Something to share

By 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?

I wrote Representative Steve Montenegro an e-mail and wanted to share with you, Reader. And you know who you are. Enjoy!

To: smontenegro@azleg.gov
Date: Mon, Apr 26, 2010 at 6:01 PM
Subject: Desgraciado

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.

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.

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.

You may want to start carrying your own papers. Representative.

Just an FYI.

Under the radar

I don't have anything to say. If anything comes up that I have an opinion on,  you'll be the first to know.

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.

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, ya vez?! 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.

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."

So ... move along, folks. Nothing to see here - YET!

Merry Christmas, Y'all

Robert Earl Keen says it best! And FYI, you've got about 15 minutes 'til Specs closes...

2009 didn't completely suck

For one, we won our election! Council Member Edward Gonzalez will be sitting at his seat in Council Chambers for a full term.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

A tribute to Steven Andrew Martinez

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.

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.

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.

Thankful

I'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.

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.

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.

And to reiterate...

I found this post by Burka over at Texas Monthly, 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.