Category Archives: 2023

Tacho’s Playlist

Posted on February 18, 2023 | Comments Off on Tacho’s Playlist

There have been some good tunes dropping recently and you must listen and add them to your own playlists.

La Marisoul and Los Texmaniacs – Mucho Corazon. The Grammy-winning sensations have collaborated on an album of standards backed by Smithsonian Folkways. With the album dropping on April 7, this is the first single, with La Santa Cecilia’s La Marisoul and Lorenzo Martinez (previously a member (drums and vocals) of Los Texmaniacs) handling vocals and segundas, respectively. The rest of the album will include Little Joe y La Familia’s Las Nubes and other big hits. I haven’t heard a rendition this good since Jimmy Edward’s back in the day.

La Santa Cecilia f/ Aida Cuevas – Cuatro Copas. La Santa Cecilia’s newest project includes plenty of standards done in their own style. This Jose Alfredo Classic is given all the respect it deserves by these unique vocalists. Cuevas, with her strong vocals which have made her career as a ranchera singer, gives it all she’s got, and La Marisoul does what she does best. I’m blown away and really enjoyed this rendition. Again, I haven’t heard this good a take since Laura Canales and Snowball did theirs in the 70s.

Intocable – Yo Seguire. This one dropped on Valentine’s Day. This single will be part of their new production, which includes the production skills of Don Was (Rolling Stones and others). Great vocals and background voices power this tune, along with Intocable’s ensemble cast.

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Posted in 2023, Accion, Cultura, DC Promo, Las Mujeres, Media, Reviews

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Thoughts on Viernes – 02172023

Posted on February 17, 2023 | Comments Off on Thoughts on Viernes – 02172023

Richard Cantu is Official on Social Media

Though we’d heard through the social media grapevine that HCDE Trustee Richard Cantu had filed at city hall to run for Houston City Council At-Large Position 3, we finally have added proof that he is in the running as he transformed his candidate Facebook page for this race. States Cantu:

Our neighborhoods should be clean and safe, and it takes leadership to make it happen! The neighborhoods that have problems with dumping also have some of the worst crime problems. I will tap into my three decades of positive relationships with community leaders, law enforcement, educators, faith leaders, and businesses, to continue to bring results to neighborhoods across the city!

Cantu adds that having lost his daughter to gun violence, he will continue to honor her memory by continuing to advocate to end gun violence while on City Council.

Richard has experience running and serving countywide, working with various entities to bring services to the area’s youth, so, he’s not running just because it’s a good gig. He will put in the work.

Abbott Promises More BS and Less Action

Greg Abbott spoke to his right-wing and bigoted friends yesterday. He sure as hell didn’t speak to the people of Texas, promising to blame immigrants, border communities, and Joe Biden for Texans’ fentanyl addictions; blaming judges for the overuse of an oversupply of guns in crimes; pushing school vouchers as a means of avoiding getting shot at public schools while also avoiding being indoctrinated with facts and science and stuff (I think that what I heard).

Anyway, Greg Abbott continues to set high standards for do-nothing republicans who just want a good gig. Meanwhile, Fascist Mack continues to fund Republican lawsuits promoting denial of election outcomes in which they lost.

COVID-19 Remains Steady

As we near of the Biden-ending of the pandemic emergencies, the most recent COVID-19 surge remains steady and in double-digits, though leaders celebrate the slow drop in cases. We are at 12% positivity while the newest variants continue to surge. The Feds continue to push vaccination, especially the bivalent boosters, but have done little to promote masking in busy places (stores, mass events). So, the more I see people I know getting bit a second time by COVID-19, the more I know no one is doing enough–including people, in general. And as health experts tell us, the more the virus circulates (spreads), the more it will change and become more transmissible as new variants.

Thankfully, Moderna has stated that their boosters and vaccines will continue to be free to the public, including the uninsured. But that’s because the taxpayers paid for its development. The other drug companies will charge $110 for the vaccines.

When is the next booster for those of use fully boosted, yet probably waning? Well, the Feds seem to be waiting on whether we will switch to an annual booster in the Fall. Some of us are worried about waiting too long if the current booster is waning, especially the immunocompromised who need the protection. Dr. Peter Hotez suggests the Feds recommend a second booster sooner so that people can decide whether or not to get it. The Feds don’t seem to be listening to the experts.

So, keep masking, stay away from big crowds, etc.

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Posted in 2023, Accion, City of Houston, DC Promo, Elections, Local Politica, Media, Republinuttiness, Texas Lege

Funders of Feel Good Jesus Ads Fund Hate

Posted on February 13, 2023 | 1 comment

I got an interesting e-mail from Americans United for Separation of Church and State regarding those feel-good ads we’ve seen during football games, including the Super Bowl. The message on immigration and asylum seekers being compared to Joseph and Mary during the holiday season was especially powerful. But I must say I don’t trust anything until I find out who’s funding what and for what purpose. I’m especially distrusting of religious messaging. So, this e-mail answered some questions I’ve had since I first saw the ads.

Dear ____:

An expected 120 million people will watch the Super Bowl on Sunday – many just for the commercials. One viral ad – the $20 million “He Gets Us” campaign about Jesus – is funded by an influential donor to some of the most active and litigious Shadow Network groups working to undermine church-state separation. 

The Servant Foundation, also known as The Signatry, is behind the ad blitz. Over the next three years, the Servant Foundation plans to spend “about a billion dollars” toward this public relations campaign. They’ve hired a PR firm to address, in the firm’s words, the problem of “How did the world’s greatest love story in Jesus become known as a hate group?”

Of course, they’re the cause of their own problem – not only has the Servant Foundation funded hate groups, but the PR firm, Haven, has represented them. Key Shadow Network members Focus on the Family and Alliance Defending Freedom are in their portfolio. Our last installment in this email series exposed ADF, a noted anti-LGBTQ hate group that has argued repeatedly in courts that religion, and specifically Christianity, is a license to discriminate; they have one such case pending before the Supreme Court right now. 

But the Servant Foundation has more direct ties to ADF: It’s one of ADF’s biggest financial backers. A recent exposé reports that, “between 2018-20, the Servant Foundation donated more than $50 million to the Alliance Defending Freedom” and that those contributions “were among the five largest donations given out by the foundation in each of those three years.”

Other recipients of the Servant Foundation’s billion dollars in assets include:

  • Nearly $8 million went to Answers in Genesis, creationist Ken Ham’s fundamentalist ministry behind the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter.
  • Over $1 million was designated for the anti-LGBTQ Campus Crusade for Christ (rebranded as “Cru” since 2011).
  • $374,800 went to Al Hayat Ministries, an organization that seeks to “respectfully yet fearlessly unveil the deception of Islam,” and runs an Arabic-language Christian satellite TV station with the goal of converting Muslims to Christianity.

In 2020 alone, we found donations to prominent Shadow Network members American Center for Law and Justice, First Liberty Institute, and Liberty Counsel. 

Also helping to fund the Super Bowl ads are the Greens, the billionaire family behind the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., and the Hobby Lobby craft store chain that got the Supreme Court to grant corporations a religious exemption to deny workers access to birth control.

This is how the Shadow Network operates – an expensive, gimmicky ad campaign that pastes a feel-good, faith-friendly face on their behind-the-scenes efforts to redefine religious freedom and gut church-state separation. But you and I know better.

So, when you hear folks chatting about this “Jesus ad” after the Super Bowl, help us expose the Shadow Network behind the ads.

In Solidarity,

Rachel K. Laser
President and CEO

During tough times, we all look for feel-good messages, but we must ask ourselves if we are being duped by the messengers. Hell, everyone feels good when the local furniture salesman does something, but then are shocked when he ends up being a gambling-addicted, MAGA-supporting, tax-dodging, election denying a-hole. Or, when the local feel-good preacher locks the doors on hurricane victims. A billion-dollar ad campaign is equally suspect when it comes from people funding hate. It’s something to think about.

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Posted in 2023, Accion, Cultura, DC Promo, Elections, Local Politica, Media, Religious Liberty

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Thoughts on Viernes – 02102023

Posted on February 10, 2023 | Comments Off on Thoughts on Viernes – 02102023

First, The Good News: Robert Gallegos for Houston Mayor

Woke up this morning to ABC-13 telling me (on TV) that District I CM Robert Gallegos has tossed his hat in the ring for Mayor of Houston. The Chron has it. Gallegos is the term-limited lone Chicano on the Council. He has represented his district well, taking on issues such as environmental racism by rail companies, along with pushing for quality of life projects, such as the development of the Houston Botanic Garden in his district, and more budget money for trash and recycling in his district. His office’s constituent services rank up there as responsive and effective. Nine years of experience on Council, as well as decades of experience in the community, surely qualifies his run. Gallegos has been my favorite member, and I’ll even go as far as stating that he has rep’d me better than most at City Hall, and I live in the Mid-West of Houston.

Side note: I’ll never forget his kind words and memorial service attendance when my Mom passed away in 2016. He’s genuinely a good person who would serve all of Houston well.

The Chron already has the local experts talking about the race. I’ll analyze the analyzers next week.

Abbott Doubles Down On Being A Bigot–Again!

Greg Abbott hates diversity as a means of social change as he has banned using diversity as a hiring tool. The only kind of diversity he approves of is the usual hiring of ass-kissing vendidos who are willing to sell-out their own people. He’ll parade around a babos@ who will walk lock-and-goose-step with his Trump-like policies. Otherwise, it’s not his kind of diversity. We’ve been through it before here on DC when Latinos support any given republinut Latino appointee as a win for diversity, but in reality, it’s a win for right-wing pendejos. Why are we so surprised?

Abbott Isn’t Accountable To Uvalde

Abbott’s DPS has decided that a couple of DPS troopers is enough to punish DPS for the Uvalde shooting response. If they fire too many, they won’t be able to keep the border boondoggle staffed, I gather. That’s OK, Uvalde County voted for Abbott, so they must be OK with what happened in Uvalde. I guess that means that doofus DPS director gets to stay, too. He said as much.

Biden’s New Super-Duper-Deportation Rule

A new Biden initiative to immediately deport non-Mexicans has the administration back-tracking on the plan. So, as always, there is confusion in the news. One reason they’re contemplating Mexico as a drop-off point is that they have bad relations with Cuba and Venezuela because of the blockades the US has imposed on them which makes for difficult trips to drop-off deportees. And Mexico is willing to work with the US, but probably at a price. There is sure to be an uproar from US-based (and connected) folks from the targeted deportation countries. Biden’s mistake is that he refuses to work with these countries because he might earn a few political points, but hardly any votes, by making noise about them. Democrats lost an opportunity to do something worthwhile in migration during the Democratic majority.

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Posted in 2023, Accion, City of Houston, Cultura, DC Promo, Democratic Stuff, Elections, Environmental, Local Politica, Media

SOTU Observations

Posted on February 8, 2023 | Comments Off on SOTU Observations

Democrats seem to have loved President Biden’s challenges to Republicans that they work together during the next year. Biden’s listing of bipartisan accomplishments surely made Dems feel good. Republicans responded with their usual hate, using their latest version of anti-Black and anti-Latino hate on a few issues in which Biden was less than stellar.

Immigration

Biden’s call for bipartisanship on immigration reform was weak. After doing nothing on the issue with a Democratic majority, he thinks bipartisanship will do the trick. But right off the bat, he proposes further militarization of the border with added Migra-Mice on the ground. This, after doing nothing regarding reform of ICE and the Border Patrol who continue their violent tendencies. Biden also seems to blame the fentanyl crisis on the border, while the demand is right here in America. The one part of this package are the DREAMers, who have been played by both sides since the issue was created as a means to achieve bipartisanship on something. Well, the call was made once again.

The Detention Watch Network released a report on issues that Biden must still address, including detention of migrants, ending cooperation between local police and ICE, and ending family detention prisons.

Sadly, Republicans will not allow much of anything, other than more militarization and human rights violations. Any negotiation will see Dems ceding this for whatever weak reform is created . That’s if anything happens.

Police Reform

I sort of feel like Roland Martin. It seemed Tyre’s mom was doing a better job of calling on police reform from the balcony. Any discussion of police reform should go beyond accountability for murdering black people. If there is no culture change in the current toxic state of policing, there will still be death and destruction of families, only with more slaps on the wrist–and more DAs failing to indict.

COVID

With Biden’s call to end the pandemic emergencies, it seems America has given the reins to big pharma who will overcharge the poor and uninsured ($80 to $120 for COVID shots). It’s not even on Biden’s radar to have a bipartisan solution to ensure people have access to COVID-related health care, if infected. And the immunecompromised have been left to fend for themselves with no antibodies and no help in staying safe. Of course, Biden did chastise big pharma regarding diabetes meds and profits, so that makes up for it? Anyway, I’m glad Senator Bernie Sanders was an ominous reminder (and hopefully focal point) that COVID is still here.

Overall

Biden hit all the spots that might appease middle class America, though. Infrastructure, vacation hotel bills, etc. Many of us still await the infrastructure investment that is to come and if whether it will be life-changing for people and not just government contractors. I haven’t stayed at too many hotels during the last few years, but the hotel thing seemed to excite the middle class.

Turning the tables on Republicans regarding Social Security played beautifully. And there are great ideas that I hope come to fruition. Unfortunately, the media and insider Dems were treating this as Biden’s re-election announcement, rather than a list of things to work on during the next year. I took “finish the job” to mean actually accomplishing something more than re-election. A Democratic majority should have finished the job.

The Right-Wing

The response was more racism from Arkansas’ governor blaming America’s problems on CRT and the border. Meanwhile, she called for a return to Trump’s racist policies. Business as usual for the Republicans.

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Posted in 2023, Accion, Cultura, Democratic Stuff, Elections, U.S. Capitol

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In Honor of No Tejano…

Posted on February 4, 2023 | Comments Off on In Honor of No Tejano…

As always, the local horse and cow show has avoided Tejano music at all costs. It seems like the Grammys are avoiding it too–in a category that supposedly includes Tejano. Well, we won’t avoid it. Here are a few new tunes that have dropped recently.

The Latin Breed – Sientes Igual – As a loyal fan of Tejano music, the legendary Latin Breed is always on my playlist. With their vocalist Ben Miranda, TLB drops this horn-driven ranchera that makes you more than toe-tap. Quiero bailar! Enjoy.

Jay Perez – Necesito Odiarte – The Voice is back with a new single and an upcoming album. Penned by Eddie Perez and produced by the good folks at Freddie Records, Perez gets a new set of musicians together for this tune. And despite the new guys, the legacy sound is not lost at all–even live. Many know that Jay has been taking a short break after some maintenance surgery on his vocal cords, but after over 25 years in the biz, we all would need a tune-up. I’m lovin’ this song.

La Dezz – Anhelos – Chocked full of experience, La Dezz is hardly a new band, and they have been dropping good original music for a while. But this hit made famous by Los Aguilares and is a fitting tribute, which features Ram Herrera joining Mark and David Ledesma and Lisa Mar. Ram has included this tune in his live repertoire lately.

Rebecca Valadez – No Te Voy A Perder – Rebecca has been in the business from a young age, touring with Janet Jackson and the two itirations of Mazz. Recently, she’s been performing with Stevie D and has a single with him. But this tune, produced by Jonathan Espinoza, will hopefully put her on the map once again as a solo artist. It’s a tough business and even toughter for las mujeres. Excellent drumming from Aaron Holler, too.

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Posted in 2023, Cultura, DC Promo

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Thoughts On Viernes – 020323

Posted on February 3, 2023 | Comments Off on Thoughts On Viernes – 020323

After my first post in a long while, I was elated by the positive response. In fact, some good friends fed me more hope.

Joaquin Martinez for District I

I’ve known this was going to happen for a while. I’ve known Joaquin for a long time now and have always been impressed by his commitment and drive to serve the community. I met him during his service in the nonprofit sector and was impressed by his campaign abilities during his run for State Senate. But he has proved himself as an effective doer as a staffer for current District I CM Robert Gallegos. Of course, I’m proud to say CM Gallegos has served me more effectively than most on the horseshoe on issues beyond my own district. That said, Joaquin is sure to continue that trend of excellent constituent services and transparent policy-making. Learn more about him by following his campaign on Facebook.

Richard Cantu for At-Large 3

Our current HCDE Trustee Richard Cantu announced his intention to run for At-Large 3 recently. Cantu has relevant experience, both as an elected official and as a countywide campaigner. He has actually been reaching beyond political connections. I look forward to an exciting grassroots campaign that is about and for the people, which is something we all need. Stay tuned.

Ivan Sanchez for District J

Many have already seen Sanchez making the rounds as he challenges a well-funded incumbent, who based on his fundraising, is looking for more. Running a grassroots campaign that promises to deliver results for the people, Sanchez offers experience as a Congressional staffer and real estate development pro. He helped found a millenial networking group that is quite active, too. He has also been part of the movement calling for more Latin@ representation on City Council.

With at least one other name that I hear about (but have not seen anything official or biographical in my inbox) set to run for At-Large 1, it seems Latin@s are indeed in the running for citywide and district positions. We’ve needed more of this.

COVID-19 Is Still Here

But just a reminder to candidates and people alike, COVID-19 hasn’t gone anywhere despite the Biden Administration’s call to end the pandemic emergencies on May 11. The “end” only means that vaccines and boosters will cost the uninsured over $80 each. That free testing will end. And that a host of other benefits will be gone.

Recently, Biden’s CDC ended the use of Evushield, an immune boost for the immunocompromised because it is ineffective against the new variants. Its creator, Astrazeneca, states they are working on clinical trials for a replacement, but those who required the added protection have been left in the lurch with only suggestions for masking, staying away from other humans, and continued boosters. Thanks! Like, maybe suggest it to everyone else!

Locally, COVID-19 is still around. Almost 15% of people being tested are positive. The wastewater reading is over 300%. People are still dying and getting sick. It’s not the flu. New variants are highly transmissible. COVID-19 is an inflammatory disease that affects ones organs and tissues in the long term, not just during infection. Together, all of Biden’s cancellations will have effects, while enriching corporations who didn’t feel they made enough money the last few years. And appeasing the COVID-deniers.

Anyway, mask up, stay boosted, and try not to be foolish by being among crowds you can’t trust. As much as I might support some of the aforementioned candidates, I won’t be at their events for obvious reasons.

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Posted in 2023, Accion, City of Houston, Cultura, Elections, Harris County, History, Local Politica, Media

Seeking Hope in 2023

Posted on February 2, 2023 | 2 comments

Well, after a personally challenging 2022, I decided to take a break in January to clear my head and think about what I want to do with this blog. And I still don’t know. Given the lack of federal leadership in taking on the pandemic and society basically giving up on itself by going unmasked and getting infected more than once (Society, not me), getting involved in stuff isn’t something on my mind. But at least I have this blog, right?

I do know that 2022 left me with a sense of wanting more out of so-called progressives, knowing that the right-wing continues its attack on good things and that we need to be better at fighting back. There needs to be more from those we choose to lead us than daily selfies and minimal returns on our political investments (our vote) when we actually have a majority. That said, a couple of things have happened that give me a little bit of hope. So, I’ll start 2023 (Happy New Year, by the way) with a short listing of things that give me hope.

SILVIA MINTZ ANNOUNCES FOR HCDP CHAIR

My good friend, local attorney and immigration advocate, Silvia Mintz, announced her intention to run for Harris County Democratic Party Chairwoman on FB after the resignation of Odus Evbagharu.

First of all, thank you to Chairman Evbagharu for his service. The position of Party Chair is the most thankless position that entails the equivalent of herding cats, among more important work. It takes a special kind of person to do this part of the job with the ultimate goal of winning elections through coordinated campaigns and effective fundraising. So, that Abogada Mintz is running is not surprising. As she stated:

The Party needs a leader that can keep the county moving forward and not only preserve the accomplishments from the last three election cycles but someone that can build on that progress.

I have run political campaigns, block walked, texted, phone banked, hosted fundraisers, raised money and ran for political office.

I believe that I can be very effective as the Harris County Democratic Party Chairwoman where I can use my experience and knowledge to ensure that Harris County continues to be Democrat and to help turn Texas Blue.

So, one of these days, the County’s Executive Committee (Precinct Chairs) will be getting together to elect the new Party Chair. I wholeheartedly support Silvia Mintz because she does have those leadership qualities needed to keep Democrats together while aiming to win elections. Bottom line: Harris County is still the place in Texas that will finally put a Democrat into statewide office, and this will happen with a chair that will not only win elections, but utilize innovative ways to energize the electorate.

Anyway, this is one moment that has given me some hope.

HOLLY FLYNN VILASECA ANNOUNCES FOR COH AT-LARGE #2

Another good friend, former HISD Trustee, Holly Flynn Vilaseca, announced her candidacy for Houston City Council At-Large Position 2 n FB. I’ve known Holly for years from our participation in local leadership groups and I was very supportive of her work on the school board. As she stated:

I’m running to put families first and ensure we have safe, healthy communities for all Houstonians. We deserve a city government that’s transparent and spends our tax dollars wisely. We deserve reliable city services and better infrastructure.

Together, we can take our city to the next level in economic development, innovation, and quality of life. I can help our communities accomplish these goals with my proven experience in responsible budgeting and operational efficiency. But I can’t do it without your support. Donate to our grassroots campaign at: Actblue.com/donate/HollyforHouston

No doubt, this was another recent happening that gave me some hope.

The City of Houston is currently being sued by LULAC for its lack of Latin@ representation on the City Council. One look at candidates raising money in at-large races and one sees the lack of representation in the people the check-writers support. This needs to change, and it needs to go beyond single-member fiefdoms (what the lawsuit is seeking and probably won’t achieve). So, I’m glad to see Holly jumping in to represent in an at-large race. As I’ve always said, we live everywhere and are qualified to run everywhere.

Reality is hitting us in the face right now, which is one of the reasons I was so out of it on blogging. The implications of a right-wing-led US House and an emboldened and bigoted Texas government are already affecting us, whether through awful public policies or a lack of political will to fight back on the left. Democrats won locally in 2022, but Republicans will continue on their favorite line of whining–creating doubt about election outcomes. We need energy, and these two announcements provided me a bit of a spark.

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Posted in 2023, Accion, City of Houston, Cultura, Democratic Stuff, Elections, Harris County, Local Politica, Media