Gordon Brown was interviewed on NPR this morning. O, how I long for the day when our president can speak in complete sentences with subordinate clauses about a vision for the future!
I did not, however, watch or listen to the debate because I get so angry at how the questions are asked, how the media covers it, how the candidates are parse each word as they try to play the demographics game. I prefer to approach their words sideways, through the filter of folks like you. This way I do not go through the day dyspeptic and sad.
So I hope you are well, and that you have your own haven from the craziness.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (Goverment Sponsored Entities) have revised what they call the Declining Market" policy--this policy, in a nut shell, will require banks in markets that are seen as "soft" or declining in value to require twice as much in down payment from the borrower then the lending standard would normally call for. If a lender believes that such a downpayment is overreaching, said lender would need to appeal to Fannie or Freddie for a waiver. It goes into effect June 1, 2008.

All I have to say is the word "government", in how they are defined will make such requests occur next to never.

What does this mean for first time homebuyers? In markets that are historically soft--especially since 1992-- it means that community development groups who are working to turn declining neighborhoods around (i.e. most inner cities across the country--special emphasis on Buffalo, Cleveland, and others in the rust belt) will have an even tougher time attracting borrowers because they will not be viable borrowers--based on where they want to live.

Call it what you will--but it is essentially redlining.

The issue for Fannie and Freddie is not that loans were made in "declining markets." but that lenders used Fannie and Freddie backed products on properties that were overvalued. Most of the losses come from your "new 3-car garage suburban development" houses, and non-owner occupied purchases.

Seems to me, not only are the big investors getting the bailout--but so are the lower tier investors, while the folks who simply want to have the American Dream of homeownership are left to hold more and more of the bag.

I love your blog Nez, and please never feel you have to read any of those links, I just send them in case boredom has crept up on you in a lax moment.
I know the day will come when you will have all the income you need from some creative direction that will allow the physics defying energy loop to activate.
You'll just be doing artsy and creative political and silly activities that rake in the pesos and you will have plenty of time to do more and more of same. Of course, when that happens, one must not forget to occasionally sleep.
And if you never blog again, there are always the archives.
My comment about the debate: I didn't see it. Certainly from the reports I have read it's a good thing I got rid of the TV 33 years ago.
Maybe someone else can tell me what the debate part was. Don't debaters engage in a thought game called argument? This seems more like the debaters were foils for adolescent inquisitors proud of their own snottiness {Gibson and Stephanopoulis} and not even listening to the answers.
But I missed all the fun, happy to say.

ah, boredom! i remember that thing.

yeah, i heard the same about the debate. the expected fruit falling from our big, fake fuckin tree of modern meainstream political discourse, eh?

peace bro. thanks for tus palabras.

Hello out there in Mexicano blog world. As I sit here wearing my Mexicano Luchador mask (original design)... I wonder out loud about you people...in far off cities and your Mexicanism. I was born in the homeland and grow up in the heart of Chicagos Little Mexico, yet I am quite comfortable living in the burbs raising my two kids and married to my fine Mexican Senorra (respeto Guey). Anygueyes... I grow up purdy Mexican and I see myself as a Capitalist, Liberal with a Liberterian streak.

I have never been too attracted to the whole MECHA thing and me and the guys i grew up with (big time Gueyes)... don't like to be referred to as Chicanos.. we are Mexicans. I wonder about you all and to what level you relate to the different types and levels of Mexicanation...

Any thoughts out there...? or am I just miando in the wind...

really? you are honestly sitting and typing with a Luchador mask on?

my thoughts? you're a riot, my friend!

as far as the rest. can you (just for the sake of clarity) define "whole MECHA thing"? i can't really answer until i know just what you mean. thanks.

anyway. i don't have a mask on. but i respect you for yours. so. the name..."xicano" vs "chicano" vs' "of mexican descent" or "mexican" or mestizo or whatever...i guess for me it's not so important. not as it once was. and people are going to "refer" to me lots of ways...i cant control that. but i feel what i am. i know who i stand with. i know why.

i spent a few years in those burbs you mention! can't say i prefer the suburbs. i like the city or the country, either one. grew up all over the USA. i was born in the US. in LA. and i guess 'relate' to méxico, to xicanismo, to being "chicano" or whatever someone wants to call it through feelings of family, history, identity, physicality.

how did you find me in this big ole mexicano blog world, cuervo23? do you just don your mask and spin the virtual internex wheel? do tell the tale.

I've been so silent here, lately, it feels weird to speak up. Life has been so busy, and full, and happy, and sad. I went to the beach with some classmates recently to decompress after long days of study and debate and new perspectives being stuffed in their heads, and then we went to a Restaurant called Oaxaca and all I could think of were the women in Oaxaca who weren't there with me eating mole.

Sometimes I wish I lived in a world simple enough that I could invite them all here and build a house for them and broadcast their voices to the world again.

And I feel so small.

And you always make me think.

And I wish the bone deep happiness I've been starting to feel could be a natural state for everyone in the world. What would the world look like if that could be so? And what would we lose? I just don't know.

Mi Amigos...

Muchos apologies for checking out early last night... its the whole time zone thing. I needed to get my beutician sleep anoche. Muy tired. Well, the short answer is yes... I was sitting there typing away in my luchador mask. I created the mask for a tv commercial I did. I found the whole Lucha mask thing to be quite exilerating an invigorating. Now I get it! You should try it too. I know a guy who makes high quality, original design masks for about a $120. Great for political rallies, if you can get past the Secret Service.

I found you through a mention on DailyKos. I check out that site occasionaly but don't find the whole "let's impeach Bush today and have him arrested" thing very interesting. As much as I would like it to happen, I know it won't happen and I have other battles I think are way more important (immigration reform). Besides, that would only get us Presidente Dick... No Gracias.

As far as the whole Mecha thing... I was referring that semi-militant, not so vocal, small minority of Mexicanos that believe that we really need to take back Las Vegas because if they had casinos back in the early 1800's no way would Santa Ana ever give that up...

I thought maybe this site was somsing like that but maybe not. And with the Chicano thing... I never heard the Xicano referrence... it's worth a look, but I think it more closely derives from the old "Chico" term which was not so nice back in the 50's in California.

I don't know... I just happen to feel very lucky that I am a Mexicano... think about it... No other race/nationality has our claim to a unique mix of ancient Azteca tribes and the light skinned conquistadores. Being a mestizo is cool.

And the best part...being able to say Guey or Cabron after every sentence when talking to your friends... ok, maybe there are some other cool things too... Mole, Menudo, Arrachera, Chanklas, Frijoles Refrittos, Musica Ranchera, Mexicanas... you get the picture.

Saludos Guey.

verdad i know how the website can look. :) i fired this thing up two years ago and went all out siquieros-MECHA-Brown Pride, and it was important then...but really stays on because the site is sort of branded now...i can't change it! i mean i could, but why bother. it's my virtual luchadora mask, ya might say. guey. (that is fun, you're so right.)

but yah, i do'nt think the site is "somsing" like that...but i get sniped at plenty by people who swing by and react. whatcha gonna do?

surprised you ain't heard "Xicano," but i'm guessing you are 50 or older? Xicano became the next generation's use of "Chicano." and i've read a few different origins of Chicano, too, so...who knows, eh? but you are right, it began as a putdown. that's the point...it was appropriated and flipped over. takin the power back and such.

hey, i feel happy to be what i am too. all my roots. soy el vato cosmica ;)

anyguey, good to see ya!

i guess, now that i have a sec more and am thinking about it, overall i have a hard time with aligning or disowning a label like "mecha"...shortcut ways of sussing out philosophy/outlook like that worry me that we'll misunderstand each other, which is why i asked for your personal meaning. and by saying i designed my site two years ago, i also dont mean to say that i dont still dig the look of my site, i do. but no, dont let the redrawn maps fool ya...i'm not here to advocate for mexico taking back land. yes, i think from what i've read, it was stolen, in essence. just as i would pronounce iraq's oil, or oil revenues, once we get all the papers and contracts settled. but that doesnt lead to my thinking califas, for example, should be "given back." eh. how can you give back land? you dont really own it to begin with. but i guess when people try to own land...that's how we end up with all the pain and violence and extortion that follows that border wherever it goes.

my view on reconquista...or the border is sort of one like osmosis. gases permeate cell membranes, and naturally seek equilibrium on both sides of that membrane. our "border" is like that. to stem the natural forces of human osmosis, well..you'd need to enact drastic measures. like laser armed walls and weapon drones and all sorts of invasive, violent means like that. and still i doubt that would do much to stop it. only increase pain and death and loss.

so. reconquista? not really. just nature. i'm a nature freak. a nature freak in search of a luchadora mask. you've inspired me, vato.

Amigo,

What a high compliment to pay someone..."you have inspired me". Muchas Gracias, I am truly touched and honored. Guey. I agree with your border concept. In many ways the issue is settled, this country will never revert back to what those who wish that we went away, never really had...cultural hegemony.

This country is becoming less white and more tan, the root of progressive is progress the root of liberal is liberty. We will not be defined by our borders, our language or any simplistic label. The irony is that my children are growing up watching the WWE like every other kid on the block but their favorite wrestler is Rey Misterio. Mascara o' Cabellera, indeed.

Our children will become what many that have preceded them have become... the new definition of "American".

So tell Rush, Sean, Laura and Bill that we are not going anywhere, we are home and I think the house needs a decent shade of green...no?

BTW: the look of your sight is chingon. It is part of what made me stick around and take look. Also, you were off by a bit... I am 40.

Un Abrazo.

El Vato Cosmica may be the name of a new blog.

you may be right, RC! it's a good title.

--

right on, cuervo23. right on.

you and i, incidentally, are nearly the same age.

Fucking Burger King.