And the Winner is ...

(Aeromexico Salon Premier, Mexico City Int'l Airport) -- I had originally intended to write a post endorsing a candidate for the Presidency of Mexico, during these, the final days of the campaign.

But instead, I'm simply going to make some observations on the things I've seen.

When I wake up on the morning of July 2, the first song I expect to hear on the radio is Huey Lewis and the News' “Back in Time”, from the Back to the Future soundtrack.

Mexico's Goofy Political Campaign Signs (Part II)

After already having fun ridiculing some of the silly campaign signs I've seen in Mexico City, I thought it was only appropriate to continue the fun with part II today.  There's just so much good (or bad) material to choose from.

Isabel Miranda Wallace - Candidate for Mayor of Mexico City

I think Ms. Miranda is a fine lady, but her people have come up with some unusual advertising for her campaign.

And by “unusual”, I mean “not good”.

Here, we see an ad plastering a bus.  "Aqui viaja mi futuro gabinete" -- "Here travels my future cabinet."  I know her campaign is trying to play up that she's an "ordinary citizen", as opposed to a professional politician.  But this ad looks too phony.

Besides, many people I see on the bus scare me.  I don't want them being in anyone's cabinet.

Mexico's Goofy Political Campaign Signs

For all the money Mexican politicians spend on their election campaigns, it's a wonder that the advertising you see is so amateurish.

Are there not professional public relations and marketing specialists in Mexico who can lend a hand to the propaganda efforts of these folks?

While out on a walk this morning, I snapped random pictures of some of the more interesting signs I saw.

Below are four that caught my attention. And I must say that this is just a quick sampling - there are many other worthwhile targets I could make fun of. (And I probably will in a future post.)

Mario Delgado – candidate for Senate

When I see this sign, what's my immediate reaction? If you were my neighbor, I wouldn't even trust you to feed my cat while I'm away. And if you knock on my door, I will hide.

This is possibly the worst message I've ever seen on a sign. Translated, it says, “Do you know what a senator does? I'll explain it to you!”

In other words, what he's really saying is, “I think you, the voters, are morons. You couldn't possibly understand why only I am smart enough to do the job of a Senator.”

Wow.

Demostrando Falta de Libertad de Expresión ... con Libertad de Expresión

Ayer, un grupo de estudiantes y jovenes (entre otros) congregaron en la Ciudad de México para manifestar en contra de los medios de comunicación (y un candidato presidencial en particular) en este país.

(Voy a dejar al lado sus quejas con este candidato, y hablar solo sobre su posición respecto a la prensa.)

Demostrando Falta de Libertad de Expresión ... con Libertad de Expresión

Según este grupo, el llamado YoSoy132, los asistentes manifestaron en favor de libertad de expresión y derecho a la información.

Muy admirable. Yo siempre estoy en favor de libertad de expresión, y de una variedad de voces en la prensa.

Fun in Acapulco? Yes! ... 40 Years Ago

A trip to Acapulco in 2012 is like a trip back in time ... to perhaps 1972.

Going down the city's main avenue, the Costera, is like going back in time. The hotels date to the 1960s and 70s. The only things that give a hint of 2012 are the Starbucks and the Wal-Mart.

This was once theeeee beach destination in Mexico. John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor, and other Hollywood stars flocked to Acapulco in the 1950s and 1960s, and tourists from elsewhere followed.

But these days, you sure won't find Elvis here filming a sequel to his 1963 hit film, Fun in Acapulco (notwithstanding his alleged death, of course).