Show Me The (Money) Proof

Do you remember how Tax Assessor Collector Patricia Barrera has a case against her where she is accused of selling raffles tickets in her office and using the money for her campaign. Well her attorney is on that case, and he's also having to defend his own billing practices. Apparently he's overcharging for his services and the county attorney's office is not pleased. Zach Lindsey (LMT):

Barrera said she supported Malakoff and that the County Attorney's Office has been "very combative" on the issue.

I'd be pretty combative too if we had to defend her and have the taxpayers pay for it.

In this video the county attorney explains how Mr. Malakoff is charging for time that he didn't actually put in. Mr. Malakoff is the one wearing the Beatles tie. That's suspicious in itself.

El Empty (LMT) Sinks To New Low

I get the online charging thing. But, charging for obituraries? Are you kidding me?

As far as I know, these obituraries are paid notices for public viewing. LMT now has the indecency to charge the public (including out of town relatives and loved ones) for these viewings. To hell with you LMT. Going broke is the least your worries.

Feel free to contact LMT's editor (small e) Diana Fuentes over at dfuentes@lmtonline.com or 956 728 2581 if you have something to add to this..

A Parade

LaSanbe reader _ch shares some pictures of the Veterans Day Parade.

Up In Arms

I'm sorry, I didn't get the memo that said that life is supposed to be fair.

Faux News

I really don't know why people believe anything said by Hannity, O'Reilly, Beck, etc.

Trees and Such

Laredo loves its trees.

Just a little over a year ago Laredo was recognized for its arbor practices.

I guess the awards committee never made it to the Heights.

Veterans Day Tribute

Students, staff, and faculty of Daiches Elementary honored our veterans yesterday. The event was sponsored by the fourth graders.

Special attention was given to Juan Rodrigo Rodriguez, a former student, who was killed in the line of duty in the current fight in the Middle East. (parents pictured)

Mayor Raul Salinas made an appearance to say a few words about those who have worn the uniform.

De Shopping En Texas

Here's a new campaign to encourage Mexican tourists to shop south Texas.

Lack Of Loyalty

I too was bothered when Lloyd Blankfein said he was "doing God's work." He's forgotten who he really works for.

Satan refused to say exactly what if any punishment he had in mind for the
Goldman Sachs chief

I'm not suggesting that he be exiled to the Netherworld, but he surely needs to be slapped upside the head a little.

Justin's Story

One thing Laredo is not in short supply of is drugs.

when his probation officer sent him to get treatment, a bed was available in
Laredo. Many addicts, though, have to travel hours from home to find the
next available bed

A sad reality in this town.

18-Wheeler Pride

Posting from phone

Steelers are up in Denver. Good times.

UPDATE: Game over. Steelers 28-10.
Kansas City Chief running back Larry Johnson was released from the team today. There was speculation that Pittsburgh might pick him up because of Larry's interest in the team. But Pitt's running game doesn't seem to be hurting.

Come Visit, Please

Joe Rutland wants suggestions as to how we can improve Laredo's image. His objective is to come up with a way of attracting more people to the Gateway City. But how do you do that when you have a former hospital CEO being accused of extortion and money laundering and the local media doesn't make a peep about it. Also, you have two police officers being investigated for allegedely working for a Mexican drug gang. And let's not forget that our only bookstore is closing.

Now, the local Univision (KLDO) news station did report on the civil suit filed against the CEO, but it doesn't count because competing news anchor Tim Gutierrez says that KGNS is the "Most Watched Newscast" in town. KLDO is just no match for Tim's alto-voiced prowess. LareDOS, a monthly publication, also reported on the extortion scheme but they don't charge for their work. Once they start charging for their online content will they be considered a legitimate news source like the Laredo Times.

So we've got a media blackout, the possibility of more corruption, and anti-intelectualism on our hands. "Rediscover Our Flavor" suddenly takes on a whole different meaning. But let's get back to the CEO story.

Here we have an event that is the stuff of 60 Minutes. It's a story that's bound for national attention and the Laredo Times, which employs Mr. Rutland, has nothing to say on the matter. Our image is in the care of those whose professional credibility is shot. My brain can only take so much irony. Seriously, how can we improve our image when our own media outlets can't follow through with what they're charged with -- reporting the news.

It's this false pretense we want to convey to people. By not reporting on this, we want to make people believe that Laredo is some border oasis with upstanding citizens, when in fact it's just another sleepy town, a pit stop on someone's itinerary.
The veil is lifted, and all we discover is that we're just as corrupt and complacent as the next guy. We purport to be a tight-knit community anchored in family values but the recounting of cops convicted of taking bribes from 8-liner businesses a few years back is a tale that just keeps repeating itself. Our family values are constantly being put to the test, and as of late our darker side is prevailing.

How one goes about improving this town's image is beyond me. Laredo is a concrete jungle with little going for itself. Sure I could entertain a visitor with a viewing of a movie at the Border Heritage Museum featuring El Santo. Or I could take him/her to a hockey game, but that can get old pretty quick. After that, there's not much left except the nachos.

Ah, Women.

What do Sarah Palin and Britney Spears have in common? Their fans take them too seriously.


Palin is outraged that the words "In God We Trust" on coins should not be meddled with. Her following will surely take it to heart.

Meanwhile, fans at a Spears concert demanded their money back because her lyrics were not live.

It seems to me that people should've walked out on Palin and not the other way around.

It's Late But

The Cowboys won. Good times. Romo and Co. are for real and they have the sweaty pants to show for it.

Earlier this week we heard of the shooting at Ft. Hood. Question: Couldn't authorities find some other footage of the suspected shooter besides the one of him buying a Slurpee at Circle-K.

In today's Lifestyle section of the Laredo Times, mention was made of a boy who recently celebrated his fifth birthday. The heading read: Cincoanero. OK, whoever made that up, cut it out.

So Shakira is on the cover of Rolling Stone and she's going to conquer the world? Whatever.

Update Later

Blogging has been lean this weekend; Am taking care of some personal matters. Will check in later tonight.

Saturday Wrap-up

Looks like (former Cowboys Defensive coordinator) Dave Wannstedt and his Pitt Panthers are for real (finally?). LaSanbe pauses to pay tribute to his 'stache..

You Won't Hear This In Laredo

After the 10K race, I'm going to chow down on some broccoli.