SUDDENLY, ERIC FLORES WANTS TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT SIGNS REMOVED

By Matthew Chapman

Raw Story

Texas Republican congressional candidate Eric Flores is demanding the removal of a Brownsville billboard that highlights his President Donald Trump endorsement and support for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, The Washington Sun reported on Friday, though his campaign says its objection is to the sign’s look rather than its message.

In an Oct. 12 cease-and-desist letter, Flores campaign lawyer Eric Wang told Lamar Advertising of the Rio Grande Valley to pull the digital sign right away. The letter says the billboard deliberately copies the style of Flores’ campaign materials “to cause voter confusion,” and that it “fraudulently purports to be on behalf of” the campaign.

The billboard’s fine print says it was paid for by the campaign of Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, Flores’ opponent in Texas’ 34th Congressional District. The letter instead identifies the Northern Cameron County Democrats as the payer. That group and Lamar didn’t respond to The Sun’s requests for comment, and Gonzalez’s campaign said the sign remained up Friday.

Nothing in the letter disputes Trump’s backing of Flores, who received the president’s “complete and total endorsement” in December, or his support for ICE. Flores spokesperson Matt Brownfield said the issue is deception.

“It is designed, on purpose, to cause people to think that it comes from the Flores Campaign. It is deceptive on its face. It is a scam.”

The Texas Observer reported this month that Flores’ signs have de-emphasized the Trump endorsement, part of a broader trend of Republicans scrubbing Trump from campaign materials. Gonzalez’s campaign said Flores is “ashamed” of the president and the ICE raids and skipped a debate. BOLD PAC, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ campaign arm, said he’s now “paying lawyers to hide it.”

After Trump won the district in 2024, it was redrawn as part of Texas Republicans’mid-decade gerrymander to try to make it even more favorable to them. Trump would have carried it by about 10 points under the new lines, though the Cook Political Report rates the race a tossup.

TRUMP'S DIESEL TREASON BY ANY OTHER NAME IS STILL THE SAME...

By Allen Rappeport

New York Times

President Trump signed an executive order on Friday night exempting Russia from a new sanctions measure that Congress passed last month, offering another economic lifeline to Russian President Vladimir V. Putin as the United States turns to Russia for help in lowering gas prices.

The sanctions were intended to target Russian officials, oligarchs and financial institutions, and were part of a law that was named after Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican who died in July after spending more than a year building support for the measure.

The law, which is intended to squeeze the financial lifelines sustaining Russia’s war against Ukraine, also provided Mr. Trump with additional tariff authority that he could use to punish countries that continue to trade with Russia.

The White House has broad authority to issue sanctions exemptions or waivers, and the new law requires Mr. Trump to notify Congress only if he opts against imposing the economic restrictions on Russia. Two days before the law is set to take effect, Mr. Trump exercised that power.

“I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions and duties provided for in the Graham Act,” Mr. Trump said in the order. “I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States.”

The order does not explain why waiving the sanctions is in the interests of the United States or what rationale Mr. Trump is providing to Congress for the waivers.

The decision comes as Mr. Trump has in recent weeks embraced Russia and expressed frustration that Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refineries were helping to push up gasoline and diesel prices around the world. The biggest factor limiting supplies, though, remains the war in Iran.

"The main issue is still the Strait of Hormuz — that there is not enough diesel coming out of the Strait of Hormuz,” said Sarah Raffou, an oil product analyst at Argus Media.

The price increases have triggered inflation weeks ahead of midterm elections that could cost Republicans control of Congress. Ukraine said it was willing to halt its refinery strikes if Russia halted its own attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Mr. Putin refused.

Mr. Trump announced last week that he had reached a deal with Mr. Putin, and that the United States would begin importing Russian diesel fuel. The Treasury Department temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian diesel exports “to allow the supply of Russian diesel to the global market,” and gave Russian energy producers a general license to sell diesel fuel until April.

That decision angered President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, and drew backlash from European officials. This week, bipartisan group of senators urged Mr. Trump to reverse the sanctions waiver on diesel fuel.

BROWNSVILLE: WHO WILL HAVE MORE CONTROL — CITY HALL OR THE PEOPLE?

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

Brownsville residents will vote on 15 changes to the City Charter. Before voting, everyone should understand not only what these propositions promise, but who will have the authority once they’re approved.

Here is what the propositions say and where the power would remain.

PROPOSITION A — REMOVING COMMISSIONERS

Commissioners could automatically lose office for certain violations, including missing too many meetings, felony convictions, or prohibited financial interests.
This creates consequences for elected officials. However, the Commission would still have authority over excusing certain meeting absences.

PROPOSITION B — CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS

Certain criminal convictions could lead to a recall election, but first a district judge would determine whether the offense involves moral turpitude.
If the judge makes that determination, a recall election would be required. The voters, not the commissioners, would decide whether to remove the official.

PROPOSITION C — OWING MONEY TO THE CITY

Candidates and officeholders would be required not to be personally delinquent on city taxes or other city liabilities.
This places another requirement on elected officials.

PROPOSITION D — PAY RAISES

The proposed annual salaries are:
Mayor: $62,500
Commissioners: $50,000 each

These increases would apply to people elected for the first time after the amendment takes effect, not those currently serving. Where is the public explanation of the total annual cost to taxpayers?

PROPOSITION E — CITY SECRETARY

Establishes the City Secretary’s responsibilities and authority in the Charter.
This concerns the administration of city government, including official records and Commission proceedings. The public would not directly elect the City Secretary.

PROPOSITION F — CITY AUDITOR

Establishes the City Auditor’s duties and authority, including financial, compliance, performance, and investigative audits.
The amendment also addresses appointment and removal of the auditor.
The question is whether the full rules provide enough independence for the auditor to investigate city officials without interference.

PROPOSITION G — CITY HIRING

Requires city employees and appointed officials to be selected based on merit.
The actual hiring decisions would remain within city government, subject to the new requirement.

PROPOSITION H — AUDIT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

Expands the committee from five to seven members.
Who appoints the members? The City Commission.

Commissioners would nominate people to fill vacancies, and the Commission would make the appointments.
The committee provides oversight, but commissioners would continue to control its appointments.

PROPOSITION I — OUTSIDE AUDITORS

Gives the Audit and Oversight Committee authority to hire and terminate outside auditors and advisors and approve their services and fees.
This gives the committee additional authority rather than requiring the Commission to make those particular hiring decisions.

PROPOSITION J — CAMPAIGN MONEY

Promises campaign contribution limits, financial disclosures, and penalties.
But who would establish the actual local rules? The City Commission.
Voters are not being given the dollar limits in the proposition itself.
The Commission would enact the regulations later, within state and federal law.

PROPOSITION K — ETHICS BOARD

Promises an Ethics Board and rules governing conflicts of interest.
But who is required to create the board and adopt the Ethics Code? The City Commission.

The ballot description doesn’t tell residents who would appoint board members, how independent the board would be, or exactly what enforcement powers it would have.
These are important questions when the rules are supposed to hold elected officials accountable.

PROPOSITION L — CITIZENS MAKING LAWS

Residents could collect signatures from at least 10% of registered city voters to propose an ordinance.
If the Commission refuses to pass it as proposed, the people could vote on it.
But after two years, the City Commission could amend or repeal that voter-approved ordinance.
So residents would gain a new way to pass ordinances, but the Commission would retain the authority to change them after two years.

PROPOSITION M — CITIZENS CHALLENGING CITY LAWS

Residents could petition to have certain city ordinances submitted to voters.
This would give citizens a new referendum right.
But here’s what people need to understand:

Even after residents approve an ordinance through a referendum, the City Commission could amend or repeal it after just SIX MONTHS.
The public would gain a voice through the referendum, but the result would not be permanently protected from future Commission action.

PROPOSITION N — LOCAL JOBS AND CONTRACTS

Creates requirements and guidelines intended to support local hiring and opportunities for Brownsville businesses on city-funded contracts.
City government would still administer procurement and enforce the applicable requirements.
The amendment would not guarantee that all contracts go to local businesses or that all workers hired are Brownsville residents.

PROPOSITION O — CHANGING THE CITY CHARTER

Would update or eliminate outdated language and provisions superseded by state law across several articles of the Charter.
Residents should be able to see exactly what language is being deleted and what is replacing it.

NOW LOOK AT WHO RETAINS AUTHORITY.

Under these proposals:The City Commission would establish the campaign finance regulations.
The City Commission would adopt the Ethics Code and create the Ethics Board.
The City Commission would appoint the expanded Audit and Oversight Committee.
The City Commission could amend or repeal citizen-initiated ordinances after two years.
The City Commission could amend or repeal referendum-adopted ordinances after six months.

Other proposals would create additional accountability requirements, auditing authority, and new rights for residents. The public deserves to understand both sides of these changes: what authority citizens gain and what authority City Hall keeps.

These are changes to the City Charter, not ordinary resolutions. They would govern Brownsville beyond the current administration. Read each proposition. Understand who makes the rules, who enforces them, and who can change them later.

Early voting: October 19–30, 2026

Election Day: November 3, 2026

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY RESULTS SHOWS GUERRA IS UNPOPULAR WITHIN HIS OWN PARTY..."

TIDBITS: 

* Steve Guerra barely beat former sheriff Eric Garza in the Democratic primary – despite Garza not campaigning – and being put in the race by Guerra to split the vote and get in a  runoff with incumbent Eddie Treviño (70 percent of Democrats voted against Guerra in primary).

* Mauro Garza received more votes in his party's primary than either Guerra or Eric Garza did in theirs

WHAT DR. LAURA BRINGS TO THE TABLE: FIGHTING FOR BROWNSVILLE

  

By Dr. Laura E. Cisneros

FIGHTING FOR BROWNSVILLE’S FUTURE

As Your State Representative for Texas HD-38, I Will… 

 1. STRENGTHEN EDUCATION Fight for better educational opportunities for our children, support students with learning disabilities, including dyscalculia, and expand vocational training and dual-enrollment opportunities to prepare students for successful careers.

 2. IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE Work to improve access to affordable healthcare, support community clinics, and address the healthcare needs of families, seniors, and underserved residents. 

3. FIGHT FOR FAIR PROPERTY TAXES Work toward meaningful property-tax reform, greater transparency, and fairer treatment of property owners facing rising appraisals, penalties, and interest on delinquent taxes. 

 4. ADDRESS ROADS AND DRAINAGE Push for improvements to roads, highways, and drainage infrastructure to reduce flooding, improve safety, and address long-standing problems affecting Brownsville neighborhoods. 

 

5. CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOBS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Promote career and technical education, apprenticeships, and workforce training that prepare our young people for good-paying jobs connected to the Port of Brownsville, industry, and emerging economic opportunities. And for those who want to retrain in various fields. 

 6. PROTECT CHILDREN, PARENTAL RIGHTS, AND PUBLIC SAFETY Stand with law enforcement and first responders, protect children from harmful influences, defend parents’ rights to participate in decisions affecting their children, and support policies that keep our schools and communities safe.  

 Brownsville deserves leadership focused on real issues and real solutions. I will bring my experience as a physician, my commitment to public service, and my determination to fight for the people of House District 38. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

 Sincerely, Dr. Laura E. Cisneros

INTERVIEW: WHO WILL VOTERS TRUST WITH OUR COUNTY'S FUTURE?

TIDBITS: 

*Democratic candidate for Cameron County judge Steve Guerra called Garza to see if he could get him to stay out of the race so he could be the only candidate on the Republican ballot

*Guerra sought contact with Project RedTex, a Republican PAC, to explore getting their support

THE ANGST OF THE TRUMP YEARS: HOW MUCH IS THE PRICE OF GAS?

 

Used to be that when I got up

I asked the wife

How's the weather

Now I get up and ask

Whether the Strait of Hormuz is open today

Or if Ukraine has fallen yet

Or if tomatoes are still high

Did we bomb refugees in Gaza last night?

Again?

And launch starships to Mars?

And what is the price of gas?

Avocados?

Or should I just roll over and go back to sleep

Hoping the nightmare will be over

If I don't wake up

IS STEVE GUERRA (A) D.I.N.0., (B) A R.I.N.O., OR (C) NONE OF THE ABOVE?

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

Is Steve Guerra...

(A) DINO (Democrat In Name Only)

(B) RINO (Republican In Name Only)

(C) None (or both) of the above

Answer: Probably C, or something close.

As early voting approaches for the Nov. 3 general election, Democratic Party candidate for Cameron County Judge Steve Guerra has taken to the social media air waves with a message of Democratic unity, kumbaya, and brotherhood to party loyalists to defeat Republican Party banner holder Mauro Garza.

It happens almost every election cycle. The Democrats draw blood among each other in the March party primary, then spend the rest of the year between the primary and the November election courting the support of their social media victims asking them to join hands and to let bygones be bygones.

At least, that's the way it is supposed to happen.

But Cameron County is different. 

This is a county that went rouge in at least four past elections by electing a Republican county judge – two times for Tony Garza and twice for Carlos Cascos – since 1988 when Garza was first elected with the support of Democrat county commissioners. In that time, curiously, they accomplished this in four elections when the rest of the county's elected offices down the ballot went traditionally blue wave for the democrats. 

Party lines become blurred, and even more so if the primary blood letting becomes too vicious. The Republican Party mascot may be the elephant, but Democrats also have long memories and sometimes are unwilling to forget perceived offenses if they feel that their opponents' attacks go beyond the red line of party civility and competitiveness.

Take, for example, recent assertions by Mauro Garza, Guerra's opponent in the county judge's race, that the Democrat sought

 him out inquiring whether Garza, a Republican, would consider withdrawing from his party's primary so that Guerra could run unopposed in that party's primary without having to campaign against incumbent Eddie Treviño in the Democratic Party primary. When that failed and Garza would not withdraw, Guerra resorted to a stand-by option of running former county district clerk and sheriff Eric Garza as a "stalking horse" in the Democratic Party primary to draw enough votes from Treviño and force a runoff which he won.

Even then, Guerra garnered only 30 percent of the votes cast in the primary, Garza got a close 26 percent, and Treviño another 44 percent. In other words, 70 percent of the primary voters cast their ballots against Guerra, but Garza drew enough votes – 26 percent, almost the same as Guerra – to force a runoff which Guerra won with 55 percent over Treviño.

But it was the runoff social media campaign which left a bad taste in Democrats' mouths, and where Treviño and his supporters – (he was endorsed by the entire commissioners court and the majority of county elected officials) – were demonized and mauled by Guerra's social media operatives and hired guns.

Treviño was accused by these operatives with everything from getting kickbacks from SpaceX's Elon Musk, selling Boca Chica Beach to SpaceX for bags of money, of robbing PUB ratepayers through his firm's legal fees, taking money from el Cartel del Golfo and depicted as a rat on a leash being handled by Musk and doing his bidding. When Treviño's supporters protested, they, in turn, became the targets of his social media minions through various platforms and mauled in their cyber pages. (None of these allegations have ever been proven true, but if it sticks, well...)

(The insertion of the cartel is interesting, since Guerra is the grandson of its founder Juan N. Guerra. A diversion?)

One of Guerra's cyber gunslingers in particular, was defrocked lawman (constable) from Rio Hondo Josaphat "Hoss" Lozano, who goes by the anagram "Ozel Sonasno," and who had to give up his law enforcement certification as a result of charges of abuse of official authority, went beyond the limits of propriety and unleashed a scorched earth campaign against Treviño's supporters. Nothing was holy, and elected officials, their employees, and even innocent bystanders and their relatives were not spared from his relentless poisonous keyboard.

Guerra, of course, feigned innocence of the attacks even though

intercepted communications indicated that Lozano and Guerra were coordinating the attacks against his fellow Democrats. 

Sometimes it got ugly,as when "Ozel Sonazno" attacked social media poster David Mungia and cast aspersions against his family, and both were called out by Munguia. Intercepted graphics included a photograph taken of a county commissioner's assistant helping a voter taken by Guerra and sent to Lozano to use in his attacks (right) against the commissioner and the employee.

(Since he was defrocked as a lawman, Lozano's next incarnation was of a teacher, and immediately ran afoul for throwing his weight around and has been charged with harassment of students (Raymondville and Progreso ISDs) and of making false accusations against public officials. 

A former school attorney who deposed him in his lawsuit against a school district said simply that Hoss was a "bully."

More recently, this June he posted a story and photo on social media claiming a privately owned white Chevrolet Corvette was worked on in the RISD maintenance shop, resulting in a complaint being filed by RISD Police Chief Oscar Gutierrez, who is also in charge of the school district's maintenance shop.)

Undaunted, his next reincarnation was self-proclaiming himself a star "investigative journalist" to question elected officials' suspected sordid intentions. No one was spared the fury of this scorned muckraker.

Now Guerra want everyone to forget.

But will they? Take, for example, the fact that right before the primaries, Steve and his "team" were publicly courting U.S. Representative D-34 Vicente Gonzalez, and at the same time, kowtowing to Republican primary winner Eric Flores, in effect burning the candle at both ends. 

Guerra, of course, denied this and vows he is a true Democrat, but photos of his campaign team, city Brownsville city commissioner Pedro Cardenas and public-funds hustler Arturo "Turi" Treviño – one (Cardenas) posing with Flores, and another (Treviño) wearing a MAGA hat at a July 4th celebration at Boca Chica Beach – give a different picture of where the "team's" loyalties lie. 

But the bloodletting by Guerra's minions hasn't stopped. In recent posts Guerra's henchman "Ozel Sonazno" has sought to discredit other Democrats who haven't kissed his ring.

One notable target has been Cameron County County Clerk Sylvia Garza-Perez who drew their ire and was accused of allegedly supporting Guerra's opponent Mauro Garza after a picture of her son Edward appeared on social media when both men inadvertently ran into each other at a local Whataburger restaurant.

In his post, "Hoss" accuses her – a true yellow-dog Democrat –  of plotting against Guerra and posting a fake photo montage of her together with Republicans Eric Flores and Mauro Garza and of working against his boss and plotting against him and other Democrats.

To her credit, Garza-Perez did not fall for the bait and kept her own counsel. But by allowing his attack dog to maul her publicly and accusing her of not being a "real" Democrat, Guerra might have crossed the line with county Democrats who know the county clerk is about as loyal a Democrat as they come.

He didn't stop there. He also accused her of being a "snake in the grass" and undermining the Democrats "behind their backs."

 He claims that the word on the street is that she is looking for an opponent to Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz, that she thinks Cameron County Democratic chairman Jared Hockema is "incompetent," and that U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez is a "party boy."

She, of course, vehemently denies these spurious allegations. And since it has been proven that Guerra and "Hoss" are running in tandem, it can only be surmised that Guerra approved of these attacks in order for her to toe the party line and kiss the ring.

(Kind of reminds you of the Q-Anon conspiracy theory about Hillary Clinton involved with a pedophile ring operating out of a pizzeria in San Francisco when in reality, it was a distraction to mask Epstein, Musk, and Trump's involvement – among other powerful men – who were operating a world-wide pedophile ring. Only in Cameron County, a Democrat using a page from the Republicans' bag of tricks.)

When three county commissioners in 1988 did the unthinkable and endorsed Republican county judge candidate Tony Garza, they said the qualities of their party's candidate (Ray Ramon) forced them to put aside their party loyalty and urged their constituents to vote for Garza, which they did and then - obviously satisfied with the future Ambassador to Mexico's performance - voted him in again four years later.

"Sometimes party loyalty demands too much," they wrote in "An Appeal to Reason" published in local newspapers like the Brownsville Herald and the Valley Morning Star. 

They say that lightning doesn't strike in the same place twice, but the election of two Republican county judges in deep-blue Cameron County in the recent past belies that saying. 

So, as we asked above: Is Guerra a DINO (Democrat In Name Only), a RINO (Republican In Name Only), or none (or both) of the above? Apparently neither, Steve is only for Steve.

Will voters reject the indiscriminate bloodletting by the Guerra camp on Democrats and see it strike a third time? And if they did, who could blame them?

THEY SAID GOODBYE, COLUMBUS, OR SO THEY THOUGHT

ANTI-VICENTE GONZALEZ ADS: "A GIRL'S LOCKER ROOM SHOULD BE A SAFE PLACE..."

...AND THE MAGA HYPOCRISY WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR GREAT LEADER

 

The Howard Stern Show (2005): Trump stated he enters backstage dressing rooms during prep because as owner he is "inspecting" the contestants.

Former Contestant Accounts: Several women who competed in Miss USA and Miss Teen USA accused Trump of walking into dressing rooms while they were undressed.

At least four women who competed in a Miss Teen USA beauty pageant told BuzzFeed News that Donald Trump walked into their dressing room while the contestants as young as 15 were undressing.

(Meanwhile, Republican PACs are flooding your televsion market with dark insinuations against incumbent Democrat Vicente "Chente" Gonzalez, right.)

Mariah Billado, the former Miss Vermont Teen USA, tells Buzzfeed that the now 70-year-old Republican presidential candidate caused a panic in the dressing room of the 1997 pageant when he barged in unannounced as the young women were changing.

However, she says Trump shrugged off the intrusion, saying something along the lines of: “Don’t worry, ladies, I’ve seen it all before.”

AND THE LIES JUST KEEP ON COMING...

Media Source

Missile shortages are a serious readiness issue. Addressing them requires clear facts. Claims that Tomahawk missiles were sent to Ukraine are not supported by the public aid record. U.S. assistance included other weapons and ammunition, but those transfers should not be confused with Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Supporting Ukraine affected some American inventories. That does not establish that every shortage has the same cause.

The Pentagon owes taxpayers and service members an explanation grounded in facts: which munitions were used, where they were used, how quickly replacements can be produced and what risks remain.

Accountability requires examining current and previous commitments honestly. A credible defense policy starts with getting the weapons and the facts right.

CAN YOU RECOGNIZE TREASON WHEN YOU SEE IT? OR CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT?

IT WAS LARGER THAN MOST CITIES IN EUROPE AT THE TIME...

 

Core Knowledge Foundation

The center of the Aztec Empire was Tenochtitlán [te-noch-tee-TLAHN]. 

It was built beginning in 1325 on an island in Lake Texcoco, in the center of what is now Mexico. According to legend, the Mexica would wander until they found an eagle with a serpent in its beak perched on a cactus. There they should settle. Supposedly, they saw this sign on an island in Lake Texcoco. The eagle, snake, and cactus are still symbols of Mexico today; you can find them on the Mexican flag.

Four causeways, or bridges, connected the Aztec capital to the mainland; aqueducts brought fresh water into the city. A network of canals enabled people in canoes to move their goods easily around the city. Islands of mud were anchored to the lake floor and used as gardens and agricultural land. The city was carefully planned and governed. Boatmen paddled around on the canals, transporting merchandise and other items. 

By 1519, when the Spanish first saw it, Tenochtitlán was five square miles in size and had a population of more than 300,000. This was larger than most cities in Europe at the time. The city was centered around a large square of palaces and whitewashed pyramids with massive temples atop them. Around this central core were smaller palaces, brick houses, markets, and gardens. 

One of Cortés’s men, Bernal Diaz del Castillo, gave a memorable description of his first glimpse of Tenochtitlán: 

"Here we had a clear prospect of the three causeways by which Mexico communicated with the land, and of the aqueduct of Chapultepeque, which supplied the city with the finest water. We were struck with the numbers of canoes, passing to and from the main land, loaded with provisions and merchandise, and we could now perceive, that in this great city, and all the others of that neighborhood which were built in the water, the houses stood separate from each other, communicating only by small drawbridges, and by boats, and that they were built with terraced tops. 

"We observed also the temples and adoratories of the adjacent cities, built in the form of towers and fortresses, and others on the causeway, all whitewashed, and wonderfully brilliant. The noise and bustle of the market-place below us could be heard almost a league off, and those who had been at Rome and at Constantinople said, that for convenience, regularity, and population, they had never seen the like."

DO IT IN THE NAME OF HEAVEN, YOU CAN JUSTIFY IT IN THE END...

Politics in Group Chat's Post

Nothing says “Christian values” quite like cheering for an execution while preaching that all life is sacred.

Apparently, “Thou shalt not kill” has a few exceptions when politics gets involved.
The hypocrisy would be hilarious if it weren’t so disturbing.

CHENTE SUPPORTS VETERANS: RUBBER-STAMP FLORES ABANDONS THEM, INCLUDING CHAVELITA GONZALES, FROM CARROLLTON, WHO TRUMP SAID "DOESN'T COUNT"

  

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

A good commander stands with his troops through thick and thin.
He doesn't just stand there with his mouth shut when their service is attacked and disparaged.

And yet, Eric Flores, the Trump-endorsed candidate in the Nov. 3 election for U.S. House D-34 who touts his military service in the Texas National Guard – albeit with no documentation of it produced so far – has done just that.

After a ceremony in 2018 where Captain Luis Avila — a severely wounded Army officer originally from neighboring Louisiana — sang “God Bless America," Trump took the perfunctory photo-op with the wheelchair-bound veteran, and then privately told then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, “Why do you bring people like that here? No one wants to see that, the wounded.”

Flores remained silent and said nothing.

In September 2020 the Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg published an article citing sources who claimed that Trump referred to the American war dead at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris as "losers" and "suckers." And Flores – who claims he was a military leader in his campaign literature – said nothing.

On July 17, an air base in Jordan came under attack by an Iranian missile and killed four soldiers at the base. One soldier, Isabella Gonzales, was killed as were Staff Sgt. Angel Rampersad, 28, of Queens, Tyler Feehan, and Michael Swinton.

Chavelita Gonzales grew up in Carrollton, Texas, near Ft. Worth. She graduated from Hebron High School in the spring of 2025 and enlisted in the Army soon after. She finished basic training in December, joined an air defense unit in Germany, and shipped out to an air base in Jordan.

After the strike, Trump posted in his Truth Social: "Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!"

Within a week, Peter Hegseth's Pentagon pulled all four of them off the Iran war's official list of the dead and filed them under a separate heading, "Overseas Operations." A spokesman blamed a "temporary data disruption." Then the story changed. The government now says they died during a ceasefire. 

In other words, according to Trump and Hegseth, the soldiers' death – including our own Chavelita – didn't count, effectively denying the soldiers' families military death benefits.

And Flores? Again, he said nothing.

And when the Trump Administration continues to deny and cut veterans' health benefits for those who served from South Texas, who will stand up to him and say "No!" Not Flores, you can rest assured.

The same happened when Trump kicked 600,000 South Texans of their health insurance in Budget FY 2020. 

And he says nothing of the MAGA republicans plans to gut Social Security and Medicaid which will hurt the low-income residents of D-34 disproportionately. If Flores is elected, we will have a congressman who will be nothing more than a  rubber stamp for Trump and the MAGA agenda.

Voting for Rubber Stamp Eric is the same thing as voting for the Trump agenda for two more years.  Hell no! Vote for Vicente Gonzalez. 

UNLIKE RUBBER-STAMP FLORES, GONZALEZ DEMANDS ANSWERS IN SAILOR'S DEATH

By Shirley Escobedo

KVEO

HARLINGEN — Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) is again asking for an independent investigation into the disappearance and death of Brownsville native sailor Angelina Resendiz.

Gonzalez sent a follow-up letter on Oct. 2 to Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao requesting that a review should analyze “where mistakes were made and how to prevent them in the future.”

Gonzalez previously called for an independent investigation on May 13.

Gonzalez also requested a response from the Navy to the following questions by Oct. 30:

*What information was available to the Navy about Seaman Recruit (SR) Jeremiah Copeland’s criminal history before he enlisted? 

*How was this information considered during the recruitment process?

I understand that the Navy’s policies on duty status options and the transfer of sailors accused of sexual assault is currently being reviewed.

When will this be finalized?

Is the Navy consulting with external third-party advice, independent committees, and expert commissions to shape and update current policies, especially those related to sexual assault prevention policies and duty status options??

Does the Navy believe current recruitment, screening, and waiver procedures are sufficient to prevent similar situations from happening in the future?

Why was SR Copeland allowed to remain on active duty despite several active NCIS investigations involving allegations of sexual and domestic abuse? Does the Navy typically allow individuals under active investigation for sexual or domestic abuse to remain on active duty while investigations are ongoing?

In the case of someone with multiple allegations like SR Copeland, at what point is someone subject to restriction or correctional custody?

Did the Navy adequately follow excising protections and procedures, including those established under the I Am Vanessa Guillen Act ( P.L. 117-81), in this case?

What specific steps has the Navy already taken to prevent a situation like the murder of Seaman Resendiz from happening again in the future? What additional steps does the Navy plan to take to prevent this in the future?

Resendiz, 21, disappeared from her barracks at Naval Station Norfolk on May 29, 2025. Eleven days later, Resendiz’s body was found in a wooded area near her base. 

An investigation into Resendiz’s death led to the arrest of sailor Jermiah Copeland. Copeland pleaded guilty on June 8 to unpremeditated murder, aggravated assault by strangulation, indecent recording, making a false official statement and multiple counts of obstruction of justice.

IS TINO SKIRTING THE 2024 ORDINANCE THAT HE MADE THE MOTION TO PASS?

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

On August 20, 2024, Brownsville Commissioner Tino Villarreal made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 2024-1750, placing limits on campaign contributions.

Now he’s advertising an October 27 fundraiser asking for sponsorships of $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000.

But what about the business owners who respond to his invitation? Does he expect them to know the ordinance better than the commissioner who helped pass it?

Here’s what his ordinance says.

Section 40-9: Campaign Contribution Limits

Individuals cannot contribute more than $1,000.
Eligible companies and political committees cannot contribute more than $2,500.

Section 40-7: Prohibited Contractor Contributions
Businesses involved in certain city contract bidding and award periods are prohibited from making campaign contributions. Candidates are also prohibited from soliciting or accepting those contributions.

Section 40-13: Violations and Penalties
Violations can result in a Class C misdemeanor and fines of up to $500. Continued violations after written notice can carry additional civil penalties of $1,000 per violation.

And that’s just the city ordinance.

Under Texas Election Code Section 253.094, corporations are generally prohibited from contributing directly to political candidates. Violating that state law can constitute a third-degree felony.

Now look at Villarreal’s flyer.

For $10,000, he’s offering premium tables, VIP access, special recognition and an opportunity to speak.

Nowhere on his advertisement does he explain these contribution restrictions or warn businesses about the potential legal consequences.

Imagine a local business owner purchasing a $10,000 sponsorship, believing he’s simply supporting a city commissioner, only to discover that the contribution violates campaign finance laws.

That business owner could face legal expenses, penalties and damage to the company’s reputation.

And what about businesses that have contracts with the City of Brownsville or are bidding on future city projects?

A large contribution to a sitting commissioner could also raise questions about whether that business is trying to buy influence at City Hall. A reputation that took years to build could be damaged over one political fundraiser.

The irony is that Brownsville adopted this ordinance specifically to address the public perception that large contributions can influence elected officials.

Villarreal wasn’t just another commissioner sitting at the meeting. He made the motion to approve it.

So why is his campaign advertising $5,000 and $10,000 sponsorships without explaining the restrictions to the very people he’s asking for money?

Business owners have employees, families, investments and reputations to protect. They shouldn’t have to hire an attorney to figure out whether they can legally purchase a sponsorship advertised by their own city commissioner.

Tino Villarreal helped pass the ordinance. Now he’s asking for thousands of dollars without telling potential sponsors what the law allows.

And if someone gets into legal trouble over one of these contributions, who’s going to be left dealing with the consequences?

The commissioner collecting the campaign money, or the business owner who wrote the check?

Sources: Brownsville Ordinance No. 2024-1750, pages 7–9⁠; The Rider, confirming Villarreal’s motion⁠; and Texas Ethics Commission, 2026 election guidance⁠.

THIS WEEK'S PLAYBILL AT THE ELKS. JOIN US TO BETTER OUR COMMUNITY

 

BREAKING GROUND ON SARONIC AT PORT A MAJOR JOINT VENTURE

A ceremonial groundbreaking was held at Saronic’s Port Alpha in Brownsville, Texas on Sept. 30, 2026.

By Matthew Thibault
CONSTRUCTIONDIVE

The greenfield shipyard under construction for military contractor Saronic in Brownsville is the first in the U.S. since World War II.

The first greenfield shipyard to be built in the U.S. since World War II has broken ground, according to the joint venture.

A joint venture (JV) of JE Dunn and Alberici began construction on the initial phases of military contractor Saronic’s Port Alpha, an over $3.2 billion shipyard. There, the contractor will manufacture manned, autonomy-capable and autonomous ships, according to an Oct. 6 announcement.

The shipyard, located at the Port of Brownsville in Texas, will spread across an initially 835-acre site, per the announcement. However, Saronic will have the option to expand the shipyard to nearly 4,400 acres, according to a Sept. 30 news release from the firm.

The contract features three overlapping phases, according to the JV. The site preparation and infrastructure phases will include grading, ground improvement, drainage, access roads and utility infrastructure.

Then, Phase 1 of shipyard development will begin with the initial assembly buildings, material-handling systems and supporting facilities. When complete, the site will encompass all manufacturing facilities, warehousing, permanent waterfront and vessel-launching infrastructure and employee support facilities.

JE Dunn and Alberici, which are headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri and St. Louis, respectively, worked with design partners Stantec and KPFF via the progressive design-build delivery method, per the announcement.

Together, the team will overlap design, procurement and construction across all three stages, to progress the site’s manufacturing capability as the development takes shape.

Scott Shelby, vice president at JE Dunn and program leader for the JV, told Construction Dive via email that the approach allows the team to develop and evaluate the design, scope and cost before agreeing to the final construction price.

“That collaboration also helps us determine which portions of the work can advance while other requirements are being resolved,” Shelby said. “For example, we can plan early structural and waterfront packages while coordinating later equipment installation and supporting infrastructure.”

This isn’t the JV’s first time working with Saronic. Alberici announced in 2025 that the team won a $300 million expansion of Saronic’s shipyard in Franklin, Louisiana. The contractors topped out at the facility in August. 

ONLINE BREAKING: R.J. MITTE DEAD IN APPARENT SUICIDE IN BROWNSVILLE

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

Credible sources have confirmed that Breaking Bad Brownsville star R.J. Mitte, 34, died today in his downtown Brownsville apartment.

They indicate that he was found after his mother went to 1104 West Levee Street apartment where he and

his fiancée lived in a modest middle-class neighborhood. She was not at the house and he apparently died by hanging.

Brownsville Police Department detectives are investigating the death and until now have reported no indication of foul play.

His estimated time of his death was between 11 a.m  and 12:30 p.m. Monday. He and his fiancée had announced their engagement to wed October 2025.

Friends say he had been torn lately over a running domestic dispute that had emerged between the couple on whether to stay in the city or move to Louisiana where his future wife's family lived that had resulted in the engagement to be broken.

R.I.P., Peace be with him.

MAURO GARZA PRESSES STEVE GUERRA FOR ANSWERS: WHERE'S THE TRANSPARENCY? EN QUE TRABAJAS?

TIDBITS: 

* SAYS GUERRA – WHO IS NOW RUNNING AS A DEMOCRAT – CALLED GARZA TO DISCOURAGE HM FROM RUNNING FOR COUNTY JUDGE AND ALLOW HIM TO BE THE ONLY ONE ON THE REPUBLICAN TICKET AS THE GOP'S SOLE CANDIDATE

* SAYS GUERRA – THE GRANDSON OF GULF CARTEL FOUNDER JUAN N. GUERRA – HAS BEEN UNWILLNG  TO DISCLOSE HIS SOURCE OF INCOME HIDING BEHIND LLCs AND CHARGES THAT HIS LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY SHOULD CONCERN COUNTY VOTERS

* PROMISES THAT THERE WILL BE NO FIRING OF COUNTY EMPLOYEES, BUT RATHER THAT HE WILL PUSH FOR TRAINING AND SKILLS-IMPROVEMENT AND  THAT CURRENT EMPLOYEES ARE CRITICAL TO PRESERVE AND IMPROVE THE COUNTY'S "INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE" 

* SAYS HIS ROOTS AND HIS RESIDENCE REMAIN IN CAMERON COUNTY. HIS ANCESTOR CATARINO GARZA FROM MATAMOROS LED A REVOLUTION AGAINST DICTATOR PORFIRIO DIAZ FROM BROWNSVILLE AS EARLY AS 1877. 

AND , ON CUE, WILD CLAPPING BY THE MAGA FAITHFUL...

This is why We can’t have intellectually honest conversations with Trump supporters.

TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO WORK DAY IN AND DAY OUT, MIS RESPETOS

Departmental

By Robert Frost

An ant on the tablecloth

Ran into a dormant moth

Of many times his size.

He showed not the least surprise.

His business wasn't with such.

He gave it scarcely a touch,

And was off on his duty run.

Yet if he encountered one

Of the hive's enquiry squad

Whose work is to find out God

And the nature of time and space,

He would put him onto the case.

Ants are a curious race;

One crossing with hurried tread

The body of one of their dead

Isn't given a moment's arrest-

Seems not even impressed.

But he no doubt reports to any

With whom he crosses antennae,

And they no doubt report

To the higher-up at court.

Then word goes forth in Formic:

"Death's come to Jerry McCormic,

Our selfless forager Jerry.

Will the special Janizary

Whose office it is to bury

The dead of the commissary

Go bring him home to his people.

Lay him in state on a sepal.

Wrap him for shroud in a petal.

Embalm him with ichor of nettle.

This is the word of your Queen."

And presently on the scene

Appears a solemn mortician;

And taking formal position,

With feelers calmly atwiddle,

Seizes the dead by the middle,

And heaving him high in air,

Carries him out of there.

No one stands round to stare.

It is nobody else's affair

It couldn't be called ungentle

But how thoroughly departmental

AND RIGHT AFTER THIS, ON NOV. 3, GIVE ME A SALARY RAISE, TOO!

Tino Villarreal was too scared to hold a public forum and answer questions from Brownsville residents. But apparently he found his gonads and is just fine when it comes to asking for $10,000, $5,000 or $2,500 in campaign contributions. Might as well ask before the holidays. Was it too dangerous to answer questions, but safe enough to raise money?

REPUBLICANS ARE WORRIED ABOUT GINA. I SAW WHY.

Opinion

By Michele Goldberg

New York Times

Lynn Davenport, a lifelong conservative, met Donald Trump backstage at a Texas rally in 2016. On Jan. 6, 2021, she was at his Stop the Steal rally in Washington, though she left before the Capitol was sacked. In 2024 she was a delegate to Texas’ Republican convention and a Republican precinct chair.

And in May she filmed an ad for Gina Hinojosa, the Democrat running a surprisingly competitive race to become governor of Texas.

The two women have been friends for years, since Hinojosa, a state representative from Austin, helped lead opposition to a crusade by the Republican governor, Greg Abbott, to privatize Texas’ public school system. Abbott’s agenda was bitterly opposed by some conservative Texans, particularly rural ones in places where public schools are the center of the community. (Think “Friday Night Lights.”) 

Davenport was impressed by Hinojosa’s willingness to listen to her and by her mastery of education policy. 

Still, as a committed Republican, she didn’t think she’d ever vote for her.

But Davenport has grown increasingly disgusted with Abbott, over both schools and the data centers he invited into Texas. The governor, she said, is a “globalist, which to me is scarier than a communist, a socialist or a Marxist, because what Abbott is imposing is technocracy. He’s giving the tech giants carte blanche in Texas.” 

So she decided not just to support Hinojosa’s bid for governor but to do it publicly. “Gina is someone that I can work with, whereas Abbott doesn’t care what I think,” she told me. The premise of Hinojosa’s surprisingly competitive campaign is that there’s a critical mass of voters like Davenport in Texas. 

The opportunity for Democrats, Hinojosa believes, lies not with moderate, affluent Republicans put off by Trump’s norm-smashing vulgarity but with disappointed MAGA populists. “The conventional political wisdom is that it is those country club Republicans who will swing over,” she told me before I traveled to Texas. “I think it’s always been MAGA.”

I was skeptical of this analysis then, and after seeing her campaign last week, I’m still not wholly convinced. Trump’s appeal has never been only or even primarily economic; he taps into fear and rage about a country growing less white, less Christian and less deferential to male authority. 

And Hinojosa seems, at least on paper, ill suited to appeal to Trump’s base. A Latina and a former labor lawyer, she comes from the heart of Texas’ Democratic establishment: Her father led the state Democratic Party from 2012 until 2025. Though she now calls herself a “populist” rather than a “progressive,” she’s one of the more liberal members of the Texas House.

Still, Hinojosa has a group of supporters like Davenport, people furious at Abbott over school privatization and data centers. Mary Lowe, an education activist and a self-described “fundamental Christian,” told me that Abbott is “a globalist. He’s a tyrant. He’s a great deceiver.” 

And though she has voted Republican in almost every primary and every general election since 1979, she’s voting for Hinojosa in November. “She’s a good human,” said Lowe. “She’s one of us.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/09/opinion/gina-hinojosa-governor-texas.html?unlocked_article_code=1.HlE.oDfX.ckRr4mrPapkj&smid=nytcore-ios-share

CHICKEN COMES HOME TO ROOST! RUBBER STAMP ERIC DUCKS CHENTE!

Vicente Gonzalez: "If he doesn’t have the guts to tell you what he stands for. He won’t have the guts to stand for you!

AND THEN THERE WERE FOUR, BUT NOT THE ASTROS OR RANGERS

A THREE-PEAT FOR L.A. DODGERS?

REJECT TRUMP'S RUBBER STAMP ERIC FLORES; CHENTE IS OUR CHOICE

RANCH HUMOR: OUR MONOLINGUAL FRIENDS WILL EXCUSE US

 By Juan Montoya

Rural folks have a wry sense of humor.
It probably comes from being isolated out in the boondocks and just having the time to think about stuff without the hustle and bustle that comes with urban living.

Rural South Texas residents are no different.

Not long ago, as we were munching on a delicious asado de puerco at the Martinez home in Santa Maria (they killed two pigs) and washing the delicacy down with some suds, and one of the local residents started telling some funny ones.

He waited until there were no ladies around and the only usual circle of men stood around shooting the breeze. As is usually the case, we can't remember all of the yarns, but two were memorable for their originality and humor.

Since he was an elderly man, they have to do with doctor office visits for the common South Texas ailments, la azucar (diabetes) y el colestrol (cholesterol). As they were told in South Texas Spanish, we will  print them as such and hope our monolingual friends can find someone to translate: Here goes:

LA AZUCAR:
Un compadre se encontro a otro compadre y lo noto muy angustiado.
"Que le pasa, compadre? Lo veo muy aguitado."
"Es que vengo del doctor, compadre."

"Y luego," respondio el otro. "Que le hallaron?"
"Pos dice que estoy muy malo, compadre."
"Muy malo? Pero no parece que esta enfermo, compadre."

Si, compadre. Dice que tengo mucha azucar."
"Azucar, compadre? Pero no se ve que usted tenga nada. Se mira muy bien."
Le contesta el compadre enojado: "No sea menso, compadre. Ni que fuera un buñuelo!"

EL COLESTEROL:
Estaba sentado un compadre cuando deviso al otro que venia por el camino. Se miraba como si apenas pudiera caminar y se veia que iva caminando sambo come si fuera en dolor.

"Que tiene, compadre?," le peregunto uno.
"Acabo de venir del doctor y me hicieron unos examenes, compadre."

"A jijo," dijo el otro compadre. "Que le hicieron compadre? Le metieron algo pa checarle la prostata, o que?"

"Nombre compadre, no sea cochino," respondio el otro, y siguio caminado con las piernas separadas, muy incomodo.
"Entonces que, compadre?  Le metieron una sonda o le pusieron inyecciones? Anda caminando muy sospechoso."

"Nombre, compadre, me encontraron colesterol," dijo el otro.
"Colesterol? Pero pal colestrol no le ponen nada alla atras. Porque anda asi?"
"Es que el doctor me prohibio jamas ya tocar los huevos," contesto el otro.