Frontera NorteSur

A NOTE FROM THE NEW EDITOR

 After a hiatus of more than two months, Frontera NorteSur is up and rolling again. First of all, millions of kudos to Greg Bloom, the previous editor, for doing an excellent job during the last four years in expanding coverage of the vast border region from Tijuana-San Diego to Matamoros-Brownsville. Also, thanks to all the many folks who have written expressing their appreciation at the reappearance of FNS. Some of you know me from years, gasp, decades at this point, of reporting on border and Mexican affairs. I've filed countless stories with public radio outlets, newspapers and magazines on subjects ranging from the Juarez femicides to binational water issues and everything in between. I've been also a frequent contributor to FNS throughout the years.

I feel privileged to take the editor's seat at this crucial and historic moment in Mexico- U.S. border relations. In the aftermath of 9-11, much of the mass media seemed to forget about the Mexico-U.S. border and the host of unresolved social, economic and environmental problems that characterize the region. That's changed somewhat in recent weeks as evidenced by the hoopla over the Minuteman episode in Arizona. Let's see how long the renewed interest will last.

 At least readers of FNS know they can find a consistent source of border information in this online news service. In the months ahead, FNS will maintain its focus on the border region while exploring new ground. Expect fresh stories about immigration, ecology, femicide, the drug war, commerce, and much, much more. Additionally, the upcoming 2006 Mexican presidential election will be a hot story, especially as it plays out in the northern border states. While the formal campaign has not yet begun, the race has already started for all intents and purposes. And it has commenced with a bang. The Mexican Congress' stripping of front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's legal immunity, the massive public protests culminating in the unprecedented pro-Lopez Obrador rally in Mexico City on April 24 and the subsequent, sudden resignation of Attorney General Rafael Macedo de la Concha all dramatize a political process that is just beginning. The next year promises to be a decisive one in Mexican history.   

 Again, welcome back to FNS. Your comments, criticisms, suggestions, and story ideas are always appreciated.

 Kent Paterson

 Editor,  Frontera NorteSur