Dear Editor,

March 3, 2013

I flip the calendar; the year is 2013, the month March.

February was Black History Month, but the efforts to overturn the Voting Rights Act took me back to the 1950s, even the years before and after the Civil War. Will the Supreme Court agree that there is no need for the act, thus giving many states, including Texas, the chance to dilute black and Hispanic votes via reactionary redistricting and various voting obstacles?

What a sad end to 2013's Black History Month.

March. Women's History Month, with Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Legislature refusing to accept federal health funds - funds that our taxes created - along with their endless attacks on Planned Parenthood, which, by the way, is the best program to continue if one wishes to minimize the need for abortion. So here is 2013, and for Texas women it might as well be the 1950s, and even a century before.

Looking ahead, September will be Hispanic Culture Month, and what kind of racist state and federal laws will start and end that month?

Others might casually move from month to month, with scant concern for their designation. I can't. I know too much history.

It is distressing to see the Supreme Court, many states and the federal government eroding in various ways human rights, rights that belong to all citizens, as well as immigrants, regardless of their legal status.

Eugene 'Gene' Novogrodsky
Brownsville, Texas

Dear Editor,

March 2, 2013

The name "vouchers" has been made the derogatory "curse-word" of those that live off of school tax dollars.

The most descriptive name is "parental-choice scholarships". They are scholarships that are designed to give parents a choice of which school they want their child to attend.

Stated this way, what parent would not want choices of which school they send their child to?

Bob Schoolfield
President
Texans for Parental Choice in Education

Dear Editor,

November 8, 2012

What’s with Quick Canseco not wanting to accept defeat gracefully? It’s not like it was a close race, nor is it like he should feel that he will be missed by the majority of working class residents of District 23, who voted to kick him out. Please, Quico – do not let the door hit you on the way out.

Placido Salazar, USAF Retired Vietnam Veteran

San Antonio, Texas

Dear Editor,

August 11, 2012

As one who travels the Rio Grande Valley regularly, the absence of a major interstate access to Brownsville has stood out like the proverbial sore thumb for what seems forever. I agree with Judge Garcia and I encourage him to keep at it. As an aside, in my view each of the roads he mentions should have been upgraded to interstates in their own right years ago.

As I briefly mentioned in my Open Letter to Ted Cruz, the economic difference between North and South of Hiway 59 is practically like night and day. It is time that Texas and the U.S. spend some time in the only metropolitan area in the nation that official policies have generally and consistently ignored.

That attitude is also the reason why the Rio Grande Valley does not have its own full-service Veterans Hospital. An alliance of local leaders and officials is a must to demand only fairness for Valley residents.

Thank you,

José Antonio “Joe” López
San Antonio, Texas 

Dear Editor,

July 3, 2012

The recent indictment of Rep. Armando "Mando" Martinez smells of "politica." Why would Hidalgo County District Attorney Rene Guerra allow the grand jury to be used in this manner? It is political. I guess its true what they say that a grand jury can indict a turnip if it does not bleed water. Mando Martinez has been a very strong advocate of Veterans issues. He has gone to bat for us on several issues. In the state legislature, he is the one to go to.

This matter should have been taken care between attorneys representing both parties and if the issue was not resolved, a case should have been filed in a civil court, not a criminal court. The charge alone whether warranted or not, puts our State Repesentative in a negative public light.

Representative Martinez will survive this bad publicity. We need Mando in Austin. 

Arturo 'Treto' Garza
Vietnam War veteran
Harlingen, Texas

Dear Editor,

July 2, 2012

My Dear Brother Marine Treto,

I have read the information on the Harlingen's VA Health Care System in your area of the Texas Valley.

I still remember when Lazaro O. Camarillo III and I visited Your Veterans Movement for a Full VA Hospital in Harlingen, back in 2010.

You should be commended for all your time and relentless effort to bring this important and necessary VA Hospital to your area.

You are doing a great job! Keep it up and never give up.

Here in Victoria, Texas, the VA Clinic lease will expire at the end of July and the VA has selected a place which is not to far from the present sight of the existing VA Clinic.

The VA Clinic provides Health Care for veterans in Victoria as well as Veterans that reside in the eight surrounding counties.

As Volunteer Chapter Service Officers, we have moved to the Texas Workforce Solutions building. This entity has provided us with an Office space, free of charge so we can continue our quest in helping Veterans and their families in filing the necessary VA Forms for VA Benefits which they have earned through Their Honorable Military Service.

I thank you, and I wish you GOD's Speed.

Sincerely,

Martin Garcia, Cmdt
MCLeague, Jack Ringel Det # 540
Victoria, Texas
Kilo Co. 3/4 3rd MarDiv. 67/68

Dear Editor,

June 13, 2012

I have not forgotten our previous discussion regarding establishment of a full service VA facility in the Valley. I agree with your article in the sense that many candidates for elected office, particularly for congressional seats, make empty promises that they cannot or will not deliver on.

I believe we took care of that matter here in El Paso. I am hopeful that the message goes beyond West Texas.

Although we have an independent V.A. Clinic here in El Paso, we have also been knocking on the congressman's door to move to establish a full-service health care facility here as well. The local congressman did not see this as a priority until he got in trouble seeking his 8th term. His response to your requests for support fell on deaf ears, as did many of our requests! We decided we had heard enough empty talk with little action!

We voted for a change and are more hopeful that the incoming congressional representative will be more responsive and attentive to our Veterans' needs. We are establishing alliances now to ensure that a full-service VA health care facility is a top priority item in our next congressional representative's agenda. The VA will not do it on its own. This objective requires a strong congressional representative to carry the ball and lead the effort on our behalf. Without that leadership, it will not happen! After all, if our congressional representative does not lead, there is no incentive for others to follow!

We have reactivated the American GI Forum here also. One of our primary objectives is the establishment of a full service VA health care facility. As commander of our local chapter, I will lead our forum to ensure that this objective stays alive in the next congressional representative's agenda from day one!

I look forward to sharing communications with you on how our communities can help each other in our "Common Cause."

Saludos.

Carlos Rivera, Commander
American GI Forum - Paso del Norte

Dear Editor,

May 27, 2012

Raul de la Cruz's story on fraud is well recieved. But, we must take this issue further. We respectfully request that fraud also be examined into the new players in the Medicaid program, the MCOs and PBMs. These companies have a long and storied history of fraud, deception and misappropriation of public funds. Fraud happens everywhere, not just in South Texas and not just by providers. These "new players" have and do exhibit the type of fraud we all want stopped.

Nario Rene Cantu, R.Ph.
Cantu's Pharmacy
504 S. Closner Blvd.
Edinburg, Texas 78539

Dear Editor,

May 1, 2012

Texas Association of Business President Bill Hammond is looking at coins not people. Since it is obvious he does not require HHSC services for medical care he should adequately discuss his concerns with the people who provided excellent care to HHSC beneficiaries until actions he lauds were implemented. His comparing the fraud with transportation services is absurd.

These regulations are not applying to other HHSC concerns such as child neglect. If parents are not inclined to obtain the treatment provided by their physician they should be reported to the authorities for child neglect. It is inconceivable to me how the HHSC can be so wrapped up in cost control and so lax in child welfare. I chaired the Cameron County Child Welfare Board for several years I would without doubt report this type of neglect to the appropriate authorities. The physicians as well should do the same. Your reporter, Mr. de la Cruz, may want to interview members of the State's Child Welfare representatives and author an article disussing their findings.

I applaud Mr de la Cruz for his article featuring U.S. Representative Hinojosa. Conversely, I am disappointed in his article giving Mr. Hammond an audience discussing his misguided views.

Robert Bennett
(via email)

Dear Editor,

April 20, 2012

I am so saddened at hearing of the passing of Sister Marian. She was one of the most inspirational women I have ever met. She  was a part of my life when we were all working as advocates for Central American refugees and working in response to Valleyites who were suffering from AIDS and had no one to turn to in their darkest hours. Then, of course, there is her legacy of Comfort House.

A star was born, which lit up the lives of countless, whose suffering went unnoticed or scorned. That light may be dimmed on this earth but her legacy will be an eternal light for those of conscience to follow. Good night, dear Sister, thank you for leading the way, for some us to follow in your wake.

Linda Yañez
Edinburg, Texas

Dear Editor,

April 18, 2012

Mr. Juan Angel Guerra deserves praise for his lawsuit. I would strongly support the lawsuit that would allow voters to register and to vote on the same day. The American GI Forum is uniquely recognized as the organization which fought strongly to eliminate the infamous Poll Tax, which for so long disenfranchised poor people who could either not afford the fee, or if the boss paid the fee, then the worker had to vote as instructed by the boss.

It seems that every time we turn around, there is an effort by certain elements to keep our voters away from the polls, whether through redistricting, Voter ID, etc.

If a U.S. citizen qualifies to register 30 days before the election date, what could possibly change his/her status or eligibility to register and to vote, on the same day? Too many of our men and women in the military have been deployed to other countries, to establish democracy, with the right for those citizens to vote and several paid the ultimate sacrifice or had their lives altered forever. So why do we, as American citizens in our own country, have to jump over politically-motivated hurdles, to exercise our right – and our obligation to cast our vote?

Josemaria Vasquez, American by birth Veteran by choice
State Vice Commander
Dr. Hector P. Garcia American GI Forum Org of TX

Dear Editor,

April 11, 2012

I don't think Ms. Martinez does herself any favors by allowing her political consultant to make divisive statements like the one he made in this article. Mr. Peña is engaging in the same old tired "us vs. them" tactic, pitting his self-righteous description of Republicans as pro-life, pro-family and religious against Democrats as pro-LGBT. As a gay man, I find this extremely offensive. Ms. Martinez should ask Mr. Pena to apologize or fire him as her consultant. Also, I hope you will be "fair and balanced" by asking for a comment from Eli Olivarez, Nathan Schwarz and Dolly Elizondo on what Mr. Pena said.

Daniel Graney
San Antonio, Texas

(Editor's Note: Yes, Mr. Graney, we are going to ask Mr. Schwarz and Mr. Olivarez if they wish to respond to the comments made.)

Dear Editor,

February 25, 2012

Mr. Pete Sepulveda, man of many hats, will now concentrate on the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority, as its executive director.

Congratulations. He very well knows the county's ins and outs.

And now it is time for him to "direct" the CCRMA to stop its desire to build the West Loop Toll Road/Parkway.

Local control - and one hears about it daily - sometimes can be unfair and immoral as with communities' anti-immigration laws.

But in the case of the West Loop Toll Road/Parkway local control is for the good, as Brownsville officials and citizens do not want the road; they have another vision for the eight-miles of railroad track once it is abandoned: a hiking, walking, biking, jogging and nature swath.

Mr. Sepulveda should heed the city, stop the road and move on to other projects he said he wishes to accomplish, ones that do not divide neighborhoods.

Cameron County officials, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, South Texas state and federal elected officials and the Texas Department of Transportation should join with Brownsville as it begins to enact its ambitious environmental aims that will also economically benefit hundreds of thousands in Deep South Texas.

Now a plea: Mr. Sepulveda please take the lead in your new post, and support the city's move towards wise planning and creative local control.

Support that concept, and thus take a huge step on behalf of the city's (and yes the rest of the county's) future, not one of more carbon monoxide, reduced health potential and millions in debt.

Eugene "Gene" Novogrodsky
Brownsville, Texas

Dear Editor,

February 24, 2012

The difference between James Carville and Filemon Vela is that Carville never voted in a Republican primary, whereas Filemon Vela has been an active participant in the GOP and has voted in every Republican primary since 2004. Filemon Vela joining the Democratic primary makes him a traitor just like state Rep. Aaron Peña.

John M. Stafford
Nueces County Democratic Party

Dear Editor,

Feb. 2, 2012

State Sen. Eddie Lucio's column, "Fixing School Finance Once and For All," (Rio Grande Guardian, Feb. 1, 2012) is easily, the best piece the Senator has ever written. It explains the seriousness of failing to fund public education in Texas.

The Senator admits he is perplexed, however, when it came to raising the many millions.

It is time for Texas to consider, and enact, a state income tax.

That tax would be a huge help in cutting the deficit, as well as beginning to create a superb public school system.

Congratulations, Senator, for knowing that a failure to repair a shaky school system will have economic (and social) consequences that will only add to the state's repeated shortfalls.

Eugene "Gene" Novogrodsky
Brownsville, Texas

Dear Editor,

Jan. 17, 2012

I just read Dr. Lino Garcia's article on Lorenzo de Zavala in the Guardian. It’s refreshing to see that Guardian readers will be reminded that he was just not “a supporter of Sam Houston’s Revolution.”

Sadly, most of the information on Spanish-named heroes in mainstream Texas history books and classroom curriculum is provided with that automatic stipulation.

It is time for a change in recording Texas history. Your article certainly helps by providing a broader perspective of de Zavala’s obvious innate leadership abilities and his many contributions in a variety of significant quality of life issues and other areas in building this great place we call Texas.

One minor detail that bears a future paper is the reason(s) that Stephen F. Austin signed as “Esteban”. Few folks today realize that the first wave of Anglos from the U.S. that immigrated to Texas absorbed our ancestors’ way of life as much as they were able to, including changing their names to Spanish.

Keep up the good work.

Saludos,

Joe López  
San Antonio, Texas

Dear Editor,

December 2, 2011

Aaron "Please give me more press" Peña just won't shut up. I read the latest headline with Peña in the title (today's not yesterday's). Didn't he boast that the Rio Grande Valley is full of closet Republicans when he made the switch, and didn't he say that the Republican Party better represents the value of his constituents than the Democratic Party?

If that is the case, then why isn't it so now? Why don't voters have a choice (which is what he is claiming today)? Is it because he is too afraid to run in HIS OWN DISTRICT, in front of the constituents who he claims know and love him? Why doesn't he want to represent the people of his professed community? The hypocrisy of his comments is mind-boggling. If he thinks the Rio Grande Valley supports Republicans, then he should run, and be proud of his party. But he isn't. Hmmm....

John G. Escamilla
McAllen, Texas

Dear Editor,

December 1, 2011

Commander Arturo “Treto” Garcia, you have carried the torch for veterans so very long now. February is coming soon and that will be the marking of my 45th year since I first set foot in Viet Nam. I have to admit, you have been the biggest advocate for veterans I have ever met.

I leave again Tuesday for MD Anderson in Houston and every time I do go for medical care I can't help but think of Valley vets and how far they too have to go to seek the care they were promised. It is my prayer and hope the Congress and Veterans Affairs wake up to the 100,000-plus veterans in the lower Valley and give them their just promised care and stop the five to six hour journey you are forced to take each time you need inpatient care.

Commander, you fulfill the creed "Always Faithful.” God Speed, Outstanding Marine.

Willie Vaden
Ingleside, Texas

Dear Editor,

November 12, 2011

I have sent an open letter to U.S. Senators Hutchison and Cornyn. Here is what it says:

"On this glorious day honoring U.S. men and women warriors, I ask that you focus on the urgent need for a Rio Grande Valley Veterans Hospital. No other ethnic minority group is more loyal to the cause of freedom than Spanish Mexican-descent citizen veterans from South Texas. To this very day, they serve honorably and are returning home from current war zones in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"What kind of warriors come from the Rio Grande Valley? Only the bravest! I could write volumes of examples of their loyalty and courage in defense of the U.S. However, I believe that the citation below for Medal of Honor Winner Sergeant Freddy Cantú González, Edinburg, Texas, speaks for itself.

"Senators, please reflect on the last two sentences of the citation. In memory of Sergeant González, I ask you to actively and vigorously back Representative Henry Cuellar’s bi-partisan HR 1318, South Texas Veterans Health Care Expansion Act. The thousands of Rio Grande Valley veterans have earned the construction of a VA Hospital. The matter has been studied enough. No more excuses. No more ifs, ands, or buts. No more promises of support. Find the way to get it done this time. Thank you.

"Very Respectfully,

"José Antonio López, USAF Veteran (1962-66)"

Here is the citation to the award of the Medal of Honor to Sergeant Alfredo Cantú González:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as platoon commander, 3d Platoon, Company A. On 31 January 1968, during the initial phase of Operation Hue City, Sgt. Gonzalez' unit was formed as a reaction force and deployed to Hue to relieve the pressure on the beleaguered city. While moving by truck convoy along Route No. 1, near the village of Lang Van Lrong, the marines received a heavy volume of enemy fire. Sgt. Gonzalez aggressively maneuvered the marines in his platoon, and directed their fire until the area was cleared of snipers. Immediately after crossing a river south of Hue, the column was again hit by intense enemy fire. One of the marines on top of a tank was wounded and fell to the ground in an exposed position. With complete disregard for his safety, Sgt. Gonzalez ran through the fire-swept area to the assistance of his injured comrade. He lifted him up and though receiving fragmentation wounds during the rescue, he carried the wounded marine to a covered position for treatment. Due to the increased volume and accuracy of enemy fire from a fortified machine gun bunker on the side of the road, the company was temporarily halted. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Sgt. Gonzalez exposed himself to the enemy fire and moved his platoon along the east side of a bordering rice paddy to a dike directly across from the bunker. Though fully aware of the danger involved, he moved to the fire-swept road and destroyed the hostile position with hand grenades. Although seriously wounded again on 3 February, he steadfastly refused medical treatment and continued to supervise his men and lead the attack. On 4 February, the enemy had again pinned the company down, inflicting heavy casualties with automatic weapons and rocket fire. Sgt. Gonzalez, utilizing a number of light antitank assault weapons, fearlessly moved from position to position firing numerous rounds at the heavily fortified enemy emplacements. He successfully knocked out a rocket position and suppressed much of the enemy fire before falling mortally wounded. The heroism, courage, and dynamic leadership displayed by Sgt. Gonzalez reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

It is important for the senators to know that a veteran in Harlingen, Texas, is more likely to be uninsured, unemployed, and/or underemployed. Per capita income in South Texas is truly at the lowest levels in Texas. Many area counties do not have civilian medical facilities either. Seeking help for service-related health care, veterans have to travel to San Antonio - a ten-hour round trip. As a result, many economically-burdened veterans are forced to pass up on treatment of serious illness altogether. That is unconscionable and unacceptable.

For nearly 40 years, returning military men and women of South Texas have been promised a medical center. To date, all they get is electioneering speeches, pledges, and finger pointing as to who is responsible for delaying its construction. Our wounded warriors served gallantly. They deserve only the best medical care in return for readily answering the call to duty.

Waving the U.S. flag on Veterans Day is a precious tradition. Let’s make sure that when we wave the flag next Veteran's Day, the event will also be to celebrate the approval of funds for the groundbreaking of a Rio Grande Valley Veterans' Hospital. Moreover, let’s give new meaning to the phrase “Thank a Vet,” by using the new facility as a “Thank You” from a grateful nation.

José Antonio López
San Antonio, Texas

Dear Editor,

October 18, 2011

Recently, I offered a theory to Guardian readers that defense contractors are busily seeking a market for their war materiel, since the two senseless wars overseas are finally coming to an end. They seem to have found it in the Homeland Defense Security.

Generals (lobbyists?) McCaffrey and Scales have come up with a war plan to give their defense industry buddies a profitable, never-ending 2,000 mile long trough for their military hardware. It is a three-step process. First, militarize the border (note the title of their report). Second, declare a “War Zone” in our own country. Third, sell battle-ready Hummers, military satellite surveillance, drones, helicopters, etc, to U.S. Customs, Border Patrol, state National Guard units, highway patrol agencies, sheriff’s departments, and local police agencies. Sadly, the heavy armament would be used to intimidate and terrorize our own Mexican-descent civilians living along the border, not to fight a foreign army.

As to Herman Cain’s comments, while he now claims that his electric fence comments were only a joke, he is not fit to lead the nation. He has surrounded himself with equally unqualified advisors with simplistic solutions to very complex problems facing our country.  His running for office only proves that anyone with lots of $$$ to waste on political campaigning can run for President.

For the past few years, the far-right extremists have used the illegal immigration and drug trafficking issues as whips to punish the entire Spanish Mexican culture and heritage all along the Southwest. It seems that the Tea Party Republicans have recruited a token minority member to do their dirty work. How clever!

The fact is that Mr. Cain is a loose cannon who should stick to making pizza.  Interestingly, here is a man with a great human interest story. That is, he descends from slaves and comes from a family of very low-skilled workers. He brags that he pulled himself up from his bootstraps. With that background, he should be defending the similar work ethic drive of illegal immigrant men and women workers who risk their lives in search of the most basic of survival needs – a job to provide food and shelter for their families. (By the way, that is the same motivation that drove the tsunami of thousands of poor, starving White Anglo Saxon illegal immigrants from the U.S. to pour into Texas in the early 1830s.)

For Mr. Cain to “joke” about building an electric fence to kill Mexican migrant workers is unconscionable. Surely, there must be some conservatives who still believe in justice and compassion. However, change in the Republican Party can only come from within. I am still waiting for sensible members of his party to speak out in public condemning Mr. Cain’s tactless comments. (Because they lack backbone, we should not hold our breath.)

José Antonio López
Universal City, Texas

Dear Editor,

September 29, 2011

These thoughtless Hidalgo County Commissioners, have once again proven, that quite frequently, en mi Valle, our own raza is our worst enemy. After so many decades, some of us have not learned the hard lesson of being kept down by the Anglo establishment. Now, we do it to our own Mexican-Americans, regardless of how well-prepared some have become, through hard work and perseverance; as in the case of Justice Linda Yañez.

The story reads: “In a hard-hitting speech at Commissioner’s Court on Tuesday, (Hidalgo County Texas Democratic Women President Rosalie) Weisfeld, speaking in her personal capacity, pointed out that Yañez has received huge support whenever she has been on the ballot in Hidalgo County, sometimes achieving 82 percent of the vote. She reminded commissioners that Yañez has served 18 years on the bench and has taught students at Harvard Law School.”

How can anybody ignore the qualifications, the legal expertise, which Justice Linda Yañez, brought to the table. She is well-respected and admired, way-outside the boundaries of Hidalgo County. A most distinguished lady for our youth to emulate.

The story also reads: “Judge Linda Yañez is a great person, huge accomplishments. I think she would be a great candidate for the position. Mr. Rolando Cantu also is a great lawyer. He has done very well for himself. He is also a very viable candidate,” (Joel) Quintanilla said.” 

Well, he has done very well for himself, but what has he done for others?

Somebody needs to wake up and smell the cafecito and somehow pull ourselves out of the 1950s. The so-called “Good Ol’ Boy” mentality should have been buried a long time ago, alongside those who very-well applied back then to keep Latinos down – and have since passed on. 

While attending Edinburg High School back in 1954, I would walk through Hidalgo County Courthouse and most of the Mexican-Americans I saw, were those in handcuffs being led in chains to the court rooms, or waiting in line to pay their property tax.

Presently, you walk in there and see mostly well-dressed and well-prepared Mexican-American clerks, deputies, lawyers and judges. Needless to say, those whose mentality has not caught-up with this most-welcome trend need to wake up to reality!

Many great Mexican-Americans leaders, such as Attorney Gus Garcia, Dr. Hector P. Garcia, Jose Alamia, Luz Salazar (my Dad), Federal Judge Filemon Vela, Rosa Rosales, Judge Albert Peña, Emma Tenayuca, Cesar Chavez, Kika De la Garza and others, paid a heavy price – in the struggle to “open doors” for us. Let us not “close those doors of opportunity” behind us. 

Placido Salazar (Garza)
USAF Retired Vietnam Veteran
Veterans’ Legislation Liaison and Civil Rights Chair
Dr. Hector P. Garcia American GI Forum Organization of Texas, Inc.
Universal City, Texas

Dear Editor,

September 29, 2011

I've been out of the area for a year and a half due to my husband Tom's health problems. As I read this story, I can't help but be amused. 

I know Judge Yañez and have known her for many years. I like her personally and have no doubt about her legal qualifications. Clearly, she knows very well the essence of Hidalgo County politics, as she has benefited from the good old boy system for decades.

And, while it is true that "the boys" circle the wagons and select their horse every time a new political appointment comes up, the reality of the process is this:  the boys don't care whether you are male or female, all they care about is that the chosen one be a person they (the boys) "can work with." 

When I ran for the 92nd District Court in 1996, the boys selected Mr. Edward Aparicio as the anointed one. Mr. Ramon Garcia, as well as other moneyed lawyers (some who I have known for my entire 30 year career), were explicit about what "working with them" meant. It meant a person who is willing to do favors both in and outside the courtroom.

Is this illegal? Hell yes. Will anyone of them ever admit that they pick those who will play ball with them? Hell no. Never.

So, while I'm still perplexed as to why Judge Yañez would seek a county judgeship, which is clearly a step down from the appellate post she formerly occupied, there is no mystery here about what Hidalgo County Commissioner's Court did. They picked the person they "could work with".

Case closed.
 
Yolanda Jurado-Gesswein
McAllen, Texas

Dear Editor,

September 28, 2011

I am MSG (Master Sergeant) Mario Rocha and I am the CAO (Casualty Assistant Officer) for Sgt. Rudy Rodriguez’s wife. I am writing on her behalf on two articles that appeared in The Monitor.

In the first story the reporter twisted the words around when he interviewed a cousin of the soldier and said that the soldier was on suicide watch and that he was not there when one of their children was born.

I want to get this straight, Sgt. Rodriguez was never was on suicide watch and he saw the birth of both of their children.

In the second story, the reporter said the wife did not show any emotions at the funeral.

Was she supposed to jump up and down and scream so he could have gotten a better story? I have and will be her CAO for six months or more if needed. I have been there since the beginning and I have seen a wife that has shown more emotions in private than in public.

In my opinion, the reporter needs to work for the National Enquire because he still does not know how to write. He should try to learn to write and he should start with an apology to Sgt. Rodriguez's wife.

If you let this reporter continue writing these kinds of articles then the “Monitor” should change the name to “National Enquire II.”

Mario Rocha
(Active Guard/Reservist)
Brownsville, Texas

Dear Editor,

September 28, 2011

Thank you for great reporting on this knotty issue affecting South Texas. I agree with U.S. Rep. Reyes. It is all about smoke and mirrors. Allow me to offer the following thoughts.

(l) Make no mistake, the 2,000 mile border is a bad situation that is only getting worse. Unfortunately, ultra-conservative politicians see an opportunity to cause fear. (Having two retired military generals do the report was the first clue!)     

(2) Neo-cons and their defense contractor campaign donors pushed our country into two wars that have cost trillions of tax dollars. Now, the war mongers are looking for another opportunity; another combat zone, so to speak. The campaign has begun. Through rabble-rousing reports such as this one, we are being told to be afraid, to be very afraid of Mexico.

(3) With the wars ending overseas, defense contractors are upset that their sacred cow (Pentagon) may no longer have the funds to buy their expensive materiel. They are busily looking for other customers and locations to sell and use their war hardware. They have found another market in the Department of Homeland Security. The re-armament has already begun with the use of high-sensor surveillance equipment, battle-ready Hummers, and drones along the border. (Will arming those drones be far behind?)

(4) Additionally, property owners are being forced to abandon portions of their ranches due to the Berlin-wall type fence that crosses their land. Law-abiding U.S. citizens of Spanish Mexican-descent are more likely to be humiliated daily by over-zealous border patrol agents only because they look identical to their kin across the border. Where is the adult supervision in all of this?     

Our government leaders are in denial. The U.S. is equally responsible for the border violence due to the insatiable appetite for illegal drugs of its citizens. Attacking only the symptom of a problem is never a long-term solution. We have to fix the problem itself and we can only do that by communicating with one another. Militarizing the U.S. Mexico border is not the answer. It would result in a lose-lose situation between the U.S. and Mexico. That is a state of affairs that we will regret one day.

José Antonio López
Universal City, Texas