City Council Passes Pool Fence Ordinance

For some reason, this ordinance has a lot of people upset. I expected the local pool companies and builders to be upset because it’s more work and may eat into their profit or have a mild impact on their business. I was surprised that a good friend of mine and I disagree on this issue though.

Paul Strelzin is a friend of mine and I consider him a mentor. However, he’s completely wrong on this one.

I applaud the move of the city council to mandate pool fencing in the city of El Paso. It’s a small step that will save lives.

Will it cost more for someone wanting to build a pool, yes. Will it save every life, no. People will continue to die in back yard pools, the bath tub, lakes, rivers, streams, and in the case of Ira Hayes, just a few inches of water.

The ordinance isn’t about stopping all deaths, but it is about adding an additional layer or protection to help save some lives. This is a lot better than watching deaths of children happen every year that could be prevented. I’m sorry, but this isn’t JUST about parents being responsible, this is about a safer community as a whole.

As usual, the usual geniuses voted against the measure, Melina Castro and Rachel Quintana. Eddie Holguin also voted against the measure, but the El Paso Times reports that he did so because he didn’t think one foot would make that much difference and he proposed a stricter measure.

I talked with my friend Paul about this issue and Paul went Biblical with “…Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen 4:9). According to the Bible…yes, we are our brother’s keeper. By the way, in the next line of the Bible, the Almighty pretty much answers the question, “…Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the soil!..” (Gen 4:10)

The City of Phoenix passed an ordinance for pool fencing years ago. Has it prevented all deaths from drowning in pools? Nope. But it has cut the number of deaths drastically.

Government steps in for safety all the time. Cigarette warnings, seat belts, speed limits, DWI laws, car seats, building codes, immunizations, OSHA, some states require seniors to renew their license more often, no-burn legislation, firework bans/regulations, etc, I could go on and on.

This isn’t an example of Big Brother. This is an example when government does the right thing to protect it’s citizens. And let’s not get too upset over the ordinance, it only affects families with children under six years old and existing pools are grandfathered. Additionally, it will be waived if you have a pool cover or secondary fence.

This isn’t a lot to ask to save a life. Aren’t all of our children and grandchildren’s lives worth it?

I’m sure that Paul with think about it and change his mind. I know he’s changed my mind on a few things.

Ken Sutherland Disputes Anchodo’s Video Claim

Danny Anchondo chose the cozy confines of the Barbara Perez Show on KHRO 1650am to discuss issues and controversy relating to the El Paso County Democratic Convention. Perez, as I have previously written is literally a cheerleader for the Clinton Campaign. Anchondo couldn’t avoid questions from the callers though and was asked several questions about his conduct and the manipulation of rules to take advantage of the minority at the convention.

Anchondo discussed the controversy over the recording of the proceedings on video and stated that the reason it was not allowed was because the person that was recording the video was impersonating a member of the media.

When asked by a caller to substantiate such a serious (and potentially libelous) allegation, Anchondo did/would not substantiate the claim. The caller also explained to Mr. Anchondo that his explanation was very different from that of the Nominations Committee Chair, and big-time Wiles supporter, Ken Sutherland. Sutherland was quoted in Newspaper Tree as stating that the reason he had the recording stopped was because of the fact that he wanted the committee members to be “candid”.

Sutherland called in to the show twice and on the second call, Perez passed on the question regarding the video taping. Sutherland restated his position about the committee members being able to be candid.

One wonders why Anchondo would deliberately  spread a message that he knew to be untrue.

It was either sensationalism for the sake of controversy or he was clearly spreading chisme.

Either way, it is not actions of a good leader.

The LionStar Answers Critics

Okay, I have been receiving over-whelming support on my blog. But there have been a few people that have been critical of what I write. I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read what I write here on my blog. I truly do.

I also realize that sometimes there are people who have a criticism but choose not to voice it. So I will address a few of the criticisms I have received. Actually it’s really only a couple. David K., host of the morning show, The Other Side, on KHRO 1650am was talking with Paul Strelzin and said I say things using a thousand words when the same thing can be said in four hundred words. He’s also said on his own blog, http://refusethejuice.typepad.com/, that my blog sucks. Oh yeah, he thought I was Paul De La Peña too.

So here is my response. First, why are you counting how many words I use? Nothing better to do? If the biggest criticism is how many words I use, then I’m okay with that. It’s actually pretty therapeutic for me to rant here instead of bore people randomly on the street. Plus, I don’t have a radio show, as much as I’d like one, so I have to get my thoughts out on my blog instead of an hour show from 6-7am. I know it sounds like I am being a smart ass about the hour of his show, but I am not. I am jealous and would take 10pm-Midnight on Saturday nights if that was all I could get!

As for whether or not my blog sucks, I guess it’s a matter of opinion. Not sure what is criteria is, but I get anywhere from 20 to 200 unique viewers per day on my blog, including DK! (I doubt everyday, but he’s read it) I have no idea how many regular readers he has on his, but I’ve been told that I have one of the best blogs in town from several sources. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but like I said, all a matter of opinion. I think he also wrote that it’s the same opinion you hear around town and there’s nothing new about it. David, you obviously don’t get the email that I do. I get a lot of people who agree with me, which would support your point, but I get a lot that don’t. As soon as I was “outed” by Newspaper Tree last week, I started getting phone calls, emails, and in-person complaints and kudos. Humbly, I’d like to say that there is something that makes my blog different from others (actually, others are now doing some of the same things I do) and that is I try to share video I collect at forums, meetings, etc. Not bad for a guy with a modest camera and a digital recorder!

I easily write about more stuff than any other blog. By far. But it’s because I have a big mouth and have a lot to say. And finally, I am obviously not Paul De La Peña. We sound NOTHING alike man.

For my readers, I want you all to know that I am a fan of David K’s work. I am answering him here because I don’t get a chance to call into his show. But he’s a great guy and actually pretty fair if you give him a chance. I look forward to having a couple of beers with him someday. We are from the same generation, so I root for him and enjoy the fact that he’s the only other guy around that isn’t afraid to stick it to the man with irreverent humor and insightful analysis…even if he is wrong most of the time. (just kidding DK).

For all the other critics, let me break it down for you like this:

1. At some point while reading my blog, I will say something you don’t like or agree with.
2. If you are an elected official and I think you aren’t doing your job, I will voice my opinion about it. I carry a camera and digital recorder with me everywhere I go, so if you say something you don’t want the public to hear, don’t do it around me because I believe in transparency. Shouldn’t make you nervous because you guys always do what’s right…right?
3. At some point while reading my blog, I will say something that you do like or agree with.
4. I am fair, you might not like it, but I call it like I see it.
5. I don’t kiss the ring of any mafia, party boss, news station, or elected official. Nor am I in the least bit intimidated by them. They should be scared of us, not the other way around.
6. If you don’t like what I have to say, say something about it, or write your own blog, that’s what our country is all about. If you choose not to, then stop reading. Or better yet, keep reading and you will eventually find something you like.
7. Sorry, you can’t plant anything with me. I am fiercely independent, so remember this, “Homie don’t play dat!” But if there is something you’d like to get my take on, by all means feel free to contact me here or at lionstar75@gmail.com.

For everyone else, I’ll keep writing if you keep reading. I am thinking about adding google ads to my page so don’t be surprised if you see that change soon.

Juntos Y Adelante!

More on Convention-Ken Sutherland’s Distorted View of “fair”

“Poll results shall be used by the Nominations Committee and by the Convention as a whole as the basis for nominating and for electing At-Large Delegates so as to ensure the fairest possible representation of the Convention participants as a whole within the total delegation, without disturbing the Precinct Caucus election results.” [(10. Election Procedure in Presidential and in Non-Presidential Years, (d)(4)]

 That’s the rule in question. The bold and italics was something I added to draw your attention to the operative words of this debate.

Ken Sutherland and Danny Anchondo demonstrated a clear disregard for the rules. So listen up Hillary supporters. These guys may end up getting the entire delegation for El Paso tossed out!

Don’t blame Obama supporters if that happens, blame the guys that disregarded the rules because they weren’t happy enough with 3-1 margin and had to go with 9-1 approach. There is little defense for this and I want people that are supporting Hillary to remember this when the delegation gets kicked out.

I also want people to remember it when Anchondo, who lives in Norma Chavez’s district, decides he’s going to run against her. Mark my words, this is going to happen, if not by him personally, by someone he puts up.

Sutherland is arguing that the 9-1 split is somehow more fair to the Hillary supporters. I know for a fact that there was a review of the numbers last night to see how many delegates from each presedential preference went to the caucus to see if the numbers warranted a 9-1 split. Guess what, they don’t.

Guess who will look bad…El Paso Democrats.

The Obama folks weren’t trying to get more than their fair share, they were just trying to get what was coming to them. The rules are made to protect the minority from stuff like that. I bet Danny and Ken would be arguing the same if they weren’t for Hillary.

In an article in NewsPaperTree, http://newspapertree.com/politics/2272, Sutherland stated that he had recording devices in a critical committee meeting turned off because “In the spirit of the meeting I wanted people to be really candid about the proceedings.”

Mr. Sutherland, when things are done in the dark and there is no transparency in the process, people become suspicious and disenfranchised.

 NPT goes on to report, “

And on the key issue of picking at-large delegates, Sutherland said he interpreted the rule differently than the Obama supporters.

He pointed to the word “fairest” in the state rule.

“There were many pending precincts that had a large Hillary outcome but were never counted, which would have given them a higher percentage. It was either shenanigans or incompetence in the precincts, how these people were counted,” Sutherland said.

So where is he coming up with the notion that the county of El Paso, that went 70-30 or so by popular vote for Hillary, had precincts with heavy numbers of Hillary supporters that didn’t get counted? If he can substatiate that claim, fine. Come out with your source for this and redo the math. But if not, then it was nothing but conjecture and he’s trying to deliberatly cheat the Obama camp out of delegates. That doesn’t seem very fair to me Mr. Sutherland.

If his argument was that they weren’t seated as they should’ve, he should’ve followed the rules governing that issue. Instead he chose, along with Anchondo, to ram things down the throat of the party because they had the votes to do it.

The problem with that strategy gentlemen, is that one day, you will inevitably be on the other side of that kind of game.

So like I said perviously, there is no Democrat in Democracy in El Paso.