Does Pat Ahumada Suffer from O.J. Simpson Disease?

O.J. Simpson

After being acquitted of murdering Nicole Simpson and Ronald Goldman, Orenthal James Simpson could wisely have kept a low profile, counting his blessings for getting away with one, driving golf carts along greened fairways, not a white Bronco leading a string of cop cars.  But Orange Juice couldn't pull it off. He had developed a severe case of O.J. Simpson disease, a malady that leads one hell-bent into self-destruction.   Between beating up girlfriends and chasing down some of his sold-off possessions with a weapon at his side, he got the attention of law enforcement just waiting to throw the proverbial book at him.

There must be a fine line between a healthy ego and egomaniacal.   Not seeing ourselves as others see us may push us across that line.  O.J. couldn't see that his acquittal said more about manufactured evidence by LAPD than about his innocence.

Patricio Ahumada, twice elected Mayor of Brownsville, acquired his leadership skills on the shrimp boat.  A

Pat Ahumada

captain is in total control of his vessel when at sea, taking no backtalk from a shrimp header or deck swabber.  Ahumada's shrimp boat leadership didn't work on the city commission, although he did his best to sugarcoat his leadership philosophy, referring to himself as the "quarterback" and the commissioners as "blocking lineman."

Pat's bluster made him more enemies than friends.  Big police were more than happy to occasionally do a stake out at clubs where the mayor was said to be clubbing.  When he staggered behind the wheel, they had the breathalyzer at the ready.   Twice arrested for D.W.I., once pleading guilty, Ahumada continued to mayor the town with a straight face.

Ahumada was able to buy a lot of drink when he deposited a $26,000 check written to a city vendor in his own bank account.  He would later testify that he had no idea of his bank balance, but usually when someone is at a deficit of $180.00, they know not to pick up a tab.  Yes, shrimpers always know how many

pounds of shrimp are on their vessel, how much per pound the seafood sellers are paying, how many gallons of diesel fuel their boat holds and how many are left.  All of the above may be grade school math but, keeping up with it is the difference between survival and failing to survive.  A shrimper turned mayor knows when his bank account is on empty.

But the former shrimp boat captain turned mayor dodged the bullet of conviction in the stolen check case.  Some say it was because of Luis Saenz inept prosecution  where he spent too much time arguing if Ahumada was wearing his glasses when he deposited the check.  Others blame an uneducated jury who didn't believe mayors were capable of theft.  Ahumada walked.

This is where those who believe the Bible would insert Ecclesiastes 8:11:

"Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."

Some of us, wearing Ahumada's cowboy boots, would have slipped out of town, counting our 26,000 lucky stars, but O.J. Simpson disease is as insidious as it is lethal.  It blinds the sickened from the realization that when an incumbent mayor receives a 91% "Hell no!" from the voters, it means he has used up all his political capital.  

The cocky Patricio thought he was so untouchable he could open a gambling house and call it an internet cafe.  The shrimper/quarterback had all the bases covered.  He went to the dufus chief of police for a legal opinion.  He had a "No Take Out" sign posted on the free food available to gamblers.  He even had paper towels and hand soap in the rest rooms in case of a surprise inspection.