It is funny how the GOP loves to use Martin Luther King Jr's "color-blindness" line from the 1963 March on Washington when it comes to race issues. In fact, the Party recently has been actively recruiting minorities just to show how serious their efforts are to end racism. However, it is not hard to see how white supremacist groups have learned to play the system.
Oh sure they are quick to criticize Dudya when it comes to immigration issues. But don't be fooled, they do share the same right-wing template when it comes to issues of race, immigration, losing their country, and the so-called decline of "civilization."
In Texas, it seems the Wise County GOP has been a breeding ground for white supremacist. Recently, DKos diarist TxSharon exposed the blatant racism within the Wise County Republican Party. It seems that the local Republicans want to make sure that their constituents know that their candidates are white, more specifically, "American European."
The Republican Party in Wise County loves white folks, but not just any white folks. They are very specific in which white folks are acceptable especially when considering those who are running for political office. On their website, they listed the candidates and included the race of each which, without exception, were "American European."
This is the same county where folks from the Wise County Minuteman Project enjoy socializing with the women at the Wise Republican Women's meeting and where county commissioners hung a Confederate flag in the courthouse.
It was bound to happen; the chickens will come home to roost. Recently three National Guardsmen shoot up a family carne asada (barbeque) while on a "beer-fueled" joy ride near Eagle Pass, TX.
The last time the US stationed troops along the Rio Grande, a Marine shot and killed a Texas teenager tending to his goats at his home. Back in 1997 when a US military unit called Joint Task Force Six or JTF 6 was asked to assist the Border Patrol in patrolling the borders for drug traffickers, a Marine shot and killed a Texas teenager within sight of his home. Two things resulted from that day - Esequiel Hernandez Jr. became the first civilian killed by US troops since the student massacre at Kent State University in 1970 and Cpl. Clemente Manuel Banuelos became the first US Marine to kill a fellow citizen on US soil.
On May 20, 1997, Esequiel Hernandez Jr. became the first civilian killed by U.S. troops since the student massacre at Kent State University in 1970. His death led to a temporary suspension of military patrols near the U.S.-Mexican border. And in August, the government paid his family $1.9 million to settle a wrongful death claim.
Cpl. Clemente Manuel Banuelos became the first U.S. Marine to kill a fellow citizen on U.S. soil. Four investigations and three grand juries probed the May 1997 shooting. Each concluded that because Banuelos followed orders, he was innocent of criminal wrongdoing. Those who issued the orders were never tried.
[update] I am updated this diary after learning about the Democratic Party latest action.
I was prompted to write this post because of a recent experience I had when I decided I would venture to post a comment on one of the big named community blogs. The issue boils down to institutionalized racism regarding Hispanic credibility based on my perception in today's society.
What I find amusing is how people on the left cherry pick the articles to blast la raza. These are the same people who will cry out on the mountain tops saying that the MSM is a tool of the corporatist and they lie about anything. But when it comes to minorities and la raza from South of border, they take what the MSM says as the gospel truth. What is worse, no matter what WE say, will always be looked at as questionable. And if we espeak Espanish berry well, pues forget, its not good enough, we must not know what we are talking about.
Considering where I was, I was not surprised to get the response I did.
True leftists dont fit your model.
Don't shit on those who really love you.
While it was just another defensiveness knee-jerk reaction, which I should have let it go, I, however, responded by asking the commenter to define the meaning of a "true leftist."
Has anything changed here in Texas after the historical ruling from Brown v. Board of Education - the case that promised equal educational opportunities for all children?
Millions of students are still not getting the basic education they need to survive and compete in the 21st century.
Graduation Rates in Texas*
55% of Black students graduate from Texas's high schools.
56% of Hispanic students graduate from Texas's high schools.
74% of White students graduate from Texas's high schools.
65% of all students graduate from Texas's high schools.
Does anyone know who these people are and why they should be important people to know?
Bernardo de Galvez;
Juan Abamillo, Juan Antonio Badillo, Carlos Espalier, Gregorio Esparza, Antonio Fuentes, Calba Fugua, and Jose Maria Guerrero;
Juan Nepomucene Seguin;
Santos Benavides;
Juan Cortina; and
Adrián J. Vidal and "Vidal's Independent Partisan Rangers
Or how about the seven (not an error) that has flown over Texas soil?
If you can't, don't feel bad because you are not alone. The Houston Chronicle just reported that a national study ranks Texas number 4 among the four border states when it comes to teaching Latin American and Mexican history.
(Bush may call it 'additional fencing' but let us not kid ourselves... - promoted by Karl-Thomas Musselman)
Recently Senate the Senate approved the admendment to build 370 miles of triple-layered fencing. The vote was 83-16 in favor to build the fence and along with 500 miles of vehicle barriers. And of course the wingnuts are jumping for joy. The truth is "The Wall" was already being built.
The idea of building a border fence began in 1990, when Congressman Ducan Hunter (R-CA) presented his plan, Four Achievable Victories, to President Bush. And later that year, the US began working on the supply roads and the construction of the fence.
What is more depressing is when our own Senators don't know our history. Sen Jeff Sessions (R-AL) is under the impression we had an open-door policy.
Construction of the barrier would send "a signal that open-border days are over. ... Good fences make good neighbors, fences don't make bad neighbors," said Sen. Jeff Sessions (news, bio, voting record), R-Ala. He said border areas where barriers already exist have experienced economic improvement and reduced crime.
(Here's a great write-up about Bush's speech. Read, re-read, and then respond in the comments. - promoted by Phillip Martin)
With less than six months to go before the midterm elections, the Decider decided to address the immigration issue. Duke at Migra Matters wrote:
With less than six month to go before the midterm elections, and Republicans fearing catastrophic losses, President Bush tonight took to the airwaves to try to throw some water on the rapidly growing brushfire of immigration reform that threatens to destroy his party. With poll numbers below 30%, a near mutiny brewing from House Republicans, and a loss of support amongst his conservative base, Bush attempted a political high wire act that would have tested even the most skilled political acrobat. For the feeble footed Boy King, it was nothing more than an exercise in futility.
Recently Senate the Senate approved the admendment to build 370 miles of triple-layered fencing. The vote was 83-16 in favor to build the fence and along with 500 miles of vehicle barriers. And of course the wingnuts are jumping for joy. The truth is "
