Monthly Archives: November 2010

DREAM Supporters Arrested in SA

Posted on November 30, 2010 | 2 Comments

Photo by J. Lara

Fifteen students, activists, clergy, and community leaders were arrested after nine hours of waiting for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to show up and simply listen to their request:  That the Senator support the DREAM Act, a part of immigration reform targeted at fixing the status of students brought here by their parents.

Hutchison has pledged to vote against the DREAM Act when it is brought up during the lame duck session–possibly this week.

Hutchison has said she will not support the current bill because it “goes far beyond the intended group of children who grew up in the U.S. and attended primary and secondary schools here.”

Hutchison has failed to point out where it goes “far beyond,” but it just goes to show her support DREAM Act changes depending on who is in charge, and this time around, it’s the Tea Party who is calling the shots for her, it seems.

Hutchison attempted to play nice and failed, though.

Hutchison issued a statement saying she “appreciates these students’ passion for their cause but hopes they can find safer and more peaceful ways to voice their opinions.”

The activists say they have been trying more peaceful methods for 10 years, and the act still has not passed. In the meantime, the young adults’ lives have been in limbo, and they are unable to use their college degrees.

So, is she out of touch or is she just following orders from her Republican leaders? At one time Hutchison had this independent streak that has caused Texans to believe that at the very least she would consider legislation that actually helps the state. Now, it seems she will go down in history as an obstructionist no different than what the Republican Party is now offering. Well, there is still time for her to change her mind.

CALL TODAY:  866-996-5161. Your call will be forwarded to Hutchison’s office based on your area code.

And tell Hutchison:  ”I’m calling to remind you that at one time you fully supported the DREAM Act, and I hope that you will once again support the dreams of these accomplished students.

The Actions continue in Houston on Wednesday at 3PM with a rally in support of the DREAM Act to be beld at the Mickey Leland Federal Building, 1919 Smith Street. DosCentavos will be there doing some live-blogging and photo-taking.

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Posted in DREAM Act, Immigration

DREAM Actions from Home or Office

Posted on November 29, 2010 | 1 Comment

From our friends at DREAMActivist.org:

Today, day 20 of the hunger strike, seven Texans, including immigrant youth and their allies, are staging a sit-in in Senator Hutchison’s San Antonio office, urging her to join them in supporting the DREAM Act, legislation based on hard work, education, and service.

“We’ve done everything. For years, we’ve called, we’ve lobbied, we’ve gathered petitions, and we’ve been on hunger strike for over two weeks. This country’s future cannot wait anymore. It’s time to pass the DREAM Act,” Lucina Martinez, DREAM-eligible undocumented student at UTSA.

Right now, all eyes are on Texas and we need your help to make sure we can make an impact.

Take Action:

Call Senator Hutchison in Washington D.C., and ask her to support the DREAM Act: 866.996.5161

Hi, my name is ____, and I’m calling to ask Senator Hutchison to support immigrant youth in Texas and invest in the future of our country by supporting the DREAM Act. Thanks!

Write to Senator Hutchison. Use this online fax service for free!

Go to Senator Hutchison’s office (and bring some concerned friends). If you’d like to make a citizen lobby visit, email flavia@dreamactivist.org for a 10-minute, over-the-phone lobby clinic.

Join a DREAM Act group in your area. Email flavia@dreamactivist.org with your name, contact information, zipcode, and we’ll connect you with a DREAM Act group in your area!

Tell 5 friends to do the same, and spread the word!

All of the work at DREAMActivist is volunteer-driven, please consider making a donation to support their work.

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Posted in DREAM Act, Immigration, U.S. Ethnic Relations

Community Actions for the DREAM Act This Week

Posted on November 29, 2010 | 1 Comment

TONIGHT

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL @ 7PM

MICKEY LELAND FEDERAL BUILDING – 1919 Smith, Houston

WEDNESDAY

**Community Action**

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Familia, Neighbors, Students, Faculty, Community:
UT-San Antonio Hunger Strikers and Houston area Students are having a
PUBLIC ACTION
to continue to urge Senator Hutchison to support the DREAM Act in the upcoming lame duck session.
Other statewide actions are planned.
Everyone is welcome!
Meet outside the Mickey Leland Federal Building (housing Sen. Hutchison’s Office)

1919 Smith Street, Houston, TX 77002

Wednesday, December 1st

Arrive @ 2:45 pm

(For more information on this action, email Jannell Robles at jannell_robles@yahoo.com or call 832-816-1620.)

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Posted in DREAM Act, Immigration, LatinoVote '10, U.S. Ethnic Relations

HISD-8 Runoff is Tuesday – VOTE JULIET

Posted on November 29, 2010 | Comments Off

After all the back and forth, debates, and even truths about candidates (here and here), it’s time to decide who shall be Houston ISD Trustee~8  in the voting booth on Tuesday.

Juliet Kathy Stipeche is highly qualified:  An attorney and small business owner, as well as an activist on civil rights issues from DREAM Act to Voter Rights to LGBT causes. Juliet is the only candidate who has gone above and beyond to fight for the people–exactly the kind of school board member we need.

Juliet Kathy Stipeche knows District 8:  Born and raised in the East End by hard-working immigrant parents, Juliet has personally seen the challenges faced by children in the district and she has advocated for those children. It takes a leader who recognizes the root causes of the challenges faced by District 8, and Juliet is the only candidate who does, and is willing to do the heavy lifting and decision-making to create solutions to those challenges.

Juliet Kathy Stipeche is tireless:  Whenever given a task or job, she has never quit; if anything, she has made it a priority. Put her on the school board and there is no doubt in my mind that she will never quit or put the needs of the students on the back-burner in favor of popular notions or politics.

And as someone who has gotten to know her, I can tell you that through all of her successes, there’s nothing she wants to do more than help create the next generation of successful Houstonians who, like her, will give back to the community.

So, on Tuesday, VOTE JULIET KATHY STIPECHE for HISD Trustee~8.

Polling Locations

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Posted in 2010 Profiles, Houston Politica, LatinoVote '10, Texas Dems 2010

TPA Roundup – Post Guajolote Edition

Posted on November 29, 2010 | Comments Off

The Texas Progressive Alliance hopes you got your recommended allowance of tryptophan last week as it brings you the blog highlights. Click for the roundup below.

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Posted in TPA Stuff

Thoughts on Viernes…11262010

Posted on November 26, 2010 | Comments Off

Endorsed by What?

I’m sure you’ve all read the Texas Republican Party platform, particularly the section on education:  Support school vouchers; Abolish the Department of Education; Get rid of HeadStart, Bilingual Education, and Early Childhood Education; get rid of teaching evolution and science, etc.

Usually, a candidate who gets an endorsement is required to commit to the Republinuts that they support every tenet of their platform. So, when I saw Judith Cruz’s latest endorsement flyer stating “Republicans have a choice,” the question that came to mind was:  ”To what did she commit to get the Republican Party endorsement?”

Sure, one can cry “bipartisanship,” but as their leaders have shown since November, they intend to put their platform into place, without any Democratic help. Our public schools will definitely be under attack by Republicans and their big business buddies. So, on whose side is anyone who gets an endorsement from people who care less about our public schools?

Oh yeah, the Republicans can’t spell “trusteee,” either.  Is that what we get from corporate education interests?

There’s one choice who will represent students, parents, teachers, and all stakeholders without any hidden agendas…JULIET KATHY STIPECHE for HISD Trustee~8. VOTE TUESDAY!

The City Is STILL Watching You!

And that’s a good thing. Yes, DosCentavos was against the red light cameras, but not because of the nutjob worries about being surveilled, but for other reasons like political payoffs by the red-light corporations and the pick-and-choose fashion on which civil laws are being enforced by the city. But if our cops need help keeping watch and protecting the city from property and personal crimes, then sure, why not?

So, $300K for PR is Just One Little Expense, Huh?

Rick Casey blows the roof off of the Port Houston and their expenditures on a lawsuit that seems to be going nowhere. That sure is a lot of money going to V & E, huh? $20 million spent to avoid paying $20 million?

Again…no wonder they didn’t want a new pair of eyes on the Port board!

Great Tejano Buys

Don’t want to sift through the slim-pickin’s of the latest Tejano/Onda Chicana music at the big box stores? Me neither! So, you can always head over to Tejano Classics and get your stuff online. Of course, you can always visit Janie’s Record Shop in person or online, too. Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday!

And if you want to get me something from either one, drop me a line and I’ll send you my wish list. :-)

Keep La Onda alive!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, Y’ALL!

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Posted in Thoughts on Viernes

Justice Doesn’t Come Until Sentencing

Posted on November 24, 2010 | 1 Comment

Although I was as happy as everyone else in my political circle after Tom DeLay was convicted of Money Laundering and Conspiracy charges, I’ll wait until the sentencing on 12/20 to see how happy I will be.

Unfortunately, DeLay was allowed to remain free on his original $10,000 bond, although some may say he’s a flight risk and that bond should have been increased or that he should have been no-bonded given the severity of the charges (1st and 2nd degree felonies).

Still, even after sentencing, there will be an appeal and perhaps he will be allowed an appeal bond. So, something to keep in mind is what an attorney in Texas states about appeal bonds.

If it is less than ten years, you may be eligible for a bond. If it is more than ten years you cannot be released on bond.

Of course, since this is a first offense, probation is definitely on the table. Given the severity, though, anything really can happen when it comes down to sentencing. 1st and 2nd degree convictions are nothing to be scoffed at, particularly by appellate court judges–even if they are right-wing Republicans.

So, if an appeal to his buddies on the Court of Criminal Appeals causes an overturn, then there won’t be much to smile about. On the other hand, if all goes well, there will be varying degrees of satisfaction for some.

  1. Happy that he was convicted; or what I would prefer,
  2. Ecstatic to see his official photo in a TDCJ white uniform.

So, I’ll wait until 12/20 to see what happens next. Meanwhile, I’ll enjoy this outcome for what it’s worth.

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Posted in Criminal Justice, Republinutiness

DC’s Thanksgiving 2010 Message

Posted on November 24, 2010 | Comments Off

I’ve got lots for which to be thankful in 2010.

  • My Mom, Flora, is doing much better.
  • My sisters, Sylvia and Toni, for being the best cheering section (and critic’s circle) I could ever have.
  • My big brother Mike Kelley for continuing the fight for GLBT rights with his amazing craft and for always hanging out with the Cartel during the holidays.
  • Candidates like JULIET KATHY STIPECHE…because on top of being a top-notch lawyer and really freakin’ smart, she’s also very real. She’s the kind of person we need on the school board…period.
  • The DCMedia/MedellinGroup 2010 family of clients and their staffers (Ashley Williams!) for giving it all you got and continuing the battle. And because of you all, I finally got to open my closet DosCentavos World HQ almost inside the loop.
  • Carlos Guerra–For what seems like my political lifetime, his writing has influenced me greatly and now that he’s a good friend and “colega en la causa,” it’s been quite the experience. And now that he’s got Sara Ines Calderon, Victor Landa and that whole NewsTaco thing, I’m just hoping they don’t put me out of business. Thank you?
  • DosCentavos.net readers:  What can I say? Five years later, none of you have killed me, yet. Sure, I get called names when truths are pointed out, but hey, it’s part of the game. Agree or disagree, the traffic keeps coming and I’m thankful for that. At least some of us can still be friends in the end…I think!
  • The Texas Progressive Alliance and Houston Blogists Bloggers…see you at the Holiday Party!
  • And all my Kingwood Area Dems friends for all that you do on our treacherous ground.
Have a great Thanksgiving Holiday weekend everyone.

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Posted in DC Housekeeping

Should Dems Get Rid of VRA?

Posted on November 23, 2010 | Comments Off

Victor Landa at NewsTaco has an interesting post regarding a recent Slate.com blog post which asks the question:  Should Dems Get Rid of the Voting Rights Act?

It gets into the subject of racial politics and posits that racial gerrymandering is hurting white Democrats.

Landa’s response?

But we can see what’s really going on here. No somos pen…sativos.

Give the rest of Landa’s post a read.

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Posted in LatinoVote '10, Texas Dems 2010, U.S. Ethnic Relations

Judith Cruz Against Child Nutrition Program

Posted on November 22, 2010 | 2 Comments

JUDITH CRUZ AGAINST NUTRITION PROGRAM

Juliet Stipeche Defends First Class Breakfast Program

Houston ISD has been touting a successful program called the First Class Breakfast.

The First Class Breakfast program is an initiative that allows HISD to do even more to make sure students have a nutritious breakfast so they can learn to their full potential. HISD began serving free breakfast to all students several years ago. It is a well documented fact that when students start their school day with a good breakfast they tend to perform and behave better. But when breakfast is served in the school cafeteria before school, two-thirds of students skip it. To make sure children get a nutritious breakfast every day, the district has implemented the First Class Breakfast program to serve breakfast right in the classroom during the first few minutes of the first class. The program is in place at all elementary and middle schools totaling 215 campuses that are conveniently serving students breakfast right at their desks.

Unfortunately, only one of the candidates running for HISD Trustee District 8 supports the successful program, and that’s Juliet Kathy Stipeche. In an interview with Charles Kuffner of OffTheKuff.com, Judith Cruz was asked about the quality of nutrition programs at Houston ISD, but instead, chose to rail against the First Class Breakfast program.

“I think the first thing that comes to mind…breakfast in the classroom…I think it’s completely unnecessary,” said Judith Cruz, adding, “I don’t see starving children everyday in HISD; you know, kids might be a little bit hungry, but they’re not starving.”

Even after Kuffner explained to Cruz the “Devil’s advocate” side, Cruz was not in support of the nutrition program.

KUFFNER:  The Devils advocate argument for that is that children do less well in the classroom and that some children don’t go for the free breakfast because they feel like, you know, they stand out and that by bringing it into the classroom it kind of equalizes things, you don’t see it that way?

JUDITH CRUZ:  I don’t.

Juliet Kathy Stipeche is a strong supporter of the First Class Breakfast program and believes in serving quality, nutritious, and tasty breakfasts to HISD’s students.

“I cannot see how a former teacher, who has seen hungry children with her own eyes, can be against this program,” said Stipeche. “It is a known fact that children in urban areas like Houston face increased levels of poverty, hunger, and diets that are not beneficial to children.  Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day, and programs like this one are known to improve student achievement and discipline.”

Regarding Cruz’s comments that she has not seen “starving” children in the schools, it would seem she is out of touch with Houston’s reality. The Houston Food Bank recently reported serving 400,000 Houston-area children in 2009, which was an 85 percent increase, compared with 2005.  80% of HISD children are economically disadvantaged, which means they meet the federal criteria for free or reduced lunches. According to HISD, student participation in the breakfast program has increased substantially; ensuring children are prepared for that long day of learning.

So, you can do a couple of things:  VOTE JULIET FOR HISD (and if you do not live in HISD-8, tell your friends and family that do live there to VOTE JULIET) and in these days of even greater need, make a contribution to the Houston Food Bank.

KUFFNER INTERVIEW

http://offthekuff.com/wp/?p=31488 (Cruz comments on program at 12-minute mark)

Translated below.

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Posted in K-12 Education, Wise Latinas