For the last decade or so I've visited meetings of both major political parties in Cameron County and been treated graciously, even though most know I'm not a true believer in either.
My first experience ever in being treated as persona non grata, unwanted, yes, unwelcome, came two Saturdays ago in a meeting of the Cameron County Democratic Women at a back table at Rudy's Bar-B-Q.
Five older ladies, led by Teresa Saldivar, were engaged in planning some sort of event. Saldivar offered to make a salad and mentioned some things about chair and venue rental.
My two companions, Laura Miniel and Ana Barton, were asked to introduce themselves.
I was ignored, but stood up and explained anyway that I was "Jim Barton, the editor of the Brownsville Observer, covering government and politics in Cameron County."
It was at that point that one of the ladies explained that this was a women's group and men were not welcome.
Interim group leader, Teresa Saldivar, said the group not only did not invite men to their meetings, but only supported female candidates.
None of this seemed congruent with the Democratic Party I'd observed since reading about the candidacy of Adlai Stevenson II for president in the Weekly Reader in second grade.
Just today, Cameron County Democratic Chair Jared Hockema sent some clarification, indicating that the group designating itself the Cameron County Democratic Women was not a legitimate part of either the Texas Democratic Party or the Cameron County Democratic Party and that the values this group espouses represent neither.
We repost Mr. Hockema's message below:
Don’t be a whiner Jim.
ReplyDeleteI believe Teresa Saldivar! Stop attacking her.
ReplyDeleteHow is reporting an official statement from the county chair an attack on anyone? Please think before you make an anonymous comment.
DeleteTeresa ran her mouth a bit. She said things she shouldn't have said, let the cat out of the bag, then tried to turn it into, 'but do you believe him or meeeeee???' The sort of dumb drama most avoid like the plague.
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This group does not respect democratic principles.
ReplyDeleteWell I saw on Teresa's page she was calling Jeff "Osso" Duvall a liar, and now Jim Barton a liar, but I know both of these guys and they aren't liars. Just men in the community who get involved, take the time to attend meetings. City meetings, party meetings. Which is truly a minority of people in general, who take the time to do that, and they should be applauded and welcomed for being conscientious citizens. I predict, Jared Hockema will be the next male Teresa calls out as a 'liar'. Starting to see a pattern here.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame. You three would have contributed insight, action, publicity to that group. Their loss. Fortunately, you saw their true colors early, didn't waste months of your lives blockwalking, phonebanking, blogging, and bringing in voters to what would inevitably be, some weird ultra feminist Warren or Klobuchar feminazi group. Yikes. Dodged a bullet
ReplyDeleteWe believe Teresa Saldivar that nobody told you to leave. That’s what Jared was responding that the meeting wasn’t public. It was public. Stop trying to show off for your wife.
ReplyDeleteGood to see Mr. Hockema is cleaning up this mess. The was a rogue group of over-aggressive, over-the-hill Dem wannabes. The party needs new, better educated blood.
DeleteYou're lost, Jim. They are Cameron County Democratic Women, as you note in your post.. Nowhere do they say they are Cameron County Democratic Party Women. Maybe they just believe in Democratic ideals. Your rush to judgment makes you look like a fool. Post critical comments! Like your pal Montoya!!
ReplyDeleteLa cagas, Jim. La cagas.
Delete"County Democratic Party Women. Maybe they just believe in Democratic ideals. Your rush to judgment makes you look like a fool. Post critical comments! Like your pal Montoya!!"
DeleteNice attempt at Trumpian spin, but no one would ever believe these women didn't assume they were not functioning as party operatives. They simply got sidetracked, misled by a few who put gender first, democratic principles second or third.
What rock do you live under? Gender politics has been front-center nationally for a few years. Brownsville is just getting it. Sheeeeesh.
DeleteBrownsville will never "get it". We're Hispanic families, and Catholics. Republicans have a women's group here that doesn't kick out men or screech about needing a safe space from all males.
DeleteChristmas comes early for Vladimir Putin. Will the GOP in the senate ever acknowledge that we have a Russian agent/traitor as President?
ReplyDeleteSenate Republicans are simply cowards.
DeleteHEY, JIM, THIS PINCHE SALDIVAR CABRONA NEEDS SOME CHORIZO CABRON!!!!! IT IS PINCHE OBVIOUS THE CULERA HATES CULEROS!!!! THIS CHINGADERA IS VERY PINCHE SIMPLE JIM, SOME ONE NEEDS TO GIVE THIS CULERA A PINCHE BUENA COJIDA!!! I MEAN A PINCHE COJIDA THAT WILL DRIVE THE PUTA CRAZY OJETES!!!!.. ONE THAT WILL MAKE HER YELL “QUE CHORIZOTE MACLOVIO.... DALE MÁS DURO PAPI... DESPANOCHAME DESGRACIADO!!!!” UUUYYY!!! I WILL BET YOU A KICK IN THE PINCHE HIEVOS JIM, THAT ONE NIGHT WITH MACLOVIO, THIS CULERA WILL STILL NOT LET YOU IN HER PINCHE MEETINGS......... BUT SHE WILL LET MACLOVIO IN.......ARRIBA CINDY HINOJOSA CABRONES!!!!!..... ARRIBA DE LA PUNTA DE EL ROCKET 🚀 THE PINCHE SPACEX!!!! SÁCATE EL DEDO SERGIO..... UUUUYYYYY!!!
ReplyDeleteLIC. MACLOVIO O’MALLEY
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Trump says daughter Ivanka has created 14 million jobs: Again this daughter-lusting orange buffoon offers no evidence that besides stripping, his daughter has ever created a single job. Maybe she needs to stop being daddy's little fluffer and go and wipe Trumps DNA off her face.
ReplyDeleteThe truth comes out, but Trump's base will stick with him because they believe all of his lies. It's not about his lies, his base just want a president that keeps people of color out of our country. His base do not like diversity in any shape or form. This means, I guess more jobs for his all white base.....Sorry about that, there are a few people of color, those that are rich and wealthly. These are the only people of color that he respects. They will kiss his behind to make a dollar.
DeleteDictator Erdogan of Turkey visits White House on Wednesday: Sad to watch a two-bit dictator lecture and embarrass the United States President in his own home, shoving him back a letter saying take that back bitch, it was disgusting to watch the both of them.
Delete