Art Leal Web.

Address to Ector County Commissioners on Redistricting

2011-07-16T19:19:00.002-05:00

by Art Leal

Recently, I had the opportunity to address Ector County Commissioners Court regarding proposed changes in redistricting. I am posting my original comments here to eliminate any misunderstanding.

Good Evening Members of the Court and Task Force.

My name is Art Leal, President of Una Voz Unida of Odessa. I am here speaking on behalf Una Voz Unida and united with LULAC to appeal to you directly regarding changes to our current municipal boundaries.

The current proposed redistricting maps still need work to make sure that communities of interest are accurately represented. This is not as simple as covering population deviations in one district with the population from another. Real work must be done. The changes are not benign! Thought must be put into income levels, education, employment and economic patterns. These maps should reflect the community. Our populations or communities have common "needs and interests" and because of that they should have the ability to elect a candidate of choice based on those needs and interest.

Odessa has had tremendous growth in the last 10 years and it will continue to grow in the same manner over the next decade. During past redistricting we have simply shifted populations from one district to another and this has lead our city to having irregular city boundaries. We have disregarded the fact that districts should be compact and contiguous. And we have ignored growth trends. Look at the city boundaries; a piece here, a piece there. It is difficult to make "head or tales" how we got here. The changes you make now are the changes we have to live with for the next 10 years.

I want to bring to your attention one concerning change…., City District 3. In the current proposed map, we are very concerned that minority vote dilution has already occurred between a population decrease of 1552 coupled with district 4's allocation to district 3 of less than 20% minority aged voters. This draft, if finalized, may already be a Section 2 violation especially since the minority voting age population of District 3 was pushing 50% before the change. There is even greater concern that the allocation from District 2 for District 4 of 2349 in population certainly reinforces District 4 for the next 10 years and shows signs of protecting an incumbent or political party to achieve political goals. That is yet to be seen. So as a result of the changes to District 3, minority voting age population is diluted to 43%.

We ask the Task Force to consider the alternative of bringing in part of precincts 309 through Maple Ave and extend the current inclusion of precinct 412 to Maple Ave. We believe this is a better alternative. Districts 1, 3, 5, all have same communities of interest. They each share similar median income levels, employment characteristics, cultural and language characteristics, housing patterns and education attainment. It makes sense to keep communities of interest together and also makes the district more compact and contiguous. Current District 5 addition from precinct 306 District 3 should be removed from consideration and adding, as an alternative, the inclusion of part of precinct 412 from Washington Ave to Grant. Variations to District 1 could include the part of District 5, south of business 20, precinct 405 and part of precinct 406.

We emphatically ask that you relook at the proposed boundaries and consider all communities of interest and to be diligent to avoid violations to the Voting Rights Act. Our input today ensures that our interests are being heard and represented by our elected officials. Una Voz Unida of Odessa and LULAC offer you guidance and prayer to do what is best for all citizens of Odessa.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

Texas to officially become a minority-majority state

2011-02-15T11:41:00.002-06:00

by Art Leal

http://www.oaoa.com/news/states-60402-hispanic-texas.html

There has been alot of talk about Texas becoming a Minority Majority state, and now according to the Odessa American, it is official! However, Texas was officially Minority Majority in 2005 as reported by the CENSUS in their media release here. But their article heading certainly would lead someone to believe that this just happened and "oh my gosh!" No biggy, we will call it official in Odessa for general purpose.

I want to take this opportunity to address some of the comments made in the OA article recently. Comments by Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President are fairly accurate. Yes, there has been big increases in small business opened by Hispanics, especially in Odessa Texas. I would play down the increase in Hispanic talk radio and newspaper in Odessa, however. I know of no national statistic on an increase so we'll keep it local. One morning talk radio show in Odessa is less of an addition to the Hispanic community if it does not promote and advocate Latino interest. The radio show is more about a partisan love fest and the sterilization of culture than truely getting to heart of the Hispanic experience. While we have had two Hispanic newspapers in Odessa at one time, El Seminario and El Editor, Dos Mundos is yet to be an addition. I don't know what happened to El Seminario but to be fair, it was a spin off the Odessa American, just as Dos Mundos is attempting to be from the same radio show mentioned.

El Editor has long been in the area and is eager to publish Latino news as long as they are included in media releases in the Permian Basin. El Editor truely gets to the core of the Hispanic experience. It is concerning to me that the President of the Hispanic Chamber would say there was a lack of political activism. Activism is alive and well in Odessa and even stronger outside of Odessa. But to suggest that Mexico is to blame is a naive stereotypical response that lumps all Americans of Hispanic heritage into the segment of undocumented immigrants. Frankly, I'm a little insulted by the comment.

I want to add commentary to my counterpart with LULAC's excellent points. The Hispanic population increase is because, to put it simply, Hispanic family units are larger! The average Hispanic family has 4.0 members compared to 2.9 members in the average white, non-Hispanic family. Hispanics boast the biggest household size of any population segment in the States and it continues to grow without immigration. While some undocumented immigrants may have allowed themselves to be counted in the last CENSUS, the number is far less than anyone would think. Remember, undocumented immigrants are still in the shadows. There is also, as stated, a flow of workers that are moving from other states to Texas but nothing drastic in Odessa Texas, yet.

So what is all the commotion about? We have three Tea Party members sueing the State of Texas and the CENSUS because undocumented immigrants were counted and Partiers are fighting mad. That article can be found here. I really would like to know how they know that is a fact when we all know that the CENSUS doesn't ask citizenship. Then we have Voter Fraud legislation moving through the Texas House to prevent undocumented immigrants from voting. We have had no voter fraud cases in Texas to support that accusation. Plus several other bills that a specifically targeting immigrants. Yet they all miss the the true problem, that is a broken USIC Department.

Listen, Texas is and has been Majority Minority since 2005 and it will continue to increase. (period)

The term "Hispanic" and "Latino" are used interchangably.

US/Mexico border 69% Secured

2011-01-17T19:49:00.004-06:00

by Art Leal

Our US/Mexico border is 69% secured, best guess by Senior Council of Foreign relations, Mr. Edward Alden.

He recently said on NPR that 2/3 of all illegal crossers are caught. Roughly, 550,000 per year. The United States has been utilizing 18,000 to 20,000 border agents patrolling 2000 miles of border with Mexico. So with all the talk of securing the border, I can't help but ask those activist what is your goal? 100% secure? Is that truely realistic? Is there such a thing as a 100% secure border anywhere in the world? I don't think so. Let me know if you find one. A Libertarian friend of mine believes we should militarize the border and put snipers with orders to kill on site. He has such vitrol and violent imagery sometimes that he worries me. But will that secure our border?

We continue to throw money at the process of "securing our border" but have no idea what the end result will be or should be. You can ask anyone who spits out "secure our border before immigration reform" this question and their mind goes blank. They know they can't go out on a limb and say they want a 100% secure border. Because they know it is impossible! If they do, then they don't have a realistic clue to do it! So what is the goal? What's the answer? 80%? 90%?

I don't know the answer, so I wish someone would tell me. I wish someone would open their eyes in our government's leadership and see that the border will never be 100% secure so we can move to immigration reform. Right now the process of naturalization is broken. That is reality my frineds. Backlogs and lost applications continue to grow within the USCIS and the FBI. Who will step up to the plate?

http://www.cfr.org/bios/2472/edward_alden.html

"Political Apartheid"

2010-12-16T17:30:00.001-06:00

I guess my comments on Newswest9 have caused some thought on morning radio and stirred the pot a little. I loosely referenced "political apartheid" in Ector county on an interview. Many may know and some may not know that apartheid was a form of racial segregation in South Africa. Many may also know that the majority population was the subjugated Black, and the minority White population was in control of government. I used the analogy "political apartheid" to relate what "could be" to say the least. Obviously there is no legal enforced apartheid in Ector County or Odessa. Legal segregation is long over in Odessa schools, since 1971 and we haven't had any Jim Crow laws since 1965. My loose use of the analogy was merely to illustrate majority minority. Surely not legal segregation. I was also referencing to the representation in government factor. My full quote is below or you can watch the full video at http://www.unavozunida.org/video.htm

"If we don't get enough engaged Hispanics in Ector County and West Texas as a whole we could get into what could be considered a political apartheid, where the majority of the population is Hispanic but really has no representation in local government or county government and that wouldn't be good."

The 2008 Mayor Race

2010-11-03T20:11:00.003-05:00

by Art Leal

Today listening to morning talk radio, I was disappointed to listen to the mischaracterization of the "Art Leal for Mayor Campaign" of 2008 by Jason Moore the Citizen Watchdog. The conversation was sparked by a discussion with Israel Ortega on Hispanics Candidates that recently won in the 2010 General Election did not use their ethnicity as a cornerstone of their candidacy. Moore's comments following were completely inaccurate and misleading.

I never once used my ethnicity as a basis for my campaign for Mayor of Odessa. I never once referred to "Hispanics" as "our people" or referrenced a platform for the purpose of "our people." The facts are that my campaign contained no mudslinging and no racebaiting. We ran on a platform of changing the way things were done in economic development, revitalization of slum and blight, and improved quality of life for all citizens of Odessa.

I consider this mischaracterization as slanderous and an attempt to damage my reputation in the community.

I have attached the soundbite below.

Thoughts on Leadership

2010-10-24T18:35:00.000-05:00

by Art Leal

Why do people continue to look for or insist that there exists a Hispanic Leadership structure? Everyone is asking who leads the Hispanic community in Odessa. You have many who believe they are the leaders by way of stature. There are even those that are self appointed or self proclaimed. No one commands the entire Hispanic community. But the least, the absolute least are those leaders by way of virtue.

So if you are looking for leadership, look for leadership within yourselves. Find what motivates you and pursue it with vever. Stand up for what you believe in and don't be afraid to take a few hits. Be an advocate for your brother and sister and don't look down or away. Face your fears and challenge the status quo. Ask questions and offer ideas. Don't be afraid to try something new. Stay true to your faith in God and always do what is right not what is poplular. Understand that you will not always be liked, and accept that you will be hated by some. But most of all be genuine. Be yourself. When you do that then you have found what your are looking for.

Drop the "I" Word

2010-10-21T18:55:00.002-05:00

by Art Leal

Recently, I received a shared link on Facebook regarding a new campaign called, "Drop the I word." After I read the campaign focus at http://www.droptheiword.com/ I was sold and was ready to support the cause. So I immediately reshared the link with all my friends on Facebook.

You might ask why is this campaign so important? The truth is that the word itself has become a catch all of all Latinos, and is now used by right wing media with racist undertones. We know from our past how a word can become venom. In 1954 the United States started Operation Wetback to remove 1 million undocumented immigrants. Fast forward a few years and the term "wetback" is a racial epitaph of enormous proportions. We don't want another racial slur!

Media will try to tell you that this has nothing to do with immigration and that it is just a political ploy for political gain. The truth is that this is what they want you to believe. The "I" word is everything about immigration. It's about how people treat immigrants, about how people view the immigrant population, it's about embedded prejudices that people feel toward immigrants, jobs, and perceived social benefits they receive or don't receive.

Opponents to the campaign will say and have said, "Illegal is Illegal! you came to this country by breaking the law." By that definition, anyone who breaks a law is "illegal." If you drive with an expired license - your an "illegal." If you speed on public roads - your an "illegal." If you don't pay your taxes - yep, you guessed it - your "illegal." I think you get the point. Do you want to be categorized as such? If you think about what I just wrote for a moment and think that "illegal" is more about immigrants then you are programmed as such and should change. The word generalizes undocumented immigrants and stirs a hate machine.

The campaign asks for public awareness and to drop the word for a more accurate representation. Start with just saying "immigrant" or "undocumented immigrant" or "unauthorized immigrant."

But we still have those who think this is funny and laugh. It's not funny. They believe that this is a political ploy. They don't care about how the words make people feel. The don't care about human dignity and respect. Immigrants are human and deserve basic human rights.

Listen to KOZA1230 - Galarza Show ridicule "Drop the "I" Word" Campaign

About "The Turn Off Stan" Campaign

2010-09-30T05:45:00.001-05:00

by Art Leal

Recently, a campaign was started by a group of individuals who were fed up with the direction of the KOZA1230 AM, La Voz de la Manana show with Stan Galarza. These individuals no longer believe the show, that was once touted as a Hispanic Community show, was serving everyone equally. Concerns were voiced that Stan Galarza divided their community along political lines. Republican vs. Democrats. Concerns that leaders, such as Gene Collins, NAACP President, were not being allow to address an opposing view on the air, then "made fun of" on the air. But mainly, an ostracized group of people who once supported the community show idea had been "let down."

UVU was asked as an organization to take a stand against KOZA1230 Stan Galarza, BUT WE CHOSE TO INFORM INDIVIDUALS instead that they should form their own group and approach it as a consumer group. And so, these individuals formed "Turn Off Stan", a spin from "Turn off Fox." So to be very clear, Una Voz Unida did not start or form "Turn Off Stan." Dominic Leal assisted and advised them in getting the blog started and organized online. Yes, Dominic Leal is my brother and an active member of Una Voz Unida of Odessa. Una Voz Unida is a civic organization. UVU encourages citizen involvement in all aspects of the community. UVU offers advice and assistance when asked. Organizers of the consumer group wanted to send a message to Stan Galarza not his advertisers. The group chose on their own not to support the businesses that support Stan's show. They did not actively encourage others outside the consumer group to boycott.

Somewhere, advertisers were lead to believe that this was a boycott against them individually and that group organizers were encouraging others not to buy from his advertisers. The head line clearly stated that "we choose not to support Stan Galarza Advertisers." {They chose} They have the right to patronize any business they please for whatever reason. It did not say, "Do not support "X" business because they support Stan Galarza." There is a big difference.

The "Turn Off Stan Campaign" lasted three days. It ended when a meeting was called by LULAC Carol Uranga. Those that attended the meeting were Stan Galarza, Javier Joven, Jason Moore, Nick Hernandez, Gene Collins and myself. I was asked to read a prepared statement for the consumer group. LULAC asked Stan Galarza for a commitment, and although it wasn't a full commitment, he said he would try.

Sadly, many individuals who did not fully understand what was happening with "Turn Off Stan Campaign" chose to hold me personally responsible and associate the whole campaign to Una Voz Unida of Odessa. Many comments ranged from, that I had a personal vendetta against Stan Galarza and to being a kid forced to sit at the "kiddie" table. Messages about individuals even going as far as contacting my place of employment to see how I like it. It was all very disappointing.

The facts are that people have a right to be heard. You can not suppress that right. Many people don't know how to speak up. Many people don't know where to begin. UVU chose not to spearhead the "Turn Off Stan" Campaign, but we encouraged the group of people who wanted to be heard because it was their right as consumers.

Lastly, like me or not. It really doesn't matter. I believe I lost about 30 Facebook friends. I believe in selflessly serving the community. Not many can honestly say they do the same. So, my only apology is this: I apologize that businesses felt it was a personal attack against them. It was never about them. It was about a radio show that lost it's way.

I have added some sound bites reactions below.

The Pseudo Community

2010-09-08T22:10:00.001-05:00

Commentary by Art Leal

We must come to the realization that Hispanics in Odessa are caught up in a revolving paradigm. A paradigm that is constantly changing and manipulated by media (radio, tv, internet). Some of it is friendly media but most is controlling. Individuals unknowingly get caught in this whirl of mixed messages and begin to believe that the messages are the norm of a particular social group or community. Their own paradigm now, in escence, is a false reality or a hyper reality created by media. The individual is conscious and interacts but may not be aware that they are in a hyper reality. This was studied by a professor named Jean Baudrillard, a philosopher. He is probably known best for his contribution to the movie the Matrix.

What is happening in Odessa is not to far off this interpretation. In my interactions, many Hispanics are unaware what is going on around them and they move in and through many paradigms that are manipulated by media messages. Baudrillard, said, "we live in a world where simulated feelings and experiences have replaced the real thing." This is so true and media (radio, tv, internet), depending on its current influence, can continually churn the reality for their own interest or end result. This is happening right here in Odessa.

I have made comments to some Hispanic leaders about what I believe is pseudo leadership. The term was new to me at first, I used it once in a debate about current leadership not being true leadership. I found that pseudo leadership is nothing new to study. Pseudo leaders live within hyper realities and they are basically the guide or Architect, to use the Matrix movie terminology, who continuously feeds the world they want you to believe is real. Pseudo-leaders are more interested in themselves than those in the hyper reality, so they knowingly focus their followers on personal agendas instead of shared vision. They control your reality. They are the media (radio, tv, internet). In the wrong hands, media can lead a community into dispare and to lost hope. Never gaining for the whole, but propelling the pseudo leader to their next level of incompetence. The "Peter Principle" if you will. The pseudo leader goes to great lengths to make the hyper reality as convincing as possible.

In Odessa revolves many hyper realities. Each with or without a pseudo leader but all together create a pseudo community. John Taylor Gatto studied pseudo communities and said, "In pseudo-community life you are anonymous for the most part, and you want to be because of various dangers other people may represent if they notice your existence." How true is that? How many time have you heard these quotes: "How would it affect me", "Will I get fired?" "I don't want my name out there", "I don't want to be political", "I want to be behind the scenes", "I support you but don't use my name", "I can't do that because I don't want to lose funding" -- These are all to familiar to me personally. Gatto also said, "Almost the only way you can get attention in a pseudo-community is to buy it because the prevailing atmosphere is one of indifference. A pseudo-community is just a different kind of network - its friendships and loyalties are transient, its problems are universally considered to be someone else's problems (someone else who should be paid to solve them); its young and old are largely regarded as annoyances, and the most common shared dream is to get out to a better place - to "trade up" endlessly." Enough said. Gatto pretty much nailed it. I couldn't help but zero in on the word "indifference" and think of the apathy we have in Odessa.

Are Hispanics in Odessa trapped in this false reality, this hyper existence, controlled by pseudo leaders or "Architects" and their influence over the media (radio, tv, internet)? The answer is Yes. And that media is a cancer on our community. Until the cancer is removed or distroyed it will continue to grow until it eventually kills its host. In this case, the death is the set back of progress and the integration of Hispanics into the free world where they can think for themselves and not be afraid to get involved.

Commentary - Tea Party Patriots

2010-08-28T16:06:00.000-05:00

by Art Leal

I am a little concerned and disappointed. A few months ago, I was excited about the popularity of grassroots movements happening across America. The Tea Party was getting alot of momentum then and coincidentally, we had started our own civic group, Una Voz Unida of Odessa. We were very interested in being part of the this TEA party movement that was founded on Fiscal Responsibility, Constitutionally Limited Government and Free Markets. Una Voz Unida of Odessa concentrated mostly on civic duty, voting, advocacy, education, leadership, and political freedom from mainstream parties like Republicans and Democrats. But TEA Party had a good thing here, they also believe in education, voting, etc. I am not ashamed to admit that we were interested in partnering up with TEA Party and share links. Perhaps some of our members would be interested in participating and some of theirs with us at UVU. Unfortunately, their membership refused the partnership or MOU if you will, with UVU. No big deal, we are all grown ups. I attended one of their meetings even after that. It really was okay. My visit was cordial and I appreciated member Javier Joven inviting me.

Recently, TEA Partiers across the country are taking a strong anti-immigration position. I have seen and read comments about "anchor babies" and the "take over of the southern part of the country" and what nots all over blogs, news cast and periodicals. And even locally, the TEA Party that I actually admired; posted a video of illegal immigration rhetoric that blatantly was instilling fear in all who watched it. Potentially creating a Xenophobic chain reaction and calling to question anyone who looks illegal. The website has since removed the video but there is still verbiage throughout the site that creates a feeling of dissension. Such as "The War on Arizona", referring to what is happening with SB1070. Or "Stand with Arizona" boycott Austin Texas, referring to Austin joining in on the boycott of the state of Arizona. All very troubling to me personally, since I didn't believe TEA Party to be such an organization that would take a position on illegal immigration.

Then just today, as I am strolling through my favorite websites that I try to visit daily, come across Odessa TEA Party's website and see a link to "Immigration Counter." This is a corporation who uses current statistics and a little bit of calculus to give "so said" real time illegal immigration total for the United States. It really wasn't the website that bothered me. No one really knows how many illegal immigrants are in the United States. It was a link sponsored by Immigration Counters within the site that bothered me. Ads on each page with the logo - Reportillegals.com. This is a site that encourages the everyday person to report anyone they feel is illegal for a $10 charge. Craziness!! I think am afraid to make anyone mad who knows about that link, they just might report me for the heck of it. And that is what is bothering me. What a link! Reminded me of the list that was created of illegals immigrants that was sent to ICE, I think in Utah, that created a stir on the news.

So back to the TEA Party in Odessa. What happened to your core values? My question is this, are you contributing to the national fear mongering campaign that is among the American people by supporting such an organization? Americans are scared because media has already convinced them that there is an INVASION going on. Mexicans "pouring" in from Mexico and Muslim's building a religious community center at ground zero and NOW - the TEA Party at the center along with Republicans stirring the pot and contributing to an environment of hate of all people of color. It's no wonder that many people are beginning to question the TEA Partiers as being racist.

My thoughts.

"So called Hispanic Leader"

2010-08-15T22:34:00.003-05:00

Recently I had an opportunity to appear as a guest on KCRS AM550. On my way to the studio I was tuning into the show. To my surprise the callers were calling in about possible guests to discuss Immigration. Names were tossed around. Sheriff's, political figures, border patrol, etc. Then one caller suggested Shane Marler and the "so called local Hispanic leader Art Leal."

I want to clarify that I have never proclaimed myself as a Hispanic leader. This is not the first time I have heard someone say that I am the "so called" anything. Jason Moore, the "so called" Citizen Watchdog, referred to me as the "so called Community Organizer." So just to be clear. I do not self proclaim to be the leader of any specific segment of the community. I try to be an advocate when I can, and speak for or against issues of importance.

I appreciate the compliment. The sound bite is attached.

KCRS Caller

All the best,

Art

Predator Drones begin patroling Texas-Mexico border

2010-07-25T20:15:00.008-05:00

Last Thursday I was asked to give comment to CBS7 regarding the use of Predator drones by US Customs and Enforcement on our Texas border. First let me say to the critics that the United States has within its rights as a soveriegn country to protect its borders and I am 100% in support of that right.

My first reaction was, "How does the use of Predators prevent illegal immigration?." "How does it secure the border?" Everything that I have read about the program suggests that this is a survellance program utilized in areas where our Border Patrol agents can not reach. It will not trigger an alert for a rapid response to the capture of these ~~illegal~~ undocumented immigrants. Border Patrol is simply not equipt to respond to these areas.

So after some thought, I figure that surely these drones are very expensive. After doing some research I find out that these things cost the tax payer $20 million to set up. That's alot of money for a survellance program to tell us what we already know. What we know is that we have a serious problem with ~~illegal~~ undocumented immigrants entering the United States through the most treacherous terrain in Texas. This terrain is so bad that we can't even get border agents to these locations.

Let me say that in my opinion survellance will not secure the border. Arizona has been using drones for 2 years and it has not decreased crossings or increased capture. The money used can be better spent on our troops in Afganistan or even to order up some more border agents. Maybe even build some outpost with the additional border patrol.

We already have National Guard troops. Now we have drones on the border. We have created a militarization zone. How does militarizing the border prevent ~~illegal~~ unauthorized immigration? All this does is create funnels to the most treacherous entry points leading to the death of hundreds of people. Some may think this is a great idea, heck they are entering breaking the law anyway, right. Others may think, well they are all drug dealers and criminals no biggie. The truth is that not all ~~illegal~~ undocumented immigrants are drug dealers, alot of them are families.

So my question to our political leaders is why don't we address the real problem of ~~illegal~~ unauthorized immigration with Comprehensive Reform? And to my opponets, that is not code word for "Amnesty."

In a 2005 report from the GAO, reported a million applications backlog of naturalization applications. Of those applications, it was estimated that 150 thousand were incomplete or lost. To add, the FBI reported close to 75 thousand criminal background check backlog. So what does all that mean to ~~illegal~~ undocumented immigration? First, is wait TIME. Thousands have waited years to become legal citizens of the United States. Second is frustrations and lost hope for a better life sets in. When people lose hope they do extreme things, like deciding to come to the United States unauthorized ~~illegally~~. So to our politicians I say, lets start reform by fixing the problems that our Naturalization Department is having and maybe we can begin to reduce the rate of ~~illegal~~ unauthorized border crossings.

How about a guest worker program with a sponsor employer for those already living and working here? {Pay a fine, get a sponsor employer, complete a probation, and get put back on path of legal citizenship.} That is not Amnesty! The punishment would be the fine and the probation.

Just some of my own thoughts and insight to what real immigration reform can do if we put Xenophobia and rhetoric behind us.

Art Leal
Una Voz Unida of Odessa

Hispanics in Odessa need unbias information

2010-07-22T13:28:00.002-05:00

As most of you know, I DO NOT support or endorse the Stan Galarza show on KOZA 1230AM. It has been said that this show is an outlet for all Hispanics in Odessa to share and discuss issues both local and national. Sharing and discussing is great, but when someone with a different view than of the comentator shares they are cut off, hung up on, or ridiculed both on and off the show.

If Stan wanted his show to be the outlet for all Hispanics in Odessa then he should have kept his political ideology out of it. It's too late for the show now since he has ostracized most Hispanics who truely want to help in the community. His rambling and rhetoric creates decension and confusion within the collective. My thoughts.