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October 12^th Immigration Rights March Update

 

This event is no longer named in honor of Elvira Arrellano who was recently deported to Mexico.  Her son is now the parade Grand Marshall. 

 

Note to Union Leaders who are organizing this event:

Your advocacy for immigration rights and illegal immigrants is fine with me.  That is the role you are playing.  It is a smart one.  Why?  12,000,000 potential union members would be nice.  Clever.

 

Let me make one humble comment:  Why is it necessary to use Elvira and her son to further your political objectives?  Let the boy be.  This young man has no business traveling around the nation leading militant political rallies.  He should be at home working on his homework and living the life of a boy.  He is not a political football to be used to reach your objectives.

 

Aren't you against child labor?  Give him a break.  He is a young boy.

 

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Update: As Predicted by South Texas Republicans, the Mud is already flying in Senate District 21
 

These are article segments:

Laredo Democrat Judith Zaffirini, whose Senate district includes Starr County, has drawn two possible challengers - both with deep pockets. Louis H. Bruni is an independently wealthy Laredo businessman, and Rene Barrientos is a civil litigation attorney with offices in San Antonio and Laredo.
Barrientos, the attorney considering running against Zaffirini in the March primary, is budgeting roughly $2 million for the race, said Colin Strother, a Democratic consultant who's working with Barrientos. About half the money would come from Barrientos himself, Strother said.
 
Laredo showdown

A possible three-way race for control of Zaffirini's Senate district could cost millions of dollars.

Bruni, whose family made its money in oil and gas beginning in the 19th century when they came to Laredo from Italy, already is running television commercials in Laredo and the western Valley criticizing Zaffirini. He plans to finance his campaign without accepting any contributions.

 "The problem with Sen. Zaffirini is she's for sale to the highest bidder," he said. "She's a politician and I'm a public servant."

Zaffirini said her record shows she votes in the best interest of her district. She cited her work on education and health care as among her biggest successes.

"I have never ever accepted a single contribution with any string attached," she said. _____________________________________

As but one voice of the Republicrat (the original voice), I am informed once again that I devote too much time slobbering over myself and talking way too much about Democratic Senate candidate Mikal Watts. I must share one more, quick note on him and we will move on. Did you read about that lawyer in Corpus who accuses another lawyer of being a fake lawyer?

 

He was referring some of his clients out to other lawyers. This included our dear Mikal Watts. This is interesting, to say the least. Apparently, money begets money even if it comes from sources that are questionable.  Who would have thought it?

 

Sorry, I can't contain myself and must share quick note # 2. It appears that Mikal is losing on the local endorsement campaign for elected officials. Only one local State Representative is in Mikal's camp. I believe I wrote about it weeks ago and stated that State Rep. Joe Farias does support Mikal. The obvious reason is that Mikal has been involved in the past in representing Joe during his first campaign for State Rep.  Remember the George Antuna for State Representative fiasco? [Joe Farias sued George Antuna for slander in BexarCounty.  One source tells us the case is still pending against humble George.]  Politics makes such strange bedfellows!  It can also be nasty and expensive if you cross the wrong people.

 

Our Latino Senate candidate Rick Noriega on the other hand is racking up endorsements like crazy. People must not forget that Rick has served for five terms in the State Legislature and has worked with and knows everybody who is anybody in politics.

 

San Antonio seems to embrace him because he serves in the Army National Guard and commands a unit here. This is military town USA. Mikal has money, Rick has everything else.

 

I told you last week that Rick has a strong base of support in San Antonio from State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer who is playing both sides by giving money to Mikal and endorsing Rick, to State Rep. Joaquin Castro. Of course, you may notice that the endorsements for the most part are Hispanic elected officials. 

 

Of course, not all of the endorsements are from elected officials. I shared that Gina Castaneda who serves as political consultant to Congressman Ciro Rodriguez was in the mix.

 

I also mentioned that she is responsible for the eventual demise of political consultant Alice Guerra who besides being verbally abusive to clients and employees has a reputation for overcharging for consulting services.  I've even heard whispers that the services were never rendered.  People in this town just love to gossip.

 

What is worse in this drama is that Gina is openly bragging about her apparent success in cutting Alice out of the Larry Ricketts for Sheriff Campaign. It is distasteful to hear that the current rumor spreading about Gina is she is not fulfilling her commitment to Ciro or Larry. Some are comparing Gina and Alice and coming to the conclusion there is not much difference.

 

The only Democratic political consultant still holding on is our Southside political guru, JoAnn Ramon. Remember she quit the Amadeo Ortiz campaign for Sheriff some time back. Apparently, confiscation of her computers recently related to the T.J. Connolly brouhaha with the Bexar Met has left her unscathed.

 

I never get to kick our friends in the media around.  I'm okay with many of them since they are all so blue.  My amigos and amigas at the San Antonio Current are right on the money with their passionate defense of the environment.  Elaine Wolff is cool.  (She is so petite and cute in person.)  I know her husband from his work with the city.  Blue, blue, blue.  I love it.

 

At La Prensa, it looks like Dr. Henry Flores of St. Mary's University is no longer a political writer.  His pieces were always straight to the point and he never let a moment go by without bashing a Republican.  This is my kind of critic.  I get the impression he probably got into an argument with Tino Duran, the editor and owner of the really old and respected publication.

 

Rebeca Chapa of the San Antonio Express-New is my favorite blue writer. This Harvard graduate is one of those classic liberal Democrats who loves to protect the environment, she is for health insurance for poor children, she is against the death penalty and she is for extending term limits for city council members.  She is also very clever. A couple of months ago, she interviewed a prominent black reverend and had the audacity to ask him if he was for extending term limits.  (The interview was about a book he had just published.)  She used him big time and it worked.  Message to the Eastside voters: The Eastside should be for extending term limits since the man of God is for the proposal.  Girl, we know what you are up to. 

 

Rebeca is an activist journalist and I love it.  In other words, she uses her position at the Express-News to put her personal beliefs in action by promoting them through her writing and her position on the editorial board.  I love this because she has the ability to shape public opinion through her influence at the paper.  Local Democrats are so on with what she is doing.  Keep going girl!!

 

Will some one please tell me what is up with Ed Tijerina at the San Antonio Express-News?  Yes, he still is at the paper, but he is missing.  He no longer takes shots a local politicians and business leaders.  This is something he is really good at.  You can sense that he loves to slap the elites of San Antonio around. (By the way, one of my girlfriends associated with Gemini Ink told me that Ed is teaching a writing course out there.  The price is really good and he is going to talk about writing catchy and short segments that appeal to people.  I hope to attend if she faxes me the application this week.  I could learn from Mr. Ed.)

 

I have a crazy theory about this change with Ed.  It has to do with Henry Cisneros. This is my theory that may appear a bit odd. A little over a year ago, he married into the Henry Cisneros family.  He probably had this phone conversation with Henry right after he got married. 

 

Cisneros:  It is great to have you in the family.  By the way, did I tell you I have friends at the Hearst Corporation?  [Owners of the San Antonio Express-News]

 

Tijerina: Oh, thanks Henry.  So who do you know up there?

 

Cisneros: Just the CEO, the entire board and all the major shareholders in the world.  Listen, I am really concerned about your recent pieces. Is it really necessary to needle our local leaders in your pieces?  By the way, did I tell you I have friends at the Hearst Corporation?

 

Tijerina: Yes, you mentioned that.  Listen, I am just having fun with people who so full of themselves.  I mean, what is lost by expressing myself?

 

Cisneros: You are right, but I am concerned about your career.  Why would you jeopardize that for some gossip? Why are you picking on local leaders?  By the way, did I tell you I have friends at the Hearst Corporation?

 

Tijerina: Henry, you have a point.  Maybe I should think about the future and how this might hinder my progress. We missed you at our last San Antonio Harvard Club meeting.

 

Cisneros:  You are so smart.  By the way, did I tell you I have friends at the Hearst Corporation?

 

Ed, quit writing about restaurants who may or may not charge a service fee for opening wine bottles you bring to the venue.  Sweetie, you almost put me to sleep with these silly items.  You are there to write gossip and juicy stuff.  My Lord, your column is turning into a big calendar for overpriced parties in this town.  Let Elaine Ayala bore people to death with this stuff.   Screw Henry and his CEO friends.  You have a future by being yourself. BREAK FREE!!!  We love you for being the mischievous and loveable dude who loves to drive the elites nuts. 

 

Side Note: How powerful is Henry Cisneros?  A few years ago, we had the city wide cow parade.  These were the silly painted cows decorated by local artists.  The General Manager of the RiverCenter Marriott bought two dancing cows who were dancing to a Mexican song.  In other words, the cows were portrayed as Mexican dancers.  King Henry said no thank you.  He was offended.  He called his friends in the press and he also did something more effective.

 

He put his network of worldwide contacts to work. This is what probably went down.  He made calls to his friends who are members of the Marriott board or he called the CEO.   Cisneros most likely made a Jesse Jackson style phone call that was a quasi threat.  Get rid of the cows or we will make life miserable for you.  We'll start a whisper campaign and kill your convention business bookings throughout the nation.  Where are the cows today?  They were never displayed.  The works of art are history.

 

Texas Friends, that is real power.  Killing the art cows with a few calls because you are personally offended is what I am talking about.  I get the impression Ed Tijerina has changed his writing ways because he has married into the clan.  It probably took one call to make it happen.  Ed, come back.  I miss you darling!!!  Come to your sweet mama!!!

 

Myths, Realities and Roorbacks Senate District 21

 

Greetings from WebbCounty: we are confused. BexarCounty top guns are rallying behind Judith Zaffirrini with a fundraiser; however, here at home we are told she doesn't need much money to knock down her two well-financed opponents.  According to the Senator, she is telling local financial backers that she only needs $750,000, and according to the grapevine she already has this amount in her war chest. So what is she going to do with the money she is receiving at Charlie Butt's house next Thursday?  According to her campaign fund expenditures she spends a lot of money on her personal "quality of life."  What do you think readers? Why are the two counties receiving different stories? Or, is this a smokescreen that is meant to hide her extremely vulnerable position?

 

This campaign season will see about 25 candidates seeking election to public office. All are important but at the forefront will be Senate District 21 with Judith Zaffirini the incumbent facing serious challenges from opponents. Webb County Sheriff Rick Flores is also seeking re-election, and as is obvious by the latest phone polls he has aligned himself with Zaffirini. Rick faces 7 additional challengers one of them is Martin Cuellar. Martin is none other than Congressman Henry Cuellar's brother. What do you think?  Henry Cuellar is our "golden boy" down here in WebbCounty, and Henry has a formidable grassroots "political machine" in place.  It is more powerful than Zaffirini's. We know this as a proven fact due to Zaffirini's unrelenting efforts to kick Henry Cuellar out of the limelight every chance she gets. At every election she lines up big guns against him in an effort to knock him out of the political range permanently. Her efforts always fail as is evident. Henry Cuellar is where we want him, in Washington. Her dwindling WebbCounty supporters have begun to see a bigger picture, what she says and what she does are two different stories. It will be interesting to see if Martin Cuellar will be aligning himself with any of the upcoming candidates for the varied offices. I predict more smoke screens from the Senator and a very rough ride to the finish line. Maybe when her smoke clears she will realize we don't want her in Austin anymore and she will find herself very far from the finish line.

 

That is the moderate Viewpoint, I am the Republicrat Plus.