Max Powers

The Democrats' Gay Marriage Problem

Democrats have a gay marriage problem.

That problem?

That the problem is no longer a problem. 

Sure you are seeing some knee-jerk reaction from Republicans pandering to their social conservative base, but long-term this is a blessing for Republicans. 

Now that gay couples can marry, what's next?  Oh you know all that boring stuff that couples do like trying to manage household finances, filing taxes together, purchasing a home, all that stuff that was on the back burner is now on the front burner. 

Social issues matter less, economic issues matter more. 

Sure, Democrats will try to milk this opportunity for what it is worth and try to take credit for this ruling.  But I am sure Republicans in the near future will remind folks that the Kennedy on this decision was not appointed by a Democrat. 

 

 

 

 

AG Responds to El Paso County

With Martin Paredes and David K talking about open records requests (ORRs), well, lo and behold, yesterday I received a letter from the AG concerning the ORR I filed with the University Medical Center (UMC) about email correspondence between UMC CEO Jim Valenti and County Judge Veronica Escobar...run-on I know.

As we all have seen now, Escobar conducts county business from her personal email account.

Now, I did receive quite a few documents from the El Paso County Attorney's office concerning my request, but still some information was withheld for various reasons.

Most of those reasons where picked apart in the letter I received.

I highlighted what I think are the most important points. 

It's not a bad read.

See for yourself:  Download OAG EPCA Letter

Here and There...

I have quite a bit on my plate this week so posting will be light, that being said:

• Mexican Soccer: Mexican fans were making excuses for their national team before it exited Copa America.  They will tell you that Mexico is saving their best.  Yes, their saving their best players to take on Cuba, Guatemala, and Trinidad.  Then Mexican fans wonder why their team gets no respect.  If Mexico wanted to send a message to the rest of the world about their soccer prowess, well what better way to show it than to kick some South American ass?
• Argentina vs Colombia:  My Friday night. 
• El Paso Stagnation: The El Paso Times' editorial board is sounding the alarm about stagnation in the Sun City.  For nearly a decade now while much of the State has boomed, El Paso barely chugs along.  Some of this has to do with geography (much of the State's population being along the "Texas Triangle"), and some of it has to do with geology (not enough dead dinosaurs under El Paso soil).  But still you would think some of that economic growth would have come El Paso's way.  So what's El Paso to do?  Focus on families.  El Paso should be as attractive as possible to families.  Part of the job is done...cost of living (try getting a new home under $150,000 in the Dallas-area).  The other part?  Education.  Make your ISDs the best that they can be, and no, that does not necessarily involve teacher pay raises.  Everything will fall into place after that.

 

Cesar Blanco: Having it Both Ways

State Representative Cesar Blanco was named one of the ten best legislators in Austin for reasons we do not know yet by the Texas Monthly...the same magazine that previously named State Senator Jose Rodriguez furniture. 

Part of the reasoning could be because prior House District 76 officeholders were either too busy getting hammered or too busy throwing temper tantrums.  Call it low expectations, but maybe people in Austin were surprised District 76 would vote for someone like San Antonio resident Cesar Blanco.

But the other reason could be because he knows how to play the media (which good for him).

Blanco was the only member of the El Paso Delegation to vote against the state budget.

Per Blanco, "We are quick to waste tax dollars on politics, but not on sound policy.  Rather than funding the state's priorities like education, the budget contains billions of dollars in tax cuts for corporations and hundreds of millions for political promises on so-called border security".

Oddly enough though on ABC-7 Xtra, Blanco was taking credit for things that were part of the state budget that he voted against. 

See for yourself started around 5:20 in the most recent ABC-7 Xtra show about the 84th Legislature.

He says El Paso did great in the past session getting over $70 million for the El Paso medical school.

Wanna take a guess where you find those millions?

That's right.  The budget that Cesar voted against. 

I mean if the budget was such a bad thing, you wouldn't go around taking credit for all the good things that are in it, right?

Nah, not Cesar.

It doesn't hurt that the El Paso Times' Austin reporter, Marty Schladen, has a man-crush on Blanco. So you will never know from the EPT if Blanco is bull-shitting you or not.

But hey, that's part of the job of being a legislator....bull-shitting.  In that case, it makes sense why Blanco would be named one of the ten best. 

 

 

 

When ElPasoSpeaks...

...does anybody listen?

The answer?

Yes.

ElPasoSpeak was a subject of email correspondence between UMC CEO Jim Valenti and County Judge Veronica Escobar (Page 8).  Give yourself a pat on the back, Brutus.

In case you all forgot, Escobar conducts county business from her personal email account.

Speaking of Escobar, remember back when Valenti's bonus was something of an issue?

Despite whatever Escobar said publicly, the bonus was not really an issue for her (Page 8).  She brings up Valenti's bonus in an email not because she disagreed with it, but only because she heard public backlash.

Why does this matter?

Escobar is a bit self-righteous, and never sees herself as a political person.  She sees herself as a "policy-maker". 

Oddly enough, "policy-maker" Escobar dishes out a lot of PR advice to Valenti.  Like the time she suggested to Valenti that he reach out to El Paso Times' own Bob Moore (Page 34).

Oh, Escobar does not think highly of someone named Kim Rodriguez (Page 66).

And Escobar comes through for another patient at UMC (Page 57).

Download 034-All redacted email combined (for release)_Redacted & size reduced_Part7

 

The Upset Over The Weekend

Man, Saturday was not a good day. 

What should have been in the bag was not. 

Y'all know what I am talking about.

The Copa America Argentina-Paraguay game. 

At the half Argentina was up 2-0, but give credit to Paraguay, Paraguay tied it up.

Now Argentina must beat Copa America defending champs, Uruguay, in the next game.

But at least Mexico didn't win. That's right.  Mexico could not beat Bolivia.  That was kinda awesome, but not as awesome as the Mexican fan reaction when Mexico loses to the US.  For a while Mexico could take pride that it was better than the US in soccer, but not anymore. 

 

Veronica Escobar's Cousin, and Other Stuff

It's been a while, but y'all can download some more of these emails between County Judge Veronica Escobar and UMC CEO Jim Valenti.

These are from 2013 and 2014.

Page 23, we learn that Escobar has a cousin that is a pharmaceutical rep.   This cousin had a happy hour with some of her clients, which happen to be doctors, and the doctors were not happy with Escobar.  So what does Escobar do?  She runs to Valenti.

Page 39, Escobar tells Valenti to keep content private.

Page 42 should be of interest to all of you.  If you have any problems at UMC, contact Escobar.  That's what a friend of Escobar did, and Escobar went straight to Valenti.

Page 54, Escobar tells Valenti not to repeat or share any of the info she shared.  The info? Emma Schwartz serving on Tenet's Board.  It appears Escobar and Valenti do not care much for Mrs. Schwartz.

Page 57, again, regarding Emma Schwartz, Valenti tells Escobar he would feel better if Escobar could make Emma cry again.  Now that's fucked up. 

Page 96, we learn that Rick Francis and Escobar had an "animated exchange (again!").  And for whatever reason, Escobar feels compelled to share that with Tracy Yellen and Valenti.

Page 113, Escobar and Valenti are on the rocks.

  Download 034-All redacted email combined (for release)_Redacted & size reduced_Part4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

El Paso Children's Hospital Bankruptcy - Part of the Plan?

Imagine eight years ago UMC CEO Jim Valenti and Veronica Escobar had been campaigning to pass bonds to build a new wing for UMC.

Would it have passed?

Given that the bond election for the El Paso Children's Hospital passed by the narrowest of margins it is probably easy to say it would not have.

Just maybe Valenti and Escobar knew that.

Now, did UMC need a new facility, or at the very least an upgrade?  Hell, yeah it did.

But for whatever reason Escobar, Valenti and others did not want to advocate for that.  Perhaps out of the fear they knew it was a losing proposition.  It is a lot harder to vote against children than it is to vote against Valenti.

So instead it looks like they pulled a sleight of hand - a children's hospital - to get what they really wanted - a new wing for UMC.

In Valenti and Escobar's eyes, it is all "soft costs" and it all comes from the same pot of money.

For the sake of appearances though they will all feign indignation at EPCH's bankruptcy filing.

In the end though, Valenti did get his new hospital wing. 

 

 

A MADD Joke

Something funny happened.

El Paso MADD honored District Attorney Jaime Esparza for his efforts to curb drunk driving.

Why is that funny?

Because, unless I am wrong, Esparza has not done a single thing about this asshole:

 

Good ol' Canutillo ISD Trustee Armando Rodriguez, you know, the guy who ran into a telephone pole after leaving a bar.

Then there is that other asshole - former County Commissioner Carlos Aguilar.

 

I am sure at one time MADD did a great job, but like with other organizations mission creep has taken over.

If MADD can over look the lack of action by Esparza on high-profile cases, it is because MADD is more interested in keeping up appearances and hobnobbing than it is in curbing drunk driving.

And if MADD were serious about drunk driving, it would take on car-centric planning cos' let's face it people are gonna drink.  But if they can walk home drunk rather than drive, I am sure a lot more lives would be saved.

 

El Paso, You Have It Made...Parte Dos

In Dallas/Fort Worth, you can drive from one side of the metro area and 60 miles later, still be in the metro area.

In El Paso, you drive some sixty or seventy miles, and you get this:

From Max's recent trip to your fair 'burg.

 Pine trees and cooler climes just on the other side of the Organ Mountain in Las Cruces. 

If I want pine trees, I have to drive to East Texas, and which during this part of the year probably feels a lot more like the Amazon than a mountain forest.