Happy Labrador Day...(I mean labor day)

For everyone who works hard I wish you a happy Labor Day. For the rest of you slackers...GET A JOB!

This weekend marks my beautiful wife's birthday and we have been celebrating it all weekend long. Being of Irish decent (yes I'm Irish by marriage) we started the festivities at a new local pub Sean-Patricks for dinner and live music. The dinner part didn't go very well. The food that we had was ok but expensive for the quality. A friend of ours declined to accompany us, in part, because he has had two bad experiences with service at Sean-Patricks. If you go to the Pub, go for the drinks and live music but, skip the food.

The performers that night are pictured above. They were great. I really liked Campbell and Wison's stage presence and their performance was superb. Here is a link to their web page for those who might like to catch a performance.

We followed Fridays festivities with a small gathering of friends at Cheatham Street Warehouse on Sunday to have food and cake for my beloved. The evenings entertainment was provided by The Patio Boys formerly the Grant Mazak Band. While there is a small cover charge at the door this band is worth the cost. They perform the first Sunday of every month at Cheatham Street.

Since, I am writing about local live music venues, I should mention that a couple of weeks ago we went to Lucky Cup Coffee House in Kyle Texas to listen to some live music. It was a really great experience listening to live music under a star filled sky in the beautiful Texas hill country. I will post the next time they have a live show.

Yeah, I could've blogged about the Republican Sex scandals, the war in Iraq, or the upcoming city council race in San Marcos and other local goings on; but every now and again you've got to enjoy life.


Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud

A Cautionary Tale For the City of San Marcos

It would be wise for the City of San Marcos to read the current issue of the Houston Chronicle. The Chronicle gives some information about the struggles that the City has been dealing with concerning the proposed citywide Wi-Fi system.

Earth-link is the City of Houston's wireless provider. Their contract called for Earth-link to begin installation of the system this summer. Earth-link has, it seems, missed it's deadline. So it now appears that Earth-link will pay a five million dollar penalty to the City. The Chronicle article went on to speculate if the system will be built at all.

Members of the San Marcos City Council should use their contacts from the City of Houston and find what if any mistakes have been made on the part of the City of Houston and Earth-link. So far, San Marcos has only begun its quest for a citywide Wi-Fi system of its own, with a small investment of a couple hundred thousand dollars.

TSU in San Marcos has recently completed a campus-wide Wi-Fi system of its own. The University Star has an article about the new system. It would be interesting to see if the City of San Marcos and TSU could create a joint venture Wi-Fi system. Such a project could go a long way towards Town and Gown relations.

Gratias Tbi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud

I Am Back

After longer than expected hiatus Un Otro Voice is back. A lot of things have happened since my last posting. The most significant thing that has happened to this blog is that my new Lenovo (IBM) computer committed suicide. We are still waiting for IBM to repair it. In the mean time I am using my old computer. Its a 2003 Compaq and it is very slow.

The most Significant thing that has happened to me, Wonko's Bud, is that my wife and I have added to our family by one...her Aunt.

We have spent the last few months moving her to the hill country and setting her up in a new house. Who would have thought that Texas would come out of its five year long drought? Of course this splendid event would happen right when I needed to have a house moved and set up. The financial responsibility of adding on the Aunt for my wife and I is huge, but hey she's family.

Besides, it feels good to help a refugee from Abilene.


Gratias Tibi Ago Deus
Wonko's Bud

Gun Nuts Unite

There was a problem with blogger last night and it would only post part of what I had written. I couldn't figure it out so I will try to convey a few thoughts.

I am sort of an oddity. I am a liberal Democrat who likes guns. I like guns for the same reason that I like fireworks. I am not a hunter but I suppose that if I were I would most probably use a black powder rifle. I think that those types of fire arms require much more skill than most modern firearms.

While I am an gun enthusiast, I have a real problem with a piece of legislation authored by State Representative Patrick Rose. Mr. Rose has introduced a bill, HB991, that would keep secret concealed gun permit information. The legislation does allow for law enforcement to have access to the concealed gun permit database but, it would bar the public and the media from accessing that information.

I for one would like to know who has a permit to carry a concealed gun. I would like news outlets to be able to access that information. In an Star-Telegram article Mr. Rose stated that he trusted law enforcement to do the job of checking who can have a permit. I don't. Because law enforcements agencies are not infallible, private individuals should be able to see if someone in their neighborhood is in possession of such a permit.

At this time, I would most likely have written a hypothetical situation of a mentally disturbed individual fraudulently obtaining a concealed gun permit or even a gun. But unfortunately, I don't have to make something up. Confirmed news reports have stated that the massacre at Virginia Tech was perpetrated by someone who had been. in 2005. involuntarily committed into a mental health facility. The shooter was not legally able to purchase a gun and in Texas would have been disqualified to carry a concealed gun permit. He simply slipped through the cracks. Law enforcement in Virginia missed it and it can happen here. It has happened in Texas.

Mr. Rose should withdraw his legislation and work to keep government open not closed to the people who sent him to Austin.



Gratias Tibi Ago Deus
Wonko's Bud

The War, by Ken Burns...an update

PBS has announced that the documentary, "The War", will be aired in September with changes. I blogged about this earlier (link here). The announcement comes after complaints that the documentary by Ken Burns did not include Latinos. Additional changes will include coverage of Native Americans experience. PBS described the changes as additions to the existing fourteen part documentary.

I am pleased that PBS and Ken Burns have come to the understanding that major elements of the WWII war effort were glaringly absent. I do not know what the changes will consist of but I look forward to seeing the documentary. I can only hope that the final product will be worthy of PBS's usual superb standards.

Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud

Republi-thug Pleas Guilty

Former State Representative Rick "Sucker Punch" Green is set to plead guilty for assaulting current State Representative Patrick Rose on this past election day. Burnt Orange has the details of the assault and the San Marcos Daily Record has the newest details.

While I have until now declined to use the word thug in regards to Republicans, I have made an exception for the obvious reason, he is a thug. OK, maybe not the traditional thug, more like a wimpy one. You have to wonder if Rick is having a problem with getting over his four year old electoral pounding at the hands of Patrick Rose.

I wonder what Rick means when he describes himself with the following, "Rick has a solid Biblical worldview and is an excellent teacher of how Biblical principles and Christian values relate to current events and every aspect of life."

Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud

"Suffer the children to come unto me..." In Texas they just suffer.

Over the past month, I have been reading with much disappointment the affect of the Republican legislature on the youngest and most vulnerable among us. The list is extensive of the misdeeds of the Republicans at both the national and state levels. But for now, I am mostly concerned with what is happening in Texas.

The Texas Youth Commission Rape Scandal, The CHIPs Fiasco, and The Texas Medicaid Debacle; are the three major stories that has caused me to believe that the Republican lead state government has repeatedly proven that they are not only indifferent to children but outright hostile towards this group.

I have often asked, why do Republicans feel the need to thump the bible but rarely live by its teachings? I would not have a problem with Republicans if they didn't use Christ to divide us and to enrich themselves. My problem doesn't lie only with the politicians and the party's which they serve. My problem also lies with the supposed Christians who support them. If they are called by name and if their names are written in the book of life then why do they continue to reject the most fundamental aspect of the ministry of Christ? Love.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." What good is faith without good works?

Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud

Update:I direct you to Dos Centavos for a video its about 8 minutes long entitled, (click on title)

Anti-Life, Anti-Children Republicans...and here's proof!

I AM Back

The first story is about the lack of women and minorities leading Kyle city government. Specifically the story details that Kyle is more than fifty percent hispanic/latino. It does cause one to wonder if the current lawsuit filed by the NAACP against the city is the result of this short fall. Here is the link

Finally, the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce made this announcement. I have know about this for some time but have remained silent to protect the guilty...errrrhhh....innocent:

Kyle Chamber hires director

The Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has announced the hiring of Ray Hernandez as its new executive director.

Hernandez is a graduate of Texas State University. As the former Executive Director of the San Marcos Hispanic Chamber of Commerce from 1998 to 2000, Hernandez gained experience in member networking, training and promotion, economic development, tourism and budgeting. During his tenure, the membership of the San Marcos Hispanic Chamber grew from 98 to more than 300 members.

“We are very excited to have a person of Ray's caliber here to lead our team,” said Barbara Penhall, president of the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce. “The City of Kyle is beginning to see a huge increase in commercial development and the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce needs to be prepared to serve these businesses as they make Kyle their home.”

Hernandez was born and raised in San Marcos and his family has roots in Central Texas dating from the 1890s. His wife Belinda is the Program Director in the Outreach Division of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and they have three children.

The Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce will host a reception on Wednesday, April 11 from 5-7 pm at the Kyle City Hall to introduce Hernandez to the community.

Congratulations to both the Chamber for making a wise decision on finally bringing in expert help and Mr. Hernandez for accepting the position.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should note that I know Mr. Hernandez. While many who read this blog know the extent of that knowledge, I will exercise my constitutional right to remain silent. Suffice it to say that I will be watching and, blogging.

Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud

Backbone Wins Grammy's For Dixie Chicks

By now everyone has heard that the Dixie Chicks have taken five Grammy awards. When their latest album was released I emailed FM radio station KASE in Austin Texas and asked why the didn't play any of the songs off of the latest album. Bob Pickett's response was, "The chicks are maketing this album to a rock audience. Garth did the same thing with his Chris Gaines project". He also wrote, "Nothing on the country charts from that CD". Yet the album peaked at 36 on the Billboard country music charts.

My question is, how is it that an album that doesn't get radio air time still manage to make it to 36? Maybe because it is a good album. Another thing, isn't it possible for a country album or song to be a crossover success? If so, wouldn't it be equally possible for other genre's to attain crossover success in country music? KASE played the Kid Rock duet with Sheryl Crow till I was sick of the song, somehow to me they don't seem like a country act to me.

Regardless of what country radio thinks of the Dixie Chicks two thing are true, those ladies were right about President Bush and backbone wins.


Gratias Tibi Ago Deus


Wonko's Bud

Above And Beyond The Call of Duty

Carlos Guerra columnist from the San Antonio Express News has penned a really good article about the PBS documentary, "The War". It is produced by the noted documentarian Ken Burns, who has also produced definitive works such as "The Civil War", "Jazz," and "Baseball". It is being reported that this supposed definitive history of the second world war is being produced without a Latino/Hispanic perspective.

I have emailed the Austin PBS station requesting information about the new documentary. As of yet I have not received a response.

If what is stated in the article is true then the documentary will fall short of the over all goal of PBS, to educate. I agree that if the contributions of Latinos is overlooked then a significant portion of our country's history is being deleted from our collective consciousness. I have not seen the documentary nor have I read much more than what is being reported but here are a few things that may be overlooked if there is no mention of Latinos.

On the foreign relations side, the fact that our neighbors to the south did not throw in their lots with the axis powers was a boon to the war effort here at home. There is an old Mexican lament, "So far from God, and so close to the United States." It would have been easily justifiable for the rest of the our hemisphere to have sided with the axis powers. If for nothing else, they could have stood up against the American jingoistic policy towards the southern nations. As to foreign relations, military support( though a token amount) was given to the Allied powers. I of course am referencing the air squadron 201, the Aztec Eagles. They were a group of Mexican airmen and pilots that fought in the war. Here is a link to a short blurb and a short four minute video.

But that is not the only example of foreign nationals helping with our war effort. Regardless of your opinion of the Bracero program, one thing can not be disputed, it provided the United States with a great pool of labor that helped us win the war. Funny thing is that after all these years this is still an issue in the United States.

On the home front Latinos also went to work, whether in the factories or on the farm, Latinos provided for our nations ability to fight the war. But that is not all, our fathers and mothers answered the call to arms and donned our nations uniform. They fought for the United States, a country for whom most weren't considered real Americans. Latinos fought in every major combat engagement and served in every theater of operation. For more information about Latinos I direct you to Among The Valiant. It is a book written by a local central Texas native with the introduction by LBJ. For those of you from San Marcos, you will be surprised to see a very young Augustine Lucio pictured in the book. Augustine is a long time family friend and was an important political force in central Texas.

Some may wonder why I call this posting Above And Beyond The Call of Duty? As an ethnic group Latinos have received more Congressional Medals of Honor than any other group in the twentieth century. We have fought for this country on the battlefield, on the farm, in the town square and at the ballot box. Why? I think the noted historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. said it best, "My country right or wrong. When right keep it right. When wrong make it right."




Gratias Tibi Ago Deus


Wonko's Bud

Proof That Republicans Are Not Always a Waste of Space

Seems that State Senator Jane Nelson(R), has introduce legislation that would mandate at least thirty minutes a day of moderate or vigorous physical activity for students in grades K through 8. The bill would also require physical assessments twice a year for kids from K through 12th grade. I think that this is a great idea. If this Senate bill and its companion in the House passes and if there is adequate funding then I say, Suit Up!

Since 1995, when physical education was limited by the legislature in favor of classroom academics, the health of kids has become an ever increasing problem. Recently, in an effort to combat childhood obesity, effort's have been taken to remove junk food from schools. Most school districts use the money from junk food to fund what local property taxpayers won't or can't pay. I commend those districts who have made such efforts, but the availability of junk food is only a part of the equation.

In the documentary Super Size Me, Morgan Spurlock, covered part of the issue. It is a movie I highly recommend people watch. Private and public researchers agree that twenty minutes a day of moderate exercise coupled with a sensible diet are the essentials of a healthy lifestyle. This bill should address one part of the problem. If we can teach kids how to take a test (TAKS) then we should be able to teach kids how to live healthier.


Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud

Dream Candidate?

There has been much speculation lately about Al Gore running for President. After working locally for his election back in 2000 and being miserably disappointed by the Florida debacle, I would strongly support Gore for 2008. He has raised the issue's concerning our stewardship of the environment to a level that I don't think even Bono could do.

His foreign policy, congressional, and bureaucratic expertise is without dispute unparalleled by most of the current Democratic field. There is one exception, Governor Richardson of New Mexico. But that is another post. Most observers have noted lately the Al Gore that I was accustom to seeing on C-SPAN; relaxed, passionate, and in command.

Because of his work on the environment Gore has been nominated for the Noble Peace Prize.It is possible that Gore could be the first President to receive a Noble Peace Prize before entering office. I think because of the above reasons Al Gore would have the best chance of recouping the United States lost honor and prestige amongst the global community. Next to Governor Richardson, Gore has the best chance of cleaning up President Bush's murderous blunder.

Oh yeah before I forget, Gore winning the White House would be poetic justice for Florida 2000.


Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud

Liberals, Progressives and Heaven Take Note, Molly Ivins Is Dead

I heard the news about an hour ago on News 8 Austin. Molly Ivins is dead. I had forgotten that she was even ill until recent reports had remind me of her long battle with cancer. I, like so many others, have enjoyed her work over the years. I especially liked watching her on C-SPAN. It was something about her delivery, whether in written or oral form, that always caused me to smile.

I first met her in between my working on the Victor Morales senate campaign and my own run for city council. To say that I was nervous to meet her would be a great understatement. My friends and family know me as someone who is not public wallflower. But in her presence at that bar-b-que I was truly at a lost for words. I guess I was confused by all of the things that I wanted to say but couldn't. I liken that experience as a cross between meeting an alien and trying to ask the pretty girl in high school out on a date. I don't remember much about that meeting except to say that she was very kind to me.

Garrison Keillor once wrote that an appropriate comment from a fan should include a nod, a smile and the words, "I like your stuff," and then move on. No gushing and no intruding on the celebrity's life.

Goodbye Ms. Ivins....I liked your stuff.


Gratias Tibi Ago Deus

Wonko's Bud