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Survivalists have come crashing into the public spotlight within the past several years. The idea of survivalism as a sport is just beginning to take hold in the public consciousness, but Britain and the USA have a growing number of increasingly popular shows based on the concept of survivalist hosts pitting themselves against challenges of endurance and environmental savvy. Shows like Bear Grylls' Man vs. Wild and Les Stroud's Survivorman are but a few of the widely-watched series based on this theme; these days, one would be hard-pressed to find a television viewer who wasn't familiar with at least one survivalist adventure program.

In a new television series on the US public television channel PBS, the President of Mexico himself appears ready to tackle the challenge of exposing some of Mexico's most beautiful but least-known natural treasures. Presenting the series himself, with the aid of co-host Peter Greenberg, President Calderon personally introduces viewers to Mexico's unseen recesses, jungles, caves, and more. The first 30-minute show depicts a nerve-wracking thousand-foot descent into the Golondrinas cavern.

The Big Blue Hole

Later, the President accompanies Greenberg to the Yucatan's famous Big Blue Hole, an enormous underwater cavern over 400 feet deep whose roof caved in millennia ago. Looking like a huge, dark blue polka-dot resting on the bottom of the otherwise shallow, turquoise sea, it is one of Mexico's most stunning natural features. Supporters of the project were happy to see such a unique natural treasure explained by none other than President Calderon.

Propping Up the Tourist Trade

Political backers of President Calderon claim that the series will be both a benefit to the country's tourist industry, as well as a pride-boosting exercise in putting the best of Mexico on display for the world. Of course, his opponents aren't shy about contradicting those predictions. The Mexican Department of Tourism has been coming up short on attracting both new tourists and convincing people to return to the country's sunny shores, due in part to the ongoing cartel wars that make many tourists anxious about traveling to Mexico, and the government is spending big promotional bucks to help keep the tourist industry alive.

However, his opponents criticize the show on the grounds that it's a superfluous expense, which, far from being vital to the tourist trade, wastes valuable currency at a time when national problems are on the rise, and does little to benefit anything except the President's personal image on the world stage.

As an example, the Democratic Revolution Party has declared its unambiguous opposition to the series' production. The left-leaning Labor Party has also voiced its concern, along with a firm request for the government to disclose all financial records and expense reports associated with the television show. Many on their side of the political spectrum doubt the effectiveness or wisdom of the project, wasting scarce revenue at a time when the government has many more urgent priorities, and inappropriately facilitating an extended, island-hopping nature vacation for its top executive.

While President Calderon's supporters say that half-hour show will be paid for almost in full by the U.S. government, who is partnering with Mexico to produce the series, many remain skeptical that the U.S.A., already reeling from a series of shocking financial crises, will be willing to pick up the tab for Mexico's tourist industry. Some sharp observers have noted that when the President and his co-host hop from isolated jungle location to location, they fly with the help of the Mexican government, whose clearly marked helicopters allow them to make the trip!