Dear Editor,

July 2, 2008

After reading the July 1, 2008 op-ed by Juan Maldonado, I was appalled by his blatant disregard for facts. His inaccurate statements marginalized the voters in my precinct and accused me and others of subverting the entire County and State Democratic Convention.
 
These are the facts Mr. Maldonado:

1) I was elected by my respective precinct as a delegate and if you would have done your job you would have known that also. I, and thousands of voters, stood in long lines and sacrificed time with our families and our jobs to make our vote count during the primary election, the county convention, and the state Democratic convention. But you were so busy trying to figure out how to pursue your personal agenda that you failed to recognize the people who were following the rules.
 
2) You accused me of protesting outside the Hidalgo County Democratic Headquarters. I never did. However, after seeing the depths of your malicious and inaccurate statements, I not only wish I did, I wish I had led the protest!
 
3) You accused me of "subverting the entire Texas State Democratic convention and illegally securing credentials in a fashion that was so quick that I was seen wearing my credentials while the rest of the delegation had to wait for the formal process to run it's course." Wow! One would think that if I had that much influence I should be running for office, or least figuring out a way to ensure that you, Mr. Maldonado, retire from politics.
 
The fact is that the State convention was so organized that all I had to do was show my identification, my voter registration card and I was given my hard-earned credentials. It's called being organized. You may want to consider that quality next time you are given the task of running a convention.
 
4) You accused me of proposing a resolution supporting gay marriage which took place in SD 27. I belong in SD 20 and again, if you knew what you were talking about, you would know that.
 
Mr. Maldonado, perhaps your ignorance was due to bad information. Whatever the reason, you had no right to reference my name in your barrage of accusations. When I was a child, I recall your name being referenced as furthering the cause of Democrats and Latino voters. But this is a clear example of how your words are counterproductive and demeaning to South Texas Democrats. Your time has passed and obviously the voters have spoken.
 
Lorie Ochoa, Ed. D.
McAllen, Texas

Dear Editor,

June 30, 2008

I hope this set of doctors don't practice medicine like they practice politics. Many of that leadership are Red Dog Dems.

Frank Morris
Brownsville, Texas

Dear Editor,

June 30, 2008

Senator John Cornyn's new TV ad uses Jimmy Dean's 1962 hit, "Big Bad John" but changes the lyrics go something like, "I'm from Texas where we do things quick; The way this place is runned is about to make me sick." (Referrring to Congress.)
 
Like, duh? If this place makes him sick, it's because he's been helping!! He's had his six years to make a difference.
 
I'm afraid he enjoyed a lot more than just one cold brew right before he approved this ad. We have had to endure our President's "Bushisms" and now here's Big Bad John with his CORNY ad. (Pun intended!)

Blanca Beltran
Alton, Texas

Dear Editor,

June 25, 2008

Eddie, your assessment of the present gasoline "robbery at the pump" makes about as much sense as you trying to lock horns with Ruben Hinojosa, to knock him off as Congressman.

All you have to do is, take a good look at ALL the prices, including gasoline, before the pro-millionaire "Curious George" Bush took office. With a Republican congress, including Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, rubber-stamping his every effort to really put it to the working class - he did everything to pay-back every one of his high-roller cronies' billion dollar companies, beginning with the still-greedy Exxon/Mobil where Dick Cheney continues watching his "multi-million blind-trust" grow - and Chevron, where Condi Rice continues emulating "Dead-Eye" Cheney, sucking-out Iraqi oil, while our brave troops continue paying with their blood, including quite a few from the Rio Grande Valley.

Placido Salazar
Universal City, Texas

Dear Editor,

June 23, 2008

Does Escobar walk on water also?

Frank Morris
Brownsville, Texas

Dear Editor,

June 21, 2008

Regarding the line, "Garcia is a doctor by profession and she has seen trade at her pharmacies, which cater to American tourists, drop by about 20 percent over the past year."

I think the biggest part of that can be attributed to H-E-B, Wal-Mart and others' new prescription plans. A 30-day supply for $4 or $5 and a 90-day supply for $10.

For years I used to buy nine different heart related medications in Nuevo Progreso because of price. It now costs less than Mexico at H-E-B and I don't have the expense and hassle of going to Nuevo Progreso.

Charo Boyett
McAllen, Texas

Dear Editor,

June 20, 2008

I hope you put a suspense tag in your files to do a story about the final cost of all these lawsuits, how much the attorneys are paid and how much the taxpayers pay. Oh, I forget, it's free money.

Frank Morris
Brownsville

Dear Editor,

June 17, 2008

It is amazing to me how DHS can say that they have consulted with land owners on the Texas/Mexico Border. They had several meetings, "Dog and Pony shows," informing us of what they were going to do. DHS was not consulting with land owners. They were telling us they were going to build a wall, period. That is not consultation it is dictation.

It is not surprising that DHS may have violated the Consolidated Appropriations Act. They have disregarded our rights as citizens and land owners. The U.S. Government (DHS) and others that are pushing for the border wall should ask WHY we are having problems with illegal immigration and illegal drugs. The answer is simple, DEMAND in the United States. It is a difficult problem to solve, but THE BORDER WALL IS NOT THE ANSWER.

Rey Anzaldua
Donna, Texas

Dear Editor,

June 13, 2008

Bravo Elizabeth! As St. Augustine once said, “An unjust law is no law at all”. We certainly are dealing with not one but many unjust laws all targeted at Rio Grande Valley residents living along the Texas-Mexico Border…except of course, River Bend and Hunt properties.

Eloisa G. Taméz, RN, PhD, FAAN
El Calaboz, Texas

Dear Editor,

June 13, 2008

Someone needs to tell Elizabeth Garcia that the Border Patrol some weeks ago rescinded the policy of checking the citizenship of folks being evacuated in the wake of a possible storm.

Someone also needs to tell her that entering the U.S. illegally is a criminal act subject to incarceration and/or immediate deportation. I can’t imagine how the ACLU is going to circumvent U.S. immigration law and policy. I’m sure you know that the detention camp near Port Isabel, as well as the checkpoints out of the Valley, have been upheld by the courts.

Does Elizabeth Garcia believe it is an honorable thing to have overstayed her Visa? How is she employed? Does she have a trade? Is she eligible for deportation?

I can’t believe the ACLU would put its stock in her since most of the things she is advocating have already been adjudicated not in her favor by the courts.

Bill Young
Brownsville

Dear Editor,

June 11, 2008

As members of Hidalgo County Justice Advocacy Group (JAG), we would like to join the OWLS of Edinburg, Texas in asking for Teresa Navarro's immediate resignation.

If the County is protected from litigation through its at-will-employee system, what is J.D. Salinas so worried about? It appears he is the one deadlocking the group.
 
We are a new government corruption watch dog group and would never pretend to know all there is about civil or criminal law, but one thing we know for certain (which is more common sense than anything else) is THAT removal of the suspect is most essential in a crime scene. If there is anything more to investigate, wouldn't she try to cover it up?
 
We admire Sherrif Lupe Treviño's integrity and are certain his investigation leading to her many indictments is solid. Why would county leaders want her back in office with the threat that she may taint the pending invesigations which the Sherrif reports are in the works. More cover-up?
 
And what was with the smirk she had as she left the County Jail last week. No fear of the repercussions? In past television interviews regarding voter fraud, she consistently maintained a stoic look about her. We were very surprised about the smirk.
 
Regards,
 
Blanca Beltran
David Garza
Hidalgo County
Justice Advocacy Group (JAG)
McAllen, Texas

Dear Editor,

June 11, 2008

Juanita Valdez Cox is right. Immigration reform is the solution to the illegal immigration problem. No wall will stop illegal aliens from entering the United States as long as there is demand for their labor. We have an illegal drug problem for the same reason, DEMAND.

Some in the national Media, especially on the extreme Right, seem to think that building a border wall will solve the problem. They do not want to admit that we, in the United States, have a drug addiction problem and employers that exploit illegal aliens. Drug cartels exist because addicts in the United States pay for illegal drugs. Until we, in the United States, admit we have a drug addiction problem and a demand for illegal alien labor we will never solve either problem. A border wall is not the solution.

Drug addiction creates other problems because drug addicts commit other crime. The affluent drug addict may be able to pay for their addiction, but others can not. They commit crime like burglaries, assaults, robberies and other crime to support their habit. Unless the DEMAND side is addressed the illegal alien and illegal drug problem will continue, wall or no wall.

Immigration and drug laws should be enforced but the government should not use a national security excuse or hysteria to address an illegal immigration and illegal drug problem.

Rey Anzaldua
Donna, Texas

Dear Editor,

June 10, 2008

I apologize if I was not clear when I responded to "One Memorial Park in Harlingen for Mexicanos and One for Bolillos." I was misquoted in your story of June 8, 2008.
 
As a strong proponent of freedom of speech, I would never ask you, the Guardian, or anyone to write stories about anything in particular. Unless I was at the head of a classroom. You can write about whatever you want...that is freedom of speech!
 
I meant, "Come on Harlingen!  Don't separate the memorial parks!" I don't think or believe it is their intent to separate our local Hispanics and White Caucasians heroes after death. That would be just awful. Imagine our fighting children out at war as they fight together and some die together. When the enemy hits, they don't care what color our U.S. Soldiers are. We are U.S. Hopefully now that is has caused a stir, it has lent insight to the repercussions. Harlingen! Unify! Don't diversify! That is what I meant.
 
Great job!
 
Blanca Beltrán
Alton, Texas

Dear Editor,

June 9, 2008

My understanding is that the term "bolillo" dates back to the French Intervention in Mexico (1862-67), when French bread became a staple in Mexican bakeries in order to serve the occupying French forces. A small French roll was know as a "bolillo", and the term began to be used by native Mexicans to describe the fair skinned European (French, Belgian and Austrian)  invaders who ate the "bolillos"--as opposed to the mostly darker skinned Mexicans who ate tortillas. Later, as Mexicans began to migrate north into the United States, the term was transposed to describe lighter skinned Anglo-Americans that Mexicans came into contact with.

Victor M. Carrera
Edinburg, Texas

Dear Editor,

June 10, 2008

This is in response to Mr. Willard Moon’s letter.

Mr. Moon the term “bolillo” refers to a type of bread similar to a baguette. For example, tortas are made with bolillos. The slang version of “bolillo” is used to describe Anglos or a person that is Caucasian. Terms like “gringo” and “gabacho” are also used to describe Anglos/Caucasians.

To quote your letter, “…Hispanic who is brown on the outside and white on the inside…”, the term that is used for that is “coco”. Coco or in English coconut is brown on the outside and white on the inside.

As you said, “…I’ve been around for a long, long time.” Y de que te ha servido lo viejo.

Valentina P. Bazan
Brownsville
Texas

Dear Editor,

June 7, 2008

Good story on the June 6, 2008 Civil Disobedience article. I believe Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 Director Godfrey Garza is wrong. Mexico will be greatly impacted by a border wall. The flood control infrastructure in Mexico is probably very poor and squatters have probably built homes in the flood areas. When a major storm hits they flood very quickly. If a hurricane like Beulah hits there will be a lot of dead people in Mexico because of the flooding. Most of the people in the U.S. side will probably evacuate. Many of us saw the flooding during Beulah. The area looked like an ocean. You could see water in about every direction you looked at. Garza is wrong, even a small amount of water inadvertently diverted to Mexico will increase the flooding there. The best solution is no wall anywhere. The border wall fiasco is a disaster waiting to happen.

Rey Anzaldua
Granjeno
Texas

Dear Editor,

June 6, 2008

I had not thought about the Hispanic vs. "Bolillo" Memorial Parks in Harlingen until Mr.Treto Garza made his point. Why is Harlingen building another? Growing up in north Hidalgo County I heard fellow Valleyites say that Harlingen always felt like a Bolillo town. So...to have this come up.... it is not surprising. But, come on, man, unify, don't diversify.

Blanca Beltrán
Alton
Texas

Dear Editor,

June 6, 2008

In my experience, "bolillo" is used to describe a Hispanic who is brown on the outside and white on the inside. Sort of like the blacks use "Uncle Tom" to descirbe blacks who act like whites. It was used derogatorily on Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell. Never, never have I heard "bolillo" used in the context you describe. And I've been around for a long, long time. Other than that, keep up the good work.

Willard Moon
McAllen
Texas

Dear Editor,

June 5, 2008

It is common knowledge that many in the Mexican drug cartel wait for hurricanes, when  the checkpoints are closed, to bring their drugs into our state. That is why it is neccessary for the check points to remain open.

Valley residents are given plenty of time to leave, days in advance, but most choose to stay, as the citizens in New Orleans did. When was the last time you evacuated because of an approaching hurricane?

Allen Bourne
Marshall, Texas

Dear Editor,

June 3, 2008

All these people who support Hillary Clinton need to cease their complaining because Barack Obama is going to be the Democratic Nominee. 

Listen, he won the nomination fair and square. The rules of the DNC state that the candidate with the most pledged delegates would win the nomination. Well what about the popular vote, Clinton supporters might ask? The rules of the game were set way before they started the nomination process and both Barack and Hillary camps knew the rules. She sat did not actively compete in all the small states because she thought she would overwhelm Obama in the larger states. This is a 50 state process. That is not only her prerogative but her problem as well.

Now that it is not in their favor, Clinton wants to change the way the rules are set. It would be like the San Antonio Spurs asking the league officials to reverse the outcome of the series because they had more shot attempts than the Lakers. 

Just so Valley supporters of Hillary Clinton understand, all this talk of, "Well, I am not going to support Obama unless Hillary is on the ticket," or "Well, I am not going to support Obama because he does not understand Latino voters,” or "Well, I am not going to support Obama because he beat the candidate I chose.”

Go ahead vote Republican.

* Gas prices will continue to rise.
* Healthcare will stay the same as always, with no universal healthcare. Valley people need to wake up and smell the coffee. Universal healthcare - read up on it people.
* More war - Iran is ripe for the Republicans. Valley people, Hispanics are the most represented make-up of our military.  They fight these needless wars.
* Corruption in Washington - Republican ideals and bills are bought by the lobbyists. Hillary has all sorts of ties to the same individuals. Valley, do you think they care about you? Honestly?
 
If you do not vote for Obama because he only beat the candidate you chose, you lose every right to bitch and complain if the Republicans win the White House. 
 
Vote your best interest, not your politician.
 
Marcos Lopez
Edinburg

Dear Editor,

May 31, 2008

It is not an additional 20 miles of fencing DHS intends on Constructing from El Paso,  but it's a contentious additional 59.7 miles of new fencing, from the Zaragosa Bridge Port of Entry in El Paso's far east side, to McNary, Texas (Not Ft. Hancock, but further) in my county of Hudspeth County. This is the longest section of fence proposed in Texas.

I work on this issue every day. Thanks for all of your great reporting.

Regards,
Bill Guerra-Addington
Guerra Farm & Ranch
Rio Grande Chapter Sierra Club Executive Committee Member
Sierra Blanca, Texas

Dear Editor,

May 27, 2008

Have you no honor? A take off of what was said many years ago… to turn a memorial service into a political football. Have you no shame? Like it is a great service to publicize this? To give this trash legs, to give his words, sustenance. Go serve with his unit. Walk his talk.

What the state Rep didn't say was the Democratic majority leader in the Senate wouldn't allow Senator Cornyn bill to come up for a vote. The senator's bill would have rewarded the troops who reenlisted and with retention increased our military experience in combat plus their dependents would have received potential pass on education benefits.
 
I guess you are more interested in telling one side than to place a call and ask for comments from the Senator's staff.

Frank Morris
Chairman, Cameron County Republican Party
Brownsville

Editor’s comment: The story was filed on Memorial Day. All the campaign offices were closed that day. However, we do like to cover the issues of all the candidates and, in fact, the Guardian was the only English-speaking newspaper to cover the endorsements Senator Cornyn recently received from Rio Grande Valley elected officials. The Senator's campaign distributed our story electronically across the state.

Dear Editor,

May 27, 2008

There would not be as much of a problem with retention in the military if soldiers were paid more. That extra money could come from the civilian contractors the federal government is paying. While many soldiers are getting $48,000 a year, contractors are getting anywhere from $80,000 to $300,000. The contractors also get better equipment in Iraq. It is not uncommon to see the civilian contractors driving around in brand new Ford Excursions in Baghdad. Soldiers have to walk everywhere.

Acting serviceman who does not want to be identified

Dear Editor

May 26, 2008

The Hidalgo barrier embedded into the levee is a burden to the citizens and there is no guarantee that the government will reimburse Hidalgo County. This will impact negatively on the citizens and we do not want the same in Cameron County. If we manage to hang on to our lands through litigation, we may end up losing our lands because the property taxes will increase and we cannot pay them.

Eloisa G. Taméz, RN, PhD, FAAN
El Calaboz
Texas

Dear Editor,

May 22, 2008

I am writing in response to your recent article in the Rio Grande Guardian entitled "Hurricane evacuees leaving the Valley by bus will be prescreened for citizenship".

I would have hoped our government could have learned something from the devastation that occurred from the lack of a timely response and evacuation planning to victims of Hurricane Katrina. An evacuation plan that clearly discriminates against people based on their legal status is plainly unpatriotic.

No one deserves to face the kind of devastation that the victims of Hurricane Katrina faced, no matter their background or skin color. This plan to detain those who do not have proper documentation to live or work in the United States is based on pure hatred and racism. To say that it is not an act of racism is a lie.

Proponents say this is to address the growing number of people moving to our country illegally. Let's be honest, the only people this will address, along the border, will be those coming to the U.S. who are of Latin descent. Latinos moving to the United States do so only for a better life, just as the original settlers did. Often they are not criminals back in their home countries. They are not claiming to "discover" some land which has long been discovered by Native Americans.

Latinos are hardworking, dedicated, family-oriented people who only want to live the American Dream by providing for their families and living a happy life. We are a proud nation comprised of people from different ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds.

At times of emergency situations, all lives should be seen as precious and worth fighting to save. I cannot wait until we elect new leaders like Rick Noriega to the U.S. Senate and Barack Obama as President. These are leaders who will not stand for these kind of evil, hateful practices in our state and across the country.

Erica Contreras
Minority Caucus of Young Democrats of America
www.ydaminoritycaucus.org