Lou Barletta's Interview With La Voz Latina

The Morning Call's state house reporter John Micek will poke fun at Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta by reporting on Barletta in Spanish rather than English. Here is a link to one of those posts.

La Voz Latina is a regional newspaper marketed to the Hispanic community. Unlike El Mensajero that publishes exclusively in Spanish, La Voz editors recognized the importance of publishing in both English and Spanish so readers across both spectrums would be interested in their articles.

This month's issue contains an interview with Mayor Barletta by J. Gonzalez.

Here is an excerpt from that interview.

When I interviewed Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, we discussed many issues. I brought the president of La Voz Latina Newspaper, Paul Oreck, with me to the interview. We started the interview by discussing immigration issues, and I asked Mayor Lou Barletta directly why it appeared as if he had discriminated against Hispanics?

You can pick up a copy of the paper for yourself. Mr. Gonzalez ended his article with this summary.

Mr. Barletta is a candidate for Congress that comes from a family of immigrants; he understands the issue clearly but he believes in a legal immigration policy. I left the interview with the impression that Mr. Barletta is a man of great leadership and energy and not a bit racist as potrayed by others. Best of luck and God bless. J. Gonzalez

For my friend Gort and his buddy Mr. Micek I will retype the summary.

El Senor Barletta es el candidato para el Congresso y le deseamos lo mejor para esta campana. Mi impresion esta clara con respecto al Senor. Barletta, un hombre de liderazgo y energia, que no es racista. Siga adelante y qque DIOS lo bendiga. por J. Gonazlez.

I guess that is why Lou Barletta received 52% of the Hispanic vote in the last election.

Nancy Pelosi And Paul Kanjorski- Where Are The Jobs?

Back in August, 2003 Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi wrote this press release about the jobless rate which remains on her site.

Washington, D.C. -- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today on the Bureau of Labor Statistics' announcement that 470,000 people abandoned their job searches in July and that 3.2 million private sector jobs have been lost since President Bush took office:

“The fact is that President Bush’s misguided economic policies have failed to create jobs. Since President Bush took office, the country has lost 3.2 million jobs, the worst record since President Hoover. And today we learned that in July nearly half a million people gave up looking for a job.

“Job losses are taking a real toll on the financial security of American families. While Democrats are fighting for opportunity, jobs, and economic security for working families, Republicans continue to focus on helping those who need help the least.

“According to today’s survey, while the national unemployment rate dropped slightly, it still stands at a near record high. In addition, the unemployment rate for African Americans was still over 11 percent in July, and the unemployment rate for Hispanics was 8.2 percent in July.

“It is time for President Bush and the Republicans to get to work for all Americans, not just the elite few.”

Here are the statistics for April, 2010 from the United States Department of Labor.

In April, the number of unemployed persons was 15.3 million, and the unemployment rate edged up to 9.9 percent. The rate had been 9.7 percent for the first 3 months of this year.

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for whites (9.0 percent) edged up in April, while the rates for adult men (10.1 percent), adult women (8.2 percent), teenagers (25.4 percent), blacks (16.5 percent), and Hispanics (12.5 percent) showed little or no change.

Where is the public outcry from Nancy Pelosi and Paul Kanjorski for THEIR President to take action? Hypocrisy is not the word for Nancy and Paul. Obama's failed policies have failed to create jobs.  More information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks and over) continued to trend up over the month, reaching 6.7 million. In April, 45.9 percent of unemployed persons had been jobless for 27 weeks or more.

Long term jobless is over double the jobs claimed to have been lost by Bush in 2003 yet the Pelosi/Kanjorski team, and particularly Paul wants to make the claim the Democrats saved the economy from collapse. Please stop, we can't take much more of your saving! Our college graduates will be the next great big default if job creation doesn't occur soon. Maybe that is the real reason Obama took over the federal student loan system.

From The Sanes Family of Hazleton

On April 28, 2010 SOP wrote a post about the Sanes family of Hazleton who suffered the unthinkable loss of two young sons, 7-year-old Omar and 3-year-old Elijah Sanes, in a fire back in 2007.

The drive-by media, as Rush calls them, locally and nationally portray Hazleton as a hate filled community that doesn't like Hispanics who now call Hazleton their home. The media panders that assertion in the hopes of affecting its ratings or selling more newspapers.

The following letter was written by the Sanes family in 2007 after their tragic loss. It demonstrates the bond that the Hazleton community has with its newfound neighbors. It also serves to manifest that Hazletonians don't deserve to be painted with the brush of hate. Maybe it is the media that is full of hate. Maybe it is the self serving interest of those who are too lazy to seek out the truth.

This tragedy and its ensuing heroic tale are brushed over by those filled with disdain for Lou Barletta and Hazleton City Council but Omar and Elijah deserve more than that. The story in their deaths rises above all the rhetoric surrounding the Hispanic settlement in Hazleton and serves to display the true human spirit found in the Hazleton community.

Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Community,

Through our tearful and clouded eyes we see you grieve with us our friends, our neighbors, our community. Our hearts filled with heaviness and pain thinking of Omar and Elijah's passing as our minds question the purpose of their deaths.

We ask our God to guide our thoughts yet softly ask him why. Our pain is joined by you our community. They looked into your eyes and called you Coach or Teacher; a chair will sit empty in a class today; a uniform will go unworn this year; but we know they'll still be there. Through your words of comfort we feel the calming hands of our community pressed against our buxom. Our Ortiz and Sanes Families thank each and every one of you for the kindness you have shared.

We look into the painful eyes of our Hereoic Fire Department seeing a reflection of our families' pain apparent in their tears. Together we understand each other's questions, doubts, and prayers.

We see the unselfish, heroci, composition of their character. Rushing boldly into the path of the roaring flames, willing to risk their lives to try and save our children. Their bodies feel the fury of the raging beast's flames as they rushed Omar and Elijah outside.

That Thursday morning each member of the Department willing responded, each Fire Fighter going above and beyond the expectation of any human being. We feel the love of their actions not only in the saving of three lives; the loving care of our children; but how they took the time to care for our fallen pets.

Our hearts bond with the EMTs, Paramedics, Nurses, Doctors, and other members of our Medical Community who valiantly tried to revive our children. Thank you to all the Healthcare Professionals working in the Burn Center who cared for and continue to care for our family. A special prayer we say to our Lord asking he bless and guide your caring hands as you care for their Father. We know our pain is shared by the members of the Police Department, FIre Marshall, and Coroner's Office, who so respectfully have treated us with love and caring dignity.

As we met at the home, looking at the charred remains, we marveled at the hear of our community. A rainbow of color adorned the house, your gifts of Teddy Bears, Spiderman, Footballs, statues, and other items brought comfort to our hearts. We inhaled the sweet perfume of the roses and read each message you left for God's new angels.

To Omar and Elijah young friends we softly, gently, lovingly hug each every one of you. Thank you for being their friends, joining in their laughter, and for keeping them in your hearts.

Gently holding hands we listened to their mother's words; joining hands we prayed; lovingly releasing ballons into their air. Our eyes transfixed upon their fading silhoutte against the stars we know our Angels will live for eternity.

We have not finalized plans for their final rest. Thank you friends, our neighbors, and our community.

With Love and respect, for the Sanes and Ortiz Families, Rafael Ortiz.

Shame on those who will not tell this story but instead will mock Hazleton by writing articles in Spanish. In their shortsidedness they think it will force a behavior. Instead it only serves to divide. As this letter illustrates one doesn't know what really goes on in another's home unless they live in it.

Instead of a great human interest story others would want to perpetuate the fevor of their perception. As the family asks about the purpose of their sons' death the community should honor that request by finally acknowledging the true relationships within Hazleton, and drown out the portrayals of dissention.

Two Hazleton Area Hispanic Leaders Removed From Hazleton Area School District Ballot

Luzerne County President Judge Chester B. Muroski in separate court orders removed two Hazleton Area Hispanic leaders(self-proclaimed) from the ballot for a seat on the Hazleton Area School Board.

Elaine Curry, outgoing school director,(it is more than rumored) immediately cried "Racism" after a work session over this development. According to some individuals in attendance, she was visibly annoyed and was described as acting like a child with her comments and actions.

According to writers for the Standard Speaker, Ms. Curry contends the community and local elected officials should’ve embraced Hazleton Area’s first Hispanic candidates — rather than engage in “utterly disgraceful” politics.

“It is so obvious to everyone that this dirty-tricks mentality was orchestrated by a combination of current board members and those willing to do anything to get a seat on the board,” she said Thursday night. “It’s utterly disgraceful. As far as I know, this was the first time there were two Hispanics running for school board. Instead of helping them to contribute, we find technicalities to get them knocked off the ballot.”

Contrast her politcial and childish rhetoric with the gentleman like attitudes of the potential candidates who were stricken from the ballot.

After the hearing, Lopez said the hearing came down to a missed deadline.

“I am disappointed, but I understand that the judge had to rule it that way,” Lopez said. “He couldn’t have any leeway in the time aspect. That’s a rule. We didn’t fulfill a rule.”

Arroyo said the success of a writing campaign hinges on how well the community is acquainted with the electronic voting machines.

He said the court ruling fuels his desire to run for public office.

“It makes me stronger than I was before in my decision to keep running for the school board or maybe another public office in the future,” Arroyo said.

Let's examine Ms. Curry's position. Many people from all over this state have been removed from the ballot for the exact same reason. However, if you use her pandering philosophy it appears Hispanics should be held to a different standard than the rest of the country. Her statements hurt their cause and damage relations between the Hispanic community and the area at large. She proclaims and protests so loudly that the color of skin is the motivation behind the effort to remove Arroyo and Lopez from the ballot she ignores logical reason. No, Elaine, untimely filing is the motivation, plain and simple.

"Instead of helping them to contribute." Elaine, did you have the election fixed, opps sorry a crystal ball, that you propone they would win? Pragmatists know that even if they made it to the ballot there was no guarantee of a win.

The public should applaud Arroyo and Lopez for recognizing the rules and abiding by them. Likewise the public needs to decry Elaine Curry's attempt to evade the laws of the land and the Constitution of the United States and sully the reputation of school directors, the potential candidates, as well as the President Judge of Luzerne County. Elaine, were you calling Judge Muroski a racist when you made that statement due to his ruling?

In examining the record on this issue it leads to more questions.

School Director Carmella Yenkevich said she noticed that both names were not among the list of contenders who met the deadline for filing financial documents.

Yenkevich, however, said she wasn’t about to make an issue of it.

After the school board adjourned from a public meeting Thursday, Yenkevich and Curry called on Business Manager Anthony Ryba to disclose who inquired about the status of financial disclosure filings with the district.

Ryba said that school directors Sean Shamany and Tony Bonomo “called to see who submitted forms.”

“Then (Harkins’) attorney comes,” Curry snapped back.

Elaine, why didn't you make sure the candidates you were backing knew the rules? In races throughout Luzerne County newcomers have entered the world of politics. Many were guided by experienced office holders and political leaders on the process. In your haste to encourage their run did you forget to be a good mentor and do follow ups to avoid embarassment? Did you show them the cross filing process???

Ignacio Beato had his financial statement in on time for a position on the ballot for Hazleton City Council. What did he know that the other two were not privy to?

Not only were Arroyo and Lopez removed fromthe ballot, six of ten county candidates have been removed from the ballot. Were is your protest, Elaine? Is it because the color of skin does matter?

Elaine, let's educate you. Facts are stubborn things: and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.- John Adams 1770

Politics is the life blood of democracy. To call politics "dirty" is to call democracy "dirty."- Nelson Rockefeller 1962

When people lose respect for one bad law, it is but a short step before they include the good laws with the bad and shortly in rebellion against all law.- Oscar Underwood 1928

Free government has no greater menace than disrespect for authority and continual violation of law. It is the duty of a citizen not only to observe the law but to let it be known that he is opposed to its violation.- Calvin Coolidge July 27, 1920

Hispanics one-fifth of K-12 students

This story is so short I am going to post it in its entirety. USA Today reports

Roughly one-fourth of the nation's kindergartners are Hispanic, evidence of an accelerating trend that now will see minority children become the majority by 2023.
Census data released Thursday also showed that Hispanics make up about one-fifth of all K-12 students. Hispanics' growth and changes in the youth population are certain to influence political debate, from jobs and immigration to the No Child Left Behind education, for years.

The ethnic shifts in school enrollment are most evident in the West. States such as Arizona, California and Nevada are seeing an influx of Hispanics due to immigration and higher birth rates.

Minority students in that region exceed non-Hispanic whites at the pre-college grade levels, with about 37% of the students Hispanic. Hispanics make up 54% of the students in New Mexico, 47% in California, 44% in Texas and 40% in Arizona.

In 2007, more than 40% of all students in K-12 were minorities — Hispanics, blacks, Asian-Americans and others. That's double the percentage of three decades ago.