Douglas shows her hypocrisy in the flyer when she states she “worked across ALL communities,” but chooses to attack one in particular. Well, I’ll repeat an oft-stated civil rights mantra:  When one of us is attacked, we are all attacked. So, we must not only rise in defense of the GLBT community, we must ensure our Harris County Democratic Party is led by someone who doesn’t talk it (or puts it on a flyer), but walks it, and that’s Lane Lewis.

What is scarier than losing in November to right-wing Republicans is having a Party led by someone who would attempt to divide Democrats from within. Early voting is done, but Tuesday is Democratic Primary Day. VOTE!

Or, if Keryl Douglas doesn’t “get it,” I agree with Kuff.

Reblogged from :

I had gotten some emails from concerned folks wondering if I was supporting President Obama, since he wasn’t on the first slate card. Then I figured, I may as well seek out some more complaints and add a few more DC-nods. So, here goes.

Apologies for running out of room, but I think I resolved the situation. Click to enlarge.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Here's the Stace Slate...again!

I’ve always said that Latinos must be the storytellers of our history. Too often, we want to rely on mainstream media to give us two minutes of their own interpretation and then we complain when they fall way too short. Well, when I heard a friend of mine was working on a TV show, I got excited. Last night, in front of a live audience at Paco Joe’s on the Gulf Freeway, auditions were held for a co-host of this new show and, let me tell you, Houston has some talent. The auditions continue next Thursday evening at Paco Joe’s, so come on out and support the creation of this new show. More details soon.

It was great meeting some of the VIP Judges who participated in the auditions, including the guys from ESPN Deportes and one of the founders of the local GLBT LULAC and all-around awesome guy Edward Sanchez. A new friend made was Chelsea Coffey, a local image consultant, fellow blogger, and the Executive Director of Mia’s Closet.

Mia’s Closet provides new and gently used clothing to Houston area girls in dire need of clothing, emotional support, and constructive planning for the future. Our events are designed to give them a boost in self-esteem and an opportunity to think about their personal futures via Mia’s Closet Boutique Shopping Days.

Last Day of Early Voting…Make it Count!

Today is the last day of early voting. It’s been a quiet Democratic Primary for lots of reasons, especially the fact that our usual early March vote turned into a later May vote (with a run-off in July). So, find an early voting location–any early voting location–and cast your vote TODAY.

And if you need help choosing a candidate, check out my slate.

Dewhurst and Cruz – Anti-Immigrant Zealots, Both of ‘em!

Looks like Cruz started it with his my dad is an immigrant so “I hate non-Cuban immigrants” ad, and now Dewhurst is pegging him as supporting “amnesty.” Nothing new, right? Hate is hate and it mostly comes from the Republican Party.

The GOP might have a shot a some Latino votes if they just kept the anti-Latino vitriol out. But if they want to rile up their basest base voters, then, it’s a must to hate on Latinos. Oh, well, right?

The Dome

When you have a beautiful stadium and facilities like Reliant and an old relic of the past right next door, it just doesn’t seem to match. At some point the Dome was an architectural marvel–the 8th wonder and all that.  But the question about raising taxes to spend 1/2 a billion dollars to make the dome “livable” for no one in particular needs to be answered with another question:  Do we need it?

I like the idea of the plaza, frankly.

Public Comment for Family Unity

Reform Immigration For America is asking for public comment on a proposal by the Obama Administration.

This rule change could prevent parents from missing a decade of their children’s lives, and spouses from facing years without the support of their partners. Now, we need your help to move this proposal forward.

Leave a public comment now to support the change in the rules that would help keep families together.

In order for this change to go into effect, we need major public support from activists like you, standing up for families separated by the 3 and 10-year bars. We will deliver your messages of support for the change to Alejandro Mayorkas, Director of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Taking a few minutes to write your comment today could make a difference for thousands of families.

Enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend. Remember the fallen and appreciate the rights we have–even when some try to limit them.

Here are some of the highlights:

ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES: 38
TOTAL POPULATION (2010): 25,145,561
LATINO POPULATION (2010): 9,460,921
PROJECTED LATINO VOTE IN 2012: 1,987,000
PROJECTED LATINO SHARE OF TEXAS VOTE: 21.3%

The report reminds us that, historically, Texas has voted for a Republican Presidential nominee; however, 2008 saw a marked change when John McCain only managed 55%. In this case, Latinos gave nominee Barack Obama 63% of their vote.

Of particular interest to me was the number of Latino voters that are registered. Although there are organizations out there trying to increase the number of registrations, it’s always good to know what you’ve got.

Texas’ Registered Voters (May 2012)

Nearly one of every four Texas registered voters (24%) is Latino.

Latino voter turnout in Texas’ Presidential elections grew from 1.3 million in 2000 to 1.7 million in 2008, an increase of 31%.

Ultimately, these stats tell us that population growth is not our strength as much as registered voters. If 1 in 4 registered voters in Texas is Latino, then we can move an election. Heck, Latinos can effect monumental change.

And if in eight years, we have only managed to increase voting by a few hundred thousand voters, then something is very wrong, but I would venture to say it is well-funded campaigns and their minions (same old consultants) who have little idea of how to energize the Latino electorate. As I’ve said many times, you can’t just translate without making your literature and your positions culturally relevant.

Thanks to NALEO for the report.

Bottom line:  There’s a lot of work to do. The Democratic Primary is just about done and turnout is dismal. November must be in our sights.

So, what was agreed upon? It was agreed that Southwest Airlines would be paying for the international expansion.

Mayor Annise Parker today announced her support for international service at Hobby Airport and released details of a proposed agreement under which Southwest Airlines (SWA) will cover all costs related to the $100 million expansion. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) requires SWA to design and build the five new gates and customs facility to the City’s specifications.  When finished, the City will own the improvements debt free.  In return for its investment, SWA will have preferential scheduling rights and pay no rent for its use of four of the five new international gates, and will also pay no rent for its use of the customs facility.  The fifth additional gate and the customs facility will be available for use by all other airlines at Hobby, but unlike SWA, the other airlines will pay rent.

“This will be financed with no City debt and no Passenger Facility Charges (PFC),” said Mayor Parker.  “SWA will bear all the risk.  “They will also have to abide by our minority and small business contracting requirements and Hire Houston First policy.  That helps guarantee our local workers get a chance at the construction jobs.  From the beginning, I have said that my decision would be based not on what is best for one or another airline, but rather on what is best for the City, the local business community and the traveling public.  There is no question we have done that.”

But like I said, there is still more to come–more lobbying and more debate. If you support the expansion, then call your Council Member.

The proposed MOA is subject to approval by Houston City Council and SWA management.  City Council consideration is expected May 30, 2012.  Construction is planned for the spring of 2013.  In the interim, the City will work closely with SWA and Washington to obtain the necessary federal approvals as well as a commitment for an adequate number of customs and border patrol agents at both of our airports.

“Again, this is not about one airline over another,” said Mayor Parker.  “My goal is to ensure the millions of international travelers who pass through Houston receive adequate customs services no matter which airport they use.”

Sounds like a good deal to me. Let’s move forward.

So, I acquired some tickets to the Astros-Cubs game last night, and I invited some good people to join me and my sis at MMP. And, yes, I’ve lived in Houston almost 14 years and this is the first game I’ve attended.  And what a way it was to attend–club seats!

After Altuve’s jonron, I decided that I would root for the home team and let my sister represent my prima from Illinois who’s a Cubbies fan. It was a tight game all night, but after the go-ahead run and Myers’ strong closing, the ‘Stros bagged a 2-1 win. Good stuff!

Anyway, I’ve decided that this is something I need to do more often. MMP is a great place to plan world domination, talk shop, and even solve some global issues. So, if anyone else wants to help me acquire tickets in the future…

And Marc doesn’t need to worry. I won’t be talking political beisbol too often on here. But I can see how easy it is to do.

And thanks to Fidencio (& Votes) and Danita for enjoying the game with us last night.

Apologies for running out of room, but I think I resolved the situation. Click to enlarge.

One had to have been there to truly feel the success of what was the first Tacos and Votes voter engagement program. A group of community leaders reached into history to launch a program which provided a forum for family fun, discussion, and ultimately, voting–and it was about time.

For a few weeks, the leaders had been canvassing the surrounding neighborhoods, but on Saturday, they used an effective tool to bring people to their doors without much need for knocking–a serenata-playing Mariachi. The effect was great attendance to the event and a noted increase in voting at the Bayland Park early voting location, an engaged community, and the birth of a notion that will continue to be developed.

Proving that tacos are just as American as burgers and dogs, hundreds of guests enjoyed dozens of pounds of beef, chicken and even veggie fajitas with all the fixin’s. A few candidates from both parties took advantage of the opportunity to visit with voters face-to-face, and activists, such as myself, enjoyed speaking to voters about choices on the ballot–trying to be as nonpolitical as possible so that they could choose whom they wanted to represent them in November.

Voter education was a major part of this event. And let me tell you, dozens of those League of Women Voters-Houston guides were read, marked up, and taken to the polls. And I lost a lot of cell phone battery looking up folks on the County voter registration site to see if they were updated, or advise them of their options.

Let me tell you, it seemed to me that those candidates who attended were rewarded with a vote. I’ve always said, Latinos really enjoy their retail politics. We like to meet or see a candidate engaging the community. And Saturday provided a bit of proof to my observation. Folks like James Cargas for Congress-7, Traci Jensen for State Board of Education, Cindy Vara-Leija for Constable-1, Gene Wu for HD-137, Diane Trautman for County School Trustee-At Large, Ann Harris Bennett for Tax Assessor, Erica Lee for County School Trustee-6, and Judge Steven Kirkland for the 215th (and volunteers for other campaigns) worked the crowd, engaged them, answered questions, and left voters feeling a sense of truly being part of the process. City Council members Mike Laster and Melissa Noriega were also in attendance and meeting many of their constituents. It was also great to see former candidate for US Senate Rick Noriega meeting with folks.

One of the most engaging moments was when a discussion circle was formed. Folks discussed some of the obstacles they felt (not what the politicians felt) the community needed to overcome. Topics within the realm of education, economics, and family were written on post-it-notes, then attached to a piñata which was then busted up by participants and their kids. It was very therapeutic for the participants and even for those of us who are always writing about these topics.

Then there was the rally, with various community leaders pumping up the crowd. Christina Sanders with the League of Young Voters stated the event was something big, “Young people live in a different America. It is important that we vote and that we hold people accountable and teach young people how to stand up against injustices.”

Mario Salinas of Latino Giving added some powerful remarks as a 4th generation Houstonian. “The days are over when we are made to feel like we do not belong here, because I belong here. I’m here to urge everyone of you to claim your voice, claim your right, and it starts right here. Politicians are never saviors, they are always servants and the question is whom do they serve. It is up to us to hold them accountable.”

Then came what we were there for:  to vote. Dozens of folks who had not yet voted lined up and marched their way to the Bayland Park polling location. The greeters and workers were ecstatic to see them, according to reports from inside. And why not? They were exercising their right, despite attempts to erect obstacles to voting.

As a good friend of mine would probably describe it, “And it was grand!”

Congrats to the Tacos and Votes crew–all the organizations involved, all the volunteers, and to all the voters who enjoyed this “new” way of engaging the community.

I wish the Chron had written more about the voter engagement aspect of this event. People do respond to hot-button issues, but in the case of Tacos and Votes it was about voter education, and not about 30-second ads of little substance which promote the politics of destruction, rather than sell the candidates. And the candidates in attendance got the message about what voters want to see from them.

One of my favorite moments was when a group of neighborhood skater kids rolled in as folks were setting up for the event. They engaged us with a concern:  The neighborhood lacks a skate park, like in other areas of the city. Skate parks have been built to keep kids active and out of trouble or danger on the streets, and it’s about time SW Houston had one, no? I was even prouder of these kids when they stuck around and helped set-up. Very respectful and very helpful.

I can’t wait for the next one!

More photos here.

Over 150 activists ascended upon the University of Houston-Downtown on Thursday to demand the passing of the DREAM Act. Supported by UHD President William Flores and elected officials, such as State Rep. Armando Walle, and other community activists, the rally included comments by prospective beneficiaries of the Act.

Kudos to our friends at FIEL for organizing the rally and sending a strong message, especially as we go through the motions of early voting.

What Is Up With El Prez?

Just as I was getting excited over the action by FIEL and other activists on Thursday, word came that President Obama has nominated Gary Blankinship to serve as Marshal for the Southern District of Texas. Blankinship was the head of the local cops union who was quite vocal against Mayor Bill White’s position against cops becoming immigration officers. To see a bunch of Dems supporting this appointment is very disappointing, to say the least.

Tacos & Votes – Saturday!

Don’t forget about Tacos and Votes this Saturday at Noon at Bayland Park. We can complain about public policy and political appointments, but if you don’t vote, not only do you not matter, but you lose your license to complain. Everybody’s a taxpayer, but when a few decide who our leaders should be, you get lost in the shuffle. VOTE, and get a Taco while you’re at it.

Chicanos for Cargas

After reading the “e-mail war” between supporters of James Cargas and his opponent, I figured I would chime in. I’ve known Jim for over eight years–good organizer, loyal Democrat, and sharp as a tack on Democratic issues and policy. You would think that, in Houston, most Dems would be, right? But let me tell you when I figured out that Jim was the best candidate.

When a debate ensued regarding an HCDP resolution to support comprehensive immigration reform and not local cops enforcing immigration, it was James Cargas who responded in support, smacking down a local Dem celebrity who had railed against it as unnecessary. It was eloquent, it was practical, and it made sense. None of the other candidates have been anything near coherent on the issue of immigration. Knowing that Culberson will make Latinos and immigration an issue to rile up his right-wing base, it is really a no-brainer to have James Cargas on the November ballot as a true counter to the wing-nut on the ballot–on all issues, especially immigration reform.

Without reservation, The Medellin Family supports James Cargas.

Full Disclosure:  Jim hired me to consult and manage him for a couple of months, and not at some astronomical consulting fee. He paid me because a big chunk of my life was invested in someone in whom I believe. Ultimately, he got the Familia discount. As far as my Dem creds, I haven’t missed a Dem Primary-ever! I’m a Chicano (South Texas variety with an unapologetic La Raza Unida Party streak). Not that any of this should matter. I’ll give more reasons for supporting James Cargas next week.

In closing…VOTE!

***Advisory for Rally and Forum Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 11:00 AM***

TDP’s Promesa Project: Rally and Forum in Support of the DREAM Act

Houston – As part of its Latino engagement program known as the Promesa Project, the Texas Democratic Party is holding events across the state on National DREAM Act day of action in support of the DREAM Act. The TDP’s Promesa Project Fellow will participate in a DREAM Act rally and urge voters to support the referendum in favor of the DREAM Act on the Democratic Primary ballot. In the evening, Promesa Project Fellows will host a forum in support of the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act would allow immigrant students who were brought here as children and have stayed out of trouble earn a path to legalization through a higher education or military service.

WHAT:   Rally in support of the DREAM Act on the Democratic Primary ballot AND  Forum in support of the DREAM Act

WHO: -Maria Virginia Ivañez, Promesa Project Fellow from the University of Houston

            -DREAM Act Students

WHERE:  Rally: University of Houston Downtown Campus, South Deck

FORUM: Harris County Democratic Party Headquarters, 1445 North Loop W # 110 Houston, TX 77008

WHEN:  Rally: Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 11:00 A.M.

                Forum: Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 7:30 P.M.

The referendum (#1) reads as follows:

Any graduate of a Texas high school, who has lived in the state for at least three years and lived here continuously for the last year, should be eligible for in-state tuition at state supported colleges and universities and given the opportunity to earn legal status through a higher education or military service.

The DREAM Act would help an estimated 2.1 million young people in the country earn a path to legalization through a higher education or military service. An estimated 258,000 – or 12 percent – of total DREAM Act beneficiaries live in Texas.

The Texas Democratic Party’s Promesa Project will hold events today in Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Houston, Brownsville and El Paso in support of the DREAM Act and in support of the referendum in favor of the DREAM Act on the Democratic Primary ballot.

Austin has a press conference, too.

WHAT:                 Press Conference urging voters to support the referendum in support of the DREAM Act on the Democratic Primary ballot

WHO:  -Representative Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas)

-Julieta Garibay, a DREAM Act beneficiary who holds a Masters in Science of Nursing with a focus on Public Health from the University of Texas at Austin

-Justin Perez, Promesa Project Fellow from the University of Texas at Austin 

WHERE:              TDP Headquarters, 505 W. 12^th St. Ste 200

WHEN:                Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 10:00 A.M.

And Laredo, too, along with a phone bank!

WHAT: Press Conference and Phone Bank urging voters to support the referendum in support of the DREAM Act on the Democratic Primary ballot

WHO:   -Arnoldo Alonso, Promesa Project Fellow at TAMIU

-Several Democratic Party candidates 

WHERE:   Press Conference:  Outside the Webb County Courthouse, 1000 Houston St., Laredo, TX 79902

Phone Bank:  1019 San Bernardo, Laredo, Texas 78401                                              

WHEN:   Press Conference:            Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 9:00 A.M.

Phone Bank:       Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 1:00PM-4:00PM.

Police officers who detain people whose only crime is being drunk in public will have the option of dropping them off at the so-called sobering center for at least a four-hour stay without an arrest on their record. Because the drop-offs are much quicker than jail bookings, police would return to patrol sooner.

Although this is a big victory for Mayor Parker, CM Ed Gonzalez was the lead member of Council on driving home the need for this center.

“We do not guarantee outcomes here. There’s nothing to say that we’re going to rehabilitate anyone,” said Councilman Ed Gonzalez, a former Houston police officer and the chief council champion for the center, “but the chances of removing them from the criminal justice system into a different model is more likely to be much, much more effective and likely to save taxpayers millions and millions of dollars over the course of the next few years.”

Gonzalez’s press release gives us a bigger picture regarding the savings.

Roughly 20% of Houston’s $25 million a year jail operation cost is attributed to public intoxication cases. The sobering center will not only provide citizens with the treatment they need and provide law enforcement officers more time to patrol against more violent crimes, it will save our city money.

Meanwhile, Helena Brown thinks private industry should fund such a facility and, apparently, feels that more cops on the street and more money in city coffers is bad.

“This will be like a slow cancer that will contribute to the death of a city.”

Are you listening (or reading), District A?

Kudos to the rest of the City Council, anyway.

Side-Note:  Now that we will have a sobering center, I would like to remind you that some of our early voting centers have earned the name “So Boring Centers,” because you all aren’t voting. Get out there and vote today in the Democratic Primary!

When I’m voting, various things go through my mind. Like all those who fought on battlegrounds, and especially in the streets, for my right to vote. Along with my parents who instilled in me a love for voting, one name that comes to mind is voting rights activist, the late Willie Velasquez, founder of the Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project.

Velasquez is the subject of a children’s book based on his life and times, expected to be published on September 16, 2012. The interactive children’s book is by a collaboration of authors and artists led by novelist and journalist Barbara Renaud Gonzalez.

The boy made of lightning will be about 25 pages long.  It will include sound, photos, video, original music and local voices. A two-page glossary with links.

As our State Board of Education attempts to minimize the contributions of Latinos, it is becoming more and more important that we create a body of evidence that we existed in the making of Texas and America and that children everywhere be taught reality, rather than some fantasy. And Willie Velasquez’s life is one that should be taught as an example of what one can accomplish and how “one boy sets out to change the world.”

Excerpt:

One day something happened that Willie would never forget.

It had rained again.  That morning, Willie decided he would discover what caused the flooding once and for all.

“Vamonos!”  He told Rudy.  “Adventure!”

The night before, the drums in his head wouldn’t stop.

Why?Where?What?When?   Why?Why?Why?

He just had to know where the flooding began.

His mother let him go.  Once Willie started on something there was no stopping him.  They took some tacos and a rope just in case they found something interesting to bring home.

Excerpt from The boy made of lightning@2012

Of course, the development of this E-book for Ipad doesn’t happen as easily without your support. Visit the website and make a small contribution toward making this book a reality.