~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦 𝗔𝗧 𝟮:𝟭𝟵 𝗔𝗠

                      

I'm simply practicing self-deception (kidding myself) when I pretend I'll stop writing blog articles soon to drive ride-share in Houston.  Anyway, George Bush Intercontinental Airport requires Uber vehicles to display a special window sticker to even enter the pickup lanes at IAH.

As it is, this elderly self-fooler is "up" at 2:19 AM to spill a stream of consciousness offering on Google Blogger, anticipating readership as much as President Dumbfuck craves the Nobel Peace Prize.  Why can't our narcissist-in-chief be as cool as Dylan, who made the committee wait a year before he picked up his gold coin featuring the mug of Alfred Nobel for "creating new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition?" 

Actually, what woke me up was "Runnin' Scared," a song by Presley's favorite singer, Roy Orbison, playing in my head:  

"Just runnin' scared each place we go

So afraid that he might show

Yeah, runnin' scared, what would I do?

If he came back and wanted you"

Also triggering my insomnia was my constant reliving with regret the approach in a school hallway 61 years ago I totally mishandled by the most beautiful woman of my life, a black-haired Latvian whose family had been smuggled out of post-war Russia only to settle in the Green River Valley of Western Washington.  What gnaws at me the most was not just the physical beauty, but the graciousness and modesty displayed by this head cheerleader three tiers my better in social standing.  At 17, I was simply too socially inept to seize the moment.

My dreaming back then typically involved running through the fern-covered woods southeast of Seattle impersonating James Fenimore Cooper's Chingachgook swinging his tomahawk at attackers. (I never missed.)

With pure snobbery, I'll mention that it was at H.E.B. Plus, not simply H.E.B., where I ran into 37 year old Christian Diaz yesterday, the techie who's contributed a couple articles on fiber optics to this blog that I don't pretend to fully grasp.

"Did you ever post that article I sent you?" Diaz asked, letting me know he doesn't actually read my blog.  Candidly, I told Mr. Diaz that he might have to leave Brownsville to reach full potential, a move I suspect my two precocious grandsons will also make.

As my Uncle Joe used to say: "Hang loose!"

𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗘 𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗦 𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗖 𝟭𝟵𝟮𝟴 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗦𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗗

 

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗦𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘 𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗬 𝗕𝗘𝗡 𝗩. 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝟭𝟵𝟮𝟵-𝟯𝟬

 submitted by Rene Torres

"𝗙𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗡" 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗞𝗘 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗦 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗣 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗦 𝗔 𝗦𝗘𝗫𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗕𝗬 𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗔 𝗚𝗥𝗜𝗝𝗔𝗟𝗩𝗔, 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗩𝗢𝗧𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗣𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗜𝗡 𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗦

                                                        

Speaker Mike Johnson is squarely at the center of a mounting political firestorm, accused of wielding his authority to block Adelita Grijalva’s seating in the House in order to thwart the release of the Epstein Files and protect Donald Trump from exposure. Adelita Grijalva, a Democrat from Arizona, won a special election in September 2025 to succeed her late father in the U.S. House of Representatives. Upon victory, she made clear that she intended to become the 218th signer on a discharge petition—a procedural tool that would force a floor vote to release documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein. But under Johnson’s watch, her oath of office was delayed.

Despite established precedent that newly elected members may be sworn in during pro forma sessions, Johnson held Grijalva in limbo, refusing to administer the oath until the full House resumed. His decision drew immediate condemnation and sharp accusations from Democrats and transparency advocates who view the delay as a deliberate tactic to prevent Grijalva from adding her signature to the petition and triggering the floor vote. Critics argue that Johnson’s stalling is not procedural but explicitly political: a shield to block the release of sensitive documents implicating powerful individuals—including Trump.

The timing and inconsistency of his actions offer a stark contrast. Earlier this year, Republicans such as Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine were sworn in within 24 hours after their special election wins—and even during pro forma sessions—under Johnson’s own oversight. He personally administered oaths in those cases. Yet now, inexplicably, Johnson denies that same treatment to Grijalva, a newly elected Democratic representative. Arizona Congressional Delegate Greg Stanton, calling out this double standard, accused Johnson of trampling both constitutional representation and the will of more than 800,000 Arizonans by barring her from speaking for her constituents.

Much of the outrage hinges on what this delay could accomplish: it buys time, prevents the discharge petition from reaching quorum, and halts any forced vote on the Epstein documents. Through his maneuvering, Johnson becomes more than a procedural gatekeeper; he emerges as an active impediment to transparency. The move also raises profound questions about the sincerity of Johnson’s professed Christian values. His vocal expressions of faith now clash with his willingness to obstruct the lawful swearing-in of a duly elected member—especially when that delay may further shield exposure of a powerful figure’s misconduct.

Grijalva arrived ready to take her oath and immediately fulfill her duties—including adding her name to the discharge petition. Instead, Johnson’s calculated delay has silenced Southern Arizona’s representation and raised the possibility that he is using parliamentary authority to guard against revelations that could embarrass or threaten Donald Trump. In doing so, he positions himself not as a neutral arbiter of House rules but as a partisan gatekeeper, standing between a critical disclosure and the public’s right to know.

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁 (𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗦𝗠) 𝗜𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘀

 

H. Matamoros, Tamaulipas – The city of Matamoros celebrated the successful inauguration of the International Festival of the Mexican Inland Coast (FICSM) October 3-5, a new cultural event that promises to become a cornerstone of the region’s artistic and touristic identity. The event was led by Matamoros Mayor Beto Granados, whose vision and commitment to cultural development have played a key role in positioning the city as a regional hub for art, music, and tradition.

The inaugural ceremony took place October 3 at the Miguel Hidalgo Main Plaza, where the FICSM opened simultaneously with the 33rd edition of the International Autumn Festival (FIO). Both festivals filled the heart of Matamoros with vibrant color, music, and artistic expression, drawing residents and visitors alike to celebrate the spirit and creativity of the community.

The event featured giant puppets, monumental balloons, and a live performance by the renowned Tex-Mex artist “Güero” Hernández, creating an atmosphere of joy and unity that captured the essence of Matamoros’s cultural identity.

Representing the Governor of Tamaulipas, Secretary of Labor Gerardo Illoldi joined Mayor Granados at the ceremony, underscoring the importance of collaboration between state and municipal governments in promoting cultural and economic growth through tourism and the arts.

Earlier that day, as part of the International Autumn Festival, the Center for Visual Arts of Matamoros (CEMAVI) paid a heartfelt tribute to Mrs. Florinda González de Pérez, honoring her lifelong dedication to art and community. The offering, created by maestro Jaime Garza, was rich in symbolism and emotion—celebrating a woman whose passion for art left an enduring mark on Matamoros’s cultural landscape.

Family, friends, and members of the artistic community gathered to share memories and express gratitude for her contributions, reaffirming that “without art, there is no autumn.”

With Mayor Beto Granados’s leadership, Matamoros continues to reaffirm its commitment to cultural innovation and inclusion. The FICSM stands as a new symbol of local pride—an event that unites generations, honors artistic heritage, and strengthens the bonds that define this border city.

The Municipal Government invited all residents and visitors to join the activities of the FICSM and FIO, which celebrated the best of Matamoros’s traditions in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere.

𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗦𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘 𝗢𝗕𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 𝗡𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗨𝗣 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗢𝗖𝗥𝗘, 𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗗 𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥

 

~~~~~~~~~𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗦𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗡 𝗔𝗠 𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗪𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝟭𝟵𝟯𝟰 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢 𝗯𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀

                                       

                      

                                                                               

                                                                             

                                                                              

                                                                                

                                                                     

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗭𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗗𝗢𝗟𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗦 𝗔𝗦 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗕𝗔𝗜𝗧 𝗔𝗧 𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗢𝗦

 by Jim Barton       Sources: El Bravo de Matamoros and other online websites

50.4 miles east of downtown Matamoros, at the Port of Matamoros, six dolphins, their bodies marked with deep cut wounds, were found tied to an anchor, apparently sacrificed as bait to lure sharks. 

“This is an ecocide,” said Jesús Ibarra Rodríguez, president of the Conibio Global Foundation. 

“We have been denouncing these killings, and yet nothing changes. These dolphins are guardians of the ocean. To slaughter them like this is a crime against nature itself.”

Ibarra, who has spent years documenting such abuses along Mexico’s northeastern coast, said the massacre of six dolphins follows the earlier killing of 23 others, and he has been pressing agencies including Profepa, Conapesca, and the Mexican Navy to take action. 

“The law is clear. Harming dolphins or sea turtles is a federal crime. It carries prison sentences and should lead to the confiscation of boats and gear. But enforcement is absent, and impunity only encourages more cruelty.”

For scientists and locals alike, dolphins are more than just charismatic creatures as they are critical to the health of the sea. 

“They regulate fish populations as apex predators, they keep ecosystems in balance,” Ibarra explained.

 “They also have a special bond with humans. They are intelligent, social beings who use whistles to communicate, who live in pods, who often approach boats out of curiosity. That very trust is what makes them so vulnerable to exploitation.”

Over the past decade, the population of dolphins in the waters east of Matamoros, known locally as El Mezquital,  has been battered by poaching and trafficking.

Double-checking Ibarra's claim, I found that dolphins are worth up to 5,000,000 pesos each on the black market, that is $271,759.81 USD.  

“Now they are not just capturing dolphins. They are slaughtering them, cutting them up to use as shark bait. It is barbaric.”

In June 2025,  the Mexican congress passed “Ley Mincho,” a sweeping ban on the use of dolphins, orcas, sea lions, and other marine mammals in shows, therapy programs, and tourist experiences. The law prohibits their capture and captive breeding, and requires that the country’s 350 dolphins currently in captivity be relocated to seaside sanctuaries or sea pens within 18 months.

“This is a historic measure,” Ibarra said. “It recognizes that dolphins are not entertainment. They deserve freedom and dignity.”

But he admits the law does not touch the shadowy world of poaching. “It regulates dolphinariums, but it doesn’t stop the blood in the water here in Matamoros. Criminal networks don’t care about laws on paper. Without enforcement, dolphins will keep dying.”

On the beaches of El Mezquital, the story feels personal. For local fishermen who do not take part in the slaughter, dolphins are companions at sea, known to swim alongside boats and leap in the surf. For environmentalists, they are a symbol of what is at stake. 

“When we find them tied to anchors, butchered and discarded, it breaks something in us,” Ibarra said quietly. “These animals represent freedom, joy, harmony with nature. Killing them this way is killing those values too.”

𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗦, 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗣𝗔𝗗𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗, 𝗢𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟮-𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

𝗕𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗢𝗦 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗣𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗢 𝗫𝗜𝗩 𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗘

 

Our bishop, Msgr. Eugenio Lira, had the blessing of greeting Pope Leo XIV, conveying the love and fidelity of our Diocese.

We joyfully pray for his ministry and ask God to strengthen him in his mission to guide the Church.

Bishop with editor

𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗘𝗫𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡 𝗕𝗢𝗬 𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗬𝗢𝗥𝗞 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗚𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝟭𝟵𝟭𝟱

                                                                             submitted by Rene Torres

𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗦 𝗕𝗨𝗦 𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗣𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗢𝗦; 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗗 𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗟𝗬

        

A building in Matamoros that doubles as a carniceria and bus shelter at Calle Solernau y 3 collapsed Tuesday, but members of the Heroica Matamoros Fire and Road Safety Departments quickly brought the situation under control according to Periodico Contacto.

The collapse of the structure affected a gas line, prompting the immediate mobilization of emergency services, but thanks to the rapid response and preventive measures applied in handling the incident, the situation was prevented from escalating into a larger tragedy.

Under the coordination of Gustavo Acuña Rangel, members of the fire department performed specialized maneuvers to eliminate risks, while Matamoros Civil Protection secured the area, with their quick response protecting the lives and safety of citizens. 

For its part, the Transit and Highway Administration assisted in diverting traffic and maintaining the safety of motorists traveling through the area.

The swift, coordinated, and preventive actions of municipal authorities not only brought the emergency under control but also brought peace of mind to residents and business owners in the area, reinforcing public confidence in the protection and security institutions.

Meanwhile, Matamoros Civil Protection called on the city's merchants to periodically review the condition of their businesses' infrastructure to prevent risks and ensure the safety of both their customers and the community at large.

𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐅𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐏'𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐕𝐀𝐋 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐀 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟐𝟓𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓, 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐏 𝐃𝐎𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐉𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐁𝗥𝐄𝐑𝐎

                                        

Despite Illinois Governor Pritzker and California Governor Newsome calling for President Trump's removal from office via the 25th Amendment, don't expect that to happen as such an action calls for involvement of the Vice President and the current cabinet.

The slurred words and mental dysfunction many of us recognized in Trump's appearance before the generals at Quantico will mostly be ignored as this President declares war and sends the National Guard into our country's most Democratic, not most crime-ridden, cities.

To Donald Trump's 79 year old brain cells, Portland, Oregon, a town I lived just outside in 7th grade, looks like a war zone.  Of course, Trump, who avoided military service with a friendly doctor's diagnosis of bone spurs, has never seen actual war zones like Vietnam, Cambodia or Laos, countries where many Brownsville vets served honorably decades ago.

In a silly, post-Quantico posting on Truth Social, Trump depicted House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a sombero with a handlebar mustache.  Can any of the 54.46% of Cameron County voters who darkened the oval for Trump in 2024 explain what Trump is trying to say with such an obviously racist depiction?

I didn't think so.