What is really going on in Taylor, Texas?!!

Serious allegations have been made and I know nothing of them except what was related to me and I cannot attest to the validity of any of these claims so far, but if any are true it would be an OUTRAGE!  It has been alleged that an ICE contract detention center run by Corrections Corporation of America in Taylor, Texas, known as the Hutto Residential Center, is a medium security prison that holds families and even small children!!!

If this is true, it is unconscionable and inhumane at the very least.  Further, if it is true that immigrants who are in the process of adjudicating their cases with the immigration system are not, in fact, convicts or suspects in some criminal enterprise, then they should be bailable.

Under Texas law it is, I believe, illegal to house children with adults and children cannot be held without criminal charges.  This is a very serious matter and as Texas State Director for Somos Republicans I will not let this issue rest.

I have communicated these allegations made by others to both my congressman, US Representative Michael McCaul, and both US Senators from Texas, Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn.  I have asked them, rather insistingly, that they investigate this matter with all dispatch and have demanded a reply in two business days.

Perhaps we will open our own investigation and share our findings with you all.

Please see the following link to learn more although I cannot attest to the validity of any of the claims in this posting.   I warn you though, its hard to look at.

Open Letter to Texas Legislators Regarding Texas Anti-Immigrant HB 17

To the Texas legislators of the Texas Criminal Jurisprudence Committee

SUBJECT:  Rep. Debbie Riddle’s Anti-Immigrant HB 17

Chairman, Rep Pete Gallego
Rep Will Hartnett
Rep José Aliseda
Rep Cindy Burkett
Rep Stefani Carter
Rep Wayne Christian
Rep Yvonne Davis
Rep Eddie Rodríquez
Rep Bill Zedler

Somos Republicans, America’s largest organization of conservative Hispanics, urges you all to stop Riddle’s HB 17.

Please do not support HB 17 by Debbie Riddle to be heard on Tuesday, April 19, 2011.  This bill is an Arizona-style immigration enforcement bill and is clearly unconstitutional, as is Arizona’s SB1070 which has been an economic and public relations disaster for Arizona and has already cost that state’s taxpayers $4 million in legal fees and well over $100 million in lost business and economic downturn.  We are confident it would be a disaster both for the people and reputation of friendliness of Texas.  We urge you to stop this bill in committee immediately.

Despite Mrs. Riddle’s uneducated assertions otherwise, this bill would illegally enable and require all Texas Peace officers to violate Federal law and question suspects about their immigration status and arrest them for immigration investigation if they find “reasonable suspicion” (itself a clear violation of 4^th Amendment) the suspect may not be a legal resident.  This is clearly illegal, a tremendous abuse of police powers, and has already been found unconstitutional by two federal courts.  Arizona is in the unenviable position of begging for money to pursue a suit against its own residents!  This is not right for Texas!  We believe so and Governor Perry has also said so and we urge you to defeat it now and send a message to the enemies of freedom who claim to be for law and order while trampling both the Texas and American Constitutions!

Immigration enforcement by state and local police also undermines community policing, as shown by a recent report produced by the Police Foundation.  Once immigrants become distrustful of police, they often no longer cooperate as crime witnesses or victims.  How many international visitors, tourists at the famous “Alamo,” and medical students at the Houston Medical Center will fail the “reasonable suspicion” tests and be humiliated by arrest and jailing?  How many will never return to Texas for fear of arrested, searched have their car towed, all by overzealous police who will, in the jail, strip search them (male or female) and then require them to make bail before their release?  Is that really Texas friendly?  We don’t believe so.

Racial profiling of Hispanics has also become rampant in many parts of the U.S.  Most statistical studies show blacks and Hispanics are much more likely to be stopped by police, and much less likely found with contraband.  Though racial profiling is illegal it occurs anyway, which demonstrates that specific language in legislation such as SB1070 and HB 17 has no impact on preventing this practice and will, in fact, encourage it.

Hispanics are now more than 40% of Texas’ population and no jurisdiction can afford to either divert valuable and terrible limited resources to the fool’s errand.  Especially since it will open those officers and departments to litigation in federal courts which Texas cannot win.

Like Arizona, Texas is an agricultural state but Arizona’s lettuce industry has already been severely impacted by immigration enforcement there as they cannot find adequate workforce to harvest crops. Is this to be the same in Texas?

HB 17, is described by it’s supporters at TFIR, as the Texas SB 1070.  We thank them for their honesty in that and urge you all to recognize that SB 1070 is both an economic and a public relations nightmare for the people of Arizona and all other jurisdictions that have attempted it, including Farmer’s Branch here in Texas that has already failed at the same effort in federal court.

Somos Republicans, America’s largest organization of conservative Hispanics, urges you all to stop the madness now.  Please support, instead, a real solution and the correct attitude toward state and federal law, HCR 88 by John V. Garza.

Best  regards,

SOMOS REPUBLICANS supports the TEXAS COMPACT by Rep. John V. Garza

Latino Republican National Group supports the  TEXAS COMPACT!

As you all might already know, SOMOS REPUBLICANS is based out of Arizona and it is the largest Latino Republican group in the nation. Our Texas Director, Lauro Garza, has been working for months in trying to work with Texas legislators with introducing the TEXAS COMPACT. John Garza is a distinguished member of SOMOS REPUBLICANS and we are pleased that he has introduced this much needed resolution. We applaud John’s leadership and we will continue to promote this Compact along with other compacts in our Union. Please read Lauro Garza’s press release below:

SOMOS REPUBLICANS supports Texas’ HCR 88 by Rep. 117 John V. Garza

For Immiediate Release
13 April 2011
Contact: Lauro Garza / lauro@somsorepublicans.com

Last year, Somos Republicans promoted the “Utah Compact” and the “Compact with America” because America and its flagging economy needs MORE immigration not less! To remedy these problems we, as conservative Republicans who respect the Constitution, support and recommend the US Congress re-examine and deeply overhaul our American immigration system which is heavily overloaded, inefficient and fails to serve the economic needs of this nation.

Now, Texas representative 117 John V. Garza, San Antonio, who is a founding member of the, first ever, Texas Hispanic Republican Caucus, has introduced a non-binding House Concurrent Resolution to promote that very agenda. We wholeheartedly support that effort and urge all Texas legislators to support it as it is very clear that a more efficient immigration system is essential to our future economic success. The resolution states, “Our nation’s immigration system is inefficient and badly flawed, and a complete overhaul is urgently needed to protect our borders and ensure our future economic prosperity…”

We fully agree and thank all of the members of the Texas Hispanic Republican Caucus have already agreed to support HCR 88 and, as the all of conservative America watches Texas, now is the time for all Texas legislators to also support it as well. Texas Governor Rick Perry nor the Texas legislature have not, so far, supported the hard line and misguided “enforcement only” agenda demonstrated in Arizona. Although the hard line approach was offered in nearly every other state in the Union, the efforts largely failed. It is clear, from the readily available evidence, the Arizona approach has been both a public relations and economic disaster for Arizona. The US Court of Appeals has again struck down Arizona’s SB 1070 as clearly unconstitutional. Now is the time for the states to take another approach and urge the federal government to do more to promote “comprehensive immigration reform.”

HCR 88 can well serve as a guide and inspiration to legislators across the nation who have already promoted our “Compact with America” and also encourage other Republicans to abandon the divisive and unpopular “enforcement only” agenda and promote this agenda which is both economically sound and better adheres to the Party’s platform which respects the rule of law in the US Constitution.

“United States v Arizona” or simply “Us v Them?”

Yesterday, In reference to “United States v State of Arizona, 10-16645, an appeals court upheld a lower federal court’s ruling that Arizona’s SB 1070 was unconstitutional in several ways and that those provisions were intolerable.  The lower court issued orders that those provisions be restrained.  The State of Arizona appealed the ruling arguing that the lower court exceeded its authority in the matter.  That appeal has failed.  Previously, Mrs. Brewer, the previously unelected Governor of Arizona who signed the disastrous law into effect in her immeasurable ignorance pledged to appeal the law to the Supreme Court of the United States.  Two factors limit that effort and one is money.  Arizona is one of the few states that is now or has ever sought voluntary contributions to support a legal action against its own people!  The other is the immutable fact that they have lost a major appeal and the Supreme Court may very well simply refuse to hear the case allowing the appeals court order to stand thus, permanently making the key provisions of SB 1070 illegal.  I hope this is the beginning of the end for this evil effort in America and a return to true conservative ideals for the Republican Party.

Republicans have been behind this mess because many of them were convinced they could support outrageous measures like this if it was portrayed as lawful defense of “home and hearth” and that because it could appear as “patriotic” it would not be viewed as racist or bigoted.  Many politicos were assured that these actions would actually bring prosperity to their jurisdiction and their re-elections were insured.  One can only imagine the stories of sunshine and puppy dogs told to gullible (and deeply air brushed) Jan Brewer to convince her to support SB 1070.

Well, the results are in.  SB 1070 is unconstitutional and illegal.  It is not patriotic nor is it Republican to restrict the Rights of anyone.  It is bigoted and racist as its writers are just that and are motivated by radical environmentalism and not any type of conservative agenda.  SB 1070 is an economic disaster as it discourages tourism, is unfriendly and is overly demanding on the limited budgets of almost all local jurisdictions.  Let us hope that the last promise of the proponents of this travesty, re-election, will also soon prove to be a lie.  Arpaio, Russell and Brewer will not, I predict, be re-elected again.  For the sake of the Arizona, America, and the Republican Party, let us hope and pray on it a while.

For us here at Somos Republicans, this law and the lawsuits pending it has really been “Us v Them” but we know we were right and soon we will all be the better for knowing and acting on it.  We defended Hispanics in America and we defended the integrity of the GOP from interlopers and infiltrators and we “took fire” from both directions: Republicans ostracizing us and Latinos calling us “vendidos.”  Maybe now, Republicans and Latinos will finally respect us.  Doubtful but its nice to think so.

“Because we can read…”

It has been said there exists a “fog of war,” a sort of confusion, very deep, brought on by stress, exhaustion, fear and the constant onslaught of information, much of it raw and inaccurately reported.  I submit that politics is much the same, especially in today’s instant information age where “truth” meaning perception or “first impression” belongs to the first report not necessarily the best.  In today’s political world, the ability to spread propaganda is more powerful than ever and there are advocates, liberal, radical and conservative alike, that seek to “turn the tide” their direction or even seize control of an political party or an entire nation, not with facts reason or law, but with carefully crafted propaganda.  At Somos Republicans we seek to speak the truth and keep the others honest and it is not easy because it is hardly a fair match when most of our opponents have the first few punches but we continue to be devoted to the truth and guided by morality.  Here is an example that occurred today.

In response to Sharon Russell’s Facebook posting of this comment by New York Senator Charles Schumer, “Schumer: Senate Will ‘Never, Never, Never’ Defund Planned Parenthood | CNSnews.com

I commentend on April 9, 2011

“They are so completely devoted to the abortion agenda with they euphemistically call “women’s health care” they were willing to shut down the government and stop paychecks to our fighting men and women. Yeah, it’s true, the Dems have most of their fundamental priorities out of whack because they are devoid of any true sense of morality.”

“Lauro you speak truth with the boldness of a lion. Finally someone who realizes the Democrats are the party of death, death of life, liberty and freedom. Thank you so much for your post sir.” Sharon Russell, political commentator, via Facebook, April 9, 2011.

To which I replied:

“You flatter me ma’am.  I am merely an echo of the greats that have come before us all.  I study history while the Democrats, hopeful of our ignorance, seek to re-write it.  As affirmed in the “Declaration…” Life is a gift from God, Our Creator, without that and the Right to it, especially for the most innocent among us, liberty, True Liberty with freedom and responsibility, are nothing but an illusion.  An illusion the Democrats happily reinvigorate at every opportunity.  We conservatives must continue to strive for the truth and demonstrate that the meaning of “truth” is derived from our common morality and faith.  Just as one cannot defeat evil with evil, we must not allow ourselves to be tempted to use the tools of immorality, like our opponents, to defeat immorality.  This is why is it is so important for “conservatives” to be true conservatives paying respect and having discipline to adhere to this stringent code or they risk the credibility of us all.  That is why you have found me questioning and disagreeing with some of our, often self appointed, leaders because I find they have been deceitful in their efforts to win a just cause or present an unjust cause.  Either way, like the Democrats who clothe themselves in new titles like “progressive” rather than liberal or socialist, I will oppose them and require them to speak the truth.  Sometimes they ask me “Who are you?!” and my answer is,  “I am an American and I CAN READ!””

This commentary is not specific to myself but to the total set of efforts by our organization, Somos Republicans.  We seek to speak the truth, defend the weak and the innocent from whomever, even those who claim devine inspiration, might attack them.  Why shouldn’t we?  We are Americans and we know the law.  Why?  Because we can read!

Conservative Latino Talk Radio suspends production of the show and explains why the Republican Party leadership seems to have turned its back on me, my show, and all Latinos in America

Conservative Latino Talk Radio suspends production and goes on hiatus for the foreseeable future.  Times are hard in America and times are especially hard for Latinos Republicans who refuse to sell out their own honor and the welfare of Latinos everywhere.  We have been in continuous production since Oct 2009 and have produced over 250 hour long shows.  Our listenership is way up but we have failed to convince Republican leadership to abandon the anti-immigration agenda or its damaging rhetoric.  They appear apathetic at minimum and openly hostile at worst to me, my show and the effort to defend Latinos from having their civil rights trampled by The Tanton Network.

Today, as there has been no financial support forthcoming from Republican organizations or clubs, we must suspend operations.  It appears to me that the anti-Latino driven anti-immigration agenda in this nation has overtaken the Republican leadership who have gone from apathetic to openly hostile while the Democrats have become totally apathetic about Latino issues.

Few wish to invest in what they think is a loser, a conservative Latino, thanks to Mary Ann Mastri for pointing that out, however, I am not deterred.  I believe that this tidal wave of bigotry is self destructive and like all waves will go back out.  If the Lord prefers it then I will remain to produce my show and promote Latino Republicans again.  Thanks for your listenership and your support.  You can continue to listen to past episodes and comment on them at the LatinoTalk fan page on facebook and read my blog and essays at somosrepublicans.com.  You can still find me at www.laurogarza.homestead.com and write me at comments@latinotalktexas.com.   God bless you and God bless America.

0025 2011, Mon, Mar 7,

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Conservative Latino Talk Radio continues yesterday’s discussion of the “New Day Rising” symposium adding news important to Latinos in Texas and America

On “Conservative Latino Talk Radio” continued discussion of Monday’s symposium on population and demographics and the future of Texas.  I read some of Professor Murdock’s comments and his worry that Texas is not prepared to educate or support the future of the increasing youthfulness of the Texas population during the next 20 years.

I comment further on my suggestion that competitive education and a new broader model of education in Texas and America is required to meet the challenge.

Then to the news from Missouri that the GOP Speaker of the House reportedly “hates Spanish and it’s everywhere!”  Then also, a California GOP candidate committed an act of political intimidation, then lied about it and has been convicted of obstruction of justice for that lie.  I continue with news from Texas that several GOP types have introduced and will now discuss several measures from the Tanton Network to target Latinos and harass them in an effort to deny them access to basic public services.  Lastly, there is news from Arizona that the odious Russell Pearce, Senate President there, has produced a list of undesirables who will never be allowed into the Senate building.  Now, the First amendment is under attack in Arizona for Latinos!  I am struggling to defend the Republican Party and its platform but its leadership has been lead astray by the clever marketing of the Tanton Network.

0024 2011, Wed, Mar 2

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Conservative Latino Talk Radio reports on the “New Day Rising” event in Austin

Just back from the Texas Tribune sponsored “New Day Rising: Changing Demographics and Changing politics and policy in Texas” event in Austin, Texas, “Conservative Latino Talk Radio” has stunning news regarding the future of Texas and America!

Professor Steve Murdock of Rice University addresses many startling demographics and projections and lodged his concern, not that Texas and America are becoming more Latino, but that as we become more Latino, unless something is changed, both Texas and America will become less and less competitive internationally as the growing Latino population is less educated and earns and spends much less.  A set of very valid concerns and the rest of the day’s conversation focused on the increasing need for education, in order to remain competitive.   However, I noted that no one spoke of competitive education which, I believe, is the answer to our problems in that regard.

I went on to discuss how Texas HB 12, which I discussed last week, comes up for consideration tomorrow in Austin.  I read parts of that bill and explain how it is a Texas version of part of the Arizona SB 1070 bill that Governor Perry said, once, “….was not right for Texas.”  I oppose HB 12 because it is unnecessary and is intended to allow for the abuse and harassment of Latinos in Texas.    This bill is an unfunded mandate to local law enforcement, exposes them to liability and robs the leaders of these agencies of their policy and procedures authority.

0023 2011, Tues, March 1

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Conservative Latino Talk Radio shares comments and discusses the Constitution shredding anti-immigration Arizona law SB 1611

On “Conservative Latino Talk Radio” today, I share some comments with you about Republicanism, its platform, and how it is constantly being dragged away from its true foundation.  My show is dedicated to promoting and defending Republicanism among Latinos and promoting and defending Latinos.

I also share some comments from Kat Lawson who seems to think I am an arrogant ass and worse.  I explain how correct she is and why. That discussion was precipitated by my commentary on Texas HB 12 & SB 11, the Texas version of SB 1070, and my lamentation about that.  I shared with Kat Lawson the truth about the law, its source and their true agenda.  I explain why that bill is designed to be easily abused for the purpose of driving Latinos out of Texas as The Tanton Network desires.

At anti-immigration ground zero, Arizona, a new Constitution shredding law, SB 1611, is moving forward and will cause all government employees to investigate the immigration status of everyone who seeks any type of public service.  This law is a travesty and has been condemned by Catholic Bishops, and I read articles from azcentral.com and Latina.com on the subject.   Latina magazine quoted Somos Republicans remarks decrying this travesty.

Liberals and radicals are attacking the Constitution; unrest is breaking out all over the world; there are more and more hate groups in America; the American economy is on the verge of collapse and the price of gas and food is skyrocketing!  Life was a lot better in 2007.  America, under the leadership of George W. Bush,  was much better.  Do you miss him yet?  I do.

0022 2011, Fri, Feb 25

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Conservative Latino Talk Radio discusses a lawsuit brought by Tea party activists to prevent the use of new census data, showing more Latinos in Texas, for redistricting

Conservative Latino Talk Radio discusses a lawsuit brought by Tea party activists to prevent the use of new census data which shows more Latinos in Texas in redistricting.  In Teuber v Texas, Kaaren Teuber, Jim Burg and Ricky Grunden all from the Sherman, Texas area have brought a suit in US District Court against the US Commerce Dept., the US Census Bureau, Texas Gov. Perry, Lt. Gov Dewhurst; the DNC and RPT Chairs and nearly everyone else they could think of!

Their lawsuit contends that districts with more illegal immigrants have votes that are worth MORE than their districts because there are fewer illegal immigrants who cannot vote.  They argue that the Census is inaccurate, although they fail to demonstrate that, and that it should not be used, as required by law, to redistrict Texas as required by law.

Frankly, I find their assertions and allegations ridiculous and their remedies equally so.  My question is will Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, a friend of the anti-immigration crowd,  have to defend Texas from this suit.  Will he do that or will he settle so as to ingratiate himself further to the anti-immigration crowd and promote his future career opportunities?

0021 2011, Tues, Feb 22

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