I missed the Chron’s editorial page, but Kevin didn’t over at BlogHouston. Reading through the original, I think I’m going to have a few words to say. . . . but it will be late today before I can do a full review. This standout paragraph begs to be quoted now, though:

The investigation must also allow for Alvarado to clear her name by giving a full account of her role in what happened. By all accounts, Carol Alvarado had a promising political career ahead. She has been mentioned as a potential candidate for state senator, mayor and Congress. All of that goes down the drain if she is not allowed the opportunity to answer direct questions as part of the investigation. If Council Member Alvarado were not interviewed as part of the investigation, it would be a travesty bordering on a political cover-up.

No, Councilmember Vasquez, the investigation must find out what happened. If that allows Alvarado to “clear her name” well and good. If it doesn’t (as in, it reveals wrongdoing on her part), TFB. And just who is trying to deny her the opportunity to answer direct questions, which is what you seem to be hinting? Certainly not Houblog, for all that I’ve said the smartest thing she could do is shut up. Oh look, the victim card didn’t work, lets start waving the “shadowy conspiricy card.” And interviewed by whom, anyway? The DA? The OIG? I thought the second already had, and the first was still waiting on the whitewash report to be delivered?

I suppose this could be explained by the minority bloc closing ranks with one of their own, but it feels wrong, like there’s something else playing here. Just how big were the bonuses passed out back when Vasquez was in office? Someone was passing out “legitimate” bonuses of over $8,000 to their aides. (Edit: that’s a quarter of what I make in a year, folks. Yes, I’m a bit ticked off.)

And finally, in an unrelated matter, the Danger Train is not the Submarine Train. Glub.

Note: The title is correct in referring to Mr. Vasquez as a former council member. The blurb at the bottom of the op-ed piece is in error. He is the former council member for District H, which is now represented by Adrian Garcia.

Update: Is there any special reason this is front page news today? The Chron’s Washington bureau is certainly trying to earn its keep. “Yoo hoo! Never mind Alvarado, lookit this!” Is it a coincidence that $130k is the first number to appear in the article?

In April, the federal government spent more than $130,000 on food and lodging for lawmakers who attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II and later the installation of Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City.

I think not. They had to reach back nearly a year for that one.