SCANDAL (Part 2)... UNMASKING A CON ARTIST: Connie Scott & CALA

Lots of people trusted Connie Scott, when they heard she was appointed Executive Director of Bay Area Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (or “CALA” for short) about ten years ago. The media courted her as if she was a valid activist and unbiased person attempting to address the problems associated with lawsuit abuse. She claimed that lawsuit was “out of control.” Many professionals (some relatively honest doctors and businessmen) and even a few civil rights activists embraced her initially and vouched for her despite her lack of credentials and experience. Over the last decade (no one took the time to look into her past) most believed she was legitimate, above board, and uncorrupt.
But the plastic facade that Ms. Scott had managed would be too good to be true. “Canned” lies would be undraped. And what was hidden in the core group of CALA (Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse), which had been camouflaged by Connie Scott for ten years – would be made bare all thanks to The American Legacy Foundation and others scholarly research. The latter research groups conducted objective research into the real aim of the organization led by Connie Scott (and others) known as CALA, for short. The researchers would conclude after exhaustive investigations (visit http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Citizens_Against_Lawsuit_Abuse): “Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse groups (or CALAs) are ‘grassroots’ groups created by industries and businesses to give the appearance of a groundswell of public desire to alter the legal system to make it harder to bring lawsuits for injuries and illnesses caused by hazardous products. A primary funder of CALAs, and tort reform has been cigarette maker Philip Morris.”
CALA (and many other chapter were now emerging throughout the country) had been certified as a non-profit with the Internal Revenue Service. Ms. Scott recently told a local newspaper located in Robstown – The Nueces County Record*Star—that her role in CALA for the last ten years had been “community service.” But her statement would be determined later to be further from the truth.
Ms. Connie – who is now a Republican Candidate for State Representative (trying to unseat incumbent Abel Herrero) -- had been blatantly disingenuous. Non-profit groups (such as CALA – operating under the IRS “non-profit” status system are prohibited from serving as political instruments and are proscribed from channelling monies to political candidates and partisan organizations). El Defenzor would demonstrate embedded inclinations that mirrored into the financial contributions Ms. Scott had channelled to tort-reform candidates and the Republican party.
To illustrate this point, records in Nueces County provided by the Federal Election Commission avowed (which can be found at www.city-data.com and at www.city-data.com/elec2/elec-ROBSTOWN-TX.html) that Ms. Scott had made disingenuous and misleading statements to the press in reference to her non-profit and non-partisan role. A few examples from the citation provided above www.city-data.com are shared below (especially contributions channeled to Senator John Cornyn that is a major voice for the Tort Reform movement and who is currently facing a popular Democrat Rich Noriega who has hinted at the corporate woes trying to manipulate the political process).
Please review the records below provided by the Federal Election Commission that mirror Ms. Scott’s partisan proclivities:

CONNIE SCOTT (H & S Construction/Construction), (Zip code: 78380) $250 to REPUBLICAN PARTY OF TEXAS on 01/23/08
CONNIE SCOTT (CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE/EXEC), (Zip code: 78380) $600 to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 05/31/07
CONNIE SCOTT (CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE/EXEC), (Zip code: 78380) $60] to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 05/31/07
CONNIE SCOTT (CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE/EXEC), (Zip code: 78380) $800 to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 05/31/07
CONNIE SCOTT (Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse/Exec), (Zip code: 78380) $2000 to ALAMO PAC on 02/08/08
CONNIE SCOTT (CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE/EXEC), (Zip code: 78380) $1700 to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 08/31/06
CONNIE SCOTT (CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE/EXEC), (Zip code: 78380) $1800 to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 08/31/06
CONNIE SCOTT (CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE/EXEC), (Zip code: 78380) $170] to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 08/31/06
CONNIE SCOTT (CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE/EXEC), (Zip code: 78380) $2000 to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 11/04/05
Shocking? This (in retrospect) seems but a small glimpse at a more alarming plot.
It would be unveiled later – after an exhaustive inquiry into the birth of CALA -- the messy details of the underhanded deals. CALAS (and their bankrollers) have just been unmasked in a new report by the Center for Justice & Democracy and Public Citizen. The report explains how CALAs funnelled money from big business — giants like Philip Morris, Dow Chemical, Exxon, General Electric, Aetna, Geico and Nationwide — to support covert agendas.
Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) that has been operating as a non-profit organization for all these years yet now due to objective data know it is functioning more as a Political Action Committee. This organization (according to a book entitled CLOSING THE COURTROOM DOORS) claim the CALA movement began as an anti-Mexican movement in the Rio Grande valley.
The first CALA organization emerged after two Mexican undocumented were calculatedly burned in a field by South Texas vigilantes in the late 1980s. This event is well documented in the book entitled CLOSING THE COURTROOM DOOR by author Stephanie Mencimer (an investigative reporter for the Washington Post and staff writer for Legal times). She writes “As they (the two Mexicans) attempted to cross the field, employees of the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers Mill purportedly saw the men and lit the field on fire. Both men were horribly burned. Two Weeks later, one died. The ensuing lawsuit revealed a history of similar incidents … The Sugar Growers Cooperative settled the suit for $8 million” (page 40).

After that the employers of the Sugarcane company linked with other anti-immigrant and anti-minority groups to fuel a movement that was set into action that was initially known as “LAWSUIT ABUSE BY MEXICANS.”
After the award cited earlier given by a court to the victims of Mexican families, two other workers (would join together) and file yet another suit against the Sugarcane Coop. They had been wrongly fired from their jobs merely for applying for Workmen Compensation. According to the noted author Mencimer, the Sugarcane Coop “had a reputation for being tight-fisted with injured workers and their families.” The two workers were awarded $2.5 million by a court.

Many ranchers and vigilante activists began to argue that the Mexican-American population was growing in numbers and threatened their profitable social status quo. They added that now Mexicans and Mexican Americans who felt oppressed could turn to the courthouse to seek retribution. The courts had become receptive to this rung of people in that many of the judges were now Hispanics.
Millions of dollars were raised and placed in a financial “war chest” that would be used to conduct a socio-psychological war via the modern advertisement market. Some media specialists have called the mentioned a means of modern social control. As a specialist for Marketing Company stated “In this modern world no longer are guns permitted to dominate a people: instead the powerful and mighty turn to the next best thing … mind control via the media. A constant battle exists to keep the masses dispirited and demoralized when contemplating a challenge against the powerful.”
With the mega-bucks (a large portion coming from Tobacco Companies that are attempting to create a new generation of young addicts in the region) the anti-Mexican movement was then both organized and fueled and re-imaged by Corporate America. They hired a political and marketing consultant, Jon Opelt, to make it seem that it was both a legitimate movement and organization when it fact it was not.
Opelt would conjure up the concept of CALA in the Valley of South Texas. Civil Rights Leader Ortiz would explain: “The marketing deception of Satan was born in South Texas. A movement of with the venomous sting of the Ku Klux Klan had been redress: not in a hoot, but sold to the public as a legitimate grassroots citizens’ organization.”
Later it would be sparked by the Scotts (referring to the husband and wife team: Mike and Connie Scott) in Nueces County. Civil Rights Leader Ortiz said: “I don’t think they should be known as Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse but for what they are – CON ARTIST (TARGETING) LATINO AMERICANS. Hey it seems like I’m taunting but let’s get real. Any organization that sets off with anti-Mexican fervor is not likely to change it’s collective aim. It is like being so naive to believe that someone that is against abortion will spontaneously come to a sudden enlightenment and begin join a pro-Abortion movement. The odds for that to happen are faint.”
Connie Scott is now running for State Representative against a popular incumbent State Representative Abel Herrero. Three months ago Ms. Scott told the Texas Weekly (see Volume 25, Issue 29, 21 July 2008): “Instead of getting into agendas and things I want to work on, I believe that, if elected, I should work on any issue that affects the people of Nueces County."
Was she being disingenuous? Will she stop advocating for the colossal corporate agenda that has bankrolled her operation in the past? “It is a no brainer,” said Ortiz, Civil Rights Coordinator for American GI Forum and a chapter of LULAC.
Civil Rights leader Ortiz detailed: “The CALA organization in fact was stared by an ex-CEO of American, Energy and Power (then CPL) (that is, Gonzalo Sandoval) in Weslaco, Texas. It has also been discovered that mega-dollar corporations such as tobacco companies such as Phillip Morris and CPL (now American, Energy and Power) and even foreign corporations are channeling dollars to this fake organization – CALA -- to pretend it is a citizens’ group pushing for the legal system to be improved when in fact it is promoting corporate agendas that disarm the working class and the poor and especially minorities from seeking justice in a courtroom. In short, the organization is assisting to keep those in the lower echelons of society disenfranchised, in my opinion.”
Ms. Scott has been the mouthpiece for this sham organization (known as CALA) for ten years – an organization that her husband (Mike Scott – founder of H&S Construction) as a governing board member. This group, it has been criticized, has also been courting state Texas Supreme Court judges and politicians to shield corporate giants and wealthy professionals.
How both many residents and media persons befriended by Connie Scott believed her “canned” lies?
Civil Rights Activist Joe Ortiz explained: “Human beings are social animals, and our first instinct is to trust others. Con men and women, of course, have long known this - their skill consists largely of playing on this weakness, and turning it to their advantage.” He added: “Trust is the baseline. Trustworthiness is the very first thing that we decide about a person, and once we've decided, we do all kinds of elaborate gymnastics to believe in people."
Ortiz concluded: “Connie Scott had functioned as a Con artist for Corporate interest. In my estimation she has done it through deception. Con artists (on the street) lie, cheat and fool people into thinking they've can make or be spared a great deal of money, when they're the ones who'll be making money. If that doesn't work, they'll take advantage of our weaknesses -- loneliness, insecurity, poor health or simple ignorance.”
What does the average con artist look like?
Despite what you may think, he isn't always a shady-looking character. A con artist is an expert at looking however he needs to look. If the con involves banking or investments, the con artist will wear a snappy suit. If it involves home improvement scams, he'll show up wearing well-worn work clothes. If it involves clandestinely working for Corporate entities, it will create a frong group or organization -- hey this is what CALA is all about… A big CON.”.
¬[Final note: howstuffworks.com details what con artist means: “¬You might think you can spot a con artist because he's someone you instinctively ‘don't trust.’ But the term con artist is short for confidence artist -- they gain your confidence just long enough to get their hands on … They can be very charming. A good con artist can even make you believe he is really an old friend you haven't seen in years … Con artists do share certain characteristics, however. Even the best con can only go on for so long before people start getting suspicious. For that reason, con artists tend to move frequently – hey or even run for political office … It would be impossible to catalogue every con, because con artists are inventive. While many cons are simply variations on ones that are hundreds of years old, new technologies and laws give con artists the opportunity to create original scams. Many cons tend to fall into a few general categories, however: street cons, business cons, Internet cons, loan cons and home improvement cons.”]

Editorial: The Doctors Of Corpus Christi Trying To Politicize The Courtroom: Dr. Benavides and Cronies Go Too Far!!!

SO I AM LOOKING AT THE CORPUS CHRISTI CALLER TIMES, “ONLINE.” FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DO NOT KNOW, “ONLINE” MEANS ON THE COMPUTER.

I SEE THREE JUDGES ADVERTISING THERE, THEIR FACES ARE ALL IN A ROW, LIKE AN AD FOR THE THREE STOOGES. A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES! THE THREE DECLARE THAT WE SHOULD VOTE FOR THEM, BECAUSE BY VOTING FOR THEM WE ARE VOTING FOR GOOD HEALTH! GOOD IDEA. VOTE FOR JUDGE NELVA GONALES RAMOS AND JUDGE JOSE LONGORIA AND JUDGE NANNETTE HASSETTE AND YOU WILL ENJOY GOOD HEALTH. SIMPLY REMARKABLE. NOT FAIR JUSTICE. NOT EQUALITY IN THE COURTS. THESE JUDGES ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU “GOOD HEALTH.”

SO HOW IS THAT? HOW CAN ONE BELIEVE THAT VOTING FOR A JUDGE WILL CURE MY LUMBAGO? I THOUGHT OF CALLING ONE OF THE JUDGES AND ASKING, “HOW CAN YOU CURE MY LUMBAGO, WHEN MY DOCTOR SUGGESTS A $20,000.00 OPERATION WHICH HE DOUBTS WILL WORK AND MIGHT LEAVE ME PARALYZED?”

THEN I THINK, NO, I BETTER NOT CALL. THEY WILL HAVE THEIR STATE AGENTS COME AND ARREST ME FOR THREATS OR SOMETHING. I THINK THEIR AGENTS CARRY GUNS AND ARE CALLED BAILIFFS.

SO I LOOK AT THE ADVERTISEMENT CLOSER. IT SAYS THAT THE AD IS SUPPORTED BY A “PAC”. “I THOUGHT “PAC” MIGHT BE SHORT FOR “PAC MAN”. BUT IT IS NOT. IT IS SHORT FOR POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE. I SEE IT IS BY THE “DOCTORS OF CORPUS CHRISTI PAC”

I SEE, “I SMELL A SKUNK” I THINK. SO THESE JUDGES. JUDGES WHO YOU AND I PAY ABOUT $180,000.00 PER YEAR OUT OF OUR HARD EARNED WAGES AS CHECKOUT CLERKS, TRUCK DRIVERS, OR AS MY JOB AS A LOWLY PERSON WHO RINGS THE NECKS OF CHICKENS ALL DAY FOR 50 CENTS PER CHICKEN, ARE GETTING TOGETHER WITH THEIR FRIENDS, THE JUDGES. THEN IN SECRET THEY DECIDE THAT, “HEY, WE DOCTORS ARE GIVING THE JUDGES MONEY. AND WE ARE SUPPORTING THESE THREE JUDGES. AND IF IT SO HAPPENS THAT ONE OF US DOCTORS CUTS OFF THE WRONG LEG OF ONE OF THESE LOW CLASS WORKING PEOPLE, AND HE HIRES AN ATTORNEY TO SUE US, WE ARE GOING TO GET YOUR CASE THROWN OUT OF COURT BY ONE OF OUR STOOGE JUDGES, AND YOU SHOULD BE HAPPY WITH THAT WOODEN LEG ANYWAY YOU LAZY BUM CHARLIE, BECAUSE YOU CAN STAND WITH ONE WOODEN LEG AND WRING NECKS OF CHICKENS.”

AND THEN IF YOU CANNOT SUE THAT DOCTOR, BECAUSE, HE HAS CUT OFF THE WRONG LEG, OR GAVE YOU THE WRONG PRESCRIPTION AND YOU LAY IN BED ALL DAY FOR THE REST OF YOU LIFE PARALYZED BECAUSE THE DOCTOR WAS IN A HURRY BECAUSE HE WOULD MISS “T” TIME ON THE GOLF COURSE THEN WE WILL HAVE MORE DOCTORS IN TOWN BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT GET SUED AND THAT IS “GOOD HEALTH.” BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SAME DOCTORS WHO MAKE ABOUT $500,000.00 PER YEAR AND ACT LIKE YOU ARE SCUM WHEN THEY PASS BY YOU IN THE HOSPITAL AND WRITE YOU A BILL FOR $250.00 FOR SAYING HELLO IN A VOICE THAT SOUNDS LIKE IT AROSE FROM THE TOMB OF HELL.

THANKS DOC. YOU ARE ALL HEART.

AND THE JUDGES? APPARENTLY THESE LEARNED AND REKNOWN JUDGES DO NOT BELIEVE THE LAW APPLIES TO THEM EITHER. WHERE IS THAT LAW? IN THE CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT. WHAT PART OF THE CODES DID THE VIOLATE? CANON 1, “ A JUDGE SHOULD UPHOLD THE INTEGRITY AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY.” HINT TO OUR JUDGES, IT DOES NOT STATE , “EXCEPT INDEPENDENCE FROM DOCTORS.”

AND CANON 5 STATES JUDGES SHOULD REFRAIN FROM INAPPROPRIATE POLITICAL ACTVITY. OOPS. IT STATES, “A JUDGE OR JUDCIAL CANDIDATE SHALL NOT MAKE PLEDGES OR PROMISES OF CONDUCT IN OFFICE REGARDING . . . SPECIFIC CLASSES OF CASES, SPECIFIC CLASSES OF LITIGANTS . . . . THAT WOULD SUGGEST TO A REASONABLE PERSON THAT THE JUDGE IS PREDISPOSED TO A PROBABLE DECISION IN CASES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE PLEDGE.” HINT, IT DOES NOT STATE “EXCEPT FOR PLEDGES TO DOCTORS THAT THEY CANNOT BE SUED.”

AND THERE ARE OTHER VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE OF JUDICIAL AS WELL, BUT I DO NOT WANT TO BORE OTHER CHICKEN NECK RINGERS AND OTHER WORKING PEOLE WITH THE BORING LAWS THAT THE JUDGES ARE SUPPOSED TO FOLLOW BUT DO NOT AS THEY LAUGH AND SCORN AT COCKTAIL PARTIES WITH THEIR FRIENDS THE DOCTORS WHO MAKE JOKES ABOUT MY HANDS WHICH ARE SO SORE FROM RINGING CHICKEN NECKS ALL DAY.

AND I CANNOT GET AWAY FROM THESE THREE JUDGES WHO ARE GOING TO KEEP ME HEALTHY BY PREVENTING ME FROM SUING MY DOCTOR WHO CUT OFF MY LEG OR LET MY EYEBALL GO DOWN HIS LABORATORY SINK DRAIN! I SAW THEM DRIVING AROUND IN A LITTLE TRUCK WITH THEIR THREE STOOGES AD ON THE SIDE OF A TRUCK, WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME IN MY 1977 GREEN GREMLIN AUTOMOBILE. BUT I LIE, THE JUDGES WERE NOT DRIVING THE TRUCK, THEY HAD SOME OTHER AGENT ACTING AS A DRIVER; PERHAPS A DOCTOR TO BE OR SOME OTHER POD FROM OUTERSPACE.

WHAT IS THE LESSON OR MORAL TO BE LEARNED FROM ALL OF THIS? WELL THE LAWS DO NOT APPLY TO JUDGES, JUST TO CHICKEN NECK RINGERS. AND IF YOU HAVE TO SUE A DOCTOR, TRY TO MAKE CERTAIN IT IS NOT IN JUDGE HASSETTE’S COURT , OR JUDGE LONGORIA’S COURT OR JUDGE RAMOS’ COURT. IF YOU DO WIND UP IN THEIR COURTS WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO SUE A DOCTOR YOUR GOOSE IS COOKED.

Herrero Responds to Misleading Accusations

Rep. Abel Herrero's Votes Show he Stands up for our Children and Teachers

Herrero Responds to Misleading Accusations

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX—Incumbent Abel Herrero (D-Robstown) responds to more misleading attacks by his opponent. During the 80^th Session, the Texas Legislature passed SB 9, which required all teachers hired prior to 2003 to submit to fingerprinting and criminal background checks. However, the Republican led leadership stripped state funding from the legislation leaving school districts, teachers and school personnel to bare the cost.

"My opponent's accusations are ludicrous, given the fact that I have supported stricter punishment for those guilty of harming our children," said Herrero. "I am a father of four young children and I take nothing more serious than a child's safety. My wife was a teacher for nine years, so I also know the tight budgets that many teachers face. We should not put an additional financial hardship on the backs of our working teachers and school personnel. At the time the bill came for a vote, state funding had been stripped from the legislation leaving an uncertainty of who would foot the bill. To eliminate possible harm to our children, the Republican leadership should have prioritized the proper funding tools to implement these actions rather than attempting to pass the buck to schools and teachers."

Additionally, teacher organizations and school districts locally and across the state expressed concern due to the lack of state funding incorporated into the legislation.

"I highly support criminal background checks for all our employees, but the Legislature cannot continue to pass on unfunded mandates to our school districts and teachers especially considering these hard economic times," said Charley McMath, Superintendent for London ISD.

Only after the legislation passed and with mounting pressure from teacher organizations, did the Republican leadership take steps to allocate funds for these efforts. Rep. Herrero voted for HB 8, 80^th Session, commonly referred to as Jessica's Law, which enhanced the prosecution, supervision and punishment for sex offenses against our children.

Abel Herrero is currently seeking his third term in the Texas House of Representatives serving District 34.

Citizens Against Trickery (CAT) Emerges – Exposes CONNIE SCOTT As Being Part Of A Deceptive Corporate Agenda

A new organization has emerged in Nueces County known as CAT (Citizens Against Trickery). The group will soon be coming out publicly. It feels that in this day and age, corporations and professional groups are utilizing part of the financial budgets to use deceptive tactics in advertisement. These corporate heads have found venal friends to execute their agendas such as Connie Scott who is running for State Representative. These corporations and mega organizaitons also by other means manipulate the pubic into supporting proposals and bonds and laws that benefit the powerful, the wealthy and especially mega-dollar corporations.

The new president of CAT, Alberto Saenz, said: “Our job will be to educate the public about identifiable and secretive plots in the community. To do our best to explain their real aims, and discredit and detail their misleading platforms.”

“Currently there is a group known here locally as Bay Area Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (BACALA or CALA) that has been operating as a non-profit organization – which really is functioning as a Political Action Committee. This organization began as a ‘hate movement’ against Mexicans in the Rio Grande valley. It was then both organized and re-imaged by Corporate America. They hired a political and marketing consultant, Jon Opelt, to make it seem that it was a legitimate organization when it had in fact a charged corporate agenda (to discourage lawsuits by the average John and Jane Doe when they had been wronged at work or in the operating room) and also this CALA group would provide undue protect for professionals (such as wealthy doctors) who harm their patients,” the president of CAT said.

One of the main concerns right now is that the former Executive Director of Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse – Connie Scott – is running for State Representative against a popular incumbent State Representative Abel Herrero. Three months ago Ms. Scott told the Texas Weekly (see Volume 25, Issue 29, 21 July 2008): “Instead of getting into agendas and things I want to work on, I believe that, if elected, I should work on any issue that affects the people of Nueces County." Yet, now it has been revealed, that the group she has been affiliated with -- CALA – does have a huge corporate agenda. The CALA organization if fact was stared by an ex-CEO of American, Energy and Power (then CPL) in Weslaco, Texas. It has also been discovered that mega-dollar corporation such as tobacco companies such as Phillip Morris and American, Energy and Power and even foreign corporations are channeling dollars to this fake organization to pretend it is a citizens group demanding that the legal system be improved when in fact it is targeting the working class and the poor. In short, the organization is assisting to keep those in the lower echelons of society disenfranchised.

Ms. Scott has been the mouthpiece for this sham organization (known as CALA) for ten years – an organization that her husband (Mike Scott – founder of H&S Construction) has set on as a founder and governing board member. This group, it has been criticized, has also been courting state supreme court judges and politicians to shield corporate giants and wealthy professionals from being sued. CALA, disgustingly, has been used to channel money corporate dollars into the political campaigns of politicians such as John Cornyn who are pushing the Corporate and Tort Reform agendas.

“In short, it has now been revealed that Connie Scott (and her husband) have been running a fake organization all these years to deceive the taxpayers and the public at large. This is a wonderful opportunity to do an expose on the political plot being executed by the most deceptive tactics in marketing available,” the president of CAT concluded.

MAJOR SCANDAL: CONNIE SCOTT LINKED TO VIOLENT, ANTI-MEXICAN MOVEMENT

Also Unveiled: Sheriff Kaelin’s Role In This Deceptive Plot
(Series: Part One -- of two parts)
Nueces County, Texas – A Candidate for State Representative – i.e., Connie Scott – has been linked to a violent-oriented anti-Mexican movement by prominent journalists and scholarly researchers. In a calculated move she was appointed to lead Bay Area Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) ten years ago. It came as a result of the influence of her husband – Mike Scott, who founded H&S Contractors) and recently has been unearthed to as being part of an agenda that is shocking many parties whom are disassociating with him.
Mike Scott has been part of a movement (that this publication is going to detail at length) that is shocking in that it threatens the rights of average John and Jane Doe to seek social justice. This movement is funded by mega-dollars and threatens not only the civil rights and civil liberties and social and political privileges of ordinary citizens but their voice in a democratic society.
This couple – Mike and Connie Scott – are part of a dangerous fake activist group (or Front Group). This group/organization was both established and paid for by wealthy corporations and use deception and lies, the purpose is to con citizens into believing and working against problems that cut into Corporate Profits and Government ambitions.
THE VIOLENT ANTI-MEXICAN ORGINS OF CALA (Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse):
In late 1987, two Mexicans crossed the border to find work here. They were chased by what have been referred to as “vigilantes” of a Sugarcane Coop. According to the book entitled CLOSING THE COURTROOM DOOR, author Stephanie Mencimer (an investigative reporter for the Washington Post and staff writer for Legal times) writes what happened next: “As they (the two Mexicans) attempted to cross the field, employees of the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers Mill allegedly saw the men and lit the field on fire. Both men were horribly burned. Two Weeks later, one died. The ensuing lawsuit revealed a history of similar incidents … The Sugar Growers Cooperative settled the suit for $8 million” (page 40).
The award by the court angered those who had been part of a Patron-Peon structure for too long. The racially charged group (which began to serve as an initial “front group” for corporations) referred to the case callously as “LAWSUIT ABUSE BY MEXICANS”; the injured family said that “No price could ever be put on a human life.” At first both Anglo and Hispanic businessmen shied away from being affiliated with this movement for fears of being labeled. But soon after this Mike Scott, future husband of Connie Scott, would see it as a business opportunity and as a stepping stone for procuring political clout.
This legal ruling (and award of damages) by a court of law was aimed at by the families of the injured parties in order to achieve social justice. Yet the corporations in the area reinforced a blaze of profound racial tensions in the Valley of South Texas. Quickly corporations co-opted (or absorbed) the “anti-wetback fervor” movement to realize their own agendas. The movement was attractive and needed to be micromanaged by Corporate gurus. Mike Scott, now Connie Scott’s husband would gravitate to this “Remember The Alamo” battle cry. He would not only enroll in this early organizational phase of CALA but in many other related organizations that shared a similar aim such as Texans For Lawsuit Reform.
After the award cited earlier to the Mexican families, two workers (would join together) and file yet another suit against the Sugarcane Coop. They had been wrongly fired from their jobs merely for applying for Workmen Compensation. According to the noted author Mencimer, the Sugarcane Coop “had a reputation for being tight-fisted with injured workers and their families.” The two workers were awarded $2.5 million by a court.
The climate of minority workers rising to seek social and legal justice and damages had perturbed the status quo in place. Ranchers and other business groups that were benefitting from these social arrangements responded to this “remember the Alamo-type” war cry. CPL (the electric company giant) now part of American, Energy and Power (AEP) which was facing the climate of deregulation pressures saw this crisis and racially charged anti-Hispanic movement as one to be co-opted in their favor but spinned to meet both their political and economic agenda. A bogus marketing company known as INVENTIVA emerged in San Antonio. According to one CPL/now AEP employee, “INVENTIVA was involved with CPL to achieve ‘under the radar’ agendas. Keep in mind that most of us in these high posts have even had their dads and relatives work for this CORPORATION. In order to rise in the ranks of this CORPORATION loyalty is always an issue.”
In 1994 in Weslaco, Texas, some of the corporate leaders met at the local chamber of commerce with some of the leaders of the disgruntled parties who were part of the initial phase of the Anti-Mexican movement (that later would be guised under a new marketing spin – “lawsuit abuse”). The group (with the cash cow of CPL/now AEP) decided to hire a spin doctor and political consultant by the name of Jon Opelt. Opelt’s goal would be to co-opt and clandestinely use high-tech marketing deceptive tactics.
They began to toss the idea of forming a “front group” (or a fake citizens group to serve as a mouthpiece for corporate interests – new corporations had joined the bandwagon during this new chapter). According to one CPL employee in the region: “They searched for an Hispanic face to put on the newly formed organization so as to try and water down and hide the anti-Hispanic variable at play. This group would eventually become known as Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse. Many prominent Hispanic professionals working within the corporate structure were courted but refused to be used in such a way.” However, there was an ambitious one, Gonzalo Sandoval, the former head of Central Power and Light – now part of AEP (American, Energy And Power) who used the crisis to propel himself to the top. Sandoval was now being paid a hefty salary by CPL as a top administrator, and was convinced to head the organization of CALA as the first President in Weslaco. [See “Phony Grassroots Groups” by Katherine Lemons (Sept. 2000) at www.consciouschoice.com].
And Corpus Christi had a seed in this CALA movement – Mike Scott, Vice President of H&S and disgruntled former member of the Texas Executive Committee of the Republican Party that had been replaced by an ethnic minority). Scott saw the climate as one ripe his agenda in Corpus Christi and Nueces County (and the regional area) which had a growing Hispanic population and was traditionally Democrat. He laid the seed for a new chapter of CALA which would emerge in Nueces County and be led by Connie Scott (his wife).
Mike Scott would become both an activist and member of the CALA as well as a member of Texans For Legal Reform) movements. And expediently timed, in this terrain, the founder of CALA, Gonzalo Sandoval, would also emerge as the top administrator of CPL in Corpus Christi (located in what is now the AEP Building headquarters – across the street from the Catholic Cathedral). Local Attorney Lance Bruum (a Republican activist) would tell El Defenzor that the CALA movement in Nueces County was too extremist at the time. “The CALA movement believes that most lawsuits are not justified. It disarms many from seeking damages,” he stated.
In the late 1990s Sandoval would head the CPL/now AEP network of offices to target an elderly social activist, Jose Armando Marroquin, who had become a strong voice (via Spanish Radio) for the local taxpayers association and had been christened by many as both a leader and voice for the Hispanic Community. Marroquin, who owned a local upholstery shop in the Westside of Corpus Christi and who had been effective in raising the consciousness of the CPL’s monopoly in the area, would be targeted in the most clandestine of styles. A top floor meeting would take place at the former CPL building, now AEP, called by President Gonzalo Sandoval, to launch a volley of print media attacks against the credibility of Marroquin. Even CPL’s top public relations person – Ms. Sharon Trott – would be part of the ‘pow-wow.’” (Source: Personal testimony taken by two persons who were present at the high-level meeting. Electronic documentation, Exhibit D, shared Oct. 1, 2008).
During the CPL High Level Meeting, President Sandoval would remark about his concerns about trial lawyers in the area such as Phil Vela, Rene Rodriguez and a few others. “They have filed so many lawsuits that they have the forms ready to launch one right now against anyone.” Little did Sandoval realize at the time that their arch foe (Attorney Phil Vela) would be recruited by Mike Scott into the ranks of Republican Party and made a staple of the suppressing the appetites of “certain” trial lawyers for huge awards. (Note Phil Vela is believed to be lobbying to appoint his wife Rose Vela as the next Federal Judge – word circulating is that Federal Judge Hayden Head Jr., is ill and might be stepping down soon).
Later even former CPL’s Public Relations spin doctor, Ms. Trott, would be criticized for serving a similar role as serving as a “front person” for corporate interests (for contractors such as Joe Fulton and Berry Construction and for American Bank) in spearheading groups such as FORWARD CORPUS CHRISTI to convince the public to pass bond elections to bankroll mega-construction projections by way of taxpayer monies. In short, some have openly described her role in such organizations as “Selling Debt To Nueces County Taxpayers.”
The expedient pact of the various parties involved had been realized. But through CALA – a worst anti-Mexican flare of sentiments (has been absorbed by spin doctoring) and thus had been fueled by mega-dollar contributions of corporations, contributions coming from the tobacco company Phillip Morris (where the noted political consultant Karl Rove had been hired as a consultant), Central Power Light (now part of AEP or American Energy and Power), refineries, and later by some professional associations. Later documentation would surface linking Mike Scott, to reiterate: Connie Scott’s husband, to tobacco funding monies).
One of the grubbiest lies told by CALA’s regional leader and executive director – Connie Scott – would be that a corporate agenda did not exist. In a regional newspaper known as The Nueces County Record*Star (whose offices are located in Robstown), Ms. Scott would refer to her work at CALA as “community service.” She had become not only a glib chameleon for a cold and callous corporate agenda but she had enrolled in a “wild-eye” faction within the Texas Republican Party. The documented money trail and behind the scenes fund-raisers (left both by she herself and her husband) would also hint at her private loyalties and clandestine political network – from U.S. Senator John Cornyn to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbot to what has been referred to Nueces County Sheriff Jim Kaelin. Additionally, her husband, Mike Scott, would achieve greater political clout in the area; and start sponsoring fund-raisers not only for the Attorney General, but disturbingly for members of the Texas Supreme Court.
According to Court Watch: “In Texas, the public elects supreme court judges, which means that those candidates, like candidates for any other elected office, are targeted by special interest groups interested in future pay-backs. CALAs have been among the highest contributors to supreme court candidates, and with measurable effect… Court Watch’s 1991-1999 report on insurance cases in the Texas Supreme Court reveals that ‘decisions by the high court eliminated significant incentives for insurance companies to behave responsibly, stripping consumers of important protections.’"

Mike Scott would also go on to be appointed to serve in the Texas Executive Committee of the Republican Party – and his aim had been realized to begin targeting Democrats, most were Hispanics in the region, via his new found artillery. Also, former-Democrat Attorney Phil Vela (husband to then-Distirct Judge Rose Vela—now a 13th Court Of Appeals Judge elected under the Republican Banner) who was courted into the Republican Party by Mike Scott told El Defenzor a few weeks ago in a telephone interview: “I am trying to help these guys do what I did within the Democratic Party but they are much too rigid. I know that the talk out there is that I am still a puppet for Solomon P. Ortiz but I’m not. I have helped them identify how to disable the funding sources of the Democratic Party.” One of the concerns being expressed in the discussion was if there was an anti-Hispanic variable at play. Vela circumvented the issue by saying: “I am just trying to show them how to win in this particular environment.”
The CALA movement in the last two years needed a front person who had the official status to begin taking aim at persons within the Democratic Party that fitted “the bill” of what their spin doctors defined as a good target. The first problems that CALA and the associated faction within this radical wing of the Republican Party faced was the high-dollars being channeled into the party by Attorney Mikal Watts (and Mauricio Celis, the head of an international law group known as CTG and Associates). The word is that the county attorney (Carlos Valdez) was approached and key Republican representatives were prepared to offer him either a state of federal appointment for assisting in executing a political agenda. Valdez , some described, as to entrenched in his job to placed himself in an aleatory (chance game) situation. So the elite CALA group had to settle for Plan B – in which many were offered political appointments and perquisites.
Nueces County Sheriff Jim Kaelin – this was their choice. Sheriff Kaelin had promised that he was not going to use his office ever to grant special treatment or grant special favors (especially partisan favors) snaked from his promise. It was discovered that Sheriff Kaelin was quite a spin doctor himself. In fact he had been granting special favors to professionals and friends despite his rhetoric to the media. In one occasion a prominent doctors son was picked up on a warrant out of Austin. A telephone call placed to Kaelin, and immediately took the elevator and placed him in the medical ward and gave him the most comfortable room – thick mattress, a newspaper to read every day, bottled water.
The CALA crowd got wind of this incident and several others. Even the Court Coordinator – Jeremy Goss -- that Sheriff Kaelin had hired was giving the “red carpet” treatment – Goss, while he had his own girlfriend in jail gave her two cell phones and a charger.
A Republican insider told this publication: “We got wind of it. Our job was to disable the funding within the Democratic Party. We needed someone to go after Mauricio Celis (a non-certified) attorney in Texas that had a dubious link to the legal profession. If we could tie in some of the Democratic Candidates running for office to Celis, we had a bomb. We could butt our slate of selective Republican candidates into office. We turned to Sheriff Kaelin for assistance. The State Attorney General (whose campaigns had been bankrolled by CALA dollars) would be receptive to this case. The trouble is that District Attorney Valdez was not on board and Kaelin via contacting the Attorney General would change matters.”
The source extended in fine detail: “Why wouldn’t Sheriff Kaelin join us in going after Mauricio Celis? He was a fellow Republican and he had helped him get reelected – and we knew he was full of hot air: he put on this air of impressions, but we knew what he was really up to when his guard was down.”
El Defenzor asked the source: “ What pointed to Sheriff Kaelin’s receptivity?” “A combination of sorts. For one his chief deputy – John Galvan – was taking the county vehicle he was driving (and still is I undertand) out of the county. He lives in Mathis area I believe.”
Is Sheriff Kaelin politically bribable? Has he or his family members received any political favoritism in the last two years? Mauricio Celis was eventually indicted. Sheriff Kaelin justified his actions by saying he was going after him “because he pretended to be a law enforcement officer” – but his motivation is still being debated by political insiders.
The source concluded: “Kaelin could not find the missing knife which got lost in the kitchen recently. He did mess up with the case of Roberto Garica (whom committed suicide): where there were court orders to place him in a hospital instead of a jail. But he got one thing right! Going after the cash cow of the Democratic Party – Mauricio Celis.”
Is the CALA movement growing in sophistication? Some very wealthy persons, corporations, elite professionals have been transformed into social Darwinists in the process. Now that Connie Scott has stepped out of her sham role in the CALA organization a counter movement has emerged.
“Yes we are beginning to see it very clear. Now Nueces County is under attack,” Civil Rights Leader for LULAC Joe Ortiz told this publication. “I do NOT mean by terrorists.We are bombarded by fake and false candidates and organization such as the Corporate Pawn – Connie Scott.”
The Civil Rights leader added: “Some corporations working alongside of CALA are clandestinely working to dismiss civil rights issues also as frivolous – this is our concern in Civil rights. They want to totally disarm us. Some have been shot down by the way due to these forces. They hire and form PR (public relations) groups to launch lies and propaganda against the escaped truth. Today as a result it has become impossible to trust many a local mainstream print or air media entity. Canned lies and propaganda are being forced down our throats. It is time we start insisting that the mainstream media gives us a voice in it.”
The founding SPIN DOCTOR, Jon Opelt, mentioned earlier in this article, of Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse deceptively canned a statement to The Guardian newspaper in England in December 1999: “"We don't lobby or make contributions to candidates, we talk to the general public” (see www.guardian.com.uk/world/1999/dec/13/law.theguardian1).
But records in Nueces County provided by the Federal Election Commission (which can be found at www.city-data.com and at www.city-data.com/elec2/elec-ROBSTOWN-TX.html) show the disingenuous and misleading statements released by CALA to the media. A few examples from the citation provided above www.city-data.com are shared below (especially contributions channeled to Senator John Cornyn who is one of the major voices for the Tort Reform movement who is currently facing a popular Demorcrat Rich Noriega):
CONNIE SCOTT (H & S Construction/Construction), (Zip code: 78380) $250 to REPUBLICAN PARTY OF TEXAS on 01/23/08
CONNIE SCOTT (CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE/EXEC), (Zip code: 78380) $600 to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 05/31/07
MIKE D SCOTT (H&S CONSTRUCTORS INC./VICE PRESIDEN), (Zip code: 78380) $200 to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 05/31/07
CONNIE SCOTT (CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE/EXEC), (Zip code: 78380) $60] to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 05/31/07
CONNIE SCOTT (CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE/EXEC), (Zip code: 78380) $800 to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 05/31/07
MIKE D SCOTT (H&S CONSTRUCTORS INC./VICE PRESIDENT), (Zip code: 78380) $200] to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 05/31/07
MIKE D SCOTT (H&S CONSTRUCTORS INC./VICE PRESIDEN), (Zip code: 78380) $400 to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 05/31/07
CONNIE SCOTT (Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse/Exec), (Zip code: 78380) $2000 to ALAMO PAC on 02/08/08
MIKE D SCOTT (H&S CONSTRUCTORS INC./VICE PRESIDEN), (Zip code: 78380) $2000 to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 06/06/06
CONNIE SCOTT (CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE/EXEC), (Zip code: 78380) $1700 to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 08/31/06
CONNIE SCOTT (CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE/EXEC), (Zip code: 78380) $1800 to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 08/31/06
CONNIE SCOTT (CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE/EXEC), (Zip code: 78380) $170] to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 08/31/06
MIKE D SCOTT, (Zip code: 78380) $1800 to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 07/10/06
CONNIE SCOTT (CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE/EXEC), (Zip code: 78380) $2000 to TEXANS FOR SENATOR JOHN CORNYN INC on 11/04/05
The messy details of the underhanded deals have just been released in a new report by the Center for Justice & Democracy and Public Citizen. The report explains how CALAs funneled money from big business — giants like Philip Morris, Dow Chemical, Exxon, General Electric, Aetna, Geico and Nationwide — to support covert agendas.

Editorial -- Hispanics Rallying Behind Tio Todd Hunter

San Patricio, TX -- It has been in the past contradictory for the Hispanic psyche to go against one that belongs to their ethnic group – but the tide is changing gradually against Incumbent State Representative Juan Garcia. But often, conversely, our "own" soon forget that they are "our own"- if they ever were. What I mean to say is that Juan/"Johnito" Garcia is a chameleon of sorts who changes color and shape and tells a good story and is somewhat smooth in his delivery. He is like a beautiful smelling fruit that is alluring but when you bite into it -- there is a millisecond of sweetness that is followed by knowing it is way to sweet and is actually cloy.

I believe this metaphor to be true of State Representative Garcia’s two years in office where he has only been eyeing something bigger. I ignored him taking money from the power base of high-dollar sponsors in the past. He has been armed with over $400,000.00 during this election; and in the past election was given close to the same amount to win by a slim margin -- and to be honest, it brought some of my compadres in Odem that pulled him through.

But now things have changed. Now many of the same people who idolized him now feel betrayed. He no longer visits with them. He no longer thinks that Spanish commercials are important or acknowledging our culture. Spanish radio host Victor Lara Ortegon -- last week -- said it the best: “He has forgotten us.”

You see my friends, State Representative Garcia knows that once you are in -- you have a better chance of staying in by keeping the majority of the elite status quo happy. For him to continue to cater to the Hispanic community in a responsible way would not be wise (when his career takes priority), because we are only good for a tiebreaker.

Is "Tio" Todd Hunter a viable alternative to Johnito? Many Hispanics say “yes.” Many in our community call him affectionately El "Tio" Todd (Hunter) as he has campaigned throughout the counties at stake San Patricio, Aransas, Calhoun and Nueces of District 32. When you meet Hunter he is a very friendly sort and through the years seeing him out of Austin, he never lost the common touch. He is cordial to me and of all media including Spanish owned media. It says a lot for this man. "Tio" Todd has invested time, money and attention with Hispanics and realizes that the face of America is changing. No longer can we be put in the corner of isolationism.

REPUBLICANS ARE AWAKENING TO THIS FACT:

There is a great pool of potential voters that are conservative, who are so sick of the raping of our tax base by those who hunger for power, who are so sick of roads being built to nowhere and libraries without books, who are so sick of career politicians who create only wealth for themselves and are looking for something else all the time -- their appetites are ravenous.

. Many citizens want a better life without leaving a huge tax bill for their children: Go figure that many Hispanics go to church for the most part, have family values, know the value of traditional respect, and value who they are and the ethnics of hard work. This mirrors conservative values -- doesn't it? How does a conservative Hispanic identify with leftists who favor abortion and getting rid of guns and getting rid of your Ford F-150? Por Favor! It doesn't add up. While I do not advocate party flipping I do advocate voting independently instead of voting a certain way because someone gave you a job or a taco.

While Juan/Johnito has run from his culture, Tio Todd is reaching out to us. Some would argue, "Yes Defenzor, but only because he needs our vote.". I understand that argument; but I would also argue that this man endearingly labeled "Tio" Todd has served in that position already four terms and stepped down with respect, and unlike many in politics without scandal. One term and Johnito is already covered with the lice of tainted money; the Good Government Pact buying his election and the search for another job on the horizon and forgetting about Hispanos. How many can accuse or have accused Tio Todd of taking tainted money? Think about that. Hispanics have a voice and for too long we have been controlled and ostracized if we did not bow and scrape and do the bidding of the Lenchos and the Solomons of the world. NO LONGER.

Brothers and sisters (readers of El Defenzor), whether you are Hispanic, Anglo, Black or Asian or whatever creed or national origin, believe me when I say that we cannot afford to be affiliated with one party any longer. We cannot afford to bite into that cloyish fruit which we thought was so sweet at first, and we must transcend color and party lines to get the best candidate who won't forget us when we need him/her. If not, I will be here and many like me in the media to remind public officials to be respectfully honest, to be attentive to our needs in the community. Republican and Democrat: What does that mean anymore to us who are left with billions of dollars of tax bills here locally and nationally? When it has been Democrats as well as Republicans who have let a 10 billion dollar war rage on half a world away and who have squandered our natural resources and reserves and who have jeopardized our very economy and have allowed all of these people to rape the taxpayer and now we have to bail them out? NO MORE.

For "Tio" Todd to be reaching out says something to all of us in these troubled times. He truly wants our vote. For him it is wanting to serve. He has made his money. He is a respected law partner and lobbyist after serving four terms in the position. Johnito has served only one with questions dogging him about being in bed with trial lawyers and his arrogant boss Barger pulling commercials off the air and stifling the political process . And the biggest difference is that Tio Todd is not lighting candles so Barack Obama wins so he can get a Washington position and be done with all of us who are needling Teflon Juan.

I believe Tio Todd is not going anywhere and he can give us another four terms as he has done in the past and I am suddenly very, very concerned about our very own Hispanos – i.e., who won't return little las abuelitas calls or run one single Spanish message to reach out to the very voters who saved him. I guess Johnito’s Hollywood and Austin advisers who don't know a darn thing about the Hispanic vote have overlooked how important we are. Pity for him and better for Tio Todd.

I am available to debate these points here or on TV or the Radio. Freedom of Speech is not free. It costs me dearly but I must speak my mind and have made my argument for "Tio" Todd Hunter.

CCPOA Explains Decision Not to Endorse in District 34 Race

CORPUS CHRISTI—The Corpus Christi Police Officers' Association issued no endorsement in the race for District 34 last night, but did so on a technicality that was forced by Abel Herrero's opponent.

Mike Hess, CCPOA's PAC Chairman issued the following statement:

"The Corpus Christi Police Officers' Association Political Action Committee has known Rep. Abel Herrero for a long time and we were honored to have him come before our membership again this cycle to discuss his plans as he continues to serve District 34 in the state legislature. Unfortunately, the PAC is bound by rules to continue in the order of the schedule unless candidates agree otherwise. The PAC Constitution and Bylaws are very strict regarding the speaking presentations of candidates. Because the PAC forum was running ahead of time and schedules were tight, we were unable to reinforce our longstanding support for Rep. Herrero. We do, however, wish him goodwill and good luck."

According to CCPOA, Herrero's opponent was afforded the opportunity to wait until the scheduled time in light of the endorsements running ahead of schedule but refused, forcing the organization to go ahead without the planned back-and-forth format. Scott agreed to let Herrero address the assembly when it was clear that he was on time for his scheduled appearance.

"It is unfortunate that my opponent continues to avoid facing me head to head where voters and organizations can decide how we stack up. I am willing to debate her on the issues that face hard working Nueces County families, but her campaign continues to use cheap, negative tactics instead of making a positive case," said Rep. Herrero. "I am happy to have the support of our police officers and I will always support them in my work in the legislature."

Abel Herrero has been endorsed by the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) and is the most senior member of the Corpus Christi delegation. He is seeking his third term in the Texas House of Representatives.

Nueces Co. Democrats meet today at 5:30 p.m. --Tuesday, Oct. 14 -- David Noyola emerges from the shadows calling nor UNITY

THE ENEMY UNVEILED: CORPORATE AGENDA
Connie Scott's Corporate Links To Have A Negative Impact On The Chances Of Many Republicans Running For Office
The Nueces County Democrats (led officially by Chair Lucy Rubio) met for a "pow-wow" today at 5:30 p.m. --Tuesday, Oct. 14. The various camps tried to go through the regular routine of -- David Noyola (former Nueces County Commissioner/activist) emerged from the shadows calling nor UNITY. However the Ortiz/Lencho Rendon faction was not present at the meeting -- It is surmised that they had their own pow wow somewhere else .... Solomon Sr. and Jr. were not present nor Peggy Banales nor others of their following.
However those that did attend (the various candidates and supporters) were caught off guard -- in that his chord was a genuine one. Linda Figuero from the Ortiz/Lencho Rendon group was present.
There is a theme being repeated that the party has to unite. Even Civil Rights leaders also stepped to the plate like Joe Ortiz, a Civil Rights Leader of the many an organization There is word that even a sensitive telephone call took place before the meeting between Political "Heavy Weight" Lencho Rendon and Chairman Ms. Rubio after the meeting.
However the true drama of the Democratic Headquarters was marked at another level. First by the brilliant speech delivered by Sheriff Candidate Jesse Mark Flores (who received about 71 percent of the vote in the Democratic Primary. Flores called for the party to unite and be proactive.
David Noyola (a political "heavy weight" and former Commissioner) weathered by many past battles yet enthusiastic, walked additionally into the pow-wow that dumbfounded many. Some thought the older Noyola would never make a grand entrance like this again. The various spectators were in awe as he milled around and spoke ( he had also appeared earlier on "Comentarios" [a talk radio program' earlier that day that broadcasted via 104.9 FM, transmitting from the Garibaldi Restaurant near city hall in Corpus Christi). But now in the afternoon, he faced his brother and sister Democrats -- a divided family. Some of the party's active membership was not present -- but alledgedly at a clandestine meeting being presided over by the sway of Lench Rendon.
Howver at this meeting with Rubio and the party, David Noyola harped on the fact that there was a political foe that was too overwhelming to ignore -- he kept the theme going, gradually adding "meat" and detail to the face of the formidable opponent that the party faced (the enemy: a perceived Corporate Agenda). He took the campaign roster of Democrats (while he held himself erect with a assistance of a cane in other hand) and said: "Yes, it's time to vote Democrat -- derecho por la boleta (straight down the ballot)" He repeated: "Yes, Democrat." He read the roster of names that members in attendance (and listening through Tejano radio) should support ... but he emphasized that many Democrats who were only given tacit approval by the machine should be raised to the limelight of endorsement.
"Let's vote for the name that appears on the ballot for Congressman... and of course I mean Solomon P. Ortiz... and not only him, but all the others." Shocked -- this word described a numer of spectators.
Noyola continued citing the slate of party candidates. "It is the only way we are going to win against the strong opponent we are faced with," he added. He summed up his reasons why many of the tacitly approved ones should not be replaced by Republicans ... especially an elite faction he identified.
A brief background history. The regional Democratic Party many feel was segmented and torn apart by a previous political battle for state representative; this occurred less than a handful of years ago after State Representative Vilma Luna decided not to seek reelection. His brother -- Danny Noyola (a former Principal and Superintendent) -- ran for the seat. The party was activated quickly -- but immediately after, the Congressman's son -- Solomon P. Ortiz Jr. surprising announced (who had told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times he would not consider running for the post in a "political pulse" commentary). But deceptive tactics and the lure and glory of being in a powerful seat: seems to be a reoccurring theme in this aleatory arena.
The tiff that followed would result in a dragged out battle between two factions -- i.e., the Noyola faction and the Ortiz/Lencho Rendon faction. "The son (Ortiz Jr.) had a whim at the last minute to run for office and he said 'Dad you better come out full force and support.'" And that, he did. Immediately Susie Luna (a devout Democrat and Teacher Union Activist) was courted into the fight.
To continue with this past history: many of the Democratic Precinct chairs who had informally committed to Danny Noyola were swayed away from him by the influence and tactics of Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz Sr. and re-switched as well as were re-stamped with a new allegance to his son.
When all was said and done, Danny Noyola lost the nomination by an infinitesimal number. The party had been split through the middle: it had become a party with two heads so to speak: an official head, and an unofficial head. The tension within the party was so high as if one could separate it with a razor blade. The Tejano Democrats distanced themselves from the Ortiz/Lencho Rendon faction.
However, at this meeting: David Noyola's grand entrance today became a metaphor for Democrats -- a metaphor that represented a call to heal, to unite, to let the past remain in the past, so that a new beginning can have enough traction and space to touch the ground running this election cycle.

[Note:
The Democrats will have a

Publish Post

rally this Saturday, at the Saxton Center in Corpus Christi, Texas (on Leopard Blvd). El Defenzor will keep close tabs to see who shows up -- for who is in attendance will glimpse at the authentic rate of transformation and healing among the party that is taking place at this phase.]

While "Sleepy" Sheriff Kaelin Was snoozing, "What happened?"

Sleepy" Jim Kaelin, a man of his word? Don't be silly!!!"


When he was running for office, he blamed early releases from the jail on the former sheriffs and he said: "It will not happen on my watch"; it did, three times.

When he was running for office, he blamed the Federal Prisoner vacancies on the former Sheriff, and he stated: "I will bring them back within 60 days after I take office. It has not happened yet, two years after.

When he was running for office, he blamed the lack of clean jail cells and equipment on the former sheriffs, and now that he has received the funds from the county commissioners. Why is he still having problems with the U.S. Marshall's refusing to house their prisoners there? He has something to hide. The county as a result is loosing millions.

When the U.S. Marshalls refused to place Federal Inmates in the ANNEX due to lack of security he blamed the former sheriffs, whi is his excuse now? It has not happened and the county is loosing millions.

When he was running for office, he blamed the death (hanging) of an inmate inside the jail on the former sheriffs and he said: "It will not happen on my watch. It did several times. All survived except one -- Roberto Garcia.

When he was running for office, he blamed the accidental overdoses of inmates in holding cells on former Sheriffs, and he said "KIt will not happen on my watch. It did.

He said his experiece with DPS would help him manage the patrol division and department better, then how did three of his officers rolled and totaled out three brand new patrol cars?

When he was running for office, he said he would improve morale. Well it has not happened in the last two years. It is at an all time low.

Simply put: JIM KAELIN is not a man of his word. Jim Kaelin has failed the Sheriff's department, its employees, and most important the overall county.

SCANDAL: CONNIE SCOTT HAS BEEN USING CITIZENS AGAINST LAWSUIT ABUSE TO CHANNEL MONIES FROM CORPORATIONS TO REBPUBLICAN CANDIDATES STATEWIDE

Corpus Christi/Nueces County, TX -- This publication has unearthed the fact that the organization led by Connie Scott known as BACALA (Bay Area Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse) is nothing more than a "front group" according to a predigious watchdog group known as SOURCEWATCH.ORG ... The latter organization which is funded by the American Legacy Foundation, goes on to detail the fine facts that Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (which was originally founded in 1994 by a Corporate head -- (now AEP) CPL President Gonzalo Sandoval -- in Weslaco, Texas) has been deceptively pretending to be a "grassroots" citizens group passionate about lawsuit reform, when in reality BACALA or CALA is really a instrument to execute a veiled Corporate platform.
In 1998 Connie Scott was urged by a board member of CALA -- i.e., her husband Mike Scott -- to become the executive director of the same organization. She is now seeking the 34th seat of State Representative, again pushed by her husband, as she implicitly admitted in the Nueces County Star Newspaper (Oct 2,2008 edition): "But for Scott, who was born and raised in Luling, Texas and has lived in Nueces County for 15 years (10 years as head of CALA) with her husband, Mike ... becoming a public figure was not something she ever really had in mind." She adds: ""I never aspired or dreamed or wanted to go into politics," Scott said. "After discussing it with my husband ... we decided it was the right thing to do."
"Right thing to do"? Or the expedient thing to do? She goes on to state in the paper cited above that due to her so-called "community service" (really that of being a corporate pawn) has prepared her to run for the post: "Having served as the executive director for the Bay Area Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse for nearly 10 years, community service (?) has always seemed a natural fit for Republican Connie Scott."
She goes on to state (in the same publication cited) that she does have political experience via the case in 2003 when she urged voters to approve Proposition 12. That measure put a cap on damages awarded to victims in medical malpractice lawsuits (in other words, she help provided a legal shielded for professionals that were negligent in their job as medical specials not be adequately accountable in civil court for their actions).
She contractions herself repeatedly; for instance, she says:"I believe in helping people by all means available, (b)ut I believe the state has a responsibility to cut back at some times."
But more disturbingly she has in the past used a 78380 (Robstown area zip code) address to channel funds (acquired from Corporate America) to support the political campaigns of her husband's whim such as John Cornyn (for Congress) and so on. For instance, in cases where her husband (and the corporation he leads H&S Contractors) channeled money to specific Republican candidates, she reinforced with the CALA's war chest (thanks to corporate interest and avarice) to the same candidates highlighted by her hubby -- Mike Scott (former State Member of the State Executive Committe of the Republican Party).
Mike Scott's role as being part of the State party was to target Democrats, specifically in Democratic Areas with high Hispanic numbers such as Nueces County. Since 1994, since BACALA was started (and with Texans for Legal Reform or TLR for short), he has been involved with the organizations as a board member. His wife Connie Scott was appointed to head CALA ten years ago (she claims it was community service -- but we all know better).
What is the source of Connie Scott's passion for doing what she is doing? Can you imagine, the psychology of Connie Scott, plotting to suppress lawsuits being filed by the average employee, plotting to protects professions such as doctors who were negligent with sick patients, plotting alongside her husband to put "wild eye" extremists in political office who are insensitive to the civil and human rights of the average Joe and Mary -- what do you think it has done to her pattern of thinking and viewing the world? It has turned her into a harming agent, not a helping agent for the masses. Where does her fire to do this come from? To arrive at this conclusion, one only needs to do a brief perusal of her husband's history. He was sued -- so by both by placing his wife on the CALA post and now by running her for office, it is his way of getting back at those regular everyday workers who want to curb his insatiability for a profit. One should question why he continues to sponsor fund raisers for the Attorney General (Greg Abbot), some of the Judicial Candidates for the Texas Supreme Court and for many a "wild eye" political extremists.

A TV ADV that Captures Sheriff Kaelins Broken Promises

SHERIFF JIM KAELIN'S PROBLEM HAS BEEN HE HAD TOO
MANY PROMISES ...




CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO WATCH A TV COMMERICAL PUT
TOGETHER BY EL DEFENZOR....

CLICK HERE

Stations Question Latest Republican Smear Campaign Ad

Stations Question Latest Republican

Smear Campaign Ad

Herrero Campaign Fact-Checks Latest Republican Attempt to Mislead Voters

CORPUS CHRISTI—The Nueces County Republican Party's latest negative ad follows closely on the heels of an ad on a separate issue that was rejected by stations across Nueces County for failing the truth test. The Abel Herrero campaign has issued a memo to area stations urging them to protect the integrity of public airwaves.

"My opponent and the Nueces County Republican Party continue to run a purely negative campaign relying solely on fabrications and distortions in the race for state representative for District 34," said Rep. Herrero. "While we are experiencing an economic crisis and a health care crisis that is affecting people all over the county, instead of offering solutions, my opponent and her supporters are only able to fabricate negative, misleading, and false commercials that mislead voters."

The ad claims that Herrero reversed the voters and pushed the Nueces County Fairgrounds project. Both claims are blatantly false. Shadowy operatives supporting Herrero's opponent do not respect the voters enough to refrain from blatantly lying in their faces. Some in the community are questioning the purely negative campaign being run by Connie Scott. How far out of bounds will they go to avoid talking about the issues facing hard working families in Nueces County?

The latest ad [see script below] attempts to tie Herrero to decisions made at the county level regarding the funding of the Nueces County Fairgrounds. The ad misleads the audience by creating the impression that Herrero was involved in pushing proposals for funding the fairgrounds project, which is false.

The ad fails the truth test on five grounds:

1. The comments that Terry Shamsie made in the full context of the tape are to prod Republican Commissioner Chuck Cazales for suggesting the name "Heritage Center" as a way to sell the $95 million for that project cited in the ad. Cazales cackles and upon further prodding admits that it is true.

2. It claims that when voters said "no" in a 1999 bond election, it was only as to the fairgrounds. In reality, that election bundled together three projects. It is a stretch of the truth to claim the election was a referendum only on the fairgrounds.

3. The ad implies that Herrero took official action to support the funding mechanisms pursued by Nueces County officials to fund the fairgrounds. In reality, Herrero merely issued a congratulatory resolution recognizing the groundbreaking of the project. It is misleading to imply that congratulations for a groundbreaking imply an endorsement of the funding mechanisms.

4. The ad implied that Herrero somehow, in his capacity as State Representative, had a role in the decisions of the Nueces County Commissioners Court made the subject of the commercial. That is false. As a State Rep., Herrero has no seat on the Commissioners Court, exercises no jurisdiction over the Commissioners Court, and has no vote on the Commissioners Court.

5. Herrero's image is used throughout the ad to imply false conclusions. First, it is used in the first lines of the ad to imply that Herrero supported the funding decisions made by Nueces County. Secondly, it is used to imply that he laughed in response to a joke made by Terry Shamsie. These are false. Herrero merely presented a congratulatory resolution. The video is then spliced to show Herrero smiling out of context and not in response to Shamsie's comments.

SCANDAL: CONNIE SCOTT TIED IN TO BIG BUSINESS AGENDA TARGETING WORKING POOR

LISTEN TO WHY STATE RESPRESENTATIVE ABEL HERRERO IS THE MOST LOGICAL CANDIDATE FOR WORKING PEOPLE... This message by Homero (Homer Villarreal) ran on his biweekly show on Defenzor radio tranmitted via the Tejano Station 104.9 FM. MAGIC Q.

Clice here to listen to Homer's message to Hispancs

ATTACKS ON STATE REP. ABEL HERRERO BACKFIRE (Mike Scott’s Agenda IS Revealed)

Nueces County, Texas -- In a TV commercial paid by a faction within the Republican Party (i.e., “money-grubbing” giant Mike Scott & “social-climber” wife – Connie Scott), Abel Herrero – we are told -- is a “BAD” guy now. THAT IS THE FURTHEST THING from the TRUTH.

In a commercial paid by a faction within the Republican Party (i.e., Mike Scott, a former member of the Texas Executive Committee of the Republican Party and former president of Bay Area Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse)

Abel Herrero – is portrayed across a table accepting monies from an Hispanic Democratic Party contributor and humanitarian Mauricio Celis has gone above and beyond the call of charity. Celis sits in the Catholic Charities organization and is a man praised by the Bishop of Corpus Christi -- Edmond Carmody. and many faith organizations Celis has paid for the funerals of undocumented workers, helped those whose homes have burned down, committed his dollars to opening the floodgate of opportunity to disadvantaged children who have been denied opportunities historically.

Celis, let the truth be told, has not been convicted of any crime in a court of law – he is being used as a convenient political football during the pre-campaign election. Celis is “guilty” only in the cunning and plotting minds of a circle of “wild eye” Republican extremists and high-dollar marketing doctors and racists. In the minds of those that will never accept that an Hispanic (especially one like Abel, who comes from the humble, low-income barrios of “El Robe (or endearing name for Robstown, Texas) to take a seat and be a voice that represents our side of the tracks. No, they can never accept uno de nosotros (that is, one of ours) to climb to the top of the social-political totem pole.

For in their dark chests, their aim is to break our spirit. Their aim is to erase any pride that we have, to scrush our identity.. The Mike Scotts (and the Connie Scotts of this world) want us to hate ourselves, to become self-haters (and also confuse our children with self-depreciation) and eventually give in and turn to them for leadership and salvation. To them we are the new “evil Iraquis” (but with molcajetes and tortilla rolls) that need to be democratize. HEHEHEHE. No more "tortilla" music I guess.

How can someone that wants to smatter all the glory of our heritage – help you. Mike Scott, if you know him, will not even dig tu poso (your hole) when you die; he will only try to convince you to dig it yourself. And a sadly a few of you like blind sheep will do it.

But here on El Defenzor (eldefenzor.com), we believe that there is no Zorro, no messiah, that will come and save us here on earth – especially an “out of touch” Mike Scott or his “social climber” candidate wife -- Connie “Wow Hairdo” Scott. It is up to us to change things for the better. To bring out the best in our children and our community.

Here on El Defenzor, we believe that the problems in front of us, have to be solved by us. And soon most will be convinced that Mike Scott and Connie Scott ARE THE PROBLEM, NOT THE SOLUTION.

Here on El Defenzor, we will work with those that orbit our social world, (360 days out of the year), with those that eat in our restaurants, that dance our to our polkas at the quincenieras, that are not ashamed to be seen in our corner of the planet.

Here on El Defenzor, We know that if “money-grubbing” Mike Scott (who likes to defend the infamous EDC) is aimed at exploiting the taxpayers and desirous of the tax dollars in Corpus Christi, then we know if HIS WIFE is elected to the post, soon MIKE SCOTT will be doing it also in Robstown; and if it is being done in Robstown, it will be soon be done in Banquete and Bishop and Agua Dulce; and if it is being done in Agua Dulce, it will be done in the South Side and the North Side and the East Side until our economy has become a cold, dead fish – much like we see in Wallstreet these days.

A simple question: Who is Abel allowed to take contributions from to run an effective campaign? IF NOT from someone praised and exalted by Our Catholic Bishop (Edmond Carmondy) – then by who? From someone like the taxpayer swindler Mike Scott -- a filthy rich contractor who wants to expand his financial empire via his wife by unseating Abel? Mike Scott has a history of pimping off the tax dollars of government entities – his aim is to TAKE AWAY, not to GIVE BACK.

IF ABEL HERRERO IS A (THIEF by association) – which I doubt? then, I have to confirm (in this blog), ABEL HERRERO IS OUR THIEF (better phrased a heroic “social bandit” much like Pancho Villa and Joaquin Murrieta who were falsely labeled).

In a commercial paid by the Republican Party, not only Abel’s name is defamed, but that of his wife who is not running for office; she runs a home health service (to help the sick/elderly). Abel’s wife’s good name was slander edand vilified and dragged through the mud. This is culturally and spiritually unacceptable among El Pueblo Hispano. We will make it known the democratic way ---- at the polls in November.

In politics (at least among our people – El Pueblo Hispano)… we only have one major rule: Don’t insult our women (especially if they are not running for office). Call it machismo, call it paternalism, call it jealousy, call it an antiquated romantic normive craze or whatever – we are not wussie men.

There are exceptions -- however. Attacking your political rival is allowed, but never una espoza (a wife) or una madre (a mother) or un hermano (a brother) or una hija (a daughter) – nadien de la familia who is not running for a political post. Only the husband if he is playing a lead role.

MIKE SCOTT is coming after Abel Herrero; but he is a man who has a different culture (that is out to destroy [not build up] and to take away [not to give back] and to dehumanize [not humanize]) things. MIKE SCOTT (an ULTRA CONSERVATIVE) BECAME A MILLIONAIRE (let the truth be told) mostly with your tax dollars. He has a huge business next to Berry Contruction - H&S Contractors -- on Hwy 37. He has been proficient and efficient at poking the eyes of taxpayers for too long – and now on his portrayal of State Representative ABEL HERRERO ( a man who grew up in a single parent household, yet was was diligent and strived to be a valedictory; and now (after much industrious work) works in the same building where his mother was an elevator operator) in downtown Corpus Christi as a lawyer.

“MIKE SCOTT IS RUNNING HIS WIFE to be a mouthpiece and disgustingly to promote his self-seeking ‘Let Me Take More of Your Tax Money’ AGENDA,” according to a member of the Hispanic Republican group. “This man reminds me of a faction within the regional Republican Party that is too out there. Not too long ago we were asked during a function at the Republican Party Headquarters to take down all the Tejano Decorations – we were told some people would be very upset and not vote for us.”

The source concluded: “If Human Manure Could Speak, it would say: ‘Who is stinking up the place !!!’?"

To iterate, THE SCOTTS ARE THE PROBLEM, not the SOLUTION.