Second Interamerican Congress a success!

What an incredible journey! Here is one of our last breakout sessions with over 40 Americans and wll over 3,000 total from the Americas in attendance! Our success is not only owed to our distinguished American and Latin American faculty, but most importantly, to our participants. Outstanding educational activities, coupled with time with new and old friends, tango, wonderful art, red wines and meat, soccer matches, as well as mate made the conference a success. What now? The 2008 Chicago ACEP Scientific Assembly, as well as the 2009 Mediterranean Conference beckon. And who knows...maybe the 2014 ICEM Conference in Mexico. Until then, we look forward to the next Interamerican Congress!

Shop Till You Drop!

OK, does the US economy have you down in the doldrums? Price of crude dampening your summer? Well, Argentina ain't cheap to get to. But once there, the dollar becomes powerful! Your buying power increases 3x. Dinner? Eat the finest meats and pasta dishes, chased down by a Norton or La Boca Cabernet Sauvignon for $5 US. And leather goods are absolutely spectacular. You might even buy "summer specials" that are being cleared for the Argentine winter...so you can wear those new summer threads when you get back home. These crazy shoppers are having a fun time on the world famous "Avenida Florida," not far from the conference. And of course, sporting events and transportation is cheap. You can even "drink the water!" So don't let the US economy get you down. Come down and enjoy a little life down south! (By the way, daytime temperatures are in the 50's-60's in Buenos Aires right now).

Post Conference Fun

Well, what will it be? A tour to the jungle and Iguazu Falls to the north? Maybe a trip to the Valdes Peninsula, where the whales hang out? Or, a little tour tasting some of the finest wines in Mendoza? There is a lot to do and see in Argentina, but during June, going to the beautiful coast of Mar del Plata and getting a little sun and surf will not be one of those activities. So why not ski in June? Take advantage of skiing or snow-shoeing in Usuaia (the southernmost tip of Argentina) or the Bariloche area of Patagonia. Some of us are heading to Las Leñas to open the ski season there (opens June 20, I think).

Las Leñas is the largest but perhaps most controversial ski area in the Southern Hemisphere. Advocates compare its scale to Vail and Snowbird combined, though the long and steep off-piste terrain is perhaps more analogous to low density European areas like Alagna or La Grave. Detractors point out that 80% of this terrain is dependent upon the Marte double chair, which is closed at least a quarter of the time due to weather or less diligent management than we expect in North America. When open, Marte’s skiing can also be limited by substantial lift lines and by the other slow lifts needed to return to it. No problem though, because we will do some backcountry skiing, then head down to Mendoza for a little wine and cheese.

Wanna plan some kind of trip? Contact Laura at acatenamp@fibertel.com.ar for travel info inside Argentina.

What is Tango?

Tango. The origins are debated, but it's influence is on the world's dance scene is not! It is a unique style of music, not unlike a mix between a waltz and polka. In the 19th century, it was associated with the bordello, and was a favorite in Argentina among poorer laborers and immigrants. The first piece of music written and published in Argentina describing itself as a tango appeared in 1857. It was called "Toma maté, ché" ("Drink maté tea, dude"). The tango spread across the pond in the earliest 20th century, to become refined. It probably came into France first through the port of Marseille, where Argentine sailors would dance with the local girls, and tango was the couple dance they preferred. There is evidence of a couple dancing tango on stage in Monmartre (then a "seedy" part of Paris) by 1909. But it was in 1912 that the tango took Paris by storm.

By this time Argentina was the seventh richest country in the world, with an average per capita income four times that of Spain or Italy. While the poor stayed poor, the rich got very rich indeed, and it became the fashion for families to send their young sons to Europe, either to go to university, or simply to do the Grand Tour and finish off their education.

So who's the guy in the hat? Not Desi Arnaz of "I Love Lucy!" No, it is Carlos Gardel, who bacame tango's superstar in the 1920's. His distinctive voice and vibrant personality was noted in Hollywood, but his untimely death in a Columbian plane crash in 1935 afforded him mythical status.

Tango was pretty much banned after the overthrow of Peron in 1955, ushering in Argentina's "dark age," lasting until the Falklands war of 1983. The military junta outlawed Argentina's national symbol. With the downfall of the military government, Argentines renewed their pride on being Argentines, and the tango was reborn. The classical ballroom tango (tango de salon) was retaught by the old masters, and a faster, and perhaps more seductive form, the milonga tango, also became popular.

To a "gringo," the tango looks intimidating. It is a complicated series of steps where the man seems to do 90% of the work. Nevertheless, I never felt belittled in my struggle to learn it in Buenos Aires. Many portenos (those of Buenos Aires) encouraged me along. I then danced along with the pros of the "Confiteria Ideal," a signature ballroom in the heart of Buenos Aires. People routinely tango in the streets of La Boca (see picture), and Palermo, especially on a Saturday afternoon, where young and old alike dance. Tango bed and breakfasts abound in the capital. And it has made a resurgence in Paris, where one can dance Sunday night along the left bank of the Seine.

Take advantage of some of our outings during the Second Interamerican Congress of Emergency Medicine to experience for yourself the legend of tango. For the more adventurous, classes abound in Buenos Aires, and we can set you up with a tango B and B if you like. You may contact us at worlddoc@comcast.net for more info.

Conference Spotlight: Joe Lex MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Joe Lex, FACEP, FAAEM, has been involved in Emergency Medicine for more than 40 years, initially as an Army medic with the 25th Infantry "Tropic Lightning" Division in Vietnam. He spent several years as an Emergency Medicine Technician and Certified Emergency Nurse before beginning Medical School at age 35. After an Emergency Medicine residency, he was a community "pit doc" for 14 years before joining the staff at Temple University in Philadelphia. He was Chair of Education for the American Academy of Emergency Medicine for five years.

The AAEM honored him by renaming the Educator of the Year award the "Joe Lex Award." He has been an invited speaker at more than 250 conferences regionally, nationally, and internationally. He has been a featured speaker numerous times on Audio-Digest Emergency Medicine, Practical Reviews in Emergency Medicine, and Emergency Medicine Reviews and Perspectives (EMRAP). He is a member of Emergency Medicine organizations on four continents, and was made an honorary member of the Sociedad Argentina de Emergencias in 2005.

Conference Spotlight: Darryl Macias MD, FACEP

Along with my Argentine counterpart, Alberto Machado, I have helped with organizing the scientific program for the Second Interamerican Conference on Emergency Medicine. As a boarded emergency medicine specialist, I have been based at the emergency department at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, and in many international venues. Education my passion, and my belief of bringing emergency medical education has been tested in India and Nepal, where I have put on CME courses for local physicians. I have also worked with residents and medical students at the Sihanouk Center of Hope in Cambodia. But my passion for Latin America was sparked with my involvement in PACEMD (www.pacemd.org) as co-founder, teaching emergency medicine in Mexico. My other passion, ultrasound, became the first emergency ultrasound course, disseminated not only throughout Mexico, but also in Panama, Argentina, and Ecuador. I also created an international high altitude and disaster course in Ecuador.
I am the ACEP ambassador to Argentina and France. Both countries are in a transition between the Anglo-American, and the Continental European model of emergency care. I have been fortunate enough to live in both places, and to experience how our colleagues live in these countries. That is why I am committed to making this conference a success! With all the global attention going to China these days, Argentina is an undiscovered gem. With its growing economy, it will also be the spotlight for our 4th International High Altitude Medicine Congress, on the flanks of Aconcagua, in January 2010.
Take advantage of the Second Interamerican Conference, not only for the education, but also for the experience of a lifetime!

Another Update from the BBC!

Spain rejects Peron extradition

Isabel Peron has been living in Spain since 1981

A court in Spain has rejected a request from Buenos Aires to extradite former Argentine President Isabel Peron who is wanted for alleged human rights abuses.

The National Court in Madrid ruled that the charges did not constitute crimes against humanity and that therefore the statute of limitations had expired.

Ms Peron, 77, is wanted over alleged links to right-wing paramilitaries who operated during her 1974-1976 rule.

Argentina also wants to question her over the disappearance of two men.

'Ineffectual leader'

The Spanish court ruled that there was insufficient evidence to link Ms Peron to the disappearance of the two leftist activists in 1976.

Isabel Peron was in power for less than two years

It also said there was not enough evidence to show that she had anything to do with activities of the paramilitary squad - the Argentine Anti-communist Alliance.

Argentine investigators believe the squad kidnapped and killed about 1,500 government opponents, including politicians, lawyers and journalists.

Ms Peron, whose full name is Maria Estela Martinez de Peron, became the third wife of the three-times president of Argentina, Juan Domingo Peron several years after the death of his second wife, iconic Argentine first lady Eva Peron.

When Mr Peron died in office in 1974, his widow took over.

Historians say she was an ineffectual leader, manipulated by her ministers at a time when Argentina was wracked by violence involving left-wing guerrillas and right-wing death squads.

She was removed in a military coup in 1976 and held under house arrest for several years before moving to Spain in 1981.

An estimated 30,000 people were killed, or "disappeared", from 1976 to 1983, during the military's repression of alleged left-wing opponents, which came to be known as the "dirty war".

© MMVIII

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Update from the BBC

Argentina's economy chief quits

Mr Lousteau was behind a controversial tax rise on soybean exports

Argentina's economy minister, Martin Lousteau, has resigned after less than five months on the job, officials say.

He was behind a tax rise on soybean exports, which triggered a three-week strike by Argentine farmers that resulted in widespread food shortages.

At 36, Mr Lousteau was the youngest member of President Cristina's Fernandez's cabinet.

He also reportedly had run-ins with other ministers over inflation and the direction of the economy.

Reports said that Mr Lousteau, whose resignation has not been officially announced, would be replaced by Carlos Fernandez, head of the country's tax agency.

The farmers' strike led to food shortages in the country as farmers blocked trucks from delivering beef, chicken and produce.

The farmers have threatened to erect new barricades if the government does not offer concessions on the tax hike.

It was the biggest crisis faced by Ms Fernandez since she took office in December.

Mr Lousteau was one of few new faces in Ms Fernandez's cabinet, with most ministers retained from the administration of her husband, former President Nestor Kirchner.

© MMVIII

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Evita and Argentine History-Part 1

Europeans first arrived in the native-inhabited territory, which became Argentina, in the early 16th century. The Spaniards of the day, true to form, wiped out the indigenous population. After becoming a viceroyalty of Spain in the 1770s, Argentina achieved independence in 1816. Between the mid-19th century and 1946, Argentina swung from civilian to military rule and from radical to conservative policies. At this time, Argentina was the 10th richest nation, owing to its rich agricultural exports. Nevertheless, a socialist rise led to a coup, resulting in the rise of Lieutenant General Juan Peron Sosa as president in 1943. After winning the election of 1946, Peron instigated a policy of extreme nationalism and social improvement. His wife, Eva Duarte ("Evita"), being more charismatic than her husband (see photo) campaigned for the disenfranchised workers of the era ("descamisados," or the "shirtless ones."). They founded the Peronista movement, and after being overthrown in 1955, continued to direct the movement from Spanish exile. Just before that time, Evita, the paragon of the movement, died at an early age. The dream of Argentine nationalism seemed to die thereafter. The ensuing administrations failed to secure the full allegiance of either the people or the trade unions and Peron was triumphantly re-elected as president in 1973. On his death, a year later, his wife, Isabelita Peron, took over, but could not rekindle the ream of her magnetic predecessor Evita. Soon thereafter, chaos ensued and Isabelita was deposed by a military coup in 1976.

The legacy of Peron (and Evita) continues to inspire Argentinian politicians to this day. The end of the Peronista period heralded perhaps the darkest period in Argentinian history. Driven by an obsessive fear of ‘Communism’ and ‘subversion’ and supported by governments throughout the Americas (including Washington), the military regime instituted a reign of terror in which "disappearances" ("desaparecidos"), torture and extra-judicial murder were commonplace. The military’s blatant inability to run the economy did much to undermine any credibility they enjoyed. But the final straw was the invasion of the Malvinas (Falkland Islands) in 1982, which led to a humiliating defeat for the Argentinian military at the hands of a British task force and led swiftly to the collapse of the regime and the inauguration of a new era of civilian politics.

The Olympics and Farming...and your dinner

The Olympic torch passed through in Argentine soil sithout the problems faced in Paris. Although demonstrators turned out in droves, Argentina has a good relationship with China. Under former President Kirchner, agreements to cultivate soy is one of the ties that these two countries enjoy. What is that to Argentina? Hopefully, more money! What does it do for farmers? Argentina's farmers do prosper with some of these accords. However, last month, the new president, Cristina Kirchner, raised farm taxes by 45%. The famous produce and meat that Argentina is known for ended up on the pavement, as farmers protested this move. It looks like some settlements are being made, so as to put the finest meat and wines on the table, as we look forward to June's culinary delights over an asado (Argentine BBQ). In other words, there are no shortages or rationings going on. And the torch? Argentina was the only country in South America to have the torch come through. before you come, read about some of these issues I am bringing up, to really understand the Argentine's points of view. If you are able to read Spanish, check out www.clarin.com or www.buenosairesherald.com. Buen provecho!

Dario

The Second InterAmerican Congress of Emergency Medicine in Buenos Aires, Argentina!

Emergency Medicine in Argentina is here! What happened to the group of friends (an intensivist, internist, cardiologist, and a nephrologist who directed a successful ambulance service) who drank espresso at a sidewalk cafe in Buenos Aires 7 years ago? The fire that began emergency medicine in Argentina. The organization that was created became the Sociedad Argentina de Emergencias (the Argentine Society of Emergency Medicine), now boasting a few thousand members! Every two years, they host an outstanding international conference in emergency, which have been the largest conferences in emergency medicine in Latin America. In 2006, several English speakers from the august bodies of ACEP and AAEM held a parallel English emergency medicine conference. This year, ACEP has partnered with the Sociedad Argentina de Emergencias to host a phenomenal educational event. Participants from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil and Chile will join our Argentine friends in this momentous occasion. Friends from England, Australia, France, Spain, Sweden, Israel, India and China will join in the festivities. The conference will take place June 11-13, 2008 in the beautiful city of Buenos Aires. Besides, where else can you sip coffee and tango? Not at Starbucks USA! More information is on http://www.acep.org/meetings.aspx?id=22384 and http://www.cime2.com.ar