To measure their time and profit. They measure us in order to control us. In order to measure their time and expense. But with the zapatistas and the indigenous rights issue threatening to overshadow his presidency, Fox has been availing himself of media theatrics. These are more than symbolic bestowals, however.
Mexican law recognizes and incorporates the legal systems of the indigenous populations.
These canes might be thought of as equivalent to voting proxies. This is not just fooling around with some decorated sticks. Opening his presidency by reaching out to the EZLN, Fox has grown increasingly intransigent with them, while trying to maintain his image as a peacemaker. Marcos points out that Fox has enacted only a few of the zapatistas' conditions for restarting peace negotiations, to great media fanfare, while balking on the rest. The President says that he is afraid that, if he grants all their concessions, the EZLN will suddenly ask for more.