LINEA ABIERTA | THIS WEEK | PREVIOUS PROGRAMS

Linea Abierta Programs for April 2001

Monday, April 2nd

PROGRAM # 2814 - 12:00 PDT
HEALTH EDITION - ERGONOMICS. Dr. Elmer Huerta, a regular contributor, joins this edition to discuss ergonomics in the workplace. The U.S. Labor Department recently released a report showing that repetitive strain injuries and similar muscular disorders account for more than one-third of all job injuries. Truck drivers and laborers are the hardest hit by job injuries. Last week, President Bush signed a repeal of rules enacted by the Clinton administration designed to reduce such injuries. This program focuses on existing workplace rules and injuries prevention.

Guest: Dr. Elmer Huerta, board member, American Cancer Society, www.prevencion.org

PROGRAM # 2815 - 13:00 PDT
TAX REPORTING. This program reviews the process of filing annual income tax reports. Tax credits for the low-income and deductions for families with children are among the highlights of this program.

Guests: Rebecca Villalobos, U.S. Internal Revenue Service; Gerardo Ruvalcaba, California's Franchise Tax Board.

Tuesday, April 3rd

PROGRAM # 2816 - 12:00 PDT
INDIGENOUS RIGHTS AND CULTURE BILL. In an historic event, Zapatista rebel leaders in Mexico appeared last week before Mexico's Congress floor to advocate for a constitutional reform that would ensure autonomy and language and culture rights for 56 Indigenous peoples in the country. Dr. Jose Luis Reyna, from Colegio de Mexico, provided analysis on the recent conflicts between Mexican President Fox and his party's leadership in Congress around the Indian rights bill proposed by the Zapatista rebels. This program featured taped reactions from political leaders. The interviews, gathered by correspondent Raul Silva after the Indigenous leaders' address in Congress, included Congressman Fernando Perez Noriega (PAN), Sen. Jaime Martinez Veloz (PRI), Sen. Jesus Ortega (PRD), Xochitl Galvez, Indian Affairs Coordinator for the Fox Administration and Chiapas Gov. Pablo Salazar.

PROGRAM # 2817 - 13:00 PDT
MONEY REMITTANCES. Juan Hernandez, coordinator, presidential office for Mexicans Abroad, spoke about efforts by the Fox administration to bring the money remittances fees down. Fox government representatives have met with 80 companies and some offices in major metropolitan areas have reduced their fees, according to Hernandez. Listeners called to share their experiences. Fidel wanted PROFECO's website (www.profeco.gob.mx). Jose from Modesto talked about how the postal service lost his money and then reimbursed him. Andrea recommended Vigo, as an inexpensive agency. Others compared costs.

Wednesday, April 4th

PROGRAM # 2818 - 12:00 NOON PDT
LATINOS TOP LOS ANGELES MAYORAL RACE Former California Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa emerged this week as one of the two top contenders in Los Angeles' mayoral race. He captured the endorsement of Gov. Gray Davis and is in a virtual dead heat with James K. Hahn for the post. The other Latino candidate in the race, well-known congressman Xavier Becerra, lags in the polls. For the first time in modern history, a Latino may succeed in leading the most populated Latino metropolis in the nation.

Guest: Luis Farias, Communications Dir., National Association of Latino Elected and Designated Officials, Los Angeles (www.naleo.org).

ALSO: Angela Arboleda, political analyst of the National Council of La Raza, spoke about recent data from the 2000 Census showing that major metropolitan areas continue widely segregated. Arboleda called for better fair-housing measures and investments in colleges in inner-city neighborhoods.

PROGRAM # 2819 - 13:00 PDT
DIABETES This program took another look into diabetes. Dr. Gregory Talavera talked about new and more accurate tests to detect glucose in the blood. He explained how to control blood sugar levels using home remedies, Latino cooking recipes and smart nutritional plans. He also talked about beliefs and fears among Mexican patients that hamper control of diabetes, including fears to insulin treatment and reliance on herbal remedies. Five listeners called in. A diabetic adult with severe complications, the mother of a diabetic child, the friend of a diabetic adult and the wife of a diabetic elder. This program is aired in conjunction with the National Hispanic Medical Association.

Guest; Dr. Gregory Talavera, diabetes researcher, Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, member of the National Hispanic Medical Association.

Thursday, April 5th

PROGRAM # 2820 - 12:00 NOON PDT
PUERTO RICO EDITION. WRTU - Radio Universidad de Puerto Rico brings interviews and commentary on news developments in the Caribbean basin.

HOST: Wanda Colon-Cortez.

PROGRAM # 2821 - 13:00 PDT
MEXICO EDITION. Francisco "Paco" Huerta, a veteran radio journalist and civic journalism's foremost advocate, is the program host. He offers this weekly, tape-delayed edition of the series "Voz Publica," a call-in program airing from Mexico City.

HOST: Francisco Huerta, www.vozpublica.com

Friday, April 6th

PROGRAM # 2822 - 12:00 PDT
IMMIGRATION EDITION. Attorney Carlos Spector-Calderon comments on the latest changes in the regulations of a recently enacted immigration law. Spector-Calderon also provides advice and answers listeners' questions on Section 245i and other issues of immigration law. Carlos Spector comments on meetings of high-level representatives of the Mexican and U.S. government on immigration. Mexico recommends the U.S. to "regularize" the status of millions of undocumented Mexicans living in the U.S. Mexico offers efforts to intercept immigrants from other countries using Mexico's soil to reach the U.S.

Guest: Attorney Carlos Spector-Calderon, El Paso, TX.

PROGRAM # 2823 - 13:00 PDT
POWER PLANT AT MEXICAN BORDER. Environmentalists, farm workers and community groups are protesting plans to build a power plant alongside the Colorado River. The California Energy Commission argues that energy supplies are critically needed and the plant is significantly safe. Opponents are worried that the plant will endanger air quality, ground water supplies and local farming fields.

Guests: Manuel Soto, President, United Farm Workers - Blythe, CA; Maria Luisa Garcia, Mesa Verde Organizing Committee, Blythe, CA.

ALSO IN THIS PROGRAM:

ELECTRICITY RATEPAYERS REVOLT IN CALIFORNIA. Electric rate hikes loom on the horizon for California's utility consumers, following increases to gas bills. Angry citizen groups, already frustrated with recent blackouts, are taking to the streets, calling for a revamping of the state's energy system. They are lobbying to put utility companies under the public-sector control to ensure an affordable, clean and efficient service.

Guest: Medea Benjamin, Power to the Public Coalition, San Francisco, www.powertothepeople.org, Carmela Garnica, community activist, Blythe, CA; Juan Serrato Garcia, Baja California State Congress' environmental analyst, Mexicali

This program also discusses a last-minute news story: California's power company PGE files for bankrupcy. Activists call for extraordinary measures to take over private power plants.

Monday, April 9th

PROGRAM # 2824 - 12:00 PDT
HEALTH EDITION - FARM WORKERS: SUFFERING IN SILENCE. The contributions of Mexican farm workers help to make agriculture California's primary source of wealth. Yet, they are at the bottom when it comes to health insurance, housing and legal rights protection. Farm workers suffer in silence and are forgotten by society. These are some of the conclusions of the recent study "Suffering in Silence." This program is a conversation with the study's author, Dr. Bonnie Bade.

Guest: Dr. Bonnie Bade, California State University San Marcos, www.calendow.org/pub

ALSO, ELECTIONS IN PERU. Washington-based journalist Maria Luisa Rosell, correspondent for Radio Programas del Peru network, provides news and commentary on Peru's presidential election. Center-left Alejandro Toledo holds a solid lead in the vote. He faces a runoff vote with former president Alan Garcia next month. This program also featured a conversation with leading candidate Alejandro Toledo taped the week before by Radio Nederland's Jose Zepeda.

PROGRAM # 2825 - 13:00 PDT
GUADALUPE RIVERA-MARIN. The daughter of celebrated Mexican painter Diego Rivera, Guadalupe Rivera-Marin recently visited California to speak about the Mexican muralism legacy in the U.S. Guadalupe Rivera Marin talks about Diego's works in the U.S., the regrets of the Rockefeller family, the pride of Detroit, her life at Diego and Frida's home, her mother Lupe Marin, her life as a politician and the recent changes in Mexico. Rivera Marin is an attorney, university professor, writer, historian and director of the Center of Research Studies of the Mexican Revolution. This is a recorded conversation.

Tuesday, April 10th

PROGRAM # 2826 - 12:00 PDT
"FRONTERA LIBRE" (OPEN BORDER) EDITION - BRACEROS. Radio Bilingue in the U.S. and Sistema Jalisciense de Radio y Television in Guadalajara, Mexico, join broadcasts to interconnect live U.S. audiences with listeners in Mexico's migrant home states. This week, hosts in both Jalisco and California talk with Mexican farmer leaders about the plight of the Mexican ejidos and small farms. While thousands of farmers in western Mexico are being forced to migrate, Mexico is increasing imports of corn and reducing production of basic crops such as beans.

Guest: Rene Lopez Ruelas, farmer leader, La Barca, Jalisco.

PROGRAM # 2827 - 13:00 PDT
LA ELECTIONS. Today, voters in Los Angeles go to the polls to elect the mayor in this city, nearly half of whose residents are Latino. Former State Assembly speaker Antonio Villarraigosa leads the opinion polls. Congressman Xavier Becerra also runs in a close fourth place. If elected, one of them could become the first Latino mayor in Los Angeles since 1872. This program brings news and analysis on election day.

Invited guest: Antonio Gonzalez, William C. Velazquez Institute, Los Angeles, wcvica@wcvi.org

ALSO, REDISTRICTING. With the release last month of the U.S. Census numbers, the battle to redraw the boundaries of congressional and state legislative districts begins in the states. This is one of the most important issues of the decade and Latino groups are fighting for inclusion of their constituencies in the political map.

Guest: Amadis Velez, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Los Angeles.

Wednesday, April 11th

PROGRAM # 2828 - 12:00 NOON PDT
TAX REPORT TIME. The week before the income tax report deadline, a federal official provides information about tax credits for low-income families and deductions available for small businesses and families with children at school. She also shares advice for preventing common mistakes when filing reports and warns about fraudulent consultants.

Guest: Rebecca Villalobos, U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

PROGRAM # 2829 - 13:00 PDT
DRIVING LICENSES FOR THE UNDOCUMENTED. Tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants in Illinois may get driver's licenses under a bill proposed by Secretary of State Jesse White. Instead of requiring a Social Security number from driving license applicants, IRS tax identification numbers will be acceptable. A similar bill is being reintroduced in California's legislature. Utah, North Carolina and other states allow undocumented immigrants to apply for driving licenses.

Guests: Roger Salazar, spokesperson, California Gov. Gray Davis; Claudia Gutierrez, co-editor, El Superior newspaper, Petaluma, CA; Armando Villarreal, director, Texas Immigrant and Refugee Coalition, Austin, TX; Hugo Rojas, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Chicago.

Thursday, April 12th

PROGRAM # 2830 - 12:00 NOON PDT
PUERTO RICO EDITION. WRTU - Radio Universidad de Puerto Rico brings interviews and commentary on news developments in the Caribbean basin.

HOST: Wanda Colon-Cortez.

PROGRAM # 2831 - 13:00 PDT
MEXICO EDITION. Francisco "Paco" Huerta, a veteran radio journalist and civic journalism's foremost advocate, is the program host. He offers this weekly, tape-delayed edition of the series "Voz Publica," a call-in program airing from Mexico City.

HOST: Francisco Huerta, www.vozpublica.com

Friday, April 13th

PROGRAM # 2832 - 12:00 PDT
PLAN COLOMBIA. Two analysts comment on issues related to the current Colombian crisis. Leading supplier of cocaine, and more recently heroin, to the U.S. market; territory of the largest and oldest guerrilla insurgency in the continent as well as a growing and protected paramilitary right, Colombia experiences the worst violence of any country in the hemisphere. Guest analysts discuss the hopes and foils of current reforms, peace negotiations and pacification plans.

Guests: Andrew Miller, Acting Advocacy Director for Latin America, Amnesty International; Mauricio Cardenas, co-writer of Plan Colombia and consultant for InterAmerican Development Bank Colombia.

PROGRAM # 2833 - 13:00 PDT
"AMORES PERROS." A taped conversation with Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, director of the independent Mexican film "Amores Perros." Both the director and his film have received recognition in Cannes and other renowned international festivals. The film premieres this week in theaters around the U.S.

ALSO, MARIA ROSELIA JIMENEZ PEREZ. Mexican Indian writer Maria Roselia Jimenez Perez talks about her book of stories for children "Ja Yal Alaji – La Milpita." The book, prefaced by Nobel winner Rigoberta Menchú, is written in both Spanish and Mayan Tojolabal languages. This is a taped interview.

Monday, April 16th

PROGRAM # 2834 - 12:00 PDT
HEALTH EDITION - IBS. Dr. Elmer Huerta, a regular contributor, joins this edition to discuss the disease Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Following only common cold, IBS is the second leading cause of work absenteeism. Yet, few patients with IBS report their symptoms to their doctors. This program airs in conjunction with activities for April, IBS Awareness Month.

Guest: Dr. Elmer Huerta, Director of the Cancer Risk Assessment and Screening Center of the Washington Hospital Center at the Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, www.prevencion.org

PROGRAM # 2835 - 13:00 PDT
PAINTER ALFREDO ARREGUIN. Michoacan-born painter Alfredo Arreguín, a long-time resident of Seattle, talks about the ideas and inspiration driving his decades-long painting work. Arreguín's paintings frequently reflect images of jaguars, monkeys, snakes, toucans and other jungle life, in a style that reminds some of Pre-Columbian murals, Pacific Northwest drawings and Moorish tiles. Arreguín's work has been recognized by the Smithsonian Institution and many U.S. art institutions.

Guest: Alfredo Arreguín, jsbchorales.net/arreguin/resume.html

Tuesday, April 17th

PROGRAM # 2836 - 12:00 PDT
"FRONTERA LIBRE" (OPEN BORDER) EDITION - BRACEROS. Radio Bilingüe in the U.S. and Sistema Jalisciense de Radio y Televisión in Guadalajara, México, join broadcasts to interconnect live U.S. audiences with listeners in Mexico's migrant home states. This week, hosts on both Jalisco and California talk about "nervios," the anxiety and depression afflicting the wives of those who migrate north. Mexico's health system in the migrant heartlands is ill-prepared to treat rural families' mood disorders, according to researchers.

PROGRAM # 2837 - 13:00 PDT
BUDGET DEBATE. President Bush released the details of his budget for next fiscal year. The proposed budget increases spending in defense, education and health, while offering significant tax cuts. This program also discusses the Bush administration's support for Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security.

Invited guests: Hispanic Congressional Caucus representatives.

Wednesday, April 18th

PROGRAM # 2838 - 12:00 NOON PDT
TEACHERS RECRUITMENT. Teacher shortages in subjects hard-to-staff such as math, science and foreign languages are forcing urban school districts to recruit abroad. Also, California is launching an unprecedented effort, opening six regional centers to contract teachers and to encourage future educators.

Guests: Dr, Gumersindo Salas, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, Washington, DC; Lucy Aguilar, Centro para la Contratacion de Maestros, LAUSD; Alberto Ramirez, District Intern Program, LAUSD.

PROGRAM # 2839 - 13:00 PDT
CINCINATTI IN FLAMES. Cincinatti restored order after days of rioting by African-American residents, state of emergency, curfew and more than 800 arrests. The riots began after a police officer shot to death an unarmed African-American youngster. Correspondent Patricia Ramos files an interview with Cincinatti's community leader Julieta Sam and a recording of Mayor Charles Luken during the funeral of the slain Timothy Thomas. Listeners share opinions on racial profiling.

Thursday, April 19th

PROGRAM # 2840 - 12:00 NOON PDT
PUERTO RICO EDITION - WRTU - Radio Universidad de Puerto Rico brings interviews and commentary on news developments in the Caribbean basin.

HOST: Wanda Colon-Cortez.

PROGRAM # 2841 - 13:00 PDT
MEXICO EDITION. Francisco "Paco" Huerta, a veteran radio journalist and civic journalism foremost advocate, is the program host. He offers this weekly, tape-delayed edition of the series "Voz Pública," a call-in program airing from Mexico City.

HOST: Francisco Huerta, www.vozpublica.com

Friday, April 20th

PROGRAM # 2842 - 12:00 PDT
THE SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS. Leaders of the nations around the continent meet in Quebec. This is the third summit where leaders of 34 nations discuss issues such as strengthening democracy and economic integration. Also, activists of grassroots organizations hold a parallel Summit of the Peoples urging governments to deal with issues of social justice.

Guest: Enzo Moreno, news correspondent, Toronto, Canada

MAQUILADORAS. A recent report by the U.S. National Administrative Office, an official watchdog agency for NAFTA's labor rights protections, finds ground in workers allegations of chemical exposure and injuries from poor ergonomic conditions. It also reports that the Mexican government is failing in ensuring that employers protect workers' health and safety. The complaint was filed by workers from auto parts factories in Tamaulipas and could lead to economic sanctions against the Mexican government.

Invited guest: Martha Ojeda, Coalition for Justice in the Maquiladoras.

PROGRAM # 2843 - 13:00 PDT
IMMIGRATION EDITION. Ten days before the deadline of section 245i, Attorney Carlos Spector-Calderon gives details on this immigration benefit that allows certain immigrants to apply for residence in the U.S., instead of abroad.

Monday, April 23rd

PROGRAM # 2844 - 12:00 PDT
HEALTH EDITION - MENTAL HEALTH. Dr. Ana Nogales, a renown psychotherapist from Los Angeles, discusses common emotional disorders and answers listeners' questions about mental health concerns.

PROGRAM # 2845 - 13:00 PDT
QUAKE PREPAREDNESS. Recent earthquakes in El Salvador and India are helping California officials to stress the need to prepare for quake emergencies. April is official Earthquake Preparedness Month in California. During this month, hundreds of agencies and organizations will promote quake safety awareness, including understanding seismic risk, being aware of the location of the faults, and taking measures such as securing furniture and other hazards and conducting drill sessions.

Guests: Bobbie Walton, California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, Southern Region, San Diego, CA, http://www.oes.ca.gov; Dr. Roberto Anima, geologist, U.S. Geological Survey.

Tuesday, April 24th

PROGRAM # 2846 - 12:00 PDT
"FRONTERA LIBRE" (OPEN BORDER) EDITION - BRACEROS. Radio Bilingue in the U.S. and Sistema Jalisciense de Radio y Television in Guadalajara, Mexico, join broadcasts to interconnect live U.S. audiences with listeners in Mexico's migrant home states. This week, hosts in both Jalisco and California discuss the creation of a multi-party congressional commission to inquire about a savings fund owed to Mexican Bracero workers who work U.S. agricultural fields and railroads during World War II.

Guests: Congressman Sergio Acosta (PRD), leader of the Special Commission to Follow Up on the Funds Contributed by Bracero Workers, Mexico's Congress; former Congressman Gilberto Parra, migrant advocate, Guadalajara, Jalisco.

PROGRAM # 2847 - 13:00 PDT
CONGRESSMAN SILVESTRE REYES. This is a taped conversation with Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-El Paso, TX), chair of the U.S. Hispanic Congressional Caucus. Issues include President Bush's plan to cut tax revenue in $1.6 trillion, the efforts to pass a new guest worker program and Bush's proposal to split the INS in two agencies.

Wednesday, April 25th

PROGRAM # 2848 - 12:00 NOON PDT
GENERAL GALLARDO: PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE. Jose Gallardo, one of the youngest military officers to hold a rank of Brigadier General in Mexico, has been imprisoned in Mexico for seven years after calling for the creation of a human rights advocate or ombudsman position within the Mexican armed forces. Amnesty International considers General Gallardo a prisoner of conscience and urges Mexican authorities to release him and investigate threats against him and his family. Francisco Gallardo, General Gallardo's son, visits the U.S. this week to find support for his father's unconditional release.

Guests: General Jose Gallardo, Campo Militar Numero Uno Prison, Mexico City; Francisco Gallardo, son of General Gallardo, Washington, DC, http://amnestyusa.org/action/special/jose.html

PROGRAM # 2849 - 13:00 PDT
BORDER PATROL ROUND-UP. Recently, 39 migrant Indians from Oaxaca were rounded up, arrested and deported in Salinas, CA, after complaints from neighbors who expressed concerns about migrant men harassing local teen girls. Immigrant advocates called the INS raid a racist attack on indigenous people.

Guests: Tony Acosta, Citizenship Project, Salinas; also, a representative from San Francisco's Regional Office of INS.

Thursday, April 26th

PROGRAM # 2850 - 12:00 NOON PDT
PUERTO RICO EDITION. WRTU - Radio Universidad de Puerto Rico brings interviews and commentary on news developments in the Caribbean basin.

HOST: Wanda Colon-Cortez.

PROGRAM # 2851 - 13:00 PDT
MEXICO EDITION. Francisco "Paco" Huerta, a veteran radio journalist and civic journalism's foremost advocate, is the program host. He offers this weekly, tape-delayed edition of the series "Voz Publica," a call-in program airing from Mexico City.

HOST: Francisco Huerta, www.vozpublica.com

Friday, April 27th

PROGRAM # 2852 - 12:00 PDT
IMMIGRATION EDITION. Three days before the deadline of section 245i, Attorney Carlos Spector-Calderon gives details on this immigration benefit, which allows certain immigrants to apply for residence in the U.S., instead of processing their visas abroad. Applicants must be beneficiaries of an immigrant visa petition or an application for labor certification.

PROGRAM # 2853 - 13:00 PDT
DRIVING LICENSES FOR THE UNDOCUMENTED. In North Carolina, Mexican workers who transfer funds to their families in Mexico using plastic cards will be able to use the same cards as proof of identification when applying for driver's licenses. In Tennessee, a bill would allow residents with no Social Security numbers to apply for driver's licenses, if they show proof of legal stay and of inability to get a Social Security number. Latino groups want licenses for anyone who passes the driving exam and who shows a taxpayer identification number.

Guests: Patrick Brown, Vice president, Telecom USA, Charlotte, NC; Edgardo Auvert, LULAC, Memphis, TN; Nativo Lopez, co-director, Hermandad Mexicana Nacional, Santa Ana, CA.

Monday, April 30th

PROGRAM # 2854 - 12:00 PDT
HEALTH EDITION - ALCOHOLISM. Dr. Elmer Huerta, a regular contributor, joins this edition to discuss substance abuse, an issue described as the nation's number-one health problem. Alcohol is the most commonly used drug among young people. Widespread binge drinking among college students has been called the most serious public health problem in college campuses. This program discusses the marketing of beer and liquor to minors.

Guest: Dr. Elmer Huerta, Director of the Cancer Risk Assessment and Screening Center of the Washington Hospital Center at the Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, www.prevencion.org. The publication "Substance Abuse: The Nation's Number One Health Problem," is available on www.rwjfliterature.org/chartbook/chartbook.htm

PROGRAM # 2855 - 13:00 PDT
THE HOT EMPIRE OF CHILE. Journalist Kent Ian Paterson, a resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, examines the culture of chile, a New Mexican staple. In his book "The Hot Empire of Chile," Paterson looks into the history of the chile plant and explores topics such as the salsa wars, migrant labor, chile breeding, pesticides on chile crops, and the chile agribusiness.

Guests: Kent Ian Paterson, radio journalist, Albuquerque, NM; Carlos Marentes, Union de Trabajadores Agricolas Fronterizos, El Paso, TX; David Holguin, chile grower, Garfield, NM.

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