June 16, 2000
What makes you believe that Mr. Villaraigosa holds these view today. Is there anything in his conduct as Assembly member or Speaker that suggests he is a racist or anti-semitic?
Name Withheld
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June 16, 2000
Thanks for your email.
Villaraigosa's overt conduct is not Racist or Antisemitic. But his association with the racist factions of Raza and MEChA is evidence enough that he still holds racist views; and as a publicly elected official, his refusal to repudiate or condemn Raza makes him their accomplice.
Even racist David Duke repudiates the KKK to which he belonged ten years ago. Even Trent Lott quit the all white CCC (Council of Conservative Citizens) and repudiated it.
Villaraigosa is not likely to condemn MEChA because of his ostensibly unaltered ideology. But even if he were inclined to do so, he could not because he is caught between a rock and a hard place. If he were to publicaly condemn MEChA like he meant it, there would be endless violent protests by Raza and Chicano groups.
Of course Villaraigosa is free to associate with anyone he wants, but the voters are also free not to elect him.
Hal Netkin
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June 18, 2000
Hal: Thanks for your response. In deciding on support for public office you have to look at behavior and the record. Antonio is not a racist and or anti-semite. He is bridgebuilder. He has been criticized in the Latino community for reaching out to other communities too often. He is the one candidate for Mayor who can bring this city together.
It seems to me you are condemning a man for as a College student belonged to an organization whose focus was ethnic identity and had other views which are highly objectionable.
Antonio Villaraigrosa is one of the bright lights on the LA scene today as Speaker is worked with every community throughout this state.
I would ask you to reconsider this effort. It doesn't reflect who he is today or who has been probably for a quarter of a century.
Name Withheld
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June 18, 2000
I am looking at his behavior. As you can see from my web site, there are issues beyond racism.
Villaraigosa wants to cheapen U.S. citizenship by giving Illegals all the privileges that U.S. citizens have. He abused his political power by usurping the will of the people by giving his personal opinion that Prop 187 was unconstitutional, placing himself above the U.S. Supreme court -- he and Mexico's President Zedillo, according to Villaraigosa, were instrumental in killing 187 before it could get to the U.S. supreme court.
He is not getting criticized by the Latino community. He is getting criticized by Latino activists and radicals. And he is also getting criticized by non-Latinos. But he won't declare on which side he stands. That is why I say he is two-faced and not to be trusted.
Villaraigosa is unpatriotic. On some occasions addressing Latino crowds, Villaraigosa has said he is proud to be a Mexican. But I have exhausted all research efforts to find one time that he said to a crowd of Latinos (or any crowd) that he is proud to be an American.
I believe Villaraigosa holds racist sentiments. But if he will publicly and unconditionally condemn MEChA's racist "El Plan de Aztlan" manifesto like he means it, publicly and unconditionally repudiate MEChA's goal of "liberating Aztlan" like he means it, publicly and unconditionally condemn "Nation of Aztlan" like he means it, and publicly and unconditionally declare that he is proud to be an American like he means it, I will publicly apologize to him and remove this MayorNo web site (don't hold your breath).
By the way, just what bridge did Villaraigosa build? Can you name one piece of legislation of his that was a bridge builder?
Hal Netkin
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June 19, 2000
You ask about bridge building he was a principle co-author of Wally Knox's Holocaust Insurance bill; he sponsored a budget request for the Jewish Federation of 2.9 billion; these are just two thing that come to mind I am sure there are many other others. He has spoken since he became Speaker at many many Synagogues and other Jewish groups including an Aipac event in San Diego and a Jewish event in Sacramento.
You critize him for opposing Prop 187---the Jewish Fed opposed it overwhelmingly.
Name Withheld
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June 19, 2000
Thanks for the information. The ethnic politics that Villaraigosa has learned to work by ingratiating with ethnic activists such as yourself (said respectfully) to further his career is his style. While he may be working in the interest of a Jewish group such as the one you are active in, he works with other ethnic groups to give them what they want -- often with conflicting results. For example: in his treatment of "hate groups" he is inconsistent. He wants to combat hate groups with the introduction of Assembly Bill 1785 that would create a 13-member state commission that would coordinate human relations work throughout California and advise the governor and Legislature on new laws needed to combat hate crime and discrimination. The bill would tag school or university students who are suspected of harboring incorrect beliefs, but Raza hate groups such as MEChA and Nation of Aztlan are off limits and unaffected by this legislation.
You probably hold very different political views than I do, and that's OK, but there are still vestiges of democracy in California that must be preserved. Praising a politician that caters to special interests and abuses his/her power, just because his/her politics agrees with yours, is a very dangerous proposition.
I thought I explained myself clearly regarding Villaraigosa and Prop 187, so I want to make this point very clear: I don't criticize Villaraigosa for opposing Prop 187, I criticize him for playing god in killing it before it could get to the supreme court. His part in killing Prop 187 has probably destroyed all voter confidence in California's initiative system.
As to whether or not Villaraigosa has changed his ways, consider that he himself said in Spanish in 1998 to a crowd at a Salinas fund raiser "Dime con quien andas y te diré quien eres which means "Tell me who you hang out with, and I will tell you who you really are." On the MayorNo web site, I have named Villaraigosa's friends who make no bones about their anti-American and racist agendas.
Doesn't it bother you that as recently as 1995, Villaraigosa praised Jose Angel Gutierrez, Director of Mexican-American Studies Center at the University of Texas at Arlington, who has professed since 1970 that "Our devil has pale skin and blue eyes" and who once said at a MAYA meeting, "To the gringos in the audience, I have one final message to convey, 'Up yours, baby. You've had it, from now on.' "
Eventually, Villaraigosa will have to decide where he stands on issues that concern all Americans, not just some ethnic groups and illegal aliens.
Hal Netkin
