Editorial: IS JUDGE ANGELICA HERNANDEZ A WILLING TOOL FOR AN AMBITIOUS CLIQUE TO WIN CASES?

KLEBERG/NUECES TX -- Terry Shamsie, a stalwart Democrat with extreme left views was the Nueces County Judge through the aid of Rene Rodriguez and quasi-political boss turned US Congressman Filemon Vela. 
Some years back when Shamsie took office as County Judge, he supposedly turned on Vela and was described as erratic by some of his peers on many county decisions. Failing to penetrate the circles of "the good ole boy" network he linked with Solomon P. Ortiz/Lencho Rendon political machine.  Was it a costly mistake?
   When Lloyd Neil came on the scene in 2006 endorsed by the inner core of the regional Republican circle, Shamsie felt betrayed and humiliated and took the path of less resistance and withdrew his candidacy for re-election..
  Shamsie's story has been one of political "tailcoating" and lost potential and resources in maintaining power; however, the paradox is that it has been a sustained political machine for Attorney Rene Rodriguez on the other hand. Rodriguez has been known for rough and cutthroat politics -- Shamsie sometimes disparingly labeled "the second banana".   Shamsie has made it know to several parties that one of his roles has been collecting "negative" information and data on targeted incumbents in the machine.
  Now their (Rene's, Shamsie's girl) Angelica who turned Republican to get elected on 2010 has been tainted by the Shamsie "Don Nuts-type" antics that reportedly led her down a path of not accepting plea agreements and speaking to offenders off the bench. But her antics have been classified as bizarre and hurtful.  Kleberg/Kenedy County District Attorney John Hubert in his motion (for Judge Hernandez to recuse herself from hearing criminal cases) cites examples of sexual humiliation by the cited judge.  Hubert cites a few examples in the mentioned motion where the judge told a few of his colleagues and others present that she was going to make him (Hubert) take a photo in her court with a rubber XXXXXX -- that is, the evidence in a case; and thus use it in her political campaign.  The cited judge also told one of the employees how much she wanted to "f*XXX" with the District Attorney -- according to the motion filed by Hubert.
   There are other accusations.   Shamsie had suddenly become a regular staple at her office afte she was re-elected.  Judge Hernandez had made remarks in the past that he (Shamsie) had been one of her poliical advisors in getting elected.  If proven, the alleged recordings of her speaking to an offender that Shamsie was a lawyer to and the offender was in front of her court could lead to a total loss of public trust in the judicial system in Kleberg county.
  As we might see, even the Administrative Court (presiding over this conflict has one of Shamsie's ongoing chupapas* over the years).  The assistant for the Administrative Judge should have disclosed both her alarmingly personal and long hisstoric political links with Shamsie -- clearly establishing she has a bias in the case.  This issues might raise the suspicious and wrath of Dist. Judge Nanette Hassette (Shamsie's wife) in that her career might be affected. Scandals are brewing and involve many politicos and players established in the coves of power.
  The appointment of visiting Judge Martha Huerta Quintanilla to preside over the 105th (i.e., over Judge Hernandez' cases) does not help matters.   Judge Huerta-Quintanilla was recruited by Rodriguez and Shamsie and Vela to ran under their coordinative structure for office over the years -- both Rene Rodriguez and Terry Shamsie have taken credit for it on radio (a show called "Verdades Y Chismes").  Judge Huerta-Quintanilla is now seeking a judicial post (Nueces County Court At Law) once occupied by Shamsie (a post Shamsie lost in an election not too long ago).  Judge Huerta-Quintanilla should have in the very least disclose to the Administrative Judge she had been recruited to run for a post (and has Shamsie as a political consultant) before taking over the 105th in which her campaign consultant has legal pending for his client(s).
   Hernandez faces an opponent in less than three months in a Republican primary. Is this Hubert (who comes from an extremely respected pioneering family of Kleberg County) playing politics or has Judge Hernandez violated her oath with Shamsie's client? The jail's recording will reveal all.

Editorial: VICTOR LARA ORTEGON: Spanish Radio Newscaster And Cultural Symbol by HOMER0 VILLARREAL

Corpus Christi/Nueces County, TX --  Victor Lara Ortegon like a meteorite he lit up the heavens for Mexican Americans in the Coastal Bend when he relocated here after working in Houston for KULU radio (since 1950).  He immigrated to the United States  with the love of his life – Hortencia; they had one son: Victor P. Lara Ortegon Jr.

A compelling and positive reference person for the Hispanic Community he became.  Victor Lara Ortegon functioned as a Spanish Radio Newscaster (and host of “Comentarios”) for KUNO radio since 1953 until his retirement in 2000.  KUNO radio at the time was owned by non-Hispanics.  “KUNO had a profit motive and understandably so; they wanted to capture the huge Mexican American advertising market at the time,” he told the founding couple of El Defenzor the day he announced his retirement. “I felt an obligation to focus on hard news during my early Spanish newscast to keep the masses of listeners informed.”

He found inspiration in the work of individuals of his time such as Dr. Hector P. Garcia, founder of the American GI Forum who set out to eliminate segregation and humanize institutions.  He interacted with Dr. Hector and discussed how a campaign to promote education as a way to promote social occupational mobility among Mexican Americans was indispensable.  Many Hispanics of the time worked in the fields and other low echelon jobs and the truancy laws were ignored (when it came to being applied to such Hispanic families).

The air of transformation and change was in the air.  There were few media outlet that dealt sincerely with Hispanic issues and the pressing norms of tolerating societal variation.  After a decade or so with KUNO, he convinced the management to pilot an “open mic” program during the noon hour on Morgan Ave., (he would run a phone wire from a building and broadcasted on the side of the street).  Eventually “COMENTARIOS” became institutionalized and found a hefty roll of advertisers.  By the late 1960s, a few more radical voices such as MAYO (Mexican American Youth Organization) and RAZA UNIDA (were competing for a captive audience).  LULAC and the American GI Forum were considered more conservative and too ultra-patriotic organizations at the time (LULAC especially was considered too middle-class oriented and did not allow immigrants to join initially).

Lara Ortegon was initially reluctant to give the new left a voice on “COMENTARIOS” because the management of the station had voiced some subtle protestations. But the issues were too many to ignore.  First the way the voting districts of the municipality of Corpus Christi were arranged became challenged in court – specialists such as Attorney William Bonilla (who became national president of LULAC) participated.  The claim was that they “diluted” the chances of Mexican Americans being elected to city positions. 

The social debates continued to erupt on “COMENTARIOS”.  Other issues followed. A young college student – Carlos Guerra (a native of Robstown, Texas) – who had taken a radical stance and help found MAYO at Texas A&I University (Kingsville) and had gained national attention during the 1960s after a dorm mother did not allow him to pick up his date (a non-Hispanic young woman) to a function.   Carlos Guerra showed up on comentarios with long hair and an “army” jacket blasting the “good ole boy” Anglo Power Structure of the Area.  Guerra went on to appear in the Austin Statesman and on the cover of Rollin’ Stone Magazine (Guerra would eventually become a commentator in the latter part of his life for the San Antonio Expresss-News).

But “COMENTARIOS” was not only about politics.  It had a platform without contingent parameters. If one’s house had burned down, it was the appropriate place to ask for aid. But overall, Host Lara-Ortegon used it to reinforce the cultural and history of the Mexican American – little did he realize at first the huge socio-educational and political base of El Pueblo Hispano.

Victor Lara Ortegon was born on September 28, 1924 to Gregorio Lara Galindo and Juana Ortegon Alderete in Candela Coahuila, Mexico.  Later his parents relocated to Laredo, Texas where they resided just across the street from a radio station.  He went to work for the XEFE station in 1948.  He received technical training as a newscaster.

Lara Ortegon orbited the civil-rights leaders of the time and the bug of politics stung him; and it seemed essential in keeping things in perspective in reference to one’s values and belief structure.  He was a middle of the spectrum Democrat.  Politicos like Carlos Truan (a native of Kingsville) emerged running State Representative and later State Senator;  Solomon P. Ortiz (a native of Robstown) who ran for various posts victoriously: constable, county commissioner, sheriff, and later U.S. Representative and numerous others.  Educational, union, business leaders were emerging: a new middle class composed as a novel ethno-class of Mexican Americans was emerging in the region.  New middle class neighborhoods emerged flaunting the individual success of a few powerbrokers – as well as the new ethno-class and social pretentions and assimilation that go along with it.  But even then a middle-class segmentation had emerged between Hispanics and non-Hispanics.  The issues of the day were vast and needed an outlet for conflict-resolution.

The diverse voices of diverse political leanings in the community were gradually integrated.  Benny Benavides (who was informally bestowed the title of “co-host”) at “COMENTATIOS” became an added component.  The latter Benavides was retired but had a vast military background and was one of the original members to file a lawsuit against Frito-Lay for the “Frito Bandido” stereotypes promoted in many a commercial of the time.   Lara-Ortegon due to the collective needs of the time began to integrate and reinforce a strong political identity and base via his Spanish language and culturally charged radio program.  Anglocentric view of the time were challenged on his show; bilingual, multi-cultural education was openly promoted as an alternative.   Even non-Hispanic voices joined in the conflict-resolution of the day.  “COMENTARIOS”.  This noon show became more than just a plug for politicos, but a place where political accountability was demanded and ethics were shaped.  “Politicos that felt too big for their bridges, were brought down a peg or two,” David Noyola, a community activist shared. “Victor also tried to identify positive role models in the community for the youth to look up to – to find the inspiration to shape society this that way – such as the late Selena Quintanilla-Perez.”

Luis Alonzo Munoz eventually bought KUNO – one of Lara Ortegon’s colleague a few years before Victor Lara Ortegons retirement in the year 2000; at a time after it had been sold and consolidated by CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS. Ortegon worked with other great colleagues like Ponce De Leon,Panchito Fregoso Gomez, Joe Gonzalez, Virginia Constante and others.  Years earlier a scholarship had been established in his name at Del Mar College; a street named in his honor (near Holly Rd. and Greenwood Drive), a Medical Satellite Clinic on Greenwood (near the Molina neighborhood)  also carried his name.  Como decia su tio Gerardo en Candela “Este arroz ya se cocio” Que en paz descanse el senior Victor Lara Ortegon.

[A funeral mass was held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 23, 2013 at our Lady of Pilar Catholic Church. Interment followed at Rose Hill Memorial Park.]

WILLIAM D. BONILLA (former owner of the BONILLA LAWFIRM BUILDING) responds to accusations by the CALLER-TIMES!

Corpus Christi, TX -- A second video clip interview with WILLIAM D. BONILLA SR. has been released by El Defenzor.  Bonilla's remarks are in respond to a December 4th article put out by the CORPUS CHRISTI CALLER-TIMES entitled "The BONILLAS ARE IN LEGAL TROUBLE AGAIN!".

Please view video clip (it is the property of El Defenzor.. contact homervillarreal@gmail.com); Media Entities please contact Mr. Homer Villarreal at the cited email to acquire the indispensable permission to use it.

Please click on link below to view an interview with William D. Bonilla Sr.:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4CUKPZdgqc&feature=youtu.be

WILLIAM BONILLA SR. DEFINES THE CALLER-TIMES IN ONE WORD: "RUTHLESS".

Corpus Christi, TX -- As the Corpus Christi Caller-Times times undergoes a change of the guard: the new administrative wave passionately creates targets in a clear attempt to get ratings.  On December 4, 2013 the Caller-Times targeted the "BONILLAS" (lawfirm at the corner of Port & Morgan Ave.) in Corpus Christi, Texas).  The main headline read "BONILLAS AGAIN IN LEGAL TROUBLE."  This article was reinforced by a subsequent one two days later claiming there were outstanding legal complains at the State Bar and implicitly and explicitly implying their were legal charges being seriously considered by Nueces County District Attorney Mark Skurka.

El Defenzor and El Pueblito -- two publications published/edited by Homero Villarreal are actively investigating the "SHOCK AND AWE" propaganda attacks launched by the CALLER-TIMES targeting the BONILLAS.  A hash of interviews are in the works both with the BONILLAS and the District Attorney's Office as well as power figures in the community who are openly providing valuable insight into the "demonization" campaign as one prominent businessman on the inside put it.  The Caller-Times (appointed informally as the "mouthpiece" to promote DESTINATION BAYFRONT) failed in its mission and now are resorting to scapegoating tactics to detract their inadequacies before the power structure it appears, according to inside analysts.

As a teaser, the following video is being put out by  EL DEFENZOR/EL PUEBLITO outlining initial stance and answer from one of the accused parties, the "elder" Bonilla as the Caller-Times put it so expediently:

The following video link can be shared by regular residents on the net and via phone smart systems (except for MEDIA entities -- who should get permission from homervillarreal@gmail.com before attempting to do so).

This video teaser -- an interview of WILLIAM D. BONILLA SR. -- sends a piercing chord of righteous indignation throughout the community; here he cites the falsity of claims by the CALLER-TIMES and cites the possibility of a lawsuit:

PLEASE CLICK ON LINK BELOW TO VIEW the interview (teaser): (more to follow soon)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_EyrAdMqpc&feature=youtu.be