Seeking Info: Former MEChA Members

9.2.03 | Joe Hadenuf

[Joe Hadenuf]

Seeking information from former or active MECha members regarding California Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante and his past ties to MECha in the 1970s in the area of Fresno State University.

Looking specifically for audio tape, photographs, notes from meetings, names of former associates within the organization, Bustamante's duties, activities etc within the organization.

Information will be used to cross reference existing information to determine inaccuracies or to help substantiate existing information.

Feel free email me through Free Republic.

[Imal]

I like it. :^) Were it not for some other things going on, I would dismiss these these people as lunatic fringers myself.

I don't know any Latinos personally who want to turn the southwest U.S. into northern Mexico or "Aztlan", and I know more than a few, but that doesn't mean the issue is moot.

If the Aztlan movement, of which MEChA is a part, but by no means the whole, is nothing more than a tempest in a teapot, fine. The Anarchist movement is also in no danger of becoming popular, yet these people hijack demonstrations and commit significant property crimes around the world. Some people forget that a century ago, Anarchists planted bombs, too,

But it intrigues me that certain FReepers seem to think that even looking into this warrants puerile and obnoxious obstruction.

What the bloody hell? Since when is investigating shady political groups a crime on FR?

Is anyone willing to explain this opposition intelligently?

[PRND21]

I've played with you enough.

You should have tried answering the question and avoiding showing your true colors.

[Poohbah]

There are worse things out there to spend time and treasure chasing down. ELF comes to mind. So do the Anarchists. They are known to engage in criminal activities.

[Porterville]

Why not have a list of the radicals posted and dig up the anti American rhetoric from politicians??? And, while we're at it, since the census bureaux and State Governments have databases on illegal aliens and their adresses in the United States, why not post their names on a website to force the governments hand to arrest the law breakers.

Driver's licenses for illegal aliens??? Driver's licenses is a public record, so, do we have access to them???

And I'm first generation Hispanic, so don't try any racial judo on me.

[skeeter]

Thanks, Joe. And surpris surprise - the same folks who love to toss the race card at secure border types are here defending MEChA. World of wonders.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Like clock work.

[Rabid Dog]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lopez3sep03,1,544974.story Steve Lopez, columnist for the LA Times, is trying to make "light" of the MECHa connection

Excerpt.

Have you heard?

He's got ties to an allegedly racist, separatist Latino group called MEChA. Sure, he might act and look like a governor once he takes office. But that would just be a front.

Behind the scenes, Cruz "Bandolero" Bustamante would wage war on the gringo, carrying out a bold plot to return California and six other Western states to Mexico.

And then

You gotta admit, the sombrero is a handy place to hang a sheet. But just who are the bigots here? Bustamante, or the Republicans who started playing dirty when he unexpectedly took the early lead?

Interesting enough, no where in his column does Steve Lopez actually talk to a MECHa member - just "MECHA" like organizations at Princeton.

[PRND21]

...the same folks who love to toss the race card at secure border types are here defending MEChA.

Two lies, one sentence, good job.
My problem was with the ones that were ARRESTED and I didn't throw a race card.

I have never defended mecha. Yet you have defended the arrested border jockeys.
You also broke FR posting guidelines with your irrelevant lies here regarding some other thread.

Nice character, Character.

[PRND21]

Why not just point out Cruzs' horrid record on issues?
Digging into his 30 year old college associations isn't going to keep him out of office.

[skeeter]

I don't know any Latinos personally who want to turn the southwest U.S. into northern Mexico or "Aztlan", and I know more than a few, but that doesn't mean the issue is moot.

On the other hand, it was widely publicized that a poll (Zogby Int'l?) taken in Mexico earlier this year indicated that 58% believe the southwestern US rightfully belongs to Mexico.

Unless one believes only those who respect the territorial integrity of the US are immigrating northward I suspect this indicates we have a problem larger than some would have us believe.

[Rabid Dog]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,95871,00.html

It isn't a 30 year old "issue" - as of 8/28/03 - he still support MECHa and what it stands for:

From the above Fox report:

Instead, Bustamante, who is running to be governor of California, praised the Chicano Student Movement of Aztlan, or MEChA (search), and said he still supports it.

"The students who are in MEChA today are just like the students when I was there, pretty much they are trying to get an education," Bustamante said during a press conference in which the first three questions related to his ties to the group.

"I think the actuality of what takes place in those organizations is to provide student leadership. For me, and many, many others, we were running for student government. That's how I got here today."

MEChA has used violence in the past to make its case. At a July 4 celebration in 1996, members of the group, who call themselves Mechistas, were videotaped attacking black and white Americans protesting illegal immigration. In 1993, students at UCLA caused $500,000 worth of damage during protests to demand a Chicano studies department. MEChA has also been associated with anti-Semitic groups like Nation of Aztlan.

MEChA's motto is "for the race, everything. For those outside the race, nothing." Critics say affiliation with that kind of group could spell political ruin for a white candidate and are upset that little attention has been paid to Bustamante's relationship with the group. He belonged to MEChA while attending Fresno State University in the 1970s.

"Whatever you did in your youth, it's what you did at the time. You can't disassociate from the past," said Manuel Olgin, a former MEChA member and now a counselor at the university. "Now if you're still plugged in and doing stuff, that's another question. But this is immaterial to me."

"Joining MEChA was a rite of passage just like if a black student joined a black student union. And if you didn't join, you weren't Chicano. The question is why hasn't he renounced it now. It is a racist organization," said radio talk show host Larry Elder.

[skeeter]

I'm content to let your utter intellectual incompetence shown on this thread speak for itself.

In fact, please fling more charges my way. Lets bump this thread into next week!

[PRND21]

Freedom of Speech or Freedom of Assembly...which bothers you more?
The guy rode shotgun on California's Wild Ride.
Again, the Dem tricks are unseemly.

[Rabid Dog]

In conservative circles - truth is never considered trickery. Perhaps it is different where you come from.

[PRND21]

So am I.
And yes I know this thread wouldn't have lasted an hour without me.
But hey, it gave you another chance to lie because you don't agree with me.

Which "charges" did I fling that aren't true? Thought so, hypocrite.

[PRND21]

In conservative circles - truth is never considered trickery.

Meaningless, Rabid. You said you have a problem with American people exercisizing their First Amendment rights.

What "truth" do you speak of? The only lies I've seen were directed at me by deafeated isolationists.

[skeeter]

You've GOT to be a lawyer.

I love your posts. Gimme some more!

[PRND21]

I love your posts. Gimme some more!

Take your lie diversions back to Libert Post.

[Imal]

"Unless one believes only those who respect the territorial integrity of the US are immigrating northward I suspect this indicates we have a problem larger than some would have us believe."

I think it's safe to say that those who choose to come to America illegally don't have a high regard for U.S. sovereignty.

On the other hand, those who come here legally tend to be some of the strongest supporters of measures to secure our borders. Maybe they're "racists".

[skeeter]

On the other hand, those who come here legally tend to be some of the strongest supporters of measures to secure our borders.

I'll bump that.