tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39920634403761073622024-03-13T15:33:51.613-05:00Same Blog, Different DayProselytizing from the friendly confines of my apartment. Bring beer.SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-61313308859651912412011-11-23T18:49:00.001-06:002011-11-23T19:13:04.100-06:00District ViewerAccording to the newly drawn Texas House map, here are the Latino population numbers for Harris County districts:
District 126 - 21.5%
District 127 - 19.2%
District 128 - 33.8%
District 129 - 24.5%
District 130 - 22.9%
District 131 - 44.3%
District 132 - 34.2%
District 133 - 17.6%
District 134 - 16.4%
District 135 - 40.5%
District 137 - 52.0%
District 138 - 47.2%
District 139 - 40.1%
District 140 - 74.3%
District 141 - 36.4%
District 142 - 43.3%
District 143 - 75.7%
District 144 - 75.1%
District 145 - 71.3%
District 146 - 41.6%
District 147 - 21.8%
District 148 - 75.4%
District 149 - 29.6%
District 150 - 22.3%SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-49836876650575468222010-11-15T17:50:00.006-06:002010-11-15T18:23:33.523-06:00In support of Commissioner Janiece LongoriaOn Wednesday morning, Houston City Council will vote on Position 7 at the Houston Port Authority. This is a Council appointment but Mayor Parker and her administration are working District Council Members pretty hard to support the Mayor's preferred candidate. All of the usual political favors are on the table and promises have been made. I'd like to remind everyone that the budget is not being met, the City is discussing lay offs and furloughs, and no one should count on favors when there is no money. <br />
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With that said, I am steadfast in my support of Commissioner Janiece Longoria's re-appointment to the Port Authority. She is a great example of Hispanic <a href="http://www.ogwbl.com/attorneys/longoria.html">success</a> and a <a href="http://www.portofhouston.com/geninfo/admin.html">needed voice for diversity</a> on the Commission. I must stand with my fellow Latina, because if we can't count on each other, who can we count on? Comadres stick together, and that's the way it is. <br />
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It is a shame that the Hispanic community allows ourselves to be divided for bogus political arguments on items of such great importance. Mayor Parker may succeed in her efforts to remove Commissioner Longoria, which would be a big political win for her, but it will come at a great loss - for the second time in as many weeks - for the Hispanic community. <br />
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Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to save the Hispanic presence on the Port Commission. We did the right thing and we can only hope that the leadership will stand up for our community at Council on Wednesday.<br />
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P.S. If you're looking for the <a href="http://www.chron.com/">Houston Chronicle</a> article on the agenda item, you won't find it. Written by Jenalia Moreno, it is no longer available online. SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-85863532553133891572010-11-14T16:45:00.005-06:002010-11-14T17:14:49.306-06:00From the No Sh*t, Sherlock Department:After a tough Election Day on November 2nd, Democrats are re-surfacing to take a look at the damage done and to assess what remains. The obvious things are that we got out with our lives, it was just an election and not the end of the world. The losses in Harris County are deep and devastating, and if we don't learn from our many mistakes then we will not recover from 2010 for a long, long time.<br />
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It's interesting, though. There are lots of fingers pointed at the Latino community. Some blame Latinos for not voting in Texas, but the critics are silent after the numbers come out. Rick Perry picked up 48% of the Hispanic vote. Latino Republicans were elected to the Texas Legislature and to Congress. The Latino vote matters and when you ask for that vote, you get it.<br />
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Get it?<br />
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Latinos saved the United States Senate for the Democrats with our voting strength in Nevada, Colorado and California. Why the hell can't that happen in Texas? Let's get real here. Bill White's campaign focused on moderate Anglos who made up their minds last year that they were voting a straight Republican ticket this year. There was no way that Bill White was going to change the heart and mind of that voter. And you can't grow more like-minded, moderate white voters in a lab at A&M. It doesn't work like that. <br />
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But you <i>can</i> register a whole bunch of eligible new voters in an exploding population. Hispanics haven't been engaged yet. But get to them fast, because unfortunately Hispanics have the same bad American habits of watching Glenn Beck and Fox News.<br />
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Until Democrats focus on the Latino vote in Texas, we will continue to sustain losses. It's that simple.SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-4052833226530219542010-04-26T19:07:00.005-05:002010-04-26T19:24:43.354-05:00Something to shareBy now you've heard about the commotion caused by angry, dried up old racists out in Arizona. Unfortunately, there's a brown child who voted against his own interests in the Arizona State Legislature. He appeared on the CBS Evening News defending SB1070, because, who better to tell Latinos "not to worry" about being discriminated against, but another Latino?<br />
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I wrote Representative Steve Montenegro an e-mail and wanted to share with you, Reader. And you know who you are. Enjoy!<br />
<blockquote><b><span style="font-size: small;">To: smontenegro@azleg.gov</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Date: Mon, Apr 26, 2010 at 6:01 PM</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Subject: Desgraciado</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">You ought to be ashamed of yourself for appearing on CBS Evening News carrying the water for white people who have as much regard for you, a little brown boy, as they do the protesters outside of the Capitol.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"></span></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><span style="font-size: small;">No matter how many times you cast a vote to humiliate, dehumanize and criminalize your own people, law -abiding U.S. citizens and residents, you will NEVER be white or white enough for Republicans.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
I also think that it's quite telling that you have omitted biographical information on your House website. But I get that. You wouldn't want to tip off your masters in the Arizona GOP that you're actually not Anglo, although your dark hair, skin and features would be reasons enough to question your right to be at the Capitol at any given time.</span></b></blockquote><blockquote><b><span style="font-size: small;">You may want to start carrying your own papers. Representative.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just an FYI</span>.</span></b></blockquote>SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-69369713846838225832010-02-10T15:07:00.002-06:002010-02-10T15:25:39.412-06:00Under the radarI don't have anything to say. If anything comes up that I have an opinion on, you'll be the first to know.<br />
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But thank you for reminding me that I haven't posted anything in a while. Half of the intent was to take some of the heat off of me and to www.moveon.org after a contentious election cycle, and the other half is about me not having much to say. It's nice flying under the radar.<br />
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Before I started this blog, several well-meaning friends and even a few of my mentors urged me to write about my thoughts on the political happenings in Our Town. After a couple of years of typing my opinions into perpetuity, I've been advised not to write at all and to shut this blog down because there are people in high places who don't like what I have to say. And to that, I say, <i>ya vez</i>?! Be careful what you ask for because you just might get it. I've angered many but I've also been thanked for sticking my neck out. One person has chosen to distance herself from me altogether, and that's completely fine with me, because at least I know where I stand. <br />
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Just to be clear, my boss has not asked me to shut my mouth. In fact, he told me that he was proud of me and of my work and appreciates the fact that I didn't just sit down and shut up when "advised."<br />
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So ... move along, folks. Nothing to see here - YET!SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-66166706883335997042009-12-24T20:51:00.000-06:002009-12-24T20:51:36.023-06:00Merry Christmas, Y'all<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P37xPiRz1sg">Robert Earl Keen</a> says it best! And FYI, you've got about 15 minutes 'til Specs closes...SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-65845207891896277642009-12-13T15:09:00.002-06:002009-12-13T15:20:26.840-06:002009 didn't completely suckFor one, we won our election! Council Member Edward Gonzalez will be sitting at his seat in Council Chambers for a full term.<br />
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He is one of my dearest friends and one of the best persons you could ever meet. Working for him was pretty great. He is an awesome boss, and I am loyal to him come hell or high water.<br />
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I must confess that after that grueling campaign, I really did lose enthusiasm for elective politics. On the positive side, I can no longer say that I hate Republicans, because I don't. Edward's campaign taught me that we really must work together to win and to make Houston a better place to live for everyone. Two of his best friends in the world are Republicans and they put their whole hearts into getting Ed elected. In the process, one friend has begun laying the foundation for his own campaign, several years from now.<br />
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I'm still a Democrat. I still believe in the Democratic party. However, I realize that the Democratic party is severely lacking in engaging Hispanics in Texas and especially right here in Harris County. Sure, some of it is cultural. Latinos have a distrust for politics because they don't see how it directly affects their lives. It doesn't help that the national Democrats completely ignored Texas last year and showed complete disregard for Latino voters.<br />
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The Harris County Democratic Party Chair once observed out loud to me that there were no Latinos at his stupid nighttime brown bag event. It's usually the same old white liberals with no small children at home and no second jobs who are able to attend the boring shit at HCDP headquarters. "Didn't they get the email?" He wondered. For one, people are struggling to stay in their homes and feed their families. It's a bad economy and Latinos are taking a hit just like everyone else. Latinos are younger, have more kids and don't really see the value of hearing Gerry Birnberg talk for a hour about the topic of the month. If Latinos made it to HCDP, would you have someone there to address them in Spanish or talk about the issues that concern them? There is a huge disconnect that is very offensive.<br />
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I'm really sick of Democrats who blame Latinos for not voting in higher numbers in elections. How about doing some outreach, and I don't mean hiring a token employee to placate a few elected officials. How about admitting that the future of this state, the future of THIS COUNTRY is a brown face whose surname will likely end in a "z" or a vowel?<br />
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White liberals are enjoying their day in the sun right now, as they should. They should know that it will not last if they don't stop ignoring Latinos. There are simply not enough white liberals to carry the Democratic party to continuing victories. Wake up.SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-2471743314270861002009-12-03T14:58:00.001-06:002009-12-03T15:01:40.163-06:00A tribute to Steven Andrew Martinez<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JgdLv2VKx0I/SxgiMjCdPiI/AAAAAAAAADk/An_jmEa85VY/s1600-h/s1468677516_30233446_2630240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JgdLv2VKx0I/SxgiMjCdPiI/AAAAAAAAADk/An_jmEa85VY/s640/s1468677516_30233446_2630240.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>This is my friend Steven, who we lovingly called "Little Stevie." He was the baby of the Ed Gonzalez Campaign family. Today, Stevie is being called home to God. I last spoke to him right after my birthday and I miss him so much.<br />
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There are no good reasons why the life of a strong young person like Stevie should end so suddenly. While Stevie was pouring his heart into life, his strong beautiful heart was under attack by undetected stage 4 lymphoma. It just doesn't make sense.<br />
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I will remember him for the loving, joyful and happy boy who saw the good in everyone, who refused to have enemies and always tried, tried again after setbacks in his young life. He will always live in my heart and I will honor my little baby, my angel, Steven Andrew Martinez as long as I live.SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-77411041938149928442009-11-27T13:36:00.000-06:002009-11-27T13:36:37.649-06:00ThankfulI'm thankful for my health and grateful that I have avoided serious injury or illness. It's not the pain and suffering that scares me. It's the financial ruin that would be sure to follow because I don't have health insurance. I'm hopeful that this is the last Thanksgiving that many of us will be in this predicament.<br />
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I'm grateful for my family and my baby niece, Avery. She is the blessing we've prayed for in our family and I'm so happy that I get to teach her everything I know. She already likes to test her vocal chords and loves watching football like her favorite tia.<br />
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I am thankful that Barack Obama is our President, that we have a great chance at electing a Democrat to statewide office in Texas, and that I have a job to look forward to in the new year. I am hopeful that you find a job, too, if you're looking.SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-51368408216335882142009-11-15T15:08:00.000-06:002009-11-15T15:08:09.272-06:00And to reiterate...I found<a href="http://www.texasmonthly.com/blogs/burkablog/?p=5295"> this post by Burka</a> over at <a href="http://www.texasmonthly.com/">Texas</a> <a href="http://www.texasmonthly.com/">Monthly</a>, and I think it's safe to say that anyone with any credibility agrees that Steven Hotze is a vile human being. It would not serve any campaign well to be associated with that guy, and everyone knows it, even Burka.SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-50383518505177481972009-11-15T02:05:00.139-06:002009-11-16T20:00:44.475-06:00To whom it may concern...It's been an interesting 24 hours since Brad Olson's <strike>opinion piece</strike> report on that douchebag Steven Hotze and his plans to attack Annise Parker.<br />
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Disclosure: I've spent lots of time at the Locke campaign, although I am not on staff. I want Gene to win, so I've been doing what I can despite losing money I don't have and getting myself in debt by hanging out over there instead of looking for a job.<br />
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A couple of the kids at the Locke campaign get twisted, sometimes, about the Twitter and FB chatter that continously slams Gene Locke. I really don't pay attention to the shit-talkers who support Annise Parker because it's basically one big circle-jerk, or as my dad would say, they're just <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM9jhGiIAFM">smelling each others' farts</a>. I've been personally attacked and accused of all kinds of crazy things because I have the nerve not to support Parker. And no, I do not support Annise Parker, and no, I will not vote for her, and no, I will not be bullied or pressured into backing off of my support for Gene Locke.<br />
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Some people have been floating a petition around to HCDP clubs and organizations asking that we pledge to support only Democrats in the December 12th Runoff Election. Before I sign anything like that, I'd like to get assurances from these Democrats that they will stop trashing other Democrats who don't support their candidate. Gene Locke is a good and decent man, like I've said before, and if I were on the Locke campaign, I would do things much differently in responding to these attacks by the Parker campaign. Alas, it's not my campaign, and I can only speak for myself.<br />
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It's actually a brilliant strategy by the Parker camp. Call Gene Locke a gay-baiter by painting a picture of him as Steven Hotze's BFF and then dispatch your shit-talkers to tell everyone that the Locke campaign is "desperate" and spreading "hate" while you play the victim. It's funny to me how everyone gets his panties in a bunch over the idea that Annise Parker is under attack by homophobes, but no one really said much about her showing up at <a href="http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/politics/091028_houston_council_immigration_meeting">a failed anti-immigrant hearing</a> at City Hall a few weeks ago. I guess it's okay to shit all over Latinos, because that type of intolerance is okay if you are a white progressive.<br />
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Steven Hotze is irrelevant and so are his politics, which Gene denounced Saturday. Attempts to align Hotze with the Locke campaign serves Annise Parker well in painting her opponent as anything but the respectful and kind person that Gene Locke really is. Instead of getting to know Gene, his accusers generalize and speculate, hoping something will stick. I think it's worth mentioning again that Gene Locke is the only candidate for Mayor who supports benefits for same-sex partners while Annise Parker has backed off of that promise. <br />
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I received an e-mail today from Robert Jones at Annie's List in Austin. Here it is:<br />
<blockquote><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Sandra –</i></span><br />
</blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This is a personal message to you (who I first met in 2004 at the March for Women’s Lives) as an acquaintance that is also committed to progressive values. Sandra do you really want to be associated with this? He wants to win so bad that he is willing to associate with people and tactics that must be the polar opposite of your core beliefs. It won’t be an easy thing to do but you should consider publicly disconnecting yourself now. The writing is on the wall…he wont be the next Mayor…but we (Democrats) will all be the losers if this path of enabling and encouraging hate is pursued.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Respectfully,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Robert </i></span><br />
</blockquote>I have never been associated with Steven Hotze or Dan Patrick. To tell it like it is, Robert lives in Austin, and personally, I think he should mind his own damn business. As the Annie's List guy, I know why he is involved, but if Annise Parker wins or loses, it is of little consequence to Robert. Like the other outsiders who have involved themselves in the Houston Mayor's race, he doesn't live here. A win gives him room to brag, but a loss means that he sank a bunch of money that could have been used on Legislative candidates in a few months.<br />
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I'm not sure how difficult he could make my life if I told Robert to go fly a kite. Truth be told, he hasn't always been pleasant with me since I've known him. It's not like I've had much involvement with Annie's List, anyway, because it's my observation that they do not promote women of color as much as they do their white candidates. Besides that, I'm too fucking old to be an intern, and my people are already in office. <br />
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The hardball politics has already been introduced in to the fray but it was not from the Locke campaign. <a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6657714.html">Annise Parker threatened Houston Police and Fire Fighters for not supporting her,</a> but we were supposed to dismiss those threats as "jokes." <br />
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It is my belief that Latinos and our concerns will take a back seat at the Mayor's office if Parker wins and that is something that cannot happen. I say this because of the hostility some of us in the Hispanic community have experienced from the Parker camp when things didn't go their way over the course of the campaign. The feeling is that ties were cut, and it's sad and unfortunate, but it also gives me no choice but to double down with our candidate. We've worked too hard for our seats at the table and I'll be damned if we give up any ground in the name of "progress" that works for some but not all.<br />
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It's not progress if your focus on equality is for just your friends and for those who identify with you. It's not progress if all are not lifted with you. It is not progress if some constituencies are left behind for refusing to fall in line at their own expense.SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-37981390433429163602009-11-08T11:43:00.013-06:002009-11-08T14:27:05.565-06:00Sundays - football makes it better!There is campaign work to do along with SUNDAY FOOTBALL and having some of these St. Arnold Lawnmowers in the fridge.<br /><br />Sunday mornings are for church. In my case, it's George Stephanopoulos and reading the Sunday paper online. In today's <a href="http://chron.com/">Chron</a>, Brad Olsen writes about Gene Locke's "uphill battle" with Annise Parker. Check out the numbers provided by <a href="http://offthekuff.com/wp/?p=23479">Charles Kuffner</a>.<br /><br />While numbers don't lie, there is plenty of room for interpretation (or misinterpretation). My brother, <a href="http://www.confrijoles.com/">ConFrijoles</a>, likes to say that context is everything... so I'm going to give you the election results from last Tuesday with some context.<br /><br />Attorney <a href="http://genelocke.com/">Gene Locke</a> made the runoff with 26% of the 19% voter turnout against Annise Parker, whose name has been on the ballot for 15 years; Peter Brown, who spent 3 years and millions of dollars to win 51% of the vote in 2005 for At-Large 1; and perennial candidate Roy Morales.<br /><br />Gene had never put his name on the ballot before, yet raised enough funds to compete with a popular establishment candidate. Yes, I said it. Anyone who has been in office for 12 years can't run as an outsider. It just doesn't make sense.<br /><br />The chatter in the www's has been knocking Gene for his multiple endorsements from elected officials and leaders in the Hispanic community, as if we made a mistake in supporting Gene Locke for Mayor. The reality is that Latinos didn't turn out in higher numbers to vote. Of those who did, they did so because they always vote or have a niece/sister/cousin/granddaughter who bugs them or takes them to vote.<br /><br />Let's face it -- none of the major campaigns made a significant push for the Latino vote because it was not a big part of the winning formula on November 3rd. Latinos were not a base constituency for anyone other than the former IT guy, Roy Morales, and he picked up his share of the Latino vote despite telling Mexicans he'd deport as much of us as possible, if elected.<br /><br />As a first time candidate, Gene Locke came in second and certainly has his work cut out for him. I'm still puzzled why "some people" knock Gene for his multiple endorsements from community leaders. Or are they knocking Gene? The criticisms of endorsement sometimes seem to be aimed at Locke supporters for not backing the more well-known candidate.<br /><br />The hostility has been palpable. The accusations of pandering and of "deals" being made for endorsements along with the inanity of "what <span style="font-style: italic;">else</span> have <span style="font-style: italic;">they </span>been promised?!?" only promise to intensify in the run-off. I saw a CNN report featuring Kuffner who told CNN that this election is essentially a battle of personalities, about who is better liked. Candidates aside, I can name about 5 people I am never talking to, ever again, thanks to this election cycle.<br /><br />Latino voters outperformed the crucial black voting bloc one time -- in 2007's HISD bond election. Look -- I am no statistician. I saw the numbers from Tuesday, and without pulling up the calculator app on my phone, I can see that Locke underperformed in Latino neighborhoods against his opponents. The support for Locke from Latino elected officials is not any more significant than it is for Parker. I've remarked to friends how strange it feels to not have "my people" around me these days -- (Ms. is a Parker supporter, others are staying out of it). At the same time, I am enjoying and taking full advantage of the opportunity to work with Latino community leaders and elected officials on the other side of town. Kumbaya, and all that shit.<br /><br />My analysis is this:<br /><ol><li>Annise did well on Tuesday because she's been on the ballot for about 15 years and the motivated city voter recognized it. She also had a significant turnout in her base.</li><li>Gene Locke did well because he appealed to his base and was able to hold his own across all parts of the city. He's a newcomer to elected politics but has worked hard in reaching out to all communities.<br /></li><li>Peter Brown did not do well because he has no base. I agree with <a href="http://prof13.abc13.com/">Dr. Murray</a> that he needed a big turnout to do well. His performance on Tuesday just proves that some voters watch too much TV.</li></ol>Almost <a href="http://tweetphoto.com/rovoaetg">300 community leaders</a> and precinct chairs made their way to El Jardin Mexican Restaurant last Friday as a show of support for <a href="http://genelocke.com/">Gene Locke for Mayor</a>. Many of these voters were on the Brown and Parker supporters lists, but we're glad to have them on our side, now. Another thing has changed, too -- Latino community leaders are engaged in the runoff to turn out voters in their neighborhoods.<br /><br />So, here I am, plugging in numbers, creating spreadsheets and grids to spread the Gene Locke love all over Districts H & I. It's a big job to do on a Sunday, but football makes it better.<br /><br />Hasta next time.SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-82021143924163024002009-10-24T20:51:00.011-05:002009-10-26T17:20:49.607-05:00When people make mistakesThere are times when, no matter how diligently we work, or how many hours we dedicate to the details, mistakes happen.<br /><br />It happened to the Gene Locke campaign last Friday -- someone on the campaign sent a text to Locke text subscribers, in error, announcing, "Today is the last day of early voting!" Of course, it was not true - early voting continues until 7:00pm Friday night, October 30th.<br /><br />Honest mistake, right? The staffer corrected himself immediately in another text message, and then that was probably the end of it.<br /><br /><a href="http://muse-musings.blogspot.com/2009/10/is-locke-trying-to-suppress-votes.html">Well, not so much.</a><br /><br />I really don't get the tendency to play 6 Degrees of Separation with endorsements or supporters in a municipal election when the real players in the city have business that transcends party lines. Throwing around the "Republican" label doesn't have the impact it once did. It is <a href="http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/political-media/the-incredible-shrinking-gop-only-one-in-five-self-identify-as-republican/">a dying brand</a> and, frankly, not the best weapon to yield when Republicans are barely a party anymore.<br /><br />It is also really damn silly to suggest some sort of evil plot between Gene Locke, Beverly Kaufman, the Tax-Assessor collector's office and the cucuy to rig the election. Why are these over-zealous bloggeteers trying so hard to manufacture controversy when none exists? It's absolute lunacy.<br /><br />What really gets me about this is that one particular blogger who talks more than her share of bullcorn is not even a Houstonian. She lives and votes in Fort Bend County -- so, please, tell me why anyone gives a damn about what she has to say.<br /><br />Gene Locke needs a strong turnout in his base, which is a pretty solid foundation to work from, in order to pull off a victory. That's no secret, y'all. People who understand elections know that these claims of voter suppression are as ridiculous and nonsensical as they sound.<br /><br />Til next time.SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-89472642287015572342009-10-18T18:19:00.003-05:002009-10-18T18:29:35.349-05:00EndorsementsI'm voting for Gene Locke, Jolanda Jones and Ronald Green in upcoming November 3rd Election. I'm not revealing who I'm voting for in the other At-Large races.<br /><br />I wholeheartedly support Alma Lara for HISD Trustee District 1. I believe North Side will hand the Heights' asses to them one more time this year.<br /><br />I also support Proposition 4! GO COOGS!SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-88076020163472364512009-10-11T18:18:00.002-05:002009-10-11T18:51:05.066-05:00Something bit meI don't know what the hell it was, but Friday morning I woke up wretchedly, to be exact, and I called out to God to help me. I was sick. Maybe it was the food at Tecate or the skunky beer-on-tap at the Harp. Or, maybe it was a 24-hour bug that takes 48 hours of recovery. In any case, I lucked out. It's not the flu and it was nothing I needed to sit at the ER for.<br /><br />I don't know whether or not I should get either of the flu shots. I joked to a friend that I want to get sick because it's great for the waist line. But after Friday, I changed my mind. I have had the flu before - at least twice that I can remember. The H1N1 is no joke -- it has already hit hard and close to home. So I will resist the pig jokes but will reconsider all things pork-related because I'm just a little grossed out right now.<br /><br />I've been taking my vitamins, my allergy medicine, washing my hands and using the sanitizer like a crazy person. Everything gets sprayed down with Lysol. I can't afford to get sick!<br /><br />This week, I'm taking on a new challenge. It's not going to be easy but I am ready to work and get this done. I think the sickness has now gone away so I'm ready to hit the field and turn-out some votes. I'll keep my exact whereabouts undercover, for now. We'll see how long that lasts!SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-1294955080591044912009-10-05T18:08:00.004-05:002009-10-05T18:22:24.058-05:00Fun times at R & T<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JgdLv2VKx0I/Ssp-yg35YiI/AAAAAAAAADU/DI9Tc8NV_JQ/s1600-h/R%26T2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JgdLv2VKx0I/Ssp-yg35YiI/AAAAAAAAADU/DI9Tc8NV_JQ/s200/R%26T2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389259310385160738" border="0" /></a><br />Last Friday, Harris County Tejano Democrats held our 13th Annual Roast & Toast. This year, we honored State Representative Jessica Farrar. Currently in her 8th term, Rep. Farrar is Democratic House Caucus Chair.<br /><br />We had a great time at Roast & Toast. Jessica is a good sport and we love her for it. I was honored to "roast" her and raise a toast in <span style="font-style: italic;">her</span> honor. Below is the text of my remarks:<br /><br /><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Jessica I Know</span><br /><br /></div>It was 2003 when I first became friends with Jessica. After redistricting, I was a new constituent of hers in the North Side. In response, she fled to Oklahoma. The soft-spoken rabble-rouser probably mapped the path to Ardmore.<br /><br />I was soon a regular at her campaign events, at pro-choice events and I even worked for her at the Capitol. As one of her employees, I got the wardrobe lecture. You know the one -– No visible boobs, no toes, and no arms. “Show people you are serious about your job,” she said. “Besides, you wouldn’t want to see any Republican toes.”<br /><br />And to clarify, there is nothing wrong with her feet. She wears those “nun” shoes because she’s working. I actually prefer them to her fuzzy, burnt-orange Longhorn slippers.<br /><br />She expects her staff to work as hard as she does. At least we know there will be food!! Jessica’s office is like a FEMA center, and by that, I mean she will Feed Every (redacted) Around. (credit table 9 for that joke).<br /><br />It is awesome to watch her on the house floor, especially when she’s fighting for women’s health care and she stands up to the men who think they know it all. I’d like to play this clip for you from 2007, during a floor debate on HB1098, when Jessica asks a know-it-all colleague a very important question about HIS opinion of women’s health care (redacted)<br /><br />Jessica is hardcore, and that’s why we love her. Representative – It’s been an absolute honor to work for you and under your leadership for the people of District 148 and all of Texas. You are a wonderful teacher and mentor and I thank you for your guidance and friendship.<br /></blockquote>Jessica is scheduled to be honored by <a href="http://annieslist.org/events.aspx">Annie's List</a> in Houston tomorrow. Check their site for details. Everyone can keep the adulations coming, because Jessica deserves it all and more.SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-19799909417851805752009-09-23T22:47:00.010-05:002009-09-25T21:16:32.758-05:00Updated: No News. Is that Good News?I tried taking a gander at the new <a href="http://www.texastribune.org/">Texas Tribune </a>media venture since they announced a recent launch via <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=logo#/texastribune?ref=ts">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/TexasTribune">Twitter</a>, and they also won't stop calling me.<br /><br />In any case, I am an FB'er and a Twitterer so I have been reading many messages from and about the Tribune and the new staff. They are doing a lot of hiring these days and their happy employees keep living <a href="http://twitter.com/Matt_Stiles">their fabulous</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/elisewho">Austin lives</a> (and being all <a href="http://twitter.com/eramshaw">chismosa</a>, too) while the rest of us anticipate the news from the Texas Tribune.<br /><a href="http://www.texastribune.org/"><br />But I can't find the news</a>. Where is it? If the publication has launched, shouldn't they be working, filing reports and whatnot? And if they are doing that stuff, how do we know it? I guess we can make the whole world "friend" or "follow" Stiles, Ramshaw & Elise Hu, then we'll know that they made open records requests and that they are, indeed, working.<br /><br />There are links on the Texas Tribune to news stories from other media sources about the Texas Tribune, but there are no actual Texas Tribune news stories to read or view on the website.<br /><br />And by the way, some people (like <a href="http://doscentavos.net/">Tacho</a>) think that having a <a href="http://www.texastribune.org/about/">98% white staff </a>is less than representative of the population of Texas. There are lots of people of color in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, El Paso, the Rio Grande Valley and the Gulf Coast. I have to wonder if the Texas Tribune plans on covering issues that affect these regions because it is necessary for to have bilingual, multicultural staff to effectively cover the diverse communities of Texas. I know several journalists who would be great additions to any media company. But it seems to me that there isn't much of anything to join just yet.<br /><br />If there is no news reporting, maybe they are not fully functional. I'm intrigued, I must say, but as a certified news junkie they sound kinda ... not ready. They may need more time, which is completely fine, but why the build-up? Why only news releases about themselves, and <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/donate/">why are they asking people for money?<br /></a><br />They have this interesting offer on the front page of the website in which they compare themselves to <a href="http://www.npr.org/">NPR</a> and <a href="http://pbs.org/">PBS</a>. So what's the offer? You get the opportunity to become a "Founding Member" of the Texas Tribune for the low, low price of $50. Mkay!<br /><br />Is Matt Stiles going to put on a bird costume and <a href="http://pbskids.org/sesame/bigbird.html">teach my niece</a> Avery her A-B-C's? Is Emily Ramshaw going to attach herself to the 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team as they head to Iraq later this year? PBS gives us a pretty good bang for their donors' & taxpayers' buck. NPR goes into <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112710036">war zones</a>. We know they do good work. And the reporters at the new Tribune have stellar reputations for their excellent reporting. That's not the issue.<br /><br />The issue is that there are no issues, yet, so what's in it for us?<br /><br />That's a fair question, I think.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Update:</span> As Helen Slater said in the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089470/">Legend of Billy Jean:</a> "Fair is fair!" Below are comments sent to me by Matt Stiles in response to my post:<br /><div style="font-style: italic;" class="GBThreadMessageRow_Body"><div class="GBThreadMessageRow_Body_Content"><blockquote>1. we need time to get the operation up and running, so that's why we're not publishing until november. it takes time to build a web site and buy computers and get the phones working, etc.<br /><br />2. our staff isn't 98-percent white. our technology director, higinio, is mexican. elise is chinese. others speak spanish. we're not as diverse as i'd like, of course, but consider the reporters in the austin bureau staffs of the major papers in texas. they are ALL white. that's a general journalism problem, not a tribune problem. who are these journalist we should be considering, btw? we'll consider them.<br /><br />3. we're raising money because we're a non-profit newsroom. that's the point. we want to do public-interest journalism and not worry about advertising revenues declining the way they are at newspapers. </blockquote></div></div>Points well taken. Thanks to Matt for his response.SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-52534511940628626762009-09-23T00:55:00.007-05:002009-09-23T03:09:33.985-05:00Uncool.Campaigning is the type of work that requires incredible sacrifice, discipline and focus. It keeps you away from the people and things you love. It's not easy.<br /><br />It's hard work being everything to everyone while staying true to your ideals and the fundamentals of the campaign. Sometimes you just have to suck it up, take one (more) for the team, and RSVP to the next damn candidate forum.<br /><br />I had to prepare for 9 different multi-candidate forums. It wasn't fun. It was predictable, repetitive and obvious that nothing any of the candidates did or said at these forums would sway the election, one way or the other. The main reason we accepted these invitations to appear with opponents at the forums was because the people in each community, neighborhood or organization had legitimate questions that needed answers. Plus, you already <span style="font-style: italic;">said</span> you were going.<br /><br />The Gene Locke campaign announced early Tuesday that they were canceling on the <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.houstonpress.com/">Houston Press</a> and <a href="http://uhd.edu">UH-Downtown</a> sponsored forum after <a href="http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/09/press_mayoral_debate.php">confirming last week</a> that they were still attending. The Annise Parker campaign also announced Tuesday that they were passing on the event. I know that after 40 forums, your time seems better spent elsewhere than at another *blasted* forum. What I don't understand is how you accept the invitation from a university with 12,000 students and a local media outlet weeks in advance and then freaking cancel the DAY BEFORE THE EVENT. The <a href="http://www.houstonpress.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Press</span></a> had been promoting this event for weeks in their <a href="http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/">Hair Balls</a> blog and UH-D did the same via Facebook and all around campus.<br /><br />Richard Connelly <a href="http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/09/mayor_candidates_decide_to_duc.php">handed their asses to them</a> and deservedly so. Anyone who knows this guy understands that was going to happen. Unless you're an out-of-towner.<br /><br />The planned candidate forum between Gene Locke and Annise Parker at <a href="http://uhd.edu">UH-Downtown</a> and their sudden cancellations have Peter Brown smelling like a rose. He doesn't look out-of-touch with young people or the tech-savvy crowd because no one has been tweeting or blogging all day about how Peter Brown sucks for backing out of the candidate forum at the last minute. Meanwhile, Brown's commercials have him riding the airwaves alone. It kind of works in his favor that thousands of college students and <a href="http://houstonpress.com"><span style="font-style: italic;">Press</span></a> followers are pissed at his opponents and not Peter Brown.<br /><br />To Annise Parker's credit, she released a <a href="http://www.twitvid.com/92E7F">video explanation </a> about her decision not to participate.<br /><br />Maybe the Locke campaign will do the same.SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-3025819513741052102009-09-19T19:56:00.009-05:002009-09-19T20:59:42.331-05:00The Lab Rat's fiefdomMs. alerted me to the <a href="http://womenincrimeink.blogspot.com/">Women in Crime Ink</a> blog and its recent post regarding the murder of Yale grad student Annie Le.<br /><br />The accused is your typical, undereducated macho male of limited power -- a guy by the name of Raymond Clark. Details surrounding motive are being scrutinized because of comments made by New Haven Police Chief James Lewis:<br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><strong><strong style="font-weight: normal;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">“I think it’s important to note this is not about urban crime, not about university crime, not about domestic crime — but an issue of workplace violence, which is becoming a growing concern around the country.”</span> </span></strong></strong></span></blockquote><strong><strong style="font-weight: normal; font-family: georgia;">Well, there you go, Yale community. No need to worry about a mad man on the loose, a scary bogeyman, lurking in dark corners or stairwells -- this was simply an *isolated* incidence of "workplace violence." Chief Lewis felt it necessary to announce to the media that he had thoroughly ruled out all other possible motives to keep his investigation from getting too messy and/or political. Why is that?? So he <span style="font-style: italic;">won't </span>have to find out if that Clark guy's obsession over mice cages was a badly disguised character flaw that led to (allegedly) murdering someone who refused to give him the time of day?<br /><br />The chief shouldn't dismiss evidence before collecting it. I have friends in law enforcement and understand that they really don't like it when the public draws conclusions about a case before they have a chance to investigate it. So what's the difference here? Raymond Clark is a psychopath that looked for opportunities to denigrate women. It's why he made the mice cages his "personal fiefdom" and laid a trap for Annie Le.<br /><br />Violence against women happens in the home, in public, on TV, in the movies and anywhere the recalcitrant male ego exists, which means it is more than likely it will happen at work, too.<br /><br />Poor Annie.<br /><br />She probably just ignored the weirdo as much as she possibly could, and it finally set him off. It's not like she emasculated him by taunting him and calling him <a href="http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Beaker">Beaker</a> or <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0310357/">Willard</a>, like I would have. Annie Le just wanted to do her work, get married, and not think about the loser in the lab.<br /><br />She deserves justice and the first step is acknowledging this case as one of violence against women.<br /><br /><br /><br /></strong></strong>SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-43530026118378224662009-09-17T13:55:00.004-05:002009-09-17T14:28:17.173-05:00Gene Locke is a good manHe's raised two successful daughters, has an incredibly smart, fantastic wife and has hired women to do the important jobs in his campaign.<br /><br />I've met some sexists in my time as a political person in Texas, and there are PLENTY of them in the Democratic Party. Gene Locke is not a sexist although it may be politically expedient to call him one.<br /><br />I am beyond furious at Annie's List because it is just not true. Gene Locke is a stand up guy and I am proud to support him. I'd like to make a suggestion to them - don't piss off your supporters with this kind of hit piece. If Gene Locke had a disdain for women and if your endorsed candidate was doing well in the first place, you wouldn't have to connect the dots for us in your orange and red crayons.<br /><br />It may be hard to gauge Houston politics from all the way in Austin, but shit doesn't run here the way in does in Austin. In Houston, we generally do not fall in line with the white liberals but instead consider candidates on their merits. There's no such thing as "it's my time" or "it's my turn" in Houston. We work for what we want in this city and the BS stops at the Harris County line.<br /><br />Annie's List attacks a pro-choice male candidate because they think I don't know better. Spare me.SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-33547956688675818302009-09-10T22:19:00.008-05:002009-09-10T23:24:25.657-05:00Dead HorseI'm having flash backs to 9th grade, when my friend Roger Castillo used to scare me with his death metal music. There was this one band, called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Peaceful-Death-Pretty-Flowers-Horse/dp/B00000J7ZU">Dead Horse</a>.<br /><br />Roger and his crazy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Peaceful-Death-Pretty-Flowers-Horse/dp/B00000J7ZU">Dead Horse</a> music scared the hell out of me. Back in 1988, I listened to Power 104 and 93Q. So when Roger transferred out, he took his Dead Horse music with him and I thought I'd never hear those tunes again.<br /><br />But here we are in the 2009 Houston political cycle, and some participants in local politics feel the need, for whatever reason, to beat a dead horse when the horse just wants to gallop away to horsie heaven.<br /><br />Harris County Tejano Democrats love horses and we would like to bury the hatchet (and the poor dead horse) while we all live to campaign another day for our favorite Mayoral candidates.<br /><br />As chair of the organization, I am honored that our endorsement means so much to candidates. Kinda makes all the long hours and personal resources I spend worth the effort. I respectfully ask that The Annise Parker campaign discontinue from touting the endorsement of Harris County Tejano Democrats. She lost. End of story.<br /><br />Pobre horse. Let it die.SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-64657819227724870622009-09-10T12:13:00.002-05:002009-09-10T12:20:34.944-05:00Shiz StormI hate it when people put words in my mouth.<br /><br />That's why I started this dumb blog, and for about 2 years, I managed to gather about 5 readers.<br /><br />But for all those who have discovered this, I only blog when I've got something to say. In the meantime, I keep busy with my job, my family, my friends, the Houston Texans and reading all the stuff <span style="font-style: italic;">YOU</span> have to say.<br /><br />So don't come looking here for a back & forth shit talking extravaganza. I've said what I've had to say. And as a point of clarification, I don't "feud" with anyone. I just kick ass on Election Day and let the returns speak for themselves.<br /><br />Hasta.SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-60839986655439203132009-09-08T15:38:00.011-05:002009-09-29T10:26:01.872-05:00I MUST chime inThe City of Houston is officially in the middle of campaign season. Unlike the other cities in Texas, Houston has the Strong Mayor system, meaning that anyone who wants to be Mayor of Houston must bench press at least 250 lbs. & complete the <a href="http://www.houstontx.gov/fire/divisions/professionaldev.html">HFD Physical Agility Course</a> at the Jahnke Training Facility in 3 minutes or better.<br /><br />Kidding.<br /><br />But in all seriousness, Houston is the only city in Texas that operates under the strong mayor system. City managers are for sissy cities. Since our elections are held in November, we get the benefit of long, drawn out City Council and Mayoral campaigns that wear us out emotionally and physically just in time for the March Primaries.<br /><br />Lucky for me, my friend and super cool former boss, District H Council Member <a href="http://www.houstontx.gov/council/h/index.html">Edward Gonzalez</a>, has no opponent in November. I have a new job now and am quite fortunate to leave the city election campaigning and heavy lifting to the candidates and their own operations.<br /><br />My group, the Harris County Tejano Democrats, has endorsed <a href="http://www.genelocke.com/index.asp">Gene Locke</a> for Mayor. It was the right thing to do for our community after talking to all 3 major candidates. Tejano Dems received a strong commitment from Gene to renew the black/brown coalition from the 1980's that was formed by Congressman Mickey Leland, Attorney Frumencio Reyes, Jr., candidate Locke and many others who saw the need for the disenfranchised and overlooked to stand together and improve the political conditions of people of color in Houston. With only 2 Latinos on Houston City Council, a coalition of this type is needed now as much as it was 25 years ago.<br /><br />What we didn't receive, and no, we were never promised, was a plan for a "Hispanic Museum." The Annise Parker campaign and her supporters claim that such a promise is pandering and detrimental to City services:<br /><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">"Locke's promises of new city departments, new museums and increased government spending to his insider friends would lead to tax increases or cuts in vital services, such as public safety."</span><br /></blockquote>HCTD only became Locke's "insider friends" when he got the endorsement and she didn't. Several of our past and current members are Houston Police officers, Houston Fire Fighters, Harris County deputies and even the Sheriff himself. We take public safety very seriously because our neighborhoods are historically under served and would welcome the resources and the attention other areas receive. Yes, Houston Heights, in Central Patrol, I'm talking about you.<br /><br />Harris County Tejano Democrats promote and support candidates who are best for the Latino community. Dragging some random Telemundo sports anchor to talk to our group doesn't cut it. Telling us you're the best for the Latino community while your staffers, allies and friends work to defeat a Latino candidate in a Latino district is not forgotten, either. By the way -- how many Latinos do you have on staff (either on your campaign or at the City) and how many speak Spanish?<br /><br />Let's get one thing straight. The idea of a museum, exhibit or acknowledgment of the contributions of Latinos to Houston is not silly,<span style="font-style: italic;"> but what is silly</span> is the constant mention of this idea (that's ALL it was - an idea) as a means to ridicule the Locke campaign. Team Parker has attempted to do this for the last month or so and it is getting old. The person most enthralled with "Hispanic Museum" talk is Houston <a href="http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2008/05/nasa_employee_suspended_for_partisan_blogging_1.html">blogger</a> John Cobarruvias.<br /><br />I understand that Annise Parker has the strong backing of many Democrats, progressives and liberal-minded people, as well she should. Her Democratic creds have never been in doubt and it's natural that Democrats would flock to her campaign.<br /><br />But there are those of us who believe that we must work with people from across the political spectrum to get the job done. Gene Locke has hired the best staff in the business to do outreach to the community and to develop a strong ground campaign. HCTD will do its part to turn out support in the Latino neighborhoods that were disregarded earlier this year.<br /><br />I am issuing a notice and fair warning to candidates who have thoughts of dismissing or disregarding Latino voters in November and have one thing to say:<br /><br /><a href="http://doscentavos.net/2009/06/13/congratulations-to-council-member-elect-ed-gonzalez/">61%.</a>SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-29136022123202574722009-08-31T23:20:00.002-05:002009-08-31T23:27:40.520-05:00Well, y'all...I didn't have to look <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/31/college-republicans-to-id_n_273167.html">very far</a> to find some Republican crazy. <br /><br />Your Daily Republican Crazy (or monthly, as this rate):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.independentcollegian.com/news/college-republicans-to-identify-liberal-professors-1.1849825">UT College Republicans Are Embarrassing, Lame</a><br /><br />That is all...SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3992063440376107362.post-4017838975826939042009-08-31T23:02:00.004-05:002009-08-31T23:10:57.292-05:00What's up with me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JgdLv2VKx0I/Spyexwqw8xI/AAAAAAAAADM/0RqewLlwiI8/s1600-h/HCAN-Logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 118px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JgdLv2VKx0I/Spyexwqw8xI/AAAAAAAAADM/0RqewLlwiI8/s200/HCAN-Logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376346632888578834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I have a new job as the Statewide Field Director for a non-profit agency. Electoral politics has been replaced by issues-based politics and policy crafting, which I LUrVE!!!<br /><br />So do me a solid & join 999 other Houstonians at a rally for Health Care Reform. Support HR3200 and tell your Congressperson to do the same!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Houston Rally for Health Care Reform:<br /><br />Thursday, September 3, 2009<br /><br />City Hall Reflecting Pool<br /><br />6:30 PM<br /><br /></div>SP, herehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438696910046649383noreply@blogger.com0