Columns

Thomas Jefferson once proffered that if he had to choose between an elected congress and a free media to ensure the preservation of democracy, he would roll the presses, every time. The present ballyhoo created by WikiLeaks supports Tom’s thinking and reminds us, once again, just how hard our government works to ensure that we, the citizens, don’t really know what’s happening to our national treasure and our aspirations to become an altruistic, even-handed, fair-thinking member of the global community.

Ramon “Swoops” Montaño called last week, relaying a concern he heard about the upcoming school board candidate forums. He wondered if the east-side forum might be skewed in favor of two candidates in particular — Felix Alderete and Ricky Serna — since they are members of the Community Committee for Better Schools.

That committee is co-sponsoring both forums — for West’s candidates on Jan. 18 and for East’s on Jan. 20 — along with the Optic.

By Art Trujillo

Las Vegas Optic

As a child, I’d spend a lot of time waiting for my dad to get off work at B.M. Werley Auto Co., then the Ford Dealership on Grand Avenue.

I knew all the front-office staff and most of those in the garage. Remember, in those days, new cars were guaranteed to break at least once on being driven for the first time. That kept the backshop full and the crew busy.

Who am I? That question lingered through my mind daily for years. I know I’m a partner, a daughter, an aunt, a granddaughter, a sister, a sister-in-law and a friend. But, really, who am I?

I’m Hispanic, 5-foot-7, a woman, 31, a journalist by trade, a dreamer and I’m not stating my weight, unlike my colleague Art Trujillo. But more importantly, I happen to be in love with someone of the same sex. Yes, I am a lesbian and proud of who I am.