This week’s season finale of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker tackles, in their own way, extremist views about minorities in America. The general premise of the episode is that the local water park, Pipi’s Splash Town, is no longer what it seems, it has been “taken over” by minorities.

Cartman is clearly disturbed and bemoans how there are too many “Mexicans” and other minority groups at “his” water park. In South Park fashion, Cartman breaks out into a song, “Not My Water Park.”

Posted in Nativism, Prejudices, Racism, Xenophobia | | functional 1 Comment »

Victory for people power. Under tremendous pressure from the Basta Dobbs and Drop Dobbs Campaigns, CNN’s Lou Dobbs resigned from CNN.

Never again do we have to hear Lou Dobbs anti-immigrant vitriol. Last night, Dobbs told viewers during his 7pm show, Lou Dobbs Tonight, that he was resigning immediately, saying that “some leaders in media, politics and business have been urging me to go beyond the role here at CNN and to engage in positive problem-solving, as well as to contribute positively to the great understanding of the issues of our day.”

Yes, Lou I do not deny I took part in the Basta Dobbs campaign. If your immediate departure was due to my involvement, then I am not ashamed of it as you are not ashamed spewing your venomous anti-immigration diatribe night after night.

There won’t be analytical analysis why his departure today because there is no need to repeat what has been said here and on other blogs and editorials. I know this won’t be the last time I will see him on air. And you can bet he will be on Fox News very soon. So for right now, I celebrate this victory by saying Na na na, hey hey, goodbye.

I like to thank Roberto Lovato of Of America and co-founder of Presente.org for involving me in the Basta Dobbs campaign.

Posted in Immigration, activism | | functional 3 Comments »

Reporting for the Big Bend Sentinel, Sterry Butcher reported on the US Department of Homeland Security’s new mass deportation program taking place in Presidio, Texas.

On Nov 1, Homeland Security and Border Patrol began transferring 94 undocumented men a day from Tucson, AZ Sector to Presidio under the guise of cracking down on human smuggling. The Alien Transfer and Exit Program (ATEP) is an effort by Border Patrol to disrupt human smuggling in the Tucson Sector. The program will bus Mexican men ages 20 to 60 from Arizona to Presidio and force them to cross the Presidio–Ojinaga International Bridge to Ojinaga, Chihuahua by foot, where they may find temporary shelter. So far nearly 700 Mexican detainees have been dropped off at the in Presidio, TX.

Talking about the program, Marfa Sector Chief Patrol Agent John Smeitana said:

“This is designed to break the smuggling cycle between the smugglers and the aliens who pay them,” he said. “It will continue until we break the cycle.”

However, not everybody is pleased with the program. Both Gov. Rick Perry and the Mexican Government have problems with this program and are urging the federal government to stop it.

In a letter sent to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Perry said,

“….turning the Presidio area into a way station for illegal immigrants adds responsibility to local authorities and holds the potential of increasing the strain on local and state infrastructure and resources.”

“This plan will increase the likelihood that these individuals will immediately cross back into Texas, which is already bearing an uneven burden in dealing with immigration and border security issues along the Texas-Mexico border.”

Before Border Patrol’s repatriation plan began, Mexican officials had expressed their concern, but were ignored. Critics of the program worried that the detainees may stay in Ojinaga, Chihuahua, Presidio’s Mexican sister city, without a place to stay.

“Mexican authorities through my embassy in Washington, D.C. have been trying to negotiate,” the Mexican Consul in Presidio Hector Raul Acosta Flores told the Sentinel. “We were not agreeing that repatriation take place through this port of exit due to the conditions of the region on both sides of the border. Nevertheless, they’ve started the program. And we have to coordinate for the benefit of our nationals and provide them with assistance.”

Luckily, the Mexican government have stepped in by providing the immigrants with bus tickets to their home of origin. The bus company Transportes Chihuahuenses is offering a 50 percent discount for the detainee program.

The economic crisis has preempted any immigration reform that regularizes the status of unauthorized immigrants. Nevertheless, immigrants continue to be a principal target of the government’s long-running wars on crime and drugs. Rather than echoing the ideological restrictionist of the right, the Obama administration and Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano has finessed the existing system by arguing it is simply upholding the “rule of law” by consistently enforcing immigration statutes and securing the border.

The rule of law that now exists is a tangible set of policies created and implemented by DHS, to which undocumented immigrants are expected to conform. Masked in the neutral, apolitical rhetoric, programs like ATEP become a tool to achieve a means to an end.

Removing “criminal aliens” from America’s streets has become a new priority. This year, President Obama’s requested 2010 budget includes $1.4 billion for collaborative programs to deport “criminal aliens.” But in the hunt for criminal aliens DHS has not only increasingly stretched the definition of crime but arrested more “collateral” immigrants than those categorized as criminals.

There is no doubt that the United States has the right to control who enters its borders and who becomes a citizen. However, these programs have put a huge strain on impoverished immigrants, which have result in more deaths. In a recent ACLU report, “Humanitarian Crisis: Migrant Deaths at the U.S.-Mexico Border,” more than 5,000 people have died since Operation Gatekeeper began in 1994 pushing immigrants into more rural and dangerous border crossings.

Posted in Deportation, Immigration, borders | | functional 1 Comment »

There is something about running for public office. Like a game of chess, its all about trying to outsmart your competitor based on his or her moves. Since both parties are placing a priority on nominating candidates who can beat the other’s nominee, activists in each party are likely to base their decisions on what the other party seems to be doing.

In my last post, I mentioned that Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison decided to delay her resignation from the Senate as she pursues her gubernatorial campaign against incumbent Gov Rick Perry in the Republican Primary.

When Senator Hutchison formally announced that she was a Republican candidate for Governor of Texas, she said she would resign from her Senate post in October or November. She later decided to delay her resignation until after the health care vote. For right now, all would-be candidates are forced to watch and wait.

What does this mean for Texas and why does it matter. It matters a lot. Political junkies note that her resignation would could set off a political chain reaction that could affect the Republican strong hold regarding statewide offices.

Background Information
If Hutchinson were to resign, Gov. Perry would name an interim senator and then call a special election to fill Hutchison’s term through 2012. The date Hutchinson resigns plays a factor on the date and mechanics of actually filing for office. Usually, there is a 30 day period during which a candidate must file for office in order to have their name on the ballot. For next year’s Democratic or Republican Primary ballot, a candidate must file for office between December 3, 2009 and January 4, 2010.

Since her announcement, several candidates have stated their interest for Hutchison’s seat.Democrats in the race are Houston Mayor Bill White and Former state Comptroller John Sharp.

On the Republican side, it is a different story. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams are considered leading contenders for the appointment. However, other Republicans interested in Hutchison’s seat are former Secretary of State Roger Williams, Texas Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones and state Sen. Florence Shapiro.

Will She or Won’t She
Her wait and see strategy is beginning to frustrate members in her party because they are frozen in place by her non-decision. So what is her strategy?

Before Senator Hutchison officially announced her intentions to run, Texas’ junior US Senator John Cornyn made it known that she not resign her seat. As chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), the political committee dedicated to electing Republicans to the US Senate, Sen Cornyn will have his hands full next year as the NRSC will try to hold onto six seats now held by retiring Republicans.

In July, responding to Senator Hutchison announcement to step down, Sen Cornyn told POLITICO: “I’m not in a position to influence her decision as to time. All I’m in a position to do is to try to do everything that we can to hold onto that seat.”

It is not hard to see that Sen. Hutchison’s strategy is to make sure it is a win-win for her and the GOP. Current election laws in Texas allow her to do so.

In Texas, certain officials are required to resign their post before running for another office. However, Article XVI, Section 65 of the Texas Constitution does not require state and federal legislature to resign their current seat in conjunction with the filing of an application for a place on the ballot. The “resign to run” rule reads:

This section applies to the following offices: District Clerks; County Clerks; County Judges; Judges of County Courts at Law, County Criminal Courts, County Probate Courts and County Domestic Relations Courts; County Treasurers; Criminal District Attorneys; County Surveyors; Inspectors of Hides and Animals; County Commissioners; Justices of the Peace; Sheriffs; Assessors and Collectors of Taxes; District Attorneys; County Attorneys; Public Weighers; and Constables.

Earlier in the year, Attorney General Greg Abbott answered a question submitted by state Rep. Leo Berman, which he wanted to know whether a legislature is required to resign their position after announcing their candidacy for Governor. In response to Rep. Berman’s question, Attorney General Abbott ruled that a “legislator is not required to resign from office upon announcing his or her candidacy for Governor.”

Multiple provisions within the Texas Constitution restrict certain officials from running for one elected office while serving a term in another office. For example, no person holding a “lucrative office” in state or federal government or in a foreign government is eligible for the Legislature during the term for which that person is elected or appointed. Tex. Const. art. III, § 19. Similarly, certain district and county officials, upon announcing their candidacy for any other office, must resign the current office held. Tex. Const. art. XVI, § 65(b). However, we find no constitutional or statutory authority that prohibits a legislator from running for Governor while continuing to serve as a legislator.

It is important to remember that prior to being elected to the Senate, John Cornyn was the Texas Attorney General. Therefore, he is well versed in Texas’ election laws and it would not surprise me if Sen. Cornyn, as head of the NRSC, is playing an important part in Hutchison’s decision to be coy in setting a date to resign her seat.

It is amusing to see the local media around the state trying to speculate what Kay Bailey Hutchison reasoning for being so coy. There really is no reason for her to resign. If she were to lose in the Primary, its not like she will be out of office, she will still keep her Senate seat. Even if she were to win the primary, she is not obligated to resign. Article XVI, Section 65 of the Texas Constitution allows her to remain office until the Nov election. Its a win-win situation for her and the GOP.

I also said in my last post, Hutchison’s indecision could also backfire. It looks like I was correct in my assessment. The latest poll shows Perry retaking the lead. According to the inaugural University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll, Perry now has a 12 point lead over Sen. Hutchison. Unfortunately, with those numbers, there is no reason for her resign now.

There is further evidence Sen Hutchinson will not be resigning. Dan Branch and other state Republicans are now opting to seek re-election instead of seek a higher office. The plan was, Branch run for attorney general, Greg Abbott run for lieutenant governor, and Lt. Gov David Dewhurst would run in a special election to replace Hutchison.

It is obvious Sen. Hutchinson and her inner circle are withholding crucial information from members of her own party. If I am correct that Senator John Cornyn played a major role in Hutchison’s wait-and-see game. This strategy may come back and haunt them.

It is frustrating to see some Democrats spend so much of their resources on a special election that most likely will not happen. The fact is, the Democrats are sorely lacking star power. The latest polls show neither Tom Schieffer, Kinky Friedman and Tyler rancher Hank Gilbert would give either Perry and Hutchinson run for their money.

On the Democratic side, nobody had great numbers. Kinky Friedman leads the pack, with 19 percent, followed by Tom Schieffer, with 10 percent, former Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, with 5 percent, Mark Thompson, with 3 percent, Felix Alvarado, with 2 percent, and Hank Gilbert, who got 0.3

I hope Mayor Bill White would reconsider running for Senate and decide to make a run for Texas Governor. Although I believe we would make a great Senator, the writing is on the wall, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison will not resign, making it one less seat the GOP has to worry about as they try to save as many Senate seats as possible.

In a recent interview with the Dallas Observer, Mayor White insist Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison will resign. Maybe he knows something many of us don’t know. But truthfully, I still think it is wishful thinking, I honestly don’t think she will.

Posted in Democrats, Elections, Republican, Texas | | functional 3 Comments »

The volatile 2010 Republican Primary race for governor in Texas is starting to play out and it does not look good for Gov, Rick Perry.

This week, it seems like the Republican inner circle is sending Gov. Rick Perry a clear message – he is too much of a liability. This week, former Vice President Dick Cheney has endorsed and will campaign for Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s bid to unseat Perry in the Republican Primary. Cheney will officially endorse Hutchison at a Houston fundraiser on Nov. 17.

Cheney’s endorsement comes right after Rick Perry has come under fire for a 2004 execution cover-up that has made national news. The controversy that is now plaguing Perry’s re-election bid is the execution of Cameron Todd Willingham in 2004 after being convicted of setting a house fire in Corsicana that killed his three children.

The Texas Forensic Science Commission hired a nationally recognized arson expert, Craig Beyler, to examine the fire science used to convict Willingham. Just as the commission was set to hear from Beyler’s report, Perry abruptly removed three of its members, including the chairman. The new chairman, Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley and conservative ally of the governor, says he needs time to study the Willingham arson report.

The report that was made public in August found:

The investigators [in Willingham's case] had poor understandings of fire science and failed to acknowledge or apply the contemporaneous understanding of the limitations of fire indicators. Their methodologies did not comport with the scientific method or the process of elimination.

To make matters worse, the Houston Chronicle and Hearst Newspapers are now suing Gov. Rick Perry for not releasing a clemency report that could have stopped the execution of Cameron Todd Willingham. The report was used by Perry to decide whether to give Willingham a 30-day stay of execution.

More evidence the GOP inner circle are cutting their ties with Perry, there are other high profile Republicans – particularly those close to former GOP President George W Bush – who have publicly endorsed Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. A couple of those Republicans have close ties with the Bush family, Karl Rove, Karen Hughes and former Bush fundraiser Jim Francis.

Earlier this month, I mentioned Gov Rick Perry was trying to pull a Rove by trying to get the media to focus on something else – possible hacking of campaign website – other than the 2004 execution cover up. It seems it has backfired.

It would be wise for Hutchison to finally set a date for her resignation is she truly wants to take full advantage of her support. Although she is not required to resign from the Senate to run for governor, she did publicly state she intended to resign in October or November. Now that she has backed out, her creditability certainly can become an issue.

Posted in Elections, Republican, Texas | | functional 3 Comments »