Gandara Arrest - 100 Steps Backward...

First of all - Gandara is completely innocent until proven guilty.I am going to assume that this guy has done nothing wrong and they went to the wrong house and got the wrong guy.  Any other assumptions made on this blog will be made by commenters and they'll be liable for the crap they say. 

--------------

Here's the biggest problem for El Paso after Gandara's arrest - this whole "safest city" and "it hasn't spilled over" rhetoric is all bullshit now.  Nobody believes a word of it.  One of the five most powerful people in the county was arrested by several three letter federal agencies.  The mantra that drugs and cartels are a problem "over there" and not in El Paso, is now not believable. 

What's worse is that local authorities didn't make the arrest.  To people familiar with law enforcement, this gives off an ugly hue of internal local corruption where the local "bigs" look out for each other.  Anybody with half a brain can figure out what I'm saying here.  Everybody on the outside already has.

The entire outside world now only sees El Paso as Jaurez.  No river in between the cities, no difference at all. Any claims to the contrary will be met with this story and no satisfactory explanation can be given.  The next time Governor Perry claims there are a car bombs going off in El Paso, you're just going to have to sit there and take it - he's now got some ammo to back up his ridiculous claim. 

Economic development?  Not after this.  Who wants to put the future of their company in the hands of people who get arrested for stuff like this?  Nobody. 

I'd like to say El Paso is a joke, but it's not funny - it's sad.  The worst part is that it is YOUR fault.  You vote for these people.  You have other choices and you ignore them.  You have nobody to blame but yourself.  The next time you feel like whining about your employment situation, just remember who you voted for and how those people scare off the kinds of people who could do something about your prosperity. 

I would tell you it's about time to demand better of your representatives, but it's probably too late.  Once you've played the fool some many times it's impossible to shed that image.  Nobody will listen to you now.

Ps...

And it's not like this was a surprise to everyone.  I've had a very determined group of people emailing about once a week for three years or so saying that this would happen.  It seems that certain rumors were more than just rumors.  Who knows to what extent they were right.  We'll see.

Comments

[Carl Starr]

I agree how the outside world sees El Paso...can't change that...Davids story no doubt missed news update ie poss with intent, the intent might be weak but poss is harder to defend...as far as kiss econ dev away due to arrest, the border shooting etc you may right.

[Gossip Girl]

Add to this in the last two days that a Grandma pushing her grandchild in a stroller in downtown El Paso was shot in the leg by a Mexican bullet from across the border. That will certainly go far in convincing people to pay for any downtown improvements. Perhaps the only downtown improvement we should do is a 3 mile bullet proof screen up to about 1000 ft!

[don't you just love El Paso]

I can see it now in the ballot: For or against the construction of a 3-mile high, bullet proof fence surrounding downtown El Paso.

And we haven't even begun to make fun of the antics in the Sunland Park NM Mayoral race. Must see TV in El Paso!

[In Da Know]

Agree with all except implying local law knew and did nothing. It's complicated. I think you will see in time they actually helped out the accused but the DEA and all federal law enforcement has more power, money and jurisdiction... so it had to go down the way it did.

[In Da Know]

The good news is that we continue to clean up our garbage here.

[In Da Know]

I meant local law helped to OUT him - helped in the investigation.

[Mandela]

I think it was ironic that there was no talk or whispers at the Courthouse and NO shocked or expressions of disbelief. The attitude was "about time" because brains and common sense was never a factor for his win as Commish

[Texas Woman]

Check out item 9 on the City Councils agenda for Tuesday. Given the present climate is this a wise move.

[dot]

Put me in the "about time" crowd... It's pretty sad when the illegal activities of the Gandaras were never a secret. They were out in the open for everyone to see. I thought it was interesting that he was arrested at the Checkpoint in HUDSPETH COUNTY.

[Desert Rat]

I doubt that Gandara's drug dealing habits will keep away companys looking to locate here. However, the bullets from Juarez might. Nevertheless, I don't think El Paso is a joke. I prefer living here to the crime, high prices and unpleasant cllimate of D.C.

[Suckmeoff]

What does 110 lbs. of marijuana have to do with car bombs? It's not a violent crime.

[Mandela]

If Feds can show how fake designer goods contribute to terrorist funding and creation of car bombs the drugs sold regardless of how many pounds is not far fetched...

I think it is a safe assumption that a year and half investigation netted more than 110 pounds. It was just enough to charge him, convict him or make the Godfather TALK...it's a great way to begin plea dialogue.

[Your Mom]

"Suckmeoff" your name is juvenile and inappropriate.

[serginho]

The violence has spilled over. El Paso city leaders shouldn't be so naive about this whole thing. All of that Gandara clan preys and stays together. It's sad to see my former city in this situation.

[Mark]

Once a politician is elected, they should have to pass a security and criminal background check like all government employees in some states already do.This will deter corrupt and arrogant minded people from politics...

[Diane]

Why not before they are elected...elections are expensive, once elected booted from office??