Dems and Them

Texas Monthly put out a lengthy piece on the future of Battleground Texas. It is different from the Texas Observer take of a couple of months ago. Here it is: http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/future-battleground-texas.

I don’t know those fellas. I know they want Dems to win here in Texas. I mentioned the other day that Dems really don’t have state leaders. Nobody is really in charge of the Dem effort in Texas and there is no Dem strategy so the Battleground folks for now are filling a void, but they are not accountable to Dem elected officials or grass roots Dems. They are accountable to the folks that give them money to operate.

In the foreseeable future, nothing is really going to happen on a statewide level. Change has to come locally. So local Dem folks still have a say. Check out the Texas Monthly read.

Governor Abbott came to town yesterday to speak to the Greater Houston Partnership and he was met by immigration reform protesters – a lot of young kids – who are not too happy with the Governor and his position on the President’s immigration moves. Here is from a Channel 11 story:

“When he ran for office, he said he was all for families and he brought out his mother-in-law, who’s Latina,” said Mary Moreno, one of the protesters. “And then he turns around and he does this, right? He’s hurting Latino families.”

And this:

“That is not within the constitutional power of the president,” Abbott said. “That is why I filed the lawsuit. The lawsuit really doesn’t have anything to do with immigration. It has everything to do with an abuse of executive power.”

Doesn’t have anything to do with immigration? Are you kidding me? Sounds like a bunch of young Latino kids got to you! Keep the heat on!

And this is from the GOP bunch that worship at the altar of border security. From an internet story yesterday:

Numerous House Republicans say it’s preferable to let the Homeland Security Department go unfunded for a few days, at least, if that’s the cost of undoing a White House immigration policy they consider unlawful. These lawmakers say the impact on national security would be minimal, as would the political risks.

“Shutting down” the agency known as DHS “is a set of words that don’t really have the meaning that people attribute to it,” said Republican Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama. “There was hardly any effect whatsoever on the Department of Homeland Security from the last shutdown, and I would anticipate a similar effect this time.”

Brooks was referring to the 2013 partial federal government shutdown that Americans blamed mostly on Republicans, and which many GOP leaders have vowed not to repeat.

I am so sorry! You can’t be screaming for border security and then let Homeland Security close. You just can’t!

Name the MLBer who is currently still pitching with the most all-time career saves for a pitcher born in Texas?

Commentary mentioned the other day that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker would not be president. Yesterday he compared ISIS to labor unions. Looks like he is not ready for prime time.

Next time I run into Harris County Tax Assessor Collector Mike Sullivan, I am going to ask him why he didn’t place his mug on the educational billboards promoting the switchover to the new single-sticker system for vehicle registrations and inspections. I saw one of his billboards off of I-45 and North Main.

I have seen Hunker Down on billboards in the past. I have seen the Harris County Sheriff on promotions. On the I-45/North Main billboard only Tax Assessor Collector Sullivan’s name is displayed. Maybe the ad funders stipulated that photos of elected officials were not allowed. Oh, well!

Joe Nathan of course was born in H-Town and has 376 saves to lead all closers born in Texas.

The AL Champs Royals will visit The Yard five weeks from today to wrap up Spring Training.

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Moving Forward

Way to go Mr. President!

Congrats also go to those that help make this happen including the DREAMers and immigration activists. One of them was MariGirl who also got some run in today’s Chron!

Was the President’s decision political? Yep! But then again, the GOP allowed their far right wing to make it a wedge issue in 2007.

You know it is a near brilliant move when the GOP is all over the map on their responses. Some are calling it anarchy. Some want to defund the move. Some want a government shutdown. A few are bringing up impeachment. Some are saying it is amnesty. Some like Guv Dude are going to court. None of them are calling for a bill though.

Now that’s what I call a talking point breakdown.

This thing is moving forward and I doubt it will ever be reversed.

Here is what Jorge Ramos tweeted the past few hours:

JORGE RAMOS ‏@jorgeramosnews 1h1 hour ago
Millions woke up without fear in the U.S. for the first time in their lives.

JORGE RAMOS ‏@jorgeramosnews 54s54 seconds ago
The executive decision on immigration is a victory for the Latino community. It wasn’t given to us; it’s what we fought for.

JORGE RAMOS ‏@jorgeramosnews 8m8 minutes ago
Instead of fighting the President, Republicans should, instead, fix the immigration mess. Pass reform in Congress in 2015. Your choice

JORGE RAMOS ‏@jorgeramosnews 7m7 minutes ago
This morning many immigrant parents can say to their kids: “See you tonight” and know it’s true.

Some are saying that if the President had acted on this three months ago, more Latinos might have turned out to vote in November and saved a couple or three Dems. We will never know.

We do know that if the GOPers try to mess with this over the next couple of years, Latinos will be there to answer at the polls in 2016.

With 630 career dingers, this former MLBer ranks sixth all-time. Who am I talking about?

MariGirl got some much deserved run in today’s Chron. It is in the hard copy and behind the paywall. It is personal for her. She has been tirelessly at the forefront for a few years now. Check this:

Across town in the Baker-Ripley Neighborhood Center in the predominantly Hispanic neighborhood of Gulfton in southwest Houston, Marisol Valero echoed other immigrants’ sentiments of relief.

Her parents could finally be able to live without fear of being stopped by police while going to the grocery store. Valero, 29, came here from Mexico as a child and has a brother born in the U.S. Her mother cleans homes and her father drove trucks until his driver’s license expired last year, and he couldn’t renew it because he’s here illegally. When his mother became ill recently in Mexico, she told him she didn’t want him to come back to see her die only to risk his own life crossing the border. He bid her goodbye on the phone.

“I applaud the president for trying, but obviously it is not enough,” said Valero, who is an immigration manager for Neighborhood Centers, while she and about 40 other people watched Obama’s speech on a giant television screen. “There are still going to be many people who are going to be left out.”

Be proud of what you have accomplished to date.

Ken Griffey, Jr. of course with 630 career dingers is sixth on the all-time career list. Junior is celebrating his 45th BD today!

The team set their 40-man roster last night. Oh well!

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Phantom Opinions And A Vote For Yolanda

Somebody called “Eye on City Hall” sent out a take yesterday on the H-Town City Council District H Special Election and the upcoming Mayoral race. The problem is “Eye” doesn’t let us know who she/he is? They are chicken – cluck, cluck, cluck. If you are going to put out an opinion, have the guts and courage to put your name out there and don’t do it anonymously. If you put your name where your mouth is, then we all get to see if you have an agenda, a conflict – you get the picture. I’m discounting everything “Eye” says until “Eye” eye-dentifies himself/herself.

Of all the takes that have been put out on District H, nobody has really offered an opinion on what to expect – interesting. One thing is for certain about tomorrow, the polls will be open from 7 to 7 and some voters will be a little perturbed when they find out polling locations have been combined. Vote for Yolanda Navarro Flores and stay tuned!

H-Town Mayoral candidate and City Controller didn’t take Bill King’s piece on city finances sitting down. Here is a part of what Annise wrote to the Chron: “Bill King’s attack on Mayor Bill White’s budget is all wet. If King had the foresight on a sunny day to buy an umbrella, would he leave it sitting in his closet when it rains? Thank goodness our current city leaders had the foresight to build up a surplus when times were good.” Take that!

Commentary is going to nominate The Dean to be the official spokesperson of the Lone Star State. Every time we need to fix the perception the rest of the U.S. of A. have about us, we can just stick The Dean in front of a TV camera and let it roll. CNN has been running stories about the law enforcement officials in the East Texas burg of Tenaha ripping off folks of color. It is some sort of red neck rip off scheme with a badge attached. The Dean was on live CNN yesterday afternoon explaining how we are going to hold some folks accountable. As usual, The Dean did a good job and didn’t make us look like a bunch of dumbarse secessionists. Way to go Dean!

ManRoid won’t appeal his 50 game suspension and apollyized to Dodger Blue fans. He also pointed out that in the past few years he had passed 15 drugs tests. I think it was more like he got away 15 times. Supposedly he tested positive for something called HCG which among other things is used to “treat delayed puberty in boys” – makes sense to me. Those two Red Sox World Serious Championships don’t look too pristine to me.

Here is what The Big Pujma said:  "It wouldn’t surprise me if he was on steroids, it’s sad to say, but that’s the way I feel about it.  I think that anybody that makes the game look clownish is under suspicion because it’s just not that easy. It’s unfortunate that here we go again with another round of steroid questions.”

We’re not a good team right now. Cecil Puede is making too many excuses. The Big Puma is hanging around the interstate highway. A few players are dinged up. The Hampton/Ortiz experiment is not producing much. Let’s see what we can muster up against the Padres this weekend.

Technorati Tags: Latino politics,politics,Houston City Council,Texas Latino Politics,2010 Census,Houston Astros,Campos Communications,Houston Area Latino Summit,Marc Campos,Immigration,Houston City Council election,Houston District H City Council Election

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Thoughts From A District H Voter

Commentary snagged this from Woodland Heights resident Cathy Courtney who is a voter in District H. Of course everyone should know by now that Yolanda Navarro Flores is a Commentary client:

“Subject: Important Message From MPH, Cathy Courtney

“Remember to vote in Election this week to replace City Council Rep Adrian Garcia.

“You may share my opinion with your friends in our district & encourage folks to VOTE in this tight, small numbers race.

“As you know, I’m a long time health worker, Christian, educator & frequently involved in electoral & issue campaigns. Since 8/86, I’ve been a voter registrar, precinct delegate, convention secretary, poll worker, & Pct Judge, and active in our community. Some neighbors have asked for my perspective on this election. My research completed on (CoH) Council candidates, I provide you some personal, independent, albeit values laden opinions:). Let me know what you think…

Fortunately we have many qualified candidates to choose from so it’s been a tougher decision….

“1. Yolanda Navarro-Flores is the only candidate previously elected to public office. A former radio & TV broadcaster, she’s a good presenter & as a lawyer, used to dealing with mediation & complicated laws. I worked on her District148 campaign; she won as our House Representative & honed her legislative skills during the 93-95 term. Yolanda’s a smart Hispanic woman, progressive Catholic, Mom, Grandmother, with generations of family in the district. (Lindale resident). The only woman running, Yolanda’s a Cancer survivor who’s a fighter and knows the med care issues of women & children & the health insurance system mess. For the past 7 yrs, her elected service and work (unpaid) on HCC Board of Trustees has benefited even our district (e.g. the NE HCC campus is credited to her persuasive persistence & accounting abilities); helped REDUCE property taxes for the 1st time in HCC history. Better able to interpret Chapter 42 of the Code of Ordinances (all that street paving, concrete & bungalow vs developers stuff) than other candidates. Marc Campos (campaign mngr) and later Yolanda answered all my questions. She knows the ins & outs of budgeting & insurance options.  http://yolanda4citycouncil.com/about/about.htm  Volunteering w/Health Care For All Texas (www.hcfat.org)

local, state & national coalitions, we’re educating at group meetings & individuals to win public org endorsements & constituent support for "Single Payer" health plan. We’re gathering DATA to document how HR676 will significantly lower the cost of health expenditures for the City of Houston (CoH). Council will be asked to make a RESOLUTION supporting HR676, recommending a YES vote to our Congress reps & Yolanda has commited to support the resolution. 

Yolanda is the BEST CHOICE to hit the ground running representing our district, no learning curve and I believe her skills will best help our district at this time.

“2. Maverick Welsh has been a smart, caring 18+ yrs teacher at Reagan up til 07, then working for Peter Brown & rose to Chief of Staff, until January09 when he resigned to run for this office. Maverick’s served in Proctor Plaza neighborhood work projects, Norhill historic district & is good advocate for saving our bungalows (SOB endorsement); http://www.shadyacres.org/index.php?page=74;wap2 No children or other job responsibilities he’d be a hard worker probly full-time. He’s a decent writer (altho somebody on his campaign team missed spelling & grammar errors in his campaign mailouts).  The GLBT door-to-door volunteer was keen & knowledgeable about his candidate. Campaign mngr, John Gorczynski is Judge, JP, Dale’s son. JohnG knew all Maverick’s positions on the issues. Maverick advocates for comprehensive health reform, supports a single payer financing plan and would endorse a Council resolution recommending support of HR 676 to our Congress reps. Karen Derr (real estate diva but 1st time in politics, who forgot to file on time for Council race), will run AT-large next time, so many of her supporters have switched to Maverick and want to see him finish out ex-Council rep Adrian Garcia’s term. 2nd choice if run-off election. http://maverickwelsh.com/

“3.  I have NOT seen Ed Gonzalez at meetings, demonstrations, Dem fundraisers, parties or neighborhood events in over 20 yrs. He may be a good HPD officer (& friends with Adrian Garcia) but crime issues seem the extent of his politics. He’s lived outside the District until a few years ago. It concerns me that Ed voted in Republican primaries well into the Bush years. [My friend in 1st ward said he did participate in business & community mtgs.] It bothers me that his top supporters are developers, insurance companies, big $ contributors & "traditional" politicos. He or staff have NOT responded to my questions at office or phone. I worry about his personal behaviors & political loyalties, and hidden values conflicting with our district. http://www.edforh.com/

“4. Gonzalo Camancho is an engineer, expert/gung ho transportation & traffic issues, has published articles.  Gonzalo is smart but I don’t respect him that as a Bolivian native, getting educated & living in the US for 30 years, he didn’t become a citizen until 2002 & then in 03 jumped into a CityCouncil face & obviously has a big time infrastructure agenda, like pushing a I-45 tunnel/parkway, which of course his company could assist building… http://votecamachotunnel.com/ Too one issue a candidate for me.

“5. Lupe Garcia came from a poor family, great American success story growing up in our District, family roots, HPD stint & Border Patrol stint to small business owner (auto repairs). However his lack of political experience is problematic to me and his big issues are property issues and reducing taxes, he doesn’t know enough about the huge City system, public funding etc. http://www.garciaforcitycouncil.com/

“ 6. Rick Rodriquez, a baseball player turned HPD officer since 1986, seems too one issue focused on CRIME. He at least lives in Lindale & his kids go to Travis Elem, but he’s reeaalll new to politics… & no public service experience, $$, etc Needs to pay his dues in the community & political arena a little more. another race, another time… http://rickrodriguez09.org/bio

“7. Hugo Mojica has been a staff for US rep Gene Green, Council members Gabriel Vasquez & Michael Berry. He works for Brilliant Lectures, a nonprofit org, active in some community org & St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. It sounds like to me that he’ll continue to make a better STAFFER than leadership for our council www.hugomojica.com/0/1358466/0/34487/

“8. Larry Williams Independence Hts resident, was a teacher & later founded of the New Covenant Baptist Church where he has served as Pastor for 13+ years.  Larry’s was a candidate for Council in 05 & got 22% of the vote compared to Adrian Garcia.  I like it that Larry serves as Pct judge, is a community activist (like me) but not everybody’s who an activist can overcome the learning curve. The grind of council biz is probably not really his thing. http://williams4citycouncil.com/meet_larry.htm

“ 9. I don’t feel like writing about James Partsch-Galvan, the Ron Paul, libertarian perennial candidate. too weird for me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1dAkeT7o10&feature=related; or http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-FuIZgeI8er9o1ao_e5ywbDB43A–?cq=1

“According to Charles Kuffner (offthekuff.com blogger/writer)… There was a lot of agreement at the Shady Acres neighborhood forum…partly because the candidates are not too far apart in outlook and ideology. The broad range of backgrounds and experiences among the candidates include cops, lawyers, teachers, civil engineers, and business owners – and it’s clear they have different priorities and approaches. …There wasn’t that much dissonance among them. I assume that will change for the runoff, at least to some extent, but for now things were very civil and pleasant."…

“Reports from the Shady Acres forum with these candidates can be viewed here

http://www.shadyacres.org/index.php?page=75  http://www.shadyacres.org/index.php?page=68

“Too few folks have early voted (n=830). Voting on Saturday 5/9 is deadline. Our Council rep can get things fixed for us and make a difference in the quality of life in our community. I urge you to further assess these District H candidates and GET OUT TO VOTE.

“Sincerely

Cathy C. Courtney, MPH

Woodland Heights”

Thank you Cathy.

Speaking of District H, Commentary has to give the Lupe Garcia his due for a photo of him in a small publication holding up a cardboard sign that says “will work for the city.” I wonder if he was on a street corner.

Speaking of, my good friend Bill King who has done a lot of research and reading on the finances of the City of H-Town has the following piece in today’s Chron. Check it out.

The Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will be holding a discussion this evening on city council redistricting at 5:30 pm, 1801 Main on the Penthouse Floor. My good buddy Edgar will be moderating tonight’s event so check it out.

Commentary snagged foul ball number 4 last night. I actually thought this one would end up in the display case but Michelle from Rolle Alloys, an oil drilling services company, was sitting next to me and asked me for it – drats. She’s in town for the OTC Convention and it was her first time to The Yard. We got run last night after falling behind 4 zip in the first so let’s see if we can at least get a split with the Cubbies this evening.

Technorati Tags: Latino politics,politics,Houston City Council,Texas Latino Politics,2010 Census,Houston Astros,Campos Communications,Houston Area Latino Summit,Marc Campos,Immigration,Houston City Council election,Houston District H City Council Election

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