Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION: EL DEFENZOR: SHAMSIE AND RENDON'S TROJAN HORSE
SHAMSIE AND RENDON'S TROJAN HORSE
THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG: THE TROJAN HORSE
INVADES ROBSTOWN AND IS LAUNCHED FROM MCKENZIE ROAD
As election seasons go, this shall be one that will not only be memorable for the predicted turnout, but also for the history making event of an African-American and female candidate. Local elections shall be effected by the increased turn out and Texas is a key state in deciding who shall be the most powerful person in the world. Unfortunately, along with the positive and the exciting changes that develop during the political season, the self-serving and those that crave absolute power make themselves known. El Defenzor offers up this opinion-editorial as food for thought for the South Texas voters.
THE TROJAN HORSE OF ROBSTOWN: Whispers have turned into shouts of discontent as the Rendon-Shamsie machine has openly sought to usurp and control all of Robstown and the northwest side. The Hillary Clinton visit was a very clear example. Both Shamsie and Rendon orchestrated the event down Terry Shamsie Boulevard. A little girl from our humble neighborhood of Casablanca in Robstown excitedly and anxiously awaited Senator Clinton’s arrival in order to present her with flowers. This was not to be. According to eyewitnesses and the little girl’s family, in a blatantly political move, Shamsie and his group TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO BESTOW FLOWERS UPON SENATOR CLINTON WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM THE LITTLE GIRL so his daughter could present them to the Senator. Lencho Rendon, a once behind the scenes person for U.S. Congressman Solomon Ortiz, now is heavy handedly displaying his power and navigated the events, the media coverage and the access to the who, where and why of the Clinton visit(s).
Many in Robstown are beginning to piece together that the Clinton visit was used as a Trojan horse to begin to fully develop the seeds that have been planted during Terry Shamsies one and only term in office where his detractors indicate he was voted in as a Democrat and was clearly a ultra conservative Republican in the way he conducted business. In some areas he cut the Nueces County Budget to the bone and in other areas such as highway work to Dos Logistics and other choice contractors’ jobs were given liberally which has earned Shamsie not only a street named after him in Robstown, but also a new job as an accountant and “consultant” for the huge dollars such as the 20 million dollar school budget. Was Shamsie’s disappearance temporarily from political life a farce to gain even more power? No doubt that is why the Solomonistas, Rendon and Shamsie are lavishing support upon Peggy Banales. It is well-known that Banales awarded Robstown many Nueces County tax dollars over her own constituents on the west side of Corpus Christi and the Calallen area. Lest we not forget Shamsie resides down McKenzie road in Banales’ district and is whispered to have clandestine meetings there to launch the Trojan Horse. It is also known that Ruben Bonilla is angered by the votes that Banales gave on the port location and the large amount of money that Rendon and his newly minted company L.R. Global being managed by a close relative Joseph Ramirez, stand to make off the port business coming from Robstown.
WHERE IS THE MONEY INSIDE THE TROJAN HORSE GOING?
El Defenzor wishes to underline that much of this information is public knowledge and of public record if one only looks deep enough regarding the Trojan Horse. FOLLOW THE MONEY TRAIL. It would be naïve to think that those in power should not take care of their own, but to use a presidential candidate to push an agenda denigrates the political process and proves the theory that absolute power corrupts absolutely. The Trojan horse is not only through Hillary Clinton but also through Bill Clinton. The dollars are definitely flowing to the usual politiceras and their minions who are pushing hard for Hillary Clinton as the dollars flow. Former President Clinton is making yet another visit here in South Texas the day before the election. His visit again is theorized to be pushed by Lencho Rendon. In fact the Caller Times alluded to L.R. Global (Lencho Rendon) coordinating this effort. Many of the “old guard” in the Democratic party such as Jesse Soto of A Plus Printing have openly stated on TV that Hispanics “no vota por un negro” (won’t vote for a negro). Soto is a staunch Solomonista and Lencho Rendon supporter and is known and respected as a long-time politico but many were outraged and Connie Gutierrez on the Lopez family station KTMV was quick to water down Soto’s remark by saying it was experience not skin color was why she was supporting Hillary Clinton. Can we unring the bell? Still more troubling is that older Hispanics seem to be spewing out hate speech against Obama: An elderly Hispanic woman in Dallas echoed the same sentiment and stated that the one thing Obama had against him was that he was black! Are we as Hispanics, once the weakest minority, now being prejudice in turn as we have been discriminated against in the past? Is the oppressed now becoming the oppressor? Clearly, Senator Clinton has denounced these acts on TV but didn’t’ her husband the former president a month ago indicate that race was an issue? The Clinton camp would be wise to truly understand that those they have employed and are associated with have caused seeds of discontent in the Democratic party for years as well as those politiceras who have fractured that very party.
INTIMIDATION OF EL DEFENZOR AND SEEKING OF POWER OVER ROBSTOWN:
When the Defenzor brought out these issues on 104.9 and 93.5 FM on El Defenzor Radio a few days ago, an attempted intimidation tactic was used. Lencho Rendon through intermediaries from the school board and elsewhere used the “carrot and the stick” to attempt to bottle up El Defenzor Radio. All they accomplished was proving that once independent minded people in Robstown including a school board member are on the verge of succumbing to the Trojan horse and are in danger of selling their soul and becoming co-opted.
When individuals like Shamsie and Rendon do not share power or opportunity and attempt to intimidate or co-opt individuals in the Hispanic community, it only saddens me all the more. It reminds me that despite 50 years of struggle for equal rights, all we are doing is replacing one white patron for another. As you may recall, it was Vicente Carranza, a former media heavyweight, who pushed for Shamsie to be elected and “hispanicized” him and inoculated the community with Shamsie in 2001 and 2002. As our readers may also recall sadly and unfortunately, Carranza for years led the Hispanic vote on KUNO and later failed in his attempt to crossover to English media in the now defunct Air America led by ultraliberal John Kelley. Carranza heavily campaigned for Shamsie and remains loyal to him to this day. If asked today many would not even realize that Shamsie was a Muslim and was elected in a time (2002) when Muslims were being seen negatively in the media after 9-11. Shamsie played down his affiliation with Islam and played up his marriage to a popular Hispanic judge Nannette Hassette. He was also helped out by the then “Kingmaker” Rene Rodriguez. It is rumored that he stepped down from power because of Rene Rodiguez’ stepping out of the spotlight after his much publicized battle with Tony Canales and when the fellow Kingmaker Fil Vela went to the Republican party. Without the twin pillars of power he once had, Shamsie knew he had to step down. But now he has come back and is seeking not political but permanent power in Robstown riding shamelessly on the coattails of Lencho Rendon. Some would argue he is doing an impeccable job and has many favors owed to him by Robstown. The question remains how long will the people of Robstown and of Nueces County and all of South Texas stomach this vulgar display of power that has been unleashed through this Trojan horse?
THE POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE EDC AND RENDON/SHAMSIE
As the Trojan Horse is being used to further agendas in Robstown and parts in between, so has the power of the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation grown (EDC). Many know of the strong business interests at stake such as the publisher of the Caller Times, heavyweight businessman such as Dusty Durrill and Joe Fulton who have wielded power in South Texas for a long time. Many of the citizens in South Texas do not understand the absolute power that the EDC has in many factions and the disdain they have for the Rendon/Shamsie Trojan horse. It is whispered that the EDC may flex its muscle and usurp the fledgling power that is growing in the Trojan horse. Still others in the EDC and in the know indicate that because the Trojan Horse-Rendon/Shamsie’s powerbase comes from the Solomonistas they are doomed to make the same mistakes as their mentors who have never had a clear media force and have never been inclusive in their power. Their “clica” has always been very stingy with sharing power and has been too closeknit, whereas the EDC have welcomed Hispanics, blacks and business owners from all walks of life in its fold. Some argue that because of this openness the EDC has thrived and has its fingers in many economic pies and has become so powerful that those who challenge the EDC do so at their peril. Be it remember that the EDC finds its roots deep and well nourished from the days of the late and revered Hayden Head, Sr who was the quintessential “gringo patron” who’s power echoes to this day through the EDC and American Bank. From the port to the media the EDC has gained ultimate and conglomerated power in the last several years and has built an invisible steel mesh over all of South Texas that is unbreakable. Some see it as a new world order in South Texas and a microcosm of the military-industrial complex. It remains to be seen if the EDC shall scratch the Trojan horse that itches its hide.
HOW WILL THE TROJAN HORSE-EDC POWER STRUGGLE EFFECT THE ELECTIONS?
One thing is clear: The power struggle within the Democratic party is one in which the Trojan Horse-Shamsie/Rendon machine are attempting to dominate and exercise complete control and whatever power, however temporary they have, they will not share. The support they have for Hillary Clinton may be backfiring: One example is a man in Robstown who wished to remain anonymous who said: “If Shamsie and Rendon are pushing her I will vote for Obama. Look at the money being poured into those people, look at the consultants who are pushing her: The same people who give me a bad taste in my mouth about the Democratic party here and it reminds me of why the Democratic party is always fighting-because of those same people who are just looking to line their pockets and don’t give a damn about who is President or not”. Locally, many democrats are rejecting the past political set up where politiceros praised or blasted someone (depending on who was paying them) and are voting their conscience. Although the Obama turn out was not as packed as the Hillary turnout, there remains many who are confident that Obama will win. The Trojan Horse supported Peggy Banales over Rendon’s former aide de camp Joe Benavides who helped Solomon Ortiz could be a costly mistake. If we remember in the not so distant past, Rendon backed Pete Alvarez in a race which led to humiliation for Rendon and the daughter of Solomon Ortiz when Alvarez endorsed a republican after losing.
Now Rendon and his close relative Joseph Ramirez back Banales over Joe Benavides. Will their help and the close affinity to the Robstown deals affect Banales’ campaign negatively? As her campaign has been rocked by question after question of why she 1) voted for measures such as having taxpayers give her husband Judge Banales an extra $140,000.00 office, 2) why she voted for measures to enrich Robstown’s economic development and helping commissioner Oscar Ortiz and 3) why she voted for nothing but projects in Robstown when her own constituents economic development in Tulosa, Calallen, Annaville and the west side grew less than single digits. Will she be able to survive when she steered her vote against her precinct’s best interests and will it cripple her and cause her to become a one term commissioner? Time will tell.
EL DEFENZOR WILL NOT BE BOTTLED UP BY THE TROJAN HORSE:
Those who speak out against them like the Editor-in-Chief of Defenzor get paid social calls to remind them that either take the carrot (money) or the stick (threats and intimidation). I say NEITHER. Many have accused El Defenzor of taking money for stories. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. The truth of the matter is that machines like the Solomonistas and the TROJAN HORSE do not respect alternative media and are shortsighted in their treatment of humble alternative media. The thinly veiled contempt is masked by the pittance they attempt to throw out for advertising dollars. The hypocrisy in the media is that no one questions the ABSOLUTE POWER that the EDC has over the Caller Times that even Hispanic leaders (Nancy Vera from LULAC) have been used by the Caller Times to endorse the paper. But remember that nothing gets published without the consent of a powerful EDC member who happens to be the publisher of the Caller Times! (Patrick Birmingham). When El Defenzor speaks the truth in blogs, radio, TV and the newspaper it is with a carrot or a stick that we are confronted: IF we take advertising dollars which are the lifeblood of any newspaper in this day and age we are accused falsely of being co-opted, if we refuse we are reactionary. El Defenzor will not bow down to these attacks, or threats or intimidation and if anything, will launch a full investigation on the Trojan Horse’s activities in the past, present and future.
HOMERO VILLARREAL
THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG: THE TROJAN HORSE
INVADES ROBSTOWN AND IS LAUNCHED FROM MCKENZIE ROAD
As election seasons go, this shall be one that will not only be memorable for the predicted turnout, but also for the history making event of an African-American and female candidate. Local elections shall be effected by the increased turn out and Texas is a key state in deciding who shall be the most powerful person in the world. Unfortunately, along with the positive and the exciting changes that develop during the political season, the self-serving and those that crave absolute power make themselves known. El Defenzor offers up this opinion-editorial as food for thought for the South Texas voters.
THE TROJAN HORSE OF ROBSTOWN: Whispers have turned into shouts of discontent as the Rendon-Shamsie machine has openly sought to usurp and control all of Robstown and the northwest side. The Hillary Clinton visit was a very clear example. Both Shamsie and Rendon orchestrated the event down Terry Shamsie Boulevard. A little girl from our humble neighborhood of Casablanca in Robstown excitedly and anxiously awaited Senator Clinton’s arrival in order to present her with flowers. This was not to be. According to eyewitnesses and the little girl’s family, in a blatantly political move, Shamsie and his group TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO BESTOW FLOWERS UPON SENATOR CLINTON WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM THE LITTLE GIRL so his daughter could present them to the Senator. Lencho Rendon, a once behind the scenes person for U.S. Congressman Solomon Ortiz, now is heavy handedly displaying his power and navigated the events, the media coverage and the access to the who, where and why of the Clinton visit(s).
Many in Robstown are beginning to piece together that the Clinton visit was used as a Trojan horse to begin to fully develop the seeds that have been planted during Terry Shamsies one and only term in office where his detractors indicate he was voted in as a Democrat and was clearly a ultra conservative Republican in the way he conducted business. In some areas he cut the Nueces County Budget to the bone and in other areas such as highway work to Dos Logistics and other choice contractors’ jobs were given liberally which has earned Shamsie not only a street named after him in Robstown, but also a new job as an accountant and “consultant” for the huge dollars such as the 20 million dollar school budget. Was Shamsie’s disappearance temporarily from political life a farce to gain even more power? No doubt that is why the Solomonistas, Rendon and Shamsie are lavishing support upon Peggy Banales. It is well-known that Banales awarded Robstown many Nueces County tax dollars over her own constituents on the west side of Corpus Christi and the Calallen area. Lest we not forget Shamsie resides down McKenzie road in Banales’ district and is whispered to have clandestine meetings there to launch the Trojan Horse. It is also known that Ruben Bonilla is angered by the votes that Banales gave on the port location and the large amount of money that Rendon and his newly minted company L.R. Global being managed by a close relative Joseph Ramirez, stand to make off the port business coming from Robstown.
WHERE IS THE MONEY INSIDE THE TROJAN HORSE GOING?
El Defenzor wishes to underline that much of this information is public knowledge and of public record if one only looks deep enough regarding the Trojan Horse. FOLLOW THE MONEY TRAIL. It would be naïve to think that those in power should not take care of their own, but to use a presidential candidate to push an agenda denigrates the political process and proves the theory that absolute power corrupts absolutely. The Trojan horse is not only through Hillary Clinton but also through Bill Clinton. The dollars are definitely flowing to the usual politiceras and their minions who are pushing hard for Hillary Clinton as the dollars flow. Former President Clinton is making yet another visit here in South Texas the day before the election. His visit again is theorized to be pushed by Lencho Rendon. In fact the Caller Times alluded to L.R. Global (Lencho Rendon) coordinating this effort. Many of the “old guard” in the Democratic party such as Jesse Soto of A Plus Printing have openly stated on TV that Hispanics “no vota por un negro” (won’t vote for a negro). Soto is a staunch Solomonista and Lencho Rendon supporter and is known and respected as a long-time politico but many were outraged and Connie Gutierrez on the Lopez family station KTMV was quick to water down Soto’s remark by saying it was experience not skin color was why she was supporting Hillary Clinton. Can we unring the bell? Still more troubling is that older Hispanics seem to be spewing out hate speech against Obama: An elderly Hispanic woman in Dallas echoed the same sentiment and stated that the one thing Obama had against him was that he was black! Are we as Hispanics, once the weakest minority, now being prejudice in turn as we have been discriminated against in the past? Is the oppressed now becoming the oppressor? Clearly, Senator Clinton has denounced these acts on TV but didn’t’ her husband the former president a month ago indicate that race was an issue? The Clinton camp would be wise to truly understand that those they have employed and are associated with have caused seeds of discontent in the Democratic party for years as well as those politiceras who have fractured that very party.
INTIMIDATION OF EL DEFENZOR AND SEEKING OF POWER OVER ROBSTOWN:
When the Defenzor brought out these issues on 104.9 and 93.5 FM on El Defenzor Radio a few days ago, an attempted intimidation tactic was used. Lencho Rendon through intermediaries from the school board and elsewhere used the “carrot and the stick” to attempt to bottle up El Defenzor Radio. All they accomplished was proving that once independent minded people in Robstown including a school board member are on the verge of succumbing to the Trojan horse and are in danger of selling their soul and becoming co-opted.
When individuals like Shamsie and Rendon do not share power or opportunity and attempt to intimidate or co-opt individuals in the Hispanic community, it only saddens me all the more. It reminds me that despite 50 years of struggle for equal rights, all we are doing is replacing one white patron for another. As you may recall, it was Vicente Carranza, a former media heavyweight, who pushed for Shamsie to be elected and “hispanicized” him and inoculated the community with Shamsie in 2001 and 2002. As our readers may also recall sadly and unfortunately, Carranza for years led the Hispanic vote on KUNO and later failed in his attempt to crossover to English media in the now defunct Air America led by ultraliberal John Kelley. Carranza heavily campaigned for Shamsie and remains loyal to him to this day. If asked today many would not even realize that Shamsie was a Muslim and was elected in a time (2002) when Muslims were being seen negatively in the media after 9-11. Shamsie played down his affiliation with Islam and played up his marriage to a popular Hispanic judge Nannette Hassette. He was also helped out by the then “Kingmaker” Rene Rodriguez. It is rumored that he stepped down from power because of Rene Rodiguez’ stepping out of the spotlight after his much publicized battle with Tony Canales and when the fellow Kingmaker Fil Vela went to the Republican party. Without the twin pillars of power he once had, Shamsie knew he had to step down. But now he has come back and is seeking not political but permanent power in Robstown riding shamelessly on the coattails of Lencho Rendon. Some would argue he is doing an impeccable job and has many favors owed to him by Robstown. The question remains how long will the people of Robstown and of Nueces County and all of South Texas stomach this vulgar display of power that has been unleashed through this Trojan horse?
THE POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE EDC AND RENDON/SHAMSIE
As the Trojan Horse is being used to further agendas in Robstown and parts in between, so has the power of the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation grown (EDC). Many know of the strong business interests at stake such as the publisher of the Caller Times, heavyweight businessman such as Dusty Durrill and Joe Fulton who have wielded power in South Texas for a long time. Many of the citizens in South Texas do not understand the absolute power that the EDC has in many factions and the disdain they have for the Rendon/Shamsie Trojan horse. It is whispered that the EDC may flex its muscle and usurp the fledgling power that is growing in the Trojan horse. Still others in the EDC and in the know indicate that because the Trojan Horse-Rendon/Shamsie’s powerbase comes from the Solomonistas they are doomed to make the same mistakes as their mentors who have never had a clear media force and have never been inclusive in their power. Their “clica” has always been very stingy with sharing power and has been too closeknit, whereas the EDC have welcomed Hispanics, blacks and business owners from all walks of life in its fold. Some argue that because of this openness the EDC has thrived and has its fingers in many economic pies and has become so powerful that those who challenge the EDC do so at their peril. Be it remember that the EDC finds its roots deep and well nourished from the days of the late and revered Hayden Head, Sr who was the quintessential “gringo patron” who’s power echoes to this day through the EDC and American Bank. From the port to the media the EDC has gained ultimate and conglomerated power in the last several years and has built an invisible steel mesh over all of South Texas that is unbreakable. Some see it as a new world order in South Texas and a microcosm of the military-industrial complex. It remains to be seen if the EDC shall scratch the Trojan horse that itches its hide.
HOW WILL THE TROJAN HORSE-EDC POWER STRUGGLE EFFECT THE ELECTIONS?
One thing is clear: The power struggle within the Democratic party is one in which the Trojan Horse-Shamsie/Rendon machine are attempting to dominate and exercise complete control and whatever power, however temporary they have, they will not share. The support they have for Hillary Clinton may be backfiring: One example is a man in Robstown who wished to remain anonymous who said: “If Shamsie and Rendon are pushing her I will vote for Obama. Look at the money being poured into those people, look at the consultants who are pushing her: The same people who give me a bad taste in my mouth about the Democratic party here and it reminds me of why the Democratic party is always fighting-because of those same people who are just looking to line their pockets and don’t give a damn about who is President or not”. Locally, many democrats are rejecting the past political set up where politiceros praised or blasted someone (depending on who was paying them) and are voting their conscience. Although the Obama turn out was not as packed as the Hillary turnout, there remains many who are confident that Obama will win. The Trojan Horse supported Peggy Banales over Rendon’s former aide de camp Joe Benavides who helped Solomon Ortiz could be a costly mistake. If we remember in the not so distant past, Rendon backed Pete Alvarez in a race which led to humiliation for Rendon and the daughter of Solomon Ortiz when Alvarez endorsed a republican after losing.
Now Rendon and his close relative Joseph Ramirez back Banales over Joe Benavides. Will their help and the close affinity to the Robstown deals affect Banales’ campaign negatively? As her campaign has been rocked by question after question of why she 1) voted for measures such as having taxpayers give her husband Judge Banales an extra $140,000.00 office, 2) why she voted for measures to enrich Robstown’s economic development and helping commissioner Oscar Ortiz and 3) why she voted for nothing but projects in Robstown when her own constituents economic development in Tulosa, Calallen, Annaville and the west side grew less than single digits. Will she be able to survive when she steered her vote against her precinct’s best interests and will it cripple her and cause her to become a one term commissioner? Time will tell.
EL DEFENZOR WILL NOT BE BOTTLED UP BY THE TROJAN HORSE:
Those who speak out against them like the Editor-in-Chief of Defenzor get paid social calls to remind them that either take the carrot (money) or the stick (threats and intimidation). I say NEITHER. Many have accused El Defenzor of taking money for stories. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. The truth of the matter is that machines like the Solomonistas and the TROJAN HORSE do not respect alternative media and are shortsighted in their treatment of humble alternative media. The thinly veiled contempt is masked by the pittance they attempt to throw out for advertising dollars. The hypocrisy in the media is that no one questions the ABSOLUTE POWER that the EDC has over the Caller Times that even Hispanic leaders (Nancy Vera from LULAC) have been used by the Caller Times to endorse the paper. But remember that nothing gets published without the consent of a powerful EDC member who happens to be the publisher of the Caller Times! (Patrick Birmingham). When El Defenzor speaks the truth in blogs, radio, TV and the newspaper it is with a carrot or a stick that we are confronted: IF we take advertising dollars which are the lifeblood of any newspaper in this day and age we are accused falsely of being co-opted, if we refuse we are reactionary. El Defenzor will not bow down to these attacks, or threats or intimidation and if anything, will launch a full investigation on the Trojan Horse’s activities in the past, present and future.
HOMERO VILLARREAL
Monday, February 25, 2008
EL DEFENZOR ELECTION DAY ARTICLE: REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION
POLITICS HEATING UP IN SOUTH TEXAS- PRIMARY MARCH 4, 2008:
An Analysis by Homero Villarreal
THE WOES IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY:Over the last few weeks it has been increasingly clear that the events of the last few months have affected the political currents in the sea of trouble we know as South Texas politics. The push by Republicans to overrun the Democratic controlled Coastal Bend is not a new political theory. The Defenzor was first to bring out the political genius of Filemon B. Vela, Jr. His Machiavellian style at politics raised the hackles of many in the Democratic party but also caused a paradigm shift in the thinking of those individuals in the Hispanic community who would argue that the Democratic party itself has not been effective. Democrats have voiced their displeasure over the ineffectiveness (some would say deliberate of Alex Garcia as Democratic chair that has created vulnerability to Republican overrun and therefore multiple candidates have placed their name on the ballot to run). Some believe that Vela is acting only for political gain and for power but the intelligence and constant pressure that he has exhibited in the local, state and national level certainly belies the theory that it is “one man acting alone”. Vela is reportedly spending his time split between South Texas and Washington, D.C. As the Defenzor reported it was he that is backing Connie Scott in her race against Abel Herrero. Scott is reportedly a major player in tort reform and her husband has very close ties with U.S. Senator John Cornyn.
MAURICIO CELIS FACTOR: Another development since October of 2007 which has caused an upheaval in the Democratic party is the indictment of Mauricio Celis. As the Defenzor has argued on television shows such as South Texas Crossfire and on Attorney Mark DiCarlo’s show Voices of the Coastal Bend on the Access Channel, we firmly believe that Celis has become a target for the ultraconservative and extreme factions of the Republican party who will stop at nothing to prevent heavy campaign donors from aiding the Democratic party. Regardless of the merit of any civil suits the Defenzor has made the argument that the criminal charges for Celis are entrenched in the purpose of humiliating, dehumanizing and taken the power of one of the most powerful and generous contributors to the Democratic party away. It is a very methodical game plan in that if you target someone like Celis you will also affect those who he gave campaign contributions too. We make no comment on the validity or the right and wrong of the charges leveled against him but we do bring out the fact that politics has much to do with who is prosecuted and who is not in the Coastal Bend by Carlos Valdez.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF NUECES COUNTY CARLOS VALDEZ: Defenzor Radio on FM 93.5 at 1pm weekdays has the last few months brought about awareness that many who have been indicted or who have been prosecuted were at the discretion of Carlos Valdez. Valdez is best known for his prosecution of the Yolanda Saldivar who was convicted of killing the Tejano icon Selena in 1995. Valdez has held his post and his political powerbase (along with his “court” at Garibaldi’s restaurant here in Corpus Christi) much in part due to the prosecutions which he has made that some whisper are often politically motivated. One of which was the questionable prosecution and revival of charges of a certain dance instructor a few months ago who stood in the way of one of his crony’s land deal. Valdez has been D.A. well into his second decade and many question why he has been unopposed for so long. Some would argue that is a reign instead of a political seat. Valdez walks a tightrope with the Mauricio Celis case where if he wins he will gain more political power and will vanquish an opponent where there is no love lost in Tony Canales. Many believe that Celis’ choice of attorney’s may affect the state prosecution of the case and his original choice of Rene Rodriguez and Ron Barossa would have made the criminal charges go away with a slap on the wrist. Still others believe that the hardnosed style and trial abilities of Tony Canales will carry the day. The net effect is that Celis has become a political target and political football in an election year where votes and crossover votes from the Democratic and Republican sides of the aisle matter.
ORTIZ, JR., HERRERO AND GARCIA: THE THREE AMIGOS: All three state representatives have pulled opponents and both Ortiz and Herrero have been mobilizing for attacks. The Defenzor has heard concerns by Hispanic voters who claim to have saved Juan Garcia in his struggle to achieve victory over Gene Seamen of not “working in our interests and not being seen around”. It is whispered that he may be considered for a federal cabinet position if his good friend and law schoolmate Barack Obama wins the presidential election and this may or may not have distracted Mr. Garcia. One thing is clear, in Todd Hunter, the former representative of district 32, there is no easy win. Hunter is reaching out to both sides of the aisle and has been seen in the company of ultraliberal John Kelley at reportedly highbrow establishments such as the Town Club here in Corpus Christi. Such alliances could pull liberal and socialist leaning voters over to Hunter but that is unlikely and may lead to confusion in the Democratic party and resentment for Kelley openly associating with Republicans such as Hunter over Juan Garcia.
GREENWELL: In the judge races the sole Republican District Judge Tom Greenwell is in a political minefield. Greenwell is embroiled in the Celis case and though he withdrew himself twice for presiding over the case and it was he who allowed the search and seizure as Tony Canales called it. Greenwell held that the warrant was valid despite Canales’ arguments that it was a “fishing expedition” by the Attorney General and Carlos Valdez. As readers will recall Greenwell was elected over Marty Huerta and rode the tide of Proposition 12 by the doctors to reform medical malpractice lawsuits and has been on the bench for nearly 6 years. Other district judges are facing or shall face more Republican candidates like Greenwell according to Republican sources.
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RACE NUECES COUNTY PRECINCT ONE: JOE BENAVIDES VS PEGGY BANALES: Things are heating up and this is the race to watch. In a surprising announcement the Caller Times endorsed Joe Benavides over Peggy Banales for Precinct 1 County Commissioner in Nueces County. Banales has been attacked for giving herself a 12.5 percent raise while the county employees received marginal raises. It is also rumored she voted to give her husband Manuel Banales an additional office at the taxpayers expense in excess of $140,000.00 which has enraged many. It is also reported that she backed moves for huge and profitable enterprises in Robstown, Texas over her own Precinct on the west side of Corpus Christi and in northwest Corpus Christi. It is rumored that although Councilman Bill Kelley did not run against her this time and (in 2004 he lost by less than 150 votes against her) he supports Joe Benavides. Joe Benavides a retired marine and presently a teacher with at-risk kids at the Adult Learning Center seeks to unseat her and basks in the Caller Times favor. Benavides has pushed for transparent government and vows to refuse a raise for 8 years and in a powerful and symbolic gesture has vowed to remove the screws and bolts from the door of the Commissioner’s office to maintain an open door policy. Benavides ran in 2004 and finished 4th in the race that won the election for Peggy Banales. Reportedly on the blogs such Real South Texas Politics, Banales supporters including the Rendons and former one term County Judge Terry Shamsie are reportedly getting worried about Benavides and may launch an all out negative attack on retired marine Joe Benavides. Rumors are not confirmed that Solomon Ortiz Jr and Sr. supporters such as the Rendons are openly supporting Banales although Joe Benavides helped the Congressman since 2000 on all of his campaigns. This support may be another mistake in the Solomonista camp as was done in the support of Pete Alvarez in the Sherriff’s race which led to embarrassment for Rendon and the Ortiz clan when Alvarez turned Republican. Solomon Ortiz, Jr. is reportedly being groomed for congressman and the only threat to his inheriting the throne is Juan Garcia who may have higher aspirations. Meanwhile, it is known that “Solly” has a war chest of hundreds of thousands of dollars and more coming if the Republican opponent in November 2008 gains traction. Clips of Joe Benavides are on youtube.com and have interviews of him also sharing that both of his sons are or have been deployed to Iraq and that he is a disabled Veteran which may bring the military vote his way as well as those he see Peggy Banales as selling them out to Robstown.
JIM WELLS COUNTY: The District Attorney and District Judge Races are ones to watch since the national attention on Jim Wells county. The Mayor of Alice has resigned which aids the Mayor Pro Tem, Juan Rodriguez, in perhaps seeking higher office of Justice of the Peace against Lupe Martinez. David Towler contends in the Alice Echo that Terrell the seated district Judge has ruled unfairly against many plaintiff attorneys in this venue but many attorneys have been split on their support other than Gray Scoggins and Bobby Bourlon who are openly supporting David Towler the opponent of the seated judge and have voiced frustration against Judge Terrell and rage against his rulings. Terrell won several years ago and was also former city attorney of Alice as well as District Attorney and is well known in South Texas. A reported “wait and see approach” is being taken in a venue where court decisions in a civil or criminal case often make state and national news. Joe Frank Garza the District Attorney is also facing the democratic opponent in the primary Armando Barrera. Barrera and his brother reportedly are political enemies of both Joe Frank Garza and incumbent Judge Richard Terrell and supported Edie Gonzalez Lemon the present judge of the municipal court against Terrell years ago. These races and the politics in Alice are never boring. Stay tuned on the El Defenzor radio and right here on El Defenzor newspaper.
Mikal Watts: Recently Mikal Watts came out openly that he was on Mauricio Celis side and that what Celis did was legally correct. In an article by the Caller Times in February 2008 Watts reaffirmed that he dropped out of the senatorial race and gave up on his exploratory committee because of family, not because of Celis. Many analysts have voiced opinions that Watts is attempted to minimize exposure to Celis and at the same time insulating himself. He was quoted as saying that very little of his business came from Celis and that he plans to run as soon as his youngest child finishes high school. It remains to be seen how his position will change the Republican party’s stance or the Attorney General’s opinion on Celis. In the balance many think that Celis having Watts on his side is a plus and it underlines that the criminal charges and attacks by Thomas J. Henry are groundless.
Celis vs Henry: Back in October of 2007 it was Henry in an unprecedented attack on Mauricio Celis who stated that “Celis had no law license anywhere in the world” and attacked the CGT law firm Celis was managing as soliciting cases. The Defenzor has since learned that Henry had to water down his commercial and in fact still ran it despite it being deemed unacceptable by the Texas Bar association. From that commercial Henry reported obtained one client: Paloma Steele. The Defenzor has uncovered that Steele in fact may have had a grievance against Henry at one point and that in Celis’ point of view Henry by using a commercial held invalid by the Bar Association of Texas also violated solicitation rules and that any fees Henry may obtain from the Steele case should ironically be disgorged as well! Henry also reportedly had an altercation with attorney Bobby Bourlon in Alice when one of his underling attorneys solicited a case from Bourlon of his own cousin by marriage knowing that Bourlon represented the man! Bourlon was not reached for comment to further elaborate on this development but only shows that some attorneys may argue that if you throw rocks some boulders may come at you if you live in a glasshouse. Defenzor has previously reported also that a direct quote from Henry was that the only thing criminally that Celis ever did wrong was “try to legitimize himself by giving money to politicians and in this case were Democrats.”
THE UPCOMING PRIMARIES shall be very interesting for the local voters who must decide on national elections and on local races that are overshadowed by the Celis case, attorneys and nonattorneys warring on each other and certain factions of the Republican party who are vowing to unseat Democrats at every turn. How will Filemon Vela play his cards? Will he wait until the general election to flex his political muscle or will he do so now and will he remain a purist in the Republican party? Will Carlos Valdez work a deal, try the case or lose against Tony Canales in the Celis case? Will Jim Kaelin, the sheriff suffer serious competition from his Democratic opponents and is it true that he himself tried to make his opponent young Flores back off? And will a retired marine defeat the wife of a powerful judge in the County Commissioner’s race? The Defenzor shall be watching and waiting.
Meanwhile stay tuned to 93.5 FM-Defenzor Radio weekdays at 1pm and see my interview on youtube.com on my opinions the media and the Celis case.
I Remain Your Humble Editor-In-Chief,
Homero Villarreal
An Analysis by Homero Villarreal
THE WOES IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY:Over the last few weeks it has been increasingly clear that the events of the last few months have affected the political currents in the sea of trouble we know as South Texas politics. The push by Republicans to overrun the Democratic controlled Coastal Bend is not a new political theory. The Defenzor was first to bring out the political genius of Filemon B. Vela, Jr. His Machiavellian style at politics raised the hackles of many in the Democratic party but also caused a paradigm shift in the thinking of those individuals in the Hispanic community who would argue that the Democratic party itself has not been effective. Democrats have voiced their displeasure over the ineffectiveness (some would say deliberate of Alex Garcia as Democratic chair that has created vulnerability to Republican overrun and therefore multiple candidates have placed their name on the ballot to run). Some believe that Vela is acting only for political gain and for power but the intelligence and constant pressure that he has exhibited in the local, state and national level certainly belies the theory that it is “one man acting alone”. Vela is reportedly spending his time split between South Texas and Washington, D.C. As the Defenzor reported it was he that is backing Connie Scott in her race against Abel Herrero. Scott is reportedly a major player in tort reform and her husband has very close ties with U.S. Senator John Cornyn.
MAURICIO CELIS FACTOR: Another development since October of 2007 which has caused an upheaval in the Democratic party is the indictment of Mauricio Celis. As the Defenzor has argued on television shows such as South Texas Crossfire and on Attorney Mark DiCarlo’s show Voices of the Coastal Bend on the Access Channel, we firmly believe that Celis has become a target for the ultraconservative and extreme factions of the Republican party who will stop at nothing to prevent heavy campaign donors from aiding the Democratic party. Regardless of the merit of any civil suits the Defenzor has made the argument that the criminal charges for Celis are entrenched in the purpose of humiliating, dehumanizing and taken the power of one of the most powerful and generous contributors to the Democratic party away. It is a very methodical game plan in that if you target someone like Celis you will also affect those who he gave campaign contributions too. We make no comment on the validity or the right and wrong of the charges leveled against him but we do bring out the fact that politics has much to do with who is prosecuted and who is not in the Coastal Bend by Carlos Valdez.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF NUECES COUNTY CARLOS VALDEZ: Defenzor Radio on FM 93.5 at 1pm weekdays has the last few months brought about awareness that many who have been indicted or who have been prosecuted were at the discretion of Carlos Valdez. Valdez is best known for his prosecution of the Yolanda Saldivar who was convicted of killing the Tejano icon Selena in 1995. Valdez has held his post and his political powerbase (along with his “court” at Garibaldi’s restaurant here in Corpus Christi) much in part due to the prosecutions which he has made that some whisper are often politically motivated. One of which was the questionable prosecution and revival of charges of a certain dance instructor a few months ago who stood in the way of one of his crony’s land deal. Valdez has been D.A. well into his second decade and many question why he has been unopposed for so long. Some would argue that is a reign instead of a political seat. Valdez walks a tightrope with the Mauricio Celis case where if he wins he will gain more political power and will vanquish an opponent where there is no love lost in Tony Canales. Many believe that Celis’ choice of attorney’s may affect the state prosecution of the case and his original choice of Rene Rodriguez and Ron Barossa would have made the criminal charges go away with a slap on the wrist. Still others believe that the hardnosed style and trial abilities of Tony Canales will carry the day. The net effect is that Celis has become a political target and political football in an election year where votes and crossover votes from the Democratic and Republican sides of the aisle matter.
ORTIZ, JR., HERRERO AND GARCIA: THE THREE AMIGOS: All three state representatives have pulled opponents and both Ortiz and Herrero have been mobilizing for attacks. The Defenzor has heard concerns by Hispanic voters who claim to have saved Juan Garcia in his struggle to achieve victory over Gene Seamen of not “working in our interests and not being seen around”. It is whispered that he may be considered for a federal cabinet position if his good friend and law schoolmate Barack Obama wins the presidential election and this may or may not have distracted Mr. Garcia. One thing is clear, in Todd Hunter, the former representative of district 32, there is no easy win. Hunter is reaching out to both sides of the aisle and has been seen in the company of ultraliberal John Kelley at reportedly highbrow establishments such as the Town Club here in Corpus Christi. Such alliances could pull liberal and socialist leaning voters over to Hunter but that is unlikely and may lead to confusion in the Democratic party and resentment for Kelley openly associating with Republicans such as Hunter over Juan Garcia.
GREENWELL: In the judge races the sole Republican District Judge Tom Greenwell is in a political minefield. Greenwell is embroiled in the Celis case and though he withdrew himself twice for presiding over the case and it was he who allowed the search and seizure as Tony Canales called it. Greenwell held that the warrant was valid despite Canales’ arguments that it was a “fishing expedition” by the Attorney General and Carlos Valdez. As readers will recall Greenwell was elected over Marty Huerta and rode the tide of Proposition 12 by the doctors to reform medical malpractice lawsuits and has been on the bench for nearly 6 years. Other district judges are facing or shall face more Republican candidates like Greenwell according to Republican sources.
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RACE NUECES COUNTY PRECINCT ONE: JOE BENAVIDES VS PEGGY BANALES: Things are heating up and this is the race to watch. In a surprising announcement the Caller Times endorsed Joe Benavides over Peggy Banales for Precinct 1 County Commissioner in Nueces County. Banales has been attacked for giving herself a 12.5 percent raise while the county employees received marginal raises. It is also rumored she voted to give her husband Manuel Banales an additional office at the taxpayers expense in excess of $140,000.00 which has enraged many. It is also reported that she backed moves for huge and profitable enterprises in Robstown, Texas over her own Precinct on the west side of Corpus Christi and in northwest Corpus Christi. It is rumored that although Councilman Bill Kelley did not run against her this time and (in 2004 he lost by less than 150 votes against her) he supports Joe Benavides. Joe Benavides a retired marine and presently a teacher with at-risk kids at the Adult Learning Center seeks to unseat her and basks in the Caller Times favor. Benavides has pushed for transparent government and vows to refuse a raise for 8 years and in a powerful and symbolic gesture has vowed to remove the screws and bolts from the door of the Commissioner’s office to maintain an open door policy. Benavides ran in 2004 and finished 4th in the race that won the election for Peggy Banales. Reportedly on the blogs such Real South Texas Politics, Banales supporters including the Rendons and former one term County Judge Terry Shamsie are reportedly getting worried about Benavides and may launch an all out negative attack on retired marine Joe Benavides. Rumors are not confirmed that Solomon Ortiz Jr and Sr. supporters such as the Rendons are openly supporting Banales although Joe Benavides helped the Congressman since 2000 on all of his campaigns. This support may be another mistake in the Solomonista camp as was done in the support of Pete Alvarez in the Sherriff’s race which led to embarrassment for Rendon and the Ortiz clan when Alvarez turned Republican. Solomon Ortiz, Jr. is reportedly being groomed for congressman and the only threat to his inheriting the throne is Juan Garcia who may have higher aspirations. Meanwhile, it is known that “Solly” has a war chest of hundreds of thousands of dollars and more coming if the Republican opponent in November 2008 gains traction. Clips of Joe Benavides are on youtube.com and have interviews of him also sharing that both of his sons are or have been deployed to Iraq and that he is a disabled Veteran which may bring the military vote his way as well as those he see Peggy Banales as selling them out to Robstown.
JIM WELLS COUNTY: The District Attorney and District Judge Races are ones to watch since the national attention on Jim Wells county. The Mayor of Alice has resigned which aids the Mayor Pro Tem, Juan Rodriguez, in perhaps seeking higher office of Justice of the Peace against Lupe Martinez. David Towler contends in the Alice Echo that Terrell the seated district Judge has ruled unfairly against many plaintiff attorneys in this venue but many attorneys have been split on their support other than Gray Scoggins and Bobby Bourlon who are openly supporting David Towler the opponent of the seated judge and have voiced frustration against Judge Terrell and rage against his rulings. Terrell won several years ago and was also former city attorney of Alice as well as District Attorney and is well known in South Texas. A reported “wait and see approach” is being taken in a venue where court decisions in a civil or criminal case often make state and national news. Joe Frank Garza the District Attorney is also facing the democratic opponent in the primary Armando Barrera. Barrera and his brother reportedly are political enemies of both Joe Frank Garza and incumbent Judge Richard Terrell and supported Edie Gonzalez Lemon the present judge of the municipal court against Terrell years ago. These races and the politics in Alice are never boring. Stay tuned on the El Defenzor radio and right here on El Defenzor newspaper.
Mikal Watts: Recently Mikal Watts came out openly that he was on Mauricio Celis side and that what Celis did was legally correct. In an article by the Caller Times in February 2008 Watts reaffirmed that he dropped out of the senatorial race and gave up on his exploratory committee because of family, not because of Celis. Many analysts have voiced opinions that Watts is attempted to minimize exposure to Celis and at the same time insulating himself. He was quoted as saying that very little of his business came from Celis and that he plans to run as soon as his youngest child finishes high school. It remains to be seen how his position will change the Republican party’s stance or the Attorney General’s opinion on Celis. In the balance many think that Celis having Watts on his side is a plus and it underlines that the criminal charges and attacks by Thomas J. Henry are groundless.
Celis vs Henry: Back in October of 2007 it was Henry in an unprecedented attack on Mauricio Celis who stated that “Celis had no law license anywhere in the world” and attacked the CGT law firm Celis was managing as soliciting cases. The Defenzor has since learned that Henry had to water down his commercial and in fact still ran it despite it being deemed unacceptable by the Texas Bar association. From that commercial Henry reported obtained one client: Paloma Steele. The Defenzor has uncovered that Steele in fact may have had a grievance against Henry at one point and that in Celis’ point of view Henry by using a commercial held invalid by the Bar Association of Texas also violated solicitation rules and that any fees Henry may obtain from the Steele case should ironically be disgorged as well! Henry also reportedly had an altercation with attorney Bobby Bourlon in Alice when one of his underling attorneys solicited a case from Bourlon of his own cousin by marriage knowing that Bourlon represented the man! Bourlon was not reached for comment to further elaborate on this development but only shows that some attorneys may argue that if you throw rocks some boulders may come at you if you live in a glasshouse. Defenzor has previously reported also that a direct quote from Henry was that the only thing criminally that Celis ever did wrong was “try to legitimize himself by giving money to politicians and in this case were Democrats.”
THE UPCOMING PRIMARIES shall be very interesting for the local voters who must decide on national elections and on local races that are overshadowed by the Celis case, attorneys and nonattorneys warring on each other and certain factions of the Republican party who are vowing to unseat Democrats at every turn. How will Filemon Vela play his cards? Will he wait until the general election to flex his political muscle or will he do so now and will he remain a purist in the Republican party? Will Carlos Valdez work a deal, try the case or lose against Tony Canales in the Celis case? Will Jim Kaelin, the sheriff suffer serious competition from his Democratic opponents and is it true that he himself tried to make his opponent young Flores back off? And will a retired marine defeat the wife of a powerful judge in the County Commissioner’s race? The Defenzor shall be watching and waiting.
Meanwhile stay tuned to 93.5 FM-Defenzor Radio weekdays at 1pm and see my interview on youtube.com on my opinions the media and the Celis case.
I Remain Your Humble Editor-In-Chief,
Homero Villarreal
Sunday, February 17, 2008
OBAMA OR HILLARY? ANONYMOUS BUTTON ON SO SAY ANYTHING YOU WANT
WHAT ABOUT IT? Obama or Hillary? And please don't feel you have to be politically correct. This is REAL SOUTH TEXAS POLITICS. I hear Hispanics are saying they won't vote black and that a white woman may fall against McCain. Feedback people. Let's get down to it: Are Hispanics paranoid about him being a former or present Muslim? Is Hillary a lesbian? Feedback....Use anonymous buttons please. They are on for the next 240 hours. WAS HILLARY EXPLOITING ROBSTOWN? Is Ted Kennedy and his family split on Obama and Hillary the kiss of death?
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Carlos Valdez Favoritism
In a latest rumor of favoritism Roland Garza SHOCKJOCK is busted again for cocaine and the congressman Ortiz is trying to intercede with Carlos Valdez? Why didn't the congressman stick up for Celis and get that dismissed! Let's talk about Carlos Valdez sense of fairness on prosecution. The dance instructor who allegedly was a molester stood in the way of a land deal of one of Valdez' cronies from the Garibaldi breakfast club. Let's talk about it. Write a book about that Carlos, not on Selena.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
JOE BENAVIDES WEB SITE. IMPRESSIVE. WIN JOE. WIN. WE ARE ALL BACKING YOU AGAINST PAYCHECK PEGGY.
STAY POSITIVE JOE A LITTLE LONGER. SHE IS GOING NEGATIVE. RELEASE THE BIG GUNS HERE PRETTY QUICK.
HERE'S JOE'S CAMPAIGN WEB SITE:
CLICK ON THIS:
http://www.joebenavidescc.com/
HERE'S JOE'S CAMPAIGN WEB SITE:
CLICK ON THIS:
http://www.joebenavidescc.com/
Joe Benavides: Peggy supporters going very, very negative. They are scared. Good sign Joe Benavides!.
Rumor has it they are supporting Peggy Banales and she is is really slipping. For the Caller to cross Maximum Manuel she must be in trouble. Joe has a shot. Go get them Joe! All vets are behind you and your sons in Iraq are as brave as you are. time for transparent government.
Monday, February 4, 2008
JOE BENAVIDES FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER
In a crazy turn of events Joe Benavides has gotten the endorsement of the Caller Times. Whoa! Benavides on the caller times video deal vowed to not give himself a raise, will do more for kids and will take care of Annaville and Calallen. Recently on Danny Jr's show Peggy was asked that if she represented the west side, Calallen and Annaville why she was voting to have her constituents pay for 4H and the Showbarn? Answer:....(Deer in the headlights). Debates start Friday. People are getting worried. Benavides has her on the ropes. Maximum Manuel better step up. The word is Bill Kelly out there is supporting Joe as well as Joe from Greenwood doors and other players in the game. It will be interesting. Supporters of Peggy include former Judge Shamsie and I hear that the Solomonistas are backing her despite Joe Benavides working on the congressman's campaign. Damn shame. Guess the Solomonistas have a helluva a short memory. Rumor is one prominent judge walked out of a meeting where little Solly Jr. was telling everyone to support Peggy. Ouch. That's gratitude for you.
A.P.
A.P.
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