Contempo Magazine Blog

Some Texas Hispanic state lawmakers are upset that the Democratic Candidate Rick Noreiga, a Hispanic legislator from Houston, did not get more financial support from the National Democratic Party. He did raise 1 million in funds which was not returned to him for the Democratic Party but overall was out raised by the incumbent Cornyn by about 13 to 1.  No doubt, one reason was that the National Democratic Party did not see him as a potential national figure. In addition as is always the case across the country in many localities many local officials are wondering why a local hero in the legislature or a local university president is not named to an elite cabinet post.

Even though Barack Obama is African-American his election did not really deviate from the standard that has always been in American politics that an educational pedigree and time spent in the North East United States counts a lot for how far you go.  Obama is a Harvard educated lawyer who was actually the editor of his law review. American politics has always had a bias to those of Ivy League experience and allowed them a special road to career development.

One of the biggest problems for the Hispanic community in terms of developing potentially national leaders is that we have so little influence on the political intellectual scene of the United States. Thousands more Hispanics are going to college and becoming professionals but still we are not present much at such institutions as Brookings, Heritage, CATO, Century, Council of Foreign Relations  or others. In addition there are very few influential Hispanic economists, law professors, nationally known medical researchers, or deans of business schools.

It is very important to establish Hispanic school teachers but perhaps just as important to establish Hispanic professors and academics.  Choosing an academic life is a difficult decision for those that come from financially disadvantaged families and may have thousands of dollars in college loans to pay.  Deciding to be a heart surgeon or a trial attorney instead of an economist or researcher is understandable with that background but not always the best or only choice. Academic Hispanics at local colleges and universities who identify gifted undergraduates who could have such futures need to play a role in mentoring potential Hispanic intellectuals to reach for attendance at nationally recognized graduate schools.

Hispanic academics at local universities in Hispanic majority areas of the country are doing a vital job in leading and teaching our Hispanic youth to advance themselves and their communities but we need more students and professors going to the traditional national centers of intellectual excellence. Our best intellectuals must seek placement and involvement in the nationally recognized centers of thought, achievement, and research.

Hispanic politicians as we said before are often too politically introverted to their Hispanic identity.  We must develop Hispanic political candidates with broad election appeal beyond regions of Hispanic majority.  As reported by us, the gerrymandering of Hispanics into special districts now may actually be an inhibition to those process.

Hispanic leaders who have the background, the education, and the experience to lead diverse groups of Americans not just Hispanics will not need to be asking the Democratic or Republican National Committees for handouts.

Tony Magaña grew up in McAllen Texas, attended Texas A&M University, served as an officer in Army Reserve, and holds a doctorate from Harvard University. The co-founder of Contempo Magazine has participated in Valley business for over 20 years.He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
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The recent action by the City of McAllen to limit the development of bars which serve alcohol only and which cater to large groups of very young drinkers is extremely important for several reasons.  Many studies of urban development and renewal have shown that the concentration of facilities that serve only alcohol and cater to the very young results in depreciation of property values, loss of business to surrounding entities by patrons, and increased costs to city governments in police patrols. These are very unstable businesses that tend to last just a few months but leave significant negative economic residue when situated in neighborhoods.

The Heart of the City project to renew downtown McAllen was visionary in establishing the South 17th Street Entertainment District. Facilities that serve alcohol only to mostly young people should be located in this area as has been suggested by City.  The lighting and layout is more appropriate for later hours and operation. The City can plan for increased police patrol in this area rather than haphazardly planning them all over the city if similar facilities were allowed everywhere. There is a new parking garage which can be utilized for day shoppers  and night time entertainment seekers.  In addition there is more ready available taxi and bus service downtown to facilitate those that should not be driving. The frequent turn-over of these facilities is better tolerated when they are in a special district than in neighborhoods.

Bars that serve alcohol only should be mixed with restaurants, night time shopping, and venues for entertainment which are all best done in downtown McAllen in the new entertainment district. The history of good government planning and zoning in McAllen is one of the reasons our great city has shined in comparison with the mess that is found in other Valley towns. There are already too many of these facilities in North McAllen on Tenth Street and Nolana.  This will be a win-win situation for the facility owners, the patrons, and the citizens of McAllen.

Tony Magaña grew up in McAllen Texas, attended Texas A&M University, served as an officer in Army Reserve, and holds a doctorate from Harvard University. The co-founder of Contempo Magazine has participated in Valley business for over 20 years.He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

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 Today Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on two counts of corruption. A review of the affidavit filed to support the charges suggests corruption by the Governor going back to 2002 and involving many players including Tony Rezko, John Cari (former Al Gore associate), union leaders and possibly ties to the Obama team.

A sealed affidavit filed by FBI Agent John Cain against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich alleges he conspired to bribe the Chicago Tribune newspaper with state financial assistance for the Chicago Cubs baseball team which it owns in return for firing editorial board members who were critical of the governor and suggested he should be investigated for corruption.  The 78 page affidavit goes into great detail about corruption involving unions, hospitals, highways and other state programs where pay offs were alleged to have been given for state decisions. But what is of national consequence and most troubling is how it shows an intent to involve the office of the President Elect Barack Obama in corruption as well.

There are recorded discussions between Governor Blagojevich and his Deputy Governor John Harris discussing the selling of the Illinois Senate seat vacated by President Elect Barack Obama. The discussions focus on a trade were Blagojevich or his wife ( if he was not politically viable) to head a large not for private corporation in return for a payoff to appoint a Cabinet post for Obama. The Secretary of Health and Human Services and also Energy are mentioned. Wiretaps and personal recordings of conservations were made.

In the affidavit, there is discussion that Obama could ask Warren Buffet or Bill Gates to contribute money to Blagojevich. On several pages there mentions of unnamed “Fundraisers” and “Presidential Advisors”. Mr. Blagojevich discusses that he wanted to send a message to the President Elect that there were many options in how a candidate for the Senatorial replacement could be done which could be interpreted to indicate that Obama was involved in the selection process.

This arrest should concern all Americans. There is no clear cut evidence that the President Elect was directly involved as yet but it is severely troubling to see his name mentioned so much in private discussion of the accused governor and his confidants.  It is hard to believe he was just engaging in wishful thinking. He was making calls to union leaders most recently in Washington D.C. and discussing the President Elect. Apparently the FBI has yet to confirm by voice identification with whom exactly some of these conservations were held.

Americans will be keen to see when these so called Presidential advisers and fundraisers will be identified. Clearly further investigation will be necessary to see how high up the ladder this plan of intended corruption to sell Cabinet positions goes. Already a stain has appeared on the Obama Presidency.

Tony Magaña grew up in McAllen Texas, attended Texas A&M University, served as an officer in Army Reserve, and holds a doctorate from Harvard University. The co-founder of Contempo Magazine has participated in Valley business for over 20 years.He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

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