I had first met Hilda Solis when she was a state legislator from the Los Angeles area. As that point I was the Regional Director of Amnesty International. It was exciting to see a good pro Labor Latina in the State Legislature…

Then she became a Congresswoman and I got to visit her several times in her office in our nation’s Capitol. And I would see her on television at the Democratic Conventions with UFW CO-FOUNDER Dolores Huerta.

And then finally I got to watch her be nominated and then finally confirmed as the Secretary of Labor. Now that was most exciting.

So there I am this past Friday arriving on a early morning flight from Seattle to Denver. I am in no hurry I have no one to meet and the family reunion does not begin until the early evening…

In Denver you have to take a train to the main terminal and baggage.. I am just starting for the escalator when I see someone who looks like Secretary Soliz.. Yep my minds computer confirms.. IT IS HER… I scoot around two men in dark suits.. And jump on to the escalator one step behind Hilda when I feel a strong hand on my left shoulder and a voice saying you can’t go there..

I AM JUST TRYING TO SAY HELLO TO HILDA SOLIS..

She turns and smiles at me .. Probably not recognizing me ..From so many other Latinos …

I thanked her for all the good work that the administration is doing especially the Labor Dept.

And she responded smiling… EVERYTIME WE TAKE A STEP FORWARD THE WACKOS COME OUT OF THE WOODWORK

OH BY THE WAY …I responded I APPRECIATE THE RECENT ACTION YOU TOOK ORDERING BUSINESSES TO GIVE GAY EMPLOYEES EQUAL TREATMENT UNDER A LAW  PERMITTING WORKERS UNPAID TIME OFF TO CARE FOR NEWBORNS OR LOVED ONES..

This law is the FMLA or Family Leave Act. And the expansion affects a partner or key friend or family who is not a spouse to qualify for this leave.(more on this act at the bottom of this AHORA)
YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT .. IT JUST CAME OUT .. She smiled

The announcement came out the 23 of June and today was the 24th

YES .. I replied.. IT WAS GREAT

ARE YOU HERE FOR THE NALEO CONFERENCE??

NALEO is the National Association for Latino Elected or Appointed Officials and I used to belong to it over 20 years ago..

NO … FAMILY REUNION… WOULD LIKE TO GO TO NALEO BUT GOTS TO DO THE FAMILY RENUION…

She turned to go in one direction once we got to the main landing and I waved and wished her well .. I hope to follow up with a card thanking her for all the work she is doing for the workers of this country.

NOW FOR MY VIEW OF THE NEWS

a.    Lebron
b.    Spies
c.    Cuba
d.    And many other interesting items.

HERE’S SOME BRIEF ITEMS

LEBORN JAMES

He has said that he is going to Miami, Riley has another feather in his cap and if he is happy then I am happy…

SPIES WHO CAME OUT OF THE COLD..OR TO RUSSIA WITH OUT JALAPENOS

We discovered some 10 Russian spies… and before you know it we have a prisoner exchange..This was magician quick.. And there were no Mexicans involved.. And none of these spies came to the USA through the Arizona border..There must be more spies.. I am looking under my bed tonight.. On second thought I will ask my cat Estrella to look under the bed.

Oh yes did you notice that none of them were Muslims… looked like White Folks to me… seems the best way to infiltrate is to get folks who look like the door keepers.. What a novel idea?

CUBA RELEASING PRISONERS

Now Cuba is releasing a number of prisoners to Spain.. Thank goodness they got involved.. Now when is our country going to normalize relations with the Cuban Government..We do business with China and Saudi Arabia … why not Cuba?

AND BP KEEPS POLLUTING

We must come up with a new name for the GULF OF MEXICO.. Perhaps the DEAD SEA OF MEXICO IS MOST APPROPRIATE…oh by the way the Dead Sea in Israel is almost dead.. I am told it is shrinking every day…
And  more misery is being placed on the residents and wild life of the gulf and its neighbors.

ELENA KAGAN

She seems to be very smart and should be confirmed.. I will welcome another smart woman to the court,,,,god knows we have enough dumb men on the court and we could use some more people who understand the constitution and legal history.

I went looking for Jesus and instead found a defensive player for the University of Washington  Huskies football team.

It was getting late and I needed to go to some place of worship so I went to NewBethany which is 5 minutes from my house… I got there and the service was in process.. They had made the church into a theatre in round setting and I couldn’t fine my natural place in the back of the church.. Plus it was full this Sunday so I found a young couple I knew and sat down next to them.

There was a guest minister from South Africa and a large Samoan Choir that sang some good and lively songs. Their voices were great and I loved looking into their island faces.

On my way out after church an older Samoan stopped to shake my hand and ask if I was a lecturer at the University Washington. I said that I did that on occasion. By then a younger tall Samoan came up and said aren’t you the guy who lectured in my Chicano Studies class. I smiled and we began talking about this young man. He is a Nose Guard on the Football team and a starter. He is a junior and looks very strong .. We had a brief conversation about the  football and academic sides of his life.

I found it interesting that he had listened to me when I spoke to his class and would be willing to reach out to me after church..I gave him my email and I hope that he will soon write… his name is Alameda Ta’amu..So now I need to find some tickets for the home games.

THE GIRL WHO PLAYS WITH FIRE

Just finished this book… i found it most entertaining… i was in bed a lot with an owwieee or gash on my leg that i was nursing… so i found time to read a lot …

BUGLEME

Now some of you are receiving some of my bugles and I hope that you are enjoying them and that you will get others to sign up.

LATINOS/HISPANICS AND THE DEATH PENALTY

More Latinos are ending up in prison and our numbers are increasing.. So I will be asking for your help in the days to come to help me organize my educational and outreach efforts..

THE AVILA FAMILY REUNION

The Family Reunion brought family from different parts of the country from Mississippi, California, Oregon, Oklahoma, Washington and various parts of Colorado.
It was and always is a great gathering of family, friends.. many blendings of races and ethnic groups.. The faces and people are all beautiful..

At these reunions we have a talent show where people sing, act dance, read, oral interpretation and some speech making…I am given the role as Emcee …as the night wears on more and more people ask to be given the opportunity to perform…it is wonderful and most inspiring.. I only wish that I had some good entertainment skills to offer…

It is good to be reminded that you have family who loves you more than the moon and cherish you…

As always I bring gifts and this time I taken more immigration shirts and bags and aprons..

It was a great time.. Filled with much love..

My Jalapeno best
leno



WASHINGTON – The Labor Department intends to issue regulations this week ordering businesses to give gay employees equal treatment under a law permitting workers unpaid time off to care for newborns or loved ones.
Labor Secretary Hilda Solis  planned to announce that the government would require employers to extend the option that has been available to heterosexual workers for almost two decades, two officials briefed on the plan said Monday. Neither was authorized to speak publicly ahead of the announcement

When the Family and Medical Leave Act was first passed in 1993, it was a huge step forward in establishing the flexibility and security that the American workforce needed to care for our future generations. It allowed employees to take unpaid leave to care for their kids without the fear of losing their jobs.

But while many are quick to point out that the workplace, workers, and indeed the concept of families have changed, the flexibility to apply FMLA to shifting conditions did not.

Well, the Administration took a major step in recognizing the need for such flexibility on Tuesday when the U.S. Department of Labor issued Administrator’s Interpretation No. 1010-3, which clarifies the definition of “son and daughter” under the FMLA. In doing, so we have expanded FMLA protections to cover loving caregivers that have traditionally been left out.

It’s called in loco parentis, a Latin phrase and legal doctrine that may require interpretation for those of us who are not lawyers: It means “in the place of a parent.” And when applied to the new realities of work and family, it means all employees who have assumed the responsibility for parenting a child, whether they have a biological or legal relationship with the child or not, may be entitled to FMLA leave.

What does that mean in the real world? It means that children can get the support and care they need from the people who love them and are responsible for them.

It means that we’re recognizing the importance of a partner who shares in the parenting of a child in a same sex relationship, and his or her right to FMLA leave. It means that we are recognizing the importance of “Tia” (Spanish for aunt) who steps in to care for her young nephew when his mother has been called to active military duty. And it means that a grandmother who takes responsibility for her grandchild can — when needed — take unpaid time off of work to do it.

It’s an important interpretation and it is a long time coming.

I went to work for the union as an organizer in 1970-74 and worked for $5.00 week for wages and $10 for food. It is amazing that thousands of individuals worked for this paltry sum of money.  And we performed miracles with little or no money. Cesar and all the union leadership received the same compensation.

Later in 1992 while working for Amnesty International in Los Angeles I was invited to a UFW convention in Delano. Cesar introduced me to the workers as one of his great organizers from the old days.. I was proud to be recognized by Cesar in this way .. While I did do some good organizing .. I was also a stubborn young man who then had more ego than brains.

Later that day we were picketing a Safeway store in Delano and for a moment I was walking along side with Cesar. He turned to me and said WHY DON’T YOU COME BACK AND WORK FOR US ..I looked at him and asked WHY WOULD I WANT TO DO THAT ???

He smiled at me and said WE DOUBLED THE WAGES

WOW CESAR YOU DOUBLED THE WAGES.. FROM $5 to $10

YES He replied .. By that time he was holding onto my elbow keeping me close to him

Then I was suddenly rescued by an older woman in a flowing colorful skirt and sporting a mane of white hair who wanted to speak with him.. It was great .. I had escaped Cesar without giving him an answer.

The next year Cesar died unexpectedly..Those of us from the farm worker movement were in shock at this loss
I and my daughter Aviva like 50,000 others went to his rosary and then the funeral in Delano. It was the most incredible event. I saw people from my many years with the union.

Some months after the funeral I was invited to meet with the leadership of the Union and some of Cesar’s family. As we ate lunch in Los Angeles I was asked to help them start a foundation in Cesar’s name. After much conversation they asked if would take the job as Director of the foundation.

WHAT ARE THE WAGES??? I asked

$10  a week they responded and they all  smiled.. .

WELL LET ME CHECK WITH MY FAMILY AND I WILL LET YOU KNOW …

6 Weeks later I was at the Union headquarters working on setting up the foundation for $10 a week. I could just see Cesar some place smiling and acknowledging that he got me at the wage he wanted.

NOW FOR MY VIEW OF THE NEWS

a.    Immigration reform one taco at a time
b.    March 31st Cesar’s bday
c.    HEALTH CARE PASSES
d.    The Red Rep. John Boehner
e.    Red Rep. Boehner
f.    Meet new friends

Immigration Reform, One Taco At A time

“Through Tacos for Justice the simple act of eating is converted into an act of social justice,” said Erin Glenn, Executive Director of the Asociación de Loncheros L.A. Familia Unida de California. “Our trucks will give a 10 percent discount to every patron as well as donate to the National Immigrant Justice Campaign for every Tacos for Justice coupon used in a purchase of the ‘Justice Menu’ at our participating trucks.” Valley Star, Mar. 17, 2010.

This notice was sent in by Kinza.. Now I am going to LA in April and want to know where to get my TACOS FOR JUSTICE COUPONS..

100,000 plus marched in Washington DC for immigration reform on Sunday the 21st . In addition there were marches in other cities on this day. (mean while the right wing had hundreds in DC under the TEA BAG BANNER trying to stop the historic health care bill) now tell me who represents the people of America.

In Seattle we will have a rally on April 10th and a March and Rally on May 1st.  hope you can participate in events in your community.

We must all raise our voices for COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM.

MARCH  31ST  THE BIRTHDAY OF CESAR ESTRADA CHAVEZ

On the 31st I will take a moment to celebrate Cesar’s birthday. And in doing so I will be recognizing all the men and women who worked with him so many years ago in CSO Community Service Organization. This was the precursor to the United Farm Workers Union. This is where Saul Alinsky student Fred Ross began organizing Latinos.

I also will be recognizing the many Filipino Farm Workers who were the first to go on strike and then joined by Mexican farm workers being organized by Cesar, Dolores, Gilbert, and others.

I also want to take a moment on this day to honor all the strikers, the boycotters, the donors and the many who prayed for success of the union. Every year I run into many who helped to make the union successful.  These heroes and sheroes come in all shapes and sizes and from every imaginable community. And to think that I was part of this historic movement. The UFW spawned many an organizer and that is gooder than good can be.

In the next Ahora a nice remembrance of Cesar Chavez by Martha Garcia

HEALTH CARE PASSES 120-111

This is a historic moment and we must thank not only those who voted but all those who worked for so many months to pressure our elected officials.

Now the tea baggers and the ultra right wing will have to get shriller and crazier in the months ahead.. but those  who will health protected by this new law will not listen to their lies.

We can take a moment to celebrate and then get back to work.
—————————————————————————–

Rep. John Boehner ..Why the strange skin color and red nose?

The Alcoholic Nose.. While I am not a doctor .. I have seen this before. In my home town we had an old farm worker who had pretty pale skin and as he went through life his skin got redder as did his nose. And his nose began swelling at the end as he continued his drinking of cheap wine… it seems that alcohol shows up early on the skin and the nose.

Now for a long time I thought that Republican John Boehner the House Minority Leader was spending too much time in a tanning salon… now I am beginning to think that his skin color and nose are a result of alcoholism. Just take a look at the tip of his red nose… either he is coke addict, becoming Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer or he is in fact a stone Alcoholic.

With alcoholics their liver goes and or they do something really stupid while under the influence of Alcohol… well Boehner does stupid things already so now we just are waiting on the liver to start acting up…

Jimmy Luna a dear friend and Huelgista/striker when I was with the farm workers union suffered the same outward appearances on him. Finally his liver stopped working and we had to bury him in La Garrita miles outside of Center, Colorado.

Okay .. okay .. I know what you are saying LENO IS NOT A DOCTOR.. But then you give me an explanation for his red nose and orange skin… and no I do not think that he is an alien from another planet… nope.. He is just one very very strange man from this planet.
————————————————————

DEATH TO THE DEATH PENALTY.

This week, Virginia executed Paul Powell for murdering a 16-year-old girl and raping and attempting to murder her 14-year-old sister. Reading the details of the crime, your instinctive response is utter revulsion and a cry for justice to be done. But state-sanctioned killing — unless it is for reasons of national security — is not something we as a society should be doing. In America, 139 people on death row have been exonerated. And a study on death penalty appeals found two-thirds of all death sentences were overturned due to serious errors, including prosecutorial misconduct. Then there is the cost: it is much more expensive to execute a prisoner than to send him to prison for life. For example, California could save $125 million a year if it eliminated the death penalty. That’s a lot of money for a state cutting social services to the bone. It’s time for the death penalty to be put to death.

MEETING NEW PEOPLE

This past weekend I was a Global Donors conference where I saw some old friends but met many new potential friends. When I got to this conference I went into my INTROVERT SHELL but soon I was taken out of this bunker and I was meeting many new and interesting individuals.. And I had a good time meeting so many interesting spirits.  The hard part was getting started.

Take a moment and meet someone new.. And open the door to another world.

My best
Leno

This past week there were 8 rallies in Washington State alone.

And in other states there were many other activities. We must all continue to raise our voices and keep the phone calls, demonstrations and emails going until this issue is resolved. Every month about 4,000 individuals die from lack of health insurance. This is criminal that so many die and people like Senator Joe Lieberman must be held accountable for holding up our efforts to save lives.

Below is a link to a video that was produced by Kathy Cummings. And, guess what? Leno is in the video.





Also below is Kathy’s contact info so that you can thank her for her work:
Kathy Cummings
Communications Director
Washington State Labor Council
314 First Avenue West
Seattle, WA 98119
Office: 206 281-8901 ex. 28
Cell: 206 604-3698
Email: kcummings@wslc.org

NOW FOR MY VIEW OF THE NEWS

a. Houston shakes up Texas
b. Immigration
c. Tiger Woods
d. DC approves gay marriage
e. Give to a non-profit

Houston Shakes Up Texas

HOUSTON (Reuters) – Houston Saturday became the first major U.S. city to elect an openly gay mayor, Annise Parker, after a hotly contested run-off election that gave gay and lesbian supporters a symbolic victory following defeats over legalizing same-sex marriages in California and Maine.

“Just so you know, Houston is not the most progressive city in America but it took a giant step into the future”, Leno.

Immigration Bill Introduced

RESTORE FAIRNESS…

A historic moment has finally arrived and we need YOU to do your part to
help fix our broken immigration system.

Yesterday, Rep. Luis Gutierrez introduced the Comprehensive Immigration
Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP). It is
already supported by 87 members of Congress.

The Bill outlines a progressive vision for fair immigration reform that
respects due process and human rights.

Some provisions:

1. Codify detention standards to provide humane conditions, medical care
and legal counsel and stop the senseless deaths;
2. Provide secure alternatives to detention so that we stop locking up
harmless individuals, children and people with severe medical conditions;
3. Enable judges to review DHS decisions and practices to prevent abuse
and human rights violations;
4. Create a fair path to citizenship for the millions of hardworking
individuals and families who live here.

As Rep Gutierrez so rightly said, “This is a crisis of human and civil
rights, it’s crisis of our economy and workforce and it’s a crisis of
national security.”

This crisis needs our urgent attention. Now, more than ever, we need
you to URGE your Congress members to support immigration policy that
respects due process and human rights.

Write to them directly by going to Restore Fairness today!

Tiger Woods

The media has uncovered more lovers and seems many are becoming rich off this golf pro. I just wish we had as much news coverage on the homeless, the people being killed by our bombs, people dying from lack of health care and victims of domestic violence. Tiger Woods is not an elected official and his issues are a private matter unless he hurt someone or if he broke a law.

Nonetheless this is yet another example how powerful people can do what they want… elected officials, sports figures, entertainment stars, and the super wealthy break all the rules and are soon forgiven…

This is an abuse of power and should not accepted. Power is the most potent drug on the open market.

Recently a man was killed for adultery in Somalia, many countries have harsh punishment for such an act. And that does not solve the problem of infidelity.

Washington DC Approves Gay Marriage.

It seems that the city council of DC has approved gay marriage. Now this must drive those right wing senators and congressmen crazy.

Give Of Your Money and Your Time To A Non-Profit

While I suggest that you give to the SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND NW .. I also want you to consider in addition to us other non profits in your area that are helping people in your community.

We depend on your help so that we can help others

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

My best,
Leno