This is so damn typical of this country. It's a story that has countless examples. Makes me think of Cash's "The Ballad of Ira Hayes" which always makes me weep (and which Cash had to badger radio stations into playing), especially since I was born in the land of the Pima Indian and I know that I profitted - directly and indirectly - from those stolen water rights.

This particular story has its ironic sense too. Underwater robotics, for god's fucking sake. You'd think the gov't could think up some military-related applications there and help em out a little (not that this is a scenario that I'd like to see happen...would hate to see the talents of these Aztlan warriors be turned into implements of US aggression). It's not like NASA is a raving, left-wing, bleeding heart organization.

God. I missed this little poblano-of-news ;-) when it first came out. Glad you posted it here. VERY ironic. My neighbors would say, "But, it's their fault, why have they not applied for legal status?" And when the difficulties which reside therein were explained, they would not want to believe it, because after all, this is 'America', the land of opportunity.

And Bush has also declared that space is to be militarised for America, here's hoping China calls in the debt.

Congratulations to these young men. I hope they can over come the odds that are placed in front of them. Congrats to NASA for the conjones to stand for something that is correct.

yo soy Horsedooty!

Damned Affirmative Action! Obviously, these kids must have taken prize money away from brilliant white students. Intelligent young Mexican males with goals for the future? Next thing you know, you'll be telling me that there are Negroes in college!

LULZ aside, this is a story that is both uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time. Thanks for sharing. :)

Can the on-line community organize a drive to get these kids into college? If we can raise money for democratic congressional candidates why not for someone or something more worthy?

note to all: any anonymous commenter will be marked "Pepperhead" by the code I've put into the page.

that being said, that's a great idea, Pepperhead. i wonder if i can track them down....

You know what this reminds me off? My sociology professor in college. Sure the old man had some disgusting habits and it was a boring, lonely class that most people avoided like the plaque, but he spoke truth, always the truth. To bad I was too young and to stupid to understand.

Among the things he said in those lazy tropical afternoons was this:

"No nation, and no people has a monopoly on intelligence or stupidity. You can find both anywhere and everywhere."

Pepperhead was probably better than what I could come up with anyway. Here is a link to a fund to further their education. No idea how effective it has been. Run w/ it ese.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.04/donate.html

thanks pepperhead. i'll get on that.

This commentary is very interesting. These kids have obviously worked hard to get where they are today.

All we need now is for Rep. Rangel to initiate a draft so this country can show them what they really think of them.

i wrote the prof in charge of the fund asking him if it was still active and what was up with it about a week ago. He has not replied.