Today is the first day to make your voice heard at the ballot box for the first cycle of the 2014 elections. Because El Paso is a Democratic Party stronghold, many of the offices will be determined at the primary election. The El Paso Times masquerading as a newspaper is out with its endorsements. As I look over them, it makes me wonder how the local paper can continue to pretend that it is unbiased in the way it reports the news. The bottom line is that the candidate slate or endorsements that the paper is pushing are a reflection of Bob Moore’s politics.
There is much debate going on about the role of newspapers endorsing candidates and therefore there is not much I can add to the debate. Besides, the restructuring the news industry as a result of how individuals are demanding unbiased, timely, and efficient news not to mention that the Internet continues to change the face of how news is disseminated the appropriateness of newspaper candidate endorsements will soon be settled.
Obviously, the most important thing about an election is voting for the candidate that meet the needs of the voter. There are many reasons why voters engage and how they choose to cast a vote. Some of them base it on friendships, others on ideology and some on public policy. The truth is that there is no right or wrong way to cast a vote as long as it is freely cast without interference or subterfuge, or bribery.
Ultimately, the individual casting the vote will cast it based on his or her own unique circumstances. This should be applauded even though I may not agree with their reasoning. However, and as you can already probably tell by the graphic accompanying this post, there are two individuals that I see no reason why anyone would believe that they have earned the right to your vote. This has nothing to do with public policy or political postures and everything to do with their individual ethics.
Luis Aguilar
In the 243rd District Court election one candidate, Luis Aguilar, has no business, as an elected official and most definitely should not be sitting on a judicial bench, therefore he is the first person on my do not elect list. To write that Luis Aguilar is a disgrace is an understatement.
Luis Aguilar gave up the right to sit on a judicial bench after an investigation by his peers resulted in a public reprimand for his reprehensible actions as the judge on the 120th District Court. The investigation determined that Aguilar disrespected women to the point that the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct had to issue Public Sanction against Luis Aguilar.
You can read the entire sordid details on “In a Normal City Luis Aguilar Wouldn’t Be Elected”.
Notwithstanding the local paper’s endorsement in 2012 of Luis Aguilar his actions against women demeans not only himself but those of El Paso as well. El Paso likes to proclaim itself how tolerant and friendly it is; well here is an opportunity to prove that the verbal abuse of women from an elected official is not acceptable.
Naomi R. Gonzalez
Although individuals make mistakes, there are mistakes and then there are examples of a lack of character. Mistakes are lapses of judgment that when identified are rectified and the penalties are dealt with in order to fix the problem. In the case of Naomi Gonzalez her actions immediately after her arrest for driving under the influence are extremely questionable at best.
You can read the details here: “Naomi Gonzalez: Another El Paso Useful Idiot”.
Some in the community may not be bothered by her arrest photo plastered all over Austin and I’m sure in some politician walls or computers. But the fact remains that her arrest mug shot is one of the first things to popup in a Google search. This should be a sufficient reason to not elect her as that mug shot clearly represents what the El Paso electorate values in their elected officials, if they were to return her to office.
If that is not enough of a concern for you consider, her actions immediately after her arrest. These are questionable at best. Her attitude clearly show that her concern is about her personal needs rather than the needs of the community she purports to serve. Some may see this as a temporary lapse in judgment, a mistake even; however, the problem lies in how she has handled herself after her arrest.
Gonzalez is an attorney and she clearly understands the ramifications of her pending criminal case. She is a lawyer and as such, it is my opinion that the delay in her adjudicating her case before the court is just simple lawyering by her to keep the results of a possible conviction out of the electoral debate.
Either Naomi Gonzalez accepts responsibility for her actions or she continues to worry about her personal needs, over those of the community she purports to represent and plays the lawyering game to make her indiscretion quietly go away.
I understand some of you would argue that lawyering her way out of the mess she got herself into is the just part of the US system. Those that would argue that may be right; however, Naomi Gonzalez should be playing the lawyering game as an unelected official, not as a representative of El Paso.
In the four-way race for the State Representative District 76 office, the incumbent has forfeited any right to ask the voters to vote for her.
However you feel about my commentary there is one thing we can all agree on, you need to go out and vote.
The graphic of Gonzalez is outrageous! You should be ashamed of yourself.
Wow, you went way too far with that picture.
It is a question of the least worst candidate because there are no “best” candidates in this race. Putting Norma the Drama Queen back in office is unthinkable, not that El Paso voters actually think given their EPISD diplomas. In my district, I can choose between a tax-and-spend liberal and an alcoholic psychopath. Shit floats to the top here.
Really, the hamburglar? LMAO Oh my, that’s hilarious!!!!
As residents and citizens, at least we can vote here in EP.
So, the El Paso Times masquerading as a newspaper and the insane ramblings of a fool masquerading as a blog agree that Naomi Gonzalez shouldn’t be re-elected.
Whose bed have your boots been under, Martin?
Ha! Nicely done @Henry and @Indeed.
If you are saying that there are only two candidates that do not deserve a vote, is your silence about the rest of them then an endorsement?
“But the fact remains that her arrest mug shot is one of the first things to popup in a Google search. This should be a sufficient reason to not elect her as that mug shot clearly represents what the El Paso electorate values in their elected officials, if they were to return her to office.”
So this is what politics has come to? Google Images search determine one’s ability to serve in office.
The “graphic” in my opinion is representative of her actions. She has the background of a loiter and probably still believes she can continue loitering like the majority of lawyers/loiters do in el paso,tx. Gonzalez probably has a lot of support. Have you seen the all the DWI arrests.
To read the sickening injustices filed out from the 243rd District Court while being overseen by Judge Luis Aguilar is an abomination. He is a prime example of our justice system gone awry. I myself have been abused by his lack of ” fairness” . I have been in a ridiculous court fiasco for 2 1/2 years. Because off the incessant need to bring court cases for the almighty buck, I can’t understand how these courts and corrupt judges such as Luis Aguilar get away with the injustices they sign off for without even a thought, much less any knowledge or even a slight let’s take a look at what happened. I am in the process of filling suit against the state of Texas for the inadequacies thrown to me, a woman signed over to this court by Alma Trejo judge of misdemeanor county court at law number one. Since I refused to take a ridiculous 9 month deferred adjudicated offer from the state, I filed for trial. Ms. Trejo and my court appointed attorney Ms. Walker, not happy to get an easy 1’2’3′, ENHANCED my misdemeanor to a felony based on a PREVIOUS CONVICTION that I pled guilty to 14 YEARS earlier. So now I end up in the 243rd District Court under LUIS AGUILAR. Naturally I fired the court appointed atty, hired GARY HILL, and the motions were submitted to the court at law number one BEFORE we ever set foot in AGUILARS courtroom. mind you, my attorney on record is GARY HILL since judge Trejo enhanced ( to get rid of my case since there is a severe lack of proof or evidence), there was no other attorney on my case. I show up for yet ANOTHER JURY TRIAL RESET In Dec 2012, again in Jan 2013 and March 2013. Not 2 weeks after appearing for yet another rescheduled trial date the end of March 2013….I have US MARSHALS, EPPD, DPS at my door APRIL 2013 for Failure To Appear in the 243rd Issued by JUDGE LUIS AGUILAR. I don’t 7 days in jailbecause it was a holiday. All in All.. this sorry excuse for an appointed court judge signed a bench warrant in sequence. Never checked out the validity of the issuance. The court ” somehow mysteriously had my attorney listed as a court appointed”. what happened to my 2 years as having GARY HILL listed? This was the basis for my 3rd arrest on this 1 same charge. instead of the court dismissing the incident, I AM NOW ON A $101,000 PR Bond for an initial misdemeanor $750.ok bond. Unbelievable!!! I have to once again ask Who are the REAL Criminerals? Judge Aguilar and a few others are an outright Abomination.