Movie Review: Traffic (2000)

In what many film critics exalted was the best film of 2000, “Traffic” is a cinematically dazzling film that takes a look at the U.S. government’s war on drugs, from a realistic and gritty perspective.

Director Steven Soderbergh (“Erin Brockovich,” “Ocean’s Eleven”) takes a revealing approach by illustrating the world of drugs through the human experiences of different characters.

Javier Rodriguez (Benicio Del Toro) is a Mexican policeman constantly contemplating whether or not to become part of the well-known corruption that surrounds him. Del Toro's character is pivotal to the film because he accurately portrays life along the Mexico border.

For example, there is a scene where Del Toro is eating and carefully pours some authentic Mexican salsa on his tacos. The salsa does not come from a packet that is available in most Mexican fast food restaurants. Del Toro's home is also inconveniently small, illustrating the frustration and struggle of living in Mexico.

The overall appearance of Del Toro's character makes him undeniably believable. He wears jeans, cowboy boots, and sunglasses, portraying a man who works in Mexico, but has clearly clearly been exposed to American culture.

In other words, Del Toro is gradually leaving behind his Mexican roots because of his involvement with the American government.

Ray Castro (Luis Guzmán) and Montel Gordon (Don Cheadle) are two DEA agents trying desperately to make a middle-man drug dealer give up information regarding his cartel boss. They make a great team because they show the complexities of actually getting a well-known criminal convicted.

Robert Wakefield (Michael Douglas) is the newly appointed drug czar for the United States, and he is told specifically to make a difference.

At the beginning of the film, Douglas’ self-confidence is soaring, but as he familiarizes himself with the important elements of the drug trade, he realizes he has bitten off more than he can chew.

Seth Abrahms (Topher Grace), a high school student, reveals the complexity of the drug trade by explaining how narcotics continue to flourish in African-American communities.

Soderbergh does an exceptional job of telling a controversial story, and surprisingly does not allow the film to become a lecture on drug use.

The film is not afraid to show uncomfortable or graphic scenes, which gives the story more credibility. Soderbergh filmed nearly every scene with a hand-held camera, according to the Internet Movie Database, giving each location a personal and intimate feel.

With the heavy yellow look, Traffic makes the border appear much larger, and gives an overwhelming feeling of uncertainty. The border is completely unpredictable and I think this film does a successful job in illustrating a place so close, yet so far.

Traffic was groundbreaking for all filmmakers, because it discusses a controversial issue the entire world is familiar with. The film is important because it provides a realistic interpretation of what the drug world is all about: corruption.

With drug trafficking remaining a frequent and dangerous problem along the border, it became a central plot element in the film.

There is a scene where Michael Douglas is inspecting a sedan for narcotics, and Border Patrol agents reveal to him the unique spots in automobiles where drugs are hidden the most frequently. Douglas appears shocked and bewildered when he realizes people will stop at nothing to transport illegal drugs.

This movie will remain groundbreaking because it took a risk and shed light on a dark subject: drug trafficking and the U.S./Mexico Border.

It is well-known the border has been plagued by continual drug smuggling, but if we are to make any progress concerning immigration reform, we must begin with educating the students in our communities.

Traffic is a dark film with graphic drug use, but it has enough substance and intellectual content to be used as a tool for learning.

Sources:

http://www.imdb.com/

http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml

Bush: Pushing For Secure Border

President George Bush visited the southern Arizona border region on Monday and insists the U.S. Border Patrol is making significant progress towards securing the U.S./Mexico Border.

Bush visited Arizona last year and felt Border Patrol was not doing enough to control border activity. Now, slowing illegal traffic has been made more practical with new fences, vehicle barriers, and a staggering increase of Border Agents. More than 400 people came to listen to Bush's comprehensive immigration change speech in Yuma, and the President made it clear that he truly believed our Border Patrol strategy is on the right track.

Bush said: "This border is more secure, and America is safer as a result." He also went on to say, "Securing the border is a critical part of a strategy for comprehensive immigration reform."

However, Bush did not simply praise the work the Border Patrol had done, he carefully outlined his general immigration security plan. The plan includes a temporary-worker program, consequences for employers who hire illegal immigrants, and a path for immigrants where they can become legal citizens.

The temporary-worker program is essentially needed specifically for the economic elements relating to illegal immigration. Many people feel that illegal immigrants are taking the jobs Americans do not want/are not doing.

This program could be extremely beneficial for Border Patrol, because they can direct more of their attention towards drug dealers, criminals and terrorists, and worry less about honest people trying to find legal work.

Lighting the border has also become a significant issue Border Patrol has been dealing with on a consistent basis. It is hard to catch many illegal immigrants because the action primarily takes place during the night.

Immigrants try to use the darkness to their advantage and hopefully sneak by Border Patrol post and cameras. However, Border Patrol has recently added a half-mile of football stadium style lights making it nearly impossible to avoid/dodge Border Patrol.

Even though Bush and Border Patrol feel they are making progress via significant changes, many locals feel more border security will slowly tear families apart.

According to Border Action Network, "with Bush's proposal, entire categories of family visas would be eliminated." Family unity is a key component for all immigration policy, and Bush seems to think otherwise. "Without prioritizing family unity, the Bush proposal will fail," according to Border Action Network's website.

Sources:

http://www.cnn.com/

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/369292

http://www.borderaction.org/news2.php?articleID=88

St. Andrews Children's Clinic

On Thursday, a small group of University of Arizona journalism students took a trip to the St. Andrews Children's Clinic, 969 Country Club Nogales, AZ, with the goal of shedding light on gradually developing miracles.

The Children's clinic could not be made possible without the help and desire of hundreds of volunteers, coming from all areas of Arizona. For example, a group of physicians from Phoenix came down to the clinic to volunteer for a day on their day off. It just shows the commitment of each volunteer/individual.

The St. Andrews Clinic is a non-profit organization that strictly relies on the community for support and overall success. Money that is continually donated goes directly towards the efforts of providing disabled children with proper medical care.

According to the Clinic's website, there are three primary elements making the clinic work. Volunteers, donations, and love are absolutely vital for success. The clinic takes children ranging from 1-18 years old who have proven medical problems.

The first Thursday of each month, the St. Andrews church is quickly transformed into an operating children's clinic. Because the clinic receives no help from the state of government, most of the medical care is organized via folders, and not computers, which can be a severe organizational factor.

The clinic has separate areas/rooms for each medical specialty. For example, orthopedics are in the day care center, pediatrics in the hallways, and audiology in the outdoors trailer.

Families spend hours and lots of their own money to make the journey to the clinic in Nogales. Therefore, the clinic provides some transportation when helping poor families go back home.

For a majority of impoverished families, this trip to the clinic means everything. They cannot afford regular medical care, and therefore this children's clinic is providing miracles, literally. Kids are given the opportunity to see a specialist, and gain an educated perspective on what can be done to improve their current situation.

It was an experience in itself to take the trip to the clinic. I have never seen so many people willing to help others, especially when they know their job is an unpaid position. These people are involved in something that will carry on forever. Kids will be able to overcome their medical disabilities because of the unselfishness and compassion of the volunteers. Improving the quality of life often has no price tag.

Sources:

http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml

http://www.standrewsclinic.org/

Immigration Reform Campaign Launch

On Tuesday, April 10, Border Action Network is recognizing the day as a National Day of Action for immigration reform. April 10 will mark the one year anniversary of southern Arizona's largest march in supporting immediate reformation on current border policies. Border Action Network is calling the day a "community meeting for immigration reform," according to their website.

The House of Representatives recently introduced the STRIVE Act, which gives a path to citizenship for the undocumented worker in the United States. The program was constructed to help illegal immigrants find work, but it is also asking for an increase in military along the border. Adding more military force will only increase the criminalization of innocent immigrants. People will be more frequently persecuted and charged with crimes they are unaware of.

Border Action Network strongly feels border and immigrant communities, like Tucson, need to send a message to Congress stating that immigration reform must include a legal path to permanent residency. This way, families will not be broken, and employment applications will not become lost in, and everyone will be accounted for.

People all representing their school, church, or union, in an effort to stress the importance of immediate immigration reform. Border Action Network will recognize a group of 20 people or more as a group with immigration concerns.

Border Action Network will also begin a local campaign of sending 10,000 postcards in a three month time period to Senators supporting the state of Arizona. These postcards are primarily sent urging the Senators to support immigration and border policy reform.

The Presidential campaigns are just around the corner, and therefore now is the ideal time to send a message to Congress and make your voice heard. Raising awareness of border and immigration reform is one important step in achieving policy change on a global scale.

Sources:

Border Action Network (http://www.borderaction.org/index.php)

SXC (http://www.sxc.hu/index.phtml)

Border Patrol Caught on Video

Border Patrol is responsible for ultimately keeping the border safe, but they have also been the center of illegal activity.

According to the Arizona Daily Star, a former U.S. Border Patrol Agent was found guilty of stealing approximately 23 pounds of marijuana during a routine traffic stop. The Arizona Department of Public Safety conducted the traffic stop and was able to arrest the untrustworthy Border Agent.

Michael Carlos Gonzalez, 34, was found guilty of possession and also charged with the intent to distribute the marijuana. According to the Jesus Rodriquez, spokesman for the U.S. Border Patrol Tuscon sector, said Gonzalez resigned from the agency after being arrested.

The incident originally started in December of 2005, when a pickup truck was stopped on Arizona 83. The two men in the truck were pulled over, but immediately ran into the desert. The men left pounds of marijuana hidden in the bed of the truck.

Gonzalez took the call, arrived at the scene in his Border Patrol uniform, and took the responsibility of watching the marijuana, to ensure no one would tamper with evidence.

A camera in the back of the officer's patrol car clearly showed Gonzalez backing his car to the front of the pickup truck. He is shown opening the tailgate of the truck and taking a bundle of marijuana. Border Patrol did not realize Gonzalez had committed any crime until the videotape was released. According to reports, the missing bundle of marijuana was never recovered.

The U.S. Border Patrol needs to realize they are representing the United States on a global scale. We need to take pride in protecting our borders and ensuring our government does not have corrupted or deceiving employees. There is no possible way of successfully managing the border when our own agents are taking part in drug distribution. Border residents look to Border Agents for protection, and yet some of them have entirely different agendas.

Without the videotape, Gonzalez would be a free man who had used the governmental system to pleasure his own lifestyle. In the future, consequences for this type of internal crime must be elevated. The United States government needs to send a message showing that we will not tolerate criminal behavior, especially when it involves one of our own.

Sources:

Arizona Daily Star (http://www.azstarnet.com/)

SXC (http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml)

Proposition 300

Proposition 300 is a controversial referendum that was passed in November of last year, and many local citizens feel the proposition is just and fair.

In a nutshell, the proposition says that university students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or who do not have legal immigration paperwork, are not eligible for in-state tuition or financial aid.

According to the University of Arizona's website, If you do not receive in-state tuition status, and do not receive financial aid funded by the state of Arizona, then you are not affected by the proposition. If you receive in-state tuition status, or receive financial aid supported by the state of Arizona, then you are affected by proposition 300.

There are primary forms of documentation that the University of Arizona will accept as evidence of citizenship and permanent residency. Documents include Arizona driver's license (issued after 1996), U.S. passport (current or expired), birth certificate, or military I.D. Secondary forms of documentation include social security card, selective service card, credit card, or bank card.

Many people oppose the proposition because they feel it is preventing immigration reform. People want to see the entire immigration situation improved, and preventing students from learning seems like were taking steps backwards. Also, some argue that we are not finding unique academic potential, by denying kids the opportunity to learn in the United States. In other words, kids that are considered illegal, may have potential that will remain unrecognized.

The entire proposition appears mean spirited, but maybe it will create an environment in which obtaining proper documentation is the number one priority.

Sources:

Arizona Daily Star (http://www.azstarnet.com/)

University of Arizona (http://www.arizona.edu/)

SXC (http://www.sxc.hu/home)

Increase in Special Training May Be Necessary

With the increasing amount of drug busts taking place along the border by authorities, an overall increase in special training enforcement may be necessary.

For example, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano has recently decided to send some Department of Public Safety Officers to special training classes, in an effort to strictly enforce immigration laws and make the border safer.

According to The Arizona Daily Star, there will be approximately 100 people out of 1,200 receiving the special training.

The special training class lasts five weeks and is primarily teaches officers to immediately recognize is someone is violating an immigration law. If the officers manage to arrest any illegal immigrants, they have the power to deport them, according to the Arizona Daily Star.

The Governor wanted to make it clear that this special training is not, in any way, intended to scare or intimidate any immigrants thinking about coming to the United States. We welcome any individual who is seeking employment and has legal documentation.

The officers who pass the five week class will be immediately working on cases dealing with illegal immigration. According to the Arizona Daily Star, the officers will be targeting smuggling rings, money laundering and gang-related activity.

Officers already has the authority of enforcing immigration law, these special classes gives them the right to arrest if they come across illegal activity along the border. This plan will hopefully implement a structured environment in a chaotic setting.

It's important to make the border a place of salvation and re-birth, rather than a haven for violence and continual crime.

Sources:

*Arizona Daily Star (http://www.azstarnet.com/)

*SXC (http://www.sxc.hu/index.phtml)

Raising Awareness

In an effort to raise communal awareness, Border Action Network, a local organization dedicated to protecting human and civil rights along the Arizona/Mexico border, is planning a trip to Washington, D.C., to present their ideas, demands, proposals, and also concerns to members of Congress.

According to Border Action Network's website, hundreds of immigrants from border region, along with several interior communities will meet in Washington. One of the primary concerns is the immediacy to establish a legalized program with access to permanent residency for immigrant workers and families already in the United States. They also want Congress to strongly consider implementing a new program that allows immigrant workers to come to the U.S. legally, and without violence.

In order for massive immigration reform, we need to fully develop programs that allow immigrants to participate in the social and political life of the U.S. It is important that immigrants feel welcome, and is it the responsibility of Congress to ensure they remain fearless when crossing the border.

Another issue is to protect the labor rights of immigrant workers. Many illegal immigrants are able to find work, but because they are not considered legal workers, their labor rights are frequently stripped from them. They have no other source of income, and therefore money remains the objective, no matter the harsh or violent treatment.

Border Action Network would generally like to see an entire revision of current border policies. According to Border Action Network, the policies should be designed to protect the rights of immigrants, and not strictly for enforcement purposes.

In an effort to raise money for the Washington D.C. trip, Border Action Network members are currently working diligently by organizing car washes, selling local concert tickets, and taking orders for home-made tamales. Let's hope they can raise enough money, and take their localized opinions to Congress.

*Border Action Network: http://www.borderaction.org/index.php

*Pictures taken from: http://www.sxc.hu/home

Border Unsafe for Children

With more and more people attempting to cross the Arizona/Mexico border, the lives of children are put at risk on a daily basis. Smuggling drugs and illegal immigrants are common along the border and can spark violence that is absolutely inappropriate for young children.

On Thursday, a man was stopped and arrested at the Nogales port of entry for attempting to bring 2,700 pounds of marijuana into the United States, according to the Arizona Daily Star. This type of incident happens daily, if not hourly along the border, and therefore we must implement a plan to protect the lives of small children traveling with their families. Often, kids become involuntarily become part of the violence. For example, smugglers often kidnap children, in an effort to either regain their lost drugs, or trade for something else.

Recently, President George Bush and Homeland Security have established rules which allow children to be excluded from the new passport regulations. Children ages 15 or younger, with parent consent, will be allowed to enter the United States with copies of their birth certificates. This is a well-organized plan, because or government is thinking about the futures of these children.

Children will simply be able to cross the border with less risk, and will eventually perceive the border has a place for protection, not exploitation. The rule was originally proposed to help sports teams cross the border. In the past, teams were missing games because of the lengthy document checks at the border.

This is an important step for Homeland Security because it shows that children, for once, are the number one priority at this point. Kids often become victims of dehydration and starvation, which are clear signs of the border being a dangerous area.

To eliminate or reduce the number of child deaths, we need to make sure the border is recognized as area of refuge, not a place for exploitation. The futures of these children are extremely critical, because they are the ones who will have a lasting effect on modern society. It is our duty as a government to ensure that every child is given the appropriate opportunity to learn and succeed. The border should not blur academic aspiration, it is what our constitution is structured around.

All information taken from:

*http://www.sxc.hu/home (photos)

*http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/170543.php (statistics)

Mexican Drug Gangs

Even though authorities have heavily cracked down on drug trafficking along the border, Mexican drug gangs have still remained prevalent and an ongoing problem for federal troops. It is extremely difficult to eliminate all of the gangs in some areas, because drug dealers have gradually replaced local government authority.

According to the Arizona Daily Star, President Felipe Calderon has sent 24,000 troops and federal police into Mexico. They are focusing primarily on Tijuana and Acapulco, in an effort to impede some of the success these drug cartels have had. Drug trafficking was responsible for more than 2,000 killings along the border last year, according to the statistics in the Arizona Daily Star.

In an article published by the Associated Press, Campa said, "The first objective of the military operations is to regain national territory." Campa also stressed the immediate importance of working together with federal, state and local officials.

Later this year, federal officials are planning to create a vehicle registration program that would place Mexican cars with computer chips that can be scanned and located. The chips would also provide valuable information, such as the vehicle's history and also previous owners. The system is primarily targeted at the increasing number of auto-thefts along the border.

This computer chip plan seems like a good idea, but the technology can be easily forged or manipulated. In other words, gangs will most likely catch on, figure out a way to get passed the chips, and continue to move illegal drugs.

This crackdown on Mexican gangs will greatly benefit everyone, and hopefully make the border a safer place. Mexico's lack of control and well-known corruption will slowly become a major problem for the United States. More importantly, our own counties in southern Tucson would feel unsafe because of the proximity to the border.

It is dangerous to send troops to the border, but at this point, the sooner the better these Mexican gangs are put in jail. Hopefully, with time, the lives of these people living on the border will drastically improve because authorities will regain control of the border.

All information taken from:

*http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/169489.php

*http://www.sxc.hu/index.phtml

Crack Down on Immigration Crimes

According to the Arizona Daily Star, the Arizona Department of Public Safety has recently formed a new task force to help law enforcement agencies along the border. The task force will primarily focus on dismantling organized gang activity and also the smuggling of illegal narcotics. The project is called the "Arizona Border Strike Force," and Governor Janet Napolitano plans to put the project into action immediately.

This special task force has most recently become a popular topic because of the consistent crimes surrounding the border. For example, on February 7, U.S. Border Patrol agents seized 2,500 pounds of Marijuana in the Sierra Vista area. Agents were able to follow a 2006 Ford F-250 into the town of Whetstone, where the driver, a Mexican illegal immigrant, left the truck and tried to escape. The man was eventually caught and police found 1,374 pounds of marijuana in the Ford pick-up truck.

The second arrest occurred when Border Patrol agents spotted a 2005 Dodge Ram in Sierra Vista. The driver of the Dodge fled from Border Patrol but was later caught with the help of a Customs and Border Protection helicopter (http://www.cbp.gov/). Agents were able to recover 1,099 pounds of marijuana, and the drugs were later turned over the Drug Enforcement Agency (http://www.dea.gov/).

Another incident occurred on February 8, when three drug smugglers attempted to transport their drug loads past Border Patrol agents. The unique part about this particular bust, is the fact that the smugglers were all on horseback. According to reports, around 5:45 a.m., 10 miles east of Nogales, a camera spotted three horses, strapped with what appeared to be luggage. The men on horseback fled back into Mexico, and therefore none of the riders were arrested. But, agents recovered 529 pounds of marijuana. Smuggling drugs on horseback isn't new to the Border Patrol.

Horses are often used because they are faster than humans, make less noise, and also have the ability to cross rough terrain, such a desert plain or a range of mountains. According to the Arizona Daily Star, "From Oct. 1 through Jan. 31, agents seized 299,154 pounds of marijuana, more than 2,400 pounds a day. The totals represent a 31 percent increase from the same period in fiscal year 2006, when the amount of marijuana seized shattered previous records."

All information taken from:

*http://www.azstarnet.com/

*http://www.sxc.hu/index.phtml

Health Risks

Health issues along the border are becoming a serious problem with the steady increase in population and lack of medical resources. The U.S./Mexico border desperately needs some leadership, especially in the field of health care. Authorities on the border are far more concerned with legalizing the situation, rather than helping the people in need. Our government must create and implement a disease prevention program in the border area. With a coordinated system, we could then use advanced technology to gather health-related data and consistently monitor health problems, or common patterns.

Authorities must properly research and identify the health risks fairly quickly, so we can stop the pattern as soon as possible. If we could monitor health problems on the border, we could save lives. Technology can be fairly expensive, but if public and private entities came together, a sufficient disease prevention plan could be a reality. The purpose of the system would clearly be resolving health problems, but the long-term goal would be preventing them altogether.

The lack of resources on the border is consistently a problem residents and immigrants must deal with. For example, there is barely enough drinkable water, which makes people more vulnerable to becoming sick. There is constantly a need for more health professionals that have the ability to monitor health activities along the border. In general, people feel unsafe at the border because of the overwhelming lack or resources and the brutal abuse by authorities.

Another health concern is diseases being carried and transmitted by people who are unaware they have the disease, and then crossing over to the United States. Now, the disease is not contained, and if airborne, thousands of people could potentially be in danger. It is imperative to keep the diseases contained, preventing the spread of deadly bacteria. With the inconsistent treatment along the border, the spread of disease remains a very serious issue. According to "America's Program" website, Hepatitis A, B, and C, measles, and mumps also occur more frequently along the border than in many other regions. We must act now and try to save life.

Links:

*Center for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/)

*Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/)

*Healthful Life Project (http://healthfullife.umdnj.edu/)

Improve Drinking Water and Environment

The U.S.-Mexico Border region has recently become difficult to manage due to the overall increase in population. One of the most important goals we need to establish is drastically improving the inadequate drinking water on the border. Border residents are frequently vulnerable to hepatitis A and other diseases that can be contracted through water. If there is a problem concerning the water systems, we need to address them immediately. Access to safe drinking water is an absolute necessity for border residents and also for immigrants trying to to cross. With the increase in the number of homes along the border, domestic water must be free of waste, otherwise disease will spread and health risks will increase. Water standards must be followed and waste must be eliminated. To treat the waste water, we must come up with a plan to build a solid infrastructure that will eventually succeed, making safe drinking water no longer a problem. With the help of regional work groups, we can improve water quality through volunteer assistance, by providing purified drinking water, no matter the weather. Task forces must be assembled to focus primarily on ensuring people have water at all times, and no one dies of heat exhaustion or dehydration. Research must be conducted to give us a better understanding of how many people are drinking contaminated water, and also how many people have recently died of disease along the border.

Pollution is another element that continues to plague border residents, and is also slowly destroying valuable agriculture. Harmful toxic chemicals are contaminating crops and making the environment unsafe and unhealthy for the the entire community. Agricultural pesticide residues are a commonly dangerous problem residents must cope with on a daily basis. The sudden increase of trade on the border has created an active market, which also requires heavy pesticide usage. The demand for agriculture has prompted farmers to plant more seeds, and therefore more pesticide is needed. However, this increase in pesticide is extremely hazardous to residents, especially children. Kids from all ages are being exposed to chemicals that should never enter their lungs. It is a high priority issue that needs to addressed as soon as possible. Hazardous waste is another problem that continues to make the border unsuitable for children. In some areas along the border, people are told not to go too far from their homes because of the airborne toxins. Children cannot even go outdoors because the environment is polluted.

It is important to protect the border residents and also protect their privacy. There have been several reports of immigrants coming into the backyards of residents, and drinking their clean water. This would not be a frequent problem if we could restructure the water system, allowing purified water to become more available. Having a clean water system is a necessity for any modern society, and the surrounding border communities are no different. As mentioned above, water task force teams would greatly improve the current border situation and take some pressure off of Border Patrol (http://www.cbp.gov/).

If we are going to make any significant progress, the United States government needs to establish healthy and working relationships with organizations that truly care about cleaning up the border. By contacting financially responsible institutions, the community can work together and cooperate with an organization in an effort to successfully construct a sustainable water system. If the system is successful, the border residents will be satisfied, and sanitation will no longer be an issue.

Immigrants are Frequently Mistreated by Authority

The U.S./Mexico border is an area where immigrants seek opportunity, but recently, Border Patrol and other local authorities have been abusing their power. The border enforcement policies that exist today need to be re-evaluated to better fit the needs of these immigrants. Fundamental human and civil rights have been frequently violated, and we need to drastically improve the border situation. Firstly, the local police should organize a task force dedicated to helping immigrants who are in need. For example, many innocent people become victims of heat exhaustion, and sometimes take their last breathe in the middle of the desert. This is unacceptable. We need to supply dehydrated people with water as quickly as possible. It does not matter where the people may reside, but it IS important to save life. Secondly, people need to become more aware of the cruelty and violence that takes place on the border. Essentially, we need to expose the mistreatment and educate our communities about human and civil rights. Many people have no idea that innocent people are being stripped of their human rights on a daily basis. This clearly needs to stop, and our communities can lead the way. In December of 2006, Border Action Network (http://www.borderaction.org/) released a preliminary report on the status of human rights and civil rights on the Arizona-Mexico border. In the report, they list possible types of abuses committed. Such as, psychological/verbal abuse, physical abuse, and deprivation of basic necessities. But, the type of abuse that puts the reality of the situation into perspective is torture. There have been approximately thirteen documented cases of torture that have occurred along the border, according to the preliminary report. Torture is something that cannot be tolerated, and is absolutely unethical. These people are trying to start a new life for themselves, and deserve proper treatment, from ALL authorities. It is our responsibility as members of the Tucson community to do our part in improving the conditions along the border.