The Motorcycle Diaries

The Motorcycle Diaries is a fantastic film that I, in my usual tardiness, have only just managed to see long after most of my friends had long since seen it and put it out of their minds. Executive Produced by Robert Redford, interestingly enough, and starring Gael Garcia Bernal whom I don't believe I have ever seen before, tells the story of one year in the life of Ernesto Guevera, later known to the world as Che Guevera, the famous latin American revolutionary. This one year in the life of Guevera, and his humorous friend and travel companion, takes them across the latin American world, from Argentina to Venezuela and perhaps beyond (I don't quite recall). Senor Guevera is 23 years old when the journey begins. During the course of their travels, they observe both the incredible hardships as well as the indomitable spirit of the Mestizo American race that Che would one day give his life in an attempt to unite.

I did not know anything really about Che Guevera before I saw this film (save for the iconographic t-shirt that so many liberal young people are fond of wearing). I only know a little more about him now. Walking on a trail out near the Pacific Coast highway the other day, me and my Dad came across a young guy wearing one of those shirts. My Dad asked him, "who killed Che Guevera?" He responded, "the CIA." Dad responded, "wrong, Fidel Castro," and later took it to be evidence of the shallow anti-americanism that the adorners of such shirts tend to possess. A little research seems to indicate that he was ultimately killed by Bolivian soldiers while leading an effort to over throw that government. Whether the CIA supported this move as the movie indicates at the end, I can't know for certain. But it interesting that the name Che Guevera has made its way rather deeply into our American culture. One scene from the movie above all gives me a glimpse, perhaps, as to why.

Young Ernesto Guevera, as he was then called, was a medical student just shy of graduation at the time of his journey. In route he and his friend, a bio-chemist, volunteered their services at a Peruvian leper colony. While being taken by boat to the island or beach head where the isolated was located, they were informed by the resident Doctor that, though leprosy is not contagious under treatment, the Sisters running the facility required the use of gloves by all medical staff. But Che, understanding the symbolism of this rule, refused to wear. That is not the scene but it illustrates this mans attitude. From the first day to the last of their interment, Ernesto Guevera proves himself to be capable in medicine, but moreover tremendously loving all those whose lives he touches.

The scene that touched my follows as so: on the night of his 24th birthday, the sisters and medical staff give him a great celebration in a building some distance off the coast of the leper colony. He softened their hearts and perhaps changed the sort impersonal attitude that seemed to exist between the medical staff and the Nuns, and the sick people whom they helped...but at an emotional distance. Thanking them for their good will, Ernesto tells the people gathered that in his travel across America (latin America) he had learned that the supposed division between the people of these nations was false; that they were all one united, mestizo people who could band together to better their lot. Something to that effect. But what happened next was more powerful, and I wonder if it is really true. The young man walks out the building to look at the water of the lake separating them from their patients on the other side. He tells his friend that he wants to spend the rest of his birthday with those people, and proceeds to jump in the water and swim a perilous distance to their shores. His colleagues call from their side for him to swim back. Vaguely hearing the commotion, the lepers gaze from coast in the dark night and, when they perceive that he is swimming towards them, cheers for him not to give up. He makes it, and cheers erupt on both sides. It is a powerful scene.

Whether such a thing happened or not, and it may well have for the film is supposed to be based upon his actual accounts of these events, it shows us how wonderful it is to travel great distances to wed peoples hearts. How worthy it is to do so. For what else does God ask of us but to love each other, and in so doing showing others the way to do so as well? No matter what virtues or vices this individual may have exhibited in his life, I believe that God must have blessed him and must have loved him for having a heart so determined to strengthened the bonds of love and fellowship between his people. We should all be willing to go the greatest distance in doing the same.

Take Charge of Your Credit!

I read an article in Essence magazine about credit ratings and the importance of staying on top of it. I like this article. It gives great advice on what to do to stay out of "credit" danger! Here are a few tips:

1. Open all mail. Read every correspondence from your card issuer and keep a lookout for changing credit limits or changes in other terms. Get an up-to-date copy of your credit agreement, and prepare to go through the fine print.

2. Make timely payments. Watch out for a universal default clause, which may be buried in your agreement. This policy lets creditors scan your credit report regularly to check for late payments or exceeded credit limits on all accounts. Pay one bill late, and a separate creditor can stick you with a higher default rate or an additional fee. Federal legislation restricting these clauses won't go into effect until July, 2010, so pay all accounts as soon as you get the bill.

3. Stay out of the credit danger zone. Issuers are looking for red flags indicating a consumer trouble. Late payments, high balances and cash advances could be a sign of cash flow problems and prompt a change in terms. If issuers sense you're at risk, they may assess a monthly fee, lower your credit line, or raise your APR.

4. Reassess credit. Know which cards you use and which you don't. Are there any you are saving as a rainy-day credit line? Charge a small amount at least every three months to keep them active.

5. Get a fixed rate. If possible, ask for a lower rate, pay down your credit card, and try not to build it back up. Do everything you can to bring your card balances down as quickly as possible.


I know these economic times are tough, but please try to do your best to keep your credit rating good.