The Dallas Morning News' Mercedes Olivera pens column on the child refugee crisis

I had the honor of being quoted by Mercedes Olivera in her column for The Dallas Morning News on June 21. The column, "Surge in immigrant kids challenges both parties," explored how politicians are responding to the refugee crisis. Sadly, while many Democrats see the obvious humanitarian crisis, Republicans are playing demagogue to the anti-immigrant crowd. I'm glad that as a member of the Cafe con Leche Republicans, we are working to change the tone in our party.

To read Mercedes' column, click right here to visit DallasNews.com.

Responding to the child refugee crisis on our border

As a member of the Cafe con Leche Republicans, a GOP group dedicated to making the party more welcoming and accessible to Hispanics, I had the chance to join our group president, Bob Quasisus, in speaking out about the refugee crisis along our border.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry issued a directive to expand resources at the border to enhance security in response to the large number of children coming here from violent countries ripped apart by the drug trade. This includes Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. However, Gov. Perry missed a prime opportunity to address the child refugee issue directly, and show we have concern and compassion for these children.

Our moral obligation to help these refugee children is not limited to any political party. Giving them an opportunity for a better life in America is part of our immigration law, and being a true patriot includes helping those tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to breathe free.

You can read the statement, including the thoughts of myself and CCLR President Bob Quasisus, by clicking right here.

Old Oak Cliff Conservation League releases 'Architecture at Risk' list

The Old Oak Cliff Conservation League has released their annual list of "Architecture at Risk," including some notable and historic structures that they hope to save. The OOCCL has been directly responsible for saving a number of our neighborhood's beautiful buildings and homes, and saving some of our local heritage. Here is the list for 2014, and you can find out more info about the League at OOCCL.org.

1. Oak Cliff Pump Station at Oak Farms Dairy c.1913
2. Lancaster Avenue Commercial National Register Historic District c.1910-1944
3. 635 N. Zang - Mayor George Sergeant's Home c.1910
4. 1045 N. Zang Blvd. - Zang's Storefront c.1914
5. 500 N. Ewing - J.G. Davis c.1910
6. 211 E. Colorado - Oak Cliff Floral c.1938
7. 1207 N. Zang Blvd. - Polar Bear c.1932
8. N. Bishop Ave. and the Miller-Stemmons National Register Historic District c.1910 - 1930's
9. Kovandovitch Concrete House - 523 Eads c.1914
10. McKinney Lamar Viaduct / Continental Viaduct c.1931

Remembering "the least of these" on Father's Day

On this Father's Day, we should be dedicated to following the example of not only our earthly fathers, but our Heavenly Father as well. Sadly, I see some forsaking that example within my own party. That includes Pastor Stephen Broden, whom I supported when he ran for Congress. In some misguided attempt to pander to some political activists, he is demonizing the Central American refugee children arriving at our border, stating yesterday on Facebook that "illegal children are bum rushing our border," as if they are shoppers at a Black Friday sale. He states that we should "push back in Jesus' name."

Worse yet, his supporters are using his post to find some Biblical justification for this statement, saying things that are un-Christian, anti-Republican, and inhuman. If you are unaware of the situation in El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras (where these children are from), I suggest you get to know Ralph Isenberg, a local activist who works with these people on a daily basis and knows the situation. Helping these children and their families, and giving them safe harbor in our country, will not be easy or inexpensive, but it is a solemn duty our country and our God requires of us. Anything less is a sin. Patriotism and righteousness requires sacrifice.

My interview with filmmaker Fanny Veliz

I recently had the opportunity to interview Fanny Veliz, an actress and filmmaker whose first feature-length film, Homebound, is screening around the country. We discussed true independent filmmaking and the current state of Latinos in Hollywood. You can click right here to read my interview with Fanny for Cinelinx.com, and you can click right here to read my Cinelinx review of her film Homebound (which is quite good actually).

You can see Homebound in your town using Tugg, a service which will arrange screenings at local theaters when a certain number of tickets have been pre-sold. You can check out the official Homebound page on Tugg right here, and set up a screening near you!

The Stories of the Immigrants

I have created a special section collecting my articles on the issue of immigration. Over a year ago, I met Ralph Isenberg of the Isenberg Center for Immigration Empowerment, located in the north Oak Cliff section of Dallas. He introduced me to the human toll exacted by our broken immigration system by introducing me to the foreign nationals his group assists. I hope you'll take the time to read the stories and discover the truth beyond the rhetoric. You can view the stories by clicking here.

Vote for me in the 2014 Rondo Awards!

Each year, the Rondo Awards recognize the best in classic horror, sci-fi, and fantasy in film, television, and other media. Among the categories is an award for Reviewer of the Year (Category 29). It's a write-in category, and as lead DVD/Blu-ray reviewer for Cinelinx.com, I've had the honor of being nominated by readers for the past three years. I've yet to win, and I must confess, I'd really like to have that award sitting on my desk (the bust of Rondo Hatton you see in the image above is the actual award).

Voting for the Rondos closes this Sunday night, May 4, at midnight. Anyone can vote, and I would like to ask for your consideration! You can check out a sampling of my reviews at Cinelinx by clicking right here. There are many more reviews available to read at Cinelinx if you search my name.

To vote, click right here to visit the official Rondo Awards website. They will explain the process, which entails copying and pasting the ballot into an email, with your selections. You can vote for me in Category 29 by listing your choice as "Victor Medina, Cinelinx.com." You don't have to vote in every category. It is a bit of work to vote, but it is necessary to prevent ballot box stuffing.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

My latest reviews for Cinelinx.com!

My work as a DVD and Blu-ray reviewer for Cinelinx.com keeps me pretty busy, and I rarely remember to link my reviews here. If you haven't visited the site lately, you can check out my latest reviews at the following links:

I checked out Disney's hit Frozen on Blu-ray right here.

My review of Warner Archive's Beware the Batman Season One, Part One is right here.

My review of the new Superboy Season Two DVD set is right here, cheesy 90s attitude is required.

I reviewed the Cartoon Network hit The Venture Bros. Season 5 Blu-ray set here.

If you're an Adventure Time fan, my review of the Season 3 Blu-ray set is here.

An immigration lesson on St. Patrick's Day

On this St. Patrick's Day, it is important to remember that our current furor over Mexican immigrants is nearly identical to the Irish influx over a century ago. At the time, The Chicago Post wrote, "The Irish fill our prisons, our poor houses...Scratch a convict or a pauper, and the chances are that you tickle the skin of an Irish Catholic. Putting them on a boat and sending them home would end crime in this country." Yet, the Irish assimilated.

It is easy to make crass, ignorant generalizations, but much harder to admit that our country is strong enough, and the willingness of immigrants to succeed and assimilate deep enough, to weather such trends. It is key to remember that studies show that current immigrants are assimilating much quicker than previous generations. America will endure.

To read more about the Irish immigration movement, click right here.

Meet Tom Nowak, candidate for Dallas County District Attorney

I recently had the opportunity to speak with attorney Tom Nowak, who is running in the Republican primary for Dallas District Attorney. Nowak once worked in the D.A.'s office, but was fired by Craig Watkins after he discovered Nowak had attended a GOP election night watch party. Now, Nowak is ready to return the favor, and he discussed Watkins, what he wants to accomplish as D.A., and his primary opponent Susan Hawk with me. Here is the full article, originally posted at Examiner.com:

In 2010, Dallas District Attorney Craig Watkins fired one of his top prosecutors, apparently for attending a GOP election night watch party. In 2014, that fired prosecutor could return the favor by having Watkins, a Democrat, voted out of office and taking his job.

Welcome to the world of Tom Nowak, Republican candidate for Dallas District Attorney.

As a prosecutor, Nowak was once a rising star in the Dallas County District Attorney’s office. Although he was hired under former D.A. Bill Hill, Watkins promoted him to the child abuse division, where he prosecuted what Nowak describes as “the worst of the worst cases…aggravated assault against children, the continuous sexual abuse of children, those kinds of cases.”

That all changed in November 2010, after Nowak attended a Republican election night watch party, the same night Watkins was reelected as D.A. “I went to the Republican watch party that Tuesday because many of my friends were in judicial races. I went to support them, and it had nothing to do with the district attorney’s office. I didn’t donate money to candidates, I didn’t put up signs in my yard for candidates, and I didn’t go to rallies or anything like that.”

Dallas GOP candidate's Twitter account still says she's a Democrat

The primaries are coming up, with early voting starting in a few weeks. Among those running is Susan Hawk, a former criminal district court judge who wants to be Dallas' next district attorney. However, to do so, Hawk had to switch her political party from Democrat to Republican, something she had already done back in 2010. However, she forgot to update her Twitter account. Kinda hard to appeal to GOP voters when you still wear the D-label. To read more about the political blunder, click here to read my story at Examiner.com.

Oak Cliff immigration advocacy group fights ICE abuse

Over the past year or so, I've gotten to know Oak Cliff businessman and philanthropist Ralph Isenberg, and his work through the Isenberg Center for Immigration Empowerment. Ralph and his staff spend each day helping the most vulnerable among us: foreign nationals trying to navigate our burdensome and bureaucratic immigration system.

I've had the opportunity to write about some of the families his group helps, who are often at the end of their rope when it comes to dealing with our government and their ineptitude. That included Salomon Guevara, who escaped the violence in his home country of El Salvador and lived here legally until a paperwork error and the staff of Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) decided to separate him from his family and deport him. It is a shocking miscarriage of justice and proof our current system is broken. To read more about his story, click right here. To find out more about The Isenberg Center for Immigration Empowerment, click right here.

Listen to my appearance on The Wade Emmert show!

I had the pleasure of appearing on the Wade Emmert show Sunday as a member of his "Power Panel," discussing everything from Obamacare to the Texas gubernatorial race (this is a Dallas show, after all). I also appeared with Scott Braddock and Karen Watson (click their names for their respective sites). Big thanks to Wade (you can visit his website right here) for having me on and feel free to click below to hear the episode.

My upcoming appearance on The Wade Emmert Show

I'm excited to announce that I will appear as a guest panelist on The Wade Emmert Show, which tapes tomorrow night, December 1, and will be available online soon after. Wade's show has been a big hit on Sunday nights on WBAP in north Texas, as well as online with listeners across the country, and Wade just announced that the show has ended its run on WBAP, because it is moving to a new station in January. Until then, the show will continue as an online broadcast available through Soundcloud and iTunes. Tomorrow's show will be online very soon, and I will post a link to it here. You can also listen to it directly on Wade's website, WadeEmmert.com. You can listen to past shows as well.

Bank Tower at Oak Cliff hosting JFK exhibit

If you live in Dallas, you can view a special commemorative exhibit for the 50th anniversary of the JFK tragedy. The Bank Tower at Oak Cliff (locals might know it as the Bank of America tower at Zang and I-35) is hosting "JFK: A Community Remembers" is a large exhibit that covers both the history of the assassination and the man behind the Presidency. It features historical information (including the 60's era living room featuring news reports of the assassination), memorabilia, an art exhibit, and a even a place of "peaceful reflection." The exhibit is on display in the Tower lobby, and you can find more information on the exhibit by visiting the official website, JFKOCT.com (click here).

This politician feels your pain, but not enough to work for free....

Attorney and U.S. Senatorial candidate Domingo Garcia was at a local Jack in the Box today protesting the minimum wage and demanding workers be paid more. Police threw him out. For someone so concerned with the poor, why doesn't this millionaire help out poor immigrants in Dallas who qualify for a legal adjustment of residency status, yet are still facing deportation due to aggressive ICE agents? He'll only help you if you meet his price. I wonder how many Jumbo Jacks it costs to put Domingo on retainer.

The Ten Most Powerful People in Dallas, 2013 Edition

My third annual ranking of the ten most powerful people in Dallas is now up at Yahoo News (you can read it by clicking right here) and I wanted to give a big thanks to those who provided their input.

Of course, some take issue with who is on the list, and that's to be expected. It's hardly a scientific process, and I'm sure there are those who give deference to a particular CEO or billionaire over an elected official or pop culture icon. I can't truly argue with different lines of thought on the issue, as each has valid points. In my view, however, I felt it necessary to give proper credit to the social, political, and business elite of the area, which means someone is getting left out and others may seem unjustifiably elevated over others.

D Magazine seemed annoyed by my list. Tim Rogers in particular was upset over my pick of H. Ross Perot. I'll give him partial credit for that. In my first draft, I gave equal listing to his wife and children, who actually do the lion's share of the charity work I was acknowledging, including the Perot Museum. However, I changed it to just Ross Sr., as figurehead of the family, in my final draft. Truly, I should have made it "The Perot Family" to be more precise and reflect the opinions of those I consulted for the list.

I still contend Larry Hagman (and the Dallas cast) deserves to be on the list. We here in town seem to loathe the idea of the J.R. stereotype, but ask any out-of-towner to define Dallas, and we all know what they'll say.

Perhaps I should have consulted D Magazine readers for their thoughts. However, since I don't spend any time in the waiting rooms of local plastic surgery centers, I never had the chance.

My Kirk Cameron article gets Glenn Beck's attention (or maybe just his news editor)

Yesterday, I was one of the first to report on Facebook's ban on free speech, when it disallowed links to Kirk Cameron's new movie. After Cameron notified his fans, Facebook lifted the ban. You can read my article on the situation by clicking right here to visit Examiner.com.

The article received a huge response, especially on Facebook (of all places). It was also mentioned by both Glenn Beck's The Blaze website, as well as Liberty University's website (Liberty helped co-produce the film). At one point yesterday, it was being read around the world at the rate of four new readers a second. A big thanks to all my readers for helping get the word out, you are most appreciated.

Who do you think should be among Dallas' most powerful?

Each year, I have the opportunity to name the ten most powerful people in Dallas for Yahoo News. To compile the list, I consult a group of folks-in-the-know and some of Dallas' power elite for their opinions, which remain confidential. However, I'm always open to other's opinions. If you have a thought of who should be in the top ten and why, email me at vic@victormedina.com and let me know. Don't post it here - email me personally!

Sign a petition to help this Dallas mother!

I recently had the opportunity to write about a Dallas mother jailed on charges on illegal entry into the country. It's a story I couldn't believe is happening in America. Her case is proof our country's vague and misguided immigration laws need reform, as she not only entered the country legally, she meets the requirements to live here legally. Despite her claims of innocence, she hasn't even received a bond hearing, thanks to ICE agents who withheld information from the U.S,. attorney.

In an effort to get her out on bond until her trial begins, a petition has been started on Change.org. You can click right here to sign it. I hope you'll add your name, and ask your friends to do so as well.