Mecha and Tony Villar
A posting here on the Sister City prior to the December 2nd debate echoed a post on Lone Wacko that further echoed comments from gadfly Hal Netkin's site "MayorNo" (originally set up in 2001 to oppose Tony, but has now been expanded to oppose all candidates except Walter Moore). This was concerning a question asked of Villaraigosa during the 2001 debate by Frank Mottek of KNX Radio.
It has been reported Mr. Villaraigosa that when you were at UCLA you were active in a Latino rights group which among other things says in its constitution that it is in favor of forming a separate republic in the Southwest United States. Do you hold the beliefs of that organization as your own and do you still support the group and what do you tell kids that see this kind of stuff on the Internet?Antonio gave some sort of rambling message about the Museum of Tolerance and typical for most politicians in most debates, he did not directly answer the question. Though Mottek did not mention Mecha by name, most consider this was the group he was referring to and indeed Villaraigosa (like numerous young Latinos in college) belonged to Mecha.
As well, the notion of Mecha being an anti-semitic and anti-gay organization has been propogated by, among other sources, Netkin himself. Key to this argument is linking Mecha to another radical group, La Voz De Aztlan. This group seems to hate everyone from Jews to Gays to the ACLU to Spanish language daily La Opinion to even Antonio himself! They do seem to like Mayor Poopy.
La Voz De Aztlan Speaks Out On Antonio Villaraigosa:By the way, La Voz De Aztlan even goes as far to claim that Cesar Chavez was a puppet of the Jews and that Latino dominated labor unions are actually run by Jews.
Villaraigosa was perceived as a candidate being shoved down our throats by principally Jewish interests from the westside of Los Angeles. (Click here for more)
The U.S. Zionists and specially those in Alta California were contented when they could easily manipulate their Chicano lackeys in the Democratic Party as they were successfully doing with politicians like Tony Villar. (Click here for more)
Even the Anti Defamation League has come out to say that Mecha is not an anti-semitic group and should not be confused with La Voz De Aztlan.
Mecha has also put out a statement debunking many of the perceived myths about the organization.
Now I don't go in much for Mecha's socialist politics, and I am sure that there are folks within Mecha who are as radical as the folks at La Voz De Atzlan, but I think its unfair to link Tony Villar with as radical an agenda as this. His agenda is radical enough in my view.
Posted by Mayor Sam @ 12/12/2004 05:45:00 PM
31 Comments:
The bottom line of all of this is that Antonio is NOT anti semetic or anything like that. He may be very liberal but has received support from those wealthy west side Jews like philanthropist Eli Broad to the Valley Activist Jewish supporters like Lee K. Alpert and family (recipients of the Jewish Home for the Aging Circle of Life Award). Hardly people who would support anti semetic candidates. So forget about the anti semetic crap and move forward.
FROM MEAT:
Wow, this site is quickly becoming the best OR place around. (OR=opposition research)
I agree with Mayor Sam's posting about Antonio -- seemed pretty fair to me.
I have nothing to say -- good job.
This topic, Villaraigosa and Mecha, is a real waste of time. If you have to keep having Villaraigosa threads let's talk about his service to CD14. According to the most recent Boulevard Sentinel, CD14's newspaper, and one that endorsed Villaraigosa in his race against Pacheco, it reads: "Come to think of it, the once omnipresent councilman has scarcely been around Northeast L.A. in recent months. He seemingly began to fade in the background right around the time he announced his mayoral candidacy." And before that we all know that Villaraigosa was out of the state on at least 66 days supporting John Kerry. So, if you want to write about Antonio, forget Mecha and concentrate on his lack of service to CD14. Bring on the recall!
Good in depth analysis. This site never ceases to amaze me. I doubt the attacks on Villaraigosa will cease, but I'm sure Meat will hit these wackos with the hard facts that they will never accept as the truth.
Congratulations Mayor Sam. You almost lost me. Thought this website was getting a little unbalanced. What's wrong with Meat? I'm shocked that he didn't go off the handle. I always found Mecha to be racist idiots who didn't represent mainstream Latino community. People still assume that if you're Latino you support this radical group. Hell no.
Give me a break. So, while all politicians get dumped on, Hahn, Parkes,and Hertzberg, Villaraigosa somehow must be left alone, mustn't be criticized. If he kept his promise and did work for his constituents fewer people could and would complain about him. Hard facts from Meat? You must be kidding!
FROM ARMANDO:
As somebody who was a member of MEChA when I was back in college in the early 90's, I must say that the membership is made up of individuals whose political agendas can vary from as little as their personal opinion on welfare and housing, to being complete patriots and people who feel that Communism is the perfect political system to govern world goverments. Now, that example only goes to demonstrate the small percentage that make up the far left and far right of the membership, as the general vast majority are people who understand the opportunities that one has from being in the United States, recognize that many of those opportunities did not come about on their own, and that they being people who are receiving the benefits of those who struggled before them have a social obligation to work with others to make sure that others can benefit as well for the rights that they now enjoy.
On the other side, I view the people from La Voz of Aztlan as being the equivalent to the Latino version of the KKK. Their ideas and vision of an ideal society completely strike to the racist bias that might be believed by the vary few racist Latinos in this country (yes, there are Latino racists, just like every race has them). To compare MEChA to La Voz de Aztlan is like comparing night and day.
On the issue of the Boulevard Sentinel, it's not a CD14 newspaper, but rather a rag-tag periodical that is nothing more than a community Enquirer. Tom Topping, the paper's editor and who looks too much like the roach exterminator from Men In Black, just goes out and tries to stir up controversy on issues without presenting a clear perspective from everybody involved. If you want to talk about community papers in the district that are worth talking about, you should talk about the Northeast Sun, The Wave, and Arroyo Seco Journal. Those are real newspapers.
Lastly, on dumping on electeds, it's not about letting the political candidates get away with stuff, but rather about dumping on them about substantive issues that are going to impact how we as a city are going to be in the years to come. Dump on somebody because their housing plan doesn't properly address the shortage of affordable housing. Dump on somebody because they have failed to increase cops throughout the City for 4 years and want another shot at it. Dump on somebody because their environmental policies look like proposals put forward by Mr. Burns from The Simpsons.
Talking about MEChA will only spur up the people within the city who feel that "they" are gangmembers and that "they" are not caring for their communities. I'm sure that we all know that isn't true.
Yes, hard facts...did i stutter? Oh no, its the fact that you can't accept the truth from Meat. Have fun blogging
It seems Villaraigosa has all his staff posting now. Didn't the Boulevard Sentinel endorse Villaraigosa and the Arroyo Seco Journal endorse Paheco? And now the Sentinel is the rag and the rarely published Journal the class paper! You want people to believe your spin is fact. Villaraigosa can't fool all the people all the time....although he did have a good run.
FROM ARMANDO:
Sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm actually a political junkie. My paychecks have nothing to do with any electeds, but I have plenty of relationships with people whose paychecks do come from electeds.
Yes, I believe that the Boulevard Sentinel endorsed Villaraigosa and that the Arroyo Seco endorsed Pacheco, but I looked at Arroyo Seco Journal more seriously because that's a newspaper that I feel has real social value.
For me, the endorsement that made an impact was the LA Times.
There are a couple of council members who are yet to endorse a candidate. IF Tony is so great and is doing such a great job for his constituents why then hasn't he gotten more members on his team? We all know the only reason why Weiss jumped on board is because he wants to run for Rocky's job one day and hopes he'll get the Latino vote. WRONG. Weiss is an idiot and needs to go back to law school.
Did anyone read the letters on the last page California section on Bob's idea to break up school district? Really harsh words but I think to the point. Heard no one really came out to support him on his bus.
Hey, Jack. If Tony promises you his support for City Attorney count on it that he is already supporting somebody else. It will be another broken promise. He can't help himself.
I second that about Weiss. A total moron.
Let me make one thing clear.
I don't work for Antonio or any other candidate. It is possible that Mayor Sam MAY endorse a candidate when we get closer, but that will be Mayor Sam my god damn self and not the site. We shall see.
If we are going to slam politicians, then we need to slam them for what they are doing or have done in elected office AND for the qualifications they possess or do not possess.
The Mecha thing is a diversion and seeks mainly to stir up shit that is really pointless. If Antonio was making anti-semtic comments or proposing California be turned over to Mexico, you would hear from me.
La Voz De Aztlan has some disgusting political views. Mecha has some views that are not disgusting necessarily but in my view wrong. Even though there is some overlap between the two groups, there is no evidence at present to suggest that Tony Villar's youthful involvement in Mecha connects him to the views of LVDA. Given LVDA's near hatred of Antonio, its laughable at best.
Now, lets talk about what a rotten councilman he is or isn't.
Right on, Mayor Sam
FROM MEAT:
I really have nothing to thump on -- i think Mayor Sam is 100% correct.
As for the city council endorsements -- thats a fair criticism. It's december, not a lot of endorsements come around during this month cause not many people are paying attention.
As for Antonio's current (and former) councilmember endorsements i'd only ask that we go over those in Feb with a fine tooth comb. I'd accept the critiscm if he's lacking -- i just want to know from you guys -- whats a realistic number of councilmember (and former) endorsement he should have?
If someone says he should have all them -- save your fingers --that post is a waste of time -- remember there's a sitting mayor and another councilmember plus a former councilmember all running -- who by the way have longer records and careers as a councilmember or city elected official.
I'd set a sold number at 7 -- which includes current and former councilmembers.
disagree?
blog away.
The one that most people are shocked at is Ludlow. Wasn't he Antonio's man? Do any of you know any inside scoop to help us figure out why he hasn't come out in support of Antonio?
Ok Parks hasn't received ONE endorsement. I'm quite surprised that Perry hasn't come out for him. Although she seems to be a bright lady, has moved on some very powerful stuff, won community support on her motion to have the new Parker Center built on Spring and not in Little Toyko, spearheading the huge Grand Ave. development. Wonder her thinking on Parks?
FROM ARMANDO:
I can see why people are suprised that Ludlow hasn't officially thrown his support behind Antonio. But I think that it's because of this reason that you have to give him credit where credit is due.
Ludlow had to go into the trenches to defeat Deron Williams, then-staffmember to the incumbent Nate Holden. He (with the help of various electeds and numerous unions) had to wage war with the South L.A. establihsment that had run the show over there for many years. Having been elected to represent CD10, he's had a hard time proven himself to his constituents, and I think that he has demonstrated that.
But you can't overlook his ties to Villaraigosa, who he worked for in the Assembly. But Ludlow is playing it right by not coming out for Villaraigosa (yet or maybe he won't). I think that eventually he'll come out for Villaraigosa, but his thought process now includes the 250,000+ people who he represents, and that's a smart move.
I give Ludlow so much credit for not beng political when the video taping of LAPD came out. Unlike a lot of black leaders and Parks as well, he didn't pull out the race card and he actually had the guts to give credit to Bratton for doing a great job on the investigation in council. I like that not everything is political with him and he sticks to his heart. He has passion and is one of the few that has actually come out in support of LAPD when they needed it. I don't think it would be smart if he endorsed Antonio. He already has proven himself in council in a short time and I think "guilt by association" would hurt him. he seems like one of the good guys.
Good post above
Hey where's Meat when you need him. Why hasn't Tony registered to debate at the Alliance of Neighborhoods on Feb. 7th? What could possibly be the reason. Anyone know?
FROM MEAT:
Who cares!!! Feb ??? so far away -- lets care about the upcoming debate, lets care about Walter Moore having a chance to debate, lets care about how we get this city out from being paralyzed by scandal.
Yes. I know why. Antonio has not registered so the press would ask, so he would get free press, so the attention would be drawn to him. He will debate, of course. Stop holding your breath about Antonio. It is Hahn that is parylized NOT Antonio.
Meat you are one hilarious riot. You know damn well if Hahn hadn't registered for the Feb. debate all you Tony lovers would be making a big deal out of nothing and putting a negative spin on it as always.
Meat sure sounds like a know it all but Isn't. The LA Times pointed out the fact that Antonio doesn't have a clear vision or one issue he's focusing on. He's all over the place they said. It seems that attacking Hahn is making it more obvious to people that Antonio doesn't have anything to say. I haven't read not ONE positive thing in the press lately on Antonio. It's all negative crap.
FROM MEAT:
You are wrong sir, I've never commented on anyone not debating. As i recall the city had to suffer through 75 of those damn things last time -- if you were hear four yrs ago, you know what Jim Hahn and Antonio want to do already. I am all for there being less debates. The only debate related issue i've commented on is Walter Moore being able to debate. I'll be honest too -- walter should debate cause it will take republicans that would otherwise go to Hahn or Hertzberg -- just being honest. go Walter!!!
Hey Meat..why hasn't Tony put up his record on his mayor website? It states "coming soon" and that's been already 3 months. Tell him to put it up. People want to laugh when they see his record for CD 14.
Tony did put up his record on his website. It's just that because he hasn't got a record there isn't one to see.
FROM MEAT:
In as much as i love to blog and cruise the internet all day, blogs and websites aren't going to win this election. TV and Mail will, not a webpage for you to laugh at.
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