OPED from MI Apogeo - Why I support John McCain

In the past years, we have seen Latinos become the largest minority in the United States. Our earning power has risen, and role as leaders has increased. Today, Latinos political power is the focus of much debate. Who will the Latino voters choose?

John McCain has had a deep and special relationship with the Hispanic community for years. For over than twenty years, John McCain has always represented the interest of the Latino voters in his home state of Arizona. As Senator of a border state and one with a large number of Latinos, McCain knows the importance of Latino issues and of America’s important relationship with Mexico. The Latinos voters of Arizona have returned McCain’s loyalty by overwhelming supporting him in his Senate races and in the presidential primaries.
While other candidates were attacking Latinos in the primaries, John McCain never did. McCain knew that Latinos and immigrants are the strength of this nation, not the problem. McCain knew this even when he was attacked by both parties for standing up for immigration reform. Some attacked him, some didn’t even take a stand. McCain’s courage almost destroyed his presidential hopes. Yet, McCain never faltered, he never backed down, because he knew it was the right thing to do, not just for Latinos, but for America.
McCain understands that America is not the cause of the world’s problems, America is the solution. Yet, America can only remain strong if there is a strong Latin America. This is why McCain supports a free trade agreement with Columbia. This is why McCain traveled to Latin America and not Europe during the campaign. McCain understands that the fortunes of America are tied to the fortunes of Latin America.
McCain’s history with the Latino community is more than just politics. McCain relationship with our community is personal. One of McCain’s best friends and roommate at Annapolis was Frank Gamboa. It was by befriending Mr. Gamboa that McCain learned that Latinos are not asking to be pandered to, we merely want to be treated as equals, as Americans.
It is well known that McCain displayed his sacrifice by refusing to leave the Hanoi Hilton before longer held POWs were released. What is not well known was that Lieutenant Commander Everett Alvarez Jr. was one of the POWs which McCain believed deserved to be released first.
McCain has a long and distinguished history of working with Latino organizations. In fact the majority of board on the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce endorsed John McCain for President. In these tough economic times, McCain understands that taxing small business will negatively affect not only Latino business but the American economy as a whole.
On November 4th, the Latino community has a chance to vote for a man who has stood by them, a man who has had a long and special relationship with the Latino community. It is this relationship that will make John McCain our next President.

Remarks from 2007 OMEGA DELTA Banquet - 10 year Celebration

Decade of Dominance

We have the opportunity to make Omega Delta the dominant fraternity of our time,
or can squander our opportunity
and allow Omega Delta become merely an impotent social club
We can choose to be the King of the jungle
or we can do nothing and become a mere gazelle.

Back on a cold weekend in January 1997,
the founders created a brotherhood that looked for leaders.
We did not identify our members by a shallow distinction like ethnic background,
We looked deeper
we cared not for the color of one’s skin,
we cared about the content of his character.

Therefore, our goal is not to be a niche fraternity,
we are THE fraternity on campus.
From day one, we wanted to be the biggest,
because we were the best.
The goal was clear,
- Omega Delta would be second to none.
The objects were clear
to run Greek Week,
serenade the best houses,
take over key positions in IFC,
take over student government,
take over key bars,
to take over academic groups,
success meant we would pretty much take over the entire U of I campus.

Now, these were ambitious dreams for a bunch of young kids.
But we climbed the mountain
by recruiting trend setters, innovators and leaders.
Our events were marketed to the entire campus,
as our the ultimate goal was to take over the entire campus.

As a new organization, we didn’t have much.
I fact many of our events took place in a far away shanty on 209 S. Waters
AKA CLUB 209.
This nondescript location
became the grand setting
for the greatest challenge in our young fraternity’s life.

You see, we planned a massive party.
I was amazed by the greatness took place in the weeks before the party.
The men of Omega Delta worked tirelessly
to promote, market and plan this event.
Contracts with major DJs were signed,
drinks were bought,
and a outdoor nightclubs was built
–literally, from the ground up.
Complete with stage and dance area.
The blood and sweat of many Omega Deltas are still at 209.

Well, the day of the event came,
and it was tremendous,
we had mobs of people waiting to get in.
What followed was a cowardly act.

The early success of Omega Delta
threatened other organizations and individuals.
Instead of competing with us on the open market,
they chose lies,
they chose scandal,
they chose fear.

The enemies of Omega Delta fabricated a story
they told the Champaign police department
that OD was planning a hedonistic festival.
So a SWAT team type force was sent in.
Now let me be clear,
the only thing we were charged with was a mere city ordinance violation,
we didn’t’ have a keg license.
But the enemies of Omega Delta succeed in aborting the party.
It has come to be known as the “Greatest Party that Never Happened”.
We now had no money,
our credibility had taken a tremendous blow.
Did our enemies kill Omega Delta?
There is a saying
“ If you’re going to shoot at the King,
you better kill him”
As you know, Omega Delta lives, the King lives.
Let me tell you, what was supposed to be our death – gave us new life
The first Omega Delta auction raised the needed money.
Our contract with 908 S. Lincoln gave us credibility.
We succeeded -

But what is success?
I found an old Maxim from Winston Churchill.
It reads,
there are two kinds of success
initial
and ultimate.

Well, we can certainly argue we have initial success.
We now have a house a Greek row,
to run Greek Week,
we serenaded the best houses,
we have key positions in IFC,
we have student government,
we have bartender at key bars, DJs at key clubs
we have leaders in academic groups,
we have pretty much taken over!
we even had our first brother win Greek god,
Mr. Leal, enjoy the moment,
as even Rey Vega was never crowned Greek god.
Our alumni are now starting to take over,
as teachers,
entrepreneurial leaders,
business leaders,
political leaders,
engineering leaders
We are all coming of age.
Yet I ask you not to stop there.

Do you believe Omega Delta has a positive influence on your life?
Do you believe Omega Delta changed you into a better man?

I do

I believe that Omega Delta is a gift
A gift that must be shared with the world.
It is our destiny to become the largest fraternity.
We will extend from the Halls of Pepperdine University on the Pacific Ocean
to dorms of Old Dominion off the Atlantic Ocean.

If the last decade was our initial success,
let the next decade be the decade of DOMINANCE.
Our success will not be an ultimate success
until we take over the country
we will do this
– one university at a time.

How will future Brothers judge us?
As leaders who took advantage of opportunities
or as followers who stood idly by as history passed us by?

We are too great an organization to dream small dreams.
Why am I sure we will achieve ultimate success?
Well, it’s simple
I believe in the people in this room
I believe in the Omega Delta process
I believe in our leaders
Simply put, we will succeed because -

WE ARE OMEGA DELTA