From the editor: Our story about Pope Francis, calling out the Italian mafia, prompted one commenter, Jeff Duvall, known on Facebook as Oso Ddb Polar, to suggest Bishop Daniel Flores, who has been an outspoken opponent of Cameron County 8-liner operations, because he fears parishioners who game at those establishments drop less coin into the Church's collection plates, stand with local citizens against the transfer of Lincoln Park to the ultra-rich UT system.
Duvall, the former Cameron County Democratic Party Treasurer, made this comment:
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| Jeff Duvall |
Actually, this might be an appropriate "quality of life" issue for the bishop to take a stand. So far, Commissioner Ricardo Longoria, who represents the 55,000 in Southmost included in District 1, who face the loss of their irreplaceable city park, has not taken a leadership role on this issue. Christ the King Catholic Church is the primary religious institution for the district.
Below is our December 2013 article on the bishop's opposition to 8-liner gambling establishments.
Why District Attorney Luis Saenz Initiated the 8-Liner Crackdown~Blame It On the Bishop!
Former two-time Mayor, Patricio Ahumada, saw it as the proverbial "sure thing," operating an 8-liner at the former Waffle House location along the Interstate 77 access road at Price Rd.
The 68 year old politico knew better than to jump into a "gray area" business enterprise without the so-called due diligence, checking first with local law enforcement, as in his consultation with former Brownsville Police Chief Carlos Garcia about enforcement regarding such operations.
So, it did come as somewhat of a surprise when Goldmine 777, Ahumada's operation at 854 N. Expressway 77/83 was raided by law enforcement officials on May 3, 2013. Ahumada, like other 8-liners offered "winners" certificates for necessities at H.E.B. and other local businesses. If cash was illegally offered, it was certainly done, as it is told, without the owner's knowledge or permission.
District Attorney Luis Saenz, in a 2013 Year-End Report inserted into Sunday's Brownsville Herald, has made crystal clear his desire to abolish 8-liner operations in Cameron County. Until now, we may have misinterpreted Saenz' motivation for closing down these edge-of-the-law gaming operations.
Juan Montoya, publisher of the El Rrun Rrun blog, assuming the role of a de facto Public Information Officer for the Cameron County District Attorney's Office, revealed today what motivated District Attorney Luis Saenz to go after Cameron County 8-liner operations:
"Saenz said that Operation Bishop was named after new Brownsville Catholic Diocese Bishop Daniel E. Flores since the clergyman complained about the establishments because he felt that they were diminishing the amount of money made in local parish bingo halls and church collection plates."
Montoya continues on his blog, quoting District Attorney Saenz:
"It got to me second hand that the bishop had visited our county judge (Carlos Cascos) and had implored on him to do something because his collections had fallen down on Sundays and that's understandable," he laughed. "So when it came around to pick a name for the operation, we said, well, why not Operation Bishop? It was a catchy name and it just stuck. I am very proud of that...we started in April and within a matter of four or five months we had shut down the vast majority of them. I'm very proud to say that we were able to do in a matter of months what other administrations hadn't been able to do in years."
So, the bitter reality is that Saenz motivation was not based primarily on legality, morality or even the monies lost by the poor and elderly who frequent 8-liner establishments. He was responding to a request made by an official of the hugely affluent, but still money hungry Catholic Church. He even named the operation after the official title of the papal officer making the request, Bishop Daniel Flores. Yes, Operation Bishop! Flores and Saenz were concerned about loss of revenue by the Catholic Church!
Interestingly, Time Magazine names Pope Francis "Person of the Year," perhaps rightfully, and, in the same year, District Attorney Luis Saenz names a law enforcement operation "Operation Bishop," in honor of Brownsville Bishop Daniel Flores.
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| Bishop Daniel Flores |
The 68 year old politico knew better than to jump into a "gray area" business enterprise without the so-called due diligence, checking first with local law enforcement, as in his consultation with former Brownsville Police Chief Carlos Garcia about enforcement regarding such operations.
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| Pat Ahumada, May 3, 2013 |
District Attorney Luis Saenz, in a 2013 Year-End Report inserted into Sunday's Brownsville Herald, has made crystal clear his desire to abolish 8-liner operations in Cameron County. Until now, we may have misinterpreted Saenz' motivation for closing down these edge-of-the-law gaming operations.
Juan Montoya, publisher of the El Rrun Rrun blog, assuming the role of a de facto Public Information Officer for the Cameron County District Attorney's Office, revealed today what motivated District Attorney Luis Saenz to go after Cameron County 8-liner operations:
"Saenz said that Operation Bishop was named after new Brownsville Catholic Diocese Bishop Daniel E. Flores since the clergyman complained about the establishments because he felt that they were diminishing the amount of money made in local parish bingo halls and church collection plates."
Montoya continues on his blog, quoting District Attorney Saenz:
"It got to me second hand that the bishop had visited our county judge (Carlos Cascos) and had implored on him to do something because his collections had fallen down on Sundays and that's understandable," he laughed. "So when it came around to pick a name for the operation, we said, well, why not Operation Bishop? It was a catchy name and it just stuck. I am very proud of that...we started in April and within a matter of four or five months we had shut down the vast majority of them. I'm very proud to say that we were able to do in a matter of months what other administrations hadn't been able to do in years."
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| District Attorney Luis Saenz |
Interestingly, Time Magazine names Pope Francis "Person of the Year," perhaps rightfully, and, in the same year, District Attorney Luis Saenz names a law enforcement operation "Operation Bishop," in honor of Brownsville Bishop Daniel Flores.
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Flores is a scumbag, Hypocrite. False prophet with sheep following him. For shame.
ReplyDeleteThe Bishop has an interest in opposing 8-liners.....compete with Catholic bingo. He also has an interest in not speaking up about Lincoln Park......his bud 'Da Mayor, Tony Martinez. Not likely that the Bishop will weigh in on Lincoln Park.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the Catholic Church is the biggest scam there is. It is the biggest "franchise" in the world. Why doesn't it do great things - like build a homeless shelter, create and sustain a soup kitchen, develop and sustain a health system or health district for the many people that cannot afford healthcare, somewhere to live or simply eat a good meal. I have NEVER seen the Catholic Church do anything - but - live off the people through their donations (tax free). Meanwhile, the priests abuse kids and they spend millions settiling lawsuits. The Bishop should focus on that - rather - than play politics and act like a move star. An "actor" he is dressed up as a person of God. God will eventually take care of these folks in their final judgement. The Pope has done well, but he's also a marketing guru - at least he seems and comes across like he cares. Remember, these Catholic religious leaders are used to living for FREE and getting everything for FREE from the people that work hard. They play to their insecurities. Shame on the Catholic Church.
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