Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Good-bye, Fred


We wasted a lot of time and words on you, but at least did not squander any political or emotional capital, or any other kind of capital. Those who did can now start sucking up to Mitt Romney in the hope that Tom Tancredo's boy, the Mexican anchor baby who hates Mexicans, will find a place for Thompson in his crusade for nativist purity.

Still waiting for Henry to shake off the sackcloth and ashes and officially endorse his #2.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

so who cares if he's an anchor baby? Why should he bring up something about himself that would cause him to lose votes. Elections are about winning. He was able to be governor in Mass and control those socialists. He's my man.

When are you going to wish Val a happy birthday?

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

Anonymous:

Why care if Mitt Romney is an anchor baby? Because a nativist should at least have nativist credentials. Would a Jew get himself elected president of the American Nazi Party. Wait, that actually did happen.

Romney didn't "control those socialists." He mostly left them alone. In fact, as governor, he spent at least 200 days of the year outside the state of Massachusetts. No one seemed to miss him.

Always ahead of you: I've already wished Val a happy birthday.

Anonymous said...

ok. So you don't like Romney because he's an anchor baby. You don't like McCain or Huckabee. Who is left? You mean to tell me you are going to let the Dems win without trying put up any fight?

ps -I meant really wish him a happy birthday, not another put-down.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

Anonymous:

I dislike Romney because he denies his past. I should wish him to be proud of the fact that he is an anchor baby and that his family lived for three generations in Mexico. Instead he expiates this "sin" by chasing his gardeners with a pitch fork.

I am not to blame for the fact that none of the Republican candidates has said or done anything to commend himself to Cuban-Americans voters. I, at least, did not rush to endorse any candidate only to regret doing so later when his anti-Cuban bias was exposed.

It is not up to me to "allow" the Democrats to win. The xenophobes in the GOP will have accomplished that all by themselves.

Perhaps next time Republicans will realize that the nativist card is played out and find some other wedge issue with which they can divide and conquer.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

P.S.:

I believe I am the only Cuban blogger to have devoted a post to wishing Val a Happy Birthday. What else to you wish me to do? Send a card? A present?

Anonymous said...

I may actually agree with you about what I wish we could have. But since it doesn't look like we have many other choices we'll have to hold our noses and pick the better of the two evils. Are you a one issue voter? Is it all about Cuba to you? Then, you are no better than the one issue gay groups, black groups or for/against abortion groups. I would be very surprised if an intellectual mind as is yours would be a one issue voter. You are well informed and know what is happening in the world today. It's a crazy world out there with a great deal of evil lurking.

So, again I ask you: Do you have a solution as to who to vote for? So far you have been able to dissect everyone of the candidates'strenghts and weaknesses but you have not given us an endorsement. We, your honored followers the Tellechians, really want to know.
MaT fan, anxiously awaiting answer.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

Anonymous:

My hope is that the Republican National Convention will draft an alternate candidate. I shall cherish that hope to the last moment. If it doesn't I would support the resurrection of the Bull Moose Party. Anything but choose between the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

As, yes, Cuba does trump everything else as far as I am concerned. Sorry to disappoint you.

Anonymous said...

I believe I am the only Cuban blogger to have devoted a post to wishing Val a Happy Birthday. What else to you wish me to do? Send a card? A present? ~ MaT

How about offer a chance to reconcile with an old friend. Your disagreement with him was minor when you consider everything. In fact, he regreted it immediately (so you've stated). If he was impressed by the Estefans, hell that only makes him human. How in the world can you expect a free Cuba with all of the anger within the Cuban American anti-Castro community? Not to mention, the Cuban community in the island. Be a uniter, not a divider (who said that? never mind). I know you are a good person that felt humiliated by Babalu. Drop it. Hold your head up high and take the first step. You will be respected.

just an anonymous peacemaker, dude...

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

Anonymous:

Val and I were never "old friends." The lack of hostility does not signify friendship. Moreover, this was not the first time we had wrangled over the issues mentioned in this post. In fact, I stopped contributing to Babalú for more than a year because I found its editorial practices repugnant. I sincerely regret that I ever started again. Generosity is rarely repaid in kind in this world nor forgiveness ever appreciated.

You are right: Val's booting me from Babalú was an act of hubris which he quickly regretted. He has regretted it even more over the last year. I think that now, at least, he thinks twice before acting in an arbitrary manner that could alienate commenters or readers. Nor have I seen him lately telling his readers what subjects are off-limits or threatening to boot them for bringing them up. I don't think that Val can be "humbled" but he can certainly be subdued and has been. Unfortunately, Henry has picked up where Val left off and is now the most obnoxious thing about Babalú. In retrospect, he may always have been.

As for reconciliation, I am a Christian and never exclude it. I am surprised that you are so eager for us to reconcile; most of Val and Henry's friends enjoy enormously the drubbings I give them and want more not less of same.

RCAB will soon celebrate its first anniversary. I will consider then whether Val has earned a reprieve. In any case, Val is closer to getting one than Henry ever will be.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your response. I found it to be very honest and forthcoming. Don't be so surprised that some of us would want a reconciliation between Babalu and you. Yes, the back and forth can be entertaining at times but unity in fighting the beast should be in all of our interests. I enjoy RCAB and Babalu and I hope you don't make people take sides. I don't think you do. I know some of the writers at Babalu would take offense that I frequent your log, which is why I don't leave my name (for now). I don't feel comfortable being anonymous and may "come out" soon, but not yet.
(uncomfortably anonymous)

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

Anonymous:

Your reluctance to blog under your real name at RCAB for fear of reprisals from Babalú is sufficiently instructive for anyone who wishes to know the difference between the two blogs. The difference is freedom.

Sharpshooter said...

If one has the fear of posting under one's name because of the of reprisals from another blog, this in itself tells us what the atmosphere at Babalu must be like. No other statement is necesary. This tells it all.

bookster said...

Hi friends, my 2c, i think once we are able discuss ideas that are contrary to what we hold as true, we will be able tolerate one another.

It would be nice if we could get away from personal attacks and demeaning one anohter. Let's Attack the faulty thinking not the person.

Anonymous said...

Well, caballeros, back to the Republicans (and Democrats)...I agree with MAT: the Cuban issue trumps everything else for me (other organs are important, but isn't the heart the crucial one?).

nonee moose said...

So, basically, MAT and the rest won't be voting for anybody this year.

More for me...

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

corgiguy:

Discussing ideas without reference to personalities is called philosophy. I have no stomach for it and I should think my readers won't either.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

nonee:

I am glad to absolve of the charge of being Carlos Miller. Visit his blog for more details.

bookster said...

MAT, can there be reconciliation when egos clash?

nonee moose said...

Apology accepted, MAT.

Told ya.