The Crunching of Teeth

In June 5, 2009 a fire that spread to a day-care centre (Guardería ABC) in Hermosillo, Sonora resulted in the death of 49 toddlers and infants. More than 70 other children and 6 adults were injured. The fire was first ruled as an accident because of a malfunctioning air conditioning system in the tire warehouse next door, where it started and spread. No injuries or deaths were reported from this place, as it was empty at the time of the events.

After an exhaustive assessment led by the president of Associated Fire Consultants, however, the blaze was determined to be intentional. The only person arrested, Delia Irene Botello Amante, was released in January 1st of this year with the excuse of not enough evidence. She was arrested in June 2011.

The June 5th Citizen's Movement for Justice, commonly referred to as the ABC Parents' Movement, formed shortly after the tragedy. They are still looking for answers and for justice to be served; at the same time, they are trying to pass a general law for regulating safety in day-care centres called the June 5th Law.

A close friend of one of my family members was the psychologist in charge of helping parents identify the bodies of their children. Five years later, she decided to share what she lived that day. They e-mailed the story to me; but you can find it published here (in Spanish).

It's a very long, graphic, and sad story. It's every parents' worst nightmare.

On Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is the brown version of St. Patrick's Day in the United States. At the very least, that's how it's treated nowadays anyway.

In Mexico it's not the Big Deal it is for Mexican Americans and Mexicans abroad. While it does commemorate the surprising victory of unprepared Mexican defence against invading French troops, it also boosted morale across the border: Mexican communities the other side of the border made it a holiday that celebrated democracy and freedom during the early years of the Civil War.

The celebration of cultural heritage alone should automatically make this an important date. Unfortunately, and as has been the case throughout history, POC and minorities can't have anything for themselves without white people taking and pissing all over it. Instead of uniting communities through education about their heritage, you have ... things like this. And this. And also this.

Why We're Affected by Secondary Telecommunication Laws

The following is translated from Christian Coquet's Té de Tecno, a Mexican blog about technology "in service of the Geek community". It's been nearly two weeks after it was first posted so I'm glad to add it hasn't come to pass - yet.

You can find the original text, in Spanish, here.

Many things are lost in translation. Feel free to point out any mistakes I might've made. Thanks!