Lunes con Lalo Delgado:
Wisdom for you Week
To a Different Drum: Walker Lindh and the San Patricios
By Abelardo Delgado
Historically some Americans have been marching to a different drum beat. Today, this spotlight in on John Walker Lindh -- the American Taliban.
In the midst of a revived patriotism fervor, his actions evoke ire and repugnance.
How dare he betray his native soil? How dare he choose allegiance to a well-known American enemy?
In recorded history, we find earlier American Talibans. One such group also dared to march to a different drum beat.
That group emerged during the United States war with Mexico. Today, they are remembered as the San Patricio Battalion. At the start of the war, hundreds of Irish, German, and other immigrants deserted Taylor's army to join the Mexicans.
Some of the reasons behind their decision to desert can be argued as justifiable. Justifiable or not, they were judge with treason.
Most of the Irish were recent immigrants to the U.S. Who had left a starving nation for a better life in the U.S. They ended up recruited or drafted to fight an expansionist war encouraged by President Polk and fomented by General Zachary Taylor. History calls this a Manifest Destiny war.
The San Patricios, as they were called by Mexico's army, proved to be a great asset. The last battle which led to the total defeat of Mexico was fought at Churuobusco on Aug. 20, 1847. Many, from the Saint Patrick's battalion lost their lives in battle, and other were captured.
An Irish-born deserter led the battalion of Irish deserters rather successfully, at least until the final battle.
The San Patricios had much more in common with the Mexican Catholics than they did with the Anglo-Saxon officers leading the war. They resented the treatment of priests and nuns and acts of desecration the U.S. troops committed. They also viewed the war as an unjust one.
Today, this battalion is little mentioned in American textbooks. A book entitled The Shamrock and Sword by Robert Miller throws light in this (un) American episode. Xicano historian Rodolfo Acuña, pointed out in his writings, the saga of the Irish deserters who are remembered as heroes by many, and forgotten as traitors by others.
Those who were captured lived the many cruelties of their captors. They were branded with a “D” for deserter on their faces and backs. A few were lashed. Others were executed right away, while others later on, met the same fate.
This episode should not cast shame on all Irish for the Irish are the recipients of many medals of honor defending this nation as member of the U.S. armed forces.
There is a big difference between those who end up fighting against the United States even if they are American citizens, if they do it for religions or political beliefs, which pull them to do it. Then there are those who betray our country for simply monetary gain.
Anyone today who thinks John Walker Lindh should not become the spanking boy for all our ills, or who wished that he be dealt with the brand of American justice we are known for, is one more person marching to a different drum beat.
El Paso Writer Updates
Ruben Salazar news blitz
Well, many stories are circulating in the press as the Chicano Moritorium's 40 Anniversary nears. Here are a few:
PD Editorial: Hidden story
Authorities have withheld files on Ruben Salazar for 40 years
40th Anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium Against the Vietnam War
L.A. County sheriff to turn over Ruben Salazar files to watchdog agency
The above article is interesting. It is from the LA Times: Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca said Wednesday that he would turn over thousands of pages on the slaying of former Times columnist and KMEX-TV News Director Ruben Salazar to the civilian watchdog agency that monitors the Sheriff's Department so a report can be prepared on the 40-year-old case." READ MORE.
Also check out Paul Krassner's article/excerpt on Counterpunch:
"Salazar had been working on an exposé of law enforcement, which would reveal secret alliances among the CIA, the Army, the FBI, California's attorney general, and local police authorities. L.A. District Attorney Robert Meyer received a phone call from L. Patrick Gray – who had recently become acting head of the FBI after J. Edgar Hoover's death – telling him to stop the investigation. Meyer did quit, saying it was like the “kiss of death” to work with these people. Mae called Meyer, asking if he would help with her research. She wanted to find out why the Justice Department in Washington was stopping a D.A. in Los Angeles from investigating the killing of a reporter. READ MORE.
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