Was it Team Pulido? We may never know – but someone distributed an awful flier to select voters in north and south Santa Ana. I have posted an excerpt above. The flier has no attribution – we don’t know who printed it or who distributed it. But the message sounds like what Councilwoman Claudia Alvarez has been saying about Martinez at recent candidates forums.
This attack reminds me of Team McCain’s recent attacks on Barack Obama. Apparently “Team Pulido” is resorting to the same tactic of dredging up old news to try to take out their opponent. Now we don’t know for sure that this is the work of Pulido’s henchmen – but the ONLY person who benefits from this cowardly attack is Pulido. That is not debatable.
So let’s take a look at the above-referenced charges:
- Is Martinez a former drug dealer? Well, she has said that she was – but remember that she has come a long way. She WAS a troubled youngster. But she persevered, with good advice and more than a few mentors. She is a great example for troubled kids in our city that you CAN change your ways and live a decent life.
- Did she vote for higher fees? Yes she did. But the ENTIRE City Council has voted to raise our water rates. And they all voted for the dog barking ordinance, which carries ridiculous high fines. Pulido voted for all of this too. So why single out Martinez?
- Does she support sanctuary for immigrants? Who knows? This issue has NEVER been allowed to come to a vote on the City Council. So NO ONE on the Council has voted on this issue, including Martinez. This is a smokescreen. The fact is the current Council would never vote for this. And Martinez has NEVER called for any sort of sanctuary for gangs. That is a blatant lie.
- Did Martinez oppose the short lived INS program to convince immigrants to volunteer to be deported? Who knows? This program was so stupid it boggles the mind. The Bush administration had no choice but to close down this program because no one wanted to deport themselves.
- What other radical views is Martinez hiding from us? None that I know of. A better question would be why are Pulido and his henchmen lying about the condition of our city? Why do they keep insisting that crime is going down when Santa Ana leads the entire County in violent crime?
- Will corruption and crime stop if we vote for Pulido? Why should it? He has been in office for over 20 years – and this year we have already had as many violent murders in this city as we did ALL of last year – 23 to be exact. Pulido has done NOTHING to stop crime in our city. I doubt Martinez could do any worse than the ineffective Pulido.
Will this scurrilous attack work? I doubt it. Santa Ana voters want change. They are tired of being lied to by Pulido and his gang. Even if they don’t vote for Martinez, many of them will vote for George Collins. In either case Pulido won’t get those votes. Martinez will also benefit from being the only woman in the Mayor’s race. This could be the year Pulido finally pays the price for being such a lame Mayor. Shame on Pulido and his awful supporters for resorting to these anonymous attacks. Once again they have shredded the very Code of Ethics that Pulido and company voted into law.
Art,
I think you’re pushing it by claiming that this is like what McCain is doing. Let’s not forget that Tony Rezko has had sentencing set aside, so he can sing to the Feds. The friends you keep do matter as well the attitudes of those you associate with.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-rezko-sentencing-09-oct09,0,3822074.story
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08212008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/baracks_favors_for_corrupt_crony_125390.htm
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Story?id=4111483
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/02/01/rezko/
I have some good stuff coming about the years that Obama sat on the board of a 501c3 that literally tried to circumvent the judicial system to garner the judgments they wanted, rather than the way the judicial branch is supposed to work. He did it on a continuing basis, not a short term basis. There is a pattern there.
Ms. Martinez on the other hand has made great strides from her youth in making good for herself, her family and the community. This kind of insinuation certainly looks like it’s from team Pulido and should not be allowed to continue. If he isn’t the ring leader, he needs to come out and publicly renounce this type of activity. DO IT NOW! By not doing so, he shows the kind of poor or lack of, leadership that many of us know has been the downfall of this city.
Carl,
With our economy in tatters, voters want to know what Obama and McCain are going to do – I don’t think the voters care about the stuff McCain is dredging up. It smacks of desperation. I’m voting for the Libertarian ticket in any case.
I do agree with your comments re Pulido. He needs to condemn this flier – but I doubt he will. Team Pulido will do anything to win.
From the most recent Clownia Alvarez thread:
anonymous –
Here’s a riddle: What is the difference between Michele Martinez and Eli Lilly? Big pharma had their extortion legalized, which makes what Michele did add up to operating an unlicensed business.
Now with that settled, go run, tail tucked between your legs, back to Papi Pulido and let him know that Michele has this blog and me on her side and his little stunt isn’t going to work.
Trust me, I was her biggest skeptic. I wasn’t sure she’d really matured. So if I’m convinced that she has, you go ahead and try to convince the voters of the opposite while she’s out walking precincts, organizing neighborhoods, fighting gang violence, and generally already acting more like the Mayor than Pulido. Really. Good luck with that.
SMS
Do you know what angers me the most? It angers me to no end that Pulido and Alvarez; along with their band of thugs, would even think that such crap of a flyer would make me stop and re-think again about whom I chose (which is my constitutional right) to vote for as Mayor of this horribly blighted city.
That is the mindset of these demigods. See, they believe in their own pea-sized brains that we residents of Santa Ana cannot think for ourselves; we cannot come to reason or reality on whom we want to set us in a positive direction for change. Let’s get rid of these pathetic, paranoid losers once and for all…..
You seem to be putting this on Pulido, but where is your proof he even knew about it?
Based on posts on this very blog, what the mailer says appears to be true. You seem to hate the mayor and Alvarez so much, that you blame him for the message. That’s wrong. You complain about an attack campaign, and yet that’s exactly what this thread is.
Art Pedroza was a member of Martinez’s “kitchen cabal” at one time and was in a position to know exactly what her position was regarding illegal immigration sweeps, voluntary deportation, sanctuary city, and other illegal immigrant issues. She has appeared at rallies in support of several illegal immigrant issues so her position is well documented. Art tries to distract from those facts by saying they never actually voted on these issues, but the mailer doesn’t try to imply that they did, so why is Art distorting that?
What does the last bullet point have to do with this mailer? Nothing! It’s another attempt to distract from the issues, and for Art to attack the mayor unprovoked. It is not a rebuttal to anything.
I find it ironic that Art is crying foul on this alleged attack and yet he uses this blog to bully the other candidates. Kind of a double standard isn’t it?
Carl, sorry, didnt mean to slight you. The Pullido/Alvarez flier is just like McCain and Overmeyer’s attacks on Obama. Is that better?
No slight taken Anon. My rant on Obama and you have not seen what I view the most damning yet is because I see him as evil. But the parallels to Obama and Pulido, both taking money from developers and sucking off the govt. are similar in that they take the money and give favors to them, not very ethical. They both show parallel thinking about how to get things done.
As I stated earlier Ms. Martinez has shown she can actually do good things for the community, or at the very least tries hard to.
Art –
Yes, voters would like to know what Obama or McCaina are going to do, since neither have adequately addressed our current financial fiasco. Both are in mired in the mudslinging. Obama is just a bit slicker than McCain, but that’s his Harvard education.
While I an camped in the undecided, with 24 days to go, I find it very difficult to turn over the presidency to Obama. His freshman status in Senate doesn’t bode well for him and I find it troubling that Obama accepted in excess of $10million from Wall Street cronies. Asking Obama to police these thieves doesn’t sit well with me.
Most folks overlook the fact that Obama’s political training was at the feet of questionable Chicago-based politicos. And Rev. Wright was smack in the middle of bringing Obama along.
anon –
Yes, because a 72-year old Senator on the take is so much better than a younger version of the same. Honestly, the idea of President Palin… well, sorry, I have to go throw up now.
SMS
Really was there any lower for these clowns to sink?
Is anybody really even surprised by this? Aren’t they already, en la cama con el diablo can’t get any lower than that can you?
Sarah, you know that’s a HUGE reach. Now back to the subject of the post…
If they are going to continue to show they have little regard for the public, then the public needs to boot them, period. We need new blood in the offices at city hall period. Get us some folks who will actually control the professionals who work there.
Carl –
‘Sarah, you know that’s a HUGE reach. Now back to the subject of the post… ‘
Whoa! Hold up! A reach? How so? You posted last night a video of an urban African-American ranting that McCain is more conservative than Obama. Sure, socially, but certainly not fiscally. It will be why McCain will continue to be compared to Bush and will eventually lead to his downfall.
Seriously, do we really need to pay out of the nose for more fascism? More big government restricting social progress? Sorry, and this is where I remind everyone that I came to the center from the left, but the way I see it, the Republicans will tax us just as much as the Democrats, so I’d rather see social progress to show for my otherwise wasted tax dollars rather than regression for the same.
It’s simply a better value if you look at the big picture, so here’s my new campaign slogan for Bob Barr: ‘You’re gonna pay, either way. Vote Barr/Root instead!‘
SMS
Anonymous 8:34,
The fact is that you, Pulido nor any others apposed to Michele have any proof of how this flier labels her on illegal immigration.
She has publicaly stated she supports Human Rights.
Participation at rallies is in support o fHuman Rights. Not to break laws.
This issue of immigration was recently a issue at a Wilshire Square Neighborhood Association Meeting( about two weeks ago). She stated her suppport of Human Rights. Support of Human Rights is generic.
Participation at any rally where violation of Human Rights is a question should be supported by all, especialy government officials.
Michele, thank you for your participation.
As a government official it is her duty to defend laws including
Human Rights laws. Some at the Wilshire Neighborhood meeting were unhappy with her position as their agenda was to label her as the flier does.
So, Anonymous what are the issues as you see them presented in the flier?
The issue on immigration is inaccurate- lies.
Her voting record presented in the flier is identical to the rest of the council including the Mayor.
The truth is that Art Pedroza is not distorting the message of the flier.
The truth is that the flier is distorting the facts and Michles position as a DEFENDER OF HUMAN RIGHTS.
You , Pulido and your supporters should be supporting Michele in defending Human Rights.
Shame on you for attacking her support of Human Rights.
I dunno, it seems real similar to me.
McCain dredging up what Bill Ayers did when Barack was 8, as though that reflects on Barack for being on a big Annenburg-founded education board with him decades later… [oh and making sure to do that dirty smear thru surrogates]
Pulido [always thru surrogates] constantly hammering on something Michele admitted to doing at the age of 15 and regrets…
We’ll be looking over the next few days at the distortions and smears Dana is descending to, as well as the grotesque lies the Yes on 8 campaign are promulgating…
At least in the case of McCain we know it’s the desperation of how bad he’s doing in polls. Supporters of Michele Martinez and Debbie Cook can take heart that maybe there are private polls driving Pulido and Rohrabacher to similar desperation.
Oh, to continue the parallel, the Prop 8 folks brought out their grotesque lies when it looked like their measure was going to fail. Unfortunately their lies seem to be working for now, while McCain’s don’t…
But pulido hangs out with the racist prick alex vega and that’s ok how?
Claudia Alvarez is a whore and Pulido says nothing.
Sarmientos festival hall was a drug and prostitute filled mess and no outrage there either.
Time to toss the incumbents.
the flyer is the handiwork of Sal Tinajero and his Fullerton HS debate team.
Sal and crew may look like mom & apple pie, but they’re racist piglets. oink, oink
anon,
Any proof of that accusation? Otherwise I would be very careful. You may feel that is true but you stated it as fact! So where is your proof?
SMS,
What part do you fail to see in the parallels between Mr. Pulido and the sweetheart deals that Mr. Obama authored for his buddy, the contractor/redeveloper Mr. Rezko. Same/Same. And you are defending Mr. Obama at the very same time criticizing Mr. Pulido….?
At the very least I’m consistent, they both need to find work outside of elected office.
While Art mixed in the current Presidential election into this post, in my humble opinion, he should not have. It takes away from the actual problems with the current administration in Santa Ana. They are different, but do have some similarities, as I pointed out.
Read the links, if you didn’t and you will see why I included them. Mr. Obama has been complicit in the same shenanigans that so many find revolting here in Santa Ana and they are both Democrats as well. But then so is Ms. Martinez, but I certainly don’t hold that against her. Fair is fair. (no Vern, not fare)
Carl –
Of course I see the parallels, and I’m not trying to defend either Obama or Pulido. I’m merely trying to make a point about the parallels between Obama and McCain. OK, so I’m a liiittle off-topic, but I’m tired of the watching the Reeps get away with the same manipulative game time and again.
SMS
I thought you said you were post-partisan, but your still anit-Reep…ok…?
But what you said certainly looked like you were defending him.
BTW Pulido is a D, so that anti-reep thing is a little thin there too.
I don’t give a rats hiney what letter they have after their name, the bribery and corruption is all the same. We don’t need that pig feeding at the federal trough, I don’t care what color lipstick it wears.
Sorry Carl, but being post-partisan does not mean I have to give out free passes. I’ve been slamming the Democratic Congress for months now, and yet you accuse me of partisanship? Ouch! That hurts. I thought we were friends. 😉
SMS
Vote LibertAryan, OJ blatherers. Your vote is just as relevant and effective as your warm winds.
SMS,
We are friends, but I can call BS too.
I’m accused of it ALL the time, even by you sometimes.
It’s only right that I make my strongest cases with those I would defend with my life. Don’t ya think?
Carl –
Yes, I do think. I’m just playing. 🙂
SMS
CO –
The flyer cited on this thread appears to be the handiwork of Sal Tinajero and his band of merry racistas. Of course, it also appears to have the fingerprints of Dennis DeSnoo and Claudia Alvarez.
Well Michele Martinez still has links to her “homeboys”. She has been seen at Original Mikes in the dance floor dancing parolee types…mmm Her boyfriend Alfredo Amezcua defends gang members…She went to “college” not long ago and admitted she paid for it by selling drugs….Its not like it happened 20 years ago…Too close for comfort…I don’t know if that flyer about illegal immigration was real or not..Nonetheless, you don’t think that she would like to make Santa Ana a sanctuary city like San Francisco and Los Angeles?? I said if you are a documented gang member on probation or parole for a felony..bye bye..Deport them all!!! Why are we keeping these people on overloaded parole and probation officers case loads!!!!!!!!!
Why is deporting “ILLEGAL” (Key Word) alliens a violations of civil rights??? ILLEGAL!!!! You don’t have a license, insurance, social security you don’t pay TAXES like I do since I was 17, you don;t pay medical insurance fees…WHy do we have to provide “FREE” medical as they demanded during the MAy Day demonstrations??? Why our Santa Ana schools overloaded with kids that can’t hardly speak English….? How are these kids graduating from our schools?? And then what??? no further education, stay out on the streets with gangs or dope? And again here we go the tax payers, paying for jail, rehab programs that don’t work??? I am Hispanic and proud, but I am an American, not a Hispanic-American or African American etc..Be proud of our country..The United States of America!!!!!!!!! not Estados Unidos Mexicanos!!!!
Jose,
You have your head so far up your A-hole that the lack of oxygen to your brain consistently results in your usual ignorant rants.
I believe your other posts in the past with the same ignorant talking points, you signed as Marie.
Michele never said she paid for college, when she attended not long ago, by selling drugs.
As you know, but twist facts to fit your agenda:
1. The drug issue happened in her early teens.
2. She is currently attending Cal State Fullerton And will receive her B.A this school year.
3. She plans to attend Law school in 2009.
4. She is currently a Santa Ana Councilwoman
5. She has no past or present criminal record.
6. She does not advocate breaking any laws including Immigration Laws.
7. Mr. Amezcua is not Michele’s boyfriend.
8. Mr. Amezcua , An Attorney, has many clients. They present with diverse backgrounds , nationalities and economic levels . These clients also have diverse legal reasons for seeking Mr. Amezcua’s services. This is common with all attorneys.
Jose/ Marie,
What is the origin of your hate? The Mexican Undocumented simply do not behave like you say they do.
Educate yourself, don’t post ignorant opinions.
That time, Dr. Lomeli, the borderline-illiterate “Marie” shared an IP address with the very articulate racist “Daniel.” Far as I can tell from this end, Jose’s a different person. (Unless he’s just got a different computer.)
Special service only supplied for racist commenters!
Whomever sent this flyer did so with such hatred for Michele or much love for Pulido. Whatever the case, it was wrong to do so.