Brownsville Cheezmeh Leader Stifles Free Speech of Group Members
Most of the departures from Brownsville Cheezmeh, once considered a political watchdog group, have been due to a simple denial of free speech within the group by group leader and founder Erasmo Castro Dragustinovis. All of the Cheezers are said to be equal but, to paraphrase George Orwell, "some are more equal than others."
We've documented in previous articles how individual Cheezers left the group after Erasmos deleted their comments from the group page, coming to the realization that the only opinions that mattered were those of the group founder and controller. Groupthink is difficult to pull off, especially in a group of grownups accustomed to exercizing their First Amendment rights on a regular basis.
The latest victim of Erasmo's ire is Susan Bowman, active in Brownsville Cheezmeh nearly since the inception of the group. Erasmo deleted her from the Cheezmeh page for committing the unforgivable sin of hitting "like" on one of my comments.
This was the message I received from Susan:
" I was just recently deleted from Brownsville Cheezmeh because I liked the comment that you made about them on Mean Mr. Brownsville and for being your friend. Can you believe that crap?"
Having or expressing an opinion is only one way to be kicked out of the group. One current member was deleted as a personal Facebook friend of Erasmo for having lunch with Nena and I. She is still active with the group and has not been deleted from the page. This practice of shunning former members, obviously an often used cult tactic, accomplishes two things. It punishes ex-members for their audacity to leave the group, but it also prevents thought contamination by current members fraternizing with those who have left. It is an ugly, hurtful practice, but undemocratic as well.
We've documented in previous articles how individual Cheezers left the group after Erasmos deleted their comments from the group page, coming to the realization that the only opinions that mattered were those of the group founder and controller. Groupthink is difficult to pull off, especially in a group of grownups accustomed to exercizing their First Amendment rights on a regular basis.
The latest victim of Erasmo's ire is Susan Bowman, active in Brownsville Cheezmeh nearly since the inception of the group. Erasmo deleted her from the Cheezmeh page for committing the unforgivable sin of hitting "like" on one of my comments.
This was the message I received from Susan:
" I was just recently deleted from Brownsville Cheezmeh because I liked the comment that you made about them on Mean Mr. Brownsville and for being your friend. Can you believe that crap?"
Having or expressing an opinion is only one way to be kicked out of the group. One current member was deleted as a personal Facebook friend of Erasmo for having lunch with Nena and I. She is still active with the group and has not been deleted from the page. This practice of shunning former members, obviously an often used cult tactic, accomplishes two things. It punishes ex-members for their audacity to leave the group, but it also prevents thought contamination by current members fraternizing with those who have left. It is an ugly, hurtful practice, but undemocratic as well.
He's become what he always despised.
ReplyDeleteHe is a joke, they have been tring to recover for the last month before the scam debate. But they not understand they have been exposed.
ReplyDeleteit's a shame!
ReplyDeleteGreed and power hungry will destroy people in the end!
Wow! I tell you what, I am one of many that have left and many more now leaving a teacher association here in Brownsville for the same reason. Erasmo and this guy (President) of this association must be brothers. Intimidation, condesending remarks, and illusions of a dictatorship are these peoples tools of preference. It's just a matter of time that these two Fidel Castro wannabee's; will get their due! Keep it up dummies!
ReplyDeleteI left as well, that entire community is an unholy paean to one man's hyper-inflated sense of egotistical self importance.
ReplyDeleteExalted leader of groundbreaking grassroots political movement? No. Pompous, self-righteous, slovenly nut-job amassing imagined power behind a keyboard? Yes.
I left too!!
DeleteUY UY UY Viva the Chezzmeh Outlaws!!
I am Brownsville Cheezmeh.
ReplyDeleteThe forum Cheezme is holding on Thursday includes a moderator who has already endorsed candidates in many races. Melissa Zamora endorsed Erin Hernandez early in the campaign. Why would Yolanda Begum go to a forum where one of the moderators is biased against her and on the opposing team?
ReplyDeleteMelissa is employed by Elite Promotions. How many candidates does Elite Promotions have in its stable? How many of those candidates are participating in the Bringing Brownsville Change forum? Bringing Brownsville Change my ass.
Off topic, but while we are talking about pieces of shit....
ReplyDeleteIs it just me, or does EVERY city commission meeting have Mark Sossi in executive session discussing some 'potential lawsuite' or another? I wonder that he isn't just making all this crap up to keep his worthless carcass on the payroll. Shit! "Potential liability"? We have a real liability and write him several checks every month.
Cheezmeh doesn't even have elections for their president. How are they Democratic? Even BUC holds elections for their president!
ReplyDeleteLike Like Like LikeLike Like Like LikeLike Like Like LikeLike Like Like LikeLike Like Like Like
ReplyDeleteHe is so lost
(Why would Yolanda Begum go to a forum where one of the moderators is biased against her and on the opposing team?)
ReplyDeletePlease child. Yolanda didn't want to debate because she is from Mexico. Do Mexicans debate or elect the next person in line? Think about it! Yolanda and the other wannabe candidates for JP all want Melissa's support. Melissa is the best, and that is why she supports Erin.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThe comment I removed by anonymous stated that I had deleted him/her as a friend because of my sensitivity to remarks about John Villarreal. I suspect this to be the fake account Mikal Fischer, which I simply removed because it was obviously a fake account, possibly an AKA for Tony Zavaleta, Jr.
ReplyDeleteJim
So what's the deal here Jim, is Melissa Zamora running with Cheezmeh again? I thought they wanted to recall her....Can you please explain?
ReplyDeleteCould anyone contributing to this blog please let me know when and where the debate will be held this Thursday?
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Lost & Confused
Jim, is it true Melissa Zamora is moderating a debate after supporting various candidates?
ReplyDeleteNone of the candidates in the forums are my clients or clients of Elite Promotions.
ReplyDeleteMelly, you and Cheez are political whores. That is your nature. Just because you reopened bloggin' all things brownsville doesn't make you trustworthy again. We all know Rossy hired you for your political connections. The Galarza's couldn't have you on the street or killing your crediblity in your joke of a job search, it makes them look bad. Rossy solved this when they hired you and when you brought in some bacon they gave you a title. We both know you, Erin and Anisa are good buds. We've all seen you out with each other. You are compromised, simple as that. How's Lupita? Hopefully her and Rene aren't hitting the bottle to hard, I hate to see Alex "I look like a bald tranny" Dominguez win because of your lecherous client. I guess that's what you get when you mix business and personal. Well ta ta, Melly. Your political days are numbered. You better tell mom and dad to get your old room ready when you get driven out of town.
DeleteJim, I can't believe you approved that comment. It's so personal. Melissa doesn't deserve this.
Delete(None of the candidates in the forums are my clients or clients of Elite Promotions.)
ReplyDeleteLike a true politician, you didn't answer the question. Have you endorsed any of the candidates in the forums? And before you deny it, everyone knows you support your friend Erin and said so on your FB page. The Cheezmeh forum is a joke. And you're a joke for supporting it after they tried to recall you.
What I like about Brownsville Cheezmeh is that it has become a place that people can write or call (anonymously), to give information that needs to be made public. Many of these people, working for the county, city, or BISD do not want to risk their jobs in order to speak up. Brownsville Cheezmeh has become a clearing house for safely disseminating information. I have openly disagreed with some members - and it's led to a healthy debate. I have never been dropped because I didn't agree. I would never be a part of any group that didn't allow complete autonomy and freedom of speech.
ReplyDelete"What I like about Brownsville Cheezmeh is that it has become a place that people can write or call (anonymously), to give information that needs to be made public. Many of these people, working for the county, city, or BISD do not want to risk their jobs in order to speak up. Brownsville Cheezmeh has become a clearing house for safely disseminating information. I have openly disagreed with some members - and it's led to a healthy debate. I have never been dropped because I didn't agree. I would never be a part of any group that didn't allow complete autonomy and freedom of speech."
ReplyDelete____________________________________________________________
That was an advantageous concept associated with the group. Disagreeing publicly with other members is permissable, but disagreeing publicly with the group founder Erasmo Castro not so much.
Jim
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete(AnonymousJan 19, 2012 10:26 PM)
ReplyDeleteThere was nothing wrong with that comment Jim, and yet you deleted it. Why?
Jim, Mikael Fisher is a real person... He is Rene Oliverias partner.
ReplyDelete(There was nothing wrong with that comment Jim, and yet you deleted it. Why?)
ReplyDeleteJim demands answers and accountability from public officials and cheezmeh. But it's crickets or deny or delete button when you ask him a question.
Jim, I believe you were part of BC when it began last year. I recall seeing you in the majority of the events they organized so I am sure you can help us clear some things out. I left BC because I believe they lost the purpose they initially portrayed. I recall when the Fly Frontera fiasco was brought up and I clearly remember how Erasmo was questioned by the man from Dallas in reference to BC and Erasmo at all times mantained he was in no way, form, or shape part of BC. If I am not mistaken he would say he just owned the name but was in no way affiliated or part of the group. So how is it that now he is the president?? So in all fairness BC was never what it portrayed to be! It was all lies!! Now my concern with this is that you were part of the group since the beginning, were you aware that Erasmo was part of BC and yet supported his lies? I would really like to know how this unfolds and know if we were lied all along??
ReplyDeleteI believe I covered that here: Jim, I believe you were part of BC when it began last year. I recall seeing you in the majority of the events they organized so I am sure you can help us clear some things out. I left BC because I believe they lost the purpose they initially portrayed. I recall when the Fly Frontera fiasco was brought up and I clearly remember how Erasmo was questioned by the man from Dallas in reference to BC and Erasmo at all times mantained he was in no way, form, or shape part of BC. If I am not mistaken he would say he just owned the name but was in no way affiliated or part of the group. So how is it that now he is the president?? So in all fairness BC was never what it portrayed to be! It was all lies!! Now my concern with this is that you were part of the group since the beginning, were you aware that Erasmo was part of BC and yet supported his lies? I would really like to know how this unfolds and know if we were lied all along??
ReplyDelete_________________________________________________________________
I believe I covered that in an earlier article of the "Evolution" of BC. . . . .
Jim
Did Erasmo intentionally mess up the video of the candidate forum? It sounded like shit. I couldn't understand a word.
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