Activist to the Bone!

     Bloggers, a long time ago when I was first starting Public School back in 1957, the school classified me Special Education and I didn't even know what that was about and didn't care. Much later upon entering the University here in San Marcos, Texas one of my Junior year professor's advised me to drop out of school because I was not college material. He told me this... as I was making my first day at class. I looked at him and went and sat down in the back of room and ignored him. However, I already had a big chip on my shoulder and I didn't care what anybody said about me because I was very happy in my own skin and with who I am. All I wanted from the University was the credentials to become a criminal Lawyer and set off to making money defending criminals; and like being a Doctor, I knew that there will never be any shortage of sick people, or criminals. But, because I was a practicing criminal, I didn't graduate. However, I did learn a lot at the University because I found out that this setting was no different than any other segment of society because it was at the University that I met some big time drug dealers who were students. And I found out how some professors were taking advantage of pretty young girls students who were not quiet making the passing grade and these professors demanded sex in return for passing grade. Also, young sorority girls would prostitute themselves at their sorority house for money. Further, both sorority and fraternity young students would steal answer sheets from professors offices to make the passing grade. Some young girls wouldn't care and just look at the other students answers while we were taking test and the teacher wouldn't be looking. And I was approached by beautiful blonde girls and they wanted to go out with me. There was one in my senior year who's name was Anita and I'll never forget her. But I told her that I was already married. And then there was the best one of all the beauties there who just wouldn't stop flirting with me and she was a Chicana. Her name was Susan Garcia from Palacios, Texas. Chihuahuas! vatos, she was everything un Chicano could ever want, but I told her also that I was happily married. But you men know how it feels when a girl just lets you know to your face that she likes you, but you are already married. Well, I had a 3.3 grade point average but I couldn't stop being a criminal. And I said all that because I want people to know that regardless what kind of airs people put on, people are all the same whether one has money or not. And everybody comes down with the flu and no exceptions. But, I was an Activist before I even entered College. And I had been schooled in the jungles of South Viet Nam by educated White guys who had been Drafted against their will into the War. And it was those guys who introduced me into the world of Politics and the corruption in it. This was in 1970 and '71. Therefore, I was like a dried up sponge wanting to learn more because I knew that Words were powerful, more powerful than just good looks. And it was at Fort Hood, Texas that I was placed at a Communication school because someone believed that I had a need for it. And that was a great course that helped me see a bigger world out there. And if it hadn't been for education, I would have never been an activist for this long. And if I had never traveled to see the world from the back of a deuce and half Army truck or a C-141 cargo jet plane, I would have never seen all the beautiful people and places out there in this crazy world of ours. And if I had dropped out of school completely, I would be telling people do not travel outside of Texas because you'll fall out of the earth.  Ah!, but I will never forget Susan Garcia because she was an activist too. And I simply love activist. Some people may not like activist, but they are just like any body else. They are passionate about what they feel and believe, and so am I. And so I like them. And I don't care if they are for me or against me. They are the ones who get things done. For these kind of energetic people, sitting around the house complaining about this and that candidate or policy, or law, is not on the agenda, they are taking to the streets to protest. Stagnation, apathy, lethargy, or complacency is not for them. And it is not for me either. But it is sad when only 13% of people who can vote in a community of 60,000 people will bother to vote. What if the activist were not around, what would Democracy look like then. And I believe this to be a dangerous trend. I recall one time back in March 2003 time period, it was a week end, that my wife and I went to shop at the Malls in Austin one morning and finished early about noon. So I asked her if she wanted to go tour the State Capital and then afterwards stop to eat on our way out. And she said okay so we drove there a few miles and couldn't believe our eyes. All of South Congress street was packed with thousands of people and many were carry banners of all colors and I thought, "Hell Mom!, there is a festival going on, heck we can shop and eat here too." Man she was excited but we had to park at the river park and walk the rest of the way. As we got closer though, we found out this was not a festive gathering at all but a protest march. People were moving so fast though I couldn't stop to talk to anyone. But most people looked like the Hippie type and radicals. So I walked with my wife all the way to the State Capital Building and it was surrounded by hundreds of police and highway patrol personnel. There were several T.V. local News Stations there too. And as we looked closer, the spokes people were protesting the war in Iraq. And my wife and I had just walked into the largest war protest rally in Austin, Texas. And the noise was loud and there were over 10,000 people protesting the war there that day. And just by mere coincidence KXAN News Austin crew walked up to me and asked me on live T.V. if I supported the War or not? And all the people against the war have me surrounded, and so I answered and said that I did support George Bush and the War, and especially the Troops. Then the reporter asked me, "Are you not afraid of being here among 10,000 angry war protesters?" And I answered, "No." And then he asked me, "Well, why not not?"  And I said, "Because all these people are my kind of people. And I went to war to fight for their Rights and privileges to Protest. And besides, they are my kind of people, they will fight for what they believe in." Later that night I watched to see if KXAN News would show my clip, but they didn't. Austin is a very Liberal City and they don't like dissenting voices disagreeing with their view of the way things should be in this world. Again, I don't care with Liberalism that much, so I avoid Austin now. But my Baby and I did walk into another crazy Rally in Austin much earlier in January the 15th, 1994 by accident too and it was a Klu Klux Klan Rally and man, what a privilege it was to be in that one. Back then my wife and I were out every weekend to shop and eat out at restaurants. And she provided for me what I needed and I reciprocated and gave her what she needed. And now she is gone. And I did go to look for Susan Garcia in Palacios, and I was told that she had retired from and and had divorced and move away. I asked where did she move to, and I was told, "We don't know?" This is a small world guys. Thanks again Bloggers, let us sleep on that, and remember I said, being with the woman you love cannot be beat. She pinched the hell out of my side if I even turned to look at a sign post because she said I was looking at another woman. I still miss her. Bye.                                                                                                      Respectfully,                                                                                                                                           Ruben N. Gutierrez