Homero (Homer) Villarreal, founder/editor of El Defenzor is now live on 1440 KEYS Every Tuesday

El Defenzor Life Every Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

[Homero (Homer) Villarreal, founder/editor of El Defenzor is
now live on 1440 KEYS Every Tuesday.]
When Jimmy Lago left 1440 AM KEYS Radio a few months ago, Bob Jones, a dynamic conservative host took over the vacant slot. And in a surprising move, about four weeks ago, Jones search for a co-host to enhance his program.
Homero (Homer) Villarreal, founder and editor of El Defenzor newspaper was asked to be a “co-host” with Mr. Jones on Tuesdays. The introduction of Villarreal, a political independent and social critic, has led to some constructive and controversial debates on many an issue.
Bob Jones was brought in to be the host in the KEYS Morning Program in late September of this year. The station placed its faith on him, and he decided to take a calculated risk and began to search for a person with a “fresh perspective on things” to add more zing to the show.
Villarreal, who describes himself as a social critic by nature, said when he received the initial telephone call of the decision: “It seemed surreal.” He asked himself: "Why would a radio station that prides itself on being ultra conservative really decide to bring in a political independent to present a diverse point of view?"... Well, KEYS did.
Villarreal every Tuesday begins his show with an Hispanic Samba and then he delivers his editorial comments on the issues of the day; then both he and Jones open the telephone lines up to the radio listeners to provide feedback. Many calls from distant towns are starting to trickle in on a regular occasion.
After the first appearance by Villarreal on the show, Jones received calls from conservatives, especially Hispanic conservatives, asking him: "Why Homer of all people?"
Jones responded: “Because he has an intellectual prowess; he is able to cogently verbalized his point of view so concisely.”
Jones added to this publication that also when Villarreal was put on the air a few called to attempt to label him "radical and strange." Jones response to them? "He may be ‘radical and strange’ but now he is on the air in KEYS radio, and the station is proud to carry his take on issues."
Villarreal, who felt alienated from all the "mainstream" media for many of his adult years, started El Defenzor in a low-income suburb of Robstown or barrio known as "Casa Blanca" (the two words are the equivalent to the phrase “White House”). The Defenzor (newspaper) used to be a weekly but now comes out every two weeks in that it now serves a larger geographical area, about ten counties: Nueces, Jim Wells, Kleberg, San Patricio, Brooks, Duval, Bee, Kenedy, and a few others.
El Defenzor is a bilingual publication and concentrates, dedicating about 50 percent or more, on politics. The publication taps on a repetitive theme: the "social political" psychology of Hispanics and career politicos (politicians). Villarreal is a fiery critic of "la palanca" (the tradition of voting straight party, or straight Democrat). The publication also denounces the old political patron (bosses') system.
“Many don’t know where Homer (Villarreal) will stand on the next issue.”
Since the first day, Villarreal has aroused the sensibilities of ultra conservatives Republicans as well as traditional Democrats. But a door has been opened by 1440 KEYS and is changing the face of talk radio. A new pool of listeners has been recruited and another has been reawakened. Jones, said: "Many don't know where Homer (Villarreal) will stand on the next issue that will be discussed. On one day he defends the traditional family and talks about the beauty of the functional aspects that the family serves and on another occasion he critically questions the accepted traditions such as Thanksgiving."
Villarreal got in a fierce debate with the noted William "Bill" Federer (about two weeks ago) from St. Louis that was telling the traditional "Thanksgiving Story." Villarreal bluntly told him he was just repeating a "fairytale" and people were tired of “the same old thing.”
“The people of South Texas want to hear the truth,” Villarreal informed Federer. He added: "There is a difference between a literary image and the real truth. The latter is the goal of journalism."
Federer, who has a syndicated program, called "The American Minute" and is a best selling conservative-thinker and author and an accomplished debater (he has debated politicians such as Gephart and other national politicians) bowed out and decided not to continue with the interview on 1440 KEYS. He left the show early after getting a taste of Villarreal’s fiery criticisms.
Joe Ortiz, the National civil rights coordinator for the American GI Forum of the United States detailed: “I was listening to the debate. Villarreal was very savvy. He turned Federer into a target and seemed to be throwing darts directly at the bull eye. I am grad there is such a voice here in South Texas that unveils the truth of the matter.”
Villarreal told the audience after Federer left: "If this Corporate millionaire, Federer, is so passionate about the patriotic sound bytes he sells, why did he not stand up for himself and stay on the air? He is a willow in my estimation."
Some ultra conservative listeners were outraged and called Jones and others to get rid of Villarreal. In the last program, one caller who identified himself as "Ron" tried to use labeling tactics; he called Villarreal a "socialist" and Villarreal was quick to respond: "I didn't go to the moon and back; to communist Cuba and back, I am from Robstown. But I believe the purpose of your call has a deeper agenda. You are not just trying to criticizing me, but trying to shut me up. What happened to your fervent belief in the First Amendment of the constitution? Hypocrite."
Republican candidate William “Willie” Vaden (who will be running for the current post held by U.S. Conservative Solomon P. Ortiz) commented in an email: “You (Villarreal) have added a new spice to the program. Your position, Federer realized, is more representative of South Texas.” Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz added another related comment: “Homero (Homer) Villarreal is from my hometown of Robstown and he one of the fiercest critics of the two-party system. He feels sincerely that both parties have failed many in South Texas.”
Jones concluded: "I wanted Homer as a co-host so our radio audience could meet him. I have now accomplished that. Now the audience knows there are so many like him: silent voices waiting to walk up to the microphone if given a chance. All parties have to realize that they have to be inclusive if they want to sell their agendas to the masses. I will do my best to proceed along this course."

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