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

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

In Harlingen, The Debate of The Century?:...Uh...No...Not Even Close...Woman Does Laundry...

By PATRICK ALCATRAZ
Editor-In-Chief

HARLINGEN, Texas - A much-ballyhooed debate here pitting Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos and opponent John Wood yielded little of any consequence and largely was a lame replay of every other political debate hosted in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas for the past century. Neither man brought anything new to the game. The event was so attractive to this struggling community that most people stayed away, choosing to watch the Texas Rangers eliminate the Tampa Bay Rays in the ongoing Major League Baseball playoffs.

So great was the disdain for the Tea Party-sponsored debate that many Harlingenites went about the business of worrying about bills, employment, drug dealing, drug gangs, downtown murders, debt and bad marriages. Elena Davila, shown above, opted to do her laundry.

"I can go, but what will it mean to me?" she said, without laughing. "Nothing, that's what. Both Cascos and Wood will bullshit everybody and everybody will go home thinking they know these guys a little better. But they won't."

The debate arrived in name only. Points were made by each candidate and softball questions were asked by the small mob in attendance. The morning-after writing followed suit: "Likely the stickiest question of the night and most certainly the most personal was asked for Wood to answer about the now publicized event he held at the Wood office that included wine being served," wrote Local Blogging Sensation Jerry Deal on MyLeaderNews.com. "Nora Castaneda, a Cascos supporter, asked about the party that was held at the Wood office that included wine. Wood responded that it was an after hours affair and that little wine was consumed. However, Cascos replied that what was done was illegal because by law no alcoholic beverages are allowed in the county facility."

Of such heady stuff is smalltown politics made. We thought of attending, but I am hosting a woman who follows The Tribune from her home in Austin. Being with her and no one else seemed to be the night's primo attraction...

- 30 -

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I completely agree with your write up. The debate was no more than making an appearence and letting some 130 see them, and hopefully some will vote for them.
The same old crowd was there, Joe R. Yolanda Shoefeit, saw, some new faces, Jerry, was there, missing was Tony Chopo, didn't see him there. And of course Mr. Tea Party himself Fred R jr. was there.
After the meeting, left dranked 6 beers to forget about the horrible event.

Patrick Alcatraz said...

ANONYMOUS:...A real debate is not merely being asked to answer this and that question. In a real debate, debaters would be required to make their case in as complete a manner as possible. County Judge Cascos and John Wood were merely mimicking Big Time politicians who play this silly shallow game. From what I read, neither man "distinguished" himself, and a mini-polling of a handful of attendees says nothing. Dog & pony show, is what we'd call it... - Editor

Anonymous said...

Dog and Pony was what it was, nothing more nothing less. Just a lot of empty talk. Good Riddance,

Anonymous said...

Mr. Editor, how about another picture of Blanca Estella Hernandez, that little full fledge philly, can walk all over me, anytime she her little heart desires. Enough of those skinney unhealthy looking girlies.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Editor: I think the Tribunes name is on todays letter to editor, by a contributor. Read letters to editor, VMS on todays issue.