Democratic Chairman: "gays are like white termites...who infiltrate your house"

[FreeState]

We can do much better than this.

http://qsanantonio.com/ramos.html

Bexar County Democratic Chairman Dan Ramos reiterated that he believed that gays were like "white termites who have infiltrated the party much like termites infiltrate your house," and were co-conspirators with direct involvement in the theft of over $200,000 from party coffers.

At a press conference which was held this morning at party headquarters on Westfield Drive, Ramos said he was not going to apologize or resign. "I regret that people's feelings were hurt by twisted information," he said referring to the articles that appeared in the San Antonio Current on March 12 and 13.

"I've always tried to be politically correct, however the gays, through the Stonewall Democrats, have taken over the party. Hell, my opponent in the election, Choco Meza, she's a lesbian," Ramos said. (Meza is not a lesbian.)

....

Ramos says he did not know that he was being recorded when San Antonio Current editor Greg Harman called him on March 12 to ask his reaction to a bill being introduced in the Texas Legislature by San Antonio State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer that would allow county chairs to be removed by their state parties based on "incompetency or official misconduct."...

[Brickbat]

1. Get him out.

Disgusting.

[Loki]

6. Texas Democratic Party

make this SOB resign NOW!

[derby378]

11. We're trying...

...but we're also susceptible to our own regional shenanigans. A LaRoucheite actually wound up as a county party chair down here in Texas and even got the nod to run for Congress last year (possibly with Republican help).

[Snoutport]

57. don't give up :0)

start a letter writing campaign or a gay boycott?

[susanr516]

60. Derby is right--we're trying

County chairs are elected officials (they run in each party's primary) so their removal is subject both to each party's rules and the Texas Election Code, which is passed by the state Lege. The TX Democratic Party rules state that a Precinct or County Chair can be removed for supporting any opponent of a Democrat on the ballot, but not for being a bigoted SOB. There is also no recall in Texas. State Rep Trey Martinez-Fischer (D-San AntonioO) has filed a bill that will allow either party's state executive committee to remove a County Chair for "incompetency or official misconduct." State chair Boyd Richie has issued an open letter calling for Ramos' resignation.

This is a link to the interview that started the current shitstorm: http://blogs.sacurrent.com/?p=6445

Ramos responded by holding a press conference this morning, adamantly refusing to back down or apologize. Here's the recap on that: http://www.texasobserver.org/purpletexas/ramos-calls-state-party-chair-racist-bastard

Long story short is that both the Bexar County and state Democrats are trying to get him out, but we currently lack any legal way of accomplishing this. The Bexar County Democratic Party has been rocked by scandal recently, but there are many good Democrats there who are trying to turn things around.

[KamaAina]

12. Of the closet?

Just sayin'.

[forty6]

44. Good one! n/t

[Bluebear]

74. --->

:thumbsdown:

[Bluebear]

73. That's right, because all homophobes are closeted gays,

:crazy:

[WingDinger]

2. While I don't care for their music much, they know how to design the invitations, get the word out,

and pump the jam.

Tea totalling is for baggers.

[Wickerman]

3. wow, how can a guy with so little knowledge of Bexar County

be Dem chair?

San Antonio is pretty gay friendly.

edit, forgot the main point - his intolerance has no place in the Dem party - perhaps he would be more at home in the party of Rick Perry.

[LaurenG]

4. What a screwed up mind he has.

He needs to be released from his position and I wouldn't accept an apology from him until he's out.

[EFerrari]

5. Gross. How is this man a Democrat.

:puke:

[KamaAina]

9. It's Texas

the state animal is the Blue Dog. :eyes:

[readmoreoften]

14. Yeah and gay Texans are supposed to support him and stuff.

or SARAH PALIN!1!!!

[KamaAina]

18. Of course not.

Neither are straight ones, for that matter.

But this is a not-so-shining example of where the Dem party could be heading nationally if it continues to tack hard to starboard.

[Hestia]

So at what point do we say enough and go third, possibly?

Like I just stated on another post, DNC called me wanting $150 for the new & improved OFA, Neighbor-to-Neighbor in order to figure out how to "fire up the base". I told the dude that when the WH tells a reporter that Obama cannot come out in support of the American Worker, especially through collective bargaining, because it would appear "that he is beholden to the unions". WTMFH? Union workers are the ones who knocked on doors, did canvassing, called until their dialing fingers bled, but I am suppose to generously give $150?

Who are these people who are asking for my money? Who are these people who speak their minds, but turn around and say, oopsie, my bad? If this is how DNC members feel, and in the South they do, I may just be shopping for a new party, screw this one.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

66. Wait. You're confusing this issue, I think.

This a Bexar County Party Chair. Local politics, and they didn't vet him. It happens, especially in Texas where we get idiots -just like this one- who are well funded by people not friendly to Democrats in attempts to divide our Democratic cities. I'm willing to bet BIG money this fool's cover was blown too soon. Somewhere right now a Republican crying over their wasted investment.

We fight the war of dirty politics down here without hazmat suits, but we're used to it.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

61. Hell, no! Gay Texan's are helping to get this idiot chair out!

Gay Texan's are not putting up with this crap. Not for a minute!

[derby378]

15. Ever live in Texas?

You'd be surprised. I dare you to say that at a Dallas County meeting. :evilgrin:

[KamaAina]

17. Good for Dallas!

Of course there are lots of great Texas Dems, even progressives like Molly. But outisde the urban areas, they (obviously) don't have much sway over the TDP.

[EFerrari]

25. Molly Ivins was Texas, too. The state motto is "Don't suffer fools", lol.

The Austin bookfair is one of the best in the country.

And, don't forget, Blue Bell Ice Cream. :)

[KamaAina]

26. I'm a Shiner Bock man myself

:beer:

[dixiegrrrrl]

33. Blue Bell, unfortunately, uses HFC. I remember when it did not.

But now cannot eat it, sadly.

[readmoreoften]

46. I know... :(

[jobycom]

28. Not true.

Texas is deeply split. There's a strong populist element in Texas offset by the rural and small town right wingers, so while sometimes the results of elections are Blue Dogs, there are a lot strong populist liberals in this state. Don't forget, LBJ, Ralph Yarborough, Mickey Leland, Barbara Jordan, Sheila Jackson Lee, Jim Hightower, and Molly Ivins are all Texans. Ann Richards was more populist than she came across.

Visit one of our state conventions one day. You'd be impressed.

[KamaAina]

38. "He (Gee Dubya) was born with a silver foot in his mouth."

Classic Ann Richards.

It's only lately that your Dem party seems like Repuke Lite. And come to think of it, the same is true in most of 49 other states.

[thanks_imjustlurking]

51. "Visit one of our state conventions one day."

Except for the revival-meeting Christian prayer. I attended my first state convention this summer, and I was appalled by that.

Edited to add that I bet the Texas Muslim Democratic Caucus wasn't thrilled either.

[leftstreet]

7. ""I've always tried to be politically correct." If you have to try you're an asshole

[louslobbs]

24. Also, if you have to try you infected dirt bag, you are really a Republicon. Just another hate

filled, political wind bag, pretending to be a Democrat. He is the only Kochroach in this story.
Lou

[Kurovski]

47. You read my mind.

Just saying the sentence is admitting that you hide your true feelings.

Well not "you" of course, the asshole from Texas.

[LeftinOH]

8. Hey Ramos: Buh-bye. Get out. Go away. n/t

[demigoddess]

10. UUUUHHHHH

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[truebrit71]

13. Wow, how the fuck did this ignorant bigot get a (D) after his name?

Sweet Jeebus I know rabid rethuglicans that wouldn't say that...

[fishwax]

16. Wow. Disgusting.

:puke:

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Jakes Progress]

20. Sounds like the tea party just got a candidate for 2012.

[ljm2002]

21. OMG...

...what a hateful prick.

We should be riding his ass out of the Democratic Party on a rail, with tars and feathers included.

[Solly Mack]

22. Damn

[Loki]

23. Let the Texas Democratic Party hear from you, I did.

[e-mail]

[LiberalAndProud]

56. done.

Great idea, Loki.

[Denninmi]

27. We have enough problems with T'baggers and Repukes.

We certainly don't need a bigot as one of our own.
He should go, but apparently won't.

[JI7]

29. fuck him, nobody in the party should support him

[readmoreoften]

30. +1

[Mnemosyne]

31. I am having a terrible time finding information regarding cross-filing on ballots. Does Texas allow

it, anyone? PA does and it has screwed us royal due to apathetic voters in the rural areas, imho.

[susanr516]

69. Not sure what you mean

If cross-filing means filing in both the Democratic and Republican primaries, then no, not allowed in Texas.

[Mnemosyne]

76. Exatly what I meant. Thank you, Susan. I'm wondering if PA is fairly unique

in allowing this crap, or is it widespread. I know people that have voted a straight D ticket and ended up voting an R into office because of it. It is just not right or honest, imho.

[Bluenorthwest]

32. More racism and homophobia from the Democratic Party

Getting old and tired.

[yardwork]

77. I noticed the racism too. You have to read down to another article at the link:

In a March 11 interview with the San Antonio Current, Bexar County Democratic party chair Dan Ramos had some choice words about the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio. “I liken them to the Tea Party — the Tea Party and the fucking Nazi Party — because they’re 90 percent white, blue-eyed, and Anglo, and I don’t give a fuck who knows that. Just like the blacks … they’re American, but you can’t get your way just because you’re black.”

Ramos doesn't seem to like anybody.

[GentryDixon]

34. Not a true Democrat.

His words speak volumes. If he believed in true Democratic values, he never would have uttered those words.

Quite like my DINO Jim Matheson, D-Utah. He panders to his conservative base, brought to us by the gerrymandering of the Utah Legislature. He knows he must vote what his constituents desire to get re-elected. Screw the consequences.

[readmoreoften]

64. So many of them are DINOs it's hard to keep track.

I'm not even sure what the D brand stands for anymore. I know what I'd like it to stand for...

[Blue Owl]

35. He's a gold-standard REPUKE

n/t

[leftynyc]

36. Texas Dems should hold back

their money and give it directly to candidates until this vile person is gone. If he can't raise money for the party, they'll get rid of him.

[dionysus]

37. jesus christ whatthefuck?

:puke:

[Name removed]

39. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[hatrack]

40. Good thing they're not like those dreaded BLACK TERMITES, huh Dan?!?

:eyes:

[readmoreoften]

63. No, they actually are. His comment was racist too.

He managed to get racism and homophobia into one interview.

[yardwork]

78. Yep. If you read down the page at the link you come to this gem:

In a March 11 interview with the San Antonio Current, Bexar County Democratic party chair Dan Ramos had some choice words about the Stonewall Democrats of San Antonio. “I liken them to the Tea Party — the Tea Party and the fucking Nazi Party — because they’re 90 percent white, blue-eyed, and Anglo, and I don’t give a fuck who knows that. Just like the blacks … they’re American, but you can’t get your way just because you’re black.”

[jobycom]

41. Texas politics, and especially San Antonio politics, is not pretty.

Basically this guy represents the dissatisfaction of many San Antonio Hispanics with the Democratic Party leadership in the state. Hispanics in Texas have been courted by both parties since they will soon be a majority of the state, but neither party really gives its all for them. The Republicans push anti-immigration and English-only legislation that is atrocious to Hispanics, and the Democrats oppose such things, so by default, most Hispanics vote Democrat.

But, that doesn't mean they are all liberal, and many Dems as well as Repubs miss this point. An Hispanic voter is just as likely as a white voter to be conservative on the issues, and that includes gay equality as well as other hot-button issues, like abortion.

So there are a lot of Hispanics in the Democratic Party who aren't here because they agree with the ideology, but rather because the Democrats aren't as bad on issues like immigration, education, and health care. (It should go without saying that a lot of Hispanics in the Democratic Party are liberal, progressive, populist, etc, and many do support the ideology... Not trying to claim otherwise, I'm just pointing out one of the factional realities of the party).

It sounds like Dan Ramos won by giving a nod to the party ideals, apparently without meaning it, and cashing in on the dissatisfaction with the party's imperfect record on immigration and other key issues.

So, from his position, the Democrats are appeasing gays and African Americans (interesting that he's skated on those claims) at the expense of Hispanic issues (which are obviously much more complex than just immigration or English-only issues, since those issues don't affect all Hispanics anyway). He feels like gay activists are holding back Hispanic issues, that if the Democrats would avoid gay rights issues they could do more for Hispanic issues.

Which should demonstrate a couple of things. First, Texas politics is hard. Second, the other side knows what to do with their divide-and-conquer strategy. Whereas it should be an easy choice to say "No discrimination, everyone gets treated equally," and have that be the root of our policies towards gays, straights, Hispanics, whites, African-Americans, and any other group you can dream up, the conservatives push legislation that divides and turns people against each other based on old biases, religious beliefs, or just fear of not getting one's own agenda. That division is the real reason we lose.

Ramos needs to step down or be ousted. There are plenty of non-bigoted Hispanic leaders who can take his place. Instead, though, he's likely to split the party more by fighting this and weakening an already weak alliance of conservative Hispanics and populist Democrats of all ethnic backgrounds. And the only beneficiary will be the white conservatives.

[susanr516]

68. You're right

I live in majority-Hispanic Corpus Christi and we feel like the state party wants our votes, but nothing else. The growing Hispanic population seems to threaten the "powers that be." There is a lot of dissatisfaction with the state party here. The state party waited until mid-December to recruit Hispanic candidates to run for state-wide office--after no other candidates stepped up. We know where we stand in the pecking order, and it's a long way from the top. The Republicans hate us and the Democrats ignore us--no wonder Texas Hispanics don't vote.

[cleanhippie]

42. Na na na na, Hey hey hey, goodbye!

I hope his ass get tossed like a used teabag.

[Travelman]

43. Good grief.

What's the old saying? Don't go away mad, just go away.



You, sir, are hereby charged with being an asshole in public. It doesn't really matter how you plead, because you are GUILTY!

[Modern_Matthew]

45. Labels are no longer of value. 99 "Democrats" also voted against withdrawal from war today. nt

[Hosnon]

48. What a piece of work. Hopefully he'll lose his chairmanship in 3, 2, ... nt.

[rucky]

49. So this is what passes for Democrats these days. nt

[pacalo]

50. This "man" has no business being in public service.

[slampoet]

52. Dan Ramos sounds like he is trying to explain to his wife how the gays got into his home.....

[Ramulux]

53. Scumbag

I just dont get why a guy like this would run as a democrat in the first place.

[LiberalAndProud]

54. There is no room for foul mouthed bigots in my party.

Texas, do what needs to be done. This guy shouldn't belong to the same party that I do.

[bobbolink]

55. Bexar County needs to adopt DU rules, and delete his words.

[Bluebear]

75. --->

:spray:

[Arkana]

58. He's gotta be a LaRouchie who snuck in the back door somehow.

[ReggieVeggie]

59. no, no...he's part of the Big Tent

dontcha know

[readmoreoften]

62. +1

[yardwork]

79. Thank you. Good point.

[JackDragna]

65. I KNEW it!

Dang gay people! Stop eating my house!

[devilgrrl]

67. Oh, I know. I live in West Hollywood and I'm always catching gays nibbling on the Shutters

So annoying!

:silly:

[Iris]

70. as opposed to yellow or brown termites?

wtf?

[Zorra]

71. What a jerk. nt

[Rex]

72. What the fuck are these peoples brain/thoughts like on an average day?

Nevermind. I think we found a friend for Ric the Dog Fucker. Maybe they can go play golf together.