entirely.

I am blessed because I live and work at the Catholic Worker house, where poverty and oppression are not abstract theories. Here it’s all about faces and names and stories and barrios, every day.

I just finished reading ‘The Examen Prayer: Ignatian Wisdom for Our Lives Today’ by Tim Gallagher, O.M.V. It has been a huge help to me, but at the same time he gives virtually no societal or cultural context in which to practice this great spiritual gift.

Near the end of the book he does say that The Examen Prayer is indeed the prayer of continuing spiritual growth, which can channel ones energies towards the holiness we are called to, which leads to the POWER of God’s grace that can work on humanity!

It reminds me of Gandhi’s ‘experiments in truth’ and his notion that she or he who can reduce their ego to zero is capable of tapping untold spiritual power.

That young spiritual director told me that when you pray it’s good to ‘name your desire.’

So that’s what I’m going to do. Think and pray and act big, be as humble as is humanly possible and continually revel in The Joy of the Gospel!

Amen.

Congratulations to Barbie Urias

By Brian Flagg,

Congratulations to Barbie Urias, long time South Tucsonan and soldier in the struggle. She also gets the coffee out to all our diners at 6:45 every morning.

After raising 7 kids and 19 grandchildren, she has finally finished college!

She is graduating from Pima College with a degree making her a Paralegal (legal assistant).

She had a great graduation celebration last Sunday at Reid Park, complete with a DJ, a keg, mucha familia and cecivhe made by las chicas de Casa Maria!

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Por Brian Flagg,

Felicitaciones a Barbie Urias, quien es una Sur Tucsonense desde hace mucho, y una guerrera en la lucha. Ella también pone el café para todos nuestros comensales a las 6:45 cada mañana.

¡Después de criar a 7 hijos y 19 nietos, ella finalmente termino la universidad!

Ella se está graduando del Pima College con un diploma en Asistente Legal.

¡Ella tuvo una gran celebración el domingo pasado en el Reid Park, completa con DJ, un barril de cerveza, mucha familia y ceviche hecho por las chicas de Casa María!

KICKING POOR PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE DOWN

By Brian Flagg,

Kicking poor people when they are down- that’s what County Supervisor Ally Miller is trying to do with her proposed ordinance to kick people off the medians, many whom are trying to work by selling the newspaper.

Like it said in today’s Star, we already have laws that deal with road safety.

She is grandstanding for political purposes; trying to show her right wing followers how tough she is, just like Joe Arpaio.

And the County would face First Amendment Challenges if they pass this cold hearted ordinance.

Supervisors plan to discuss her proposal on their May 5 meeting.

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Por Brian Flagg,

Pateando a los pobres cuando están abajo- eso es lo que está tratando de hacer la Supervisora del Condado Ally Miller con su propuesta ordenanza de echar a la gente de las aceras, las cuales en su mayoría están tratando de trabajar vendiendo el periódico.

Como lo dice en el periódico de hoy, ya tenemos leyes que tratan con la seguridad en las carreteras.

Ella está queriendo acaparar la atención con fines políticos, tratando de mostrar a sus seguidores derechistas cuan dura es ella, igual que Arpaio.

El Condado enfrentaría retos sobre la Primera Enmienda si se aprobaran esta desalmada ordenanza.

Los Supervisores planean dialogar sobre su propuesta en la reunión del 5 de Mayo.

Proof that City Councilman Paul Cunningham is a Cool Guy!

By: Brian Flagg

I went to this party he had and he introduced me to current Wildcat basketball star Kaleb Tarczewski and his coach and former Wildcat star Joseph Blair. This Picture is Proof!

(From Left to Right: Lorena Parra, Joseph Blair, Katie Bolger, Brian Flagg, Kaleb Tarczewski)

They are both very humble and down to earth and seemed open to participation in the struggle for basic human rights and dignity in Tucson!

JB for Mayor?!
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Prueba de que el Consejal Paul Cunningham es una Buena Persona!

Por: Brian Flagg

Yo asistí a una fiesta que él realizó y en donde me presento al jugador estrella de Básquetbol de la Universidad, Kaleb Tarczewski y a su entrenador quien también fue una estrella en la Universidad de Arizona, Joseph Blair. ¡Esta foto es prueba de eso!

(De Izquierda a Derecha: Lorena Parra, Joseph Blair, Katie Bolger, Brian Flagg, Kaleb Tarczewski)

¡Ambos son muy humildes, con los pies en la tierra y parecían estar interesados y dispuestos a participar en la lucha por los derechos humanos y la dignidad en Tucson!

¿JB para Alcalde?

President maduro of venezuela is a cool guy

By: Jimmy Ojeda

What’s the difference between President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela and President Barack Obama?

Can you imagine President Barack Obama driving a local bus? Maduro, a former bus driver, likes to be behind the wheel himself and is proud of his modest beginnings.

What would happen if a poor person threw a mango at Obama? My guess is, that person would be arrested, probably beaten up, and be in serious trouble.

While driving a bus, President Maduro got hit on the head with a mango thrown by a Venezuelan woman, Marleny Olivo. She had written her name and phone number on it and asked Maduro to call her.

Instead of being arrested and put into jail, she got her dream come true: owning a home before she died.

President Maduro said, “She had a housing problem, right? And, Marleny, I have approved it already. As part of the Great Housing Mission of Venezuela, you will get an apartment and it will be given to you in the next few hours. Tomorrow, no later than the day after tomorrow, we will give it to you.”

What a great example of humility and leadership from President Maduro! I would hope many of our leaders would follow his example.

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Por Jimmy Ojeda

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre el Presidente Nicolás Maduro de Venezuela y el Presidente Barack Obama?

¿Se podrían imaginar al Presidente Barack Obama manejando un autobús local? Maduro, quien fue un chofer, le gusta estar detrás del volante y está orgulloso de su modesto origen.

¿Qué sucedería si una persona pobre, tirara un mango a Obama? Me imagino que esa persona seria arrestada, probablemente maltratada, y estaría en serios problemas.

Mientras manejaba un autobús, el Presidente Maduro fue golpeado en la cabeza con un mango, el cual fue tirado por una mujer Venezolana, Marleny Olivo. Ella escribió su nombre y su teléfono en la fruta, y le pedía a Maduro que la llamara.

En vez de ser arrestada y encarcelada, a ella se le hizo su sueño realidad: ser dueña de una casa antes de que falleciera.

El Presidente Maduro dijo, “¿Ella tenía un problema de vivienda verdad? Y, Marleny, ya lo he aprobado. Como parte de la Gran Misión de la Vivienda en Venezuela, vas a tener un apartamento, y se te entregara en las siguientes horas. Mañana, no más tarde del siguiente día nosotros te lo vamos a dar.”

¡Qué gran ejemplo de humildad y liderazgo del Presidente Maduro! Espero que muchos de nuestros lideres sigan su ejemplo.

Viva The Bus Riders Union!

By: Brian Flagg

Thanks to all who attended the big Bus Rider party with nationally known transit planner Jarrett Walker last Friday, April 24.

Approximately 200 attended and many joined the union and received a Bus Riders Union T-shirt and a card with their picture on it.

The bus rider’s stories and questions to the planner were spirited and based in extensive bus rider knowledge.

I attended the all day Saturday Transit Envisioning workshop with Jarrett and mostly a bunch of bureaucrats. As far as I could tell nothing happened that could negatively affect transit policy.

It was all pretty vague.

For the time being, maybe we have fought off the largest attacks against bus riders and poor people.

But it won’t last.

The one thing that got touched on at the so-called envisioning session was a potential huge capital outlay for the next streetcar line.

Every bus rider I talk to seems to intuitively know that any fare hike would be used to subsidize building, maintaining and operating the damned yuppie streetcar.

The Struggle Continues…

And speaking of struggle, the Tucson Bus Riders Union was prominently featured in the national publication of the Marguerite Casey Foundation.

In an article entitled “Free the Buses: Riders Say Transit is a Human Right”, about us and other Bus Riders Unions across the Western United States, it makes the point that,

‘By organizing a

previously invisible

constituency, transit riders

unions have emerged as

an unlikely source of political power.’

The article ends by suggesting that local transit riders unions are evolving from anti-poverty efforts to a cross-class movement for the environment.

Check it out at http://www.equalvoiceforfamilies.org/free-the-buses-riders-say-transit-is-a-human-right/#

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Gracias a todos los que atendieron la gran fiesta de los Pasajeros del Camión el pasado viernes 24 de abril, con el reconocido planificador Jarrett Walker.

Aproximadamente 200 personas atendieron. Muchos se hicieron miembros del sindicato y recibieron una playera del Sindicato de Pasajeros del Camión y una tarjeta de identificación con su foto.

Las historias de los pasajeros del camión y las preguntas que hicieron al planificador fueron con bastante espíritu y basadas en un amplio conocimiento de los pasajeros.

Yo participe en el taller del sábado sobre una Visión del Transporte con Jarrett y prácticamente un puño de burócratas. Lo que yo pude notar es que nada ocurrió que podría afectar negativamente a las leyes del transporte.

Todo fue bastante vago.

Por el momento, a lo mejor hemos luchado contra los ataques más grandes en contra de los pasajeros de camión y la gente pobre.

Pero no va a durar.

Una cosa que se cubrió en la llamada sesión sobre una Visión de Transporte fue el posible gran derroche de capital para la próxima vía del tranvía.

Todos los pasajeros del camión con los que he hablado parece que intuitivamente saben que cualquier incremento en las tarifas será utilizado para subsidiar la construcción, el mantenimiento, y las operaciones del maldito tranvía.

La Lucha Continua…

Y hablando de luchas, el Sindicato de Pasajeros del Camión fue destacado en una publicación nacional de la Fundación Marguerite Casey.

En un artículo titulado “Liberen a los Camiones: Los Pasajeros Dicen que el Transporte es un Derecho Humano”, sobre nosotros y otros Sindicatos de Pasajeros a través de le Oeste de los Estados Unidos, hace el punto de que,

‘Al organizar a

constituyentes previamente

invisibles, las uniones de pasajeros

del transporte han surgido como

una fuente inesperada de poder político.’

El artículo termina sugiriendo que los sindicatos locales de pasajeros de transporte están surgiendo de los esfuerzos en contra de la pobreza a un movimiento a través de las clases sociales, en favor del medio ambiente.

City Councilwoman Karin Uhlich to introduce Jarrett Walker to the Bus Riders

BUS RIDER PARTY!

FRIDAY APRIL, 24 AT 5:00 PM

Armory Park Bandshell (S. 6th Ave, between 12th & 13th St.)

BURRITOS de carne y BURRITOS de frijoles

A nationally known transit planner, Jarrett Walker, has been invited to Tucson by high-ranking bureaucrats and politicians to enlighten us about transit. Bus Riders have been mostly left out of the process. But Mr. Walker has agreed to attend this party!

Please come and share with him the importance of the LOW-INCOME FARE and other concerns.

Become a member of the Bus Riders Union and get the membership card (with your picture) and a yellow BRU T-shirt!

This meeting is important because both the City and the RTA are counting on this guy to help them create Transit policy.

On his previous trip to Tucson, he lacked an appreciation of the importance of the low-income fare to bus riders living in poverty.

The event will be chaired by Barbie Urias.

Before opening the meeting to questions to Jarrett, we will hear three stories from:

1- MariLuz (Flaca) Rangel – “The Low Income Fare Helps Poor Families Survive”

2- Susan Willis – “Public Transportation is a Tool to Fight Climate Change”

3- Bob Cook, from the Broadway Coalition – “What Every Bus Rider Should Know About the Impending Broadway Blvd. Widening”

For information contact Brian Flagg at 624-0312

Sponsored by the Tucson Bus Riders Union

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¡FIESTA DE LOS PASAJEROS!

VIERNES 24 DE ABRIL, A LAS 5:00 PM

Armory Park Bandshell (S. 6ta Ave, entre la 12 & 13 Calle)

BURRITOS de carne y BURRITOS de frijoles

Un planificador de transito reconocido a nivel nacional, Jarrett Walker, ha sido invitado a Tucson por altos políticos y burócratas a que nos ilumine sobre el transporte. Los Pasajeros del Camión han sido en su mayoría excluidos del proceso. ¡Pero el señor Walker ha accedido a asistir a esta fiesta!

Por favor venga y comparta con él la importancia de la TARIFA DE BAJOS INGRESOS y otras preocupaciones.

¡Hágase miembro del Sindicato y obtenga su tarjeta de membrecía (con su foto) y una playera amarilla del BRU!

Esta reunión es importante porque ambos la ciudad y el RTA cuentan con este señor para que les ayude a crear nuevas leyes sobre el transporte.

En su visita anterior a Tucson, a él le falto apreciación sobre la importancia de la tarifa de bajos ingresos y el impacto en los pasajeros que viven en la pobreza.

El evento será facilitado por Barbie Urias.

Antes de iniciar la sección de preguntas para Jarrett, escucharemos tres historias:

1- MariLuz (Flaca) Rangel – ” La Tarifas de Bajos Ingresos Ayuda a las Familias Pobres a Sobrevivir”

2- Susan Willis – “El Transporte Público es una Herramienta para luchar en contra de los cambios en el Clima”

3- Bob Cook, de la Coalición Broadway – “Lo que todos los Pasajeros deben conocer sobre la ampliación del Bulevar Broadway ”

Para información comunicarse con TBRU al 624-0312

Patrocinado por el Sindicato de Pasajeros del Camión de Tucson

TUESDAY, APRIL 21ST, COUNTY BOARD OF SUPES VOTE 4-1 TO PUT $815 MILLION BOND PACKAGE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT

pima_county_bonds_617_347 (1)

by Cesar Aguirre

It’s a packed house, the line of people waiting to get in to the county board of supervisors meeting extends out and around the building. Oscar Silva and I wait patiently to go through the metal detectors. The crowd of more than 400 is diverse, from suits and ties to speedos and bicycle helmets, from white collar to blue to no collar at all. This is what democracy looks like.

The issue being voted on today is whether or not the County Bond package will be put on the ballot. The few that speak against the package seem to cling only to “debt” and taxes, claiming the package would put the county further in debt and increase taxes. I see the package as an investment, not only in our local economy, but in our community and the people. It will improve the quality of life in southern Arizona, create jobs, leverage private funding for economic development, and help relieve poverty through neighborhood reinvestment, workforce development and training, and affordable housing. It protects open space’s which brings tourists from all over the country to enjoy our unique desert landscape and inhabitance. Oh yeah and, even though I’m not too enthusiastic about pavement, I still drive and grit my teeth every time I hit a pothole, this package includes roads and repairs.

This package is not a debt incurred by tax payers, but rather a long term investment in ourselves and the future of our community. With the states choke-hold on Southern Arizona’s tax dollars and their crazy views on improving our state budget, it’s up to us to take local control of our tax dollars. The Bond is a way to do that. Like Ramon Valadez just said, this is how Pima county residents can decide for themselves how our tax dollars are spent.

The Board of Supervisors voted. It passed with only one board member voting against it. This is what democracy looks like. Democracy prevailed in today’s meeting, now it’s time for the public to turn out the vote!

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Por Cesar Aguirre

La casa está llena, la línea de personas esperando a entrar a la reunión del directorio de supervisores del condado se extiende alrededor del edificio. Oscar Silva y yo esperamos pacientemente para pasar por los detectores de metales. La multitud de más de 400 personas es diversa, desde personas con traje y corbata hasta personas con ropa deportiva y cascos de bicicleta, desde los trabajadores de cuello blanco, hasta los que no llevan cuello. Esto es como se debe ver la democracia.

El asunto por el cual votaran el día de hoy es si se pondrá o no, un paquete de bonos del condado en la boleta electoral. Los pocos que hablaron en contra de este paquete parecen aferrarse solo a la “deuda” y los impuestos, argumentando que el paquete pondrá al condado en mas deudas e incrementara los impuestos. Yo veo a este paquete como una inversión, no solo en nuestra economía local, sino también en nuestra comunidad y en las personas. Mejorara la calidad de vida en el sur de Arizona, creara trabajos, asegurara financiamiento para el desarrollo económico, y ayudara a aliviar la pobreza a través de reinversión en los vecindarios, preparación y desarrollo de la fuerza laboral, y viviendas al alcance de los bolsillos. Protege el medio ambiente (le espacio abierto) lo cual atrae al turismo de todo el país para disfrutar del paisaje de nuestro desierto que es único. Oh, sí y, aunque no estoy muy entusiasmado sobre el pavimento, sobre todo cuando manejo y aprieto los dientes cada vez que poso sobre un hoyo, este paquete incluye reparaciones a las carreteras.

Este paquete no es una deuda impuesta en los que pagan impuestos, por el contrario, es una inversión a largo plazo en nosotros mismos y en nuestra comunidad. Con el estado poniéndole la cuerda al cuello al Sur de Arizona con el dinero de los impuestos y con sus puntos de vista locos sobre cómo mejorar el presupuesto del estado, dependemos de nosotros para tomar control del dinero de nuestros impuestos locales. El paquete de bonos es una manera de hacer esto. Como dijo Ramón Valadez, así es como los residentes del condado Pima pueden decidir por ellos mismos como se usa el dinero de los impuestos.

Los Supervisores del condado votaron. Fue aprobado con un solo miembro en contra. Así es como se ve una democracia. ¡La democracia gano en la reunión de hoy, ahora es cuando le público tiene que salir a votar!

The Pima County Bond Election – True Democracy in Action

Pima County Bond Committee at work

By Brian Flagg,

Join us Tuesday, April 21, 2015, 8:30 a.m. at the County Supervisor Meeting.

The Supervisors will be voting on whether to put an $815 million bond package on the November ballot. We at Casa Maria feel that a YES vote by the Supervisors is important for two reasons.

1. – The world seems to be going to hell in a hand basket, especially here in Arizona. Southern Arizona is under attack by the Governor and his rightwing legislature. Money from the State has been drastically cut in favor of tax breaks for the rich and more funding for private prisons. This has left us in Pima County with few decent choices for funding for things that will benefit poor and working people and the planet. No one will be creative for us. We’ve got nowhere to look for help, we in Pima County have to step up and defend ourselves in regards to funding things that make for a better quality of life.

2.-Under the leadership of Supervisor Richard Elias (who appointed me to the Bond Committee), a coalition has been developed to make sure that poor and working people and the environment have a significant place in this bond package. The coalition includes anti-poverty advocates, neighborhood and church activists and environmentalists. We have fought very hard so that the following are included:

– Affordable Housing $20 million

-Neighborhood Reinvestment 25 million

– Open Space $95 million

– Job Path (Job Training) $1 million

Other important things we fought to have included are fixing up South 12^th Avenue, many park projects including Quincy Douglas and Kennedy Park on the South Side and walk ability projects put forth by the Living Streets Alliance. We feel that trying to work in coalition with other groups and other interests is the only way to be able to fight the Big Monied Interests. It is the way we must work in the future to achieve meaningful steps towards a more socially just Pima County. This bond will fund many things I don’t like, some which I find insulting and make me want to throw up. But it includes many things important to the People and the Planet.

We really are at the table! Please accept our invitation to witness this experiment in democracy play out at the Supervisors Meeting on Tuesday April 21 at 8:30 a.m.