Politics in the Tatooed Soldier

Some thoughts on the Tattoed Soldier. Tobar, the author, wrote for the LA Times and even won a shared prize for the coverage of the LA Riots, which brings extreme authority to his details provided in the novel. I liked the book. The detail was great and the plot, as simple as it may be, was intriguing. To see the baggage that both Antonio and Longoria brought with them from Guatemala to a crazed LA was interesting and showed the truth that not all is done once you've cross "La Frontera", the conditions of living in the war ravaged and politically strewn countries of Centroamerica leave people and families scarred for generations.

If you get the chance watch the film "De Nadie" or "Wetback", both documentaries about the boarder crossing situations and all that people from Centroamerica are trying to escape only to find that the Steel Beast of 'El Tren' and the viciousness of 'Las Maras' often cannot be escaped. Indeed the idea that the US boarder is difficult to cross is pale in comparison to what the people of Central America have to go through just to enter into Mexico. Having watched both of these films and reading Tattooed Soldier I've learned a lot about Centroamerica and what the results of political mayhem can be...or better yet, I've become aware, with a lot yet to learn.

How do you think Hector Tobar feels about the current Immigration issues taking place in Arizona and Texas?