Bustamante defends student background Conservatives see racism in separatist group

SFgate ^ | Friday, August 29, 2003 | John Wildermuth

[demlosers]

Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante is fighting off claims from conservative critics that he has links to a Latino campus organization that has called for returning California and the Southwest to Mexico.

Bustamante was a member of MEChA, a group with chapters on hundreds of college campuses, when he was a student at California State University Fresno in the 1970s. In recent days, callers to conservative talk radio stations have dubbed MEChA an anti-white hate group, dedicated to racial separatism.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

"This whole thing is like looking at old pictures and wondering how we could have looked like that," said Richie Ross, Bustamante's chief political strategist.

Sometimes pictures are funny, sometimes they reveal a whole lot about motivation and character Mr Ross.

[Uncle Hal]

Nothing like a biased article from the ultra liberal SF Chronicle. They could not be fair to the GOP if they tried.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

If Cruz speaks that way publicly, can you imagine what he says behind closed doors? I suspect his personal synonyms for the gringos are about as endearing.

[Texas_Jarhead]

Notice that this fish wrap doesn't bother to cite MEChA's own positions or comments. If they did the nature of the group would be glaringly obvious.

[HitmanLV]

Never underestimate conservatives ability to project their values on the opposition. Any conservative who thinks that this issue has legs is unrealistic. Indeed, this gets votes for Cruz, it doesn't lose votes for him.

[witnesstothefall]

Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante is fighting off claims from conservative critics that he has links to a Latino campus organization that has called for returning California and the Southwest to Mexico.

Demonstrably false and misleading lead. BustaRhymeswithCaliente is not fighting off the claims. He's merely saying the claims, while true, hold no significance.

The 'writer' or 'journalist' and his 'editors' are perfectly aware of these facts, but seek to hide the truth from the public by showing them these lies instead.

[Gritty]

MEChA, which stands for Movimieto Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (Chicano student movement)

I can't read Spanish, but I'd bet anything "Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan" means more than "Chicano student movement", as the article states! I'd bet it means something like "Chicano Students of Aztlan", or somesuch thing.

So, why the lousy translation in the original article? Is the writer trying to hide something, or is it merely gross incompetence?

[jmstein7]

"CRUZ CONTROL!"

Help EXPOSE BUSTAMANTE. Check out the thread below:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/973285/posts

[moehoward]

Student Chicano of Aztlan

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Any conservative who thinks that this issue has legs is unrealistic. Indeed, this gets votes for Cruz, it doesn't lose votes for him.

I honestly think you are wrong about MEChA and hispanics in general. They view this as a shame, an embarrassment, this is like saying that a politician that has secret connections with the Aryian Nation will turn out the "white vote." I think you are in for a surprise if this does "get out"

[HitmanLV]

I disagree, though I confess I am no expert. The fact is that none of this is really news (racial slurs, club membership), and yet Bustamante has enjoyed public office for years.

There is no comparision to Ayrian Nation - that is sudden death for a white (and it should be), but comperable affiliations are not sudden death for a minority.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

The fact is that none of this is really news (racial slurs, club membership), and yet Bustamante has enjoyed public office for years.

BELIEVE me, this will be news when Californians realize this. Most of us don't even know who the heck the Lt Gov is out of lineup in a normal time, but all hell is breaking loose here. Have you heard that they can't really find his birth certificate or any record of him being born here? He might be illegal, and inelligable to run.

There is no comparision to Ayrian Nation - that is sudden death for a white (and it should be), but comperable affiliations are not sudden death for a minority.

Its a perfect comparison, and you are coming dangerously close again to calling real minorities (read not Leaders like Jackson and Sharpton) racist. That simply isn't the case, which is why we don't have Black Panthers winning every black district in the US.

[moehoward]

Part of the problem is assuming that this pushy bunch thinks like the average American.

They do not.

While this news may alienate many level headed Dems. The majority of the Hispanic/Illegal Alien crowd will circle the wagons and vote as a block. Bustamante is one of their own.

[joesnuffy]

To Bustacalineconomy
"To everything for the Chicano
To the non-Chicano nothing"..
We also have an Anglo saying you might enjoy
"Remember the Alamo"

[HitmanLV]

Not racism at all. Just an evaluation I make based on situations and circumstances I have noticed during my life. Sorry, but I don't think this will have any impact at all.

That being said, i don't think Cruz will win. Just that this won't be a reason he loses.

[HitmanLV]

Well said.

[B Knotts]

Por La Raza todo. Fuera de La Raza nada.

You don't think that's racist?

Bustamante was given a chance to denounce that racist slogan today by Tony Snow, but refused to do so.

He is an out-and-out racist, and most Californians would not knowingly vote for such a racist.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

He is an out-and-out racist, and most Californians would not knowingly vote for such a racist.

Exactly, which is why if the election is between him and the principled conservative Tom McC it should be fairly obvious who would win.

[ambrose]

So? The Ahnold Lovers on here say that a man's past does not matter. But then it suddenly matters with Cruz?