WEALTH VS. HEALTH

BOB PINKERTON: "Oh gosh, Jerry, you're so sharp. You write a report. That is supposed to be at least a form of journalism. As usual, you put your own statement and make it look like mine because you follow your own statement with my comments. Not very professional although you seem to think you are god's gift to journalism. Shabby at best. I take exception to your painting the Island as the sole problem regarding the spread of Covid-19. As if in the Valley people didn't go anywhere or did nothing except come to the Island! When the Governor opened up the state back May 1, you are implying that the spread of the virus was because of the Island. The people didn’t frequent bars, didn’t have parties and didn’t do any other socializing except come to the Island? Even in your brain, don’t you think that’s a bit of a stretch? So many bars, clubs and restaurants in the Upper Valley and to some degree in Brownsville, but you blame the Island? The only thing I did was rent the condos I manage for my owners. If the Island stayed shut down, people would have gone somewhere else. So go spread your stuff somewhere else as the Island doesn’t deserve all of the blame. Yes, some operators are not abiding by the rules. I agree with you on that. But the Island does not deserve the entire blame. And Jerry, a politician tells you what you want to hear. I give you my thoughts and opinions. Just because I was elected Mayor of SPI, a great honor, it doesn’t make me a politician."

(EDITOR'S NOTE: I specifically attributed it--FUCK YOUR HEALTH! IT'S ABOUT OUR WEALTH!--to the Chamber. The Island is not responsible for the breadth of the pandemic, but SPI has contributed to this false narrative that all is normal. I have just posted an article on Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño and his medical expert failing the community with their false figures on deaths and cases. Their numbers have been a criminal underestimation. They have given us a false sense of security. Therefore, thousands have been lax in wearing masks, maintaining social distance and avoiding large crowds. We live in an impoverished region with thousands packed in barrios. Coronavirus couldn't be more at home. Thousands more cross from Mexico where the pandemic is out-of-control. And like Treviño, we can never trust their government's numbers. Thus, our neighbors are dying by the score. As to journalism, what's that? It's performance art with journalism being one of the genres from which I derive the underpinnings for my one-man shows. When I write, it's bedtime for the children. Does Rush Limbaugh practice journalism? Does Sean Hannity practice journalism? Does CNN practice journalism? Does Fox practice journalism? We know The Brownsville Herald hasn't practiced journalism in decades. I'm a writer with my own perspective on a number of issues who loves entertaining with his poetic prose and his satirical sense of humor. I voted for Republicans Tony Garza and Carlos Cascos for county judge several times in the past, but I'm a Democrat when we're talking state or national politics and I'm dedicated to defeating Trump and destroying the party by exposing the rednecks, the racists, the religious right hypocrites and the right-wing rich who proudly wave the Confederate flag and cry about the demise of their culture. We liberals are fighting for the soul and the future of our nation and I'm committed to depositing this country's white trash on the trash heap of history. I make no apologies for my beliefs. For those who choose Trump and Republicans in 2020, you are exercising your rights. But it will be a cold day in hell before I consent to any more of the perverted president's wrongs. In regards to your self-image, you're entitled to classify yourself as you please, but in my book, if you run for public office, you are a politician. And I'm not anti-politician. Why would you have any second thoughts about being called a politician? Barack Obama was a politician from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. I'm sure he was proud of the path he took. Politicians are no different than professional athletes. You are praised when you hit a home run to win the game and you are blasted when you strike out with the bases loaded for the last out in the bottom of the ninth.  As to you, you were a successful mayor, but, sadly as I shed my alligator tears, becoming a target is the result of becoming a politician. Those who don't agree with you can amuse themselves using you as a bullseye to pass the time while they're trapped at home during these dangerous times. In your case, I have admired your responses because you counter the criticism without trying to impugn the messenger because you don't agree with the message. Once you step into the center of the stage, however, you no longer control the limelight and argue that you are no longer a politico. Once you lose your virginity, there is no going back. For those who can't handle criticism, they should vote for Trump and maybe he will amend the Constitution to exclude free speech. As to you, Bob: Stop whimpering like a victim. I don't understand your defensiveness. Conservatives never stop balling that if they were only Democrats that God would smile on them too. Win or lose, either result gives you an excuse to uncork a bottle of wine. I have found from past experiences that the 60-year-old woman at your side suddenly looks 30 after that first bottle. But don't drink a second. Otherwise, you won't be able to rise to the occasion.)