SirStefan32

Bustamante Silent on Separatist Past

Thursday , September 04, 2003
By Matt Hayes

There is a popular saying among Hispanics, Dime con quien andas y te diré quien eres . It means “Tell me with whom you hang out, and I will tell you who you really are.”

Who does California gubernatorial candidate Cruz Bustamante (search) “hang out” with? By now, Californians know that Bustamante refuses to repudiate the Chicano Student Movement of Aztlan, known as MEChA (search), the separatist student organization he joined in college. But do they know what MEChA does, or refuses to do, and what, apparently, are Bustamante’s reasons for not condemning MEChA?

The term “MEChA” has recently been lumped together with the term “La Raza” (search) or “The Race.” While there is an organization whose name is “The Race,” other “Raza” organizations abound. The term “Raza groups” is used to describe those organizations who seek to “reclaim” the U.S. southwestern states for Mexico, or at least for people of Mexican descent. Most of these groups have termed the U.S./Mexico border “false.” In an age when the slightest trace of racial intolerance can destroy a candidacy, how is it possible that Bustamante thinks it is just fine to not go on the record and condemn MEChA and what it stands for?

The aims of Raza groups are easier to pin down than most. Their members talk. A lot.

Rudy Acuna (search), a Cal State Northridge professor of Chicano studies, is a self-described socialist (search), an advisor to MEChA, and a card-carrying separatist who has reportedly publicly urged Chicanos to get more militant about defending their rights and has warned Chicanos that they are living in a "Nazi U.S." where they are in danger of being taken to "intellectual ovens."

Acuna recently wrote this defense of Bustamante. While Acuna denies that MEChA is anti-Semitic, he is a regular contributor to the rabidly anti-Semitic La Voz de Aztlan. Acuna would no doubt contend that his own articles are not anti-Semitic and that Aztlan.com did not reflect his own opinion of Jews. But that would be no different than submitting editorials to the Ku Klux Klan's newsletter and arguing that the Klan's views do not reflect one’s own opinions.

In May of 1995, Voz Fronteriza (search), an explicitly Raza student newspaper based at the University of California at San Diego, ran a front page article exalting the line-of-duty death of U.S. Border Patrol agent Luis A. Santiago (search). On May 9, 2001, anti-immigration activist Hal Netkin invited the country’s MEChA chapters -- reported to number 300 -- to repudiate the publication. To date, only two have.

And Cruz Bustamante refuses to repudiate MEChA. The only logical conclusion is that Bustamante gives his tacit approval to sentiments like those featured in Aztlan.com, in the comments of Rudy Acuna, and in Voz Fronteriza. It’s also possible, and perhaps worse, that Bustamante is personally offended by those sentiments but is enough of a cynic to capitalize on them through his silence.

It was state representative Cruz Bustamante who, according to Mother Jones (search) magazine, participated in a 1993 conference on illegal immigration where he said, "We could not conduct business without the immigrant." Reporters present then asked if Bustamante endorsed illegal immigration. "My district requires it," he answered. Gov. Gray Davis, in a horribly conceived attempt to curry even greater favor among Hispanic voters, stated again this week that he will sign a bill just passed by the California assembly that will allow illegal aliens in the state to obtain driver’s licenses.

The issue confronting California voters should not be that Bustamante was a MEChA member. The issue is that, even today, he refuses to condemn MEChA and the “false border” MEChA philosophy, a philosophy that is even now reflected in Bustamante’s politics. By not repudiating the MEChA philosophy he thereby validates the ideology of MEChA's leadership.

__________________
"Don't try to threaten me Mulder! I've watched presidents die."

"If people would know the things I know, we'd all fall apart."

"Once again, tonight, the course of human history will be set by two unknown men standing in the shadows."

Cigarette Smoking Man

whatchamacallit

What??? Are you telling me that Bustamante, who is a democrat and who some would claim to be a liberal and wanting change (even though he believes Grey Davis should remain as California's Gov.) is really an intolerant racist?

Krangthebrain

That would be true if Democrat and liberal were synonymous.

They aren't. Nice try.

__________________
“Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimum food or water, in austere conditions, day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon. He doesn’t worry about what workout to do—his rucksack weighs what it weighs, and he runs until the enemy stops chasing him. The True Believer doesn’t care ‘how hard it is’; he knows he either wins or he dies. He doesn’t go home at 1700; he is home. He knows only the ‘Cause.’ Now, who wants to quit?”

NCOIC of the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course in a welcome speech to new SF candidates

On life after football: "I wouldn't mind being a sports commentator. Having my own segment, working for ESPN, my own talk show. Part time trainer. Part time car mechanic. Part time Sprint cell phone salesman. Part time car washman. Grocery store baggage man. Football coach. Model. Actress. Stripper. And I even have dreams of being the next crocodile hunter." - Darnell Dockett

SirStefan32

Whatever dude, Bustemante is a democrat and he is liberal.

__________________
"Don't try to threaten me Mulder! I've watched presidents die."

"If people would know the things I know, we'd all fall apart."

"Once again, tonight, the course of human history will be set by two unknown men standing in the shadows."

Cigarette Smoking Man

WaywardFan

But Bustamonte's both. There for it WAS a nice try.

__________________
Fell deeds awake... Now for Wrath... Now for Ruin... and the Red Dawn...

whatchamacallit

MEChA and seemingly Bustamante want change. Are you telling me that all change is not for the good?

SirStefan32

Heh, great minds think alike.

__________________
"Don't try to threaten me Mulder! I've watched presidents die."

"If people would know the things I know, we'd all fall apart."

"Once again, tonight, the course of human history will be set by two unknown men standing in the shadows."

Cigarette Smoking Man

Krangthebrain

Again you are too dishonest to admit that I've repeatedly said that I'm conservative on some issues. Not all change is good. Ask ole' Stefie if he thinks the Slavic countries becoming Communist was good.

On this issue, I take the conservative stance. Screw them.

They aren't being oppressed, they are allowed to live here if they want.

__________________
“Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimum food or water, in austere conditions, day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon. He doesn’t worry about what workout to do—his rucksack weighs what it weighs, and he runs until the enemy stops chasing him. The True Believer doesn’t care ‘how hard it is’; he knows he either wins or he dies. He doesn’t go home at 1700; he is home. He knows only the ‘Cause.’ Now, who wants to quit?”

NCOIC of the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course in a welcome speech to new SF candidates

On life after football: "I wouldn't mind being a sports commentator. Having my own segment, working for ESPN, my own talk show. Part time trainer. Part time car mechanic. Part time Sprint cell phone salesman. Part time car washman. Grocery store baggage man. Football coach. Model. Actress. Stripper. And I even have dreams of being the next crocodile hunter." - Darnell Dockett

whatchamacallit

no no no ... I'll admit you have said you are conservative on some issues, but you have even labeled yourself as being a liberal so why can't I call you one? Frankly, I don't what labels are placed on people. There are something I would like to see changed. Does that make me a liberal? No, of course not. It makes me someone who thinks through the issues which concludes with my vote.

We are talking about our government, not other countries' governments. I have not seen one issue regarding our government where you have not championed change for the sake of change is good.

On the other hand, many of the posters have commented on things they would like to see change and things they would like to see remain the same. Hmmmmmmmmmm

Krangthebrain

Huh? I said that I don't support Bustamante's platform, which includes opening the borders completely.

I'm against that change. So again, you are being dishonest.

__________________
“Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimum food or water, in austere conditions, day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon. He doesn’t worry about what workout to do—his rucksack weighs what it weighs, and he runs until the enemy stops chasing him. The True Believer doesn’t care ‘how hard it is’; he knows he either wins or he dies. He doesn’t go home at 1700; he is home. He knows only the ‘Cause.’ Now, who wants to quit?”

NCOIC of the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course in a welcome speech to new SF candidates

On life after football: "I wouldn't mind being a sports commentator. Having my own segment, working for ESPN, my own talk show. Part time trainer. Part time car mechanic. Part time Sprint cell phone salesman. Part time car washman. Grocery store baggage man. Football coach. Model. Actress. Stripper. And I even have dreams of being the next crocodile hunter." - Darnell Dockett

whatchamacallit

I'm being dishonest? How so?

I have never read anywhere your view on this. So, now I am dishonest ... sheesh.

Krangthebrain

You are being dishonest, because I clearly said that I don't want change on the issue Bustamante stands for.

You refuse to acknowledge that.

On that issue, that is the conservative stance, and I have no problem with taking that stance. I'm a liberal most of the time, because frankly, I believe this country needs to be changed.

But if it ain't broke, don't fix it, and if change doesn't need to occur, then I don't want change.

__________________
“Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimum food or water, in austere conditions, day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon. He doesn’t worry about what workout to do—his rucksack weighs what it weighs, and he runs until the enemy stops chasing him. The True Believer doesn’t care ‘how hard it is’; he knows he either wins or he dies. He doesn’t go home at 1700; he is home. He knows only the ‘Cause.’ Now, who wants to quit?”

NCOIC of the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course in a welcome speech to new SF candidates

On life after football: "I wouldn't mind being a sports commentator. Having my own segment, working for ESPN, my own talk show. Part time trainer. Part time car mechanic. Part time Sprint cell phone salesman. Part time car washman. Grocery store baggage man. Football coach. Model. Actress. Stripper. And I even have dreams of being the next crocodile hunter." - Darnell Dockett

whatchamacallit

Please show me where I am being dishonest. As always you your labeling people has sent you down a path that is based on assumption and opinion and not fact.

Your first post of this thread:
Your second post of this thread:
Your third post of this thread (and the first time I have seen your stance on this issue):
Your fourth post of this thread:

whatchamacallit

I have no problem with people thinking a change is needed regarding some issues. Most of my close personal friends are socialists. The problem is you jump into the "conservatives dont want change and that's bad" instead of posting reasons, facts and making it clear what are your personal opinions. Hopefully, you will change the style of your posts and post more facts with them from now on.

With a monikor that includes "thebrain" one would think your posts would include qualified facts followed by a clear progression into beliefs, views and opnions.

Krangthebrain

I don't know why you can't see how you are being dishonest.

You said I was against being conservative, no matter what, yet I continue to say that I'm conservative on this issue.

You either lack the comprehension skills to understand this, or you just want to be an ass.

I think you are following your trollish modus operandi, being an ass for the sake of being an ass.

__________________
“Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimum food or water, in austere conditions, day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon. He doesn’t worry about what workout to do—his rucksack weighs what it weighs, and he runs until the enemy stops chasing him. The True Believer doesn’t care ‘how hard it is’; he knows he either wins or he dies. He doesn’t go home at 1700; he is home. He knows only the ‘Cause.’ Now, who wants to quit?”

NCOIC of the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course in a welcome speech to new SF candidates

On life after football: "I wouldn't mind being a sports commentator. Having my own segment, working for ESPN, my own talk show. Part time trainer. Part time car mechanic. Part time Sprint cell phone salesman. Part time car washman. Grocery store baggage man. Football coach. Model. Actress. Stripper. And I even have dreams of being the next crocodile hunter." - Darnell Dockett