Dearest Friends:What an incredibly full and productive week. Feels good.
-Last night went to see the Bolivian Ambassador to Argentina speak and, what luck, the Bolivian Minister of Justice just happened to be in tow. An interesting duo. The Ambassador, an old socialist, well steeped in history and well-educated, was in his tailored suit and polished shoes and affable as any old ambassador ought be. The Minister of Justice, on the other hand, is a 40 year old former domestic cholita with no legal training, a high school education, and militant background. Listening to them speak, I was torn between, on the one-hand, firmly resisting the argument you need an education, wealth, and other resources to have or understand "justice," and on the other knowing that you do need a plan and some "know-how" to meet real-world needs and expectations. For them the entire legal system as it exists is corrupt, colonial, neoliberal, broken. I don't disagree. But, Evo & Friends want to overhaul the system towards communitarian justice, which the Minister said was faster and cost less and didn't need lawyers. The "reasonable woman" in me is thinking this could be an easy and very quick road to disaster. She came across as incredibly naive and unprepared, but did challenge me to reconsider my own position and underlying prejudices. Do I really believe what I preach is possible? Well, yes and no. On the other hand, what a fascinating process to watch and study. So, it'll be good for me to schedule a meeting with the Ambassador. Have emailed TWGT, who should be able to arrange something.
-Hit La Plata. But, when I got to the bus station this morning I found the carrier was on paro, i.e., strike, and so I had to leave the terminal grounds to catch a sketchier (but functioning) carrier. I just asked people along the way and they got me to the designated clandestine bus-taking spot. Slid into court just as the first witness was being sworn in. Last witness was an excellent expert witness. Testified as to the internal workings of the intelligence systems operating before, after, and during the dictatorship and on the contradictions of the legal system (spot on), so I ambushed her on her way out and will set up a meeting.
-Starved after listening to witnesses all day. Risked everything and had an uber-sandwich in the park. Fantastic. This is called, I believe, a lomo completo, and consists of a thin steak, with egg, cheese, ham, tomato, lettuce, and bun. Fries and a coke. A bird pooped on me too; another of the other risks of dining in the park.
-Was so busy going over the day's events and planning the weeks ahead, I completely forgot to hit the History class this evening at the Madres. Oh well. Yet another class skipped in the BT pantheon of classes.
-And!, Argentina has made it into the finals! With their ref., Horacio Elizondo. Not only is he an excellent ref., he's not too hard to look at. That and he's given national pride a boost. So, here's to Argentina having its day, after all.
-Finally, father definitely visiting from the 11th to the 16th. Had to cancel my meeting with the head of litigation from ADC, but we'll reschedule. Looks like a trip to the "provincias" is planned to visit landed gentry, which'll be a nice break from BA. I spoke with a friend of his today, from back in the day, who extended a very nice invitation to the boonies, where he boasts he has the best beef AND wine in the world. Well, okay. Start pouring. (And, if he looks anything like Elizondo, I'll stay.)
B.
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