The gop's health care plan: Don't get sick.

And don't get old. And don't become poor. And don't get screwed by a home builder. Follow these simple rules and you will be just fine in Texas.

What are the odds?

On the last day of filing for City Council races, Council Member Anne Clutterbuck drew an opponent, Randy Locke. What are the odds that two individuals running for Houston City offices are both named Locke?

According to Randy Locke there is no family relationship with Gene Locke running for Mayor. Unlike Gene, Randy doesn't have any money. He doesn't have a website, and there is little if any information about him on the internets. Who is he and why would he challenge Anne who has been very successful as a city council member?

Randy has promised a website in the future. With just over a month before the election, he might want to hurry up. You have to wonder if there are games being played here. Really, what are the odds that two unrelated individuals named Locke are on the ballot together for Houston City elections?

Almost reminds me of another game.

State Rep John Davis Has A Teabagger Primary Opponent

And, it's Mary Huls. From her website:

As an ordinary American I have become increasingly concerned with the dramatic expansion of the Federal Government and its increasing involvement in every aspect of our lives. This concern has led me to become active in the 912 Project and Tea Party constitutional grassroots movement.

It has become obvious that the voice of the people has been lost. It is not enough to write letters, send emails and make phone calls. Equally so, our rallies and protests are ignored or demeaned by the mainstream media. Consequently, I choose to exercise my prerogative as an ordinary citizen to enter the political arena to aid in returning government back to the people and having our voices heard once again.

Although I had been focused on problems at the Federal level, I realized how a strong State Government can remedy many of these problems. Austin has many of the same problems of DC; pushing the same progressive agenda that threatens to undermine the constitutional fundamentals needed to ensure our liberty and prosperity. We must be relentless in replacing the career politicians who have failed the citizens of Texas. Grassroots candidates such as I, true to their principles and values, true to the Constitution of the United States, and true to the independent spirit of Texas will be the people's remedy.

She goes on to admit she will be underfunded in comparison to Republican incumbent John Davis (the person she is surely referring to as a "career politician"). She's right, although according to a Texans for Public Justice report on campaign spending that just came out today, Davis only has $26,801 cash on hand. When he has to fundraise, he's proven he can do it as evidenced by the $497,775 he raised in 2008 fighting off John Keeney in the Republican Primary and Democrat Sherrie Matula in the General Election. It's interesting to note that he spent $571,418 combined on both races, and that Keeney and Matula combined spent $408,081 (about $350,000 of that raised and spent by Matula.)

Davis got 64% of the vote in the Primary election and 59% in the General. I rank Hul's chances as slim to none, but she will cause Davis to have to step up and fundraise and run a Primary campaign if he wants to pursue a seventh term.

I'm sure John will have more to say about this later. Wanna bet Hul is referring to John when she plays the victim with, "our rallies and protests are ignored or demeaned by the mainstream media." Perhaps she is referring to this video that was aired on MSNBC's Countdown to the tune of Doe, A Deer?

Take Congressman Pete Olson's health care survey.

What will the black/brown coalition do?

Republican Beverly Kaufman, Harris County Clerk, has been wasting her time on a robo call for candidate for Mayor, Gene Locke. Robo calls are an inexpensive waste of money as opposed to an expensive waste of money. This is true especially if it starts with "This is Beverly Kaufman, your republican County Clerk" and it is targeting independent or Democratic households.
Besides being a waste of money and putting the republican partisan spin into the race for Mayor, Kaufman isn't exactly a friend of minority voters. From Muse:

This is the same Beverly Kaufman who is on record as being against the pre-clearance portion of the Voting Rights Act. Pre-clearance is in place for nine Southern states that have a history of discrimination or suppressing minority voting, including Texas.

This just doesn't make sense. Kaufman as County Clerk should be working to help people vote, not discourage or make it harder. You just have to wonder what would Locke's black/brown coalition think of Beverly Kaufman's support for Locke?

You can't promise a coalition if your supporters are working to suppress their vote.

Rookies in charge of NASA funding?

This just can't be good. According to the Houston Chronicle, The top aide to Rep. Pete Olson who tracks NASA-related issues is J.T. Jezierski who had this to say:

Jezierski noted that three of the four members of Congress representing Houston's Johnson Space Center, Florida's Kennedy Space Center and Alabama's Marshall Space Center are freshmen in Congress, potentially undercutting their clout.

Undercutting clout? You think? Here at JSC we had Congressman Nick Lampson who was inline to lead the committee that provides oversight to NASA. He was also on a short list to be NASA Administrator. He had worked hard to create bipartisan support for long term funding for NASA, something the agency has desperately needed. As he said right after Bush called for a new direction for NASA:

"It is my hope that the President's announcement is more than a speech or a piece of paper, that it is a real plan for the space program. Going back to the Moon and on to Mars is not a shoe string operation, it is going to take real money in a time of tight budgets.

And that is exactly what was missing from Bush's plan, money. So what does the NASA community in Houston do in response? They elected a rookie republican to lead the effort. And now we have 3 of them.

It just can't be good for NASA.

Health care ReForum in Clear Lake 9/29/09

The owner of Coffee Oasis has been sponsoring a series of discussions on health care issues. To view the entire flyer, click here.

Clear Lake Forum. One didn't show. One shouldn't have.

The Clear Lake forum for District E and the Candidates for Mayor was held at UHCL competing with a beautiful night and disco dancing with the Chamber. The venue was absolutely great. Very professional. Very nice. Very well done. Questions were focused on the issues of Clear Lake, the golf course, the quality of life, traffic and other issues important to the area.

Mike Sullivan didn't show.

City Councilman Mike Sullivan declined to attend opting to dine and disco dance at the Clear Lake Chamber across the lake. It provided an opportunity for humor throughout the night. The District E part of the forum started at 7 and ended at 7:30. He had plenty of time to do both. The candidates for Mayor not only had an earlier event, at least one had a late night event, and it didn't include dancing. To his opponents credit, Wayne Garrison ignored Sullivan's absence, but closed the event by saying that anyone who was running should stand in front of those he wished to represent. Mike deserved this.

Roy Morales shouldn't have.

Roy Morales doesn't bring anything to the table. His ideas are old if not strange. He has no money. He has no campaign. He is just takes up time. God bless him for putting up the cash to run, but he is not a serious candidate.

The difference.

At the end of the evening I was looking for a single word that would adequately describe each candidate. Peter Brown, experience. Gene Locke, experience from Lee Brown's era (ok, that is not one word) Annise Parker, complicated.

There is no doubt Peter Brown has the experience to lead this city. Gene Locke has the experience based upon another time in life of the city. Annise is complicated because I can't find a single word to describe her experience and what seems to be a complete knowledge of the city and the politics that surround it. I think that is the difference between the three. Annise just seems to be the complete package. Her experience as Controller brings an enormous advantage considering the realities of the economy, the city budget, and the projects that need to be addressed.

Now granted, I support Annise for Mayor, so take my praise with a grain of salt the size of a baseball. But the city of Houston is lucky to have three great candidates running for Mayor.

My notes on the event.

Coming tomorrow.

Republican Congressman Pete Olson's little secret.

Congressman Pete Olson, caught like a deer in the headlights, after attempting to exploit a young child's heart condition for political gain, has a little secret of his own. He too has a heart condition. Besides the fact that he has no heart for those who cannot afford health care for their own family, he had emergency heart surgery shortly after taking office. In short, he has a pre-existing condition.

Olson said that White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, who was at the gym with members of Congress at 6:20 a.m., was the first person to reach him after he stumbled and fell. Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kans., also helped, Olson said.

At his town hall meeting in LaMarque, Olson actually made fun of Rahm Emanuel, getting a rise out of the republican dominated crowd. Not only was this classless, it was heartless, literally. (he did not repeat this story at his Clear Lake event)

You would think, after defending the private sector health insurance while standing behind an 8 year old poster child for health care reform, Congressman Olson would be running to the nearest private sector company to jump on the gravy train of low rates and excellent health care provided by these fine Christian establishments. But instead he has something better: Government provided health care. For his entire adult life, Olson has had government provided health care, with the Navy, as a federal employee, and now as a Congressman.

Olson, when he took office, make a choice between government provided health care and his private sector buddies. He chose the Federal Employees Health Benefits program which covers ALL federal employees, including those at NASA. 72% of the premiums are paid for by you, the taxpayers. He has the best health care your money can buy.

So, while you attend his town hall meetings, taking the donuts out of your mouth to yell about "socialized medicine", ask Olson when he is going to put his money where his heart is and stop accepting government provided health care.

But don't hold your breath. Olson, like the republican party, is as big a hypocrite as them come.

Annie Parker's first TV ad.

Annise Parker first TV ad focused on public safety in tough economic times. Takes a jab at the proposed spending by another candidate at the end.

Farouk Shami political advertisement for Governor already?

You decide.

Councilman Sullivan to miss Clear Lake Forum

Nothing like a little mistake in reading a calendar to miss out on a candidate forum in your own district. City Councilman Mike Sullivan will be missing the forum for candidates of District E scheduled in Clear Lake this Saturday evening. Instead he will be down the street disco dancing at a Clear Lake Chamber event. (seriously, it is a disco dancing event.)

The forum has commitments from all candidates for Mayor and Wayne Garrison Sullivans opponent for City Council District E. Maybe Sullivan will make a grand entrance dressed in his disco duds at the last minute.

I'm not sure if Garrison has enough name recognition to beat Sullivan, but missing a candidate forum in your own district for disco dancing is just not cool unless you are John Travolta. Look for Garrison to dance all over Sullivan if he decides to skip this event.

In a close race missing this would be political suicide.

The GOP: It's time to privatize Medicare and VA services

After a couple of months of town hall meetings on health care chocked with misinformation, disruptions, and embarrassment, the GOP is very clear about what they want to do: privatize Medicare and VA services.

Privatization has become the cornerstone of the Republican party taking a front seat to fiscal conservatism, family values, and being strong on defense. (all they have failed at miserably!) If the Republicans were in power like they were for the last 8 years with control of the House, Senate, and White House they would be calling for privatizing of Medicare and VA services because the government can't compete with the private sector, a lean, mean, insurance machine.

The gop claims the private insurance companies, because of competition, can provide a much better service than the government. They stand by this even though they have government provided insurance through the Federal Employee Health Benefits program that they will not abandon, but that isn't relevant. The gop believes in the free market. They believe the free market with their competition can provide better health care than the government non-profit organization.

And the gop believes you believe it, and many of you do. So, let's do what the gop wants to do and let the private insurance companies handle Medicare and VA. Based upon all the tea baggers protests, it is exactly what they want.

Anyone want to come to the gop's aide?

The Wall

Ok. HD TV is manly. Real man stuff.

I just got a 50" HD TV in the game room and had to share. On the wall behind the TV are posters from fights I went to in Las Vegas. Hearns KOed Roberto Duran in 2. Barry McGuigan was defeated by a major underdog Cruz. Cruz was a last minute substitute for a fighter who was injured the week before. And Holyfield and Riddick Bowe where Bowe won in 12 rounds. a GREAT fight! You might notice a few boxing statues on the bottom of the TV. I have about 50 in the game room. Slot car set is going to be brought in next year.

Time for a forum in Clear Lake for Mayor of Houston!

We will have margaritas afterward at a nearby restaurant.

Mayoral Forum Still on at the University of Houston – Clear Lake
The Bay Area Association of Democratic (BAAD) Women put on an excellent forum last week for Houston City Council at-large candidates. The BAAD Women surveyed area groups to determine the most important issues to residents and the queried the candidates on those subjects. This week, the BAAD Women are hosting the Houston mayoral candidates and City Council District E candidates for a similar event.

Although the Houston Chronicle reported that mayoral candidates have canceled some forums around town, the forum here is still on! The event is from 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL), 2700 Bay Area Blvd., in the Bayou Building, Atrium II. The forum is free and open to the public.

Candidates participating are Peter Brown, Gene Locke, Roy Morales and Annise Parker for mayor, and Wayne Garrison and Mike Sullivan for City Council District E. Forum sponsors are the Bay Area Association of Democratic Women (BAAD Women), Bay Area New Democrats (BAND) and The College Democrats – UHCL.

Mike Sullivan vs Peter Brown Round 2

Once again Peter Brown has gotten under the skin of City Councilman Mike Sullivan. Last year Peter Brown visited Clear Lake and Sullivan didn't like it at all:

Houston City Councilman Mike Sullivan wasn't very happy with Councilman Peter Brown's visit to Clear Lake last month, prompting Mike to write a letter to the editor in The Citizen. And it wasn't very nice:

Now, Sullivan is mad that Brown tried to get a resolution passed calling for unanimous support for NASA which is in Sullivan's district, although a completely different set of money, and politics, and just about everything. Houston Blogs has the full story, but this ain't over.

Till it's over.

Peter Brown on electricity rates in Houston

Kudos to Houston City Councilmember Peter Brown for addressing the issue of high electricity rates in Houston. From his website at peterbrownforhouston.com:

A BETTER DEAL FOR HOUSTON
As it is, we pay too much. Electricity in Austin and San Antonio is nearly half the price of ours. The City should use its leverage and drive a harder bargain, protecting Houston consumers and getting them a better deal. And we should explore creative ways to lower monthly electric bills, like an opt-in program that would allow residents – especially seniors and those on low or fixed incomes – to buy their electricity from the City and enjoy the discounted bulk rates the City already receives.

Peter is the first candidate to publicly address this issue and it is appreciated. The City has a 5 year, 9 cents a kWh contract while many in the city have much, much higher rates and variable length contracts. This issue affects everyone in Houston, the poor, the elderly, the young, the rich, the taxpayers, the City, and all businesses. Hopefully the next Mayor will use the strength of his/her office and find a solution to this.

Round-em up time Sept 21 2009

BTW: What was Rick Perry doing in the outfit? Auditioning for the Village People? ---->

The fall is upon us, and so the Texas Progressive Alliance closes out another summer with a roundup of some more hot blogging.

Halliburton was fracking for Cabot and...Oh Oops! We Spilled Some! TWICE! Deadly Hydraulic Fracture Fluid! Ironically, industry just released part of their $80 million propaganda campaign asking people to submit "Eureka" moments. From TXsharon at Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.

Congressman "Deer in the headlights" Pete Olson (R-TX) gets called out at his town hall meeting and the police are called in!

The Texas Cloverleaf wonders when police departments will enter the 21st Century. A San Antonio lesbian couple sues in federal court over blatant harassment in their own home.

This week at McBlogger, Mayor McSleaze took the time out of his life to educate you people on some things going on around the country.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme notes Rick Perry won't admit execution might have been a mistake. To be a Republican is never to say you're sorry.

At Texas Vox, nuclear energy and economic experts explain just how much is at stake with the South Texas Nuclear Project expansion -- the entire San Antonio economy.

Off the Kuff takes note of some hot judge-on-prosecutor action going on at the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Neil at Texas Liberal ran a one-minute video this week, filmed in front of hurricane remembrances in Galveston, Texas, in which he made a plea for folks to be aware of the past.

Kay Bailey has two purse boys, and Rick Perry is unaware there is a recession. Sometimes the cluelessness and utter hypocrisy of Texas Republicans still amazes the cynical PDiddie at Brains and Eggs.

WhosPlayin had video of parents handing all kinds of hell to Lewisville ISD board and administration over banning the Obama pep talk. Perhaps the bigger story though is that like many other school districts in the state, the financial situation looks bleak for the coming year.

Over at TexascKaos, Bulldog reminds us that health care , like national defense is NOT about profit, but about the security of the American people. She tells her story and does it well in Health Care Rambling.

No spending for you in Houston Mayor race.

Outgoing Mayor, Bill White, laid the law on the candidates for Mayor about new spending in 2010. From the Houston Chronicle:

“Texas has not come out of the recession, and sales tax receipts are dropping,” White wrote in a post on his Facebook page Tuesday. “Be sure not to vote for our next mayor based on commitments of more spending in the next two years.”

Candidates Locke, Parker, and Brown make good arguments on how they would not spend any new money since no new money will be coming it. Locke will leave his promise of a Hispanic Museum to private donors to build. Parker says there are no easy answers and hasn't made any commitments. Brown will do more with less and Roy Morales spends his moment in print to recycle old ideas that haven't worked.

Morales, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, has promised to cut property taxes. While that would cause an immediate hit in the city budget, he said it would also stimulate consumer spending.

OK. Roy. You can go back to sleep now. For the other candidates, the economy is going to put a huge stumbling block to any new spending on museums, increasing the police force, or expanding the Port of Houston. Watch their words carefully.

What Pete Olson didn't say about health care.

In his town hall meeting, Congressman Pete Olson was too busy using a child with a serious health issue to make a point about the private sector "death panels" to address the issues affecting the other 599,999 of his constituents. Issues such as:

1. High cost of health insurance for families.
2. Finding affordable insurance with a pre-existing condition. (Something Olson should be concerned about)
3. High impact of health care costs on small businesses.
4. High impact of health care costs on competition in the global market.
5. The millions of children without health care coverage.
6. Insurance industry denying medical coverage
7. Health care costs for serious illnesses like cancer driving many into bankruptcy
8. High cost of medical care in the emergency room
9. Gross insurance profits while denying health care access
10. Losing your health care between jobs.

But Olson was interested in only exploiting a young child and not understanding the issues affecting his constituents.

Pete Olson on NASA. It's not good.

Congressman Pete Olson touched on the subject of NASA at his town hall meeting, with "touched" being the key word. (Full video below. It's only 8 minutes long) With NASA on a course chocked full of technical challenges, and lack of a mission statement with adequate funding, Olson used his 8 minutes to make general statements like "Think of the children", and "NASA is good", "I support NASA", "Send more money to pay the high wages of the contractors and NASA employees" etc etc.

If you came to hear how much a mission to the Moon or Mars would cost, or what technical challenges we are facing, or how NASA is going to fund a mission, or what that mission is that is adequately funded, or the recommendations that have been made by the Augustine Commission, you left disappointed.

One comment was not reassuring. He stated that 4 freshman Congressman were in charge of major sites of NASA, including himself. Just what we need.

A Suggestion:
If NASA wants more money, let's take away their health care, let them buy free market insurance with their own money and use the money to fund the mission. (whatever that is)

Congressman Pete Olson gets called out. Police called in.

Note: Prior to Congressman Pete Olson (R-TX) town hall meeting, they posted a sign on the door "No Video Cameras", just as predicted.

Below is a video of Congressman Pete Olson first making a joke about Joe Wilson's disrespectful "you lie" comment to the President of the United States on the House floor, (which he has not denounced) then condemns those in the audience when they do it to him.

He then tells the same story as he did in LaMarque about the little boy with a heart defect, shamelessly trying to use it for political points, but he gets called out on it by many in the crowd. This eventually turns nasty with a scuffle breaking out and the police putting a stop to the meeting.

Pete Olson lost control of his town hall because he was acting like an asshole. It is that simple. Just a plain 100% asshole. He deserved everything that was thrown at him.

Police intervene in Congressman Pete Olson's meeting

Congressman "Deer in the headlights" Pete Olson lost control of his town hall meeting in Clear Lake prompting the police to take the stage and give a stern warning to the crowd that he would clear the auditorium and end the meeting if order is not maintained. (The entire event was video taped. Coming soon.)

Oh....as predicted, signs were on the doors that said "NO VIDEO CAMERAS". They were not followed.

Olson seemed to enjoy reminding the crowd that we need to be respectful of each other, then bashing those in attendance who were not teabaggers with misinformation. It was as if he was poking a stick in the side of those with different opinions and enjoying it. This time, they fought back. And hard. And the police had to take over his meeting. This time the deer in the headlights got run over. Real classy.

Olson again got called out for exploiting the young child with a heart problem. It was shameful. Again.

There is more coming. His discussion about NASA was a joke. No one could tell what he said besides "I support NASA". And or DUH! That's not news. Instead he focused on telling us a story of a 3rd grade class counting down the launch of the shuttle and how that alone was worth the $18B a year we are spending. (really?)

Again, I will be posting the many times Olson lost control and embarrassed himself. Film at 11. Literally.

Ground rules for Pete Olson's townhall meeting

September 16, 2009

Dear Constituents of District 22,

Please take some time to attend my scheduled town hall meeting on Saturday Sept 19 at the University of Houston Clear Lake starting at 9:00am. I will be discussing important issues affecting our community including NASA and health care reform. If you will attend please respect these simple rules:

1. Do not bring video cameras. Needless to say, the last time this happened turned into a guest appearance on Keith Olbermann show.
2. Don't make fun of me. Look, I am new at this. Standing in front of a bunch of old fat white folks yelling about socialized medicine isn't exactly my idea of a walk in the frickin ER room. Give me a break. If you are on Medicare keep your fat mouth shut about socialize medicine.
   
3. Don't talk about my health care benefits. My family and I have the best health care your money can buy since tax payers pay 72% of my premiums while many of you don't have any coverage at all. And I am very sensitive about it. Please don't talk about stopping my benefits.
4. Do not call me a "Deer in the headlights". Words hurt and it aint funny.
5. Do not bring signs. Unless it is a sign that supports my positions of less spending, more spending on NASA, no socialized medicine, and more support for Medicare.
6. Do not yell YOU LIE!. Yelling this at a member of Congress is disrespectful, but yelling this at the President of the United States on the floor of Congress is courageous.
   

Again, thank you for taking the time to attend. I am honored to represent you in the U.S. House of Representatives. If you have any additional questions or concerns please feel free to contact one of my offices or visit my website at www.house.gov/olson.

Very respectfully,

Pete Olson
Member of Congress

In defense of Stephen Costello, republican, Democrat, or what

Stephen Costello's staff has written a lengthy response to questions about running as republican for the City Council at Large position 1. Unfortunately the lengthy response never addressed the underlining issue: If you have a voting and donation record, why mislead those you are seeking to represent by claiming to be someone you are not.

With all of the internets, it is hard to hide information like this. Donation records are publically available as well as a voting records and Stephen has a clear history of donating to some of the most right wing of his party as well as voting in republican primaries. But again, this is not the point.

His response is below if you care to read it but a word of caution, it is littered with selective reasoning that will take another post to discuss. What he should have said when asked about party affiliation was: "I am a republican".

And if party affiliation is what you are going to use to make a decision that will affect you and your family instead of experience and what he can provide to the city as a council member, then so be it. Here is his lengthy response (thanks to Carl for providing it):

From: davidsprosen@aol.com

To: cewdem@earthlink.net

Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 4:52 PM

Subject: Re: Stephen Costello, Democrat, republican, or whatever? - John Cobarruvias's BayAreaHouston blog

This is only the latest in a string of attacks, perpetrated by supporters of Stephen Costello's three major opponents, attempting to portray a good man with good ideas (who is running in a non-partisan election, no less) as a villian.

Here are the facts:

1) Steve was appointed by Mayors Lanier, Brown and White -- all Democrats -- to serve on the Memorial Park Conservancy, where he was chairman for four years.

2) One cannot ignore Stephen Costello's history of donating to Democrats. In 2006, Steve gave $2,000 to Nick Lampson. Steve has also donated to former Democratic Congressmen Ronald Coleman of El Paso and Bob Carr of Michigan, as well as to local Democrats County Commissioners Sylvia Garcia and El Franco Lee, State Senators Rodney Ellis and John Whitmire, Mayor Bill White, Councilmembers Sue Lovell, Wanda Adams, Jolanda Jones, Melissa Noriega and James Rodriguez, and Controller Annise Parker.

3) Four of Steve's five staffers currently on payroll are Democrats with unquestionable party loyalty. Melissa Arredondo, who does fundraising and scheduling, is a veteran of last year's Michael Skelly campaign. The party credentials of Kathryn McNeil and Sue Davis need no explanation. And I am an officer in the Harris County Young Democrats. The four of us have only voted in Democratic primaries.

4) Steve's campaign is not the only one in this race with paid staffers from both sides of the aisle. Karen Derr's fundraiser formerly worked for Mitt Romney's campaign. Rick Rodriguez's campaign manager used to be Michael Berry's chief of staff.

5) Steve is being actively supported by Democrats and Republicans alike -- and a number of groups that have rallied behind candidates from both sides of the aisle -- in this non-partisan election. Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P Texas Committee, Vinson & Elkins Texas PAC, and the Houston Association of Realtors all have long histories of actively supporting both Democrats and Republicans.

It is a remarkably lonely, if not noble, endeavour to run as an independent in a city that has become so polarized. Most people who are active in community or political organizations, who are in turn most likely to vote in November, hail from either the far right or the far left.

But how do you quantify the partisanship of flooding and drainage issues? Is it liberal or conservative to believe in reinvesting in our city's aging infrastructure?

Stephen ha s been an engineer for more than 30 years with a specialty in flooding and drainage issues. He is the only candidate in this seven-way race with any professional experience in either of those fields, and he's running to serve on a City Council which currently has no practicing engineers.

That's why Stephen Costello is in this election -- not because he is some Manchurian Candidate put forth by a cabal of flooding and drainage experts. And he’s being attacked because he is the only candidate in this race with specific and unique ideas, because he has raised more money than all other six candidates combined, and because our rapidly growing base of support from both sides of the aisle has our opponents shaking in their boots.

David Rosen<>

Campaign Manager,

Stephen Costello for City Council At-Large 1

What she said.

Nothing like nailing the situation for Houston Mayor in one single post:

Negative Attack goes Circular in Houston

Annie's List on Locke's mudflap girl flap

Annie's List is making a point about Candidate for Mayor Gene Locke's attitude towards women ending with an interesting quote on a widely distributed email:

There is a popular adage that “once can be an accident, twice can be coincidence, but three times is a trend.”

The email, which can be found at Easter Lemming, alerts us to what Annie's List believes is a trend including (my summary):

• The "mudflap" girl invitation. At first glance his invitation to a "Ladies for Locke" event looks more like an invitation to a bachelor party at Heart Breakers. (serving a great steak lunch with fine ladies and no cover charge. So I am told.) How did the Locke's campaign miss something so obviously inappropriate before releasing it to the public? See the Chronicle Blog for more.
  

• Firing of his fundraiser. Walden was released from the Locke campaign after a hugely successful fundraising period. She is currently undergoing breast cancer treatment.
• Hustling for business. He made a comment about hustling for business for Houston like he hustled his wife. (1st or 2nd?)
• Advancement of women. He made comments about women in the workplace being "homemakers".
• His offending offer. Representing the City of Houston Locke offered $5000 to settle a case against a lady who ended up in a wheelchair, paralyzed. She was awarded $22.3 million.
  

Locke had offered to settle the case for an insulting $5,000. Even worse, city attorneys closed their argument by engaging in a "finger-pointing tirade" against a wheelchair bound Piotrowski, causing angered jurors to hug her on the way out of the courtroom. And the embarrassment for the City of Houston has been memorialized in a best-selling book and movie called “Sleeping with the Devil.”

Sleeping with the Devil and dancing with the ladies. Point made. Lunch anyone?

Who's supporting who?

Houston Mayoral Gene Locke has made a big stank out of the list of supporters on candidate Peter Brown's website. It's a big enough stank that Brad Olson of the Houston Chronicle made a bigger stank about it:

The Locke campaign alerted me last Wednesday to about 30 names on the list they say aren't really supporters.

Wow. Like, stop the frickin presses. I'm not quite sure why this is important to the Locke campaign, but considering everything else that has happened, maybe it is. Supporter lists are notorious for having old information or littered with inaccuracies possibly because not many people read them to make a decision or to make corrections. Obviously such is the case with Peter Brown, and he is correcting it. Good for him.

Personally, I am waiting with baited breath (is that like shrimp breath?) to peruse each candidate's website to find out who is supporting which candidate so I can make a semi uninformed decision. So get those supporter lists updated and ready for the 250,000 voters looking for a new Mayor!

Martha reminds us of past Peter Brown supporter stank storms. Are city races fun or what?

Stephen Costello, Democrat, republican, or whatever?

Stephen Costello, candidate for City Council at large position 1, is having an identity crisis, with local Democratic clubs wondering just who he really is. At a club meeting in Clear Lake, Costello stately clearly he was an Independent.

Party affiliation doesn't matter in City Council races, but we all know who is who, unless the candidate is new to the political scene. Attempting to mislead anyone should and will be met with skepticism and an occasional blog post.

Turns out Costello is anything but independent. Not only has he donated to some of the most far right republican candidates, DeLay, Olson, Sekulla-Gibbs, and Culberson, he voted in the republican primaries in 2000, 2004, and 2008. And there is more. He is a member of the Republican Leadership Council which

"indicates those elected officials and candidates who provide generous financial support to the Harris County Republican Party through membership in the Republican Leadership Council."

And on top of that, he has recently become a sustaining member of the Harris County Democratic Party.

Costello seems to have the credentials to be a great city councilman, but he doesn't need to mislead others on who he is. He needs to say it, he is a republican. He votes for republicans. He contributes money to republicans. He is a member of the Republican Leadership Council. And he is playing both sides.

If you are basing your decision on who to vote for city council at large Position 1, by which party they are alligned with, just note, Costello is a republican.

Round-em up!

With the start of the new football season, the Texas Progressive Alliance invites you to read this week's roundup of blog highlights in the voice of John Facenda.

Last week, Texas got some much needed help from the Feds when the EPA slapped down Governor Perry's global warming denier pick for our state's top environmental official. This week, the EPA will have another opportunity to intervene in Texas when Mayor Calvin Tillman releases an environmental study of air quality in DISH, TX that will contrast dramatically with industry findings. Keep watching Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS as TXsharon brings you that news.

Bay Area Houston has some pics from the Yes we Klan! teabaggers on parade in DC.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme notes that editorial boards across the state are taking Rick Perry to task for running Texas like he owned it.

Mean Rachel asks "Since when do conservatives care about anyone dying?" in "Dare Devils: Governor Rick Perry and the Texas Death Panel."

Off the Kuff takes a look at a local race that found a hole in our state's Elections Code.

Justin at Asian American Action Fund Blog writes about the right wing's War on Diwali.

BossKitty at TruthHugger notices headlines this week demonstrate America's decline in common sense or accountability. Even worse, there is no regard for consequences of thoughtless actions ... Sabotage Experts: US Coast Guard Exercise on 9/11, Congressman Baucus and Republicans.

Neil at Texas Liberal ran a video he shot in front a hurricane damged fishing pier in Galveston in which he asked people to be flexible of mind. The video is 48 seconds long.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson on Sen. Steve Ogden (R-Bryan) making if official that he won't seek reelection, and what that means going forward, Ogden will not run for Senate in 2010.

McBlogger offers another post on wage growth. Not terribly exciting, but it is hella important to the future of Democracy. So, you know, you might want to read it.

A couple of Kinky Katz could wind up at the top of the 2010 Texas Democratic ticket, according to PDiddie at Brains and Eggs.

Kay Bailey Hutchison takes a head-in-the-hot-sand approach to climate change that will get Texas burned and drive tens of thousands of new jobs elsewhere. Learn more at Texas Vox.

Race For Houston Mayor Is Not About Race

It's wrong on so many levels.

In a city as diverse as Houston, and after a historic election of a President of the United States based upon a huge, diverse coalition of Americans, you would think we could get past the racial divisiveness.

A blog post supported and tweeted by the Gene Locke campaign included the following:

Tejano Dems received a strong commitment from Gene to renew the black/brown coalition from the 1980's that was formed by Congressman Mickey Leland, Attorney Frumencio Reyes, Jr., candidate Locke and many others who saw the need for the disenfranchised and overlooked to stand together and improve the political conditions of people of color in Houston.

Really?
It looks like Gene Locke gave a strong commitment to "renew the black/brown coalition from the 1980's", but according to his social media spokesperson a "black/brown" coalition does not specifically exclude anyone else based upon race. Really? I mean, really it doesn't?

Who is in?
While it is clear some people believe there has been a promise of a black/brown coalition and that the coalition is based upon race for the purpose of "improving the political conditions of people of color," it is not clear who is part of this coalition, other than Gene Locke and the Harris County Tejano Democrats.

It would be surprising if anyone else running in the City of Houston elections would publicly support a coalition based upon race, not only because it is political suicide but because it is simply wrong. It would also be surprising if any organizations are willing to endorse a candidate who might play favorites with their members based upon race. It's a fair question to ask of the organizations who have endorsed Gene Locke, since his is the one campaign singled out as promising a black/brown coalition.

Who is out?
If Locke is elected, will those in his coalition have unfair advantage in City business? Will those not in his coalition be treated equally and fairly? And what is the ultimate goal of this type of coalition in his administration? One thing is very clear, the Locke campaign has some explaining to do beside a lame answer already provided by his campaign - that the black/brown coalition is inclusive of everyone, including people who don't self identify as black or brown.

It's Wrong.
A coalition based upon race is insulting to those who have worked hard to break down these barriers. It is ill advised. It is either a huge misunderstanding by a few or an incredibly huge mistake by a campaign.

Either way it is wrong on so many levels.

YES WE KLAN!!! Teabaggers on parade

Museums for all, money for none.

I have been critical of the promises made by Gene Locke, candidate for Houston Mayor, to build a Hispanic Museum (and a soccer stadium) on the east side of Houston announced at the Hispanic Forum. From a former post:

Like many, I believe a Hispanic Museum would be great, although it wasn't a high priority of mine when I went to the forum. I have to agree with Dos Centavos, I am more concerned about lowering our crime rate, increasing high school graduation rates, maintaining services during this recession, encouraging the Hispanic Community to vote, and encouraging small business growth for the Hispanic community.

A museum highlighting the contributions to the city and state of the Hispanic population including Gregorio Esparza, Juan Abamillo, Juan Badillo, and Antonio Fuentes to name a few, will be a significant investment. It is a noble cause, but how would it be financed especially during these challenging economic times? These are valid concerns that should not be ridiculed, dismissed or used against those who ask these questions. Besides the Hispanic Museum, Locke extended the concept to 4 museums at the Arts Alliance Forum held on May 5th:

Locke: I would certainly support the expansion of existing museums. I think that they are such a tremendous asset to Houston – that is good money spent for a good cause - and we are going to try to expand those. But when you ask if there are others that I would be interested in – I mean – my god yes. Peter suggested a Hispanic museum – yes; African American museum – yes; Asian museum – yes. But you couldn’t stop there, you know, I am a big lover of music – why is there not a music museum in Houston?

There is absolutely no doubt that museums are an asset to the city, but with an economy as it is now, how do we pay for one or four? It is a valid question. As I said in a previous post:

So there are significant issues with building a Hispanic Museum or a museum honoring the achievement of any group, but if Gene Locke can do it, more power to him.

Thank God for South Carolina!

Texas may have the highest insurance rates in the nation, rank last on many important social issues, and we have our share of jesters, but last Weds we had a great opportunity to breath a sigh of relief and take a moment to thank God for the republicans in South Carolina.

Congressman Joe Wilson's (R-SC) incredible display of disrespect in the joint session of Congress towards President Obama and Governor Sanford's use of state resources to fan the flames of his affair with a woman from Argentina has allowed South Carolina to edge by Texas as the "Thank God for Texas" state. At least for the next week or so.

Being disrespectful is a tradition in Texas republican politics, but at least they are not low enough to shout at the President in the manner Wilson did. Even Gohmert, Culberson, and Ted Poe aren't that incredibly stupid. And if they had pulled a stunt like Wilson, they wouldn't be running like a t-ball player with a load in their diaper to the nearest microphone to tuck tail and apologize. Instead they would let it simmer in the news to get the full effect then apologize.

So while SC takes the spotlight for a while, Texas will continue to have republican crowds gathering at the capitol stating they hate the United States, a Governor fanning the flames of secession, an Education Board hell bent on teaching the word of their God in schools, Congressmen getting caught on tape like a deer in the headlights, Chuck Norris running for president.... of Texas, and federal employee teabaggers calling for lower taxes.

Geez....thank God for South Carolina!

Aggie Bonfire not coming back.

Leave it to Governor Rick Perry to state the Aggie Bonfire will return to the campus in 2010. Most understand that this will not happen. Ever.

"I will not be surprised if it happens by 2011, maybe even 2010," he said. "I think Bonfire will be back on campus. The kids will have the experience again."

After the Bonfire accident, that left 12 students dead and some requiring health care for the rest of their lives, the Texas Board of Professional Engineers reached an agreement with the University:

The agreement sets out certain requirements that Texas A&M agrees to comply with in the event that the bonfire tradition is resumed. By entering into the agreement, the university accepted responsibility for ensuring that any future bonfires held on Texas A&M property or that receive financial or other support from the university are in compliance with Section 19 of the Texas Engineering Practice Act, which requires that public works involving engineering be constructed with engineering plans and specifications prepared by a Texas licensed professional engineer and under the direct supervision of a Texas licensed professional engineer.

In short, no licensed professional engineer will ever put their name on a monstrosity like the Aggie Bonfire. It isn't going to happen in 2010, or ever. The Aggie Bonfire was a structure built with no engineering specifications, plans, or safety precautions. Over the 90 years, it was held together by baling wire (literally) and luck.

Luck ran out in 1999. Hopefully luck will run out for Perry in 2010.

Another NASA screwup by another Bush.

Back in 1989 the Bush administration announced a new direction for NASA called the Space Exploration Initiative with a mission to Mars as it's cornerstone project. Along with this SEI was a price tag of $489 Billion and it was dead before it hit the launching pad.

In 2005 Bush Jr. was much smarter. He called for building a new vehicle (Crew Exploration Vehicle), retire the 20 year old shuttle program, maintain the International Space Station, return to the Moon in 2020, and go to Mars. This time the cost would never be disclosed, instead money would be shuffled from Shuttle to the CEV, from Station to CEV, from science to CEV, etc etc. It was yet another money shell game by the Bush administration and it finally came to and end yesterday with a report summary by the Augustine Commission.

The panel's review found a serious gap between the goals outlined by President George W. Bush in 2004 — to return to the moon by 2020 and eventually send humans to Mars — and the amount of money provided for the task.

And/Or duh! We really didn't need a Commission to figure this out folks. Let's get real. Returning to the Moon will cost about $160 Billion. A trip to Mars? $700 Billion. The political reality is that NASA's budget will never be adjusted to accomplish all that Bush wanted. It just isn't going to happen. Something has to give. And it will not be pretty.

The bottom line is the bottom line. It is that simple. In a budgeting exercise that was so typical of the Bush administration, a plan was hatched, a plan was partially implemented, then they ask for more money. Lots more money. It was fiscally irresponsible, putting NASA in a very difficult situation.

Wired had a great article after the announcement of the Moon/Mars mission. "Mars a Trojan Horse?" They knew 5 years ago there wasn't enough money.

The Bush plan increases NASA's budget by just $1 billion over the next five years. That means the space agency has to figure out how to carry out the mission -- first a return to the moon and later a trip to Mars -- without a lot of additional money in its budget.

Upcoming city candidate forums in Clear Lake

Forums Draw Houston Mayoral and City Council Candidates to Clear Lake

The Clear Lake area is gaining the attention of candidates running for office in the upcoming November elections. Houston Mayor and Houston City Council candidates will share their views on the area’s top issues at two separate community forums.

At Large candidate forum Sept 17 Bay Area Community Center

Houston City Council At-Large candidates for Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 will participate in a forum on Thursday, September 17, at the Bay Area Community Center, 5002 NASA Road 1, in Seabrook. Hosted by the Bay Area Association of Democratic Women (BAAD Women), the forum begins at 6:30 p.m. with a brief Meet & Greet and concludes at 9 p.m.

Mayor and District E candidate forum Sept 26 at UHCL

Houston Mayor and Houston City Council District E candidates will be featured in a forum on Saturday, September 26, at the University of Houston-Clear Lake in the Bayou Building, Atrium II. Scheduled from 6:30 - 9 p.m., the event is sponsored by Bay Area Association of Democratic Women (BAAD Women), Bay Area New Democrats (BAND) and The College Democrats - UHCL. Mayoral candidates participating are Peter Brown, Annise Parker and Gene Locke. District E candidates are Wayne Garrison and Mike Sullivan.

Both forums are free and open to the public.

Congressman Pete Olson unfit for health care debate

In a video seen across the country, Congressman Peter Olson (R-TX) failed to exploit the serious illness of a young child in opposing a public health care option. Once confronted with the facts of this very serious issue, his exploitation actually supported the public health care option and proved private sector health care is not working.



Olson's screw up
In the video above, Olson tells the story of "Brittany" whose unborn child had a serious heart defect requiring an extremely expensive, risky, operation. The hospitals in San Antonio, where she lived at the time, denied her coverage. Later she was able to find an out of state doctor to perform the surgery. Her son was delivered and had a successful heart transplant 17 days later. Olson stated that under a government health care system, the government would have allowed this young boy to die.

As pointed out to him in the video, the private sector hospitals and doctors denied health care to this mother, not the government. Once confronted with this fact, Olson froze like a patient looking at his hospital bill wondering how to pay for it.

Olson's lessons learned
Olson learned a very valuable lesson besides not letting anyone bring a video camera to his town hall meetings. The health care debate is literally a life and death topic that requires a serious discussion without exploiting a sick child. Olson had the opportunity to correct the myths of “death panels” and conduct a civil meeting. Instead he fed off the inaccurate information and even allowed the mother of the child to display a large sign comparing health care advocates to communists.

Olson's heart problems
As with this young child, Olson has a pre-existing condition from a heart attack shortly after taking office. This condition will follow him and this young child for the rest of their lives. Unlike other Americans, Olson has a tax funded insurance policy under the Federal Employee Health Benefits program. 72% of his premiums are paid for by the taxpayers. Under the FEHB his pre-existing condition is covered and his rates are not increased because of his condition. Any other American trying to find insurance in the private sector will be lucky to find coverage at any rate with this type of condition.

Olson's personal public option
When Olson was elected to Congress, he had a choice of accepting tax funded health care or to buy into a private sector policy. Olson chose the government provided health care option for him and his family. Obviously the private sector, he is vigorously defending, is good enough for his constituents but not good enough for him and his family.

Olson's lack of empathy
Olson, as well as all of Congress except Senator Brown who refused the FEHB until all Americans had the same opportunity, has shown an incredible lack of empathy for his constituents. Many are struggling with pre-existing conditions. Families are forced into making choices about paying for risky operations or letting their loved ones die. And millions of Americans cannot afford health insurance, much less health care.

Olson's solution.
If Olson was a true conservative, he would give up his tax funded health care and feel the pain of his constituents. Until then the Congressman and the child hopefully receive the neaded care in the future while his constituents won't.

An American mother tells off Obama!

Thank a union member.

From a great article at the Examiner, writer Patricia O'Malley:

IF YOU HAVE:

· An eight hour workday

· A five day work week

· Paid sick days, vacation days, and holidays

· Family and medical leave

· Health, life, and disability insurance

· A pension

· Safe and healthy working conditions

· Proper job training

THEN THANK A UNION MEMBER.

Unions have campaigned for the minimum wage, wage and hour laws, ending child labor, and workers’ rights and privacy on the job. Wages for union workers in all types of occupations are higher than for non-union workers. If you benefit from any of these things, THEN THANK A UNION MEMBER.

Conservative family activities without the Obama speech

If you are not allowing your elementary child to watch the speech by the President of the United States encouraging staying in school, taking responsibility for yourself, and staying off of drugs, here are a few conservative family activities that reflect the spirit and values of the republican party that you will enjoy:

1. Have a prayer ring at the school flag pole. Pray that the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior stricken the President and his family with cancer.
2. Take the time to teach your young children how to correctly and effectively say the N word.
3. Attend a cross burning ceremony with the KKK.
4. Sit outside of a breast cancer treatment center and laugh at the bald ladies then enjoy an ice cream cone afterward.
   
5. Drop cinder blocks off a highway overpass.
6. Sit outside of a Bob Perry home construction site and call the workers "beaners".
7. Shoot paint balls at homeless people.
8. Go to the local firing range and shoot cut outs of the Obama family.
9. Take the opportunity to teach your kids the meaning of the free market by stealing some old ladies groceries.
10. Stand on the corner of a busy intersection with a sign that says "I am a frickin dumb ass".

If you are taking your kids out of school to avoid listening to a message from the President of the United States, you are truly a frickin dumb ass and a proud member of the republican party.

Enjoy the day, asswipe.

Power Watch: Elecricity rates for Sept 2009

Rates for September in the Houston area are not much different than last month but continue to be over 25% higher than pre-deregulation. There is an interesting article about how the price has dropped from last year due to the reduction in demand. More on that in another post. For comparison, the City of Houston has a 5 year contract which expires in 2013 with Reliant at a rate of 9 cents.

Check out Citizens of Houston for Affordable and Reliable Group Energy (CHARGE!) on facebook for more information on how the citizens of Houston could benefit from the city's negotiation abilities.

The highest rates
The highest month to month rate is Green Mountain at 13.5 cents per kWh. Reliant is at 13.4. (Ever wonder why one of the largest energy providers always have the highest rates?) First Choice continues to have some of the highest rates in the area at 15.0 for a 24 month contract. TXU, another large energy provider) is at 14.3 at Reliant is at 12.9 for a 12 month contract.

The lowest rates.
Kinetic Energy has the lowest month to month rate at 9.4. Amigo Energy doesn't have a stadium named after themselves, but has the lowest fixed rate at 10.4 for a 12 month contract.

Waiting for health care reform

Thanks to Stace of Dos Centavos for the picture!
(See how simply easy that was Isiah?)

Isiah Carey simply got caught.

Geez. Isiah Carey the blogger for Fox TV just can't simply let something die. After copying a bloggers post about the city filings without simply giving credit where credit is due, Isiah simply blames other bloggers for stirring up controversy and get's caught doing it.

Instead of simply making a correction and saying something simple like "Sorry for not giving credit where credit is due, but the information was well written and inspired me to post it in full." you instead write something simply stupid like:

I got that list from one of your (Whitmarsh) email blasts. I figured it was a list someone wanted to share with the public because it was sent to you. It was a list anyone could easily get simply by going to the City Secretary's Office at City Hall.

Uh.....public lists anyone could easily get simply by going to the City Secretary's Office at City Hall do not have links to candidates websites. And if it was as simple as going to the City Secretary's Office at City Hall, why in the hell didn't you simply get the list by going to the City Secretary's Office at City Hall?

And if the cut and paste was simply a mistake, and simply a list anyone could easily get simply by going to the City Secretary's Office at City Hall why did you take the post down and replace it with a simple list that had no links and looked like a simple list you can simply get by going to the City Secretary's Office at City Hall? Look, just do us a simple favor and admit you made a simple stupid mistake. Admitting a simple mistake is really as simple as going to City Secretary's Office at City Hall.

I've always had good relations with Fox TV (ask Ned) and have always respected their reporting, but you need to simply learn some blogger etiquette, learn how to create a simple blog that doesn't suck, and learn how to drive so you can simply go to the City Secretary's Office at City Hall to get a public list.

It is that simple.