Monday, January 30, 2012

BLOG SCOOP!! Redistricting Back Door Meetings Over the Weekend between Attorney General Greg Abbott's Office, MALDEF and The Mexican American Legislative Caucus

Blogging is not journalism in any form or fashion. It is an information medium that has been around for some time now used by political pundits, traditional media outlets, businesses, talk hosts, groups, organizations, and just private citizens in order to get a message or information out to the public.  It is an interesting medium because all sorts of information starts pouring in to a blogger about people, their records (public and otherwise), political groups, or events that did or did not happen and so a blogger has to really sort through the information not because we are a news source but because of credibility and liability. 

Today I received a “blog scoop” about behind closed door meetings that were held over the weekend between representatives of Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, Jose Garza representing the Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC) and Nina Perales representing the Mexican American Legal Defense Education Fund (MALDEF) in the Texas Redistricting Case.  On Friday, judges called upon the political parties and all interested parties to come to an agreement or risk the potential of split Primaries or a delayed Primary Date beyond April 3, 2012.

According to sources, the closed meeting included some Texas “bigs” including Attorney General Greg Abbott’s office as well as Jose Garza from MALC and Nina Perales from MALDEF but excluded many other players impacted by a final ruling and or agreement.  Sources have said that Rolando Rios from San Antonio representing Congressman Henry Cuellar was left out of the talks as well as attorneys representing the NAACP (who were initially invited but walked away from the table). 

The closed door meetings that led to an agreement are said to have included awarding Maverick County to the 28th Congressional District represented by Congressman Henry Cuellar.  The other “rumored” deal is the awarding of the Lower Valley area in El Paso County including Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo land holds, Socorro and East of Socorro areas to the 23rd Congressional District represented by Congressman Canseco.  This proposal would make the district more Democratic and a better seat for Congressional candidate Pete Gallego, a good thing!  This rumored deal between the Attorney General’s office and attorneys for MALC and MALDEF is at the expense of the 16th Congressional District represented by Congressman Silvestre Reyes.

Both MALDEF and MALC have long standing relationships with State Representative Pete Gallego, who has served as Chair of MALC and has provided 18 plus years of input to MALDEF on a wide variety of legislative issues pending in the Texas legislature and he also has served as a resource to MALDEF on other redistricting matters. 

If the two groups did not consult with others, including those representing the interest of the 16th Congressional District or Congressman Reyes, or attorneys representing the interests of South Texas, it posses a breach of political protocol among Latinos in Texas. 

I will keep you posted as I get more information.


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Blog Statistical Analysis and the Current Blogosphere Political Culture in El Paso

You can't argue with statistics.  This is just a "shortie" on the blog and data which provides an interesting snapshot of the blog and blog posts to date.  The Norma Chavez Blog is still in the infancy of it's existence. I started posting on January 3rd, 2012 and to date have published only 13 blog posts (this being the 14th post) with over 6,000 views to date (as of today right now). 

As I have stated in previous blogs, this blogging experience is like "writing in the open skies", and it is also like learning a new language, first choosing a blog host, blog format, template, etc., and after that is done reviewing the tools available to the blog such as a statistical analysis.  Eblogger provides a weekly, monthly and overall statistical review of page views, traffic sources such as referring URL sites and browsers, and monitors your audience including countries with people that are following your blog (to date I have followers in the US, Mexico, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Germany (a lot for some reason), Philippines, France, Argentina and other countries (I've gone global already!). 


In the very short time that this blog has been in existence, it has garnered an average of 400 views per post per day with a low of 250 per day, and the greatest number of pageviews in one 24 hour period being 900 plus.  Granted these are not overwhelming numbers for a blog in a city of 700,000 people.  But considering that 85% to 89% of the traffic is from Facebook because it is not readily available in search engines yet (not sure why, but have some "techie youngs" who have offered to help me with that), and from what I have been told it is recognized by search engines based on actual hits (still figuring that out).  Though the blog is not even one month old, it is still good traffic for a new blog. Because I have chosen to "write in the skies" you never know who is looking up at the sky from around the world!! 

What the data demonstrates is reflective of the blog culture in existence prior to my writing a blog. The top three blog posts in the order of page reviews are (1) County Judge Veronica Escobar to Constituent "Alex Guzman "U R Not my Facebook Friend", (2) Facebook Page "Unfriend Veronica Escobar 2014", and (3) "Pachangagate, Darren "WITCH" Hunt, and Racism.  In that order.  All three blogs caused the most political controversy, most comments, and most personal emails, texts, phone calls, from both people supportive of me for exposing the political faction and their agenda and from those critics that don't like the labels or names I put to the faction.  For the most part, those who don't like the labels, don't like political factions nor do they like the local blogs.

This brings me to the subject of blog culture in El Paso, specifically political blogs.  I have only been blogging less than a month.  The political blog culture was already in existence when I started it and I too am disappointed that the number 1, 2, and 3 blogs are of the "chisme" nature.  It is annoying to read the other two political bloggers, the Criminal Blogger and the WASM (White Anglo Saxon Male) Blogger, and their perpetual reference to me with accusations, exaggerations, personal attacks and plain lies.  They will cross a libel line and their files are getting fuller every time they mention me.  I have no need to create false names because I have a blog and a personal Facebook account with my very own name, and obviously I don't have a problem writing what I think on either of those two social media mediums.  A subpoena of internet names and URL's from the proper authorities will clear those lies up.  But it is amusing how my blogging has created such heartache for these two men.

So, this blog will move into the next phase.  This blog will not be an exclusive political blog (we have that already, I have no interest in doing that because this is bigger than that), but I do intend to include blogging about politics and voice my political opinion using my experience and knowledge serving 14 years honorably in the Texas Legislature and organizing in the community over the last 20 plus years. This blog will continue to be peppered with everything El Paso in hopes to tease you, amuse you, anger you, get you to think, and to expose you to soooo, soooo much that is happening in and around El Paso with people OTHER THAN POLITICOS!!  I hope that my blogging will encourage others to blog locally because a healthy blog community is good for El Paso, "writing in the skies" exposes all the local details by the locals to an internet world!!  :-)

(For the record, I am not sending traffic to those mean spirited, self serving, egotistical bloggers, so any mention in your comments to them by name or blog, will not be posted - fyi).

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Thursday, January 26, 2012

Merriam-Webster Dictionary 2004 Edition: CUNNING, \k-a-nin\ adj. 1: SKILLFUL., DEXTEROUS 2: marked by wiliness and trickery ( schemes )

FROM THE Merriam-Webster Dictionary 2004 Edition:
CUNNING \k-a-nin\ adj. 1: SKILLFUL., DEXTEROUS 2: marked by wiliness and trickery (schemes ) 3: CUTE <like a kitten> cunningly adv.
CUNNING noun. 1: SKILL 2: SLYNESS

It appears the CRIMINAL BLOGGER has been directed by the political faction he takes his marching order orders from the "Veronicuns" (don't bite the hand that feeds you) to spin the issue. 

I realize that he is self taught, including his cunning criminal actions of his very public multi-state CRIMINAL RECORD, and he is charged with serving as the criminal spinmaster for the Veronicun political faction. Throwing mud is what that he and that faction do well. They are using a model they perfected last election cycle against the Congressman this cycle, and according to Deep Throat sources in their camp, they intend on going on press conference tirades and staging issues (like General Stevo Ortega with his camcorder clocking his wait time on the bridge instead of doing his job on Council) against the Congressman, sling mud, and distort facts, from their bully pulpit and not let their candidate for Congress Baytoe O'Rourke do their dirty work (sound familiar).

So, cunning is a perfect description of the political plays by this faction. Skillful - you betcha; dexterous - done with skillfulness; marked by wiliness and trickery - without a doubt; cute like a kitten - I have heard many people say her shrilly voice is cute. VeroniCUN the noun - skillful and slyness - fits like a glove!!

If the shoe fits, darling, you are "Sinderella!"

More on the deceptive campaign tactics of this faction in a later post!

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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Positive Energy * the Creative Arts * Downtown! Thurs. Jan. 26 from 7-11 at the Loftlight Studio. It's just like being in an artist studio in Chicago for an evening!



Every last Thursday of the month a synergy of creative minds, talented artists and musicians
come together at the Loft Light Studio Downtown, at 315 S. El Paso, between 7 and 11 pm, to showcase one of a kind jewelry, scarves, t-shirts, art, photography, paintings, etc., all MADE IN EL PASO! 

I've made several "Last Thursday of the Month" events at the Loftlight and picked up some really great things! It is a great place to wind down, support local artists, see new artists before they make it big, and listen to some great music. It's positive energy, supporting the arts, supporting Downtown redevelopment, and supporting a local creative concept built on dreams, by local El Pasoans!

It's like walking up stairs to a Chicago artist loft space.  Very cool, very laid back, and very creative.  I support the Downtown revitalization that encourages local El Pasoans to do what the Loftlight is doing.  I have had the opportunity to meet and work with Carlo Mendo, one of the young Downtown business partners of the Loftlight.  Mentioned him in my first blog as one of my "Doce en Dos Mil Doce" leaders to watch because he is interested in his community,  in opening doors for the creative class in El Paso, and he has a social conscience.  He and his partners opened the doors for the "Lagartistas" and participated in the movement to save the "Los Lagartos" sculpture at the Plazita de Los Lagartos. 

I intend to blog about the arts in El Paso, about artists and muralists, jewelry makers, clothing designers (like last month there was a young local designer competing nationally to design a dress for someone going to the Academy Awards - how cool is that). And I will blog on the growing local creative class here in El Paso because there is this Border underground arts movement, that like a desert flower left without water in the drought, is still managing to survive the elements and blossom. 


So I hope you will make it out one of these "last Thursday's of the month" to the Loftlight Studio!  It is a grassroots way to support Downtown Redevelopment and the "little guys" in the redevelopment of OUR Downtown.  Support the ones that are never mentioned, rarely showcased, and who are opening doors to the average creative Juan or Juana, no strings attached.

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Monday, January 23, 2012

Facebook Group: "Unfriend Veronica Escobar 2014", and the "Veronicuns"

Just a quick update on the "U R Not My Facebook Friend" scandal between County Judge Veronica Escobar and Democratic Party activist Alex Guzman.  A new Facebook group has been created called "Unfriend Veronica Escobar 2014". It is a closed group, with 198 members, created last night (from what I can tell), I was added by someone and will remain in the group to observe the goals and growth of the group.  Because I am a member of the group, and if you want to join the group, please Facebook me a request as only a member of the group can add members.  It is not a "fake" group, it is real from what I can tell.

It appears that the primary goal is to "UNFRIEND" County Judge Veronica Escobar in 2014", as in her next election.  The group is accumulating a list of political blunders that I will post at a later date.

Who are the "Vereonicuns" and why are they called "THE VERONICUNS"?
The "Veronicuns" are a political faction lead by the "juan-and-only" Veronica Escobar.  The "Veronicuns" emerged as a leadership group out of the political faction known as the "Shapleighites".  The Shapleighites were led by former Senator Eliot Shapleigh who began his political career by pushing out former Senator Peggy Rosson before her 4th term in office, even though he was in the group that recruited her to run against Senator Tati Santiesteban.  Shapleigh created a group called "UNITE El Paso" that he used to launch his political career, disparaging the hard work of EPISO and after he was elected to office he abandoned UNITE El Paso, which to this day is dead.  His political ally and masta strategist is former Mayor Ray Caballero, the one time mayor of El Paso who was defeated by former Mayor Joe Wardy.

The "Shapleigh Generals" of the faction were Veronica Escobar and her BFF (best friend forever) City Representative Susie Byrd. Steve Ortega (aka Stevo) and Beto O'Rourke (aka Baytoe) were Lt. Generals



After the loss of Mayor Caballero, the Shapleighites decided to run for office successfully, pushing what they call a "progressive" agenda of gentrification (the systematic and calculated erasure of symbolic Latino cultural symbols, historical buildings, monuments, and public art in El Paso), awarding unprecedented no-compete contracts to questionable entities including friends and political allies, pushing an eminent domain agenda of properties that perceived political allies are interested in, tolling roads (starting with Cesar Chavez Highway), placing on the agenda domestic partner benefits even though City Representative Jan Sumrall had already passed it on Council in December 2003, reversing a voters referendum, increasing taxes, increasing the indebtedness of the county and city with non-taxpayer approved bonds, awarding tax breaks to what appears are political allies and then changing the terms of the contract because the "ally" could not increase jobs as he had promised, supporting privatization against the desires of organized labor and dissing union contracts even though all of them are proclaimed "Democrats" and much, much, more!

After former Senator Eliot Shapleigh retired from the Senate, the "Veronicuns" emerged.  County Judge Veronica Escobar has jumped from County Commissioner to  County Judge.  City Reps Stevo and Susie Byrd are being recalled, Beto O'Rourke if still on Council would have been recalled but retired from Council to run for Congress against Congressman Silvestre Reyes with an agenda that includes proposing and pushing legalization of marijuana and signing off on the permit to build the International Bridge at Yarbrough, even though his father-in-law has real estate interests on the other side of the bridge in Juarez, and there is opposition against the bridge by neighborhood groups, the El Paso Independent School District, and the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo, that have federally recognized Indian land claims.

Veronicuns - a political faction known for their cunning and deceptive political maneuvers to push their own agenda (see progressive agenda above)



Leader, County Judge Veronica Escobar


General Michael Wyatt: (her immediate past campaign treasurer until he resigned in order to be appointed the "Ethics" Attorney at the County by Escobar and the County Attorney)


General Susie Byrd (BFF), currently helping Candidate Baytoe O'Rourke with his legalization of marijuana campaign and signing books across America; voting on and chief architect of the "progressive" agenda described above.

Secretary of No Compete Contracts: General Stevo Ortega, has led the awarding of thousands, if not millions, of "no compete contract" public dollars to various entities including some political allies.

Secretary of Build the International Bridge at Yarbrough:  Baytoe O'Rourke Candidate for Congress, who has questionable conflict of interest votes when he served on City Council, and who as Congressman will be the deciding factor on whether the bridge will be permitted or not.


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Sunday, January 22, 2012

Blog Housekeeping #2

Pretty busy week, but I will be posting some things here shortly, and wanted to share some additional thoughts on this blog based on feedback and responses. This is a personal blog.  I'm a private citizen, I am not writing this as a political figure nor an expert of anything. It has been slow to launch because of content, research, and of course blog design.  I have created, recreated, deleted, altered, lost, redesigned, and amended the "bloggie" because the templates are limited and deciding to blog, especially if you are me,  there needs to be thought into where I am going with all this.

The blogosphere here in El Paso can use some political "salsa".  In fact, I hope that others become encouraged to blog because we need it.  Not enough "other than political factions" opinion out there, although being back in the community as a private citizen, there are clearly groups emerging, young leaders are hungry to be involved, and groups such as Occupy El Paso have produced natural leaders. I said "leaders" not "leadership" group, because that is what has emerged - leaders!

The music scene is blossoming in this town at a creative rate. El Paso has always been this breeding ground for outrageously talented musicians but now you can see the maturing stage of the local music scene because of the efforts of seed planters like Bobbie Welch and Joe Dorgan. And so, not the expert but simply an aficionado of music, musicianship, venues, the "you had to be there" moment, and fan, I will interject my opinion in hopes of helping advance an opinion of the El Paso music scene and local musicians and music acts.



The internet sky, the big open and largely blank chalk board in the sky, belongs to no one. In fact, it belongs to everyone. Equally. There is no segregation in the internet. The only segregation that exists in the blogosphere is the one you create by going or not going where you want to go. And you can expand or limit your "sky" however you want by going or not going to that internet space or to that internet blog that entertains, enlightens, or angers you. It is your choice - the "sky" is the limit!! So "haters" continue your small minded, self indulgent, egotistical opinion going at your own pace and at your own place. Leave me alone. You don't bother me, nor do you influence me!

For you English teachers, grammar wonks, editors, thank you for the corrected sentences.  I pretty much write what I think, don't put much thought into grammar, or punctuation, or spelling (thank God for internal spell check or the spelling bee queens would be crazy on me), but I will work on it, and not just pound on the keyboard and upload.  I'm still in the infant stage of the blog and not yet at an editing stage, but hope to continue to explore a little more and figure all this out.

So, this segment of the internet sky where I write, belongs to thoughts and observations by me.  That is all.  Nothing more, nothing less!  

Thursday, January 19, 2012

County Judge Escobar to Constituent Alejandro "Alex" Guzman "U R NOT MY FB FRIEND"


"U R NOT MY FACEBOOK FRIEND" if you dare have an opinion different than County Judge Veronica Escobar who "unfriended" her constituent the respected Alex Guzman, a social political Democratic Activist and prominent Gay Rights Advocate



As I stated in my previous "Blog Housekeeping" post, a respected blogger shared with me some thoughts and suggestions on how to go about blogging.  

He suggested that if I make fun of something or someone to make sure I 
also make fun of myself. Tell a story, what did I learn from the experience…how does it apply to a blog post. And so it is in the spirit of telling a story, that I comment and tie my “U R not my friend” story to the current scandal between County Judge Veronica Escobar and one of her prominent Democratic constituents Alejandro “Alex” Guzman.


Technology has certainly altered communication, especially for politico’s and politics.  My last year serving in the Texas legislature, I was involved in the “shorthand” text messaging scandal known as “U R not my friend”.  To tell this story, I must first share that I was never part of the Alicia Chacon/Paul Moreno political faction.  They never asked me to run for public office. And after I beat their candidate Nacho Padilla, I was never able to develop a good relationship with Paul because of his sister.  Making a very, very, long story short, I eventually got involved with the opponent that would defeat him and that would be the beginning of the end of my legislative career.

Lilly Ruiz, my at the time District Director, was anxious to introduce me to a young woman she said would be an excellent candidate against veteran Paul Moreno.  And so I met Marisa Marquez at Carlos and Mickey’s for a vetting session. After the initial meeting, I decided to get involved in her run to defeat Paul. I took her to Austin, set up her meetings with key individuals in the lobby, introduced her to Bob Hoy, Maria Teran, Robert Brown and others, and suggested her to people who would eventually introduce her to her political deep pockets the Texans for Lawsuit Reform . They funded most of her campaign, aside from the initial seed money her father gave her, and funded the TV scripts I wrote, the radio spots I wrote and produced, and ¾ of her political mail I developed (I have the computer files if she says otherwise). She was a quick study but through that campaign both Lilly and I recognized she was less than honorable and that we had done a big mistake helping her.  She treated us both so poorly, but I insisted we stay involved because my political capital was at stake (little did we know what was at stake taking him out).

Every beginning of a legislative session, the Latina senior members of the House have an informal dinner to meet the incoming freshmen Latinas.  A meet and greet. In 2009, we went to the Fonda San Miguel and in a private room we conversed with our colleagues. I sat at one corner of a long table, Marquez at the other.  As the evening went on and as the wine got to her head, she started to make fun of an extra credit class project I had asked her to help me with during her campaign because I needed extra points for a test.  In front of all the Latina women colleagues, she made fun of my class and the extra credit project. The women legislators closest to me were shocked and tried to talk over her loudness and increasingly drunkenness.  I said nothing.  That is how we started our session together.

In May, as I reached the end of my last legislative session, and as I reached my higher education goal and was getting ready to “walk”, I made arrangements for my family and close friends coming to Austin and accommodated my colleagues who wanted to be a witness at the ceremony. It was going to be the most important ceremony in my life, second to my first swearing in ceremony.  And seeing Marisa Marquez on the House floor, I was reminded of her laughing at me after asking her for help. I sent her a text, “U R not my friend” I don’t want you at my family event please.  And from there it was a story in the El Paso Times, and blogged here and there.  I’m not proud of that. It was my mistake, but Marisa Marquez dishonoring me again, now by giving the text to the press, was equally wrong and unforgiveable. 

We all know Facebook is a social media networking system that crosses all lines of communication.  If you are not on Facebook, you know someone who is. Universities are now studying the implications of social media, where a few short years ago most political consultants said, “don’t worry about blogs – no one reads them” and most politicos didn’t have Facebook pages. Now members of Congress, and elected officials in all levels of government have a Facebook page of some sort and all political consultants suggest a dedicated political person to deal with social media and blogs.  Candidates for office use it widely and President Barack Obama is probably the trend setter on social media political outreach.

I didn’t really use Facebook, as an open discussion forum until I was no longer an officeholder.  There are too many opportunities to establish a permanent internet footprint and to write the wrong thing, or possibility to have something taken out of perspective.  So I used it as a cautious “hello” type tool until I was no longer in office. 

So it is with amazement that I witness County Judge Veronica Escobar with her very own social media scandal.  She has de-friended Alejandro “Alex” Guzman calling him a “liar, bully, and stalker” on FACEBOOK.  She is very dismissive of a hard working, well respected Democratic social political activist and Gay Rights advocate.  Further, on her wall and post, coming to her defense is the County “Ethics” Attorney Michael Wyatt, who was her immediate past campaign treasurer, and who had to resign from being her treasurer, in order to be nominated, hired, and paid a six figure salary funded by the taxpayers of El Paso.

The reason that Alex is being “de-friended” by Judge Escobar on Facebook, is not because he ridiculed her, but because he has pointed out her political policy mistakes.

He is being de-friended by Judge Escobar because Alex will go head-to-head with her on the issues and has bluntly stated that her political standing for a Republican created Redistricting map is wrong, and because he calls her political pandering of the map she favors for her political ally, as self serving and not in the best interest of the overall County she represents, nor is it good for Democrats statewide. He points out that she is willing to pontificate for her political BFF’s (best friends forever) at the expense of the taxpayer and her constituents .

He was de-friended after posting videos of the disabled community and ASARCO workers picketing a political forum and her BFF, Baytoe O’Rourke, at a Congressional forum.  He was de-friended because he has called her out for her blatant mistake pushing and screaming, that all of Ft. Bliss was going to be awarded to a San Antonio Congress person, which she publicly learned was FALSE!! 

He was de-friended because he pointed out to her that Ft. Bliss has always had dual representation because it crosses over into New Mexico. He was de-friended by Judge Escobar because he stated how ridiculous she looked to the state and national Democratic Resdistricting attorneys including the Civil Rights legal team MALDEF, after she commanded County Attorney JoAnn Bernal to be directly involved SUPPORTING the gerrymandered Republican map that violates the Voting Rights Act, suppresses Latino voters, and removed the vitally important Lower Valley from being represented by an El Paso Congressman.

He is being de-friended because he called her out when she made fun of the Democratic Party “enchilada” fundraisers and because she marginalized the Democratic Party banner she runs under.  He is being de-friended because his Facebook wall became a memory wall of her unflattering Playboy Magazine interview with her other BFF playmate, Rep. Susie Byrd, calling rolled tacos at an El Paso favorite eatery “Chicos Tacos” a unique delicatessen for locals because of the “good welfare cheese” flavor. 

Alejandro “Alex” Guzman, even though you helped and campaigned for her – “U R NOT HER FRIEND”. County Judge Veronica Escobar and her political faction the “Veronicuns” (named for their politically cunning and deceitful ways) are not your friends!  I cannot imagine a County Judge in anywhere Texas un-friending a CONSTITUENT who has simply pointed out political policy errors and boondoggles that could hurt a constituency and the County she leads.
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BLOG HOUSEKEEPING!

As I have stated on Facebook, after launching my blog earlier this year, it is like having a magic pen that God gave me to "write in the skies".  The outreach is unlimited, the medium exciting and quite a journey.  I have been learning the blogosphere lingo, have screwed up my template by trying another one and not knowing how to go back to the one I like better (ugh), and have been advised by various people I trust and admire on how to carry forward.

A respected blogger in Texas shared some thoughts on blogging, as has a local mujer I respect, and Latino powerhouses in the US also shared some thoughts for la Norma y "La Norma Blog" or as one of my friends said "ya eres Blogera" (RMR - reir muy recio or Spanish for lol - correct me here, I just made that up). I wish my old friend, San Antonio guerrilla, political agitator, columnist Carlos Guerra were alive today. I know that together we could have conspired an underground internet based Xicano word war. Just the thought of it brings a smile to my face. Luckily, as I go through some of my personal boxes, I have found numerous columns he wrote that I have placed in my office for purity and inspiration! The internet though, has proved quite an internet sky for political activism and underground internet wars.

So it is with these thoughts, that I hope to provide occasional housekeeping tips for the blog. A sort of order. So here are a few thoughts on what this blog will and will not be. Please email me your thoughts at blognormachavez@gmail.com or comment what you think I could do better. I am trying to make this an open forum, commenting is still in the tweak phase.

I will not prostitute the blog with political advertizing.  I won't be asking you for $300 a month per ad, to have your name roll across the screen. NO REAL POLITICAL BLOGGERS IN TEXAS DO THIS!  I will write on subjects and people, poli's and non-poli's alike. So you won't be treated "special" because you bought an ad on my blog. Don't get me wrong. In learning all the new terminology and gadgets available on blogs, I foresee advertising as a possibility, especially since my traffic is extremely high for a first time blog that isn't even being recognized by servers or search engines quite yet. In fact, most hits, as in 80% of my blog traffic, is from Facebook (eblogger has a pretty cool statistical analysis available and Google is already contacting me about ads). So now I understand why the Criminal Blogger and the El Paso WASM Blogger (White Anglo Saxon Male - don't know if he is protestant or Catholic but know he is male) include me in their blog posts, because I increase their traffic.

I expect nothing in return. If I write about you, good, bad or ugly, I expect nothing in return. No debt is owed. You don't have to be nice to me, I don't expect that.  It is a blog. It is an opinion.  It is what I have chosen to do as a medium, because I choose to use my political experience and knowledge, personal, professional, and political contacts, and networks, to write what I think.  That is it.  Read it if you like. Don't read if you don't like it.

I will look at your suggestions on subjects or people to write about.  I already have a bag full of ideas, people, events, things to write about, but sure if you have a suggestion, I'll look at it, so forward this on the blog, or email me.


My political social commentary is just that, personal commentary and opinion on my blog. Using humor, facts, current events, research, political thought, etc,. to provoke. I don't own the internet space nor does anyone else. Austin, Texas has numerous political bloggers and just bloggers who post on lots of different subjects. What you don't see in the other big cities in Texas in the blogosphere is one political faction dominating the media and blogs.

You don't have bloggers with criminal records, using an ink bat as a threat, to gain favor and sell ads and pimp a political agenda for their own personal power. Nor do you have a male WASM, initiating racially charged blog posts that criticizes the "masses" for rising against unfair policies by the power elites, as he does. He promotes the "masta" mentality, I will not.

This blog is for the "MASSES" to provoke political thought, action, revolution!!

And so, the blog journey continues....join me...  

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Friday, January 13, 2012

Political Heavyweights Secretary of Defense and Minority Leader and former Speaker of the House in EP

Congressman Silvestre Reyes is wisely using his seniority and Democratic Party position in the US House of Representatives to start and bring in a flood of powerful Cabinet Members to El Paso on policy issues.  Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Minority Leader/former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi have brought a one-two punch for the sitting Congressman.

Secretary Panetta, concluding a 2 day stay in El Paso, visiting the troops and Ft. Bliss, and commenting on the decision making power of Congressman Reyes on defense issues, is a major statement. They don't just walk into a community for a mayor or county judge, the sitting Member in Congress must be a respected member of the US House of Representatives.  In addition, Secretary Panetta had to delicately deal with the crisis and political discussion and consequences of American Armed Forces urinating on the bodies of deceased Taliban members from Ft. Bliss, as the scandal broke.  Staying on message with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the scandal, he still maintained his strong vocal position and important support of Ft. Bliss as a strategic and vitally important base in the nation.  Do not let the newspaper scare you into thinking that Ft. Bliss will be negatively impacted pending proposed cuts and that a freshman Congressman can save the day (won't happen).  His statement was more of a clear indication that once again, as there is realignment, Ft. Bliss could be a major benefactor.

Tonight, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the US House of Representatives, shares her time with Congressman Reyes and area Democrats, as guest speaker of the El Paso Democratic Party Hall of Fame banquet (looking forward to this). She is known as a tough political woman and was the Speaker who appointed Congressman Silvestre Reyes as a Chair of a standing committee of the US House of Representatives. Although Democrats are no longer in power, she is arguably THE most powerful Democrat in Congress, definitely the most powerful Democratic woman in power, second to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Expect the Clinton clan including President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Clinton (in her role as Secretary), and Chelsea to come to the political bench of Congressman Reyes, more than once. Congressman Reyes, has played his game extremely well to solidly have the Democratic political powerhouse of the Clinton's in his corral.  The Clinton's are fiercely loyal and they never forget a friend! President Clinton, an important ally for President Barack Obama's re-election, is a fierce campaigner who will bring thousands of voters for Congressman Reyes's Primary (whenever that it is).  In addition, President Clinton, is a Party loyalist and when he speaks, people listen (Congressional candidates take note).  No DINO's (Democrats In Name Only) will cut into this loyal base!

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Monday, January 9, 2012

Snoop Dog got busted with the 'Wacky Tobaccky" in Hudspeth County, joins Willie Nelson in the West Texas Stoner Hall of Fame

http://www.celebstoner.com/news/

WEST TEXAS CELEB NEWS AT THE BORDER STOP IN SIERRA BLANCA!!

'Ya can't make this stuff up.  Just hours before the arrival of "Snoop Dog" to the Border Patrol check outside of Sierra Blanca, Texas, I drove with my dog HD, and my bodyguard (yes I have a bodyguard now) through the West Texas stop on my way to Austin .  Dogs galore sniffing the 18 wheeler's and cars, and green border patrol soldiers man the mandatory border stop.  'Ya gotta have your papers or bye bye, and 'ya shouldn't have the "wacky tobaccky" on 'ya 'caz the K9's are gonna sniff ya out~just saying.


Seems the Snoop Dog will have to make an appearance on January 20, 2011...I think I"ll drive out for this one!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

"PACHANGAGATE, Darren "WITCH" Hunt, and RACISM!!


I am shocked at the continued attacks by KVIA news reporter Darren “WITCH” Hunt of political activities by the Latino community in El Paso, in particular those South of the Freeway.  He started his tabloid style reporting of “pachangas” last year by jumping over bushes to stick a microphone in elderly people’s faces, and ask them if their vote was being bought and paid for with a taco.

Seriously, a “gordita”, rice, beans, and bread......or brisket, rice, "frijolitos" and jalapenos.....or “taquitos”, rice, beans, bread, jalapenos, and "chile con ques
o"......IS FRIGGING buying votes?  How is that?  

Political “pachangas” are organized all over the state in Texas and in the United States but are called different names.  State Representative Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston), the Dean of ALL WOMEN in the ENTIRE TEXAS LEGISLATURE, has her ANNUAL “fish fry” where thousands of her constituents come to her event.  And why didn’t KVIA and Darren “WITCH” Hunt blow the whistle on former Congressman Ron Coleman (D-El Paso) when he would throw his famous Ron Coleman's Labor Day Bar-BQ at the Cattleman Steakhouse where 1500 plus voters would attend? Why, is there such an interest to focus attention on events in the LOWER VALLEY or any other part of town that has a political event called a “PACHANGA”? 

Is it because candidates recognize that cultural relevance is important?  Political research consultants call “knowing your audience” very important to outreach and “pachangas” or “menudos” or “café y pan dulce” events are culturally relevant to engage Latino voters with candidates in informal settings.  Is Darren “WITCH” Hunt going to go after the “ROCK THE VOTE” events, because they have loud bands, and serve beer, and have rock stars to influence their vote?  I doubt it.

It is offensive to me that Darren “WITCH” Hunt is focusing on political rallies in Latino neighborhoods of El Paso SOUTH OF THE FREEWAY to intimidate voters into thinking that their participation and hearing of candidates, dancing to a band, eating a meal, and getting raffle tickets for door prizes, is wrong.  Other than cash prizes, political events like the “pachangas” we have in the Lower Valley or SOUTH OF THE FREEWAY are common place in everywhere America, but they are called by a different name.

And “DEADBEAT DAD CRIMINAL BLOGGER” SHAME ON YOU!! A self proclaimed “Chicano” participating in this conspiracy to target voters South of the Freeway and intimidate candidates and the Democratic Party to stop political rallies called “pachangas”, is RACIST! 

KVIA, DARREN “WITCH” HUNT you owe the SOUTH OF THE FREEWAY voters in El Paso an apology for your racist tactics to steer voters away from having an opportunity to listen to candidates.  CHICANO CRIMINAL BLOGGER, I am embarrassed for you for not calling this what it is RACIST!!

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Friday, January 6, 2012

Congressman Reyes Campaign Sign Up!

GET INVOLVED:  The Congressman Reyes Campaign is having block walks, coffee's, and coordinating phone banks. I will go into greater detail in another blog post, on the very important Congressional race we are having in El Paso, and the deep contrasts between the Congressman and his opponent.  The delayed 2012 Democratic Primary date for filing has moved for all political offices until the Supreme Court rules on the final maps. The opening arguments on redistricting commence next week. For those of you who understand the power of a senior member of Congress for a Congressional District, I suggest you don't assume that his record will carry him over, but get directly involved in this campaign.   

“SILVER SUPER SATURDAY BLOCK WALK”
Please join the campaign at Reyes Campaign Headquarters, 2004 Montana
Saturday, January 07, 2012
8:30 – 12:00 pm8:30 am: Volunteer Orientation
9:00 am:  Walking Starts


Confirm your participation at reyesworksvolunteers@gmail.com or 
contact Campaign HQ at 222-8091
Include your t-shirt size in the email

(Technology Notes: I was surprised to find out that both my mother and aunt were on Congressman Reyes mobile call-in Town Hall Meeting (they had over 800 people on the phone).  As I was delivering my New Years cupcakes, I found my aunt on the phone listening to the mobile Townhall, where in real time, the Congressman took calls.  I even listened in on another line. How convenient is that. In fact my aunt said she liked it better, because she didn't have to get out in the cold and could wear her warm-ups.) 

Technology has surely changed the world of politics!!

http://www.reyesforcongress.com/ 

HAPPY KINGS DAY! ENJOY YOUR ROSCA DE REYES PASTEL


BLOG NUMERO DOS!  CULTURA

So nice to see Facebook posts by friends celebrating the Hispanic tradition (it is of Hispanic origin not Chicano or Latino) of honoring “Dia De Los Reyes”.  It is a day for a lot of families to buy or make the “Rosca de Reyes”  a supersized donut looking type cake made with special ingredients, with a hole in the middle, and a baby Jesus hidden somewhere in the “pastelito”.  This tradition is celebrated in Hispanic America and globally with variance from country to country and region to region.  It is also the celebrated New Year for the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo (HAPPY NEW YEAR TIGUA NATION!). 

The “Kings Cake” is eaten today, and the hidden baby Jesus, represents the hiding of Jesus from Kind Herod’s political act to kill all babies that the “Three Kings” prophesied as the Messiah.  So traditionally, if you are the one given the piece of cake with the baby Jesus, you are tasked with taking the figurine to church on February 2nd  for prayers and blessings. Anyway you celebrate “Dia de Los Reyes” we as Latino’s from all backgrounds must continue these traditions that preserve our history, heritage and cultural traditions.

I know some of my Xicano brothers and sisters don’t embrace traditions brought forth from the conquest. But as Latino Americans, and as the new Latino generations group up in our communities, we should try and be mindful and help to preserve these traditions passed on for centuries. The Americanization of our youth by taking away celebrations like “Dia De Los Reyes” or “Dia De Los Muertos” takes away from our cultural ties to who we are as a people.  So let us be mindful of the bigger picture and respectful of those who celebrate this Christian Hispanic tradition.  Preservation of our Latino/Xicano/Hispanic/Mexican American traditions, as we “mesclar” as Mexican Americans and Latinos, is vitally important to us as a rising majority, because we ARE indigenous to the AMERICAS. Feliz Dia de Los Reyes!
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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Prelude to “Los Doce en Dos Mil Doce” the 12 in 2012

My first major political action, I mean major action, was when I began to organize independent gas station owners, auto repair shop owners, body paint shop owners, and inspection station owners in December of 1990. Earlier that summer, I had fulfilled my father’s dream of owning and running his own gas station, by putting together a business deal that retired him from truck driving forever.

After dropping out of UT, I was living in Austin, working for a builder and learning the real estate business during the boom. My Dad called to tell me he had seen the gas station at Trowbridge and Clark for sale and if I could come home to look into it for him. I did. Two months later, we were at the closing table of the deal that I had structured. We became NCN Texaco, for Norman, Connie and Norma. I realized at the closing table, when the ink of my Dad’s pen was drying, that I had just moved back home.

We closed the deal on August 10, 1990, my parents wedding anniversary, and went from the closing table to the gas station. We each took tasks in our new business venture. My Mom was the most experienced in the business, as she had been a bookkeeper for service stations at Ft. Bliss. My Dad, was the work horse, working from 7 am to 7 pm, and I was in charge of marketing and regulations. We became an official state of Texas inspection station, and it is at the Texas Department of Public Safety office, (where I was buying inspection stickers), that I read an industry magazine that was talking about the federal effort and legislation under the 1990 Clean Air Act, to centralize emission testing in non-compliant air emission states.

Part of the business proforma I had done for my Dad regarding cash flow, included the net income from safety and emission testing. I was shocked to learn that the feds, were going to take that business from independent small stations and replace it with a federal program run by one contractor for the entire nation. And so, there is where my organizing and political footsteps begin.

I became “Jenny from the Block” goes to Washington and Austin, and became a part of a national coalition of independent station owners in non-compliant air quality cities across the nation, fighting the feds and federal regulations that wanted to basically create a monopoly for one company, with no proven data or record that it would improve air quality. In order to get the word out to the other independent inspection station businesses, I followed the major arteries of the city and went door to door, stopping at their business, asking to speak to the owner, trying to get them to listen to me. I quickly discovered that the auto repair industry in El Paso, was dominated by Latino small businesses. It made sense. Some of these guys went from being tire changers, or service station attendants (there were still old fashion service stations in the 90’s) to being owners of their own business.

As independent Latino business owners, there was an initial reluctance to believe a young Latina, telling them their business was in jeopardy of losing safety and emission testing because I read it somewhere. It was tough trying to get their attention. They would smile, and take my handout, and would usually say something like “we’ll call you, gracias”. This occurred over and over until I met the man who I would nickname, “The Godfather”.


Art Gandara, had an inspection station and body shop in Central El Paso. He had a nice, neat, long sleeve white shirt (in a body shop), his famous suspenders holding up his pants, and an embroidered patch with his name “Art”. Up until that point, I was ready to give up, because the men I had spoken to, didn’t take me serious, or were suspicious of me, especially since they knew my Dad had just bought the business, and that we were new to the industry. But Art was different, he listened, read what I gave him, and started asking me questions “who told you this, and where did you get that”. What he recognized is that what I was saying was for real. This was a federal regulation that was going to impact him and the rest of the guys he knew who started their business from the ground up. He asked me who I had spoken to, and what had they said, and I shared how most of the men really didn’t say much. And so, with me sitting in front of him, he started calling the “guys”. I’ll never forget his words “Ese, Louie, it’s Art, te voy a mandar una “jainita” que necesita hablar contigo y tu hermano” (for the Spanish impaired, he told two brothers that owned a Shell station on Mesa, that he was sending me to talk to him and his brother).

That moment became the first organizing step of the station owners in El Paso, and what eventually took me to the Texas Legislature and from then on and to this date, I refer to him as “the Godfather” (because it was like the movie, once he said I was the real deal, the doors opened).

I bring this personal experience, as a tie into a topic of the importance of community based leadership and organizing. Because in my instance, the situation, and federal regulation had created an opportunity to ORGANIZE and to challenge the policies of our government by providing public testimony to the EPA, and Texas Air Control Board, and by fighting for what was right…petitioning our government with these Latino majority owned business owners and their customers! The story continues, but in the end we won the federal issue, and when this monopoly tried to pass legislation to implement the program at a state by state level, we beat them in Texas after three legislative sessions and passed the Texas Clean Air Act in 1995.


To make a long story short, I went from serving as a citizen activist and advocate for clean air in 1995, to running for state representative in 1996, to being sworn into office in 1997. Jenny from the Block had made it to the halls of the Capitol with the help of a bunch of independent gas station, and inspection station small business owners.

This served as one of the foundation blocks of my leadership roots in El Paso, community based organizing of Latino owned business in the inspection and auto repair industry. There are so many stories and so many things developed out of organizing these, mostly men in the El Paso auto repair industry, that I can share later as we take this blog journey.

And so “ Los Doce en Dos Mil Doce” or “12 in 2012” are my picks of up and coming community based leaders that are making an impact in our community. They are selected not because they are friends or associates, but because they are visible, and I have watched them in action. The great majority are not from the halls of public policy think tanks or institutes, nor from privileged homes or private schools, they are from public schools (most of them), most attended or attend UTEP, most are doing some form of organizing and or have done, all of them are independent thinkers, challengers, believers in El Paso, and none are controlled by any political faction nor the power elites.

They are ‘Los Doce en Dos Mil Doce” because thy are demonstrating leadership by engaging in social political activism and public participation at a community based level. And so, my “blog post Numero Uno” is simply, “Los Doce en Dos Mile Doce” or “THE 12 in 2012”.
 

Blog post Numero 1: “Los Doce en Dos Mil Doce” 

Arlina Palacios: A Mid Valley resident, mother of two, she is a “legacy” leader. She is the granddaughter of political activist and EPISO leader Maggie Martinez. Martinez was one of the fearless women leaders in the era of Teddy Trujillo who participated in the most intense organizing EPISO has ever done, under the legendary Sister Mary Beth Larkin, Lead Organizer. As a young girl growing up, she lived the fights, she witnessed the coordination of power meetings with federal, state, and local elected officials, and participated as a young adolescent, standing with her grandmother and other strong willed “Adelitas” as they petitioned their government for basic infrastructure needs such as water. She is completing her Bachelors Degree in History at UTEP, has begun a series of interviews with residents in the Colonias on their struggle, she participates in public meetings, particularly in the Valley, has a deep knowledge of water issues and is an advocate to preserve the neighborhood around the proposed international bridge at Yarbrough. She is a natural leader, a tough young advocate, not afraid to ask questions.

Nubia Legarda (aka Aporia Euphoria): Is a student at UTEP, studying English and Literature, Nubia has become one of the leaders of Occupy El Paso and the Occupy Movement. She participates and helps coordinate teach-in’s to educate people on various public issues, participates and helps coordinate marches, protests, demonstrations, and attends City Council meetings, volunteers at the farm workers center, and is willing to lend support on social issues. She is the only female arrested among the “Occupy El Paso Siete”, because she believes in her right to petition her government and to stand up to the 1% controlling the economy and government. She is fully bilingual and quite eloquent public speaker and motivator!

Anessa Anchondo Rivera: graduate of UTEP in Women Studies and Anthropology, she is working on her Masters in Sociology and Public Health, and member of a social arts collective “Movimiento Hunab Ku”, and assisted with the organizing of “Del Corazon Film Festival” and “Borde Manifiesto”. She is one of the “Occupy El Paso” leaders, has natural organizing skills, is a primary organizer of the Occupy El Paso tent city at the Plazita, (with a cross section of leaders), she has been a leader in coordinating the Occupy food bank, General Assemblies, raising bail for civil disobedience activists, and is a young woman in motion. Anessa has demonstrated community conscious awareness, most passionately assisting with the coordination of a farmworker “tamalada”, and she does her community activism without seeking self promotion or recognition.

Gris Munoz: A performance artist and Chicana poet, born and raised in the Lower Valley and moving up the higher education ladder, she attended Del Valle, EPCC, and is working on her Bachelor of Arts at UTEP. She has worked for La Mujer Obrera and interned in the office of a local politician. She has a broad based creative arts repertoire, will be featured in an upcoming movie, has produced her own one-woman- show, is a poet mixing social political issues in her poetry, and is exploring and adding comedy to her creative arts performance. She is a performance art community activist, willing to use her creative art form to push people to vote, and to encourage civic participation at all levels including marches, rallies, pickets, and demonstrations. She uses her gift of performance for creativity and for political activism. She states “art is a continuous conversation with the world, past and present”.

Mary Gonzalez: Of the “Volver Volver” Pack. She’s back! The young Latina is a rising star from Clint, Texas and the only political candidate on this list because she deserves to be! She left El Paso to pursue her higher education goals and comes home with community based leadership credentials. A Democrat, Mary interned with former State Representative Paul Moreno and most recently left the congressional campaign of State Representative Joaquin Castro. She has a Bachelors degree in History and Mexican American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, a Masters in Social Justice from St. Edwards University, and is completing her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at UT Austin. An NHI alum, she has been recognized by mylatinovoice.com as the “Hot 25 under 25” most influential young Latinos in the country and in “Latino Leaders Magazine” and the National Latino Fraternal Organization recognized her as a “2010 Rising Professional”. “Y volver, volver, volver, a tu comunidad otra vez” and she has!

Albert Alvidrez: Is the well respected, former Governor of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo serving 9 years in office starting as a Council Member elected in 1994. He was elected Governor of the tribe for multiple terms, and holds the record for serving as the youngest Native American to serve as Governor, of a federally recognized tribe in the United States. He is recognized as a fair and willing to compromise, leads with integrity, fiercely loyal, calculated, driven, and creative. As President of the Ysleta Education Foundation he has coordinated fundraisers to raise thousands of dollars for scholarships. He is an accomplished artist, painting on canvass, pottery, post cards, whatever he can find to paint on, as a way to preserve and share his Native American Pueblo traditions. No longer in office with the Pueblo, he continues to lead and participate with all facets of tribal life, is a loyal Democrat and loyal to the principles and proactive activities of the Democratic Party.

Mario Olivares: Is a tireless young social justice activist who has taken a leadership role in “Occupy El Paso” and the “Occupy Movement”. He is a student at UTEP studying Economics because he says “we need new models”. He is a graduate of Sunset High School, graduating in the top 10%, he was the recipient of Simon Youth Foundation and LULAC scholarships and is the Treasurer of UTEP MEChA. He is a natural leader, organizer, and public speaker. He is a uniter and coordinator of the Occupy El Paso agenda with Occupy leadership, attending public meetings, organizing General Assemblies, public events, marches, public action and is part of the Sin Fronteras Leadership Institute. This young leader has demonstrated a solid social justice conscience and understanding of Border issues and is one to watch. He is one of the “Occupy El Paso Siete” arrested for civil disobedience, for exercising his civil right to assembly, while standing for social justice.

Alejandro “Alex” Guzman: Is a Democratic political activist and Gay Rights Advocate. No issue is too small or large for “Alex” to tackle. Fiercely loyal, he fights for his beliefs and the Democratic Party leaders he believes in. He is an accountant working on his Masters of Accountancy at New Mexico State University, and has earned his political stripes helping Democrats including President Obama, Congressman Silvestre Reyes, Joe Moody, Bill White, the Unity Campaign and others. He is a founding member of the El Paso Young Democrats, and is a member of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), former member of “Adelante” and worked hand-in-hand with Congressman Reyes’ staff to enlist support from El Paso for the Matthew Shepherd Hate Crimes Bill and the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”. A social political activist, the Gay community and Democratic Party are fortunate to have such a stalwart leader and man to support their platform.

Kiko Rodriguez: A social political musician and activist, Kiko is the frontman of various bands with roots in the Borderlands, including Fuga Del Chuco and his latest band “Frontera Bugalu”. He is the son of political activists Guillermo Glen and Cecilia Rodriguez (two legendary activists who have participated in organizing in El Paso and Mexico and with personal relationships with “Marcos” and the Zaptista Movement). He has helped NAFTA displaced workers, participated in dozens of marches, demonstrations, picket lines, protests and all forms of public action and has utilized the arts and music as tools of the “movimiento”. His unique and important life experiences contribute to his philosophy of being loyal to the original border sounds. He is an accordion player, and dedicated musician fronting “Frontera Bugalu” and bringing the true sounds of “bugalu” with a border flair to the airwaves, internet and to live audiences. Kiko and “Frontera Bugalu” have incredible stage presence. This is a band to watch. Kiko is a musician to admire!

Carlos “Carlo” Mendoza (aka Carlo Mendo): An activist, business entrepreneur, event coordinator, community organizer, artist, musician, “Lagaratista”, Carlo is a social political leader and successful Downtown young businessman who helped with the “Keep Los Lagartos at the Plazita de Los Lagartos” campaign. A graduate of UTEP, he has opened the doors with his business partners at the “Loft Light” for thriving artists, jewelry designers, graphic artists, film projects, clothing designers, and highlights up and coming bands and DJ’s with his loft space (comparable to one you would see in Chicago or New York). He has produced successful fashion shows showcasing local designers, provides a successful monthly artist market for regional artists called mARTket, is behind the establishment of a community garden in Segundo Barrio, and is one of the youngest Board Members of the Central Business Association. Expect to hear big things of Carlos “Carlo” Mendoza in “dos mil doce”.

Joeseph Villescas: Stepped into the big leagues as one of the political research consultants for Congressman Silvestre Reyes. The young professor, and media relations consultant is a graduate of Cathedral High School, has a Bachelors in American Studies from Wesleyan University, and a PhD in Radio, Television and Film from the University of Texas at Austin. He unsuccessfully ran for City Council after being promised help, moved forward, and continued his work with the National Hispanic Institute, a Latino leadership development organization. He is working side by side with local media guru Morris Pittle, of Two Ton Creativity, where he is guaranteed to get his "big huaraches" when the Congressman wins his 9th term. The experience will be invaluable to all his future political projects and aspirations!

Hector H. Lopez: Is a man with a vision. Don’t doubt this. He is solid in his role as Senior Vice President of Community and International Relations at the National Hispanic Institute(NHI) an organization dedicated to serving the future leadership needs of the global Hispanic community. NHI, founded in 1979 touts over 85,000 alumni globally, is not a civil rights organization but a leadership organization focused on building international networks for Hispanic leaders. A close colleague and ally of Villescas, he is also a graduate of Cathedral, has a Bachelors in International Law, Ethics and Latin American Studies from Georgetown University, and a Masters of Art in Strategic Communication from Villanova University. He produced a radio talk show “El Paso for America with Hector H. Lopez”. When the station closed all local talk radio, he continued and produced an internet based show of the same name. He hosts and co-produces “Fronteras Desk”. Hector considered a run for the legislature but when it was not right for he and his wife, he recruited and is helping Mary Gonzalez, (also an NHI alumni), demonstrating the leadership network of NHI.
Los Doce en Dos Mil Doce!!

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