Newsletter: Bexar County Young Democrats Condemn South Texas Republicans




"..we make it a point to read "the republicrat" for entertainment purposes."
 

We are publishing 3 unedited letters from local Bexar County Young Democrats about the 3/4/2008 Republicrat posting.  I would like to make 3 quick comments before the letters are presented.  First, thanks to all young Democrats for reading our political newsletter.  Second, we apologize to those of you who were deeply offended by the Republicrat comments. 
 

That section can be harsh from time to time.  I will monitor this section more closely in the future.  Third, we are publishing your letters because we believe in free speech and we are not afraid of critical comments about this newsletter.

Happy reading!!

Joe Solis, Founder and Director, South Texas Republicans
 

This is the article section that young Democrats found offensive:

REPUBLICRAT: Published 3/4/2008
 

This is a series by 3 anonymous political insiders in Bexar County and one in Webb County. The views of this section do not represent the views of South Texas Republicans PAC.
 

"It is Election Day and I have to complain about a few things.

The Brent De La Paz and Carla Vela race for Chair has reached the point of total silliness.  It is really a classic battle between JoAnn Ramon, the long time political consultant who is backing Carla, and Mario Bravo, the young Mikal Watts tool who is aiding Brent.  This is really a battle over the future of the party.  These two factions really hate each other.  Why?  Brent and Mario think these little old ladies have no business running a professional party in South Texas. 

You see Mario smirking and you can read his mind. "These ladies are good at stamping envelopes and stuffing them on slow nights.  We need to be in charge.  You know, the folks who are tech savvy. Carla doesn't even read her e-mail when I send something over.  Everybody would have I-Phones if we ran the place."  This is what Mario and Brent forget.  JoAnn and Carla are old fashioned BexarCounty warriors who are not owned by anybody.  It scares folks that Watts is hiring Brent like he is some migrant worker who is going to pick his fruit or cut his yard.  Mario is simply the light skinned kid who is going to do the accounting and make sure his boss Watts has his tea served at 3pm.  This makes the ladies furious. They know this game because they have cut off a few _____ over the years to get what they want.

I suspect Brent and Mario are close to getting a family jewel adjustment at the hands of JoAnn.  Just you watch.  One way or the other, there will be hell to pay for crossing JoAnn.  If I were Mario or Brent, I'd watch the first Godfather movie to get taste of your future.  They are going to LOSE even if they win the election.  Why?  You do not cross these ladies because they have decades of connections and markers to be called in.  You can't expect to raid the party so it will have shiny computers without paying MAMA some respect.  You have to pay your dues to the establishment.  Mario wants to have it all, but this is not the way it works in Bexar County.

The ladies want to know you can be counted on to break some heads.  Where have Mario and Brent proven themselves? That is the issue and that is why they have lost big even if they beat Carla.   I just wish I could have talked them out of this race. Even if they win, the whisper campaign will be intense. These kids are owned by Watts.  They were really hired to cut his yard up north. Brent denied any connection to Watts, but he manages to pull in his money. Dude, whatever, you were so his his back pocket.  WE so outed you two months ago.  Our sources are very deep and intense in the Democratic party.  You have also earned the wrath of the Republicrat.  I'm joining forces with JoAnn to show who really rules Bexar. Get ready for a spanking boys.  Remember that horse head part in the movie?  Clear the set- ACTION!!!

UNEDITED Letters from BEXAR County Young Democrats to South Texas Republicans
 

Although we are devoted democrats here in Bexar County , we make it a point to read "the republicrat" for entertainment purposes.  This "republicrat" went too far.  It takes quite a bit of courage to run for political office in this county.  To threaten and racially insult Brent de la Paz went too far.  Brent is an educated and professional Latino from humble beginnings.  How dare he be referred to as someone's migrant worker.  I wonder if the "republicrat" is Latino/Latina.  Everyone has a right to run for political office in this country.  No one "owns" their elected offices.  I hope to never find out the identity of this "republicrat"  She/He owes Brent de la Paz and his family an apology.  In fact, this person owes all Latinos in Bexar County an apology for such racist remarks!

 
A Family in Helotes, Texas
 ______________________________________

Subject: Better Judgment Requested on Your Postings

    Dear Mr. Joe Solis:

I think you exercised incredibly poor judgment in posting such a blatantly racist "The Republicrat PLUS" article on the South Texas Republicans' March 4, 2008 Newsletter.  Allowing your writer to claim Brent De La Paz is a "migrant worker" and Mario Bravo is a "light-skinned servant" is beyond political hyperbole.  It is disgusting, blatant racism and you should be ashamed that you participated in spreading this type of vile hatred on your so-called "respected" newsletter. 

What ever you and the so-called "Republicrat" thought of the Bexar County Democratic Chair race, there was absolutely no reason to turn this contest into one where young, professional Latinos were degraded and written about as though they were old-style Americana caricatures.  This would be an outrage if Brent and Mario were Black.  I see absolutely no reason to allow such hatred-inspired disrespect just because Brent and Mario are Latinos.  I would think that you would know better.

Please use your editorial discretion and judgment the next time your beloved "Republicrat" uses your South Texas Republicans' Newsletter to spread racist-inspired hatred.  Shouldn't we be past that?  It is the year 2008, right? 

- Local attorney
 

___________________________________________

No Place for Racist Attacks in Bexar County Politics

Friday, March 21, 2008

Author: Mary Lou Alvarez, BCYD Secretary and Clifton Walker, Bexar County Young Democrats Vice President

Source: Article submitted to the Walker Report for posting (03/13/08)

http://www.bexaryd.org/article.asp?ArticleId=39

In "The Republicrat PLUS" article on the South Texas Republicans' March 4, 2008 Newsletter, the Republicrat employed a variety of racially derogatory phrases within an elaborate metaphor meant to smear Bexar County Democratic Party Chair candidate Brent De La Paz and his campaign manager, Mario Bravo.  Specifically, in the article, the Republicrat stated that: (1) Brent De La Paz, a successful attorney in San Antonio, was nothing more than a "migrant worker"; (2) Mario Bravo, a hard-working political campaigner, was a mere "light-skinned" servant; and finally (3) both "boys" should be "mowing lawns" of a local wealthy attorney on the northside.   
 

As a progressive political organization, we certainly hold dear the right to free speech, but we will not hesitate to speak out when that right is abused to defame others in such a hurtful manner.  Rather than make a solid political argument to advance the candidate of his choice, the Republicrat chose to degrade two young, up-and-coming, professional Latinos by using racially loaded language to reduce them to ethnic caricatures.  We demand simply that the Republicrat be held accountable for his own statements. Consequently, our organization requests that the Republicrat, who traffics solely in rumor and is bound by no journalistic ethic, step forward and be identified. 
 

"It's encouraging to see the Administration increasingly recognize that one-size-fits-all mandates from Washington have not served our children or teachers well. I hope the Department will also see the importance of expanding flexibility to include all of the states instead of limiting it to just 10 states. Sweeping federal mandates have placed onerous burdens on school systems, which have resulted in a tangled bureaucratic web of regulations that hamstring states, parents and students. Many educators are too busy checking the requirements of a federal 'to do' list, instead of focusing properly on each child's needs. This must change," Sen. Cornyn said today.

Sen. Cornyn renewed his call for the Senate to consider legislation he has introduced with U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., that would give more decision-making power to parents and teachers. "The recent announcement by the Secretary of Education is a good step forward, but we can and must do more," Sen. Cornyn said. "Texas, for example, already had a strong accountability system prior to No Child Left Behind. Now, the new law requires teachers and administrators in our state to implement an entirely new set of regulations in addition to the already successful program. In every state, the federal government has consistently mandated bureaucracy in education -- that has consistently produced poor results. Now is the time to give states the option to restore responsibility and authority in education and return decision-making where it belongs -- with parents and teachers on a local level."

The purpose of the Academic Partnership Lead Us to Success (A-PLUS) Act is three fold. First, A-PLUS gives states maximum freedom to implement initiatives that work in their individual state. Secondly, A-PLUS reduces regulatory burdens associated with federal education programs so educators can focus on teaching rather than filling out paperwork. Finally, A-PLUS ensures that states are accountable to schools, parents and the general public for advancing the academic achievement of all students, especially disadvantaged children.

Briefly, the bill would give all states the option to sign five-year performance agreements with the Secretary of Education that allow the state to accept NCLB funding while opting out of the NCLB requirements. The performance agreements would define the achievement/proficiency goals and annual assessments necessary to achieve the goals. States would have to submit annual reports documenting their progress towards achieving their goals. In short, A-PLUS preserves the accountability features of NCLB while improving the transparency for parents, teachers and taxpayers. Senator Cornyn's A-PLUS currently awaits action before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

NEW Conservative BLOG:
 

www.rightupfront.org

We are a group of young conservative 20-somethings from all over the country.  We have writers in the states of Washington, Ohio, Texas and Connecticut.  Our goal is provide a fresh, edgy and conservative perspective on current issue and events from the perspective of the younger generation of conservative Republicans. 

Event Updates from Terri Hall, San Antonio Toll Party
 

Congressman Lamar Smith Update: Emergency Bill Helps High-Tech Companies

Ranking Member Lamar Smith today introduced a bill to address American companies' immediate need for high-tech, specialty workers. The "Strengthening United States Technology and Innovation Now Act (SUSTAIN Act)" raises the annual cap for H-1B visas to 195,000 for 2008 and 2009.

"American employers have an urgent need for highly skilled foreign workers to fill positions in specialty occupations," stated Ranking Member Smith. "The American economy thrives on high-tech companies that require high-tech workers to remain globally competitive. H-1B visas are necessary to ensure that these companies have the resources and workers required to succeed."

"The SUSTAIN Act is an emergency fix that gives Congress and American companies extra time to consider farther reaching changes to the H-1B program," said Smith. "Specifically, the Act restores the annual cap on H-1B visas to 195,000 for 2008 and 2009."

"In 2003, the annual cap dropped to 65,000, far below the level needed for high-tech employers," Smith continued. "In fact, this year, the entire supply of 2008 visas was exhausted in the first three days of availability. H-1B visas for 2009 become available on April 1. They are likely to be exhausted almost immediately."

"When high-tech companies and firms go to American universities to recruit, they seek the best graduates regardless of their nationality," added Smith. "In many cases, the best students are foreigners. By denying them positions here in the U.S., we let many talented and highly educated workers take positions with our competitors overseas. That is not good for business and it is not good for the American economy."

"American companies lead the world in developing new technology and high-tech innovation," concluded Smith. "But in order to remain competitive in the fast-pace, global economy, we must be sure to keep attracting and hiring the best workers. The SUSTAIN Act helps companies fill immediate needs now, while Congress considers larger policy goals for the future."

I'm back in black!!! Do you remember that AC/DC song from the late 1970's?  I do since I am old.  "Don't you know I'm glad to be back?"  Did I cause a little stir or what with the next generation of young Democrats?  And what is this about some of you demanding that I be outed, revealed and exposed? 

Okay, I will get to that at the end of this story. It may be time to disclose my identity.  Let me first start by saying nah, nah, nah, nah.  I was right about the re-election of Carla Vela for Bexar County Democrat Chair. Two years ago, I was hard on Carla and she knew it.  She won me over and that is why I supported her.  We are on the right track and it is obvious.
 

This is where I get a little defensive in response to my critics. 

Why is it that every time a strong Latina achieves success there has to be some men who come along and say, "No so fast Sista!" That is why I was so hard on Brent, Mario and Mikal Watts.  Carla has been doing her best to rebuild this party and she deserves more time to complete her work.  All I heard from the others is that these "little old ladies" don't know what they are doing.

The same arrogance exists after the election. Mario Bravo, the De La Paz, campaign manager is telling the grassroots that Carla won only because there was a mass of women who went for Hillary.  Is that stupid or what?  Let me explain.  Look at the numbers. 

Carla picked up 111,000 voters and Brent won 37,000.  Are you telling me that Carla won because only women showed up for her?  This makes no sense. This is what makes me mad as a woman. When will we ever get some respect?  Why can't Mario Bravo be a BRAVE man and admit?  Why can't he say, "Yes, this Latina beat us and it had nothing to do with Hillary.
 

The day before Election Day, the Express-News published a quote by Mikal Watts criticizing Carla Vela for not submitting one final Texas Ethics Commission report.  It was a quote where he made her seem unorganized and irresponsible for not filing some dumb report.  

This is the same guy who quit his campaign for the Senate to spend more quality time with his family. Ooh, cheap shot.

This is what makes me so made.  Of course, it has to be a MAN who lives in the Dominion who has to pick on a Latina who is ONLY managing a Democrat primary with close to 200,000 voters!!! Where the hell was Mikal?  Was he helping at any polling site?  Where was his money helping the party with expenses?  All he could do was issue nasty comments about Carla.  Of course, leave it to a man to throw rock at a woman. That is the crap that ticks me off.

That is why I got mad and made the nasty comments about Brent and Mario.  It is personal to me.  We have had to deal with the glass ceiling for far too long. I mean, give us a chance to lead without calling us a bunch of old ladies. 

Editor Joe Solis was actually threatened indirectly with a frivolous lawsuit because poor Mario & Brent got their feelings hurt. Grow up. Welcome to the real world. Poor babies, did we hurt your masculinity? Have you youngsters ever read the Constitution and the amendment on Free Speech?  Have you read the stuff we have published over the past two years?  Where have you been? Give me break!!

Get a hold of yourselves!!! This is not the end of the world. You will live to whine another day. And by the way as far as me outing myself, NOT!