It's Monday -- time for another edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance's weekly blog roundup.
How would Republicans handle a pandemic? CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme knows. They'd hunker down. Get out their guns and shoot anybody with a runny nose.
After a record 3 weeks without a post in his six years of blogging, Easter Lemming has a very brief round-up of the Pasadena elections.
Off the Kuff writes about the resolution to impeach Judge Sharon Keller as submitted by Rep. Lon Burnam, which received a committee hearing last week.
Vince at Capitol Annex tells the sad story of how a fundamentalist "historian" and evangelist who believes that hurricanes are God's punishment on society for tolerating gay citizens will guide the writing of Texas' new social studies standards. If you thought Darwin versus Don McLeroy was a train wreck, wait until it is the treatment of American Indians, what labor unions have done for America, Islam, women's suffrage, 9/11, the free enterprise system, and the civil rights movement versus David Barton. First one who catches one of the new "experts" complaining about too much information about minorities in textbooks wins a prize!
WCNews at Eye On Williamson posted this week on the latest transportation funding scheme the Lege came up with ... a "transportation bank": Texas Transportation Revolving Fund?.
Neil at Texas Liberal wrote a helluva post about the inability of the Republican Party to return to its pre-1929 stock crash numbers in the U.S. Senate. He also wrote about the albino buffalo in Kenya. Texas Liberal passed 600,000 total page views this week and is averaging 1570 a day for 2009. Thanks blog reading public!
Why on Earth is the Texas Senate, working with TXDOT, trying to turn the public pensions trusts into another AIG? McBlogger would really like an answer.
Arlen Specter's political deathbed conversion didn't strike PDiddie at Brains and Eggs as something wonderful. And Burka's conflating Kay Bailey into the conversation was greeted with even more derision.
BossKitty at TruthHugger wonders about those poor souls on death row who depend on the passion of protesters and technology for hope. Whether they know they are guilty or innocent, at least they know they'll get the needle instead of the chair or the noose. Those death row inmates now have the best chance ever, and with revelations about bias and legal system misconduct front and center, death penalty question marks are getting bolder. Take a look at Killer Texas Laws and Lawmakers Continue To Amaze with many historic reference links to click.
Over at TexasKaos, Boadicea says no to Fake Reform. See what she has to say in her posting: "Transparency"-I Don't Think That Word Means What You Think It Means...
After much talk about secession, Gov. Perry has found yet another reason to keep the federal government around. The Texas Blue notes that the guy who wanted American troops to defend the border and asked for money -- and then more money -- to help the Hurricane Ike cleanup shortly before talking about leaving the Union now wants the Centers for Disease Control to give us 37,000 doses of Tamiflu to help with the swine flu virus.
WhosPlayin is neck-deep in the local (Lewisville) mayor's race, and examined candidate Winston Edmondson's wacky ideas to increase police morale by giving them more patches, and finding corporate sponsors.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query sharon keller. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query sharon keller. Sort by date Show all posts
Monday, May 04, 2009
Sunday, October 07, 2007
The Weekly Wrangle
Time once again for the Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Blog Round Up. This week's round-up is compiled by Vince from Capitol Annex.
TXsharon says, "YOU SUCK AT&T" and she can only say that because she doesn't use AT&T. Over at Bluedaze she tells why, if you use AT&T for your Internets, you can't say they suck.
Stace at Dos Centavos reports on racism and bigotry committed by a corporation and a UT fraternity.
What's really going on in Irving? Xanthippas at Three Wise Men notes there's more going on in the immigration crackdown than possible profiling and arrests.
CouldBeTrue at South Texas Chisme notes that NOW wants to know why U.S. District Judge Judge Samuel Kent was 'punished' with a 4-month vacation after the investigation into sexual harassment charges.
Criticism of Hillary Clinton's laugh is no laughing matter, so says PDiddie at Brains and Eggs in HRC:LOL.
Might be time for a bit of horsetrading on the floor of the Senate, and one of Texas Kaos' regular diarists, Fake Consultant, has a bit of advice on the subject for Majority Leader Harry Reid in On Larry Craig and Filibusters, or Wanna Make a Trade?
Truth, it has been said, is the first casualty of war. The Republican-Media coalition must have declared war on Social Security, and Blue 19th exposes their lies.
Human rights advocates cheered the Williamson County commissioners' vote to sever ties with the operator of the T. Don Hutto holding facility for undocumented immigrants, but Eye On Williamson's wcnews wonders if a battle within the Republican party over the county's share of the profits may have driven their decision.
McBlogger at McBlogger speculates as to the reasons Sharon Keller (chief justice of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals) needed to get out of work at 5 on Sept. 25th.
Vince at Capitol Annex tells us about the Texas Conservative Coalition's new Election Integrity Task Force, its new Chairwoman and its likely recommendations.
Peter at B and B writes about the quixotic attempts by a group of environmentally conscious Republicans to get their chosen political party to care about conservation and stewardship: Republicans for Environmental Protection, all 70 of them, meet in San Antonio.
Off the Kuff looks at the ongoing dispute between the Harris County Appraisal District and the state comptroller over how commercial properties are taxed.
In a Texas Kaos dairy, Dallas and Denton drinking water at risk by TxDOT's route selection choice for FM299, Faith Chatham's shares a letter from Highland Village parents group activist/homeowner Susie Venable to mayor Tom Leppert of Dallas regarding the city water department's failure to monitor possible MTBE contamination issues. Despite cries of running out of money, TxDOT selected the only route (of 8) which would double project costs by requiring bridges to be built across three tributaries to Lake Lewisville (the drinking water source for Denton and Dallas Counties) in the area of the lake already contaminated by MTBE.
Gary at Easter Lemming updates the Pasadena mayor Manlove resignation and his running for Lampson's seat. There are a lot of happy faces at city hall. Easter Lemming broke the story back on September 22nd.
Trinity Trickey strikes again at The Texas Cloverleaf. This time pro-toll road literature features the war on trees and the fight against Angela Hunt by the powers that be. Only in Dallas.
This week's installment of GLBTube at the Houston GLBT Political Caucus Blog is a double feature: first, a sampling of clips related to ENDA; secondly, gay Republicans are running ads in order to sabotage hypocritical presidential candidates!
WhosPlayin hammers away on GOP Congressman Michael Burgess for dissing Muslims and being one of 30 boneheads to vote for giving mercenary firms like Blackwater a license to kill.
The Texas Blue looks at how the evangelical social movement isn't playing nice-nice with the Republican Party any longer, and why that is good for America.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson -- author, syndicated columnist, political analyst and commentator -- is making a virtual book tour stop at Para Justicia y Libertad on Oct 11 to discuss his new book The Latino Challenge to Black America: Towards a Conversation Between African-Americans and Hispanics.
Hal at Half Empty counts a Lucky Seven of candidates that want to run against Nick Lampson in CD-22. He ROFLs and LMAOs.
TXsharon says, "YOU SUCK AT&T" and she can only say that because she doesn't use AT&T. Over at Bluedaze she tells why, if you use AT&T for your Internets, you can't say they suck.
Stace at Dos Centavos reports on racism and bigotry committed by a corporation and a UT fraternity.
What's really going on in Irving? Xanthippas at Three Wise Men notes there's more going on in the immigration crackdown than possible profiling and arrests.
CouldBeTrue at South Texas Chisme notes that NOW wants to know why U.S. District Judge Judge Samuel Kent was 'punished' with a 4-month vacation after the investigation into sexual harassment charges.
Criticism of Hillary Clinton's laugh is no laughing matter, so says PDiddie at Brains and Eggs in HRC:LOL.
Might be time for a bit of horsetrading on the floor of the Senate, and one of Texas Kaos' regular diarists, Fake Consultant, has a bit of advice on the subject for Majority Leader Harry Reid in On Larry Craig and Filibusters, or Wanna Make a Trade?
Truth, it has been said, is the first casualty of war. The Republican-Media coalition must have declared war on Social Security, and Blue 19th exposes their lies.
Human rights advocates cheered the Williamson County commissioners' vote to sever ties with the operator of the T. Don Hutto holding facility for undocumented immigrants, but Eye On Williamson's wcnews wonders if a battle within the Republican party over the county's share of the profits may have driven their decision.
McBlogger at McBlogger speculates as to the reasons Sharon Keller (chief justice of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals) needed to get out of work at 5 on Sept. 25th.
Vince at Capitol Annex tells us about the Texas Conservative Coalition's new Election Integrity Task Force, its new Chairwoman and its likely recommendations.
Peter at B and B writes about the quixotic attempts by a group of environmentally conscious Republicans to get their chosen political party to care about conservation and stewardship: Republicans for Environmental Protection, all 70 of them, meet in San Antonio.
Off the Kuff looks at the ongoing dispute between the Harris County Appraisal District and the state comptroller over how commercial properties are taxed.
In a Texas Kaos dairy, Dallas and Denton drinking water at risk by TxDOT's route selection choice for FM299, Faith Chatham's shares a letter from Highland Village parents group activist/homeowner Susie Venable to mayor Tom Leppert of Dallas regarding the city water department's failure to monitor possible MTBE contamination issues. Despite cries of running out of money, TxDOT selected the only route (of 8) which would double project costs by requiring bridges to be built across three tributaries to Lake Lewisville (the drinking water source for Denton and Dallas Counties) in the area of the lake already contaminated by MTBE.
Gary at Easter Lemming updates the Pasadena mayor Manlove resignation and his running for Lampson's seat. There are a lot of happy faces at city hall. Easter Lemming broke the story back on September 22nd.
Trinity Trickey strikes again at The Texas Cloverleaf. This time pro-toll road literature features the war on trees and the fight against Angela Hunt by the powers that be. Only in Dallas.
This week's installment of GLBTube at the Houston GLBT Political Caucus Blog is a double feature: first, a sampling of clips related to ENDA; secondly, gay Republicans are running ads in order to sabotage hypocritical presidential candidates!
WhosPlayin hammers away on GOP Congressman Michael Burgess for dissing Muslims and being one of 30 boneheads to vote for giving mercenary firms like Blackwater a license to kill.
The Texas Blue looks at how the evangelical social movement isn't playing nice-nice with the Republican Party any longer, and why that is good for America.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson -- author, syndicated columnist, political analyst and commentator -- is making a virtual book tour stop at Para Justicia y Libertad on Oct 11 to discuss his new book The Latino Challenge to Black America: Towards a Conversation Between African-Americans and Hispanics.
Hal at Half Empty counts a Lucky Seven of candidates that want to run against Nick Lampson in CD-22. He ROFLs and LMAOs.
Monday, October 15, 2007
The Weekly Wrangle
Time once again for the Texas Progressive Alliance Blog Round-Up. As always, the posts are wrangled by Vince from Capitol Annex.
Rep. Barney Frank responds to GLBT activists: "Now this is the issue: does a political party say to its most militant, committed, ideologically driven believers in purity that they have a veto over what the party does?" Evan at The Caucus Blog responds.
BossKitty at Bluebloggin asks why are so many Texans still illiterate?
The Texas Cloverleaf endorses Karen Guerra for 16th District Court Judge in Denton County.
Burnt Orange Report highlights the hard work being done across the nation: a broad coalition has launched a campaign to override President Bush's SCHIP veto, and Kay Granger is public enemy number 1 in Texas. Ads, analysis, polls, and outrage... BOR has it all.
North Texas Liberal asks, "Could Congress override Bush's veto?" Speaker Pelosi and Sen. Kennedy seem to think that SCHIP is worth fighting for. So do we.
Vince from Capitol Annex notes that Kay Granger should have known better when it comes to her recent "no" vote on the reauthorization and expansion of SCHIP.
Gary at Easter Lemming Liberal News cannot stop writing about conservative bloggers repeatedly attacking a family who were in a terrible automobile accident and received government health care and liked it: Maybe next time your kids are in the hospitable you'll be attacked by right-wing idiots, and more slime in the right-wing noise machine.
McBlogger has a story up about a state representative you should know.
A supervisor for CPS Energy in San Antonio has a hangman's noose displayed in his cubicle. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs posts the details, including a photo. Update: A press conference is scheduled for this morning.
Muse notes that Kay Bailey Hutchinson is trying out harder helmet hair styles so that the words of mean bloggers will bounce right off her in her imaginary (or not) run for governor in 2010.
Warning from TXsharon: Calibrate your outrage meter before visiting Bluedaze to read how Bush policies have weakened the Clean Water Act so much that Texas water is no longer fit for drinking, swimming or fishing.
CouldBeTrue from South Texas Chisme notes that presidential candidate Tom Tancredo wants to build that d*mn fence north of Brownsville. Either you're with the fence or he'll move the boundaries so your town's part of Mexico.
Unsurprised at Al Gore's Nobel Peace Prize, nor at his acceptance speech, Hal at Half Empty surprises everyone with the Moonwalking Mannequin Bird.
Rattlebrain Randy prefers a little bit of disaster -- sure, it may hurt his constituents but it helps his friends in the insurance industry, notes Blue 19th.
At Texas Kaos, diarist persiancowboy invites members of the general public to sign on to the complaint against rogue judge Sharon Keller for her callous use of judicial power.
Off the Kuff reports that state Rep. Garnet Coleman is urging AG Greg Abbott to sue to block a recent Center for Medicaid and State Operations directive that will result in the loss of CHIP coverage for thousands of children.
Stop Cornyn is fuming about Cornyn's vote against children. After voting against Texas children twice, now Junior John wants a watered-down version to save face. It is time to fully fund children's health insurance.
Rep. Barney Frank responds to GLBT activists: "Now this is the issue: does a political party say to its most militant, committed, ideologically driven believers in purity that they have a veto over what the party does?" Evan at The Caucus Blog responds.
BossKitty at Bluebloggin asks why are so many Texans still illiterate?
The Texas Cloverleaf endorses Karen Guerra for 16th District Court Judge in Denton County.
Burnt Orange Report highlights the hard work being done across the nation: a broad coalition has launched a campaign to override President Bush's SCHIP veto, and Kay Granger is public enemy number 1 in Texas. Ads, analysis, polls, and outrage... BOR has it all.
North Texas Liberal asks, "Could Congress override Bush's veto?" Speaker Pelosi and Sen. Kennedy seem to think that SCHIP is worth fighting for. So do we.
Vince from Capitol Annex notes that Kay Granger should have known better when it comes to her recent "no" vote on the reauthorization and expansion of SCHIP.
Gary at Easter Lemming Liberal News cannot stop writing about conservative bloggers repeatedly attacking a family who were in a terrible automobile accident and received government health care and liked it: Maybe next time your kids are in the hospitable you'll be attacked by right-wing idiots, and more slime in the right-wing noise machine.
McBlogger has a story up about a state representative you should know.
A supervisor for CPS Energy in San Antonio has a hangman's noose displayed in his cubicle. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs posts the details, including a photo. Update: A press conference is scheduled for this morning.
Muse notes that Kay Bailey Hutchinson is trying out harder helmet hair styles so that the words of mean bloggers will bounce right off her in her imaginary (or not) run for governor in 2010.
Warning from TXsharon: Calibrate your outrage meter before visiting Bluedaze to read how Bush policies have weakened the Clean Water Act so much that Texas water is no longer fit for drinking, swimming or fishing.
CouldBeTrue from South Texas Chisme notes that presidential candidate Tom Tancredo wants to build that d*mn fence north of Brownsville. Either you're with the fence or he'll move the boundaries so your town's part of Mexico.
Unsurprised at Al Gore's Nobel Peace Prize, nor at his acceptance speech, Hal at Half Empty surprises everyone with the Moonwalking Mannequin Bird.
Rattlebrain Randy prefers a little bit of disaster -- sure, it may hurt his constituents but it helps his friends in the insurance industry, notes Blue 19th.
At Texas Kaos, diarist persiancowboy invites members of the general public to sign on to the complaint against rogue judge Sharon Keller for her callous use of judicial power.
Off the Kuff reports that state Rep. Garnet Coleman is urging AG Greg Abbott to sue to block a recent Center for Medicaid and State Operations directive that will result in the loss of CHIP coverage for thousands of children.
Stop Cornyn is fuming about Cornyn's vote against children. After voting against Texas children twice, now Junior John wants a watered-down version to save face. It is time to fully fund children's health insurance.
Monday, October 22, 2007
The Weekly Wrangle
Time again to show some love for the best posts from the members of the Texas Progressive Alliance from the preceding week, brought to you once again by Vince at Capitol Annex. I get to bat leadoff this week:
PDiddie at Brains and Eggs has an advance of the Max Cleland-Karl Rove debate, coming up this Friday, October 26.
Diarist Scott Cobb at Texas Kaos updates on the growing movement to hold rogue judge Sharon Keller accountable for her callous disregard for the responsibility of the Court of Criminal Appeals, while she displays her intoxication with its power.
State senator Craig Estes, Senate District 30, was given numerous examples of Texas Railroad Commission malpractice, negligence, incompetence and cronyism at his recent town hall meeting in Wise County. TXsharon at Bluedaze asks: Will Senator Estes Investigate the RRC's Malpractice?
Adam at Three Wise Men looks into the future to give us his expert opinion on the 2010 Texas gubernatorial race.
McBlogger has been keeping a watchful eye on what's happening in Congress with FISA expansion.
At Half Empty, Hal ponders the question: which Republican candidate can the evangelicals support for President?
Muse vs. state senator Kevin Eltife. A whole lotta safe sex going on, or should the the state of Texas get involved in adults getting free condoms on campus?
Todd Hill at Burnt Orange Report interviews Dan Barrett, the only Democrat in the special election race for HD 97 in Fort Worth.
WCNews at Eye on Williamson reports on some unbelievable statements made by county commissioner Cynthia Long on the children that are being detained at the T. Don Hutto facility in Taylor, Texas.
Vince at Capitol Annex takes a look at a state representative, Fred Brown (R-Bryan), who has scheduled an oversight hearing of an agency that is investigating his business partner.
Bradley at North Texas Liberal celebrates one of the first and only times Sen. John Cornyn has been on the right side of the issue: securing H-2B visas for seasonal workers and joining with Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland to help save small business... at least for another year.
Are government emails covered by open record laws? Off the Kuff takes a look.
CouldBeTrue at South Texas Chisme wonders if a Dallas minister will lose his church's tax-exempt status by slamming Mitt Romney because "he's not a Christian."
Nytexan at BlueBloggin wonders why the Department of Homeland Security purchases products from China when American industry is disappearing and jobs are declining.
The Texas Cloverleaf looks into the pending libel and slander lawsuit against Dallas Republicans, including State Rep. Tony Goolsby.
Gary at Easter Lemming Liberal News updated on political news and gossip in the Pasadena area. Like most gossip, one item was wrong.
Think arbitration is fair? Think again. John Coby at Bay Area Houston notes that the bottom line from the data is clear. In the nearly 20,000 cases where NAF [National Arbitration Forum] reached a decision, First USA prevailed in an astonishing 99.6 percent of cases.
Refinish69 at Doing My Part For The Left thinks state senator Kevin Eltife needs some education.
PDiddie at Brains and Eggs has an advance of the Max Cleland-Karl Rove debate, coming up this Friday, October 26.
Diarist Scott Cobb at Texas Kaos updates on the growing movement to hold rogue judge Sharon Keller accountable for her callous disregard for the responsibility of the Court of Criminal Appeals, while she displays her intoxication with its power.
State senator Craig Estes, Senate District 30, was given numerous examples of Texas Railroad Commission malpractice, negligence, incompetence and cronyism at his recent town hall meeting in Wise County. TXsharon at Bluedaze asks: Will Senator Estes Investigate the RRC's Malpractice?
Adam at Three Wise Men looks into the future to give us his expert opinion on the 2010 Texas gubernatorial race.
McBlogger has been keeping a watchful eye on what's happening in Congress with FISA expansion.
At Half Empty, Hal ponders the question: which Republican candidate can the evangelicals support for President?
Muse vs. state senator Kevin Eltife. A whole lotta safe sex going on, or should the the state of Texas get involved in adults getting free condoms on campus?
Todd Hill at Burnt Orange Report interviews Dan Barrett, the only Democrat in the special election race for HD 97 in Fort Worth.
WCNews at Eye on Williamson reports on some unbelievable statements made by county commissioner Cynthia Long on the children that are being detained at the T. Don Hutto facility in Taylor, Texas.
Vince at Capitol Annex takes a look at a state representative, Fred Brown (R-Bryan), who has scheduled an oversight hearing of an agency that is investigating his business partner.
Bradley at North Texas Liberal celebrates one of the first and only times Sen. John Cornyn has been on the right side of the issue: securing H-2B visas for seasonal workers and joining with Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland to help save small business... at least for another year.
Are government emails covered by open record laws? Off the Kuff takes a look.
CouldBeTrue at South Texas Chisme wonders if a Dallas minister will lose his church's tax-exempt status by slamming Mitt Romney because "he's not a Christian."
Nytexan at BlueBloggin wonders why the Department of Homeland Security purchases products from China when American industry is disappearing and jobs are declining.
The Texas Cloverleaf looks into the pending libel and slander lawsuit against Dallas Republicans, including State Rep. Tony Goolsby.
Gary at Easter Lemming Liberal News updated on political news and gossip in the Pasadena area. Like most gossip, one item was wrong.
Think arbitration is fair? Think again. John Coby at Bay Area Houston notes that the bottom line from the data is clear. In the nearly 20,000 cases where NAF [National Arbitration Forum] reached a decision, First USA prevailed in an astonishing 99.6 percent of cases.
Refinish69 at Doing My Part For The Left thinks state senator Kevin Eltife needs some education.
Monday, November 09, 2009
The Weekly Wrangle
The Texas Progressive Alliance hopes everyone had a happy Election Day last week, and is already looking forward to the next one. Here are this week's highlights.
TXsharon continues to report from a backyard in the Barnett Shale. Despite all the local and national press on drilling related toxins, carcinogens and neurotoxins in our air, Aruba Petroleum Refuses a Simple Step to Improve Barnett Shale Air and thereby recklessly and willfully endangers public health and safety. Read it on Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.
refinish69 announces his endorsement for the Democratic nominee for Texas governor at Doing My Part For The Left. The progressive choice has to be Hank Gilbert with his policy issues and especially his strong stance on GLBT issues. Hank Gilbert for Texas Governor was the only choice refinish69 could make.
Justin at Asian American Action Fund Blog has a thorough take on the results of election day in Houston.
The Texas Cloverleaf provides an election night roundup of some of D-FW's races you never heard of, and some national ones you have.
If you dislike Rep. Dennis Kucinich as much as Mayor McSleaze, there's probably something right with you.
quizas of South Texas Chisme notes that Galveston medical facilities are among those not notifying about rules for the poor, while CouldBeTrue notes South Texas Democrats join Republicans in shafting poor women. Shame on them.
BossKitty at TruthHugger Let me "dis" the local Austin TV news media who gets around to breaking the health care reform bill news TWO and a half hours later. Hooray for the House, but Austin just lives in a bubble.
Over at BlueBloggin, nytexan takes a long look at another disgusting practice of our medical insurance industry: We Have One Twisted Health System, Living Organ Donors Beware. The organ donor's family is never charged for donating. The family is charged for the cost of all final efforts to save your life, and those costs are sometimes misinterpreted as costs related to organ donation. Surprise for organ donors: unexpected medical bills. An Austin man who gave a kidney to co-worker is one of many who have faced health complications and billing problems.
Bay Area Houston says Hispanics, the largest voting block in Texas, are not voting.
WhosPlayin learned of an illegal meeting of Lewisville ISD trustees this past Thursday and Friday, and has video of trustees mentioning this blogger when discussing whether to implement video recording of trustee meetings.
Vince at Capitol Annex takes a look at an interesting story about Judge Sharon Keller that was eclipsed by the tragedy at Fort Hood.
Off the Kuff has six questions for the runoffs in Houston.
Harris County Clerk Beverly Kaufman toes the ethical line with her active promotion of an assistant for her job, and the local media thinks that's just fine. Get the details in PDiddie's Brains and Eggs.
At TexasKaos, Libby Shaw has news for John Cornyn and Pete Sessions about the Republican Resurgence. As she notes:
See the rest here: I have news for John Cornyn and Pete Sessions
WCNews at Eye On Williamson reports on the local toll authority's latest shenanigans: CTRMA to jack up tolls on 183-A, add automatic annual increases.
Neil at Texas Liberal bought Thanksgiving cards drawn by a young person with cancer who is being treated at Houston's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The design Neil bought is both bleak and hopeful.
There was much rejoicing this week at Texas Vox and among the environmental community at large when it was announced that Dr. Al Armendariz was named new Region 6 Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. A Texas EPA administrator that "embodies the "Principles for Environmental Leadership and Real Change"? You better believe it.
TXsharon continues to report from a backyard in the Barnett Shale. Despite all the local and national press on drilling related toxins, carcinogens and neurotoxins in our air, Aruba Petroleum Refuses a Simple Step to Improve Barnett Shale Air and thereby recklessly and willfully endangers public health and safety. Read it on Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.
refinish69 announces his endorsement for the Democratic nominee for Texas governor at Doing My Part For The Left. The progressive choice has to be Hank Gilbert with his policy issues and especially his strong stance on GLBT issues. Hank Gilbert for Texas Governor was the only choice refinish69 could make.
Justin at Asian American Action Fund Blog has a thorough take on the results of election day in Houston.
The Texas Cloverleaf provides an election night roundup of some of D-FW's races you never heard of, and some national ones you have.
If you dislike Rep. Dennis Kucinich as much as Mayor McSleaze, there's probably something right with you.
quizas of South Texas Chisme notes that Galveston medical facilities are among those not notifying about rules for the poor, while CouldBeTrue notes South Texas Democrats join Republicans in shafting poor women. Shame on them.
BossKitty at TruthHugger Let me "dis" the local Austin TV news media who gets around to breaking the health care reform bill news TWO and a half hours later. Hooray for the House, but Austin just lives in a bubble.
Over at BlueBloggin, nytexan takes a long look at another disgusting practice of our medical insurance industry: We Have One Twisted Health System, Living Organ Donors Beware. The organ donor's family is never charged for donating. The family is charged for the cost of all final efforts to save your life, and those costs are sometimes misinterpreted as costs related to organ donation. Surprise for organ donors: unexpected medical bills. An Austin man who gave a kidney to co-worker is one of many who have faced health complications and billing problems.
Bay Area Houston says Hispanics, the largest voting block in Texas, are not voting.
WhosPlayin learned of an illegal meeting of Lewisville ISD trustees this past Thursday and Friday, and has video of trustees mentioning this blogger when discussing whether to implement video recording of trustee meetings.
Vince at Capitol Annex takes a look at an interesting story about Judge Sharon Keller that was eclipsed by the tragedy at Fort Hood.
Off the Kuff has six questions for the runoffs in Houston.
Harris County Clerk Beverly Kaufman toes the ethical line with her active promotion of an assistant for her job, and the local media thinks that's just fine. Get the details in PDiddie's Brains and Eggs.
At TexasKaos, Libby Shaw has news for John Cornyn and Pete Sessions about the Republican Resurgence. As she notes:
I wouldn't gloat too much, boys. Your job in Washington just got a lot harder. Meanwhile back here at home -- in case you boys forgot that Houston is the largest city in Texas -- three progressive Democrats and one Republican ran for mayor. The Republican dude and the old white guy with boatloads of bucks lost. The run-off race is between a gay woman and an African American male.
See the rest here: I have news for John Cornyn and Pete Sessions
WCNews at Eye On Williamson reports on the local toll authority's latest shenanigans: CTRMA to jack up tolls on 183-A, add automatic annual increases.
Neil at Texas Liberal bought Thanksgiving cards drawn by a young person with cancer who is being treated at Houston's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The design Neil bought is both bleak and hopeful.
There was much rejoicing this week at Texas Vox and among the environmental community at large when it was announced that Dr. Al Armendariz was named new Region 6 Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. A Texas EPA administrator that "embodies the "Principles for Environmental Leadership and Real Change"? You better believe it.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Texas Shorts
I couldn't stand reading the phrase "bloggers in their Cheeto-stained underwear" any longer. So I went out and bought some Cheetos.
-- Color me amazed and astounded: the Dallas Morning News endorsed Barbara Radnofsky for Texas Attorney General. Just read this:
-- More endorsements from all over for Jeff Weems: the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Amarillo Globe News, Texas Fred (that's right; he of the Rowlett Tea Party) and the Sierra Club. That's about as broad spectrum as endorsements get.
-- There will be a debate between Hector Uribe and Jerry Patterson, the Land Commissioner candidates, tomorrow in Austin.
-- What Kuffner said about Sharon Keller skating. I'm just too revolted to add any more vitriol to the last chapter in this sordid saga. Grits has a take as well.
-- Sci Guy Eric Berger and the Texas State Climatologist, on climate change:
And it gets better and more 'sciencey' from there.
Berger writes the best blog at the Chron (no disrespect to Dwight or Kate or J.R., who are almost indispensable themselves). During the hurricane season just passed, I didn't look at teevee once for storm information. Just Eric's posts and Stormpulse.
-- Here is last week's Harris County Clerk candidates' debate, between Ann Harris Bennett, Stan Stanart, and Don Cook.
-- Color me amazed and astounded: the Dallas Morning News endorsed Barbara Radnofsky for Texas Attorney General. Just read this:
Abbott, 52, has joined a legal brief supporting Arizona's fatally flawed immigration law. He has sued the Environmental Protection Agency for daring to expect Texas to abide by the same, much-needed clean-air rules that apply to all 50 states. He is trying to block federal regulation of greenhouse gases. And when the Obama administration made the necessary decision to temporarily halt deepwater offshore drilling, Abbott filed yet another legal challenge – rather than focusing his efforts on how another disaster could be averted off our shores.
Meanwhile, there's plenty of work that needs to be done in the Texas office of the attorney general.
...
(A)fter eight years of Abbott, Texas can go no farther down this path.
Democratic challenger Barbara Ann Radnofsky offers a viable alternative. She's a smart, hard-nosed attorney who rightly suggests that the incumbent has done a poor job of picking battles. ...
... Radnofsky earns our recommendation. She's well prepared for the job and would back off from battles the state can't win – and shouldn't be fighting. Voters should not give Abbott another four years to tilt at Washington's windmills.
-- More endorsements from all over for Jeff Weems: the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Amarillo Globe News, Texas Fred (that's right; he of the Rowlett Tea Party) and the Sierra Club. That's about as broad spectrum as endorsements get.
-- There will be a debate between Hector Uribe and Jerry Patterson, the Land Commissioner candidates, tomorrow in Austin.
-- What Kuffner said about Sharon Keller skating. I'm just too revolted to add any more vitriol to the last chapter in this sordid saga. Grits has a take as well.
-- Sci Guy Eric Berger and the Texas State Climatologist, on climate change:
You may have noticed a recent AP story (picked up by USA Today here) on my announcement that Texas temperatures were rising and that triple-digit temperatures would be the norm within a few decades, as the story put it. I'd like to provide a little context about the story itself and about future Texas climate.
First, here is some helpful context that I received by email from an anonymous email account, here quoted in full with a tiny bit of character substitution: "hey you pathetic lying scumbag everybody is laughing at you and the al gore scam. what a stupid poiece of scum you are. professer mt a**. try dumba** al gore a** kisser."
Maybe you'd like some different context? Good.
And it gets better and more 'sciencey' from there.
Berger writes the best blog at the Chron (no disrespect to Dwight or Kate or J.R., who are almost indispensable themselves). During the hurricane season just passed, I didn't look at teevee once for storm information. Just Eric's posts and Stormpulse.
-- Here is last week's Harris County Clerk candidates' debate, between Ann Harris Bennett, Stan Stanart, and Don Cook.
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Lupe Valdez false-starts gubernatorial campaign
Maybe it wasn't her but her county chair (see excerpt below). Several Metroplex media reported late yesterday that the sheriff had resigned her post -- something she is not (see correction explanation in the comments) required to do, by the way -- in order to challenge Greg Abbott in November of 2018. That hasn't happened yet.
When I wrote a little over three weeks ago that she held the fate of the free world, which still includes Texas, in her hands, that wasn't hyperbole. She changes the game for everybody in Deep-In-The-Hearta, but only if she pulls the trigger.
(And for the record, let's note that Valdez is much more comfortable wielding a firearm than either Wendy Davis or Greg Abbott.)
Davis, you may recall, had to come clean on her appeal to the NRA Caucus. Abbott couldn't fire a shotgun without going wheels up, even if his brake was locked and Luis Saenz stood behind him bracing his chair. But the fetish of guns remains important in a state full of gun nuts.
Gadfly has a bit on her pluses and minuses.
Resignation or no, if/when Valdez commits to make the run as she remains promised to do, she mobilizes the Latin@ vote, the LGBT vote, the RGV vote, and the women of color vote, all of which must surge like Harvey in order to carry some Democrats into Austin (and Washington). Maybe not herself, but certainly several others.
Like some of these these good people running for the statewide judicial bench.
Texas Greens: ^^THAT^^ is your clue. Get your shit together, your signatures collected and verified, and your asses on the ballot.
All of these judicial candidates are known to me, some better than others. Kirkland has been profiled and endorsed here in the past, as has have the others (Cheng came within a whisper of a Houston-area state appeals court seat in 2012). If a blue wave in 2018 comes, they will be the most likely to benefit from it due to straight-ticket voting. Historically, STV in Texas gives Democrats a slight edge, but that data was taken in presidential election years. (The Lege abolished straight-ticket voting for 2020, but a lawsuit by Dems could overturn that.)
I'll have your early progressive Democratic slate of candidates forthcoming. Your piss-off-the-centrist-Donkeys tip: It won't include Lupe Valdez or Andrew White, or Beto O'Rourke, or Sylvia Garcia, or either of the two top fundraisers in CD-7.
Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez, a Democrat who has been exploring a run for governor, doesn't appear ready to quit her day job for a campaign yet, despite reports she resigned ahead of a likely bid.
Multiple local news outlets in North Texas reported her resignation Wednesday evening. At least two cited Dallas County Democratic Party Chair Carol Donovan as the source of the news. But a few hours later, Valdez's spokeswoman denied the reports.
“As she has stated in the past, the Sheriff is considering the next stage in her career," said the spokeswoman Melinda Urbina. "A letter of resignation was not submitted today. The Sheriff will make a formal announcement when her final decision is made.”
When I wrote a little over three weeks ago that she held the fate of the free world, which still includes Texas, in her hands, that wasn't hyperbole. She changes the game for everybody in Deep-In-The-Hearta, but only if she pulls the trigger.
(And for the record, let's note that Valdez is much more comfortable wielding a firearm than either Wendy Davis or Greg Abbott.)
.@SheriffLupe is one of the only Hispanic female sheriffs in the U.S. She's the daughter of farm workers, a veteran of the U.S Army, a former jailer in a federal prison and a former senior agent of the U.S. Customs Service #tx2018 #txlege https://t.co/yEcGww10Wt— Evan Smith (@evanasmith) November 29, 2017
Davis, you may recall, had to come clean on her appeal to the NRA Caucus. Abbott couldn't fire a shotgun without going wheels up, even if his brake was locked and Luis Saenz stood behind him bracing his chair. But the fetish of guns remains important in a state full of gun nuts.
Gadfly has a bit on her pluses and minuses.
Resignation or no, if/when Valdez commits to make the run as she remains promised to do, she mobilizes the Latin@ vote, the LGBT vote, the RGV vote, and the women of color vote, all of which must surge like Harvey in order to carry some Democrats into Austin (and Washington). Maybe not herself, but certainly several others.
Like some of these these good people running for the statewide judicial bench.
From left: Franklin, Kirkland, Cheng, Jackson, Sandill.
The Texas Democratic Party is hoping their slate of Houston-area attorneys and judges running for seats on the state's highest courts will catch a "blue wave" of anti-Trump sentiment to carry them into office.
But the candidates said Tuesday they know they are facing a steep battle in 2018, given that Democrats haven't won a statewide race since 1994.
"We all know it's a stretch goal," said Judge Steve Kirkland who has served as a judge in municipal and district courts and is running for Place 2 on the Texas Supreme Court to replace Justice Don Willett who is expected to be confirmed to sit on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
[...]
"We've got a bully in the White House. We have a governor that's a bully," said Judge R. K. Sandill, who is running for Place 4 on the Supreme Court against Justice John Phillip Devine. "Texans stand up to bullies."
[...]
Six total statewide seats are up for election on the Texas' high courts: three on the Supreme Court and three on the Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest court for criminal matters. Each term lasts six years.
Democratic Party Deputy Executive Director Manny Garcia said the party currently has only five candidates and does not expect a sixth to come forward to run for the Criminal Court of Appeal's Place 8 at this time.
Texas Greens: ^^THAT^^ is your clue. Get your shit together, your signatures collected and verified, and your asses on the ballot.
All five of the 2018 candidates are from Harris County. Of the four who are judges, none risk losing their current seat on the bench if they lose in the general election.
Judge Ramona Franklin is running for Place 7 on the Court of Criminal Appeals. She presides over the 338 Criminal District Court and would run against Justice Judge Barbara Hervey.
"So many people think the law depends on the amount of money they have," Franklin said. "The perception is wrong, but it is still perception... I think if we can debunk that, I've done my part."
Judge Maria Jackson, a presiding judge in the 229th State District Court in Houston since 2008, wants a seat on the Court of Criminal Appeals. She will run against Presiding Judge Sharon Keller for Place 1.
"I believe in being the judge for everyone," Jackson said. "I'm running because I can be a part of change in the law and making it more balanced."
Kathy Cheng, a Houston-area attorney and first generation Asian American born in Taiwan, largely handles civil litigation, asset protection, commercial and family law. She is the only Democratic candidate who is not a judge, and she's running for Supreme Court Place 6, a seat currently occupied by Justice Jeff Brown.
{...]
Kirkland is expected to face off against Jimmy Blacklock, Gov. Greg Abbott's trusted general counsel. The governor announced Monday he would appoint Blackock to the job if Justice Willett is confirmed to the federal circuit court.
All of these judicial candidates are known to me, some better than others. Kirkland has been profiled and endorsed here in the past, as has have the others (Cheng came within a whisper of a Houston-area state appeals court seat in 2012). If a blue wave in 2018 comes, they will be the most likely to benefit from it due to straight-ticket voting. Historically, STV in Texas gives Democrats a slight edge, but that data was taken in presidential election years. (The Lege abolished straight-ticket voting for 2020, but a lawsuit by Dems could overturn that.)
I'll have your early progressive Democratic slate of candidates forthcoming. Your piss-off-the-centrist-Donkeys tip: It won't include Lupe Valdez or Andrew White, or Beto O'Rourke, or Sylvia Garcia, or either of the two top fundraisers in CD-7.
Monday, October 29, 2018
Still Early Voting Wrangle
In breaking developments late last evening in the Texas House Speaker's contest, Rep. John Zerwas of Richmond -- probably the most moderate Republican in the unofficial race for the post -- announced his withdrawal. Forty House Republicans declared their support for Angleton Republican Dennis Bonnen, who had previously told the Texas Tribune he wasn't running for the job. There will be more news in the days ahead as Democrats are huddling today to determine their course.
And with that as an opener, the Texas Progressive Alliance wants you to be sure to encourage your like-minded friends to get to the polls this week since we know you've already voted yourself.
Ahead of the midterms, NPR notices that our indicted felon/state attorney general Ken Paxton gets busychasing ghosts ramping up efforts to "combat voter fraud" (sic).
Beto O'Rourke's plan to maximize the African American vote in H-Town hit high gear over the weekend, with Say Something appearances by musical artists at EV locations around town, the Souls to the Polls rallies, and other efforts accounted by Justin Miller at the Texas Observer.
Even as another 'Beto as Superman' mural was unveiled in Houston ...
... the first, in East Austin and mentioned in this 'scattershot' post from Brains and Eggs, was defaced by MAGA vandals shortly after it debuted.
Socratic Gadfly does some number-crunching on the early voting surge and offers a quick hot take on what it might mean for the Cruz-O'Rourke Senate race.
Progrexas carries the piece from the TexTrib about how the statewide judicial candidates will win or lose solely on the basis of their party affiliation.
See also this post at Brains and Eggs for the 'vulnerable, least discussed' Republican -- Presiding Judge Sharon "Killer" Keller of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals -- if the blue wave crests high enough on November 6.
Rewire writes about how a federal court in Texas -- Judge Reed O'Connor's in the Northern District -- will shape the legal fight under way over transgender rights.
Brandon Formby at the Texas Tribune describes the collision of rural and urban values as the high speed rail line between Houston and Dallas continues to move ahead.
Think Progress has details on far-right activists and militia groups headed to the southern border to stop the caravan of Honduran migrants (that are still a thousand miles away).
David Collins added some thoughts to Nick Cooper's (he's the drummer for local band Free Radicals) about the border wall.
Stace at Dos Centavos reflected on his weekend of politics y cultura.
The TSTA Blog resorts to begging teachers to support public education at the ballot box.
Texas Standard updates the story of the city of Houston's legal tussle with Southwest Key, the operators of a proposed child detention facility on the northeast side, in reporting that the city has rejected a settlement offer from the company.
A political sign opposing Prop 2 -- the Houston firefighters' pay parity proposal -- was tastelessly posted at the vacant site where five died and thirteen were injured fighting a terrible motel fire just a few years ago. Fox26's Greg Groogan captured the reactions of HFD union head Marty Lancton and Mayor Sylvester Turner.
Stephen Willeford, the Sutherland Springs "good guy with a gun", is profiled by Michael J. Mooney in Texas Monthly.
Dallas City Hall has stonewalled a pair of open records requests by Downwinders at Risk regarding a mysterious clean air fund and a Joppa polluter.
Jim Schutze at the Dallas Observer thinks it's great that a rec center was renamed for Santos Rodriguez, the boy who was killed by a Dallas policeman in 1973 (updated by the Militant in this Wrangle from August).
Sanford Nowlin at the San Antonio Current reminds us that some Christians do supportprogressive liberal ideas and politics.
CultureMap Houston describes how 'Old Spanish Trail', aka old Highway 90 connecting El Paso, San Antonio, and Houston and built over hundred years ago missed its intended history ... but created a new one that's now old enough for us to celebrate all its own, particularly in the Alamo City.
Grits came to Houston and took in a Contemporary Arts Museum collaboration by artists about the justice system (highly recommended).
Both CNBC and The Verge covered the news about the Sam's Club in Dallas which will be a cashier-less operation, similar to the five (so far) Amazon Go stores in Seattle and Chicago.
And Harry Hamid went out for a bottle of wine at midnight, took in the 'Trose scene, and got ready to tell another story.
And with that as an opener, the Texas Progressive Alliance wants you to be sure to encourage your like-minded friends to get to the polls this week since we know you've already voted yourself.
Ahead of the midterms, NPR notices that our indicted felon/state attorney general Ken Paxton gets busy
Voting experts say actual instances of fraudulent ballots knowingly cast are extremely rare, leading to accusations that the effort is intended to intimidate voters.
"I think it's all politically motivated," said Greg Westfall, a Texas lawyer currently representing a Hispanic woman who was charged this month with voter fraud. "If you look at the timing, that's what's breathtaking."
[...]
"The fact that there is this concerted effort in Texas to prosecute these cases to the full extent – particularly against people of color – is supremely troublesome," (Beth Stevens of the Texas Civil Rights Project) said. "And then we know what happens in Texas goes to the rest of the country as a model."
Zenén Jaimes Pérez, the communications director for the TxCRP, said the attorney general's own numbers show that his office was tackling an issue that wasn't a growing problem, as shown by the small number of cases in the many years before the crackdown.
"They have prosecuted an average of around 30 election violations since 2004," Pérez said in an email. "To be sure, the AG started the Election Integrity Initiative in without evidence of increasing elections violations," Pérez said.
Beto O'Rourke's plan to maximize the African American vote in H-Town hit high gear over the weekend, with Say Something appearances by musical artists at EV locations around town, the Souls to the Polls rallies, and other efforts accounted by Justin Miller at the Texas Observer.
Looks like @trvisXX showed up at @BetoORourke early vote stop in Houston: pic.twitter.com/luTeISp1Pw— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) October 28, 2018
Even as another 'Beto as Superman' mural was unveiled in Houston ...
— Antonio (@AntonioArellano) October 28, 2018
... the first, in East Austin and mentioned in this 'scattershot' post from Brains and Eggs, was defaced by MAGA vandals shortly after it debuted.
Rogers’s mural has been defaced phrases like "El Paso gentrifier supports Israel" and "No hero” spray-painted onto the artwork in red and white.
Socratic Gadfly does some number-crunching on the early voting surge and offers a quick hot take on what it might mean for the Cruz-O'Rourke Senate race.
Progrexas carries the piece from the TexTrib about how the statewide judicial candidates will win or lose solely on the basis of their party affiliation.
If anyone is poised to spoil (yet another GOP) sweep, it’s R.K. Sandill, a long-serving Democratic district judge in Harris County who’s consistently outraised his opponent, Justice John Devine. In addition to an impressive cash-on-hand tally, an endorsement from the Houston Chronicle and victories in the Houston Bar Association and Texas Bar Association polls, Sandill faces perhaps the most controversial incumbent on the high court. Before being elected to the high court in 2012, Devine was sued for displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom. Devine has also boasted publicly that he was arrested 37 times protesting outside abortion clinics.
See also this post at Brains and Eggs for the 'vulnerable, least discussed' Republican -- Presiding Judge Sharon "Killer" Keller of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals -- if the blue wave crests high enough on November 6.
Rewire writes about how a federal court in Texas -- Judge Reed O'Connor's in the Northern District -- will shape the legal fight under way over transgender rights.
Brandon Formby at the Texas Tribune describes the collision of rural and urban values as the high speed rail line between Houston and Dallas continues to move ahead.
Think Progress has details on far-right activists and militia groups headed to the southern border to stop the caravan of Honduran migrants (that are still a thousand miles away).
Earlier (last) week, the U.S. Border Patrol warned landowners in Texas that they could expect “possible armed civilians” on their property because of the news about the caravan. The exact details of when and where the militia would deploy are unclear, but one militia leader told the Associated Press that they would have upwards of 100 members guarding the Mexico-Texas border.
David Collins added some thoughts to Nick Cooper's (he's the drummer for local band Free Radicals) about the border wall.
Stace at Dos Centavos reflected on his weekend of politics y cultura.
The TSTA Blog resorts to begging teachers to support public education at the ballot box.
Texas Standard updates the story of the city of Houston's legal tussle with Southwest Key, the operators of a proposed child detention facility on the northeast side, in reporting that the city has rejected a settlement offer from the company.
A political sign opposing Prop 2 -- the Houston firefighters' pay parity proposal -- was tastelessly posted at the vacant site where five died and thirteen were injured fighting a terrible motel fire just a few years ago. Fox26's Greg Groogan captured the reactions of HFD union head Marty Lancton and Mayor Sylvester Turner.
"I don't know how you walk up here and see five flags flying, the thin red line and the 13 that were injured and not understand that this is not the place to show your disdain and your vindictiveness toward Houston Firefighters," said Lancton.
[...]
At City Hall, Mayor Sylvester Turner, who is bankrolling the PAC and leading the fight against pay parity, stopped short of an apology.
"I don't know who put it there. I'm just saying whoever put it there, it's important to be respectful and not just of places, but family members as well," said Turner.
Stephen Willeford, the Sutherland Springs "good guy with a gun", is profiled by Michael J. Mooney in Texas Monthly.
Dallas City Hall has stonewalled a pair of open records requests by Downwinders at Risk regarding a mysterious clean air fund and a Joppa polluter.
Jim Schutze at the Dallas Observer thinks it's great that a rec center was renamed for Santos Rodriguez, the boy who was killed by a Dallas policeman in 1973 (updated by the Militant in this Wrangle from August).
Sanford Nowlin at the San Antonio Current reminds us that some Christians do support
CultureMap Houston describes how 'Old Spanish Trail', aka old Highway 90 connecting El Paso, San Antonio, and Houston and built over hundred years ago missed its intended history ... but created a new one that's now old enough for us to celebrate all its own, particularly in the Alamo City.
Grits came to Houston and took in a Contemporary Arts Museum collaboration by artists about the justice system (highly recommended).
Both CNBC and The Verge covered the news about the Sam's Club in Dallas which will be a cashier-less operation, similar to the five (so far) Amazon Go stores in Seattle and Chicago.
And Harry Hamid went out for a bottle of wine at midnight, took in the 'Trose scene, and got ready to tell another story.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Our lesser-publicized Texas Conservative Kooks
Their stupid continues to flow like water over Niagara Falls.
-- State representative Joe Driver double-billed his expense report and then pretended he thought nothing was wrong with that. Really.
-- Bill Hammond, the president of the Texas Association of Business, tried to compare Bill White's plan for transportation to California. He got McBloggered for that.
-- Former chair of the Texas State Board of Education Don McLeroy, defeated in the Republican primary for re-election (because apparently even the GOP can occasionally be embarrassed), continues to shame the entire state.
-- The Texas Supreme Court bravely upholds Sharon "Killer" Keller's slap on the wrist.
-- Greg Abbott, who has waded into every single federal law issued or proposed of late with his popguns blazing -- from comprehensive healthcare reform to cap-and-trade to the offshore drilling ban -- declines to offer an opinion on whether transgender marriage might be "legal" in Texas.
His base is going to be very unhappy about that.
-- Bill Birdwell, the Republican running for SD-22 who happens to be as residency-challenged as ol' Tom DeLay, might still be removed from the ballot (just as The Hammer was forced to stay on it). That development would be a good thing for the newly-selected Democratic candidate, John Cullar.
Update: The (GOP) three-judge panel approved Birdwell's ballot eligibility. The TDP may appeal to the (GOP) state Supremes. Today is the deadline. Charles Kuffner delves deeper into the matter.
-- Lastly, the Teen Lit Festival sponsored by the Humble ISD chose to un-invite an author over what appears to be semi-sorta-controversial subject matter for teens, and as a result other authors are dropping out.
Censorship? At a Houston-area high school? Tell me no.
-- State representative Joe Driver double-billed his expense report and then pretended he thought nothing was wrong with that. Really.
-- Bill Hammond, the president of the Texas Association of Business, tried to compare Bill White's plan for transportation to California. He got McBloggered for that.
-- Former chair of the Texas State Board of Education Don McLeroy, defeated in the Republican primary for re-election (because apparently even the GOP can occasionally be embarrassed), continues to shame the entire state.
-- The Texas Supreme Court bravely upholds Sharon "Killer" Keller's slap on the wrist.
-- Greg Abbott, who has waded into every single federal law issued or proposed of late with his popguns blazing -- from comprehensive healthcare reform to cap-and-trade to the offshore drilling ban -- declines to offer an opinion on whether transgender marriage might be "legal" in Texas.
His base is going to be very unhappy about that.
-- Bill Birdwell, the Republican running for SD-22 who happens to be as residency-challenged as ol' Tom DeLay, might still be removed from the ballot (just as The Hammer was forced to stay on it). That development would be a good thing for the newly-selected Democratic candidate, John Cullar.
Update: The (GOP) three-judge panel approved Birdwell's ballot eligibility. The TDP may appeal to the (GOP) state Supremes. Today is the deadline. Charles Kuffner delves deeper into the matter.
-- Lastly, the Teen Lit Festival sponsored by the Humble ISD chose to un-invite an author over what appears to be semi-sorta-controversial subject matter for teens, and as a result other authors are dropping out.
“What is important is that a handful of people – the superintendent, the one (one!) librarian, and “several” (three? five?) parents – took it upon themselves to overrule the vast majority of teachers and librarians and students who had chosen one of the most popular YA authors in America to be their headliner,” wrote Hautman in a blog post. “That is a form of censorship as damaging and inexcusable as setting fire to a library.” And on her blog, de la Cruz wrote, “I believe that as a writer, we have to stick up for each other, and against censorship, and against people who want to tell everyone else what to think, what to read, what to watch.”
Censorship? At a Houston-area high school? Tell me no.
Monday, March 12, 2012
The Weekly Wrangle
The Texas Progressive Alliance is busy building unbustible brackets as it brings you this week's roundup.
Is there finally about to be an uprising against the legislative hostility towards women we've seen so much of lately? Off the Kuff sure hopes so.
BossKitty at TruthHugger discovered with minimal effort that any group using the words God, Christian, or Jesus has a free ride with the right wing media. Why is accountability off the table if you use those specific words? Rush Limbaugh, blinded by hatred for anything Obama, leaped before he looked at the facts ... and casually acted surprised when the truth was revealed, in Limbaugh Endorsed Christian Cannibals.
BlueBloggin was thrilled that the recent solar activity was only a light show. But because scientists warn that 2012 will experience more frequent solar events, why are the 2012 candidates ignoring this science? Updated: What is a CME and Why Should Presidential Candidates Care.
The Republicans opened a new front in the culture wars in Houston last week, when Pastor Steve Riggle of Grace Community Church suddenly opened fire on Mayor Annise Parker's right to have an opinion on gay marriage. PDiddie of Brains and Eggs has a dispatch from the front line.
For too long we've been told by our elected leaders that our government will be better if we sell it to the highest bidder. WCNews at Eye On Williamson reminds us that only the people can make it stop: Outsourcing at A&M, a microcosm.
Neil at Texas Liberal wrote about the Texas forced sonogram law, and about how this law is state-mandated rape. The facts are going to prevail on this issue. People in Texas, across the nation, and across the world are going to see that Texas has passed a law mandating the rape of some its citizens.
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme notes that the Nueces County Republicans are just as dirty as the Republicans in the legislature with regard to their redistricting methods.
At TexasKaos, Libby Shaw gets up to date with the war on women and on voters in Texas GOP Policies Flog Poor Women, Health Care and Voter's Rights.
At the Lewisville Texan Journal, Ken Judkins points out that Mitt Romney may have won Super Tuesday but he failed a leadership test.
Bay Area Houston wonders about Judge Sharon "Killer" Keller's $100,000 ethics fine.
Is there finally about to be an uprising against the legislative hostility towards women we've seen so much of lately? Off the Kuff sure hopes so.
BossKitty at TruthHugger discovered with minimal effort that any group using the words God, Christian, or Jesus has a free ride with the right wing media. Why is accountability off the table if you use those specific words? Rush Limbaugh, blinded by hatred for anything Obama, leaped before he looked at the facts ... and casually acted surprised when the truth was revealed, in Limbaugh Endorsed Christian Cannibals.
BlueBloggin was thrilled that the recent solar activity was only a light show. But because scientists warn that 2012 will experience more frequent solar events, why are the 2012 candidates ignoring this science? Updated: What is a CME and Why Should Presidential Candidates Care.
The Republicans opened a new front in the culture wars in Houston last week, when Pastor Steve Riggle of Grace Community Church suddenly opened fire on Mayor Annise Parker's right to have an opinion on gay marriage. PDiddie of Brains and Eggs has a dispatch from the front line.
For too long we've been told by our elected leaders that our government will be better if we sell it to the highest bidder. WCNews at Eye On Williamson reminds us that only the people can make it stop: Outsourcing at A&M, a microcosm.
Neil at Texas Liberal wrote about the Texas forced sonogram law, and about how this law is state-mandated rape. The facts are going to prevail on this issue. People in Texas, across the nation, and across the world are going to see that Texas has passed a law mandating the rape of some its citizens.
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme notes that the Nueces County Republicans are just as dirty as the Republicans in the legislature with regard to their redistricting methods.
At TexasKaos, Libby Shaw gets up to date with the war on women and on voters in Texas GOP Policies Flog Poor Women, Health Care and Voter's Rights.
At the Lewisville Texan Journal, Ken Judkins points out that Mitt Romney may have won Super Tuesday but he failed a leadership test.
Bay Area Houston wonders about Judge Sharon "Killer" Keller's $100,000 ethics fine.
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
TexProgBlog Wrangle, midweek edition
With a few updates and some new developments since Monday, here's the second post of the best blogs, tweets, and lefty news from around and about our Great State.
Celebration of Life! Beautiful Service!#georgefloydfuneral pic.twitter.com/h3WR7imHHV
— Cricket Taylor (@Cricket_UKy) June 9, 2020
As the TPA feared, COVID 19 is making a comeback.
Texas’ percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive — a metric @GovAbbott and White House officials have pointed to as indicative of a state’s readiness for reopening — is increasing. https://t.co/NCbUA02y89 pic.twitter.com/adlpsfdDl9
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) June 9, 2020
Here's more on Texas COVID-19 hospitalizations being up 36% since Memorial Day as Texas plans expanded business reopenings on Friday. https://t.co/baK0z4w2IM
— Jeremy Wallace (@JeremySWallace) June 9, 2020
And while Greg Abbott would rather ignore the contagion's spread, others aren't.
Texas health officials are refusing to say which nursing homes are dealing with coronavirus outbreaks, saying privacy laws prevent them from releasing that information.
— John Tedesco (@John_Tedesco) June 6, 2020
That didn't stop federal officials from publishing their own nursing home data: https://t.co/BBQs9yZqpB
Update: The city of Dallas' last council meeting broke down in a wave of insults and recriminations over recent allegations of police abuse of force, but CMs there voted today to put off a decision regarding a police department budget increase. Houston's leaders, meanwhile, passed a raise despite serious disagreements.
Here's the letter five Houston City Council members put out on changes they want in the wake of George Floyd's death and the subsequent protests: https://t.co/MGqQlqO57w
— Matt Schwartz (@SchwartzChron) June 9, 2020
“It doesn't tear anyone down. It doesn't take anything from anyone," @CMPlummer4 said. "It gives layers of power and strength and it gives opportunity to people who just don't have a voice right now." #Houston #hounewshttps://t.co/UOfhCqPXrd
— MUNIRA BANGEE (@MuniraBangee) June 8, 2020
"We are fighting against a brick wall here," Plummer says, citing the mayor's opposition to her amendments.
— Dylan McGuinness (@dylmcguinness) June 9, 2020
Jay Jenkins of @TexasCJC on holding Houston police leadership accountable: "In the last few days, HPD has killed six different folks...Accountability is not going on Wolf Blitzer to talk about a police killing in Minneapolis when you have six of these killings [here]." pic.twitter.com/wHYu5tEzj7
— The Appeal (@theappeal) June 9, 2020
Updates:
We started the conversation on police reform. Not one of my amendments passed but I know that I stand on the right side of history. THAT is the most important take away. I answer to the people who elected me. I will be holding the task force accountable. #Houston #hounews pic.twitter.com/b7d5NHjGeP
— Council Member Letitia Plummer (@CMPlummer4) June 10, 2020
To sum up what happened here: a Houston CM proposed to cut $356K from @SylvesterTurner's $5.1B budget plan, and Turner accused her of "micromanaging," "encroaching on my job," and suggested she was being disrespectful.
— Jasper Scherer (@jaspscherer) June 10, 2020
The TexTrib also updated on the latest from Dallas, Austin, and Houston, which Grits for Breakfast had posted about earlier today. San Antonio is still talking about what they might do.
The July runoff elections are moving into tighter focus.
🗓 20 Days until you can head to the polls for #EarlyVoting 🗳️ for the July 2020 #PrimaryRunOffs!
— Harris County Clerk (@HarrisVotes) June 9, 2020
Don’t forget to follow our page for the latest updates this election season. ✅#KnowYourDates #HarrisVotes pic.twitter.com/EZef5tpMIj
Bernie has inspired this campaign in so many ways.
— Mike Siegel (@SiegelForTexas) June 9, 2020
We are fighting for #MedicareForAll & a #GreenNewDeal. To challenge the foundations of a corrupt political system.
Most of all, his commitment to "fight for someone you don't know." That's why we do this.
Thank you, Senator. https://t.co/XTYR8Mwbor
More news! @TexomasHomepage and @KAMRLocal4News will also host a debate between the Democratic congressional candidate for #TX13. Two debates in one night. Exciting stuff! #txlege @texasdemocrats pic.twitter.com/poKf2GbJLZ
— Brittney Cottingham (@bbcott) June 10, 2020
...so we voting for Mary Jane Hegar or Joint West? 🥴 #TXSen pic.twitter.com/grDfUKLT9i
— (JOE)ANNE (@joematica) June 8, 2020
Last night in Arlington, environmentalists scored a win.
Arlington City Council votes against permit for French oil major Total https://t.co/3mTKJTdlL4 #BarnettShale #DFW #txlege pic.twitter.com/K3nK5RpFs7
— Sergio Chapa (@SergioChapa) June 10, 2020
The TPA's Sharon Wilson had the live-Tweeting.
Some good legal news on the protest front:
Harris County DA dismisses cases for hundreds of arrested protesters - https://t.co/hnZVcGoM4G#txlege https://t.co/u5C6Zso3Ro
— Armando Walle (@RepWalle) June 10, 2020
But some bad also; another officer-involved choke-out came to light, and the reality show "Live PD" may suffer the same fate as "Cops".
Javier Ambler failed to dim his headlights and ended up dead. "I can't breathe" were among his last words. For a year, nothing was done about his death, and his family knew nothing. Now, dogged reporting by @tplohetski and @statesman is changing that. https://t.co/xJsuvPWxLo
— John Bridges (@JohnBridges) June 8, 2020
Newly released police body cam footage shows the arrest of a black man in Texas who died in police custody. Javier Ambler is seen being tased 4 times before he died. His death is raising questions about shows like "Live PD," which was filming at the time.@cbsmireya reports. pic.twitter.com/FuKFPdB8GW
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) June 10, 2020
And PRIDE Month converges with coronavirus, with adversities for the trans community.
Before the pandemic, trans Texans experienced higher rates of poverty and uninsurance than others in the state. The coronavirus crisis is exacerbating inequalities.
— Texas Observer (@TexasObserver) June 7, 2020
From @TexasMonthly: https://t.co/pnjwGxyqn1
The Screwston Anti-Fascist Committee has some really cool T-shirts for sale.
We spoke to three young leaders who spearheaded police brutality protests in Alpine, Keller and Vidor, Texas.
— Texas Standard (@TexasStandard) June 9, 2020
Here's what they told us: https://t.co/ktes17zUMd
And to fade out this Wrangle ... Traces of Texas.
Virgil Ingram, left, and Harold Ringer, right, were photographed for the cover of Texas Highways magazine in 1957, when they worked as painters for TxDOT, climbing over and under the Rainbow Bridge that connects Port Arthur and Bridge City. Awesome!@TexasHighways @TxHistComm pic.twitter.com/7En0iUUUmD
— Traces of Texas (@TracesofTexas) June 9, 2020
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Rick Perry skates
The state’s highest criminal court dismissed the indictments against former Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday morning, apparently ending the case that started with his threat to veto state funding for a local prosecutor if she refused to quit her office.
After Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg was arrested and pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, Perry threatened to veto state funding for her office unless she first resigned. The Travis County DA's office was home to the state's public integrity unit, which is charged with investigating and prosecuting state corruption.
Lehmberg, who served a short jail term, refused to quit. Perry followed through on his threat to veto state funding for her office.
He was indicted by a grand jury, accused of using his office to coerce a public official. He and his lawyers argued — successfully, as it turns out — that he was acting within the powers of a governor and did nothing criminal.
Here's the only news we need more of.
Two of the courts nine judges dissented; one abstained.
Here are the nine Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judges. They include Chief Justice Sharon "Killer" Keller, Bert Richardson (about whom I have written extensively and endorsed in 2014) Larry Meyers (the only Democrat on the bench), and six other greasy no-name Republicans. Until I know for sure, I'll wager that Richardson and Meyers were the dissenters -- or the abstention. Meyers (Place 2), Place 5 (open) and Place 6 (Keasler, R incumbent) are on your November ballot. We'll be blogging a lot more over the next eight months but for now, keep in mind that this court needs fresh, uncorrupted faces.
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Payback, TXGOP style
When you go up against these thugs, you better be well-armed and well-prepared.
The article goes on to detail some of the long-standing grievances between McCrum and the Bexar County DA's office. Bad blood indeed.
The Fourth Court of Appeals, noteworthy for its seven women justices -- several are Latina -- has jurisdiction over thirty-two Central and South Texas counties, and the evidence suggests that it is a good mix of Democrats and Republicans. The Court of Criminal Appeals is an entirely different kettle of (Republican extremist) fish. Presiding judge Sharon "Killer" Keller is someone I've long blogged about; she has her own ethical challenges. Three of the nine seats on that court are on your November ballot, and one of the Republican candidates, Bert Richardson, is the man who appointed McCrum special prosecutor.
That could make for some awkward moments next year in the CCA building.
I'd like to see more develop out of this investigation or hearing or whatever it may be called as it moves forward, but I expect McCrum and his counsel to be ready and able to defend his integrity, should the claims against him proceed.
I just don't think Rick Perry's indictments are going away so easily.
Update: More from Texas Lawyer.
Nearly seven months after the 4th Court of Appeals ruled prosecutors had missed the deadline to file a contempt claim against local defense attorney Michael McCrum, the decision was reversed Wednesday by Texas' highest court for criminal matters.
The Court of Criminal Appeals opinion again opens the possibility that McCrum — currently serving as special prosecutor in the case against Gov. Rick Perry, who is also accused of professional misconduct — could spend up to six months in jail if found in contempt of court.
McCrum has denied any wrongdoing.
The Bexar County district attorney's office filed the contempt motion against McCrum in January, several months after a trial in which his client, Taylor Rae Rosenbusch, was convicted of intoxication manslaughter.
Prosecutors alleged McCrum had instructed Melanie Little, a punishment-phase witness who had served as Rosenbusch's addiction counselor, to “get lost for awhile,” turn off her cellphone and take a long lunch to avoid coming back to testify.
He was also accused in court documents of having told her “the DA was out for blood” and “wanted Taylor to be put away for a long time.”
A contempt hearing began in January, but it was halted after McCrum's attorneys took the case to the San Antonio-based 4th Court of Appeals, arguing that the state missed its deadline. The 4th Court agreed, ruling in February that the state was five days late.
The article goes on to detail some of the long-standing grievances between McCrum and the Bexar County DA's office. Bad blood indeed.
The Fourth Court of Appeals, noteworthy for its seven women justices -- several are Latina -- has jurisdiction over thirty-two Central and South Texas counties, and the evidence suggests that it is a good mix of Democrats and Republicans. The Court of Criminal Appeals is an entirely different kettle of (Republican extremist) fish. Presiding judge Sharon "Killer" Keller is someone I've long blogged about; she has her own ethical challenges. Three of the nine seats on that court are on your November ballot, and one of the Republican candidates, Bert Richardson, is the man who appointed McCrum special prosecutor.
That could make for some awkward moments next year in the CCA building.
I'd like to see more develop out of this investigation or hearing or whatever it may be called as it moves forward, but I expect McCrum and his counsel to be ready and able to defend his integrity, should the claims against him proceed.
I just don't think Rick Perry's indictments are going away so easily.
Update: More from Texas Lawyer.
Wednesday, March 07, 2018
The statewides: One May 22 runoff and November matchups
-- O'Rourke versus Cruz is your marquee. As posted earlier, Lyin' Ted wasted no time in calling Robert a pussy "liberal man". This is how it's going to be for the next eight months, Donkeys; better get used to it. If Bob doesn't start counter-punching now, this race is gonna be over before the kids are out of school for the summer.
Update: This is the best take on the whole "Rafael versus Robert" nothingburger. As a reminder, I will be using the candidates' birth names, not their chosen nicknames nor their assumed names (as with the incumbent lite governor), but I will be making puns like this out of them.
Don't leave the fighting-back to the bloggers, Bobo.
-- Valdez (or Average White Guy) against the juggernaut with $43 million, a bad attitude, and an ileostomy bag. Valdez has a lot to do in the less-than-six-months after May 22 so as not to embarrass herself or the Texas Democrats to any worse outcome than they have experienced for the past 24 years. Surely improving on 38% and not losing the female vote again, as Wendy Davis managed, is not so difficult as it sounds, yes? No?
-- Mike Collier versus Danny Goeb. Once more, if Texas conservatives actually functioned with a speck of rationality, this would not be a brainer. But this is Texas, and conservatives think with their red, swollen, baboon-ish ass and not with the proper end.
Update (3/9): Goeb's challenger in the GOP primary, Scott Milder, has endorsed Collier this morning.
The salience here is that Milder earned nearly 368,000 votes last Tuesday. That covers a lot of the ground between Democrat (bit more than a million voters) and GOP (over 1.5 MM) totals in the two March 6 elections. It also provides a bigger opening for Collier to go after the Joe Straus/Sarah Davis Caucus. This development doesn't enthuse me at all -- I voted for Michael Cooper because I thought Collier was too much like a Republican as it is -- but it can prove beneficial for him if he can walk the line between pandering to mild conservatives while not losing any D votes.
If Straus, for example, followed suit with his endorsement as well as some of that cash he's still sitting on, it would become a more compelling storyline for November, the corporate media, and "we just wanna win something" Dems (Kuffner). Not so much me.
-- Ken Paxton versus Justin Nelson. Ordinarily when your state's top law enforcement official is under criminal indictment for fraud, he would stand no chance of being re-elected, much less nominated. Paxton drew no primary opponent. Why are Texas Republicans afraid to run against him? Texas Republicans nominated his wife to serve in the Texas Senate, for crine out loud.
Banana republics point and laugh at this. National politicos -- poorly informed ones -- posit questions a ten-second Google search would clear up for them. This may indicate a depth of ignorance and dysfunction of our political gatekeepers that even cynical ol' me hasn't plumbed.
-- Sid Miller versus Kim Olson. Would anyone mind if I just typed 'ditto' to all of the above -- especially the baboon's ass -- and moved on? Okay, one thing: Jim Hogan, just as he did in 2014 as a "Democrat", made no effort to get elected beyond pay his filing fee but almost pushed Sid into a runoff. Trey Blocker is still drinking somewhere this morning.
-- George Pee Bush v. Miguel Sauzo. There was some buzz about Bush being in trouble against Jerry Patterson that I read as late as Monday morning. Can't find that article now. Some journalist had their webmaster scrub it, I guess. Screenshot, anyone? The story this morning is that it's okay to fluff Trump if you're a Texas Republican, or IOKIYAATxR. I don't think anybody asked Kathaleen Wall about that, though. (Next post.)
-- Glenn Hegar against Joi Chevalier. Maybe a spirited race for the most boring job in state government could turn in the Democrats' favor. Chevalier defeated my candidate, Tim Mahoney, by a nose, perhaps on the strength of glowing endorsements in the Dallas News, the Houston Chronicle, and others. Chevalier is the only African American on the state D slate who's not a judicial candidate. If she can campaign effectively, raise and spend a little money to get her name out there, take advantage of whatever boost she can get running against the charisma-challenged GOP beancounter Jethro Bodine ... possibly there's a chance.
-- Christi Craddick facing off with Roman McAllen torun Texas railroads fellate oil and gas interests under the guise of regulating them. No offense intended to Mr. McAllen, but he's up against more Texas Republican nepotism here. He'd be one against two other conservatives in trying to slow down the fracking train if he pulled off the upset anyway. Still, if the Latin@ turnout (as with evidence of the Russians hacking the election) were to finally show up, I could be a believer. I remain of the opinion that the onus is all on Lupe.
One judicial tilt I'll mention for now: Sharon "Killer" Keller barely survived her primary and will match up with Maria Jackson in the fall. If I do any volunteer work this cycle, it will be in this race.
Congressional races, a much hotter topic, coming, maybe by lunchtime today.
Update: This is the best take on the whole "Rafael versus Robert" nothingburger. As a reminder, I will be using the candidates' birth names, not their chosen nicknames nor their assumed names (as with the incumbent lite governor), but I will be making puns like this out of them.
Don't leave the fighting-back to the bloggers, Bobo.
-- Valdez (or Average White Guy) against the juggernaut with $43 million, a bad attitude, and an ileostomy bag. Valdez has a lot to do in the less-than-six-months after May 22 so as not to embarrass herself or the Texas Democrats to any worse outcome than they have experienced for the past 24 years. Surely improving on 38% and not losing the female vote again, as Wendy Davis managed, is not so difficult as it sounds, yes? No?
-- Mike Collier versus Danny Goeb. Once more, if Texas conservatives actually functioned with a speck of rationality, this would not be a brainer. But this is Texas, and conservatives think with their red, swollen, baboon-ish ass and not with the proper end.
"Keep Texas RED!"
Update (3/9): Goeb's challenger in the GOP primary, Scott Milder, has endorsed Collier this morning.
"I cannot on good conscience vote for a man who I know to be a liar, nor can I vote for a man who willfully ignores and disrespects his legislative colleagues and his constituents," Milder said in the (Facebook) post. "I will be casting my vote for Mike Collier, the rational Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, and will strongly encourage all Texans who voted for me in this race to cast their votes for Mr. Collier as well."
[...]
"It doesn't happen very often that a Republican endorses a Democrat, but public education groups recruited (Milder) to run against Patrick and he and I viewed proper funding of public education as very important," said Collier, a retired Kingwood CPA and business executive.
"I've already had a fair number of moderate Republican donors (to Milder's campaign) who have called and said they want to join me."
The salience here is that Milder earned nearly 368,000 votes last Tuesday. That covers a lot of the ground between Democrat (bit more than a million voters) and GOP (over 1.5 MM) totals in the two March 6 elections. It also provides a bigger opening for Collier to go after the Joe Straus/Sarah Davis Caucus. This development doesn't enthuse me at all -- I voted for Michael Cooper because I thought Collier was too much like a Republican as it is -- but it can prove beneficial for him if he can walk the line between pandering to mild conservatives while not losing any D votes.
If Straus, for example, followed suit with his endorsement as well as some of that cash he's still sitting on, it would become a more compelling storyline for November, the corporate media, and "we just wanna win something" Dems (Kuffner). Not so much me.
-- Ken Paxton versus Justin Nelson. Ordinarily when your state's top law enforcement official is under criminal indictment for fraud, he would stand no chance of being re-elected, much less nominated. Paxton drew no primary opponent. Why are Texas Republicans afraid to run against him? Texas Republicans nominated his wife to serve in the Texas Senate, for crine out loud.
Banana republics point and laugh at this. National politicos -- poorly informed ones -- posit questions a ten-second Google search would clear up for them. This may indicate a depth of ignorance and dysfunction of our political gatekeepers that even cynical ol' me hasn't plumbed.
-- Sid Miller versus Kim Olson. Would anyone mind if I just typed 'ditto' to all of the above -- especially the baboon's ass -- and moved on? Okay, one thing: Jim Hogan, just as he did in 2014 as a "Democrat", made no effort to get elected beyond pay his filing fee but almost pushed Sid into a runoff. Trey Blocker is still drinking somewhere this morning.
-- George Pee Bush v. Miguel Sauzo. There was some buzz about Bush being in trouble against Jerry Patterson that I read as late as Monday morning. Can't find that article now. Some journalist had their webmaster scrub it, I guess. Screenshot, anyone? The story this morning is that it's okay to fluff Trump if you're a Texas Republican, or IOKIYAATxR. I don't think anybody asked Kathaleen Wall about that, though. (Next post.)
-- Glenn Hegar against Joi Chevalier. Maybe a spirited race for the most boring job in state government could turn in the Democrats' favor. Chevalier defeated my candidate, Tim Mahoney, by a nose, perhaps on the strength of glowing endorsements in the Dallas News, the Houston Chronicle, and others. Chevalier is the only African American on the state D slate who's not a judicial candidate. If she can campaign effectively, raise and spend a little money to get her name out there, take advantage of whatever boost she can get running against the charisma-challenged GOP beancounter Jethro Bodine ... possibly there's a chance.
-- Christi Craddick facing off with Roman McAllen to
One judicial tilt I'll mention for now: Sharon "Killer" Keller barely survived her primary and will match up with Maria Jackson in the fall. If I do any volunteer work this cycle, it will be in this race.
Congressional races, a much hotter topic, coming, maybe by lunchtime today.
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