The "BLOOD BATH" FOR JUSTICE OF THE PEACE (and a look at the sideline figures).

Nueces County, TX – The political primary elections are over in Nueces County, yet the confrontational strategies still baffle many voters and devoted observers.  The most heated race was the one for Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 Pl. 3.  The incumbent JP Robert “Bobby” Balderas was facing an aggressive newcomer – that is, Eric Cantu (owner of LONESTAR WRECKER SERVICE).  But there was an array of variables in the back region of the campaign that the general masses did not zoom in much during the course of the process.  The reason: it has been a tradition in most campaigns that the “real stuff” (strategies) are formulated and planned out meticulously in backrooms of privacy – i.e., in the sheltered “war-rooms” ; in the clandestine hangouts where the bona fide political “pow-wows” take place; the germ of native intentions.

It was really a campaign between two admirable individuals who are rising stars as “King” and “Queen” makers in the Nueces County region:  Attorney Joe Flores versus Clarissa Gonzalez.

Attorney Joe Flores put out immediately that newcomer Cantu seems to have been out-spending incumbent Balderas three to one.  However, it has to be stated honestly that sometimes “political dollars” can take a clandestine bypath in a labyrinth of interests that serpentine into a muddle.  Political loyalties can be bought at least temporally via financial incentives.  There is a Mexican saying that reinforces the mentioned: “Con dinero baila el chango” (For money even a monkey will dance). 

Cantu was facing an entrenched political incumbent with roots in the various entities of the municipality and county.  And political sages have pointed out for years that if such incumbents exist the odds will be in their favor to achieve victory.  Thus, the newcomer, many a time, in order to use “catch up” tactics chooses to resort to what are known as adversarial marketing strategies (which many a time due to expediency are labeled “Negative Campaigns” and/or “Mudslinging”. 

A quick perusal of the political literature associated with campaigns reveal that the incumbent usually (in most cases) will unreservedly object and wistfully will question: “Why can’t my challenger run solely on his own merits?”.   The concern cited is usually done for one reason:  to secure his advantage in the game.  So thus and so, one may ask: “What is the advantage of a newcomer over an incumbent?”.

Political activist and former county commissioner David Noyola shared: “If it can be classified as an ‘advantage’, the newcomer does not have a track record in office; the incumbent does – and thus no incumbent can a record and be as purely perceived as ‘Cesar’s wife’ so-to-speak.”

Though, JP Balderas and his supporters in the regional TV program known as SOUTH TEXAS CROSSFIRE (hosted by Attorney Joe Flores) began to apply the elemental initial rule in a classical campaign of defining your rival – that is, defining the political challenger as well as yourself (before the other side does).  JP Balderas via an analogy was compared to a well-functioning “lawnmower” by the host of the show  -- i.e., Joe Flores).  “There is no need to replace it, if it ain’t broke.”  Additionally, the newcomer Cantu, on the other hand, was masterly classified as “inexperienced” by the key leaders of incumbent JP Balderas campaign.   

Soon after that newcomer Cantu via a FACEBOOK posting (that supposedly went out to thousands of persons) began to do his own stigmatization of JP Balderas – as a “do nothing” bureaucrat (emphasis added).  Cantu accused JP Balderas of “tail-coating” on Nueces County Commissioner Joe “JAG” Gonzalez’ network and recognition.   Cantu went as far as to state jesting at the time: “Who is Robert “Bobby” Balderas? Does anyone really know who he is?’.  The initial confrontational sparks of the campaign made some take careful notice – in anticipation of other exchanges.

It grew more intense.  The exchange on the media (radio and T.V. and some print media) became vicarious gratification (secondary excitement) for some fanatics much as “public hangings” did in  the days of a yester history.  This was not a football game nor a wrestling game, but a political match between a well-known and respected incumbent Justice of the Peace being challenged by a young successful entrepreneur, an entrepreneur who had erected a vast assortment of political signs in the respective region and enrolled a crazy quilt and hash of young people to distribute his literature. 

But on the sidelines were also two politically savvy persons -- each advocating and strategizing for his/her own candidate:  Attorney Joe Flores (supporting JP Balderas) and Clarissa Gonzalez (supporting Cantu).  It was a battle of wits and maneuvers and machinations that the average political citizen did not give much attention to during the vying to come out first at the finish line.  It is rumored that both (Joe and Clarissa) forked out their own funding to some degree to amplify their strategies.  They used psychological warfare tactics against each other (i.e., false or exaggerated things about Clarissa’s personal life surfaced bafflingly; Flores, was portrayed as too “satirical” and “dehumanizing”.

As the early voting approached Cantu’s secret weapon –  fired up Clarissa Gonzalez (after a hefty and meticulous review of his rival’s campaign contributions over a handful of years), came across a damaging entry. “The guilty by association” tactic was adopted.  Cantu’s campaign collectively put out that his rival had received a five hundred dollar contribution from a convicted felon (child molester – who ran by the name of Rudy Rubio); additionally, the same Rudy Rubio had been indicted the week prior to the Cantu’s accusation on another crime involving both rape and kidnapping of a twenty-some year old women.   

The accusation had been timed perfectly – in a hypersensitive period: right before early voting.  JP Balderas had been redefined by challenger Cantu as a person that “associates with felons and takes contributions from felons.”   But as all tactics, once harped on too long become a bore.  Other creative reinforcement that keep the audience enjoying the onslaught have to be resorted to at some point, many political strategists have suggested in their literature and primers.

JP Balderas tried to issue a public “apology” on KZTV for accepting the funds from felon Rudy Rubio, but it backfired in that the same television station was lured to focus on a statement made by he himself on a Tejano radio station: “…be careful.  Something might happen.”   Cantu, in turn, asked JP Balderas to step down – interpreting the remark as a threat.

Cantu reinforced his campaign by forking out hefty dollars to buy radio space on the Lopez radio station known as MAGIC 104.9.  At the noon hour the 15 minute radio spots were sold as “Comentarios” (Commentaries).  At 12:00 noon on the station, Clarissa Gonzalez was one of the primary voices for the Eric Cantu campaign.  With laser precision she tried to hammer down JP Balderas’ credibility while additionally reinforcing his association with a Child Molester who had contributed funds to his campaign.  At 12:15, Balderas followed on the same station with his procured 15 minutes – at first, he brought in political activist Josie Suarez to take over after his introduction (later Thomas “Tommy” Holbein replaced her).  Holbein brought in a slew of persons whose vehicles had been allegedly mistakenly towed by Cantu’s Wrecking Company.  At 12:45, Susie Luna (founder of Grassroots Marketing) again advocated for Cantu – her portion of the program was known as “Grassroots Radio.”  Finally after Holbein accused Cantu of cheating on his girlfriend (which seemed to be more of a defense mechanism after being mortared with incriminating records from his past) , Cantu bought an additional radio spot on the same station – from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 naming it “La Ultima Palabra” (The last word).

Consultant and effective radio “mouthpiece” (Clarissa Gonzalez) for the Cantu campaign said during the campaign: “We have an entrenched incumbent with deep roots in the bureaucracy that does not make this campaign easy.  Our job’s objective has laser focus.  JP Balderas messed up during his tenure and we will do our best to amplify it.  We will beat on the drum so loud that most of the voters will hear our denunciation.”

JP Balderas who had coordinated his campaign with a marketing company in Austin decided to change course after the blunder and coordinated with local political media coordinator – i.e., Attorney Joe Flores.  Flores told El Pueblito: “I was brought in twelve days before the election to try and balance the ship and steer towards victory by using the opponent’s own words.”  Flores added: “I also help put together a series of commercials coupled with grassroots contact with the Democrats.  Victory was achieved.”

JP Balderas injected: “Money does not always buy an election.”  Cantu outspend Balderas according to an initial review of financial reports and other ceremonial tallies.

“There was no single method that works for everyone.  It was like a chess game,” Flores explained further. “The open-minded advice of using social media was well received by JP Balderas -  a mixture of all media in the end helped Baldera’s keep his base, a base that did not abandon him to the end after being re-courted.”

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

MOVEMENT AGAINST DESTINATION CORPUS CHRISTI HIJACKED!!!

Editorial:
DESTINATION BAYFRONT was defeated.  Now a dual John Kelly (who has consistent connections with the SOCIALIST PARTY -- USA) and Susie Saldana-Luna (found guilty of slapping a campaign worker during an election) are trying to claim the ultimate jot of credit for the political defeat of the 45 million dollar bond push.   The NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST organization masterminded by respected  businessman Butch Escobedo (the vice President of the Organization) has been contaminated by the cited dual.  The dual went before the city council after the election boasting about what the "people" and "the membership" (of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST) want for the city of corpus Christi... "Who appointed them my voice or your voice?  What tyrants have hijacked the movement against the bond," said a board member of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST.
    "Kelly defines it as a defeat of the CAPITALISTS BY the working class (bourgeoisie); Luna, to waterdown the scandals that mill in the back-region of her psyche.  This was not what the sincere struggle of NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST was all about," the cited board member said.
   "We wanted accountability in government and had nothing to do with the wild-eye rhetoric and philosophy of a few who have hijacked it."

Editorial: THE CALLER-TIMES TRYING TO DEFINE OUR LEADERS...destination bayfront leader Kelly? Way Off!

The brain behind NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST opposing Destination Bayfront was BUTCH ESCOBEDO... not the John Kelly  (who has been tied in with the SOCIALIST PARTY -- of the UNITED STATES)... Many of us opposed DESTINATION BAYFRONT for legitimate reasons...Many groups and organizations were involved in the resistance.  However, the Caller Times gives el socialista credit now after the DEFEAT of the pro=DEVELOPER's agenda; The Caller-Times wants to define for us our leaders... JOHN KELLY... Are they joking?  The stats are there: the  wealthy and affluent support DESTINATION $.  The overwhelming majority that would rather have the dollars channeled into infrastructure and neighborhoods were low-income Hispanics..and other disenfranchised groups... We -- the majority -- are not socialists (we don't attend their conventions and write articles for their journals == but John Kelly as repeatedly); nor do we want to stamp out the "free enterprise system"and replace with collectivism and communism... Kelly has participated with the  socialisst (in Texas and at the National Level): it's his right, but is his view is not represententative of the majority on NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST.   He has submitted articles to anti-Free Enterprise organizations (and it his his right -- make no mistake about it -- but it does nor mirror the philosophy of the majority in NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST)...  The majority in NEIBHBORHOOD FIRST are not linked to agenda that includes a global war  (ideological or physical) between the Capitalists and the bourgeoisie (Marxism)... There are a few socialist sites on the internet praising KELLY for raising "class consciousness"...   As  for us we don't want a class war.. nor reconstruction society and destroy its fundamental institutions.  "John Kelly" is no genuine, bona fide friend of the Hispanic Community especially in reference to Civil Rights"-- a quote from JOE ORTIZ, civils rights leader for various Civil rights organizations in the region.. Escobedo who was involved with NEIGHBORHOODS FIRST and its (vice president)  said he did it to hold the "network for profit" (an elite group) from using public dollars for personal gain.... The CALLER-TIMES was way off in defining the true leadership in this movement to hold politicos accountable.

THE CAROL SCOTT "bad breath" MARKETING EFFECT & Destination Bayfront's Failure

Editorial:
THE CAROL SCOTT "bad breath" MARKETING EFFECT & Destination Bayfront's Failure

OPERATION BAYFRONT IS DEAD?    No! The movement by a network for profit (who promises jobs and economic development -- i.e., Al Jones (of american bank), J. Fulton, the infamous couple Carol and Mark (who make huge profits from marketing etc) will come back under a new name like "MegaSize Corpus Christi".  They've ruined the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (co opted it and use it as a front group for their "person   development" )...  It's spooky, the agendas that lurk in the small rooms at American Bank...  The old patron's machine is still around.... Destination Bayfront as the "coal energy" and the "beach take over movement" failed because of one person that is so disliked by many activists: Carol Scott (who sits on the school board and uses used the Corpus Christi Chamber during her tenure as president to monopolize profits (she created Scott Public Relations) but it was too obvious -- now, she gave it a German name: Kailo (glorying Hitler's Germany I guess.. hehehehe or a plastic integrity).  The infamous Carol: the so-called "trustee" of our kids at CCISD; whose bad-breath marketing is destroying the economy of Corpus Christi and making formerly low profile powe-rbrokers and members of the elite power structure: high profile...targets of public scrutiny.

Why have they taken millions of dollars in taxpayer dollars and placed it in economic castles in the sky projects that they benefit and not been fully held accountable?  Because the CALLER-TIMES continues as their mouthpiece -- misleading the masses and co-opting groups like the front group known as LULAC 444: sounds like the mark of Satan; where everyone know the founding chapter of LULAC is Chapter #1 -- y ya. They sit on the CCREDC as corporate members yet like the Hartes before them sit back reading their CAMPS OF THE SAINTS edition (Edna Harte was one of the English editors of the book that was banned in Europe for a long time -- a racist,racist book: unbelievable).

DESTINATION BAYFRONT: FOOD FOR THE RATAS (rats)!!!

Editorial:Destination Bayfront or Final Destination (the horror movie)?
Destination Bayfront is comida para las ratas "food for rats".   You might be shock at the analogy, but once you read on:  an awakening will begin to transpire.
"Destination Bayfront" is not the first ruse, trick, cunning scam to sell the taxpayers money.  It all dates back to the 1970s when these unscrupulous movements started to dupe taxpayers -- to create social welfare for the rich or those who control positions of power.  There might be new politicos now pitching for the hidden power structure who orbit the secret halls and meeting places at American Bank and other places and the unannounced meeting of key administrative persons that sit on the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation.
"Destination Bayfront" is comida para las ratas "food for rats".   There is a hidden power structure that makes a living off taxpayers by selling "shoot for the moon" economic development and progress,but it is "progress" (better comida para las ratas).   Other names have been sold to the taxpayers in years past.  A club of bankers, construction companies and politicos are the main skeleton of the organization.   The real influentials lurk in the dark shadows.   They get the construction companies or  those who will benefit from the project to bankroll the marketing..in this chapter-- Destination Bayfront; then the politicos (politicians in office) who get bankrolled by them to pitch and sell their new ventures to dupe the taxpayers.   Then the bankers make loans to the city and construction companies at ridiculous interests.  (more to come).

WHY DID ROBSTOWN GLORIFY THE NAME OF COTTON PICKER (Piscador)?

Editorial: WHY DID ROBSTOWN GLORIFY THE NAME OF COTTON PICKER (Piscador)?

Robstown, TX –  As many area residents prepare to celebrate COTTONFEST this weekend, a little history of the COTTON PICKER (el piscador) is in order.  The small City of Robstown has evolved over the years. The first settlers were mostly those working on the railroad.  The town was founded officially in the early 1900s. It was named after Robert Driscoll – a wealthy landowner in the region.  Land speculators later came to the area to buy parcels of land as two railroads intersected: the Texas-Mexican with the Missouri Pacific.  It was not much of a developed site early on: small pockets of settlements were scattered here and there.  The relationships between Anglos (i.e., a general umbrella of ethnicities: German, Czech, Bohemian, English, Irish and a few others) and Mexican Americans were distant.

The majority of Mexican Americans – then -- lived mostly in the unincorporated areas of the city such as Casa Blanca, San Pedro and Blue Bonnet.  But then again most of the qualified Mexicans Americans served as cheap agricultural labor for those in privileged positions and growers. These were the societal arrangements; these and others things were the social ethnic segmentation.

Conversely during the 1920s and 1930s, the cotton industry grew immensely.  Cotton picking (piscando) – this was the main occupational demand, a demand that brought many to the area especially Mexican Americans and other minorities and even undocumented ones.  One Texas Almanac records that the city had more cotton gins than any other city in the state and probably the nation during these early years.   

The agricultural industry grew into an all-time high.  The ritual of Cotton picking and its entailing industry brought the best of the cultures of the North and the best of the South together.  Sure there were cultural clashes and social hazing and all the other fancy terms sociology books record; but there was also interchange of ideas and culture and even some degree of alloying.  Eventually this assortment and merger created a common identity with the COTTON INDUSTRY.   A whole rung of titles emerged to identify each workers place in the hierarchy --  from the common piscador (cotton picker) to the jefes (administrator types).  They all felt reliant on each other – like a huge organism that depends on all its parts to function: its liver, its lungs, its heart to stay alive.  

This organism of a structure gave rise to the identity of the city  --  Robstown, was a city no longer just named after a wealthy rancher, but it contained the collective soul of a people tied to the land for survival.  It is no secret that as the years rolled by and schools were formalized – the core athletic team would be known as the “Cotton Pickers”  (los piscadores).  A historical paradox?  Those at the bottom of the social spectrum, of the occupation/job structure were glorified. They kept the motor of the economy running. 

Cotton Pickers (piscadores) – this was a label one carried with pride; it was not stained even with the callousness that social pretension can bring to such a matter.  Cotton Pickers represented hard, diligent working citizens – defined by the bona fide collective spirit and reinforced by the obvious admiration of the majority. 

To this day, one can travel anywhere in the nation and more likely find a family who had a relative that came to work here.  Robstown was booming during this phase in history.   But as all economic movements they subside and sometimes die; they become “defunct” as one poet put it.  But the collective spirit of Robstown has not become “defunct” despite economic transformations and the social-political restructuring of the times. The Industrial Revolution has come and retrenched and the word “Cotton Picker” today still carries a thousand of jabs of pride as it once did during its early history. It seems to be chiseled into the identity of us all who lived here. 

[Note: Please make plans to attend COTTONFEST this weekend at the FAIRGROUNDS (see ADVERTISMENT OF PAGE 3 & 4.  We really should never feel ashamed of being Cotton Pickers;  Cotton Pickers we were.   Cotton Pickers we are; and as Cotton Pickers we shall die.]