One too Many Candidates in Democratic Gov. Debate

While some and others on the net think that the 7 candidates running for Governor on the Democratic side should be invited to the debate on Feb 7 on KEDA (Kee Duh), I think there are 6 too many. I'm not even sure why Bill White would need to debate Farouk Shami who has no idea what he is doing, or what he would do as Governor. (Much like Debra Medina)

And the others, who I can't even name, are as irrelevant as the candidates running for Congress in District 22.Who are they and who really cares?

Including every unknown candidate (including Shami) wouldn't be a mistake. It would be stupid. If this was a debate for High School President, it might be a good thing, but this isn't a liberal twister game we are playing. White vs Shami is bad enough.

Oh....the picture above is one of the 6 besides Shami who doesn't know what the hell he is doing running for Governor.

Surprise Winner in Republican Debate: Wayne Slater

Congratulations to the surprise winner in the Governor's debate between Rick Perry, Kay Bailey, and Medina, and that winner is Wayne Slater of the Dallas Morning News.

Wayne not only asked more questions, he answered more questions than the candidates. Perry at times was irritated and mad at Slater while Kay looked puzzled, and Medina was puzzled. Neither candidate provided straight answers or discussed anything important to the future of Texas such as education, insurance, electricity, or the sad state of our government. Instead they kept talking about the dead, such as the Trans Texas Corridor, and the past. Nothing new. Nothing the average person is interested in.

So, the winner is Wayne Slater for Texas Governor!

Texas Assoc of Builders: Homebuyers are Stupid.

Scott Norman is the executive director of the Texas Association of Builders. He was interviewed by KVUE concerning the homeowners in San Antonio whose homes are literally falling off a cliff. His comments border on stupidity and deception.

Scott Norman, Executive Director of the Texas Association of Builders believes prospective homeowners should study-up, too; he contends buyers have options when it comes to arbitration.

”It’s entered into willingly by the parties to the contract not all builders in Texas use it: some do, some do not,” he explained.

His comments have been proven to be incorrect over and over again, but it doesn't stop him from saying it to the media or our elected officials. I believe his deception will come to an end in the near future and our Legislator will realize he has been stretching the truth and bullshitting them.

BTW. Norman was the lead person on saving the builder's Residential Construction Commission and he failed miserably. The Commission was abolished in 2009.  Norman's track record isn't very good and it might be tested again on the issue of mandatory binding arbitration.

Homebuilders Kicked in the Nuts at Arbitration Hearing

You think they would learn.

Cold Hearted Bastards
The Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee chaired by Representative Todd Hunter held a hearing on arbitration and the overwhelming majority of the testimony was directed at the Texas homebuilding industry, once again depicting them as cold hearted, cruel, bastards. Just as they have been depicted over the last 10 years at every single hearing on the abuse of mandatory binding arbitration.

It hasn't changed in 10 years and our elected officials have done nothing.

Whores of the Industry
There were a number of individuals who were arbitrators, or worked for the arbitration industry or in some way, made money off of homeowners, who testified how homeowners were better off without the protection of the 7th amendment of the Constitution of the United States. Their testimony was tainted since they were whores to the industry. Here are the words of the Constitution they crap on:

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Homebuilder Attorneys
And there were the homebuilders and their attorneys attempting to rationalize why homeowners are better off without the protection of the 7th amendment and snickering when homeowners were crying during their testimony. Not one single homeowner testified in favor of arbitration over the last 10 years. Not one single consumer group testified in favor over the last 10 years. Only those who benefit from arbitration spoke in favor of forcing homeowners into it as a prerequisite to buying a home.

It's not a mistake.
Make no mistake about this hearing or any hearing over the last 10 years.  It was about the abuse of the home building industry of mandatory binding arbitration. The home building industry was kicked in the nuts for over 4 hours prompting the lead counsel of the Texas Association of Builders to say "My industry has taken a hit today". No shit sherlock! Are you that dense? Are you that stupid? Are you that immoral? Do you need to go to church Einstein?

To his credit, Representative Hunter has called for a working group to work on this issue. Let's hope it is not stacked against the consumer and it is focused on stopping the use of mandatory binding arbitration in new home contracts.

Live Blogging: Arbitration Hearing in Austin

Live Video of the Hearing on Arbitration in Austin

If you are interested in this hearing you can find the live video feed from the Capitol here. This hearing will be on the abuse of mandatory binding arbitration clauses in new home contracts, credit cards, cable, insurance, cars, etc etc. The hearing starts at 10:00 am Weds Jan 27, 2010.

Pete Olson gets Watergated

Thanks to Brains and Eggs for this tidbit of teabagging:

Congressman Pete Olson filed a resolution in Congress in support of James O'Keefe for "setting an example for concerned citizens across America" and was "owed a debt of gratitude by the people of the United States". James O'Keefe has been arrested by the United States Marshalls. Olson was last seen running away as fast as he can. (At least he isn't looking like a deer in the headlights)

(O'Keefe and three other men) were charged with entering federal property under false pretenses and attempting to gain access to (Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu)’s office by posing as telephone repairmen, according to a copy of an FBI affidavit unsealed Tuesday.

That Loud Whining Sound You Hear From Clear Lake

NASA's budget will remain flat for 2011 and expect to hear the whining start from those making the 6 figure incomes. In fact hear it is:

“I am extremely concerned that the president has failed to match rhetoric with reality,” said Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, whose congressional district includes Houston's Johnson Space Center.

Olson is the rookie Congressman workers at JSC put in charge of NASA back in Nov of 2008. His predecessor, Nick Lampson, had been working hard to establish long term funding for NASA and with great success. Olson hasn't been so successful. Lampson, early on, realized the goals established by President Bush back in 2005 was lacking the necessary funding. The Augustine Commission confirmed it:

In October the Augustine Commission finalized a report that concluded, “The human spaceflight program that the United States is currently pursuing is on an unsustainable trajectory.”

And/Or DUH!  Bush wanted to go to the Moon, Mars, service the Space Station, retire the Shuttle, and build a new vehicle, all without one extra penny of money. It was an unattainable goal in 2005 and it is an unattainable goal in 2010.

NASA supporters have had their heads in the clouds(and elsewhere) when it comes to working within the budget, the huge deficit, and our debt, but that will not stop them from whining. NASA does not need more money. They need to focus on retiring the Shuttle, then building a new vehicle to service the Station, then on to the Moon. In that order.

And please don't start whining about funding a $700 Billion trip to Mars. That was never going to happen.

San Antonio Homeowners Shaftted by the Shifting

Homeowners in San Antonio may be affected by a massive shift in the soil of their subdivision.

SAN ANTONIO - The city's emergency management coordinator says at least five homes are in danger of being destroyed in a "significant landslide" that is causing the earth to continue to shift on the Northwest Side. The shifting soil has officials worried that two retaining walls could collapse near widening gaps.

Pictures and video are available at WOAI. Many of the homeowners have had utilities cut off and some have been placed in a local hotel until this can be resolved. Unfortunately with the laws in Texas against them, these homeowners may eventually get the shaft from the shift. Good luck. They are going to need it.

Maybe they should call the Governor for help.

Vote for Perry or I'll Kill You.

Rick Perry is paying people to sign up others to vote for him. With unlimited campaign donations in the state of Texas, Perry can pay alot  of people, including felons to buy a vote for him.

And the revelation that some have criminal histories, including some for drug-related crimes, could open the campaign to charges of carelessness. Perry's report shows that the campaign has paid more than $360,000 to part-time employees. That's nearly 8 percent of the expenditures listed in his report, which covers the last half of 2009.

This Governor will do anything, say anything, or pay anything to get elected. Hey, wanna vote for Perry? No? I think you really need to reconsider.......

Spending Campaign Cash 2010: Texas State Rep. Carl Isett

State Representative Carl Isett is a certified public accountant in the Lubbock area. He has decided not to seek re-election, ending what seems to be a nice gravy train.

Background
In 2007, Isett's campaign was fined $6400 by the Texas Ethics Commission. He was required to refund his campaign over $25,000 for paying his wife $36,000 for "accounting services." The Texas Election Code specifically prohibits an officeholder from paying his or her spouse for personal services. After being caught, he paid over $39,000 to "Lubbock Bookkeeping Services" for the same services. It was later found that LBS was owned by his wife and had the same address as  Rep Isett's home address. The Texas Ethics Commission declined to take action on this. See Complaint 2707158.

$39,000 for Bookkeeping Services
From the Texas Ethics Commission records on Isett:

Year		Donations		Bookkeeping		Paid to
2000		$  55,095.00		$            -		NA
2001		$  35,851.00		$            -		NA
2002		$  85,701.00		$            -		NA
2003		$  77,070.00		$   1,700.00		The Tutoring Company, Cheri Isett Accounting
2004		$  56,102.00		$   9,815.00		Cheri Isett Accounting
2005		$177,106.00		$   9,787.00		Cheri Isett Accounting
2006		$  87,176.00		$ 15,700.00		Cheri Isett Accounting
2007		$  77,200.00		$ 39,158.00		Lubbock Bookkeeping Services
2008		$320,740.00		$ 12,693.00		Kathy Mears
2009		$  52,850.00		$ 30,475.00		Kathy Mears

Notice how during his first years in office, he did not pay for bookkeeping services. In 2003 he began to pay his wife a small amount for campaign accounting, which grew to tens of thousands of dollars, effectively channeling large sums of money from his campaign account into his personal household checking account. In 2007 more than half of his donations went to his wife's accounting firm, LBS and in 2009 over 60% of his donations went to a "Kathy Mears" (any relationship to Isett?) to manage his books. Now that Isett is retiring, this sweet deal to pad his or others income is ending.

Mileage
In 2009 Isett paid himself over $20,000 for mileage, doing the work of the people in his personal vehicle. Of this, over $6400 was reimbursed by the Texas Comptroller's office which he put back into his campaign leaving $13,600 in question. Usually if a person reimburses himself for mileage, this covers all the costs of maintaining the personal vehicle including gasoline, oil changes, tires, insurance, etc. There is just one question. Is it his personal vehicle?


The Truck.
According to his reports filed in 2004, Isett paid $12,386 for a truck to Pollard Ford from his campaign cash for "100% Business Use". Pollard later donated $3000 to his campaign. Isett also paid for a truck liner, new tires, brakes, oil changes, and insurance from the campaign cash. All of these expenditures are legal unless you take the mileage deduction. But, how can you claim $13,600 for use of a personal vehicle on a vehicle that is not personal? There is no record of the campaign selling the vehicle and returning the cash to the campaign, so it must be assumed he is still using it and claiming mileage for it.

End of the Gravy Train.
Isett had a good thing going paying his wife's company $39,000 from his donors' money to maintain his books and paying himself for mileage. With his retirement he has to deboard the gravy train. Don't look to the Ethics Commission to look into this situation.

The Sunset Commission
On a side note, Rep Isett presided over the Sunset hearing on the Texas Residential Construction Commission and led the charge to overturn the Sunset staff's recommendation to abolish it. After many months of work and large amounts of money spent during the legislative session to save it, the TRCC was eventually abolished. Isett could have saved the state and his builder buddies a lot of money.

&^%$ You Rick Perry!

Governor Perry is airing a commercial with people saying "Thank You Governor Perry" for lowering the business tax that he actually created and thanks for having the largest home market, obviously from his home builder buddies. It seems like we need another commercial made by the middle class citizens of Texas called "&^%$ You Governor Perry!"

College Student: &^%$ You Governor Perry. After you deregulated college tuition, I can't afford next semester. Now I am working in a &^%$ing Burger King.

Homeowner. &^%$ You Governor Perry. After your massive insurance reform, my homeowners rates have tripled, I have less coverage, and my deductible is out the roof. Why have insurance anymore?

Grandmother. &^%$ You Governor Perry. After you deregulated electricity my rates have soared. How do I pay these bills during the hot summer on a fixed income?

High school student. &^%$ You Governor Perry. Our state has the highest dropout rate in the nation and yet you have done nothing. Real smart Einstein.

Mom and dad with a sick child. &^%$ You Governor Perry! You passed massive tort reform and yet Texas has the highest rates for health care and the highest rate increases in the nation. We are going broke and you don't care.

Rancher. &^%$ You Governor Perry! You tried to take my land for your foreign made toll road. Thanks to those who fought you on this issue.

Teacher. &^%$ You Governor Perry. Your Texas Tax Shuffle has stolen money from the students of this state and given it to your own corporate buddies.

Perry is going to run on everything but his record. Over the last ten years he has screwed the average citizen in Texas, but he has ignorance on his side. And ignorance is powerful and the ignorant love Rick Perry.

Feel free to add you own *&^% You to Governor Perry.

Leo Vasquez Watch: Townhall Meeting Jan 27

It must be election time and Leo Vasquez must have an opponent because he is having town hall meetings. Here is the announcement from his office. It would be a good time to ask him what he intends to do to increase voter registration.

Tax Office team will be in Huffman Jan. 27

Vasquez, staffers will help with voter registration, tax, auto issues

HOUSTON – Jan. 21, 2010 – If you need in-person assistance with property tax questions, voter registration, or automobile registration, as well as veteran-specific issues, you can get it from Leo Vasquez, the  Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar, on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at a town hall meeting Commissioner Jerry Eversole’s Precinct 4. 

The meeting will be from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27 at the May Community Center, 2100 Wolf Road in Huffman. This will be the third in a series of four town hall meetings designed to help residents understand how to get the services they need more easily.

“Most of the adult residents of Harris County deal with my office every year,” Vasquez explained.  “We collect property taxes, handle vehicle registrations and license plates and register voters.

“We want to get out into the communities and tell our customers about our services that are available via mail, telephone, the Internet or at about 200 grocery stores. We’ve stressed ‘Get online, not in line’ for years. However, too many people still choose to come to our 16 locations when they could conduct their business more conveniently.”

At each meeting, Vasquez will describe the operations of the office. Then he and members of the office’s Community Outreach team will answer questions and help residents solve some problems. Most of the necessary forms will be available. Help will be available in English and in Spanish.

The fourth town hall meeting will be held Feb. 3, 7-9 p.m., in the Bayland Park Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet St., Houston in Commissioner Steve Radack’s Precinct 3.

Jerry Eversole: Thank God for Chambers County

Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole must be breathing a sigh of relief now that Wayne Dolcefino, the government watchdog of KTRK, has latched onto the leg of a County Commissioner other than his. Here is the third part of Wayne's three part series on misusing FEMA funds in Chamber County.

Jerry Eversole Now has Company

Wayne Dolcefino's second of three reports on Chambers County Commissioners and the $60 Million in FEMA funds is now online. It is a killer. After Wayne exposed Jerry Eversole's spending spree with his donors money, Eversole went to the Texas Ethics Commission which slapped his campaign with a small fine and ordered Eversole to repay $40,000 to his campaign. Jerry eventually got away with $120,000. The Commissioners in Chambers County will not be that lucky.

The FBI is now investigating and if what Wayne says is true, someone is going to jail. In Texas you can steal and get away with it if the watch puppy is the TEC, but steal from FEMA, and get caught, and you will have to answer to a different breed.

Move Over Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole!

Wayne Dolcefino, investigation reporter of KTRK nails another County Commissioner besides Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole, this time from Chambers County. If what is on this report is true, unlike Jerry Eversole, someone is going to face felony charges. Watch Wayne Dolcefino's report:

Yet Another Hearing on Arbitration in the Texas House. Wed Jan 27

The Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee chaired by Representative Todd Hunter will be holding a hearing on the use of arbitration in Texas in response to interim charge #2.

Study and make recommendations regarding the use of arbitration in Texas and
the effect such practices have on state jurisprudence.

In 2002 two hearings, one in the Senate and one in the House were conducted to examine the abuse of arbitration, especially in the area of new home contracts. The now defunct Texas Residential Construction Commission also performed a study although it was very slanted towards the home builders. At all the hearings, the consumers hammered the home building industry with horror stories attributed to arbitration. This hearing should be no different. Unfortunately after numerous hearings nothing has been done to resolve the problem.

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/schedules/html/C3302010012710001.htm

COMMITTEE Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
       
TIME & DATE: 10:00 AM, Wednesday, January 27, 2010
   
PLACE: E2.010
   
CHAIR: Rep. Todd Hunter   
           
Committee will meet to discuss interim charge number 2 relating to
studying and making recommendations regarding the use of arbitration in
Texas and the effect such practices have on state jurisprudence. Committee
will hear both invited and public testimony.

Family Values Return to the Republican Party.

Congratulations to republican Scott Brown for leading the charge for the return of family values to the republican party with his win in Massachusetts last night.

Brown, pictured left in a 1982 Cosmo centerfold, is probably more of a teabagger than a real republican, but that doesn't matter. Brown gave a stiff challenge to his opponent and will surely help the Boehner in his efforts to bring a much needed lift to family values and crap like that to the republican party. Congratulations.

Texas State Senator's Ethics Complaint Cloaked in Secrecy

After a 2 year investigation, the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) dismissed a complaint against State Senator Jane Nelson for using  over $214,000 of her campaign contributions to buy a condo in Austin. The details of this investigation have been hidden from the public by the TEC.

Senator Jane Nelson, at one time, was being considered for United States Senator to fill the seat once Senator Hutchison resigned to run for Governor. This ethics complaint could have easily affected her ability to run for the office. Maybe that is why they delayed the resolution of this complaint for over 2 years.

Background:
Senator Nelson spent $2000/month for a total of $214,000 of her campaign cash on a "lease" paid to "Twin Star". This lease was thought to be for a private plane not for the purchase of a condo. There is no entity called "Twin Star", but the address for "Twin Star" listed on her ethics reports, PO Box 603 Lewisville, TX 75067, is an old address of her husbands company according to a report filed with the EPA. Her husband is president of an airplane parts company, Mayday Manufacturing. She has since sold the condo and has stopped paying for a lease. Now she is paying  $1800/month to Patsy Reid.

It seems on the surface that Nelson was hiding her payments for a condo under the name Twin Star, but in reality these payments were being made to either a mortgage company, her husband, or her husband's company. Either, if true, would be against Ethics laws, or so one would think.

The Secret Agreement
The Ethics Commission dismissed the complaint basically saying "She didn't do it". Nothing more. You can read the 2 page resolution here. After 2 full years the Ethics Commission couldn't offer any insight into who Twin Star is/was, who the payments were made to, who profited from the sale of the condo, or even if her campaign money was used for the purchase of a condo. She wasn't even required to amend her reports to disclose this information. All of this information will forever be hidden from the public. Why?

$65,000
Maybe the fact that Nelson used over $65,000 of her donors money to pay for "professional services" had something to do with it. Nelson paid $65,000 to Ed Shack, a well known ethics attorney, and Gardner Aldrich LLP, both were CCed in the Agreed Resolution. These expenditures were documented in her latest ethics report. Everyone else who had an ethics violation filed against them, including State Representative Vicki Truitt had to disclose some amount of detail on the expenditures. It is amazing what can be buried with the right amount of money and an attorney.

Vicki Truitt
Speaking of Vicki Truitt, a complaint was also filed against her for purchasing a condo with her donors money through her husband. After a 1.5 year investigation it too was dismissed. Her defense? Her mortgage company lost the only document that would prove she was innocent of the charges. (The dog ate her homework)  (I kid you not read the resolution) At least the Ethics Commission gave 6 pages of details about why the complaint was dismissed. In Senator Nelson's case, they hid the details.

What Next?
Every complaint filed against an elected official for buying a condo with their donors money have been dismissed. State Reps Gene Seaman, Toby Goodman (dimissed on appeal), Vicki Truitt, and State Senator Jane Nelson. The only complaint left is against former Senator Kim Brimer.

Anyone wanna bet on the outcome?

Pass the Butter. Kay Bailey is Toast.

With under 6 weeks left, Kay Bailey is trailing Governor 39% by 10 points in a new Rassmussen poll conducted by the most news worthy, Fox News. The results:

The poll of 831 likely Republican voters showed Perry with 43 percent, Hutchison with 33 percent, and Medina at 12 percent.

If anyone was wondering why she never gave up her seat in the United States Senate, these numbers should tell you something, like Kay Bailey sucks. And she knows it. Looks like the race will end up in a runoff with Medina endorsing the Governor of Secession, Rick Perry. No way in hell a right wingnut like Medina will ever endorse a moderate like Kay.

So pass the budda.

Jerry Eversole's Hush Money to the Harris County Republican Party

Ever wonder why the Harris County Republican Party has been quiet about Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole's historic ethics violations? Ever wonder where the moral outrage from the party of conservative values went? Ever wonder why they haven't called for his immediate resignation? Well, answers may have been found!

Eversole received the largest fine in the history of the Texas Ethics Commission, $75,000, for spending over $162,000 of his donors money on cattle, antique western clothing, antique books, western art and more. He was the subject of an investigation by Wayne Dolcefino of KTRK who discovered Eversole working out in his gym (paid for with his donors money) on Harris County time. And according to Eversole himself, he is under investgation by the FBI. From Wayne:

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Eyewitness News has learned the FBI has taken the lead role in the investigation of Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole. We've been bringing you the exclusive details since October about his use of campaign money and the house a county contractor helped design.

So, why has the Harris County Republican Party, the party of ethics and conservative values been so quiet about this? There are 19,000 reasons. In 2009 Friends of Jerry Eversole donated $19,000 to the HCRP. To top this off, Eversole donated $1000 to the Chair of the HCRP, Jared Woodfill who is being challenged by 3 others for the chair. Jared has refused to comment on Eversole's situation. Cha-Ching!

So, wonder no more about the deafening silence you hear from the moral, conservative, holier than thou, God fearing, righteous right, conservative, republican party of Harris County about Eversole's lack of ethics, his FBI investigation, and his love of bovine. When he takes his donor's hard earned money and spends it on golf, cattle, chaps, and etchings, what's wrong with sending a bit of it to Jared too?

So, let's all just Moo-ve on.

Martin Luther King Day and Leo Vasquez

Diane Trautman has a point.

As you might remember Diane challenged Paul Bettencourt for Harris County Tax Assessor and Collector in 2008. Bettencourt won, then quit a few weeks later. The republicans on the Commissioners Court appointed Leo Vasquez to fill in for the quitter.

On this day of celebrating MLK's fight for equal rights for all Americans Diane points out that this is exactly what is missing from Leo's office.

The incumbent Tax Assessor for Harris County used his office to lobby aggressively in the Texas Legislature last year on behalf of a controversial bill that would have imposed an onerous voter identification system on low-income, elderly, and other legitimate citizens. The office has also been under intense scrutiny for purging tens of thousands of seemingly legitimate voters from the rolls, including a large number of minority voters.

Instead of helping people of all races, all religions, all levels of income to take advantage of their rights to vote, Bettencourt and his puppet Vasquez has done just the opposite. Add this to the Ed Johnson fiasco and you get an office that stinks of dishonesty, partisan politics, and corruption. Johnson who was moon lighting as a salesman of voting data, the very data he was in charge of, is still employed by the county.

Leo Vaquez's office has the smell of an overflowing outhouse left in shambles by Paul Bettencourt, the winner of the Sarah Palin "I Quit" Award. It just plain stinks.

Counter Protest of Afghanistan War at Texas A&M

A counter protest of young conservative students of Texas A&M against the Brazos Coalition Against the War will be held on the campus of Texas A&M on January 20, 2010. This counter protest will include military recruiters from the Army and Marines. Members of the Arny and Marines are usually the first to deploy in combat areas in Afghanistan.

"We are going to sign up as many young conservative students who are in support of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to support our troops by volunteering to serve." said an Army recruiter.

"Unlike those who are against the war, these young conservative students are willing to shoot their mouths off about the war and are willing to shoot a gun in it also to then." said another recruiter.

The counter protest will begin January 20  from 5 PM until 8 PM at the intersection of Texas and University Avenue. During that time, every young, brave, conservative student will be asked to make a commitment to defend their country by joining the service and volunteer for combat duty in the front lines in Afghanistan.

Conservative wussies need not attend.

Ethics Commission Scores on Football Tickets

The Texas Ethics Commission has given our elected officials a 1st  and 10 when it comes to buying professional sports tickets with their contributors money. In a recent Agreed Resolution against State Senator John Whitmire, the Ethics Commission has ruled that buying tickets for the Houston Texans, Houston Rockets, and Houston Astros with donors money is not a violation of law for converting campaign money to personal use. This ruling clears the way for elected officials to use the campaign cash for sporting events.

Whitmire didn't just buy a couple of tickets to a few games. Instead he bought $38,000 of Astro tickets, $21,000 for the Houston Texans, $33,000 for Houston Rockets. In response to this Senator Whitemire swore:

“In the year 2000, I began purchasing season tickets to the three professional sporting teams to increase political visibility and to support the arenas he had passed legislation to help construct. I gave the tickets to charity auctions, supporters and contributors, and constituents.”

Whether you think using your donors money for professional sports is right or wrong doesn't really matter anymore since the Ethics Commission has signaled a touchdown. Game over.

The Ethics Commission could ask for a review and write an opinion to ban the practice. Given the history of the Commission, I would be calling for a substitution about now.

What They Didn't Talk About in the Republican Debate

Thanks goes to the organizers of the gop Governors debate for allowing Candidate Medina to participate. At least she provided some interesting comments, although not much else.

This debate was more about who was more right wing and less wing nut. If this was used to rate the candidates, Medina wins hands down. What was missing from this debate was very telling. Our state isn't exactly doing very well in almost every category measurements are taken. Even unemployment is creeping up on us. So what do the candidates focus on? Rick Perry's Trans Texas Corridor (uh....we killed it no thanks to Hutchinson). Gun control? In Texas? Bailouts and more budget cutting like we really need more to be cut in Texas.

What was missing was discussion on issue affecting the average citizen of Texas. The high cost of homeowners insurance, electricity, and college tuition would have been good to talk about. Our dropout rate. Our pregnancy rates among high school kids. Lack of health care for the poor in the state. The lack of insurance for those who need it. Unfortunately, Perry caused many of these problems, Hutchison has old ideas how to solve them, and Medina just has no idea. At least Medina knows one thing that we can agree upon, the republicans have lost their heart and soul and their bread and butter talking points.

UPDATE: The Texas Democratic Party had the same comments: 

“The most notable thing about last night’s Republican Gubernatorial debate was what the candidates didn’t talk about – educating our kids, getting traffic moving again, lowering homeowners insurance and utility rates and making college tuition affordable for working families."

They are no longer the  less government, strong on defense, fiscally conservative, party of family values. Instead they have to rely on wedge issues such as gun control and immigration (something they failed to do anything about over the last 10 years. They are only strong on defense spending, as well as spending us into a $11 Trillion debt and they have family values of a hooker at the republican convention.

At least Medina knows why these issues shouldn't be brought up. Instead focus on how right wing you can be without looking like a nut job. (although that might be late)

Great Clear Lake Restaurants: Durangos Mexican Grill

Durangos Mexican Grill was opened in the early 80's after a restaurant called Merida's closed. Merida's was famous for it's Yucatan style of food. It was located on the corner of El Camino and NASA Rd 1 in the corner of a small shopping center. After Merida's closed some of the staff,  moved just a few doors down and opened Durangos.

Durango's is also famous for it's Yucatan style Mexican food. My favorite is the Conchinita Pibil (roast pork) with black beans. Happy Hour is all day, every day. Ask for the "morning" sauce which is served warm and is great! They have a breakfast menu with Chilaquilas (eggs and corn tortitas),  super breakfast tacos, and hot menudo!

It is really a great place to eat and still on the corner of El Camino and NASA Rd 1 in the Palias Royal and Half Price Bookstore shopping center. Also, Durango's has WiFi! WooHoo!

Texas is Number 1. Again.

Balancing the budget in Texas is easy when you have the backs of the poor to place the burden on and the republicans in Texas has been riding them for 10 years resulting in another award. From the Houston Chronicle:

AUSTIN — Texas has the worst performing food stamp program in the nation, says the federal director who oversees the project designed to help desperate people get nutritious meals.

In other words, WE SUCK. Again. Perry and the republican party can put this trophy up along side of the one for highest insurance rates in the nation, highest electricity, and soaring college tuition costs. And there is more! We're #1 in pollution, teenage pregnancy, children without health insurance,  in population without health insurance, and more.

It is going to take a long time to fix what Perry and his party has screwed up in Texas, much like how they screwed up this country.

Jerry Eversole. A Day Late and $51 Million Short.

Well, better Nate than lever. Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole was critical of the Sheriff's department for a $51 Million overrun in their budget. From the Houston Chronicle:

The Sheriff’s Office budget has escalated from $255 million four years ago to the projected $423 million — a 66 percent surge.

Eversole grandstanded on this with:

“I have asked the budget director to explain to me how the sheriff can be $51 million over and we are expected to carry that by cutting the precincts’ budgets,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Jerry Eversole said.

Eversole said he fears the Sheriff’s Office overspending will come at the expense of maintenance of 2,700 miles of roads and thousands of acres of parks in his precinct. “Why can’t I be $51 million over budget? That’s what I asked the budget director,” Eversole said. “I think those questions are going to be asked again in open court.”

Four Years Late.

Besides working out in the gym with this personal trainer he paid for with his donors money and shopping around for cattle, western chaps, books and handguns, you have to wonder where Eversole has been during the reign of his republican buddy, former Sherrif Tommy Thomas who is responsible for the majority of the increases. Unlike Tommy, Garcia has cut spending:

Garcia increased spending by 4 percent in his rookie year, according to data provided by his office, compared with annual increases of at least 16 percent in each of the last three years under his predecessor.

So where was Eversole during the last 4 years when his buddy was spending money like a drunk republican?  Maybe asleep on the treadmill.

Yee-Haa! Its Roundup Time You Critters!

With blue lips and chattering teeth, the Texas Progressive Alliance brings you a hot steaming mug of blog highlights for the week. Pictured is our Governor just before his audition with the Village People.

This week on Left of College Station: the filling deadline has ended and the primaries in the Brazos Valley are crowded with candidates. Also, a look at who tweets among the primary candidates for Texas Congressional District 17 and which does not want Left of College Station to follow their tweets. Teddy also takes a look at the modern day slavery of human trafficking, and how Houston has become one of the biggest hubs for the modern day slave trade. Left of College Station also covers the week in headlines.

WCNews at Eye On Williamson posts on the Texas GOP's inability to govern and the opportunities that provides for Democrats, GOP divisions can bring Democratic gains in Texas.

The Denton County candidates are ready to go at the Texas Cloverleaf.

How does Texas compare with other states? A statistical analysis with graphs reveals the truth at Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.

Off the Kuff has a modest suggestion for how to handle Harris County's current budget shortfall.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme agrees it's time to put our money in community banks.

Thinking and acting both locally and globally, Neil at Texas Liberal sent membership donations to both Greenpeace and the Democratic Women of Denton County.

After a noted anti-gay and Republican activist filed to run as a Democrat against an unchallenged incumbent GOP county commissioner, investigation determined that the man used the wrong address and was disqualified from the ballot. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs has more on the story.

Bay Area Houston nominates Dave Wilson for the "Dripping with Hypocrisy" award with One Man. No Woman.

WhosPlayin has the story of a public servant who manages a $13 million facility, where he works for the taxpayer by day, and for the private club that rents the facility at night.

McBlogger sees some problems with Sen. Hutchison's ad taking on 39% and some of the people making excuses for 39%.

Palin, Guiliani, Powell to Lead Houston Motivation Seminar

Sarah Palin, Colin Powell and Rudy Guiliani will headline a seminar titled "Get Motivated" in Febuary, right here in the Toyota Center. This one day seminar will cover topics for success in business and in life. Come learn from those who have excelled in their own personal and business experiences. Topics from each speaker include:

Sarah Palin, Former Governor of Alaska, Former Vice President Nominee, Beauty Pageant Contestant.

• How to dress for success using other peoples money.
• The fine art of quitting without crying.
• Sounding important while saying nothing or something confusing or something you don't know a thing about.
• How to win a beauty pageant without duct tape.

Colin Powell, former Secretary of State under Bush (W) administration:

• Knowing when  it is appropriate to call 'bullshit".
  
• Invading the wrong country, and getting away with it.
• How to screw up your chance for President in one simple insignificant presentation to the United Nations.

Rudy Guiliani, former Mayor of New York City, inventor of the word "911", cross dresser.

• Look important while walking through the rubble of a building. (small white mask provided to the first 5000 through the door)
• Speech using only a noun, a verb, and 911
• How 911 defined me as a hero.
  

Endorsement Watch: Bill White for Governor

Let's make this short and simple.

Mayor Bill White is the most qualified politician in Texas and deserves to win the Democratic nomination for Governor of Texas. Democrats finally have a candidate with a proven record, the ability to raise money for a statewide race, and the energy to do so. 

After 10 years of republican rule, the party has little to show for itself except for lining the pockets of the insurance industry, electricity providers, toll road builders, and every special interest lobbyist in Texas while raising the cost of services for every Texan and every business. For once we need a Governor that will work on behalf of the people of the state as well as the industries that provide jobs for it's citizens. I believe White is that person.

It is just that simple. And this was short.

Eversole Cleared for Resignation

Dave Wilson the right wing, republican was legally thrown off the Democratic ballot to challenge Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole. This leaves Eversole without an opponent in the primary and without one in the general election giving him the all clear for his resignation.

Former Houston City Council Member Toni Lawrence had mentioned she was going to run for the position in the primary, but must have been counseled by the Harris County Republican Party to Eversole's plan. With Dave Wilson out of the picture, the plan is now in place.

Eversole with the worst record of ethics violations in the history of the Texas Ethics Commission should have cleared the way for CM Lawrence by not filing for re-election. According to Eversole, he is currently under investigation by the FBI which may lead to an indictment. You would think this would be enough for Eversole to quit now instead of later, but I believe the gop has other plans much like they had for Paul Bettencourt.

My bet is that Eversole will win re-election, by default, then will immediately quit qualifying him for the Sarah Palin Quitter Award. Then Judge Emmett, if he is re-elected, will appoint CM Lawrence to the job. Judge Emmett is being challenged by former CM Gordon Quan so he better hunker down and win so he can finish the gop's job.

It is a win-win for everyone on the gop.

Teabaggers can't Spell

They guy on the left is "Dale Robertson operates TeaParty.org, a popular website based around the needs and whims of those that call themselves “Tea Baggers,” a group of disenfranchised citizens that are utterly upset with the direction in which our nation is headed."

Nothing like a good heaping helping of racism followed by ignorance. Not only is the poor bastard carrying an absolutely racist sign, he cant even spell the racial slur! These are the guys who call themselves tea baggers who are not very happy with what the republicans did to our country in the last decade, so they are taking out on the Democrats. Go figure.

What's worse is that this guy Dale Robertson runs his website out of Houston. We should be so proud. If you can stomach his website, you will notice a picture just like the one on the left, but his misspelled message is now photo shopped with something else.

Fact Checking Rick Perry: Franchise Tax

Texas Governor Rick Perry can give a salesman  a bad name.

In Perry's latest TV ad, he brags about cutting taxes for small businesses in Texas, but like a crafty salesman fails to mention the fine print banking on your ignorance.

What Perry fails to mention is that he signed this huge business tax into law in 2005 and then repealed it in 2009 after Texas businesses became outraged. The budget of 2005 which included this was created by a republican controlled House. It was passed by a republican controlled Senate. And it was signed by a republican Governor who bragged about it in 2007.

In 2009 with a razor thin control of the House, the huge business tax was revised, and again Perry bragged about it while signing the bill in Houston.

Over the last 10 years Perry has been an effective salesman hiding the fine print of a contract when it comes to protecting our wallet. He brags about lowing taxes while he lets his buddies pick our pocket with high insurance rates, electricity rates and college tuition. (my three faves) But to his credit, Perry knows what people are willing to be ignorant about.

So if you are in the market for ignorance, call Governor Rick Perry at 1-800-GET-SCRWD. Operators are standing by.

Dave Wilson. One Man. No Woman.

In the "Dripping with Hypocrisy" category. Let me set this up:

Dave Wilson was disqualified from the ballot of the Harris County Democratic Primary and rightfully so since he isn't a Democrat and he listed his residency as his place of business, not his home. From the Houston Chronicle:

Wilson recently sent out 35,000 fliers in November opposing Annise Parker for mayor, in part, because of her sexual orientation. Wilson also once led a successful effort to amend the city charter to deny benefits to the partners of gay and lesbian city employees

And then in an interview by KHOU

The flier features a photo of Parker standing beside her longtime partner at a swearing-in ceremony after Parker had been elected as the city's Controller six years ago. Over the photo is a headline that asks "Is this the image Houston wants to portray?"

"I don't see a good family, a Christian family, one man, one woman," Wilson said.

And now the kicker. From the Houston Chronicle again, Wilson will be  contesting the technicality since he actually lives at this place of business. Why?

Wilson said he is separated from his wife and lives in an apartment at his business address. Wilson's voter registration lists his address on W. 34th

Oh holy Jesus, Mother of Pearl! According to Wilson, a good family is "a Christian family, one man, one woman". If he is reinstated and wins, he could possibly rent a hooker for the swearing in ceremony.  "Is this the image Houston wants to portray?"

What happened to One Man. One Woman. At One Time? The hypocrisy coming out of the republican party is almost funny.

Right Winger Posing as a Democrat Thrown out of Primary

Ha! Foiled again. The right winger republican who sent out 35,000 anti-gay mailers against our Mayor, was thrown out of the Democratic Primary because he wasn't intelligent enough to fill out the application correctly.

What ever games the Harris County Republican Party was playing with Dave Wilson entering the Democratic Primary to challenge the ethically challenged Jerry Eversole in race for County Commissioner, was foiled by stupidity. As the Chair of the Democratic Party, Gerry Birnberg stated in his letter to Wilson, a valid residential address must be put on the application. Dave instead put his place of work and was disqualified.

Gerry also made it very clear that if he hadn't waited till the last few minutes to file before the deadline, he might have caught the mistake in time for Wilson to correct it and to be eligible for the primary.

But at least he gets his filing fee back. Don't spend it all in one race.

Can You Speak Teabag?

Fact Checking Rick Perry: Balanced Budget Amendment.

But first:

There was a kid with a pet snake named Nate the snake. One day he was driving his go-cart in the yard when Nate slithers out in front of his cart. He swerves but realizes that he is now going to hit a giant lever. This lever will destroy the world. So he swerves again and kills Nate the snake. Moral of the story: Better Nate than Lever.

Yesterday Governor Rick Perry, the one that thinks Texas can secede from the United States, (it can't) called for a Constitutional Amendment for a balanced budget. Perry has been in office over 10 years. During 8 of the 10, the country was controlled by his good personal friend, republican George W. Bush. 7 of the 10 years Bush ran deficits and nearly doubled our debt. 6 of the ten years Congress was controlled by his republican party.

During this entire time of devastating republican deficits and soaring debt did Rick Perry pick up his cell and call for a Constitutional Amendment to balance the budget? Any one? Any one? Did Rick Perry, with a republican controlled Congress, speed dial Tom DeLay or W himself and call for a Constitutional Amendment to balance the budget? Did Perry access his Fave Five and call Sarah Palin to call for a Constitutional Amendment to balance the budget? No. No calls. No Fave Five. Nothing. Zero. Zip. Perry did nothing but slither around in wrong places.

Up next for Perry? A call for immigration reform. A constitutional amendment to ban women's rights and a flag burning amendment. Well, better Nate than Lever.

(Pictured above is a Bullsnake. A non venomous snake that is often confused with a rattle snake. When threatened by anything as large as a human, a bull snake's primary defense is to flee, if possible.)

Under Indictment and Running for Judge

Lloyd Oliver filed in the Democratic primary for judge of the Harris County Criminal Court at Law #3. Unfortunately, according to Kuff's interview with his opponent Judith Snively:

My opponent Lloyd Oliver has run as a Republican in the past for statewide offiice and is currently under indictment in a felony court.

Ouch. Under indictment for a felony. This means that 9 members of 12 grand jurors who listened to the evidence presented by the Harris County District Attorney's voted to indict him. If you have ever served on a grand jury you know this is a tough threshold to achieve. This doesn't mean he is guilty. It means he is indicted.

And just remember, he ran as a Republican in the past. And now he is indicted. Wow what a surprise. At least Jerry Eversole is a Republican but hasn't been indicted.

Right Wing Hatemonger Files as a Democrat in Texas County Race

And people across the country wonder why Texas is the most corrupt, most bizzarre, and most screwed up state in the country? From the Houston Chronicle:

Conservative anti-gay activist Dave Wilson will be on the March 2 primary ballot for Harris County Precinct 4 commissioner as a Democrat.

Wilson was the self appointed anti-gay activist who sent out 35,000 anti-gay mailers against Houston's new Mayor Annise Parker. He is running against a republican incumbent, Jerry Eversole who recently received the biggest fine in Texas history by the Texas Ethics Commission for spending over $180,000 of his donors money on items such as $26,000 of cattle (really), antique western chaps (I am not kidding you), $7000 on antique books, $39,000 on an antique firearm for his collection, $18,000 on golf items, and $20,000 on antique art and western wear.

Harris County Democratic Chair Gerry Birnberg wasn't very happy:

Harris County Democratic Party Gerry Birnberg accused Wilson and the Republican Party of fraud. Not only is Wilson not a Democrat, Birnberg said, but the candidate sent a representative who signed in as Wilson and allowed himself to be introduced as Wilson to a roomful of applauding Democrats.

This is what we have to put up with in Texas. Not only is this charlatan running as a Democrat, the republican party has encouraged the ethically challenged Eversole to run for re-election. No place but Texas.

Is Jerry Eversole Going to Quit Like Bettencourt?

Dave Wilson, the extreme right wing hate mongering republican who filed to run (as a Democrat) against Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole, brought up a good point:

Wilson said he is considering running to thwart any attempt by Eversole and the local Republican Party to handpick a successor should Eversole resign or be forced from office.

This is a scenario that has been brought up before. Eversole is re-elected and just like Paul Bettencourt, quits within a week or two leaving the seat to be filled by the Commissioners and the Harris County Republican Party. Unfortunately no matter what party Wilson filed in, he won't be able to stop this quitting conspiracy.

But this hate monger brings up a number of good points. First the Harris County republican party should be demanding Eversole's resignation. Eversole was embarrassed after being caught with his hands in his donors pockets using their donations to buy personal items such as cattle, western chaps, and antique books totaling over $180,000.

Second, instead of encouraging Eversole to run, republican Judge Emmett should also ask for his resignation. And third, why does it take an ultra right wing hatemonger like Wilson to do the job Emmett and Jared Woodfill, chair of the county party should be doing? And doing it disguised as a Democrat?

Make no mistake about this race. Wilson is not a Democrat and Wilson is going to lose. The republicans in that district as well as their party do not care about ethics. Eversole could be caught banging a prostitute, buying $26,000 of cattle at auction with his donor money, working out in a gym on County time and the republicans will still vote for him.

This is the sad state of the republican party in Harris County. All hat and no ethics.

Gene Kelly is Officially Dead

The list ofcandidates for the Democratic party have been posted with some very interesting races, but nothing more interesting than who is not on the list: Gene Kelly.

Kelly's last appearance on the ballot was against Rick Noriega for United States Senate and before that against Barbara Radnofsky. He has been known to put his name on the ballot and sneak away, never to be heard or seen again, hoping to capitalize on his name, Gene Kelly, like the dead dancer. He would communicate with the media with notes in a flower pot outside his home and would rarely discuss any issues.

This year his name will not appear and it is safe to say he is politically dead. May he rest in the nearest crack or flower pot.

CM Jarvis Johnson on Right Wing Radio

The right wing radio stations across the country are going to slobber all over themselves with a challenger to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and it looks like Houston City Councilman Jarvis Johnson who filed against Lee is going to help them. Hey, why not?

Jarvis was on the Michael "I hate Sheila Jackson Lee and can't wait for someone to challenge her" Berry show on KTRH (Keep The Rightwingers Here). Berry had a hard time hiding his giddiness during the short interview.

Johnson stuck to his reasons for challenging Lee thankfully leaving out the Clinton/Obama primary issue. Berry, in an awkward way, defended Lee's endorsement of Hillary Clinton saying black people had a brain and were capable of thinking and making their own decisions about who to vote for. (like Lee endorsing Clinton in the primary?)

The right wingers are going to have fun with this race, at our expense.

Teabagger Challenges State Rep John Davis

Mary Huls is fed up with the establishment of the republican party has challenged State Representative John Davis in House District 129. This is the second primary challenge Davis has had in the past 2 years, but unlike the last, this one seems be be nothing short of a waste of time, money, and blog space. But it could be entertaining.

Huls is a teabagger and darn proud of it. She listens to Glenn Beck, which in itself should tell you something and she may or may not have the support of the local teabaggers depending on which day it is. And she probably doesn't have any money or the ability to raise money. She works at Starbucks and from what is posted on her website has no experience in running for office or knowledge of government except what the teabaggers are telling her.

In short, she is on the ballot and nothing else. But hey, this is a democracy. The seat belongs to no one except the people, and it's good to have a challenger.

Message from Jarvis on Running for Congress

Jarvis Johnson took the time to sit with local bloggers for an quick interview about running for CD18. I had to ask some hard questions such as why? Why would you challenge someone who has the seniority and experience of Sheila Jackson Lee?  His answers were good but I am sure they will be fact checked over and over again. I am glad I asked the hard questions because he has some good answers that Lee should answer also.

Goes without saying
Saying you are running because this is a Democracy goes without saying. Saying that the seat does not "belong" to anyone but the people of the district goes with out saying. Saying you are challenging because it is good to challenge, goes without saying. But once we got over the campaign stump speech the answers got a bit interesting.

Why is he running?
Jarvis claims the district has double digit unemployment and the highest drop out rate in the state. He said that while our energy companies are receiving billions in tax breaks the district continues to have no job creation. He said that Lee has only brought $7 Million to the district while others have brought so much more. (What is in the district that would benefit from these funds? Defense bases? Someone should look this up.) These are obviously good answers.

Mouth full of sour grapes
On one note which I think was still a bit sour, Jarvis claims Lee went against the wishes of his constituents by endorsing Hillary Clinton for President. Nothing like opening healed wounds with a bucket of rock salt. This shouldn't be a campaign issue.

Jarvis is young. Well spoken. Energetic. Has some experience. This is all good especially if the seat is open. I sure hope he is not running on the Hillary/Obama thing because that is old news. The healing is over. We are united as a party behind our President including Hillary. And me. There is absolutely no reason to ever bring this up again. It's not good for the district. It's not good for the party and it's not good for the country.

Good luck to Council Member Jarvis. This should be at the very least an interesting primary.

Houston CM Jarvis Johnson files against Sheila Jackson Lee

This just cant be a good move for so many reasons.

Houston City Council Member Jarvis Johnson has just filed to challenge Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in the Congressional District 18. Why?

Besides the fact the right wing of the Republican Party will have a hay day with this filing, I can't see what good this is going to do. There is no secret that Lee was an avid supporter of Hillary Clinton during the 2008 Primary but haven't we all gotten over that by now? And hasn't Lee supported her district, voted in the right way for the right reasons? Hasn't she served with honor?

Or is there another reason for Jarvis running? Whatever the reason it is not good enough to try to oust a Congresswoman who has worked hard for the people of her district. She has seniority, experience and the power to make things happen. Ask the people in the NASA district what it is like to get a rookie Congressman instead of one with vast experience. It isn't good.

Well we will see.

Inauguration Update

OK. I cant help but blog about this event. This is just way too cool. Former Majors Hofeinz, Whitmire, Lanier, Brown and Bill White are on stage. Whitmire got a huge response from the crowd as did Bill White.

All the City Council Members have been introduced each receiving a loud applause. The pledge has been said, the Anthem has been sung, and we have all prayed with Joel Olsteen. The orchestra and two singers are signing and I am shutting down the notebook again.

Later...

At the Annise Parker Inaugaration

The house is packed. Thanks to the Parker campaign for allowing bloggers in the media area, not that it is super seating or anything of prvilege, but it does allow us in the door and sitting in the back of the room. But, yeah. I am blogging from inside of the inauguration of the next Mayor of Houston and that itself is pretty cool.

My media friends Lee McGuire, Miya Shay, Mary Benton, and Nancy Sims are nearby. I've always enjoyed their professionalism and appreciate their profession and to be sitting with them is pretty cool also.

If you are into politics, this is the place to be to see the movers and shakers of the political scene. All of our elected officials are here. Sheriff Garcia just walked by as well as former Congressman Chris Bell. And it is great to see all of her campaign staff sitting up front to see the event. They worked very hard hours for this win. Work a campaign someday and learn about the low pay, long hours, block walking in the hot sun, or in the cold and rain and you will understand what it takes to be asked to sit in the front rows.

Well there is only a few minutes until the event starts and I dont intend to blog during the event. But afterward at lunch I will post some "different" comments. '

Protesters at the Inauguration

The small group of protesters deserve no coverage but will probably get some.
Not from me though.

Picking on Al Hoang

When the bloggers and the Houston Chronicle exposed Council Member elect Al Hoang's ethics violations, his illegal homestead exemption, and his illegal residence, CM Hoang refused to respond except to say "You're trying to pick on me". Well maybe he deserves it.

His Webpage
UPDATE: Al Hoang's official website has been taken down and is now "under construction". You can view the original page here.


Hoang has published his Council Member webpage on the city website and it's by far the most bizarre of all Council Members, even out doing Mike Sullivan, the most conservative of the bunch. Here is a tidbit:

While some of his opponents might advocate for gays and liberals’ rights, Al is defending Christian and family values. While some of his opponents might try to raise taxes, Al is promoting tax reductions and a roll-back tax for all residents of District F. Al is pro-life (anti-abortion), anti-crimes, and pro-infrastructure developments.

Al might want to tone his message of exclusion down a bit or get his own personal website. Some of the issues he wants to defend is not part of the job as a City Council Member. If he wants to fight for Christian and family values, he might want to join the republican party and start there. They really need a lot of help in that arena. And it is good to know he is "anti-crimes". That must be a first for any City Council Member.

He also might want to find a new writer. This guy is worse than I am!

He worked his way through university by tutoring in music and French.

Al earned his Juris Doctor degree at TSU in 1997 and became a Defense Attorney since from that day up until the presence.

Ethics Violations

Hoang's campaign finance reports are chock full of serious violations which the City Attorney has confirmed. Note to Hoang: Listen to our attorney. He is right. Also, read the law. It might help you.

Since the Houston Chronicle brought these violations to his attention, a law passed a few years ago allows Hoang 10 days to correct his reports without penalty. Once an ethics complaint is filed he will lose this protection. Then Hoang will be able to use his donor's money to hire an attorney to defend against the complaint and to pay the fine. It is a win - win.

I am sure a complaint is in the making so Hoang might want to address the violations before the TEC picks on him.

Celegrate with the Houston Bloggers on Monday Jan 4

"Celebrate the Inauguration With The Blogateers!" on Monday, January 4 at 4:00pm.

Event: Celebrate the Inauguration with local Bloggers!
Start Time: Monday, January 4 at 4:00pm
End Time: Monday, January 4 at 10:00pm
Where: Flying Saucer 705 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002

If you will be in town for the inauguration celebration come by the Flying Saucer and have a cold drink with the local bloggers of Houston. Cash bar. Beer is only $2.75 a pint all day. The Flying Saucer has a very large selection of beer. Drink one or drink many! Come on by before the concert and fireworks.

Houston, We Have a New Mayor!

You have to hand it to Mayor Annise Parker opting for a private swearing in ceremony to save the city money and to avoid disrupting holiday plans for city employees.

The private ceremony was held to meet the legal requirements of the City Charter, which mandate the transfer of power occur on January 2.  The official public inauguration of Mayor Parker, City Controller Green and Houston City Council is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Wortham Theater Center.

Mayor Parker chose the private Saturday morning ceremony followed by a formal public inaugural on Monday to avoid the overtime costs the city would have incurred from having to call in police and other city employees for a weekend inauguration.  She also did not want to interrupt the holiday weekend for city employees.  “At a time when the city is facing budget shortfalls, we will be continually looking for ways to cut expenses,” said Mayor Parker.

That's our Mayor!