Turkey roundup day

It's a turkey roundup day! Let's give thanks to the Houston Press for naming Governor Rick Perry as the Turkey of the Year.

The Texas Progressive Alliance welcomes everyone back from the Thanksgiving Holiday with these highlights from the blogs.

TXsharon has arranged by area 60 TCEQ fugitive emission videos obtained via the Texas Public Information Act. The videos were taken throughout the Barnett Shale area using a GasFindIR (Infrared) camera. Find the videos for your area at Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS to see what you're breathing.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme wonders why some destroyed Galveston beach houses were paid out at prices nearly double their county appraised value.

BossKitty at TruthHugger is fed up with Road Rage and wants it taken a more seriously by the authorities. Road Rage is indeed vehicular terrorism! Vehicular terrorism is dismissed by the court system as misdemeanors with token consequences ... unless of course someone gets killed. Even then is not identified for what it really is. Vehicular Terrorism! Is Road Rage is a way of life for Texans?.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson posts on Gov. Perry's "jet-set" ways? A Watchdog group wants to know about Gov. Perry's travel expenses.

Bay Area Houston lists who the local bloggers are endorsing in the Houston Mayor's race. (It is one sided)

Off the Kuff rounds up reactions to Bill White's announcement that he is considering a jump into the Governor's race.

Libby Shaw Texas Republican Lawmakers Lose Huge Federal Contract examines the why's and who's of the huge government contract Perry and the Boyz just lost and what it means for Texas. Check it out at TexasKaos.

Neil at Texas Liberal ran a post about Moby Dick. We Are All Shipmates—Moby Dick. This post offers up a picture of the excellent ship pulpit featured in the book and movie adaptations of the book. Neil reminds you that we are all shipmates.

WhosPlayin is still watching Lewisville ISD and wishing they would just answer a simple question.

Maybe the BAE Systems plant in Sealy, which lost its $2.6 billion Pentagon contract due to the economic incompetence of Rick Perry and other Republican elected officials, can now manufacture "Republic of Texas" trucks, according to PDiddie at Brains and Eggs.

Xanthippas at Three Wise Men takes a look at the results of a study that demonstrate how conservative anti-tax rhetoric has resulted in a substantial shift of the nation's burden from the wealthy to the lower and middle-class, and wonders what that means in an age when irresponsible investors crash the economy, are bailed out by the federal government and reward themselves with billions of dollars in bonuses.

Mayor Bill White nails electricity deregulation

Mayor Bill White posted some interesting data on electricity deregulation on his facebook page:

In 1999 the average price of electricity fo U.S. homeowners was $8.16 per kilowatt/hr. and in Texas lower, $7.55, because our energy resources helped us. But then we deregulated power in Texas. By 2007 the ave. US price was $10.65, and in Tx it soared to $12.34. This year through Aug the ave. price to Texans is $12.82. Our neighbors? Okla (8.63) and La (8.51).

Texas is ranked 37th in electricity rates. If we had remained a regulated industry we would be ranked 4th in the country paying just under 8 cents a kWh.  Oklahoma is currently ranked 4th. Lousiana is 9th.

We really suck.

Endorsements for Houston City Races

Here is my two sense. Early voting starts tomorrow at the Clear Lake Library. Four women for Houston:

Annise Parker for Mayor. The City of Houston has an opportunity to elect one of the most qualified and complete candidates Houston has provided to voters in a long time, City Controller Annise Parker. It is just that simple. She has the fiscal knowledge to lead this city in the time of diminishing income due to the recession. 

At Large Position 1. Karen Derr has worked hard on this campaign. She is a well qualified individual and would make a fine council member.

At Large Position 2 Sue Lovell. Sue has been a great City Council Member. Well respected, hard working. What more can you ask for? She has the experience and leadership we need to sustain our city during the economic downturn.

A Large Position 5. Jolanda Jones. Love her or hate her, you always know which side Jolanda is on. When you need someone in your corner Jolanda is the one to have. Her experience on Council is a great asset during the City's economic downturn. Returning her to Council would be a benefit to the city.

Oh and let's not forget the Controller's Office. Ron Green. A successful businessman, and a 3 term City Council Member, Green would continue the tradition of Annise Parker by being fiscally responsible and working together with the Mayor and City Council to solve the challenges of the budget. At this time, we need an independent Controller, but one that will work with the leadership of the city.

Gene Locke comments on Hotze endorsement

Mean Gene found what he was looking for, an endorsement from the hate monger Steven Hotze. You can see the endorsement card front and back here. Look for Gene to back pedal out of this endorsement faster than a republican getting caught at a hooker convention with a bag full of condoms.

Locke, who sought the endorsement from Hotze once he realized that his black/brown coalition wasn't working out as he thought it would, had this to say:

"I am screwed. The bloggers are going to tear me a new one on this." stated Locke. His campaign manager was more direct "*&^%  Locke! I am the one that is screwed. Locke will just keep charging $640/hour after he loses. How will I ever recover from this screw up?"

Well, that isn't exactly what they said, but it is probably what they are thinking at this moment wondering why they asked for the endorsement and then complaining about it once they got it. And yes, bloggers are going to rip him on this.

And he deserves it.

CLear Lake Honda and mandatory arbitration

Yesterday I bought a car for my daughter. She was happy with a Honda Civic with no frills, but we got a great deal on one with a few extras. She was happy, it is a safe dependable car and that's all that matters. But....

Sure enough one of the last papers we had to sign was the mandatory binding arbitration clause all new car dealers have in their contracts. Luckily the card dealers were able to get out of the arbitration clause imposed by the manufacturer due to a bill passed by the republican controlled Congress under Bush. Here is what Gene Fondren, President of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association said at a Congressional hearing opposing arbitration:

"By placing an arbitration clause in this 'take it or leave it' contract, the stronger party may impose mandatory binding arbitration on an unwitting or unwilling dealer..."

Wow. That sounds like something consumers have been saying all along! In fact here is what consumers have been saying all along:

Consumers are also forced into compulsory arbitration in "take it or leave it" contracts, but consumers have even less power when they deal with auto dealers. Unlike auto dealers negotiating million dollar auto franchise contracts with auto makers, consumers do not have an attorney at their disposal to advise them of the consequences of an arbitration clause.

Public Citizen, leading the fight to restore our rights to the 7th amendment of the US Constitution, has more quotes by dealers claiming arbitration isn't fast, or fair, or frugal. Honda of Clear Lake had no comment when this tidbit of information was brought to their attention.

Bloggers endorsing in Houston Mayor race

I'm not sure how much of a pull bloggers in the Houston area have, but they do follow their local politics and are very active in different campaigns across the area. Many have endorsed in the race for Houston Mayor. So without any more discussion, here are the endorsements for Mayor from local bloggeteers. Early voting starts Monday.

Bay Area Houston. The City of Houston has an opportunity to elect one of the most qualified and complete candidates Houston has provided to voters in a long time, City Controller Annise Parker. It is just that simple. She has the fiscal knowledge to lead this city in the time of diminishing income due to the recession.

Musings. Parker is the most experienced candidate for mayor, and as she said in one debate, "I'll always tell you the truth, even if you don't want to hear it." I personally know her to be smart, loyal, and an extremely hard worker. From day one, the City will be run effectively and efficiently.

Dos Centavos. Simply put, I believe that Parker is the best candidate in the running.  Her 12 years of experience in city government have demonstrated her ability to lead; an uncanny ability to remain consistent in her issues (unlike most politicians); and the ability to think responsibly in policy determinations, rather than politically.

Brains and Eggs.  I enthusiastically endorse Annise Parker for Mayor of Houston.

Gregs Opinion. To her credit, Parker has dealt with similar concerns for the twelve years she has served and demonstrated an ability to focus on the job at hand while delivering positive results along the way.

Whitless Humoring. I'm supporting Annise because she is the only one in the race that has a working knowledge of the city budget and the only one with the experience to lead our city into the future. 

Texas Liberal. My best bet for Mayor of Houston is City Controller Annise Parker. Ms. Parker has worked to bring banking services to the poor in Houston. She had supported Houston janitors in efforts to gain better wages and benefits. She has a personal history of fighting for basic human rights in her efforts for the rights of gay folks in Houston.

Off the Kuff.  As Nancy Sims points out, the Chron isn’t alone in coming to this conclusion for the runoff. If there is such a thing as campaign momentum, I believe she has it.

Big Jolly. (white wing wag) In the runoff for Mayor of Houston, Annise Parker is the clear choice for fiscal conservatives.

Looking for any blogs who are endorsing Locke.

Shopping, Tis the reason for the season

Walmart is opening at 4:00 in the morning on black Friday. Best Buy at 5:00. Kohls at 4:00. Other stores are opening early on Friday with lines expected out the door and around the building.

My daughter got a text from her friend in Richmond. A fight broke out between two elderly ladies at a late Thursday opening. The police were called.

Good to know they understand the reason for the season.

Power Watch: Electricity rates for November 2009

From last month:

Not much of a change from last month. The lowest 12 month plan is Southwest Power and Light at 10.5 cents per kWh. The highest is 15.1 for a 24 month contract by Liberty Power. TXU is at 14.3 and Reliant is at 12.9.

This month Southwest Power and Light has a month to month rate at 8.9 cents. Nueces is the highest mont to month at 13.2. Reliant is at 12.7.

Brilliant Energy has the lowest 12 month plan at 10.5. Mega Energy has the highest (non renewable) rate of 14.2. TXU is at 13.4 for 12 months.  (13.7 for an "indexed" plan?) Reliant is at 12.6 with a 20% renewable content for 12 months.

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.

Time to give thanks

This is always a special time. So while you are gathered around the turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie waiting to over eat then sit and watch the football game on your new flat screen tv, take a moment to give thanks.

1. Give thanks if your family can afford health insurance because 42 million other Americans can not.
2. Give thanks if you are employed because 10% of Americans are not.
3. Give thanks if your family is free from  a serious illness.
   
4. Give thanks we have Medicare to protect our seniors when the private insurance companies leave them to die.
   
5. Give thanks we have Social Security for protection against the downfall of Wall Street.
6. Give thanks that we have a President trying to end the never ending war in Afghanistan and Iraq, to bring our troops back to their families.

Now go watch some football and get a second helping of turkey.

Locke misleading again

Misleading the public is becoming a staple of the Gene Locke campaign and given his past record it can be expected to continue if he becomes Mayor.

In his first attack ad against Annise Parker he claims she voted for 70 fee increases during the 6 years on City Council, but as the Houston Chronicle has pointed out, the majority of the fees were increases in fire and and health services. (nice fact check!)

While the claim is true — she did vote with 13 other council members in 2002 for a city budget that included more than 70 fee increases, according to Houston Chronicle archives — it does not note that the fee hikes were mostly confined to fire and health department permits and inspections. The council that year did not raise taxes or water and sewer fees.

Earlier in the month the Houston Police Officer Union, using the wife of a fallen officer as a backdrop, claimed Parker was weak on crime. Nothing could be further from the truth. Locke has made hollow promises to the HPOU to increase spending without knowing how to pay for it, much like his promise to the Hispanic Community to build a Hispanic Museum. Parker has been upfront to the community about the budget and has not made fiscally irresponsible promises.

You can expect Locke to distort the truth, after all he is running for office, but it is a sad day when you can't trust the HPOU. Luckily the HPOU's actions do not reflect the actions of those on the street serving the public. Locke is making promises to our police officers our checkbook can't keep.

That in itself should be a crime.

Locke's supporter list isn't being supported

In a recent email, touting Locke's short list of endorsements from the Hispanic Community,  Team Locke  has  listed one that I thought for sure was not going to endorse in the Mayoral race. There are many reasons why a leader in the community would rather not take sides in this race, but there is no reason for Team Locke to be sloppy with their endorsement list.

Emails, asking for clarification on the endorsements, to Team Locke and his communications consultant have not been returned. What else are they gong to do? Heck, maybe I will be put on the list!

Tea baggers are sick, sad, *&^%s

They are just ignorant filth.

When will Hutchison tuck tail?

Now with Mayor Bill White possibly moving to the race for Governor, when will Hutchison announce  she will be quiting the race and staying in the Senate to continue her gloom and doom?

Grandma Kay should see the writing on the wall by now. The right wing loonies of the republican party are not going to vote for her in the primary and since the right wing loons are the only ones who vote in their primary, Kay is toast. Even with Rick Perry's absolute horrible record in Texas, the loonies are not voting for Kay. It's not going to happen. Count on it.

Kay is no dummy. She knows Perry will cater to the teabaggers promising to call for secession as soon as he returns to office. He will call for public executions in front of the capitol to cater to the Christians. He will expand hunting licenses to include illegal immigrants crossing the border to cater to the Mexican haters. He will close our hospitals to those who cannot pay to cater to the hateful.

Kay can't compete with that. Perry would solidify the hate mongers of the party and win the primary. Now all Kay has to do is tuck tail.

And don't run.

Kinky and Shami should quit

With Tom Schieffer dropping out of the race for Governor and strongly encouraging Mayor Bill White to run, it leaves the race wide open for Democratic pretenders, Farook Shami, and Kinky Friedman to drop out before being embarrassed.

Running for Governor in a state as large as Texas requires money, a professional campaign, knowledge of state politics, and a serious, skilled, candidate. Shami has the money, but nothing else. Friedman has nothing. The fourth candidate, Hank Gilbert, has class and will probably do what is right for Texas, hopefully continuing his run for Agriculture Commissioner. Mayor Bill White has it all.

Shami is a trojan horse
Farook Shami doesn't have a chance of winning a general election in Texas. There are just too many voting rednecks who can't see beyond the end of their bible to vote for someone other than a white, christian, male. But Shami isn't in the race to affect the general election, it is the primary he is interested in.

Shami is a good friend of Governor Rick Perry. He is there to spend his $10 Million and keep Democrats from crossing over and voting for Hutchinson leaving Perry the winner of the republican primary. Sound far fetched? Yes it does, but consider.

Stephanie E. Simmons
The republican party and their supporters have found an interesting way to affect the outcome of an election. In 2008, an unknown black attorney entered the race for SD17 running as a Democrat which resulted in a runoff. Without a runoff, Democrat Chris Bell had a great chance of winning the seat. The attorney was financed almost entirely by the republican group, Texas for lawsuit reform.

Paul Bettencourt
Also in 2008 Harris County Tax Assessor Collector, Paul Bettencourt campaigned and won re-election, then tuck tail and quit 2 weeks later. Instead of being honorable and not running, leaving the possibility of a Democratic win against an unknown like Leo Vasquez, he secured the win then handed the job to Vasquez by way of the republican controlled Commissioners Court.

Farouk Shami
So now Shami is entering the race with a clear non-Democratic record, a laundry list of republican contacts, but this time with his own money. He is a trojan horse, a dark horse, or just a magic sparkle pony looking to disrupt.

Suckers. Tort reform didn't work

In 2003 the Republican controlled Texas Legislature ushered in massive tort reform requiring a change to the Texas Constitution by a vote of the citizens of Texas. By a very slim margin Texas citizens embraced tort reform to lower health care costs, expand health care coverage, and stick it to those greedy trial lawyers. Six years later all we got was stuck.

There is no evidence to suggest that limiting the rights of individuals to bring lawsuits will either lower the cost of health care or increase its quality. In fact, were this true, Texas would have the cheapest and best health care in the nation. The provisions of the tort reform legislation passed in 2003 have essentially eliminated medical malpractice suits. Indeed, things are so bad the lawyers for the insurance companies are complaining about the loss of business.

The vast majority of citizens will never need the use of an attorney for a medical malpractice suit, but those who become victims will realize the mistake that was made in 2003. Prior to 2003 citizens were protected by the Texas Constitution which did not allow artificial limitations on lawsuit awards. Juries were given the responsibility to listen to evidence, then 10 of the 12 had to make decisions on what the award would be.

But the tort reformers claimed juries were stupid, incapable of rendering a fair decision, and 51% of the voters agreed. In the end, Texas has the highest rate of uninsured, health care rates have never been reduced, and Texas has become the poster child for stupidity.

This is what happens when people are so eager to give up their rights to the Constitution. They have themselves to blame.

Gene Locke a no show in debate

After being invited and accepting the invitation by The Red, White, and Blue show, Gene Locke decided to skip the debate leaving Annise Parker the entire 30 minutes to herself and she did very well. Locke on the other hand was called out for missing the event and there was discussion on why he possibly declined after the show was over. Watch the 2 minute wrap up with the conservative, Gary Polland, supporting Parker and talking against the right wing hate mongers and Locke.



And if you would like to watch Annise Parker:

Bend over, you are in good hands....

After the 2003 insurance welfare act, rates have skyrocketed, and it only gets better, or worse:

Home insurance rates will jump an average 9.8 percent next month for thousands of Allstate customers.

The increase will start Dec. 17 as policies come up for renewal and affect 143,000 customers of Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance. It's the Allstate unit's second increase this year.

Really...it gets better:

Another 450,000 home insurance policyholders are insured by Texas Allstate Texas Lloyds, which stopped selling new policies in Texas in 2006.

And remember you are in good hands........................

Also in 2006, Allstate Texas Lloyds began to drop wind coverage upon renewal of 65,000 policies along the coast, and stopped renewing coverage on thousands of non-brick homes in Harris County and others that border counties immediately on the Gulf Coast.

As they said in Aliens: Drop your linen and stop your grinnin'.

And you thought binding arbitration was binding?

If you thought mandatory binding arbitration (aka a privatized justice system) is suppose to be final and binding, think again. An arbi-traitor recently awarded a rape victim $3 million against KBR. KBR is now appealing the arbitration wanting to reduce it to just $300,000. Wanna bet who is going to win this? It reminds me of the Bob Perry arbitration case here in Texas.

In 2000 Bob and Jone Cull sued Perry and his warranty company for foundation and structural failure after working almost 4 years trying to prevent litigation. After discovery and fearing Perry would drag out the appeal long enough until they died, they asked for arbitration.

The arbitrator heard the case and hit Perry between the eyes awarding over $750,000 to the couple including the $9000 filing fee, the cost of the house, $110,000 in attorney's fees, and mental anguish. The entire arbitration award can be found here. What ever was discovered prior to the arbitration was devastating.

Instead of paying the arbitration award Perry decided to appeal the arbitration. Both lower courts refused to hear the case, but in March 2007, the Republican controlled Supreme Court accepted it and ruled, a year later, in his defense.

Look for KBR to be successful in their appeal. Rotten bastards.

If there was any doubt about Gene Locke

It should be erased with Miya Shay's post:

Just yesterday, Allen Blakemore hosted a lunch time meeting in his office between Christian Archer and Roy Morales. Archer is Locke’s campaign manager, and Morales is the Republican who finished with about 20 percent of the vote during the November election. Blakemore is Hotze’s consultant, but everyone involved says the meeting was not about attack ads.

Blakemore is the Karl Rove of Texas politics. He is one of the reasons I am so through with Locke, along with accepting $2000 from David Wilson who sent out the recent hate mail against Annise Parker. And getting caught playing both sides. And promising secret coalitions based upon race. And seeking the endorsement of a hatemonger why claiming to a man of all people.

Locke has recently admitted to seeking the endorsement of Steven Hotze prompting the Chair of the Harris County Party to issue a stern warning to Locke and any other candidate claiming to be a Democrat:

Courting endorsement from such despicable individuals or groups – or failing unequivocally to repudiate and reject it should such support be unsolicitedly bestowed – would be reprehensible, condemnable, and utterly unacceptable to Democrats. My Dad used to say, “You lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas.” He was right.

I am so through with Locke. If there was a time for any organization who rejects the hate mongering of Steven Hotze, David Wilson, and Blakemore, to pull their endorsement it is now.

Or risk getting up with fleas.

Locke pulls a Bill Clinton

Generally comparing yourself to former President Bill Clinton and your wife to Hillary would be a good thing, unless you are talking to a bunch of right wing republicans in a pachyderm club. And that is what Gene Locke did today. From the Chronicle:

If he becomes mayor, Locke told the Republican activists, the city also reaps the services of spouse Aubrey Sampson Locke.

Yep, just what Bill Clinton said when he was running for office in 1992, you get a two-for-one. I am sure that went over well. He continued:

She will get more done - I'm serious now - she will get more done and we will get more done as a team, because we will be able to take care of issues, not from a governmental standpoint, but issues ranging from taking care of our seniors to dealing with literacy with our young people, from the office of the First Lady. That will be an additional impact to helping the city.

Yep. A two for one.

Republican activist send out fliers opposing divorce

Longtime republican family values activist, Dave Wilson, who once led a successful effort to amend the city charter to deny benefits to divorced city employees, said he has sent out 35,000 fliers opposing the candidacy of Lt Governor David Dewhurst in part because of his marriage status.

The front of the flier has a 2004 photo of David Dewhurst being sworn into office while his 27th wife looks on, accompanied by the headline: “Is this the image Texas wants to portray?” On the back is written, “Just because David Dewhurst is divorced doesn't make him qualified to be Lt Governor.”

Wilson, a 62-year-old sign company owner and unsuccessful candidate in several local political races, has been a foe of divorce for years.

He formed a political action committee in 2001 that spearheaded the effort to ban benefits for divorcees. The proposition received 52 percent of the vote.

Wilson's latest flier states that he has “nothing but compassion, respect and sensitivity” for divorced people, but decried “behavior that will stifle religious freedom and trap millions of more people in its deadly grip.”

Wilson said he tried to word his flier as a compassionate Christian, albeit one who believes being divorced is a sin. He said it was not intended to be a personal attack on David Dewhurst, and that he has sympathy for divorced people because two of his uncles were divorced and a brother-in-law is divorced.

“There's a cultural war going on in our society today,” Wilson said. “I feel that divorced behavior is an affront to the family values of one man-one woman, at one time, and divorced behavior, to any society that's embraced it, has led to the extinction of that society.”

Wilson also said he is concerned that Dewhurst, if re-elected, would become a divorced cultural icon and an inspiration to others to enter politics.

“I think he is kind of a poster child for that movement,” he said.

In a prepared statement Lt Governor Dewhurst issued the following: "Dave Wilson should shut the *&^% up and mind his own business.".

NOTICE: I hope everyone understands how absolutely stupid this story would be if it was true, just like the real story by KHOU or this one by David. (Thanks David for the idea!)

Harris County Attorney doing his job

Well this is refreshing. Harris County Attorney, Vince Ryan, is coming under attack by Harris County Commissioner's Court for ....uh.... doing his job.

Ryan had already signed a deal with the city to help it prosecute polluters in exchange for use of experts and monitoring equipment with which the county can build cases.

Wow. Our County Attorney is going after polluters by working with the City of Houston and sharing resources. Who can possibly argue with that?

"I think that it's your responsibility to do those things that we, Commissioners Court, ask of you, and I see that you've got the cart in front of the horse," Commissioner Jerry Eversole told Ryan.

And there you have it. Jerry Eversole. The same guy who was fined $70,000 by the Texas Ethics Commission for using his campaign donations to buy high priced, fancy, cowboy guns, leather chaps and cows. (over $180,000 worth) This is nothing but grandstanding by the extremely ethically challenged Commissioner Eversole and anyone who supported this ridiculous display of stupidity.

Instead of supporting Eversole in trying to stop Ryan from doing a job those of us in Harris County appreciate, they should be wondering why Eversole is still in office and more important, why they haven't asked for his resignation.

As for Ryan, I hope he keeps on doing his job. A tidbit from his website:

Vince Ryan was elected to a four-year term as the Harris County Attorney on November 4, 2008 and took his oath of office on January 1, 2009. He is no stranger to the office, having served an Assistant Harris County Attorney and First Assistant for former County Attorney Mike Driscoll from 1981 to 1987.

Crispy tacos or menudo?

This is getting embarrassing.

In an email from the Gene Locke campaign, distributed via Campos Communications, the staff is now claiming they had better Mexican cuisine than their opponent at dueling Hispanic campaign events. From the email:

One of those in attendance disputed Dos Centavos’ report that the “Latino community has more than embraced our next mayor.” Their breakfast included choices of menudo, omelets and pancakes. The Gene Locke lunch included crispy tacos or carne guisada.

Don't get me wrong, I love carne guisada. It is hard to find a good plate down here in Clear Lake, but Durango's on NASA Rd 1 serves a great bowl of menudo! But back to this food fight. I just don't get the Locke campaign.

Instead of being on the streets banging on doors and ringing the phones off the hook to get voters to the polls, or fending off the right wing attacks on his support of the gay community, or trying to recover from being caught playing both sides, or defending his record on the Sports Authority, Team Locke is comparing who served the best crispy tacos.

I just don't get it. It is such a stupid argument to be making. People vote for a quality candidate not for the type of food being served. What is Team Locke doing?

BTW. Durangos at 939 Nasa Road 1, also has some of the best cochinita pibil.

Twashing TWIA

What a load of TWIA crap, but what can you expect from an insurer of last resort when TWIA:
is a pool of all property and casualty insurers operating in the state. TWIA is governed by a nine-member board dominated by insurance company representatives.

TWIA is now being sued for not paying claims. Imagine that, an organization run by the insurance industry not paying claims. How can this ever happen in the great State of responsibility where in 2003 the republican party of Texas ushered in massive insurance reforms to lower our rates and allow insurance companies to compete?

The only thing the insurance companies are competing for is the chance to screw the consumers of Texas. With the highest rates in the nation, some right here in Harris County, insurance companies have profited handsomely even after hurricane Ike since 2003.

According to the republican party, insurance reform has worked.

Team Locke caught playing both sides

There is nothing worse for a political campaign than attempting to play both sides and getting caught doing it. Team Locke did it. Again.

Team Locke met with the wrong side of the right side of the republican party knowing what they stand for and who they represent. Meeting with Steven Hotze and State Senator Dan Patrick seeking their anti-sinner support isn't for the good for the city especially after claiming he is running on being inclusive. After being caught Team Locke attempted to distance themselves from Team Hotze with a pretty lame press release, but he didn't address the fact he got caught playing both sides. Again.

Team Locke did it early in the campaign by promising a black/brown coalition to the Tejano Democrats. No one would have ever known about this coalition, its intentions, its goals for those in the coalition, or its plans for those not in the coalition, but it was leaked by a blogger close to the campaign. Again, Team Locke was shooting their mouth off about being inclusive while wheeling and dealing behind closed doors. And he got caught.

The only side who like those who play both sides is the winning side after the election. Unfortunately for Team Locke the election is not over, he has been caught playing both sides, and now everyone is wondering which side he is really on.

Team Locke should be embarrassed, because it is embarrassing.

How the campaign crumbles.

Good for Locke for denouncing the hatefest about to be unleashed by Steven Hotze and a bunch of so called "religious" figures.

“As I have previously stated, I reject any association with the style of campaigning that was the subject of an article in the Houston Chronicle today. We have serious issues to deal with in our city that requires us to work together as one Houston and I trust that Houstonians will choose a new mayor based on the issues that effect our lives every day and not to be swayed by divisive rhetoric.”

That was pretty good, but there is a little problem. As Muse pointed out, this is not Locke's first rodeo. He knows who Steven Hotze is. He knew his history of hate mongering and intolerance and yet he sought his support. Until he got caught.

Locke got caught and is now trying to put the cookie back in the jar with crumbs all over his face. It is not going to happen. The cookie has crumbled. His campaign may be next.

Aggie Bonfire isn't coming back

It is worth saying this again. Rick Perry is so out of touch with everything he does lately. His comments about Aggie Bonfire returning to the campus is about as ignorant as it gets. The picture on the right is from 1994, 5 years before the collapse that killed 12 students. Unlike in 1999 this collapse took minutes instead of seconds.

From last year about this time:

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.

Team Locke in desperation mode

Gene Locke is looking for votes anywhere he can, even from the white wing of the right wing party including Paul Bettencourt who quit just a few days after being re-elected to the Harris County Tax Assessor. What could be worse than seeking the endorsement of a quitter? How about...... seeking the endorsement of Steven Hotze?

Locke has also met with and sought the endorsement of Dr. Steven Hotze, a longtime local kingmaker in conservative politics and author of the Straight Slate in 1985, a coterie of eight City Council candidates he recruited who ran on an anti-gay platform.

Of course this may help Locke with the white wing loony right, but who knows what they intend to do. Today they may be against gay life styles, until one of them are gay. They may be for protecting the sanctity of marriage, until one gets divorced. They may be for family values until one of them are caught porking a hooker in Louisiana. They may be for integrity, until one of them quits.....

Either way, the white wing of the right wing party is chock full of hypocrisy. Will Locke embrace the hypocrisy? Or run for Mayor of a diverse city. Let's watch the next few days.

Bill King: Locke is Screwed

Not sure what former Kemah Mayor, Bill King, was trying to achieve with his mass email about Gene Locke's chances in the the runoff, but what was clear is that Gene Locke is in some serious trouble in the race for Mayor.

No telling what Gene has promised King, if he wins, but it is clear he is going to extremes for endorsements and support. According to King's email:

• Parker is leading in the polls by 4 points. Who knows what other more reliable polls have shown, but if this is an indication of the best Locke can expect, it is not very good.
• The Suburban White Republican Leaning undecideds are going Parker's way. Locke got his butt kicked in Clear Lake, Kingwood, and in the West part of town. There is no reason for them to change their votes to Locke.
• The Suburban White Republican Leaning undecideds are not going to come out and vote. Why should they? They have no dog in this fight.
• Fundraising. This is going to be a very good or bad sign for Locke. Who would throw money at a losing campaign? Who would want to go grovelling to the winner afterward?

King may think the race is up for grabs with Locke having some kind of momentum, but I don't see it. There were too many precincts with Locke in last place. He has little if any chance to improve in these areas.

Maybe if defeated, King would like to go fishing with Locke?

There's no place like home.

Thanks to Marc Campos of Campos Communications for dispelling the awful rumor going around about working with Steven Hotze. He is not. Thank goodness!

Hotze is well known for sinking to new levels of low while claiming the high heavens during campaigns. Here is an example from the Houston Press:

"Our elected representatives are ministers of God who have been delegated their authority by God to uphold the standards of His Word. They are responsible before God to punish those individuals who violate His Laws and to protect those who keep His Laws."

Campos responded to the rumor after receiving an email as he posted on his blog with a "Wizard of Oz" theme.

I got an email last night that said the rumor out there was that I was going to work for that Hotze fella. Folks need to step away from their laptops, take a few deep breaths, and take a walk around the block.Afterwards, close your eyes and click your heels, and repeat after me – “not everything in cyperspace is true, not everything in cyperspace is true, not everything in cyberspace is true.”

At least the emailer had the courage to go straight to the man behind the curtain to get the answer to the rumor instead of spreading it on the internets.

Hotze is the lowest of the low. I am glad Campos is not involved with him. Anyone doing business with Holtze or accepting his endorsement should not be serving as an elected official.

Maybe Hotze just needs to get a heart. Or a brain.

Fox News Fox up.

Fox News Fox up. John Stewart nails them.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Sean Hannity Uses Glenn Beck's Protest Footage
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Texas is #1 in electricity rates

If it isn't obvious by now, electricity deregulation has been a complete failure for the citizens of Texas. According to an article by the Galveston Daily News, Texas has the highest increase in electricity rates, 57%. Click below for a larger pic.

How Gene Locke can win

Lots of folks have painted a pretty gloomy picture for Gene Locke's campaign based upon the election results from November 3rd. It is hard, with the voting numbers across the city so much against him, to come up with a way for him to win.

Who is his base? Where should he concentrate his GOTV? Where should he spend money? How will Locke raise any money without a plan and one that will work this time? Who, besides his Metro buddies, will give him any more money with such a poor showing last Tuesday?

I don't have the answers, but I can make some suggestions to the Locke campaign:

Quit handing out donuts. Who thought of going to Peter Brown's endorsement press conference and handing out over priced pastries? What was the idea? Did Team Locke think this would drive people to his side if he bribed them with tasty buttery pastries? In the future, stick to passing out promises for a museum.

Stop the low cost flyers. Again, who thought of distributing a low cost, amateurish, flyer at the Dynamo games in Spanish with misleading info on Parkers position on the stadium? It almost makes me believe the campaign is leaderless and desperate.

Create a black/brown coalition. Oh wait. Been there. Done that. Didn't work.

Have a Ladies for Locke Lunch. Oh wait. That was done also. The low cost "Mud flap girl" flyer didn't go over very well.

Cater to the right wing. Dang. Done that too and that didn't work either.

You know, this is too hard. How can Gene Locke win? Get all of his ministers together and pray. A lot. Locke is going to need all the help and donuts he can get.

Hmmmmmmm. Donuts.

BREAKING: Michael Berry's head to explode

UPDATE: Peter Brown will be endorsing Annise Parker for Mayor at 1:30 today.

Peter Brown has called a press conference to endorse someone in the race for Houston Mayor. The big question concerning this endorsement is: "When will Michael Berry's head explode?".

Berry, a white wing, 38 year old, young professional, who can shoot his mouth off about the wars, but won't shoot a gun to fight them, talk radio host has been going ballastic with his anti-Parker rants. He hasn't been too kind to Locke either, threatening to boycott the election. (boo-hoo) But come 1:30 cameras will be on Michael Berry's head.

Will his head explode because Brown endorsed Annise Parker? Or because he endorsed Locke? Will his head go left? Or left? Or will it just be sucked into his body? (all cavities are a possibility with Berry)

Whoever Brown endorses, we can expect Michael Berry to whine about it till Dec 12. Then he will whine about it for the next 6 years. Without a head.

WHO: Houston City Council Member and former Candidate for Mayor Peter Brown
WHAT: Peter Brown makes an official endorsement in the mayoral runoff
WHEN: Tuesday, November 10^th at 1:30 PM
WHERE: Steps of City Hall, 901 Bagby St., facing the reflection pool

CONTACT:

Lucinda Guinn, Campaign Manager

Telephone: 713-528-0049

www.peterbrownformayor.com

Palin to court the Tea Party nomination for President.

You read it here first. My prediction for the 2010 elections. Sarah Palin will seek the nomination for President of the United States from the newly formed Tea Party. Possible VP selections include Ross Perot, Joe the Plumber, Glenn Beck, and Governor Rick Perry.

Palin can't stay out of the spot light or in front of the cameras and the teabaggers need Palin for the Hollywood effect and comic relief. Their convention will be full of white angry teabaggers, having fun, and sharing lots of stupidity. But seriously, watch for Palin to seek this party's nomination. It will be a riot!

And if you don't think this is possible, the Tea Party has just been officially formed in Florida.

Locke-ing in the soccer mom vote

David Ortez writes about Gene Locke pandering to the soccer crowd at a Houston Dynamo game and posts a scan of his low cost campaign flyer his staff was handing out to the fans.

The literature falsely claimed "Annise Parker says she won’t “fund more museums and stadiums …*”" which is not what Annise said, or believes, but facts don't seem to matter to team Locke at this stage of the campaign. Parker has stated very clearly her position on additional spending while in the middle of dwindling income. Obviously Locke is clueless on this issue as well as soccer games.

Here is the complete flyer. More commentary below the pic:

What a waste of time, effort, paper, and money. Maybe Locke was trying to pander to the largely Hispanic crowd at the game. Unfortunately the crowd at Dynamo games is not predominantly Hispanic. It is a diverse crowd much to the credit of the sport becoming so popular with all ages and segments of the community. Score one for Houston.

Maybe next week Team Locke will have better luck with hand made flyers on the cars at the museum district calling for his life long dream of a Hispanic Museum.

At the end of the day, it will be Houston 2, Team Locke 0. GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where there is smoke, someone should get fired.

When will Leo Vasquez give Paul Bettencourt's "man on the inside" Ed Johnson the finger?

After settling with the Texas Democratic Party for voter suppression, costing the tax payers thousands of dollars in legal fees, requiring more tax dollars to come into compliance with the settlement, casting a dark shadow on the integrity of the Harris County Voters Registrar Office, and becoming a focal point for the United States Justice Dept, you would think Vasquez would take bold action to end this.

Vasquez has already reassigned Johnson, removing him from access to the voter records, but this is not enough. The investigation into his activity as a gop paid consultant and his access to the records is still ongoing. This shouldn't stop Vasquez from taking action and fire Bettencourt's inside man.

Seriously, what does it take for a republican to get fired in this town?

8 years later, insurance reform back on the table.

Hank Gilbert running for Texas Governor has released a plan for insurance reform in Texas. For those who didn't pay attention in 2002, or haven't paid attention to your homeowners rates over the last 8 years, here is what Governor Perry said in 2002 campaign:

"In recent months, there have been troubling trends in the homeowner's insurance market in Texas," said Governor Perry. "In too many cases, homeowner's insurance is getting more expensive, coverage is becoming harder to get, and instead of more companies stepping up to meet the demand, some companies have stopped writing comprehensive policies altogether."

Nothing ever happened except homeowners insurance got more expensive (highest in the nation), coverage is getting harder to get, and companies have stopped writing policies altogether (USAA) Gilbert intends to revive this campaign issue and should be able to hammer Perry on it. His plan includes a 20% rollback in insurance premiums, and an Insurance Commissioner elected by the citizens of Texas.

Only the incredibly ignorant think insurance reform in 2003 has been successful. Hank is a no nonsense kind of guy. He is going to tell it like it is, and plan to fix it. Unlike Perry he isn't going to look you in the eye and pick your family's pocket.

Other key points in the plan include:

• Requiring insurance companies to provide detailed financial justification for rate increases including cost justification exclusive to Texas without Texas income diverted out of state. In addition, all financial justification must be transparent and lobbying expenses would not be allowed to be included in cost justifications to support rate increases.
• Banning the use of credit scoring, data mining, and pattern recognition by insurance companies.
• A blue-ribbon commission to reassess tort reform legislation.
• A mandatory 20 percent “good driver” on auto insurance.
• Capping deductibles for auto insurance at $500 and homeowner’s insurance at $2,500.
• Requiring homeowner’s insurance rate freezes for the disabled and persons 65 years of age and above.
• Requiring insurance companies to offer a minimum number of standard policies to allow consumers to make better informed decisions through being able to compare policies offering identical protections side by side.
• Mandating the end to use of any rating territories in Texas except individual counties, and setting a 15 percent limit on the amount insurers may vary premiums within a single county excluding counties to which greater variances would be justified because of weather-related risks.
• Making it illegal for an insurer to base adverse underwriting or rating decisions on consumer inquiries.
• Mandating the collection and public reporting of claim denial rates on all types of insurance policies.

Leo Vasquez punked by Paul Bettencourt

Did Harris County Tax Assessor, Leo Vasquez, know what kind of poo Paul Bettencourt left him in when he quit just days after his re-election? Obviously not.

Harris County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to accept a settlement of a lawsuit filed by the Texas Democratic Party against Paul Bettencourt's Voter Registration Office. Included in this settlement:

• The voter registrar must now comply with all Texas Election Code deadlines. In sworn discovery, Bettencourt's staff admitted that more than 11,350 timely submitted applications were not processed and on the voter rolls when voting started as required by law.

• The voter registrar's employees can no longer have employment or financial interests in outside companies that provide voter information to candidates or political parties, a practice Bettencourt allowed and Vasquez defended regarding moonlighting Republican political consultant Ed Johnson.

• The voter registrar must provide training to employees to stop illegal rejection of applications.

• The voter registrar may not reject applications for hypertechnical reasons, such as not checking a box even though all the information needed to register was provided.

Bettencourt must have known something was coming down and left Leo with his big butt up in the air before he abandoned the voters of Harris County. He was a rising star among the republican crowd. Some thought he would run for Congress, but instead just days after being re-elected he quit like a coward leaving Vasquez to deal with the allegations of corruption confirmed by sworn testimony from his own staff:

• In sworn discovery, Bettencourt's staff admitted his claim that only 3,518 applications were “rejected” does not include 64,036 applications where a notice of incomplete was mailed, thousands of which were mailed too late to allow registration in time to vote.

• Bettencourt creatively compares apples and oranges to claim Harris County didn't reject more voters than other Texas counties, even though figures from those counties include both rejections and notices of incomplete. Nearly 66,000 more Harris County applications did not result in immediate registration than in Dallas County.

Our legal team pinpointed reasons for this shocking level of disenfranchisement.

• Despite an expected registration surge in 2008, Bettencourt did not alter policy that had reassigned experienced voter registration employees to other jobs.
• Some 39,159 notices of incomplete were sent in violation of law because voters provided a social security number instead of a driver's license number.
• Another 4,264 applications were delayed or rejected because Bettencourt and Johnson used outdated government databases to determine whether the address provided by a voter was residential or commercial, although the law requires the county to take the voter's word about residence.
• Thousands were delayed or rejected because voters did not check a box saying they were over 18, although they provided their date of birth.
• Thousands of applications were not processed within seven days as required by law, causing notices of incomplete to be mailed too late to meet the registration deadline. Bettencourt claims 29,386 eventually registered, but he and Vasquez refuse to release data showing how many registered too late to vote.
  

The last sentence sums up the problem. Instead of releasing the data that was requested in order to put an end to this lawsuit, Vasquez played hide the baloney and lawyer ed up. This from the party that doesn't believe in frivolous lawsuits and supports tort reform, but at the first sign of trouble, Vasquez hid behind an attorney.

In the end, the Texas Democratic Party did the right thing and the settlement proves it. It is a shame that it required a lawsuit to get out elected officials to do their damn jobs. As the Chairman of the TDP said:

It's time for Paul Bettencourt and his apologists to quit making excuses, take responsibility for his actions, and go away. In their place, Harris County taxpayers deserve new leadership and a voter registration office that doesn't need a court order to encourage participation by all citizens.

Dogpiling on the Hispanic voters who don't vote

As I said after the early voting totals were in, Hispanics are not voting. The Hispanic population could be the largest block of voters in Harris County unless they don't vote. And they proved that for the City races.

According to Marc Campos of Campos Communications Hispanics voted in the 9-11% range in the city elections and he has some pretty strong words for all Hispanics:

I’m going to recommend that the next Houston Area Latino Summit focus on Latino voter participation. For now, our “Si Se Puede” slogan has been temporarily revoked. We can’t Si Se Puede if we keep doing No Se Puede! All of us Latinos that are involved in H-Town politics ought be hanging our heads in shame right now. Latino power my arse!

Stace at Dos Centavos also has commentary on the issue. I have to agree with both. Why would any candidate pump money into winning the vote of those who do not vote? This has to change. At the very least the cheap pandering promises made by some candidates didn't sway anyone.

We can't expect to be heard if we do not speak up at the ballot box. If we do not vote, then we condone the actions of the few in attacking and blaming the Hispanic population for the city's problems. If we don't vote we condone racial profiling and those who pander on the steps of City Hall to the extreme right wing immigrant bashers.

We will talk about this at the next Latino Summit and then we will vote in November.

What a Boehner!

As predicted, Clear Lake goes for Morales

Did I predict this or what?

It just goes to show you how voters in the Clear Lake area think. It doesn't matter if your insurance rates triple, or your electricity rates double, or it costs twice as much to send your kid to college, if someone has an R by their name, they are voting for him! And they did in Clear Lake.

Roy Morales, the perennial city candidate with little if any experience in city politics got over 33% of the vote in Clear Lake. Parker received 30%, Brown 24% and Locke a very distant 11%. Maybe it was the biker vote. (although there is a very large biker presence in the Texas Democratic Party, one that includes a huge motorcycle rally at the TDP convention every two years.)

It will be interesting to see how Clear Lakers vote, or if they vote, in Dec for the runoff. Parker has received a grade of B from the Texas Conservative Review in Harris County, probably based upon her experience, fiscal policies and her no nonsense way of governing. Morales received an A. Peter got a C and Locke got an F.

Locke probably got an F for Fishing. Below are the details for voting in Clear Lake precincts:

precinct	Brown	Morales	Parker	Locke
92	142	210	218	64
306	118	161	183	57
391	72	81	108	39
393	31	36	31	18
416	113	85	99	55
417	56	80	99	55
473	148	263	180	54
474	1	0	0	0
475	44	35	22	32
545	2	0	3	0
568	165	244	200	99
699	105	167	136	59
718	246	272	233	87
721	155	240	191	53
724	39	57	44	24
728	45	65	63	13
732	111	171	132	51
744	112	153	123	44
745	139	208	180	60
746	23	17	28	7
748	24	17	27	4
750	8	2	8	17
782	3	1	0	0
845	1	0	0	0
	1903	2565	2308	892
	24.82%	33.45%	30.10%	11.63%

Why a Democrat should challenge Jerry Eversole

City Council Member Toni Lawrence has decided not to challenge ethically challenged Jerry Eversole. Why?

"We have a lot of mutual friends, we really do, and it was really tough on a lot of those mutual friends," Lawrence said. "It was putting pressure on those people of who they were going to support and what they were going to do."

This is an indication that ethics is just another word for nothing left to steal. Lawrence had an opportunity to challenge one of the most unethical County Commissioner in the history of Harris County, and yet declined. Lawrence and the republican party of Harris County obviously thinks what Jerry Eversole has done with his donors money is within ethical guidelines of the party. I have to agree.

The republican party has lost it's soul. They are no longer strong on defense but are strong on defense spending for their corporate buddies. They tolerate their elected officials affairs with hookers and hot Argentina women. They turn a blind eye to teenage pregnancy when it happens to their party, all while thumping their bibles like a drum line at a half time show.

They can't balance a checkbook but can run a country or state into the fiscal toilet. They talk about immigration yet do nothing about it for 8 years. They screamed about ending abortion yet did nothing when they controlled Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court.

And they tolerate Jerry Eversole. They are truly a party of immoral, bible thumping, unethical voters with the accounting skills of an Enron employee and illegal immigrants mowing their lawn because it is a good bargain.

And that's why a Democrat should challenge Eversole in the general election. This election will not be about the ethics of Jerry Eversole, it will be about the ethics and moral character of the republican party and their supporters. Let's put their holier than thou character on the ballot and let them vote on it.

I would bet on Eversole.

Where did Peter go wrong?

After spending over $3 Million, Peter Brown came in 3rd place to Gene Locke and Annise Parker in the race for Houston Mayor. I am sure many, including Rick Casey of the Houston Chronicle, will analyze what happened and why it happened. So here is my two sense.

Peter actually ran a pretty good TV and mail campaign focusing on a clear message: He has a blueprint for Houston. And with $3 Million at his disposal, he was able to repeat this message over and over and over.....and over, which is the perfect blueprint for getting peoples attention. Unfortunately it did not turn into enough votes.

Maybe it was the negative ads that was his downfall. Or his dispute with Locke over the black vote. Or maybe it was Peter Brown trying to cater to the moderate republicans. As Brains and Eggs said

"The old axiom about choosing between a real Republican and a pretend one is only partly true in this case -- more people still chose Brown, but barely."

Whatever was the cause for the 3rd place finish, Brown is out of the race and has $3 Million less in his retirement fund. Here's to Peter and his upcoming retirement.

If he waits till Dec 13, he just might have a fishing partner.

The shockers of the Houston elections

Roy Morales gets over 20% of the vote. That is a shocker. The man is clueless. Absolutely clueless and yet 20% of the voters want him as Mayor. Clue-frickin-less.

Peter Brown is in third place. After spending $3.2 Million of his wife's money, he is going to have a very long long Christmas season coming in 3rd place. How can you lose after spending $3.2 Million? Or come in 3rd. Kudus to the voters of Houston.

Gene Locke. Coming in 2nd place. That is a shocker to Peter Brown. So far he looks to be in a run off with Annise Parker. Everyone expected him to peak at 3rd. Maybe he will just peak at 2nd.

C.O. Bradford. I just don't get it. With all of his baggage with the crime lab, the voters of Houston put him back in office. Shocking. Just frickin shocking.

One thing about election parties.......

Everyone is a frickin expert. If you have a computer you are an expert. If you don't have a computer you look for someone who does then overwhelm everyone with statistical bullshit.

That is what is happening right now. I am being overwhelmed with statisticians.