ONLY MAD DOGS, ENGLISHMEN...AND MR. AMIGOS

"Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun." Rudyard Kipling.

Special to El Run-Rrun

You can add the Mr. Amigo Association and their adherents who participated the Hands Across the Border ceremony at the Gateway International Bridge at noon Friday.

Mr. Amigo cheerleader and "builder of new traditions" Arturo "Turin" Treviño promptly posted on his social page "Huge Success at Hands Across the Border, mission accomplished, lots of PRESS!!!!"

He forgot to mention that the photo of the people he posted  were on the Matamoros side, and that only a handful of people from Brownsville attended, having had too much sense to  stand the sweltering heat. 

Others, however, were not so sanguine or easily convinced at this breathtaking achievement.

Temperatures hovered at close to 100 and the heat index was probably in the low 100s, which led at least one participant, a Francisco Galvan, to respond to Treviño's Rah Rah, with this:

"With all due respect to the decision that was made to hold this event at this time of the year which is so critical for the high extreme temperatures that could endanger the health of vulnerable persons, and forget about wearing the traditional cueras Tamaulipecas  (leather jackets) because at this time it would be suicidal. That is my opinion with all due respect."

Not one to be overshadowed by anyone's opinion but his, Treviño responded by repeating his noble dribble saying: "Francisco Galvan, the event is called 'Hands Across the Border' whatever the attire may be the important thing is to create the opportunity to stretch bonds of friendship between persons who can help our communities all year..."

(We're sure nobody checked when they moved the Mr. Amigo event to August. According to the Farmers Almanac, la canicula, Dog Days for 2023 are from Jul 3, 2023 – Fri, Aug 11, 2023, the hottest days of the year. One of the least memorable "new traditions" invented by Treviño included the inane and very forgettable Gringo de Mayo, which thankfully died a quiet death after just one observance.)

To which Galvan responded: "Arturo Treviño, I repeat in my commentary that it's not meant to minimize the relevance of the event and what it signifies to our communities. My observation was made because of the extremely high temperatures which are prevalent during the canicula (dog days) where people with medical comorbidity (a disease or medical condition that is simultaneously present with another or others in a patient) could be vulnerable ad susceptible under HEAT ADVISORY issued by the National Weather Service. Un abrazo y saludos."

In a sense Treviño may have a point since the holding of this function – even in such extreme weather – guarantees them the annual $75,000 subsidy in public funds from the Hotel Occupancy Tax (appropriately called HOT) for a select few to continue their travel and festivities. We wonder how many "tourists" came from elsewhere or generated Heads in Beds.

Since this is the first time in years that Mr. Amigo holds its event apart from the Charro Days chusma, it is important for Treviño and his ilk to crow up the ceremony as an "huge success" and the building of "new traditions to" continue to milk the public teat. Yeah, that's the ticket, Turin.