Reforma newspaper ~ Mexico     August 2006

Diego Luna - What trench corresponds to me?

After three months of working outside Mexico, yesterday I came to my house and I finally slept where I fall asleep best. I woke up where I like; my bed.

I arrived very anxiously, with desire to be here and see what it is happening with my own eyes. With much curiosity of seeing and living what at the distance and through the Internet looked like a dream made reality. A country alive, a society participating, a place where discussion and debate are a constant, a people who do not accept any more lies, and the most exciting and encouraging thing of all, a politicized youth that questions things.

At a distance I started reading all the articles I could on this matter and I noticed, with surprise, that I belong to a civil committee of peaceful resistance. I clarified already with the members of whom this is not certain, but also I read certain journalistic notes on my position that inspired me to clarify my feelings with regard to what is happening in my country, and it seamed to me a good exercise to write this letter.

On arriving I found that yes, it is happening a lot. My friends were right. I lost something that I ought to have lived. Why does one take work so seriously? How could I, in my list of priorities, make shooting a movie first rather than to be in the most important election that Mexico has lived through since I’ve existed? The most close, one where the party that governed us 70 years was only a spectator, one where my friends were divided, and up to the last day many people had not made a decision. One where 41 million 700 thousand Mexicans went out to vote. I am not going to excuse it.

With many wishes to take part and join someone, I started talking to people that I like and respect, I found just what I didn’t want and what gave me more fear. Friends were divided and the tolerance was lost.

I was hoping to return to a different country, I am an idiot. I imagined a country where disqualifications and low blows would be a thing of the past. Where there would be a feeling that things can change and not this sensation of being fed up, this polarized society where each time there is less space for nuances, to question. Today there are two trenches and many people are put in them, many people that I like and admire. Many people that I need close.

Today you are with Caldron and you are not only against a recount vote for vote, if you are not offended by the simple idea that someone could doubt an authority like the IFE. Or you are with Obrador and the complete security that there was a fraud that they are all against you if they do not come from amarillo. Each time there is more fear to say what one thinks, depending on the circle of people you are with. In a question of minutes you are the reactionary one or the simple rebellious one and the capricious one. Are things so really black and white? What happened to those that believe that in this election there is no one single candidate that will represent a solution? What happened to those after the last 6 years remained disgusted with the idea of a useful vote? With those that dreamed of something better for Mexico?

Is there place in any of the trenches to say this? Which corresponds to me?

I want a recount, yes. I believe that the country deserves it. There are million Mexicans who are demanding it and that should be sufficient. An enormous suspicion exists in our institutions and the fault is with those who have been in charge. How are we going to trust the IFE, the same institution that did not stop Fox, or even manage to keep silent about his campaign media against López? There were no sanctions, nothing happened when we all found out about the publicity buy that private companies made to support the Caldron campaign in a direct or indirect way. An institution that allowed all kinds of irregularities of all the parties, the behavior of the advisers that sowed so many doubts. An institution that today tells us we should forget 88. An institution that questions who it has to serve, the people, these people that today are demonstrating.

Please gentlemen, if there is an error in the ballots that are open, only one, let's recount all the votes. Invest this time and strengthen for the good of the IFE, for the good of everyone, so that we can believe that there is democracy in Mexico. To give the future president of the Republic a governable country. And tomorrow let's think about what we have to think, how to little by little construct a more just country in all senses, with less contrasts, where criticism is accepted and politicians listen to the people. Where Mexicans do not leave running for lack of opportunities, where culture is a priority. A country that reads newspapers, that demands objective and impartial communication, a society that takes part; in short, a better country. But first and first of all, a country without doubts, so that we can once and for all shelve the frustrating memories that the election of 88 left in us.

This today should be a priority of all, those that sympathize with some party, those that don’t, those that have a  trench, those that go alone, those who come back, the orphans, those that are outside; everyone.

Let's stop this that wears away and removes us... That way I read that in moments of crisis there are no nuances. I hope that is not true. It sounds very dangerous.