AMERIQUE:


A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: It is the unspoken statistic, but it is as real as anything to do with the lingering U.S. war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to the military, 1,800 American servicemen have killed themselves since the initial invasion of Baghdad. That is in addition to the more than 4,000 who died in battle. This week, families of the soldiers who committed suicide asked President Barack Obama to change the government policy of not forwarding letters of appreciation to mothers and fathers of these servicemen. By week's end, the White House had reversed the policy and agreed that such letters are needed, as well... - Eduardo Paz-Martinez, Editor of The Tribune

Friday, April 1, 2011

In Texas Legislature Action, Cameron County Reps Are On The Sidelines...Oliveira, Lucio, Lucio III Not Doing Much...

By EDUARDO PAZ-MARTINEZ
Editor-In-Chief

AUSTIN, Texas - On Wednesday, State Rep. Eddie Lucio, III, shown in photo above, took time out from his day to issue a statement recognizing National Doctor's Day. Inside the State Capitol, in the House chamber, other elected officials agonized over funding a variety of state agencies while wrestling with the $27 billion deficit crippling Texas. Outside, a few hundred angry educators rallied against proposed hellacious cuts in public school funding. Lucio, III was nowhere to be seen at either event. The District 38 Democrat from Brownsville hasn't said much or done anything to capture the attention of the news media during the current legislative session.

But, then, neither has State Rep. Rene Oliveira (in photo at right).

Nor State Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr.

You'd have to have a killer microscope the size of Mt. Palomar's observatory to find these guys doing anything substantive inside the State Capitol chambers, where, these days, other legislators are taking the lead on matters to do with the state's budget, public education funding, public safety and a host of other issues-of-the-day that capture the attention of editors for the city's newspapers and television news departments.

Where is Oliveira, you ask? Well, he's been defending former State Rep. Tara Rios Ybarra in that high-publicity court case that had her facing Medicaid fraud charges. Oliveira's work there probably saved the day for Rios Ybarra. Charges against her were dismissed this week. And when asked for comment after the dismisal, Oliveira declined to speak about the case or the judge's surprise ruling.

He's not done much for his Valley constituents lately. But it's a Republican-dominated Legislature these days, so perhaps Oliveira decided his chances of passing bills of any kind were slim. Still, he could have tried. Among items he offered was recognizing Jan. 25, 2011 as Brownsville Day at the State Capital. He's been in office since 1981 and largely runs unopposed.

Eddie Lucio, Jr., the craggy-faced state senator for Dist. 27 since 1991 shown in photo at left, hasn't fared much better. He, too, is a Democrat in a Republican-heavy chamber. But even though Lucio, who is State Rep. Eddie Lucio, III's dad, is a member of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, well, we've heard nary a peep from him during the ongoing budget sessions. No proposal from him, and no ideas on how to solve the cash problem. Maybe the senior Lucio believes his contribution would be meaningless, and that could very well be the case. Republicans have ramrodded their issues right and left, beginning with insisting on measures they want included on budget action and killing amendments proposed by Democrats.

It's a fact of life in politics that the party in power gets its way. Democrats are not doing squat in Austin these days. A few get their photos taken in rallies outside the capitol building, with those irate educatrors, for example. But are they doing anything? The quick answer is, "No."

This legislative session will likely go down as one in which the Republicans had their way with everything, from framing the state budget to deciding on funding for public education.

Oliveira and the Lucios may as well have stayed home...

- 30 -

32 comments:

Ralph said...

Lucio the father and Oliveira have been in office too long. Out, bros! You're not doing anything. The Lucio son looks like he's headed in the same direction as his dad, just taking the job for status. Vote all three out!

Anonymous said...

Love the cartoon!

El De Los Fresnos said...

i've heard Eddie Lucio speak and he sounds like a high school dropout. The father is who I mean. Not a smooth politician. Needs to take some public speaking lessons.

Anonymous said...

Agree with commentaries, The Lucio's days are counted as are the days for Oliveira.

Anonymous said...

Other than benefiting themselves, what else has the Lucios and Oliveira done??? Nothing that I can think of.

Anonymous said...

I hope the Democratic party uses all the abuse the Republicans are doing to the people, by cutting anything they so desire.
It is happeining all over the USA. Ohio, Inidana, Green Bay Wi. and now TExas.

sofia said...

I bet the guy on the cartoon wasn't laughing. Damn, almost getting hanged for a joke, no thanks.

Anonymous said...

The New Mexican Attorney, General won't last to long. With all the killing they have been doing out there. Poor girl, good luck.

Anonymous said...

Lucio the father has just made himself rich. remember the Bridge to Nowhere, Eddie? Menso

Patrick Alcatraz said...

ALL:...we deleted a post here by the operator of the chickenbuckets site, only because there was no comment other than his/her website address. We welcome his/her comments and the website link can be added, but only if some sort of comment adding to the conversation here is blogged... - Editor

Cable Guy said...

exellent article, as always. The Lucios are in it for themselves and Oliveira hasn't done crap for years. Too bad no good people run against these losers.

Roy/Edinburg said...

Nice video from the Austin TV station. man, those guys look like pros compared to valley tv news. Excellent update. The Trib does it again!!!

sal said...

That police officer, who grabbed the passenger on the Metro bus must have been having a bad day.
Then of course, people should respect more the authorities.

Luisa said...

Judge Limas pleaded guilty to save his ass from heading to the Federal Farm.
I wonder how many lawyers were involved in this mess?? And where was Armando Villalobos the Cameron County District Attorney?? Sleeping on the wheel again...maybe!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

El mendigo enano, is bragging about him being on facebook, and that he has so many friends.
Look fool, 5 comments, mostly from you and made up bloggers.
Your blog is dead, go get your lard ass chola and speak to her, none us here care what you have to say.

Mr. Brownsville said...

The Tribune simply offers more and in a better way. Chapaneco will neve rise to this level, and he knows it. Press releases again today. Jerry Deal kicks his ass, too. Just saying.

sofia said...

Wasn't that Veronica Gonzalez from McAllen, on the film, looks to me like our cash strapped state better get their act together. Soon, I hope, very soon.

sofia said...

Agree, with Brownsville man, I don't know, why anyone with the brain of a squirrel would visit or use that blog. Es pura basura, nothing but trash.

Hector said...

Ssouth texas politicians never get accepted in Austin. Nothing lucio or his son or Oliveira can do about it. North Texas gets all the power. Thanks for the video. It gives us a bit more info. The Trib rocks!

Gabino from Harlingen said...

Chapaneco is puping up his Facebook friends. Hell, they're not his friends. Anyone can request friends all day long on Facebook! the only friend he has is stupidity. Hombre sonso!

Anonymous said...

Valley politricians are in it for themselves. always have been and always will be. That's how Oliveira and the Lucios stay in power. Not everybody likes them. Lucio the father was involved ina huge mess about some bridge that was never built. It cost $21 million and it all went down the drain. they're just vatos, bro.

Anonymous said...

Well of course el mendigo enano is asking friends. His blog has become a laughing stock. Even the BLR, writes better articles than he does.
He strings 6 sentences, calls it, exclusive or breaking news. And then he expects people to respond to that form of stupidity. Viejo estupido inservible.
No one is blogging there, no one, not even Benton, or Kingi, or five O. Nada, cabron se te acabo.

Anonymous said...

Gandhi was Gay? wow!!! that's too wild. I'll have to get the book from the library. Excellent stuff on the Trib again today. Thankx

Anonymous said...

Wowowow, have to read the book, so many good stuff written about this man. And now this, what a bombshell. Who knows, there were rumors that the former FBI director, J. E. Hoover was gay as well.

Anonymous said...

that Limas story will be juicy. I hope the Tribune writes it and not Chapaneco. It will need a good writer. who else is gonna fall? Man, i can't wait to find out!

Anonymous said...

The rumor is that there are about 4 other individuals involved. I bet, they're are not sleeping good lately.

Anonymous said...

Mr.Paz-Martinez, Juan Montoya's blog is listing some names.
The love of money does funny things to people.
It also lands people in Jail.

Jack O' Really's said...

All these South Texas Ejidatarios and Rancheritos - Mexican - Americans / Cholos " Politicians " are just a bunch of Puppets at the Servitude of their Great Conquerors the Protestant / Masonic White - Anglo - Saxon - Caucasian - Europeans !!!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Editor, in South Texas, people believe that been fat, like Oliveira and Eddie Lucio is healthy.
Good, removed the unhealthy items from the food stamp program. In fact, why don't they do away with the damn things, period.

Anonymous said...

Jack Oreally, everybody is somebodie's naco. Everyone, I mean everyone, not just rancheritos etc.

Anonymous said...

Why do they call Rene Oliveira The Plump Partridge? Caus ehe eats too much or what?

Anonymous said...

They are all Just a Bunch of South Texas POCHO - LOSERS... Everybody hates them, even themselves --- nobody accepts them, Not only Austin, they are the Scum - dirt of Both Civilized Socities --- IGNORANT BROWN OUTCASTS !!!