Why Theresa Caballero for D.A.?-Part II

Everyone: Please be sure to click on the brand new feature of this web site called: "DA in the news". You can click onto it on the title page of this site, at the bottom of the left hand side of the first page (the one where Theresa has her video), last entry down.

What you will see will simply (no other word for it) amaze you. There are two editorials and two political cartoons. The amazing thing is that, even after these 4 came out in the paper, the next time the DA came up for re-election NO ONE RAN AGAINST HIM! He ran UNOPPOSED! Well, finally there is someone with the courage and honesty to run against him: Theresa Caballero.

The first cartoon depicts Esparza dancing with the then Chief of Police, Carlos Leon, while trampling the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution; censoring people and shutting people's mouths. Is this what you want in your DA?

The first editorial tells of Esparza and the "clownish level he sunk" to in his "unhealthy obsessive pursuit" of a "leak"; that Esparza and his office were "fixated on this crusade" for more than three months with the result being an "unnecessary waste of time and money". (By the way, that's our money he wasted, folks). The editorial goes on to talk about how Esparza targeted certain individuals and entities and was desperately flailing about in his all consuming attempt to trample the First Amendment underfoot while trying to skewer his political enemy and using the Grand Jury to do it in an attempt to politically embarrass former Mayor Larry Francis to help Esparza's friend, Carlos Ramirez, get re-elected Mayor.

The editorial wondered about the politics involved in Esparza's latest move and called Esparza's timing in his targeting of Francis "extremely suspect".

Police Officers, having information about alleged improprieties in the Police Department, did not feel comfortable going to Esparza with their concerns. (Why ever not?). This editorial even suggested the appointment of a special prosecutor to look into this. The editorial asks: Who's next on Esparza's hit list? (Why does a DA even have a hit list?). Is this what you want in your DA?

The next editorial talks about the "chilling effect" Esparza's investigation of leaks is having on whistle blowers and that we need whistle blowers and why we do. It talks of Esparza and a grand jury targeting people who are simply trying to do the right thing. It tells the story of how Assistant Police Chief George DeAngelis ended up on paid or sick leave for reporting alleged misconduct by then Police Chief Carlos Leon. It talks about how Esparza's actions send the message: "Report possible misconduct at the peril of your own career and your own reputation." The editorial concludes that: "The bad news is that, because Esparza is focusing more on punishing whistle-blowers than on uncovering misconduct or mismanagement in the Police Department, it may be a long time before anyone speaks up again. What a shame" and, later: "The key point is that people who want to do the right thing in El Paso are being intimidated. That's a disservice to the Police Department, it's a damaging blow to the spirit of public service, and it's an insult to every El Pasoan." Is that the kind of DA you want?

The last cartoon depicts Esparza hiding behind the Grand Jury. The Grand Jury is holding a Hit List, listing the Former Mayor, Whistle Blowers, Critics, Media, and (scariest of all) Political Foes. Is this the kind of DA you want?

Read all these for yourselves. Then ask yourselves: Is this the kind of DA I want? If it is not, then there is only one logical, clear and ethical choice in the upcoming District Attorney race: Vote for Theresa Caballero for District Attorney. There will be none of this under her administration. What you will read in these 4 items is very scary stuff. I really, truly fear for Theresa. We should all get behind her and help her. She is doing this for all of us and the future of El Paso.