Things that make me go ¡híjole!

How about those talk show hosts and bloggers who compare the Henry Louis Gates incident with the questioning of Bob Dylan, and conclude that Dylan knew how to behave himself but Gates pulled the "race card"? Is white privilege so blind that the differences between the two situations aren't readily apparent, even to right-wing agitators?

Or the health reform"protester" on NPR who said that in the old days at the emergency room you either paid for your care or you died and "that seemed to work okay"? Pay or die – sounds like a bad Tarantino flick.

Common Dreams reports: "Proving that Taiwan is not America, Taiwanese leaders are facing a political firestorm for their inadequate response to a natural disaster - Typhoon Morakot, which killed hundreds and did massive damage. Blasted by critics, facing the resignation of senior officials and promising an investigation, President Ma Ying-jeou began a press conference by bowing in apology to the people." Katrina? George Bush bowing in apology to the American people? Yeah, right.

The Denver Post says: "Colorado's lowest-paid workers could make even less money next year. That's because the state has an adjustable minimum wage that may become the first in the nation to drop slightly along with the cost of living. Colorado is one of 10 states where the minimum wage is tied to inflation. The indexing is thought to protect low-wage workers from having flat wages as the cost of living goes up. But because Colorado's provision allows wage declines, the minimum wage could actually drop 3 cents an hour next year. If the wage is reduced by state labor officials in September as expected, it would be the first minimum wage decrease in any state since the federal minimum wage law was passed in 1938." The rich get richer and …

Meanwhile, Colorado casinos reported $76.1 million in adjusted gross proceeds in July, the second best month in Colorado gaming history, trailing only the $76.5 million recorded in July 2007. … the poor get fleeced.

Police in Ohio say officers using a new Taser stun gun briefly set a homeless man on fire while trying to subdue him. The police chief said his officers acted appropriately. The homeless man was charged with abusing harmful intoxicants and other counts. There's something really wrong with that picture.

You've got to see this to believe it: Woman at Vegas town hall yells "Heil Hitler" at Jewish man. We are on the brink.

CHILE HARVEST FESTIVAL

Thanks to a partnership between the City of Lakewood and the Chicano Humanities & Arts Council, the Chile Harvest Festival will be in full swing August 29 & 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m . at Lakewood’s Heritage Center (Wadsworth and Ohio), 801 S. Yarrow Street. Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for children (ages 3-12). With plenty of free parking available.

The festival will feature up to 65 artists, showcasing both contemporary and traditional art forms including music, dancing and storytelling as well as many other cultural and art activities for the kids. Several local restaurants will be on site, serving authentic Mexican cuisine along with other specialty foods featuring chiles. And of course, there will be nonstop chile roasting, so stock-up your freezer with chiles for the winter. Demonstrators will be showcasing the art of making traditional chile ristras: dried chiles strung together to be used in cooking throughout the year or just for decoration. The Chile Harvest Festival is an outreach effort to educate, enlighten and entertain the community with the many different facets of Chicano and Latino culture. Its goal is to give people a well-rounded cultural experience. Proceeds from the event support HCA and CHAC programs.

Read then lead.

Later.