Tag Archives: thoughts on viernes

Thoughts on Viernes—05062022

Posted on May 6, 2022 | Leave a comment

Establishment Dems Double Down on Cuellar Support

If ever there was an unwritten litmus test in the Democratic Party it is the issue of abortion. When it comes to “major” positions of power, Dems haven’t let up on requiring someone who is pro-choice to lead a ticket. Down ballot, though, Dems have always kept quiet when an anti-choice zealot is running and use those races as proof of being a “big tent” party. But the TX-28 congressional race has become quite nationalized with grassroots support going to Jessica Cisneros and corporate and establishment support going to anti-choice, anti-immigrant incumbent Henry Cuellar.

Nancy Pelosi has endorsed Cuellar while attempting to lead on abortion rights, though, and her deputy Jim Clyburn made a campaign trip to support Cuellar while using the “big tent” excuse. They even credit Cuellar with helping Biden, which is far from the truth on most issues, especially asylum and immigration reform. While Democrats are against the ropes with a looming decision to end Roe v Wade, it is not the time to be playing nice with those Democrats who support that decision. It is demoralizing (while Dems try to use the issue for votes and cash) and gives the impression that Latinas in South Texas affected by this decision do not matter.

Needless to say, I’m hoping Congressional Dems are looking around the room for new leadership, no matter the results of the 2022 elections.

COVID-19 at 5% Positivity

In case you haven’t noticed, Houston has reached 5% positivity while new variants of the disease take hold. These new variants escape immunity, whether one is vaccinated or has had it before. Nationally, hospitalizations are increasing. And people are still dying as we have reached over 1 million dead. Meanwhile, mass, unmasked events led by self-proclaimed local leaders continue and it’s pretty cringy to look at. The White House Correspondents dinner was pretty cringy, too.

Anyway, mask up. Distance. You know the drill. But you’ve been ignoring it.

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Thoughts on Viernes-Sabado Edition-42322

Posted on April 23, 2022 | 1 comment

Abbott Policy Is Killing People

There is a Texas National Guard soldier missing in the Rio Grande after attempting to save a migrant who was crossing the treacherous river to the US. This is the latest tragedy caused by Greg Abbott’s border militarization, which has included migrant deaths, soldier suicides, government corruption, and failed administration of this policy.

There is no logic to Greg Abbott’s border folly. The National Guard (and DPS and local sheriff’s offices enlisted by Abbott) block the border, force migrants to cross in more dangerous crossings only to have to try and save the migrants from drowning. It’s all theater by Greg Abbott and Republicans while endangering even more migrants and guardsmen.

On top of all of this, it is also costly as Greg Abbott has wasted billions of dollars on this failed operation which hunts brown people escaping violence and poverty.

Meanwhile, Ken Paxton is now suing to stop the Biden administration from ending Title 42, which is a health-related policy and not a migration policy. Funny how they like this COVID policy but whine over masks and vaccines. If only we had a Democratic President and a Democratic majority in Washington DC to pass immigration reform and stop the theatrics. Oh wait!

State-Sponsored Killing Is Not The Answer to Crime

I’m not here to defend any killers. But I am here to say how wrong the death penalty is.

As we await Greg Abbott’s decision on whether or not he will commute the death sentence of an innocent woman (Melissa Lucio) railroaded by bad police and DA investigations, yesterday we witnessed the state’s first vengeful killing of the year (Carl Buntion). To say the least, I am sickened by the political theater of the death penalty, whether it is by blood-thirsty DAs and cops or politicians that feel the need to be begged to do the right thing as in the case of Melissa Lucio. What should be about justice turns into revenge porn for right-wingers.

As a reminder, here are ACLU’s objections to the death penalty, chief among them is that this cruel and unusual punishment is NOT a deterrent to crime and a waste of resources. But it is a great opportunity for law enforcement and political theater, while victims of crimes are used as props. And the media gladly promotes it. That people think the local “crime stopping” group is anything but partisan is laughable.

The death penalty is not a solution to crime and it certainly isn’t a road to closure for crime victims. And because of the political theater that comes with this punishment, overzealous DAs have been known to push for the execution of innocent people. Almost 200 humans have been killed by the government wrongfully. This isn’t justice and it is treated by politicians as collateral damage.

This thirst for revenge needs to stop.

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Posted in 2022, Elections, History, Media, Republinuttiness, Sensible Immigration Reform, Texas Lege, U.S. Capitol

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Thoughts on Viernes…01142022

Posted on January 14, 2022 | Comments Off on Thoughts on Viernes…01142022

Netflix Dumps Gentefied

One of the few good things on TV featuring a brown cast was dumped by Netflix. Gentefied featured a good storyline, well-developed characters, and good actors with my favorite city, LA, as the backdrop. I guess the good thing is that there was some sort of resolution to the show at the end of the 2nd season. What’s the reasoning for the slashing? Well, it didn’t appear in the Top 10 Netflix shows, so, I guess that was reason enough. Variety seems to defend Netflix by saying they are producing more shows with a Latin@ bent to it, including “I’m Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” which will be directed and headed up by America Ferrera and others from the Gentefied team. So, yeah, it’s upsetting, but as long as brown actors keep getting employed in the future and more content is produced, I guess I can keep watching Netflix.

Judge Opens Up Challenges to Abbott’s Migrant Round-Up

A state district judge in Austin threw out the conviction of a migrant arrested by Greg Abbott and his thugs for trespassing. Abbott’s new initiative has thrown money at local law enforcement on the border to capture, jail, and prosecute migrants who are simply walking on private land while they escape poverty and violence in their home countries. These trumped up charges have closed down state prisons for use as misdemeanor lock-ups of over 2,000 men in Kinney County, wasting human resources and taxpayer funds. The case was challenged in Austin because Kinney County’s court system is slanted against migrants, with a corrupt judicial appointment system. The judge’s decision challenges the constitutionality of Abbott’s human warehousing program. No doubt, there will be more challenges to convictions of migrants who are being railroaded by Abbott.

Congress Wants to Investigate Abbott’s National Guard Deaths

Thirteen members of Congress have called for an investigation into the suicides within Greg Abbott’s National Guard and Abbott’s treatment of the National Guard as he uses them to add photo ops to his border boondoggle. There is a record of poor working conditions, delayed pay, and then the suicides which have put Greg Abbott in the spotlight, though, the problem is Abbott’s involvement in immigration issues in the first place. Abbott has put on a show for his bigoted base by putting up shipping containers to serve as a “wall,” he’s called up 10,000 National Guardsman from their otherwise private lives for photo ops and news conferences, and is wasting billions of dollars on a a few miles of “wall.” Seems to me he needs to be investigated for a lot more.

Voter Suppression is Real

New Voter ID requirements for mail-in ballots are the cause for hundreds of mail ballot applications being rejected for the March Primary. IDs are not matching up to information in voter databases, thus, cancelling out those applications. Republicans were warned that this would happen, but I guess it became more of an incentive to support it. The voter suppression is working.

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Thoughts on Viernes…12/03/2021

Posted on December 3, 2021 | Comments Off on Thoughts on Viernes…12/03/2021

Biden Warehouses 50% More Humans

Joe Biden ran on how hateful Trump was toward immigrants. He has attempted a few measures only to get challenged by Republicans in the courts. One thing he has continued and has even pushed beyond Trump on the matter is the warehousing of humans who lack a piece of paper that lets them stay in the US. Much of the blame goes to a memorandum which gives immigration agents more discretion regarding deportations; meaning, they can deport as much as they want and imprison them while they wait. Biden sure is allowing the deportation machine to strengthen.

Biden made promises he is breaking. Whether it’s the lucrative practice of human warehousing (which he continues to privatize) or a Border Patrol which continues to violate human rights on a daily basis, even bringing local law enforcement and vigilantes into their lawless practices, this machine goes merrily along and Democrats stay quiet about it. Biden is supposedly in charge. He needs to act like he is. Or the problems he is having with Democrats passing Build Back Better, Prescriptions, Voting Rights, and other things will be the least of his problems in 2022.

There’s An Election In Houston!

Yep, those of us that do not reside in Houston ISD are still paying attention to the run-off election in which folks are voting. What HISD produces affects all of us in this area. So, I urge folks who live in HISD to make their voices heard. My picks haven’t changed:

District I – Elizabeth Santos

District V – Sue Dimenn Diegaard

District VI – Holly Flynn Vilaseca

District VII – Anne Sung

Their opponents are either bought by charter school supporters or bigoted, right-wing zealots who want to destroy public education. Most of them don’t care about protecting children and teachers during the pandemic, either. Find your polling location and get it done!

Voter Suppression Is The Law

As County Judge Lina Hidalgo told us in a FB post, Greg Abbott and his Republican buddies have outlawed democracy by giving the OK to voter suppression. Innovations, such as drive-thru voting and late night voting have been banned because it gives the Republicans the shakes and they aren’t fans of working people and people of color having a voice. Also, bigots serving as poll watchers will be allowed to bother you and hover around you while you vote. Does the law outlaw tasers? Just wondering.

Follow The Filings for 2022

County Chair Odus Evbagharu and the staff at Harris County Democratic Party have a rolling photo album on Facebook of the latest folks to file for office locally. Put a name to the face if you aren’t going to events. It looks like they’re in alphabetical order, in case anyone complains. I preferred in order of filing, though. I like to see who’s on top of things or who’s dawdling or who wants to make a grand entrance. That sort of thing. Anyway…

QEPD Congressman Albert Bustamante

I was saddened to read the news of the former Congressman’s passing. He served CD23 down in South Texas when I was in high school and a bit beyond. Talk about a cinderalla story: He grew up dirt poor in Asherton, TX (about 20 miles from my hometown), put himself through college, was a teacher, was elected a Bexar County Commissioner then became the first Chicano County Judge of Bexar County. Then, he took out a big South Texas name like Chick Kazen with the help of communities like mine who felt more connected to the small town-raised Bustamante. Imagine a kid who grew up loving Chicano politics seeing this guy speak at his high school graduation. I was in awe.

Later, the FBI set its sights on him and took him down for bribery regarding government contracts. I don’t recall if the “briber” got any time, though. I’ve seen a lot more “legal” and uglier ways of giving away contracts for money, like immigrant warehousing contracts to campaign donors, or holding hostage the Build Back Better bill to appease donors, and stuff like that. Anyway, he served us and Bexar County well. The SA Report has an in-depth history into Bustamante, including words from former SA Mayor Henry Cisneros.

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Thoughts on Viernes…02092018

Posted on February 9, 2018 | 2 comments

He Did What?

Note to all Democratic candidates:  Don’t appear on *ucker Carlson’s Fox News show. He’s a bigot, a liar, and a real asshole. And your critics will accept the premise of his bigoted questions, while you try to make a little 10 minute ad for yourself. The thing is, any candidate would probably reach more future constituents with a web-ad than appearing on the shit-fire that one steps on by appearing on *ucker Carlson.

Anyway…

Republatinos

I was asked, regarding yesterday’s voter registration post, why I didn’t say anything about electing Latino Republicans, instead just talking about Democrats. Apparently, he don’t know me very well. Seriously, though, polling of Latino voters shows heavy support for public education, access to health care, a strong economy with good jobs, and yes, a working immigration system and an end to mass deportations. So, I base my vote, including in a Dem primary, on that criteria. And I’m pretty sure most Latinos (since 65% or so end up voting for the Dem in November) do the same.

So, if you wonder why there aren’t enough Latino Republicans getting elected, ask Republican primary voters why they aren’t putting them on the November ballot. If you want to see more Latino Republicans, then vote in the Republican primary. Ultimately, though, if they (and you) support mass deportations, de-funding public schools, taking away affordable health care from brown people, and low-wage jobs for said brown people, then republatinos won’t even get Latino votes.

The DC Immigration Debate

So, no shutdown, some sort of a budget, and a debate on immigration will start next week. Some bill will be debated and members will get to add all sorts of amendments to it. It’s the amendments that worry me. Amendments are the cause of most derailments of bills. Especially immigration bills.

I expect guest worker crap, literacy exams which citizen-bigots can’t even pass, and pledges to the supreme Cheeto, and other pendejadas. We shall see.

 

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Thoughts on Viernes…01262018

Posted on January 26, 2018 | Comments Off on Thoughts on Viernes…01262018

The Dem Primary

No doubt, the whole DACA/DREAM thing has sorta gotten me off-track. Sure, the national Dems are annoying the heck out of me, but there are local races and local candidates that I really want to end up on the November ballot. Having lunch with one judicial candidate this week, and hanging out with a countywide candidate, has reminded me of the importance of the Democratic Primary.

As I’ve stated, I don’t know if I’m doing a Stace Slate this year, but I do have a list of candidates whom I really like that I think should get all the support. How do I best sell them on here? A blog post can get boring after a few biographical sentences. So, how about some podcasts?

So, starting next week, I’ll attempt some interviews as only I can do them:  Asking good questions and just having good conversations. For 30 minutes. Live! I don’t know how many of these I’ll do, but I already have a few favorite candidates whom I want to interview. So, stay tuned!

The Trump Plan

As an immigration lawyer friend of mine stated, “It’s a trap!” As a DREAMer associate of mine stated, “We will not sell out our families!”

Since El Cheeto was making his demand, the Democrats should have made some specific demands, too. Like the original 11 million. Remember them? I mean, if they’re “fixing” the process for 1.8 million, it shouldn’t be much different for everyone else, right? And it’s a form of negotiation, instead of just saying no, right? I mean, these are the arguments being made for the “victory” that was CHIP, right?

Anyway, it’s an awful plan. Let’s see what he says on Tuesday. Perhaps Dems can walk out en masse when the Trump’s pendejadas begin. Ay veremos.

Natalia LaFourcade – Alma Mia

This tune and video reminded me of my Mom participating in sing-alongs at her nursing home whenever the mariachis would show up for a birthday. Brand new! Check it out.

 

 

 

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Thoughts on Viernes…01192018

Posted on January 19, 2018 | Comments Off on Thoughts on Viernes…01192018

DACA on the Campaign Trail

I’m glad to see candidates taking a stab at saying something about DACA or DREAM Act or against anything anti-immigrant that the Republicans have thrown at entire groups of people. With El Cheeto (or republicans in Texas) in office, it is hard to pass any legislation that would include anything positive without some big negatives, so the fight must continue–all the way to the ballot box.

That said, I was watching the CD7 Forum put on by Meyerland Democrats, et al, and the question was posed to the candidates that if they would be willing to vote for a government shutdown if DACA/DREAM wasn’t included in any budget vote. The result was interesting (my reaction in bold) and they all support DACA/DREAM/CIR:

  • Fletcher: Work across the aisle, no shut down. (Because that has worked so well, huh?)
  • Alex T – No Shutdown, we need reform. (Y los DREAMers, que?)
  • Laura Moser:  Yes! Fight! (I liked her ánimo)
  • Sanchez:  Yes on shutdown. (Good)
  • Joshua Butler:  Tough decision because of gov’t employees affected, but yes! (Good way to preface it)
  • Cargas:  No Shutdown, “we are better than Republicans” (The fight makes you better than Republicans)
  • Westin:  Yes. (Good)

Today is the day we find out if there is a shutdown.

For me, it’s a no-brainer. Anything that has the Trumps fending for themselves at the White House is a good thing. Possibly good SNL material. But in the political sense, this is all about the fight. How hard Dems in Congress fight for this, instead of feigning bipartisanship for the cameras (and the campaign trail),  will reap rewards at the ballot box. The problem is, some are usually too chicken-shit to take a real stand. I’m sick of it. Shut it down!

Who Else Is Willing To Get Arrested?

Trump and his ilk are threatening arrests of elected officials who stand in the way of deportation forces. Oakland Mayor Libby Shaaf has come out stating that she is willing to be arrested if she is forced to defend “sanctuary” policies of her city. Good! That’s leadership!

The other day, San Antonio PD Chief William McManus released some undocumented folks who were being smuggled into the US to a humanitarian group, and not to ICE. This has right-wing-nuts, like Dan Patrick, calling for his arrest. You did the right thing, Chief! Don’t let the assholes in the police union bring you down!

It’s all about the fight, folks. And if you’re an elected or appointed official, you better be ready to fight.

The Stace Slate

I’ve made public my support of a few Dem candidates, but I’m not sure if I’m making a slate this year. Perhaps a short list. I can’t say I agree much with the slates that have come out, thus far. And if I do one, it won’t require big membership buys (snark!). So, stay tuned.

Los Cenzontles & Los Texmaniacs:  Traicionera (Video)

 

 

 

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Thoughts on Viernes…01122018

Posted on January 12, 2018 | Comments Off on Thoughts on Viernes…01122018

Shithole

My people have been called worse. And I’m talking about citizens! I’ve witnessed immigrants called much worse, too. And by people in both parties. But I’ve also witnessed policies put in place by people in both political parties that are much, much worse. Sure, it’s scary when El Cheeto adds ugly words to policy. It’s a lot scarier when deportations happen with mean words, rather than with a smile. In the end, though, deportations are still deportations. But a despot can cause more problems and that can only be taken care of in 2018 and 2020.

As a Salvadoran friend put it last night so eloquently, “All countries have shitholes and beauty. What shitholes they have in El Salvador more often than not have a Made In The USA label.”

US foreign policy has created more shitholes than the US wants to admit. The US also created more shitholes domestically based on racist economic policy in the form of tax cuts for the rich. Ultimately, it’s all about the policies. Hell, LBJ threw around some racial epithets like an expert, but at least he passed the Civil Rights Act. (See what I did there?)

 

2 Years

It’s been two years since we lost our Mom, Flora Medellin. The heart still feels like it was grinded up, yet, it’s trying to put itself back together. In other words, it’ll never be the same. But we’ve got selfies, photos, and lots of memories to make us smile more than tear up. As the Dem primaries begin to heat up, here’s a favorite excerpt from her obit, written by sister Toni.

Casting her ballot by mail every election was a priority—even when she was being wheeled in to surgery or recovering from a serious illness. As she grew older and more frail, she would remind her kids to order her ballot by mail as soon as she could because she wanted to cast her ballot and have it counted in case she “didn’t make it” to Election Day.

So, if you are voting by mail, get yours ordered. If you moved and need to update your address or aren’t registered, get it done!

Wall-For-DACA

A bipartisan deal that included walls, enforcement, and relief for 800,000 was rejected by El Cheeto. Just a reminder, this happened right before the “shithole” comment. Trump wasn’t happy that some Senators were concerned about the recent Temporary Protective Status decision, so, he let loose. And wanted to open the borders to Norway, apparently. Cheeto, along with some of the more bigoted Republicans (Tom Cotton) want a meaner “fix,” that still shows some Republican teeth. So, we’ll see how much more they will pare down the deal.

In other words, eyes on the prize, people. We already knew El Cheeto was a bigot.

 

 

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Thoughts on Viernes…01052018

Posted on January 5, 2018 | Comments Off on Thoughts on Viernes…01052018

No Surprise…No Tejano

After the HoustonRodeo got me to shine my Justin Ropers and attend last year because they brought super group Siggno to the NRG, I am now back in boycott mode because there is NO TEJANO in 2018. I mean, just me personally. I was anticipating something good for the “tejano” day that I trek’d on over to Bryan’s Catalena Hatters to check out the “LBJ”-ish open road-ish custom hats. Thankfully, it was closed and I didn’t go broke. Still, #VaqueroGoals remain for the future as hats go. As much as the rodeo tries, Tejano isn’t dying. Stay tuned!

Steve Brown for CD22 Speaks Out on DACA

As the DACA-fix talk revs up again, I’ve been looking around the internets at local Congressional races to see who is speaking up, especially in the Dem primaries. No doubt, I wasn’t surprised when my friend Steve Brown who is in the Dem Primary to take on CD22’s right-wing incumbent spoke out.

Over 5000 people in Congressional District 22 are eligible for DACA, and the district would lose $150 million in annual GDP should they get deported.

Where is Pete Olson’s leadership in protecting these families?

Instead, the republican Congress is only committed to protecting certain taxpayers. They have proven this by ensuring that the wealthy get wealthier and the poor not only stay poor but are barred access to America’s Promise, a promise that must extend to immigrants and Dreamers.

CD22 is not an easy district for a Democrat. For years, Dems who ran for this post would run to the right on anything immigration related, but still failed miserably. Steve Brown is definitely my kind of candidate and I hope he ends up the Dems’ nominee. Send him a few bucks, too!

Tejano Music in the News

One of my fave local bands is set to release a new album in mid-February. La Fiebre‘s Fiesta on Freddie Records is highly anticipated with single, La Fiesta, already earning some popularity.

Joe Posada, through Q Productions, is working on a concert DVD to be released soon. His most recent production, Zapatos En La Mano, is a DC-favorite and the review of the CD earned a lot of traffic. Get yours from JoePosada.com today.

Be Alguien!!!

So, some folks are trying to get some recognition for a bridge with graffiti. I’m still fighting for Chicano studies and the usual history books to get it right about brown people. So, good luck with your endeavor.

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Thoughts on Viernes – 120817

Posted on December 8, 2017 | Comments Off on Thoughts on Viernes – 120817

Proof of Poverty

As I mentioned yesterday, some fact-checkers in Austin wanted proof of Democratic candidate for Texas Governor Lupe Valdez’s farm worker family roots. No, they didn’t ask for college transcripts, proof of serving in the military or anything like that. They wanted proof of poverty! I was surprised to see that Valdez’s people sent in a couple of photos.

Now, I wish my family had had the money to buy film for the ol’ Kodak 110 to take pics of us in the fields, or cooking meals on coals because we ran out of gas, or using said coals to heat the bathroom so we could bathe for school. Anyway…

Little Brown Trust Fund Boy Gets Opponent

I was happy to find out that Miguel Suazo, an oil/gas lawyer,will file to run for Texas Land Commissioner. Suazo worked with NM Senator Jeff Bingaman, so, he’s no stranger to government service. I look forward to hearing  his story and his plans for the office.

State Senator Borris Miles

I have had the privilege of representing the constituents of District 146 and Senate District 13 for over 10 years.

Because I’ve shown myself to be an effective voice of the people, I have made powerful enemies who will go to any length to destroy and disrupt my service.  I will not continue to address anonymous accusations that attack my personal and professional character as an effective lawmaker.

Sexual harassment is a serious offense and I plan to join my colleagues in the Senate in developing policy that allows all people due process and assurances they may work effectively in a fair and safe environment.

The people expect me to do my best and I will continue to fight for them until they decide otherwise. I will not be deterred.

OK, then.

VOTE ON SABADO (FIND YOUR VOTING LOCATION HERE)

HISD District I – Elizabeth Santos

HISD District III – Jesse A. Rodriguez

HCC District IX – Pretta Vandible Stallworth

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