Dear Mr. Besco,
I want to congratulate you for your hard work in this last Congressional race. Throwing your name in the hat for any race is very admirable. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and leaves you with very little sleep. It takes a toll on your personal life, your employment and as you have learned it takes a toll on your bank account. Unfortunately things didn't turn out the way you or many in El Paso would have liked them to have turned out. I understand that you are going through so many emotions right now and might be a little confused. It is only natural for someone who has gone through what you have to feel that way and may have to vent. I have found myself needing to release some stress and find that saying things that I normally wouldn't say helps me deal with that built up anger. But I normally don't go out and say them publicly.
You had some good points in your e-mail. There were certain things that could have been done a little bit better. But coming out and publicly blaming everyone is uncalled for and unprofessional. I take exception the the negative comments about the LNRC and the fact that you named me in your hate letter.
The El Paso LNRC supported your campaign even when you felt that other auxiliaries did not. We at no time had a candidate that was not Republican speak at any of our meetings. If my memory serves me correctly, one of our members held at least one if not more fundraisers for you. We waved signs for you on the street the weekend before the election. We invited you to every one of our meetings. You only attended one of our functions but we never took that personal. We knew you were working hard on the campaign trail.
I posted a link to your website on my blog. I was on KHRO 1150 promoting your campaign this last Friday and had to deal with attacks from everyone for doing so. I did so because I believed in you and your campaign. I can understand where your anger is coming from but I do not appreciate you saying I worked against you. I could have easily responded to your e-mail in the same manner you wrote it in. I could have blamed the whole world for my short comings while using four letter words hoping to insult everyone and their brother doing so. But I didn't. I try to conduct myself in a civil manner.
You have to have thick skin, patience and a lot of tact to be able to survive in the political arena. Having a good support group would also help . I am not a professional or an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but it is my personal opinion that you could have done better if you would have not had the struggle between the party and your help. Having a good strategy is always good, but the delivery of the strategy is equally if not more important. The delivery of your strategy was a little rough around the edges to say the least. It was your helps job to make sure your delivery was as smooth as a baby's bottom. But I do agree with you when you said that it was the party's responsibility to support your campaign. There was obviously a break down in communication. I believe that with the right help and support you could have had a real chance at winning.
I am sorry to hear that you are as upset as you are and I am sorry to hear that you will be stepping away from the political arena. Maybe you need some time to blow off some steam and stepping away for a little while will help you get your life back to normal. But I will leave you with some advice. Next time you need to vent, open a window or a door. Sending angry e-mails only makes things worse. If you find that you have to send out a mass e-mail, make sure that you use more than four letter words and that you check your own facts. Sometimes we make a decision based on bad information we are given by others.
I wish you luck in your future endeavors and I thank you for running for the 16th Congressional District.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Democrats In Texas Trying Anything For A Vote
Is it me or are Democrats trying to sound conservative to try to get Republicans to vote for them?
Joe Moody who is running for Representative of District 78 used the words "Secure The Border" in one of his ads while Bill White who is running for Governor ends his latest ad by calling himself a "fiscal conservative". Is that enough to get Republicans to ditch their principles and cross over to the DemocratIC side? I think not. I think its the Democrats way of grabbing at straws.
Many people across the country are tired of waiting for the change that was promised by our current President. His low approval rating and people's discontent with Congress seem to be bogging down the efforts of those running on the Democrat ticket.
Many rode the wave in with the Obama Tsunami in 2008. They are now noticing that the water is retreating and that the same storm that brought many of them in will be taking them right back out to sea. Freshman of The Year Award winners will be one hit wonders soon.
Joe Moody who is running for Representative of District 78 used the words "Secure The Border" in one of his ads while Bill White who is running for Governor ends his latest ad by calling himself a "fiscal conservative". Is that enough to get Republicans to ditch their principles and cross over to the DemocratIC side? I think not. I think its the Democrats way of grabbing at straws.
Many people across the country are tired of waiting for the change that was promised by our current President. His low approval rating and people's discontent with Congress seem to be bogging down the efforts of those running on the Democrat ticket.
Many rode the wave in with the Obama Tsunami in 2008. They are now noticing that the water is retreating and that the same storm that brought many of them in will be taking them right back out to sea. Freshman of The Year Award winners will be one hit wonders soon.
Dee Margo Has More Than A Dimple In Common
Yesterday I helped the Dee Margo Campaign do some phone banking. Our group of volunteers was able to make over one thousand phone calls in just two hours. Thats a lot of calls. At the end of the two hours Dee thanked everyone of the volunteers who gave up their Monday evening to help him get elected.
He looked tired yet determined. You could tell he had been at the office all day and probably had a couple more hours before he went home. But he took a few minutes to talk to me like he always does. I walked into his office, remember he is the CEO of JDW Insurance. How many people can say that they walked in to the office of a CEO and just started talking.
Like many of you know I take my four year old everywhere I go. He has been to more political events and taken pictures with more political figures than most grown ups will ever have the opportunity to in their lifetime.
In fact he was just elected as the chairman of the LLNRC. (Little Latino National Republican Coalition)
Dee picked Ian up and pointed out that they both had a dimple.
Everyone aaawed at the cute similarity. But then I realized, Dee and Ian had a whole lot more in common than just a dimple.
Many of you might not know but Ian is my step son. His biological father is Anglo born and raised in El Paso and his mother is from the small town of Apatzingan in the state of Michoacan, Mexico.
Looking at Ian you see a little gringo with spiky hair. You would never think that he understood the Spanish language or that he was Hispanic. In fact most of his teachers don't either. They speak to him in English and so do all of his friends because he is the guerito, the little white boy for those who don't speak Spanish.
Ian doesn't go around telling everyone that he is Hispanic or Latino. He is a four year old with a big heart who just wants to play with everybody no matter what their skin color is or what language they speak. He is a good little boy who shares his toys with everyone and is always trying to make new friends.
But when Ian does say something in Spanish on the playground, the kids look at him and laugh. They tell him that a little guerito like him shouldn't be speaking Spanish. They start calling him names in Spanish and run away leaving him feeling lonely and confused. But what happens the next time those kids come around knocking at the door? Ian goes outside and lends them his toys and even shares his candy with them. He doesn't hold any grudges. He treats them like he would like them to treat him.
Kids can be very cruel, but so can adults. One day I hope Ian can grow up to be the CEO of a company and maybe even run for some sort of office. I just hope that people will judge him by the content of his character and not by the color of his skin.
He looked tired yet determined. You could tell he had been at the office all day and probably had a couple more hours before he went home. But he took a few minutes to talk to me like he always does. I walked into his office, remember he is the CEO of JDW Insurance. How many people can say that they walked in to the office of a CEO and just started talking.
Like many of you know I take my four year old everywhere I go. He has been to more political events and taken pictures with more political figures than most grown ups will ever have the opportunity to in their lifetime.In fact he was just elected as the chairman of the LLNRC. (Little Latino National Republican Coalition)
Dee picked Ian up and pointed out that they both had a dimple.
Everyone aaawed at the cute similarity. But then I realized, Dee and Ian had a whole lot more in common than just a dimple.
Many of you might not know but Ian is my step son. His biological father is Anglo born and raised in El Paso and his mother is from the small town of Apatzingan in the state of Michoacan, Mexico.
Looking at Ian you see a little gringo with spiky hair. You would never think that he understood the Spanish language or that he was Hispanic. In fact most of his teachers don't either. They speak to him in English and so do all of his friends because he is the guerito, the little white boy for those who don't speak Spanish.
Ian doesn't go around telling everyone that he is Hispanic or Latino. He is a four year old with a big heart who just wants to play with everybody no matter what their skin color is or what language they speak. He is a good little boy who shares his toys with everyone and is always trying to make new friends.
But when Ian does say something in Spanish on the playground, the kids look at him and laugh. They tell him that a little guerito like him shouldn't be speaking Spanish. They start calling him names in Spanish and run away leaving him feeling lonely and confused. But what happens the next time those kids come around knocking at the door? Ian goes outside and lends them his toys and even shares his candy with them. He doesn't hold any grudges. He treats them like he would like them to treat him.
Kids can be very cruel, but so can adults. One day I hope Ian can grow up to be the CEO of a company and maybe even run for some sort of office. I just hope that people will judge him by the content of his character and not by the color of his skin.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Susana Martinez Runs On Track Record Not Race Or Gender
Susana Martinez is running for Governor of New Mexico against Democrat Dian Denish.
She could very well be on her way to being the nations first Latina Governor. Yet in an interview with the local NBC affiliate in El Paso, Martinez told the reporter that she did not want people to vote for her because she was a women or Hispanic. She wanted them to vote for her because of her track record.
That is very admirable on her part. She would rather win or loose on her track record than to win by playing the race or gender card. That tells you that she is speaking from her heart and wants to represent her constituents. She wants to earn what she gets and not get something handed to her just because she is a female or a minority. That is the true conservative way.
I know I don't live in New Mexico but I urge all New Mexicans to go out and vote for Susana Martinez!
Sheriff's Department Returns My Call
So I get a call back from the Sheriff's Department. I asked the lady who returned my call if Bill Ellis was at work today.
She talked to someone in HR, told me that he was at work today but also said that he was on his on time. Thats funny because I had never asked her about where or what Mr. Ellis was doing on or off any time. I had actually left her a voice mail earlier inquiring about an employee, but never mentioned the employees name.
I could tell Ellis and his people had gotten wind of my accusations just by the way they answers a question I had not asked yet.
When I continued and asked if he was a salary or hourly employee the lady asked if she could transfer me to HR person she had been talking to. I said sure no problem.
And guess what happened........I got transfered to another voice mail. I think I should take this to the county attorney's office. You know, the office that should be representing the Sheriff and all of his department. Maybe she can answer my questions.
She talked to someone in HR, told me that he was at work today but also said that he was on his on time. Thats funny because I had never asked her about where or what Mr. Ellis was doing on or off any time. I had actually left her a voice mail earlier inquiring about an employee, but never mentioned the employees name.
I could tell Ellis and his people had gotten wind of my accusations just by the way they answers a question I had not asked yet.
When I continued and asked if he was a salary or hourly employee the lady asked if she could transfer me to HR person she had been talking to. I said sure no problem.
And guess what happened........I got transfered to another voice mail. I think I should take this to the county attorney's office. You know, the office that should be representing the Sheriff and all of his department. Maybe she can answer my questions.
Fun With Following The Rules
My buddy Jaime decided to take my picture and write what he thought was something funny. The funny thing is that I have the actual regulations for political signs.
§ 255.007. NOTICE REQUIREMENT ON POLITICAL ADVERTISING SIGNS. (a) The following notice must be written on each political advertising sign: "NOTICE: IT IS A VIOLATION OF STATE LAW (CHAPTERS 392 AND 393, TRANSPORTATION CODE), TO PLACE THIS SIGN IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY OF A HIGHWAY." (b) A person commits an offense if the person: (1) knowingly enters into a contract to print or make a political advertising sign that does not contain the notice required by Subsection (a); or (2) instructs another person to place a political advertising sign that does not contain the notice required by Subsection (a). (c) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. (d) It is an exception to the application of Subsection (b) that the political advertising sign was printed or made before September 1, 1997, and complied with Subsection (a) as it existed immediately before that date. (e) In this section, "political advertising sign" means a written form of political advertising designed to be seen from a road but does not include a bumper sticker.
Rumor says that after reading this post Jaime has accused David K of making up the whole transportation code just to prove him wrong.
Bill Ellis Lobbying On County Time And Your Paying For It.
Bill Ellis, the El Paso County Sheriff' Department's Executive Administrative Officer, was on KHRO 1150 AM today lobbying against the controversial city referendum that is on the ballot this election. The referendum endorses family values and sets limits on who gets health benefits. The controversy stems from the word "only" that has some retirees worried about loosing their benefits.
Now Ellis did not go on the radio and say that he worked for the Sheriff's Department or that the Department endorsed his actions, but he did do it on what one would assume was County time. He was on roughly from 11:30Am-12:00PM today. I called the Sheriff Department's Human Resources Department to see if he was at work today. The people who answered where more than happy to help me with my inquiry until they heard the name of the person I was inquiring about.
Once I would say the name "Bill Ellis" I would get transferred to another number that was only answered by a voice mail service. I would try calling back the last person and their answering system would pick up. That's very interesting. But it's not surprising. I can almost assure you I'm going to get some B.S. answer like he was at lunch when he did it. But if my memory serves me right, he is a salary employee so theoretically he doesn't get an actual hour without pay to eat lunch so even if he is eating or at lunch he is being paid and represents the county of El Paso. Or at least thats what I believe is true.
Its not the first time he does it. A few weeks ago Ellis decided to stand up at the end of a debate hosted by the League Of Women Voters and lobby against the referendum.....while wearing a polo shirt that had his name and title on it. County employees are not allowed to be doing any type of political activities while on the clock or in uniform. Ellis has done both. Yet nothing is done.
Why can he break the rules?
Now Ellis said something on the air today that I actually agree with. He said:
What was the justification for your position as Richard Wiles' personal on staff lawyer?
Sheriff Leo Samaniego had one. So what? It was unmandated then like it is now, the difference is they weren't in a budget shortfall like we are now. So if your boss, Richard Wiles, is so interested in saving the county money like he claims, then he would get rid of you and your agendas and use the County Attorney like every other County employee does. You guys always talk about consolidation, consolidate legal representation.
Another thing, don't go around lobbying against this referendum without telling people why you are against it. I was taught to stand up for what I believed in and if you believe that gays should have health benefits then fight that battle. You and Richard Wiles lie to everyone telling them you are worried about the children and retirees when everyone should now truth. This referendum is not about kids or retirees, this is about both of your lifestyles. Oh, shut up, this is old news don't look surprised.
I can hear it now. Sammy pulled a Norma Chavez, or a Lisa D. Think again. This has nothing to do with with people's choice of lifestyle. This has to do with standing up to a misleading elected official and his cronies who use their positions of power to push their agendas.
If you don't remember our Sheriff is an elected official. Richard Wiles actually paid for the bill boards that tell people to vote against the referendum. Do you think it's right that our Sheriff and his on staff personal lawyer whose position is questionable should be taking part in these types of activities? Are our taxes paying these men to to lobby for their lifestyle? Someone needs to answer that question.
Now Ellis did not go on the radio and say that he worked for the Sheriff's Department or that the Department endorsed his actions, but he did do it on what one would assume was County time. He was on roughly from 11:30Am-12:00PM today. I called the Sheriff Department's Human Resources Department to see if he was at work today. The people who answered where more than happy to help me with my inquiry until they heard the name of the person I was inquiring about.Once I would say the name "Bill Ellis" I would get transferred to another number that was only answered by a voice mail service. I would try calling back the last person and their answering system would pick up. That's very interesting. But it's not surprising. I can almost assure you I'm going to get some B.S. answer like he was at lunch when he did it. But if my memory serves me right, he is a salary employee so theoretically he doesn't get an actual hour without pay to eat lunch so even if he is eating or at lunch he is being paid and represents the county of El Paso. Or at least thats what I believe is true.
Its not the first time he does it. A few weeks ago Ellis decided to stand up at the end of a debate hosted by the League Of Women Voters and lobby against the referendum.....while wearing a polo shirt that had his name and title on it. County employees are not allowed to be doing any type of political activities while on the clock or in uniform. Ellis has done both. Yet nothing is done.
Why can he break the rules?
Now Ellis said something on the air today that I actually agree with. He said:
"It's only the right thing to do"The right thing to do is not to be taking part in ANY political activities while you are supposed to be at work. Why are the tax payers paying you to be a lobbyist? Why are we paying you in the first place? A few weeks ago we had the whole budget cut fiasco between the County Commissioners and the Sheriff's Association. Your position was brought up. We could have saved the County a quite a bit of money by getting rid of your unmandated position.
What was the justification for your position as Richard Wiles' personal on staff lawyer?
Sheriff Leo Samaniego had one. So what? It was unmandated then like it is now, the difference is they weren't in a budget shortfall like we are now. So if your boss, Richard Wiles, is so interested in saving the county money like he claims, then he would get rid of you and your agendas and use the County Attorney like every other County employee does. You guys always talk about consolidation, consolidate legal representation.
Another thing, don't go around lobbying against this referendum without telling people why you are against it. I was taught to stand up for what I believed in and if you believe that gays should have health benefits then fight that battle. You and Richard Wiles lie to everyone telling them you are worried about the children and retirees when everyone should now truth. This referendum is not about kids or retirees, this is about both of your lifestyles. Oh, shut up, this is old news don't look surprised.
I can hear it now. Sammy pulled a Norma Chavez, or a Lisa D. Think again. This has nothing to do with with people's choice of lifestyle. This has to do with standing up to a misleading elected official and his cronies who use their positions of power to push their agendas.
If you don't remember our Sheriff is an elected official. Richard Wiles actually paid for the bill boards that tell people to vote against the referendum. Do you think it's right that our Sheriff and his on staff personal lawyer whose position is questionable should be taking part in these types of activities? Are our taxes paying these men to to lobby for their lifestyle? Someone needs to answer that question.
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