Adventures of the Coconut Caucus

Yes, you already know her as the latina Diva, the congresswoman who represents Disneyland and for being on the no fly list. But there is always more stuff you probably don’t know, like that she is a fake firewoman.

Place of Birth: Lynwood, California, Jan 7, 1960.

Random Quote: “Aside from the religious component, the Vietnamese Youth Buddhist Association is very similar to the Boy and Girl Scouts of America, preparing youth to make ethical choices and teaching leadership skills”.

Claim to fame: She would like to be know for accessibility and collaboration, according to her website, but the general public first heard of her after she decided to cancel a Playboy Mansion fundraiser under pressure from the Al Gore Campaign. She is also metioned in “Ni De Aquí, Ni De Allá” a song by rapper Jae-P. And yes of course the most famous Christmas card ever.

Was the First Latina to… Represent Disneyland in Congress.

Totally Random Factoid: In 1994 she unsuccessfully ran for the Anaheim City Council under her then married name, Loretta Brixey as a registered Republican. Also she was denied a visa to visit Vietnam

Random Expenditure: $ 210 to Friends of Hillary (Loretta for VP?)

Most visited city as a member: Berlin

Random Award: WATER VISIONARY AWARD FROM ORANGE COUNTY’S WATER AND SANITATION DISTRICTS. (apparently an all drooling male commission)

Random link to official website: California 47
Legislation sponsored or cosponsored: H.CON.RES.142 : Congratulating Disneyland and the Walt Disney Company on the 50th Anniversary of the opening of Disneyland.

And yeah, the voting record

btw way also voted for the infamous REAL ID bill

Even though they are both from Texas, this Charlie is not related to Alberto Gonzales, who will have his own category soon.  He is also not related to this other Charlie González as far as we know. But he IS related to Henry B. González, his papi, who was like the first Hispanic in Congress in the 1960’s. (and before you get on my case, yes I do know that there were some in the 1880’s)

So back to Charles “good time Charlie” González.

Place of Birth: San Antonio, Texas one of 8 children in, surprise, a Catholic family. 

 Random Quote:  “I underwent an appendectomy, which has required that I rest and recuperate in San Antonio. I am doing well and expect to return to my usual schedule by week’s end.  I want to thank the doctors and staff at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa whose expertise and skill has made this entire process much easier.”

Sorry but I just needed to add another quote:  People will simply say, but it is not about consumption of horse meat in the United States, that we are just simply going to cater to the culinary needs of the French. That is not the point. The point is that you still have everything that entails the entire process of how you prepare, how you slaughter the horse for human consumption.
 

Claim to fame:  Star of his own reality telenovela: He traumatized his wife to the point that she threatened to run against him, for his seat in Congress. The drama included a nasty divorce, a book and website, and this gem: González issued a statement to clarify that the ”other woman” he was seen with while still married was not in her twenties.  However, witnesses described her as a dark-haired beauty in her 20’s, being wined and dinned all over San Antonio. (Turns out her name is Belinda, and he married her too)

Was the First Latino to… total more than 46 consecutive years in Congress with his father Henry B.  

Totally Random Factoid:  According to the Washington Post, González is White

Random Expenditure: $ 339 to Cake Love in Washington DC (Let the speculation begin)

Random Award:  Couldn’t find any. I am sure they are out there, in the meantime I leave you with his border patrol brother, Steve González, Officer of the year somewhere in Texas.

Random link to official website:  Texas 20   

Legislation sponsored or cosponsored:  H.R.4037 : To prohibit offering homebuilding purchase contracts that contain in a single document both a mandatory arbitration agreement and other contract provisions, and to prohibit requiring purchasers to consent to a mandatory arbitration agreement as a condition precedent to entering into a homebuilding purchase contract. (And yes, he is a lawyer)
 

And yeah, the voting record

Grace Flores Napolitano was, until a few minutes ago, the fearless leader of the Caucus.

She was the only woman to support the new fearless leader, Joe Baca, who won his new post after a nasty inter-caucus alboroto,  which may lead to another blog: The adventures of the Mujeres on the verge of a nerveous breakdown Caucus.

About the photo, it is her with an influential somebody.

Place of Birth: Brownsville, Texas. After high school, she married and moved with her husband to California where they raised 5 children. (Obviously the perfect mujer Latina)

Childhood Trauma:  Let’s see, she grew up in Brownsville, enough said.

Sueño Americano:   To retire again, (retired from Ford) and now with a Congressional pension

 Random Quote:  “I am honored and delighted to welcome Sugar Shane Mosley to our nation’s capital.  Shane, I am impressed not only by your boxing victories, but more so because you are a true role model and family man,” Napolitano commented.

Claim to fame:  Dead last in the Congress Fantasy game. And to add insult to injury her press person felt the need to respond to why she is loosing in a video game.  

Was the First Latina to… be elected to city council of Norwalk City (Wherever that is)

Totally Random Factoid:  Won her first election in 1986 by 28 votes to Norwalk City Council.

Random Award: THE MEXICAN AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION (MAOF) ANNUAL AZTEC AWARD

Random link to official website: California’s 38th   

Legislation sponsored or cosponsored:  Sponsoring bills? Why bother with that legislative stuff? I say that because she is one of 2 members who hasn’t even sponsored a brigde to their name. 

And yeah, the voting record

Sorry guys, you are so much alike that you will be treated almost as one and the same. The Sánchez Sisters each get their own category, because yes you can really tell them apart, but as far as I can see, and since i don’t get paid by the word, or at all, Mario and Lincoln Diaz Balart vote almost identically and hate Castro with the same intensity (Especially since familia are the biggest haters and the aunt was married to el Comandante himself giving them a cousin “Fidelito” ).

And just to further my point… not even the Miami Herald can tell them apart.

So here goes:

Childhood Traumas: Hating Fidel Castro and being related to him at the same time

Sueño Americano: Actually, their American Dream is in Cuba after Castro falls or dies and for them to return as heroes to luxurious living with servants and absolute power.

Random Quote: Lincoln, Florida’s 21: “As my late father, Rafael Diaz-Balart, whose wisdom far exceeded his formal education of five degrees from universities in Europe including one in this continent, would tell me, “In Afghanistan there is the Taliban,”.

Mario, Florida’s 25: “Once again, speaking on their behalf, at their request, we being leaders of the exile community, we being the members of Congress who represent this community…What needs to happen is that decrepit old, senile terrorist thug has to be moved aside and I think all of us know that that day is coming and it’s coming soon and it’s important that we all realize that the Cuban people are ready, willing and able to do their part and it’s up to us to again inform the world.”

Claim to fame: Being Latino Brothers in Congress and hating Castro…(Did i mention they are related?). Also called for impeaching Janet Reno over balserito Elián telenovela.

Was the First Latino to… Lincoln: In 1994, became the first Hispanic in U.S. history to be named to the Rules Committee. Mario: Looking for something to put here…open to suggestions.

Totally Random Factoid: Lincoln: Used to be prez of Young Democrats.

Random Award: Lincoln: “Commander of the Ouissam Alaouite Order” of Morocco, Mario: National Write Your Congressman Constituent Communication Award

Random link to official website: Mario: Has a hurricane warning on his congresional website
Lincoln: Now we know why he is know as the bigger brother

Legislation he has sponsored or cosponsored: Lincoln: . H.RES.834 : Waiving a requirement of clause 6(a) of rule XIII with respect to consideration of certain resolutions reported from the Committee on Rules. Cosponsors (None) Mario: H.RES.193 : Expressing support to the organizers and participants of the historic meeting of the Assembly to Promote the Civil Society in Cuba on May 20, 2005, in Havana.

So if you still think they should each get their own category, see if you can tell which is which in this encantadora family picture.

Who knew avocados where that valuable? but then again on the east coast they sell them for like 3 dollars a piece.

VENTURA, Calif. AP- A trucking company owner and two employees could be in deep guacamole. Ventura County authorities charged them with grand theft and criminal conspiracy after a three-week investigation into the theft of more than $700,000 worth of avocados this past growing season.

Florentino Castaneda, 38, the owner of Castaneda Trucking, and employees Fortunato Mendoza, 46, and Francisco Ponce, 32, all residents of Ventura, were arrested Nov. 9 and prosecutors filed charges.

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