Advice for the Green Party: Don't Mess with Texas Democrats

You think we are messing around? According to The Lone Star Project:

Records made available to the public make clear that Green Party leaders – particularly Executive Director kat swift and Party Co-Chair Christine Morshedi – knowingly conspired with Republican political operatives to use money from a secret donor funneled through a non-profit corporation to pay for the collection of ballot petition signatures. Green Party leaders have acknowledged publicly that they did not have the money or the organizational ability to collect the ballot signatures on their own (Source: Dallas Morning News, June 6, 2010). 

LSP warns the Green Party and their leadership to think twice about challenging the Texas Democratic Party. Look what happened to Tom DeLay. DeLay is now indicted on money laundering charges which could carry a life sentence. If you haven't learned by now, the TDP isn't jacking around. When the Chair, Boyd Richie, gave his press conference in Corpus last week, you could tell he was not only disgusted about the games the Green Party is playing, but he was also very, very, serious and determined to follow this complaint to its end.

The evidence against the Green Party already points to a conspiracy that could end the Green Party in financial ruin,paying for all legal fees, and possibly facing  felony charges against their members and those responsible for this fiasco. One thing is for certain, the TDP will stand its ground and  is not going away anytime soon.


So if you want to fuck with the TDP then find some good luck. Cuz you will need it.

Bribing Ms Daisy Harper-Brown through ethics loopholes

State Representative Linda Harper-Brown, in an interview with the Dallas Morning News, has taken my advice on how to legally keep her Mercedes and the 2004 Tahoe from her husband's company. (See Bribing Ms Daisy Harper Brown for background) From the Dallas Morning News:

Faced with a deepening ethical quandary, Rep. Linda Harper-Brown said Tuesday that she has stopped driving a luxury car owned by a company that makes millions through state contracts.

As I have said before, Brown could have avoided all of this by asking for a $12,000/year donation from Durable Enterprises then leasing the Mercedes. Senator Fraser figured this out many years ago and leased a BMW for his official work at the capitol. Senator Nichols went one step further and just bought a $54,000 Ford with this donor's money. According to the Texas Ethics Commission, this is all legal.

Ms Daisy Harper Brown is catching on to the idea of exploiting this loophole:

Harper-Brown said that she was directing her husband to rework his compensation package from the company to exclude the cars. In theory, Brown would instead receive cash and then buy vehicles on his own. He said he could end up with the same cars, but they would be in his name.

Problem solved! And no one will ever know. She gets to drive a new Mercedes, her husband gets a 2004 Tahoe, and their donors get transportation contracts. It is a win-win-win.

Houston Area Realtors join with insurance industry in support of Perry

Well this wasn't hard to predict.

The Houston Area Realtors have endorsed Rick Perry for Governor joining with other anti-consumer organizations such as the Texas Association of Builders, the insurance industry, and electricity providers. While the home builders advocate for protection from shoddy home construction, the insurance industry for higher premiums, electricity providers for the right to charge as much as they want for electricity, HAR is probably looking for less regulation so they can charge excessive rates when selling your home.

And Rick Perry has delivered. Look, I'm not blaming them. Rick Perry has been good to the realtors and homebuilders, and every anti-consumer organization in Texas and if they don't respond in kind, he will cut them off at the knees. This is classic Rick Perry. HAR knows this very well.

But HAR's press release is kind of strange:

Houston area REALTORS® are involved in the political process at all levels, promoting policies and supporting candidates who advocate for private property rights and home ownership. Texas ranks 45th out of 50 states in homeownership while Houston ranks 71st in home ownership out of the 75 largest metropolitan areas, according to Census data.

Rick Perry has not advocated for "property rights". Ever hear about the Trans Texas Corridor, the massive land grab that would strip rural property owners of their land? And if Texas ranks 45th out of 50 states in homeownership, maybe HAR might want to endorse someone else? Is this a statistic to be proud of? (Or am I reading this incorrectly?)

Eitherway, HAR has sided with the anti-consumer Rick Perry. Something to remember when you are looking for a realtor.

Let's face it. Electricity deregulation has failed

A look at any electricity bill in Houston will confirm that electricity deregulation of 2003 has been as ineffective as homeowner’s insurance reform. Electricity deregulation has been a huge, costly failure for the citizens of Houston.

History

In 2003 the Texas Legislature completed the deregulation of electricity, lobbied for by Ken Lay and Enron. In return for less regulation consumers were promised lower rates through more competition. Instead there is only more competition to charge higher rates.

Prior to deregulation homeowners paid 8 cents a kWh with Houston Light and Power. HL&P generated the electricity, provided the long term contacts, the billing service, and maintenance of the grid. Today, if lucky, homeowners could lock into a rate of 10.5 cents per kWh (25% higher) with a middleman “service provider”. These service providers only provide the billing service.

Taking advantage of this rate using the tools provided by the Public Utility Commission’s website, The Power to Choose, (www.powertochoose) requires unreasonable timing. To benefit from this so called “competition”, a homeowner must commit to a contract and their current contract must have expired or they will face steep cancellation fees ranging from $100-$350. In this market 10.5 is a bargain, but most pay a much, much higher rate.

What would Enron say?

Proponents of electricity deregulation will claim consumers have the power to choose their electricity provider, along with tools to watch electricity consumption, sometimes real time on the net. This is not what consumers need. They need reliable energy, with long term contracts, no cancellation fees, and a fair and reasonable price.  These nifty tools haven’t lowered rates, they won’t lower rates, and in some cases they have cost consumers more for services they don’t need.

Proponents will also claim steep price increases are due to the cost of natural gas, but according to the US Energy Information Administration, Louisiana and Oklahoma’s electricity is based upon natural gas and their rates continue to hover around 8 cents per kWh. The only difference? They are still a regulated. Oklahoma and Louisiana rank 4^th and 9^th in electricity prices across the country. Texas now ranks 37^th.

It failed

While Houstonians pay rates as high as 15-19 cents a kWh, San Antonians pay 6 cents, sometimes 7 cents during the summer. This massive failure has not gone unnoticed by our elected officials. In 2009 Senator Eltife and Representative Hughes passed SB547 that killed deregulation in East Texas citing the failed results in the deregulated areas. It is very clear the promises of lower rates through competition and less regulation have never materialized.

What’s the solution?

A small group of citizens approached the City of Houston with an idea. The City has negotiation power resulting in a 5 year contract at 9 cents a kWh. The citizens asked the City to require their chosen provider to offer the same rate to the homeowners and businesses of Houston. Of course consumers and business owners would always be free to compete in the free market and find a better rate if they so choose, but 9 cents for five years is a relatively great deal.

We believe this idea has merit. The City will not resell electricity or provide billing services or customer support. They will only negotiate a rate and require the provider to voluntarily offer the same rate to its citizens.

This is a win-win.  The citizens win the power to really choose and the providers win the opportunity to really compete.  And isn’t that what we really want?

Texas Progressive Alliance Roundup Post Convention

Neil at Texas Liberal offered up four reasons Bill White will beat Rick Perry and, in so doing, become the next governor of Texas.

John at Bay Area Houston says: Before you run for Chair of the Texas Democratic Party, get a clue.

As people across the nation react to GASLAND now showing on HBO, TXsharon @ Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS reminds us that the FRAC Act, Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act of 2009, has no Texas co-sponsor.

Musings has a bloggers roundup from the convention.

It's redistricting season again, and Off the Kuff comments on a report from a public hearing on redistricting in San Antonio.

CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme had a good time at the convention. Corpus Christi was beautiful and the facilities for the convention were great -- except for the lack of food. Too bad the local paper and their political reporter suck.

Over at TexasKaos, Libby Shaw asks what will the GOP do about the energy legislation? Check out Texas GOP and its Blind Obedience to BP.

WhosPlayin reports that the city of Farmers Branch would like to add 200 feet to the height of its municipal landfill, which is actually located in America's 10th fastest growing city --Lewisville, Texas.

Campaign advise for Rick Perry. Don't dance. Ever.

Do yourself a favor and NEVER do something stupid, like trying to make a joke, that will eventually be manipulated and used against you. Case in point: Here is Rick doing the chicken dance in front of the Hispanic caucus of the republican convention. (all 10 of them). Watch as the podium shakes to his bad self:

TX Democratic Convention. The Good, The Sad, The Ugly

I want to make some quick observations about the convention held in Corpus.

The Good.
Lots of good to find this year. Bill White absolutely kicked it on Friday night. Great speech. We have a great candidate for Governor. I was very impressed with Linda Chavez Thompson. She is articulate. Tough. Intelligent. Very impressive lady. State wide candidates have lots of experience for the office they seek. More on each of them in a later post.

Blogger party absolutely kicked donkey! Best party of the convention. It will be even better next convention in Houston! Kick off party at the Aquarium was lots of fun. Great location for an event. Kudos to the TDP on the press room! Very professional staff. Thanks for letting us participate. Diversity. Our party looks like America. The Convention center had a beautiful view of the ocean and the Lexington aircraft carrier. Really nice! Caucus' went smoothly for the most part.

Favorite restaurants included La Bahia, Vietnamese, slow delivered, but good Restaurant. Water Grill. Great Salmon salad!

The Sad.
The race for Chair of the Party resulted in Boyd Richie keeping his chairmanship. This is good for the party. What was sad was his challenger. I posted my opinion in it here. The concessions at the convention center sucked, what little there was. I was lucky to have access to a stash of diet cokes and bottled water, otherwise I had to stand in line for 30 minutes to get a warm $3.00 coke.

LaRouche! LaRouche! LaRouche is on fire! We don't need no water! The LaRouche people are just plain sad. They spent god knows how many hours practicing to sign, very loudly, in the hall leading to the convention arena. They were asked to leave, then escorted outside in the sun to continue their stupid songs, which no one could now hear. I feel sorry for these misguided kids. They think they are doing something worthwhile. In ten years they will look back and wonder just what they accomplished.

The Ugly.
Brewsters Ice House, just a few blocks from the Convention Center was thought to be a great place to watch the USA soccer game, and it was. If you didn't mind sweating through your shirt or watching a TV with no sound. Other than an AC unit going off and on and no sound on the TV, everything else was just fine. Pier 99. Someone called it home style cooked food . Home style overcooked  might be a better description.

The floor fight about the Texas Two Step. While the diversity of the party is very easy to see, someone claimed that eliminating the Texas Two Step would disenfranchise black voters. The insinuation that calling for one vote, one man, was racially motivated is in itself a racist remark. It was an ugly. Thank God that is over at least for now.

Overall a great event. Let's go win in 2010.

Before you run for Chair of the Texas Democratic Party

Get a clue.

I've said this about running for any position whether it is for City Council or Congress. Running for a political office is not a damn game. You can't just roll over one morning and think "I'm going to run for Chair of the Texas Democratic Party". Unfortunately this year at least one person did.

You don't run for office until you know how many votes you need to win (there are ways to estimate this), how much money you will need to achieve this number (it isn't cheap), and how you will actually achieve this (a campaign plan). None of this is easy and some of the answers you may not like and may change your mind about running. That isn't a bad thing. Also you shouldn't expect Democrats to drop what they are doing and dedicate their time and money to your campaign simply because you are a Democrat that woke up on the wrong side of the bed. It is disrespectful.

Michael Barnes who unsuccessfully challenged Boyd Ritchie for chairman, didn't  have a clue on how to win this election and he didn't have a clue of what he would do if he won. Again, this is not a damn game.

Whether you like it or not, the party requires a boatload of money and the Chairman is responsible for generating and maintaining operational funds. Running a convention cost money, a lot of money. Maintaining our database of voters costs money. Our coordinated campaign, our legal advise, our mailers, our fundraisers, everything costs money. That is politics. That is life.

I'm one of those who thinks anyone running for office without doing their homework is doing a disservice to the party. Good competition is healthy. Not doing your homework is nothing but a distraction.

Congratulations to Boyd Richie. Let's win in 2010.

Texas Democrats vote to stumble the Texas Two Step

Usually by the time the primary comes to Texas, the Democratic candidate for President has already been decided by voters in other states, leaving Texas Democrats without a vote in the matter. In 2008 after voting in droves in the Obama/Clinton contested primary, it didn't seem to matter if you voted. This was called the "Texas Two Step" and it goes sumtin like dis:

Step one, go vote. That's easy enough. We have mail in ballots. We have absentee ballots. We have 2 weeks of early voting. We have the day of voting. We even can bring the voting machine to your car if you are unable to walk into the booth. The result? Hillary Clinton won with 50.9% of the vote.

Step two, go vote again. This is bit harder. There is no early voting. No absentee ballots. You must be at your polling location after it closes and be able to stay into the wee hours of the night if necessary. Got kids? Get a sitter. Too old? Too bad. Work graveyard shift? Quit.You must be there in person and pledge to a candidate. The result? Obama won Texas with 99 delegates to 94 for Clinton. And since the number of delegates determine who actually wins in the overall race, Obama beat Clinton.

Step three. Justify it. This method of voting defies common sense. In 2008 Clinton won the vote, yet Obama won more delegates. In Texas delegates count. Votes do not. Most of the party defend the two step claiming it keeps voters"engaged" thereby creating opportunities to collect names of potential activists attending the two step to "build the party" all at the expense of those who vote. One time.

Step four. Get sued. The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) sued the TDP, and won, concerning this system. The party eventually had to pay LULAC's attorney fees. (not sure if this has been paid yet). The party created a task force to determine how to "fix" this system taking testimony in cities throughout Texas. In the end they recommended to do nothing. And the Delegates to the 2010 Texas Democratic Convention agreed.

For no other reason except for the sake of "party building", delegates to the convention have voted to keep dancing the two step, trampling on the voting rights of those who couldn't vote twice. As they said in Sleven: "Tell it to the one legged man so he can bump it off down the road".

That makes as much sense as the Texas Two Step.

Spending Campaign Cash: Rick Perry

Over the last few years Muse and I have highlighted the spending habits of our State Representatives and Senators. A complete report, Don't Mess with Ethics, can be found here. It is worth the time to read about how some campaign wealthy officials have used hundreds of thousands of dollars of their donor's money to buy condos (Senator Brimer, Senator Nelson, Representative Tuitt), cars (Duell $54,000 Ford, Seliger $27,000 Chrysler), sporting events ($30,000 Houston Astros Senator Whitmire), and paying spouses for personal services. (Rep Carl Isett)

Most of this, except for leasing cars (See Driving Ms Daisy-Harper-Brown) and sporting events have been  stopped by the Texas Ethics Commission although they have let Nelson and Truitt off the hook for lame reasons. In 2005 we identified over $3 Million in undisclosed expenditures. Today that is down to about $10,000. So progress has been made.

Except for Rick Perry. Perry is spending about $4000 a month to "Mansion Fund" with a description of "Mansion Expense". The Ethics Commission has changed the requirements and filers must identify expenditures. It can no longer be a generic description such as "Mansion Expense". Instead it must fall into specific categories.

Mansion expense could include anything including PPV cable events, electricity payments, midnight porn, or parties for his buddies. Texas for Public Justice has since filed an ethics complaint against the Perry campaign demanding that these expenses be identified. Of course this will not be resolved until Perry is out of office in 2011, but it is a valid complaint and should be interesting to see just what Perry was watching on TV or spending his campaign cash on.

Governor Rick Perry's Texas Two Step

The Texas Democratic Party highlighted some of Rick Perry's dancing moves on the citizens of Texas. He claims to have cut taxes, but passed a huge tax on small businesses. He claims to be the defender of property rights, but sold out ranchers to the Trans Texas Corridor in a massive land grab.

One of the worst examples of the two step was the creation of the Texas Residential Construction Commission, one that was abolished just 6 years after it was created.

He sold this useless commission as a "consumer protection" agency to protect against shoddy home construction, yet appointed Commissioners from the home building industry willing to protect his builder buddies. The lead Commissioner was John Krugh, Vice President of Bob Perry Homes, Perry's major donor. ($1 Million in the 2006 race) This two step  is classic Rick Perry and it is not limited to the TRCC.

The TCEQ, Texas equivalent of the Environment Protection Agency, is stacked with industry friendly commissioners willing and able to protect Perry's polluters. It is one of the most useless regulatory agency in the State.

The Texas Insurance Commission was weakened beyond repair in Perry's 2003 reform, unable to provide oversight to the insurance industry resulting in Texas having the highest rates in the country. Yet Perry claimed his reforms of 2003 was designed to "protect consumers".

The Texas Ethics Commission, again one that is vying for the title of Worst Commission in Texas, has turned a blind eye to ethics violations until forced to do so by media and bloggers such as Perry's use of tax dollars for living in a temporary mansion.

Think of an agency or commission in Texas and Rick Perry has probably two stepped all over it, resulting in consumers, property owners, home buyers, and homeowners getting screwed. It is classic Rick Perry.

Anyone care to dance?

LaRouche Loons wails at Democratic Convention

What a absolute waste of energy. The LaRouche loons led by Kesha Rogers candidate for Congress gathered around the entrance of the Democratic Convention and sang songs. Yes, they sang songs. They got together, all 10 of them and sang songs, at least one of them a Jewish song (as someone told me) while holding signs of President Obama depicted as Hitler.

Below is a short clip of them singing. This is the kind of stupidity they do when block walking. They stand outside the door of the person who they are trying to convince to vote for them until the owner pours water on them from the 2nd floor or until they unleash the hounds.




Oh well. They will be gone soon. Most of the delegates thought it was cute until they saw the poster of Obama depicted like Hitler. These guys are like a dog humping your leg. Sometimes it is best to just let them finish.

Stumbling through theTexas Two Step Caucus

Well, that was a great waste of time and effort.

The caucus to change the Texas Two step probably will end with no ending at all. Luckily we probably won't have a contested Democratic primary in a few decades or so giving delegates an opportunity to check their egos at the door next time. Or to find a pair of wrinkle free underwear.

There were enough hurt feelings at this caucus to last us a lifetime but not enough ability to discuss the pro and cons of the issue to be able to come to a compromise. In other words, it was a typical Democratic caucus. Too many people, too many ideas, with too little time.

One suggestion for the organizers of this caucus is to make sure what type of caucus it is going to be. Is it a "Kill the Texas Two Step" caucus? Or a "Let's get together and debate" caucus? Many thought that this caucus was to discuss killing not debating it. And others had the opposite idea. One would have been productive, the other was held today.

So. Nothing is going to change for now, but that is OK. We have a few decades to make this change. Or not. Now off to the Hispanic Caucus.

Great Mexican breakfast place in Corpus Christi

To all you delegates attending the Texas Democratic Convention: If you are looking for a great Mexican breakfast to to La Bahia  on the corner of Mesquite and and Williams just 3 blocks from the Best Western Hotel. They open at 7:00 am. Absolutely great food, great price and very friendly owners.

My favorite was #88 Migas Ranchero with beans. If anyone would like to join me, I am coming back tomorrow!

There will be indictments

The Chairman of the Texas Democratic Party held a press conference at the Texas State Aquarium calling on Governor Rick Perry to come clean with the voters:

(Corpus Christi, TX) – Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie called on Rick Perry to come clean with Texas voters about what role Perry’s campaign played in funneling over $500,000 in secret corporate funds to fund a Green Party petition drive to help Perry’s floundering campaign.

The setting, the Aquarium, was perfect for Chairman Richie's comment "Something smells". There hasn't been something that stinks this bad since Tom DeLay's TRMPAC scandal. This one is rotten.

During testimony today, a witness testified that he was paid approximately $12,000 by Rick Perry’s close friend and former Chief of Staff, lobbyist Mike Toomey, to create a plan to gather signatures to get the Green Party of Texas on the ballot. Today, Travis County District Judge John Dietz blocked the Green Party from a spot on the November ballot for accepting illegal corporate contributions to collect the signatures.

Just an hour before, a judge declared the Green Party candidate can be taken off the ballot due to illegal funding of the process to collect the signatures. I got to agree. This stinks to high heaven.

The Governor has a lot of explaining to do. I truly believe this is going to end very badly for the republican party. Just like in 2002.

Illegal greenbacks for the Texas Green Party?

UPDATE: A judge has just ruled that the Green Party Candidate for Governor can be taken off the ballot! This sounds like a very serious situation for the Texas republican party and Governor Perry!

This issue has the makings for another TRMPAC/Tom DeLay political scandal that resulted in an indictment of DeLay for felony conspiracy charge. The Green Party should cut it's losses and slowly back away. From the Lone Star Project:

Mike Toomey, a former Rick Perry Chief of Staff, paid Garrett Mize, a 22-year-old University of Texas student, from his personal checking account, to present a formal proposal to Green Party leaders. The proposal suggests using out-of-state funds to gather signatures needed to field candidates in the upcoming Texas election. The memo notes that, “many of the donors will be people that simply do not want to see the Democratic Party win.” The proposal by Mize can be seen here.

This scheme eventually resulted in enough signatures to put a candidate on the 2010 November election for Governor as a Green Party candidate.  Unfortunately it looks like the funds used to gather the signatures were from corporate donors, which is illegal in Texas. Remember in 2002 Congressman Tom DeLay funneled corporate donations through his Texans for a Republican Majority Political Action Committee (TRMPAC trim-pack) into 5 House District races. The wins in these district resulted in the Republican party taking over the House, Tom DeLay being indicted, and the Texas Association of Business losing a civil lawsuit against the 5 losing Democrats.


The Lone Star Project has more on this. According to LSP, testimony has already been taken and this scheme is being linked directly to Governor Perry and his former chief of staff. See LSP for more details. The Green Party should wash their hands of this, remove their candidate from the ballot and move on.


No one wants to join Tom DeLay.

Blogger Party Friday 8:30 at Texas Democratic Convention

After the speeches on Friday come down to the Party with the bloggers. Our event runs late, so even if you are attending another event on Friday night, you can still come by! It is always one of the best parties of the convention. Always fun!

Our candidate for Governor is to stop by at about 11:00PM. Other elected officials and candidates usually drop by throughout the night.

$10 per person - all you can drink - which includes domestic and imported beers, well drinks and call drinks.

Start Time:	Friday, June 25, 2010 at 8:30pm
End Time:	Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 12:00am
Location:	Bourbon Street Bar & Grill
Street:	313 Chaparral Street
City/Town:	Corpus Christi, TX
	View Map

At the Democratic Convention in Corpus Christi Texas!

Life is good.

Kesha Rogers, playing oddball politics

Kesha Rogers the oddball candidate for Texas CD22 (Tom DeLay's old seat) got a little ink in Time Magazine. It's not worth the link, but if you want to waste a minute of your life, google it. If you want to waste another minute of your life, keep reading.

No qualifications
Rogers, like the other three unqualified candidates, probably woke up one morning and thought "I'm going to run for Congress" in the Democratic primary. The Democratic community, those who work the polls, those who phonebank, blockwalk, and work hard for candidates in CD22 wondered who encouraged them to run. And hoped by a miracle that all would lose.

Think before you run
Neither candidate was qualified to run for office. They couldn't raise money. They couldn't raise interest and they didn't understand what it would take to win. How many votes do they need to win? How will they plan to achieve this number? And how much money will it take to achieve this? Neither had these answers. Neither had even considered them. All of them expected to put down a few thousand for the filing fee and the activists in the area would carry them around on their shoulders supporting their 6 month long hot summer campaign in a district they will lose by a very wide margin.

Rogers

Rogers was just as clueless as the other two. She won because the activists in the area were not interested in campaigning for the others, or taking time to actively campaign against her. She won not because she campaigned, but because she was the least worst of them all. She only raised a few thousand dollars, while those who ran campaigns in the past for this seat, and won, raised millions.

Rogers idea of campaigning was to stand at street corners flying a modified Teabagger "Don't Tread on Me" flag and holding a picture of the President comparing him to Adolph Hitler. (He is the guy who killed 6 million men, women, and children during WWII.)

Rogers eventually won with a relatively small amount of votes (ie most didn't care who they were voting for), and thankfully the Texas Democratic Party passed a resolution to distance themselves from her campaign. Roger and her campaign members don't seem stable or sane. They look like Charles Manson cult members and can rarely carry an intelligent conversation. At least the Teabaggers can get red in the face and yell "I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!" and you can get an idea of what they want. Sort of.

LaRouchites
These "LaRouche" candidates pride themselves on different methods of campaigning including singing songs on the door steps of potential voters. Seriously. They stand and sing.  I mean it. Campaign events include carrying blowup pictures of their candidate and performing interpretive dance. (OK I made that last one one up.) They are strange. Their socks don't match. Some of them smell.

As Congressman Barnie Frank said, trying to have a discussion (and I made the mistake of doing so once) with these individuals is like talking to a dining room table. They think comparing the President to a man who gassed children for fun is funny. They think hanging a banner from and I45 overpass is campaigning.

And they probably think they are going to win. Roger claims she will talk or sing to the Democratic delegates at their convention this weekend. I think she will be escorted right out the back door.

Congressman Joe Barton auditions for The Biggest Loser

Congressman Joe Barton (Idiot-Texas) just can't keep his mouth shut. After taking a knee and apologizing to BP on behalf of the republican party he was threatened with removal from the Energy Committee. The republican leadership determined his semi-apology was enough to keep him on the Committee clearing the way for Barton to audition for The Biggest Loser. From the Houston Chronicle:

Barton's official Twitter account - @RepJoeBarton - soon unleashed a series of tweets critical of the Obama administration. One of them contained a link to a magazine article entitled "Joe Barton was right."

The Democratic National Committee jumped on Barton's Twitter post. "Did Barton unapologize?" a DNC spokesman asked.

Democratic spinners likened Barton to Rep. Joe "You Lied" Wilson, who technically apologized for insulting the president last year and then went on a fund-raising binge capitalizing on his celebrity.

Minutes after the Democratic counteroffensive, the offending tweet vanished from Barton's Twitter feed. A link to the same article also disappeared from Barton's congressional website. 

 Congressman Joe Barton is a loser.

Slapping around Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole

Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole needs to quit complaining and start working with Sheriff Garcia. Kuff at Off the Kuff clearly showed through his research that Eversole and Radack are doing nothing but making false partisan claims against the Sheriff.  Let's just remind ourselves about Eversoles ethics:

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. 

And a spokesman for the Democratic Party, Anthony Gutierrez, called Eversole out for hit:

Today’s comments are completely inappropriate, especially coming from someone as ethically challenged as Eversole. This is blatantly absurd coming from the man who, by his own admission [1], said he expects the ongoing FBI investigation to lead his own indictment.

And it speaks volumes about Ed Emmett’s failed ethics reform that a corrupt politician can use an official session of commissioner’s court to say these things about a person who has dedicated their life to law enforcement.

If either Emmett, Eversole, or the Harris County Republican Party had one ounce of ethics, Eversole would be out on the street working with his attorneys to keep him out of jail.

It is hard to take these guys serious when they have so little respect for the office of Harris County Commissioner, or Harris County Tax Assessor/Collector, or Harris County Clerk, or Harris County Sheriff.

Texas Republican Party calls for a ban on divorce!

In the spirit of protecting the "Sanctity of Marriage" the Texas Republican Party's new platform calls for an end to divorce, although half of the people who wrote the document are, you guessed it, divorced. As well as their new Chair, Steve Munisteri. From their platform:

Family and Defense of Marriage – We support the definition of marriage as a God–ordained, legal and moral commitment only between a natural man and a natural woman, which is the foundational unit of a healthy society, and we oppose the assault on marriage by judicial activists.

Yes, that means, one man, one woman, one time. That is it. You don't get seconds, or in Rush Limbaugh's case sloppy 4ths. As one of the writers said "Marriage is not like shopping around in a whore house taking a test drive every now and then. This is a sacred bond between one man one woman for life. Just what the penquins do."

Needless to say some elected officials in the republican party are not too keen about this:

Lt Governor David Dewhurst. "*&^%ing idiots. The ink just dried on my prenups with my number two! I will demand to be grandfathered!"

Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. "Who in the living *&^% do I have to shoot to set this right? I aint ever going to back to Louetta, or Norma Dean, or Joe Beth. Hell I'll go back to 'Nam before I did that!"

RPT Chair Steve Munisteri. "I don't have to get back together with my former wife do I? If so, then I am &^%$ing quitting."

Karl Rove. "Go *&^% yourself! Ain't no way I am going back!"

Rush Limbaugh. "These people are desirous to have a pure and simple one man, one woman, one pinhead mentality, but what the hell am I to do with all this Viagra? I'm running through women like crap through a goose!"

More comments will follow.

John Glenn, a light year late, and 3 Billion short

NOTE: A light year is actually a measure of distance. It is the distance that light can travel in one year. I used it in the title because for effect not because it was scientifically correct. But anyway....

Former astronaut and US Senator John Glenn voiced his opposition to the Presidents proposed direction to NASA calling for the continued use of the Space Shuttle.

Following Congress' announcement that the space shuttle program will get cut, Glenn wrote a letter to officials asking them to continue carrying out space missions, otherwise there will be no Americans in space starting as early as next year. 

The decision to ditch the Shuttle Program was  made in 2005. It really would have been nice if Glenn had woken from his slumber and spoke up then. Now he is acting like the old grandfather sitting on the porch periodically waking up to wave his cane at the kids trying to steal his money. "You little rotten bastards! Save the Shuttle!".

Senator, that rocket has launched years ago. Why the letter is being brought up 6 years late is beyond me, but it would have helped a bit if he (if everyone) had spoken up in 2005 when NASA was sent on a mission with no money, no clear plan, and riddled with technical problems that are still not resolved.

This isn't rocket science folks. Oh...wait....it is.

Conservative radio driving Ms Daisy-Harper-Brown out of office

OUCH! State Representative Linda Harper-Brown is being trashed by conservative radio KLIF for her recent lapse of ethics:

WFAA  and the Dallas Morning News have reported Texas State Representative Linda Harper-Brown did not disclosed the donation of a Mercedes Benz and a Chevy Tahoe by someone who benefited from her votes on the Transportation Committee. Craig McDonald director of Texans for Public Justice summed this situation up appropriately: this "stinks to high heaven.” 

The short audio clip from KLIF is worth the listen. Listen here. This  talk show host is calling for Speaker of the House, Joe Straus, to remove Brown from the Transportation Committee, and far rightfully so. According to the host, this is a $60,000 car. This is no chump change. This is clearly unethical, if not illegal.

He also plays a few snippets of her 5 minute youtube video blaming Obama/Pelosi/Reid/Liberal trial lawyers/special interests for making her accept the car, put on official state plates on it, and driving it in sin. It is actually funny.

Personally I think Brown just made a mistake on how to manipulate the Ethics Commission like everyone else does. She also made a mistake thinking that this would not be discovered. Now, it is time to research every other State Representative and Senator to see who owns the cars that have the State Official licenses tags on them.

If any other elected official is doing this, they will be caught within the next few weeks and they can thank Ms Daisy for screwing up their gravy train.

Michele Bachmann: From rags to witches

Congresswoman Michele Bachmann of Minnesota is the gift that just keeps on giving, but in her case, she is taking. Taking subsidies, over $250,000 while screaming with the anti-government, anti-handout, tea baggers. From TruthDig (truthdig.com)

Michele Bachmann has become known as the Queen of the anti-government Tea Baggers, protesting health care reform and slamming every other government handout as “socialism.” But what her followers don’t know is that Rep. Bachmann is also a queen of another kind—a welfare queen. That’s right, the anti-government insurrectionist has taken more than a quarter-million dollars in government handouts thanks to corrupt farming subsidies she has been collecting for at least a decade.

Of course the teabaggers will give her a pass just like the family values voters in Louisiana giving a pass to Senator "I did her" Vitter in his bid for re-erection....uh election. While Bachmann has been caught with her hand in the subsidy jar, Vitter got caught with his dick in a prostitute.


Is this a great country or what?

Rick Perry and Pete Olson, worser and worstest person in the world

The Worst Person in the World award by Keith Olberman of MSNBC is pretty funny. Olson has said some of the dumbest things on the House floor while Perry has done some of the dumbest things in Texas. And Keith throws in a couple of other doosies. Enjoy:

Giving BP a fair shake

Needless to say, BP has made an incredible mistake. There are some like Texas Congressman Joe Barton elected by the oil industry in Congress, and State Representative Debbie Riddle of the Woodlands, who gives the rest of the United States the reason to say "Thank God for Texas" that will apologize on behalf of the American citizens to BP. And then there are those who will give credit to them for moving in the right direction.

BP has agreed to put $20 Billion in an account to cover the cost of claims against the company due to the oil leak they created. How can anyone apologize for BP stepping up to the plate and doing what is right? Is $20 Billion enough? May not be, but what is the alternative? BP could have dug in it's heals and stood behind their  lawyers, instead of standing behind their actions. But they didn't, so far.

Instead this is probably a well calculated financial move by BP knowing that civil lawsuits will follow as well as a criminal probe by the US Attorney General, which BP should expect and which they deserve. But this is a move in the right direction.

Most probably the President made BP an offer they couldn't refuse. And after looking at their stocks taking a dive, their reputation soiled, and Barton tripping over Riddle to be the first to apologize, BP determined it was in their best interest at this time to apologize to the country and do what is right.

So thanks BP.

Now stop the *&^damn leak.

Harris County republican Party insults hypocrites

Can the Harris County republican party stoop any lower? First they call for English only in Texas, then try to woo Hispanics with a commercial entirely in Spanish. Go fricking figure. From the Harris County Democratic Party:

Dear Fellow Democrat,

This past weekend the Texas Republican Party adopted their official party platform, demanding, among other blatantly anti-Latino provisions, a law making “American English the official language of Texas and the United States,” declaring, “we have room for but one language here and that is the English language; one nation, one language,” and insisting that bilingual education be discontinued in public school.

Then, the very next day, they released a new campaign video entirely in Spanish, urging Hispanic voters to support the GOP!

This hypocrisy cannot be allowed to continue. And the hateful anti-Latino programs the Republicans want to implement cannot be allowed to pass.

Real frickin idiots. They make hypocrites look bad.

Texas GOP Party of fiscal responsibility is broke.

Who could have seen this coming to the so-called party of "fiscal responsibility"? From the Houston Chronicle:

According to the latest filing with the Federal Election Commission, the [republican party of Texas] party had $264,863 cash on hand and $501,174 in debt. Munisteri said the party actually owed $605,835. The Republican National Committee recently paid a bill worth $134,000, he said; otherwise, the RPT would owe $739,000. "I have both a big debt, and we're losing money every month," he said.

In short, the RPT can't control their spending. This shouldn't be much of a surprise to anyone living in the United States under the republican administration lead by George W. Bush. Much like the republican party of Texas, Bush left us with a $1.3 Trillion deficit. Under republican rule he nearly doubled our debt from $6 Trillion to $11 Trillion.

The republicans have also controlled Texas for ten years leaving us with a $18 Billion deficit in the upcoming legislation session.They can't even balance their own party's budget much less the state of Texas or the country.

And when finally out of power, they leave a mess that requires a decade to clean up, leaving, as they say "Our kids and our grand kids to pick up the tab". A tab the drunks of the republican party created and left us to pay for.

The republican party is morally and fiscally broke. Grab a *&^damn mop and help clean up your mess.

Harris County GOP real American Zeros

The Harris County GOP won't pass a flag burning amendment but will sell a flag to anyone willing to donate $200 to the party:

Please join with us today by supporting our fundraising project of Flags Across Houston,, by purchasing
an 8 ft tall American Flag, that we will personally deliver to you and install in your front yard. Orders
must be received by June 24, 2010 to ensure prompt delivery and Professionally installed at your home.
We hope you will show your support for the Harris County Republican Party by purchasing an
American Flag for the 4th of July and Celebrate Independence Day.

(The 8ft American flag includes 6 foot of PVC pole made in China.)

The Harris County gop can't sell chocolate candy bars, M&Ms, have a car wash.  No, they have to sell the American flag and make a profit off of it with "Professional" installation. While our soldiers are fighting for the flag in an unnecessary war the Harris County republican party supported, they sell the same flag to make a profit.

What a bunch of real American zeros.

More on Bribing Ms Daisy (Linda Harper-Brown)

WFAA  and the Dallas Morning News have reported Texas State Representative Linda Harper-Brown did not disclosed the donation of a Mercedes Benz and a Chevy Tahoe by someone who benefited from her votes on the Transportation Committee. Craig McDonald director of Texans for Public Justice summed this situation up appropriately: this "stinks to high heaven.” 

Ms. Daisy could have prevented this.


Spending Campaign Cash
Brown should have followed the leadership of other State Representatives and State Senators by using her campaign donations to lease BMWs, Lexus, Toyotas or her Mecedes. Leasing a Mercedes Benz may seem excessive, as does leasing two vehicles, but given the lack of enforcement by the Ethics Commission, no one really seems to matter.


Unlimited contributions
Since Texas has no limit on campaign donations, Brown should have asked for a donation from those who benefit from her decisions on the Transportation Committee. This is not unusual. Insurance companies donate to those on the Insurance Committee. Homebuilders donate to the committees handling homeowner issues as well as the Supreme Court. So Brown could ask for these donations then lease a brand spanking new Mercedes.

Or she could just purchase the car with cash, campaign cash.  State Senator Seliger purchased a Chrysler for $27,000 and State Representative Isett bought a truck for $12,000. State Representative Carl Isett has since retired and there is no indication that he returned the truck to his campaign.
 
End of the Gravy Train
Only after formal complaints were filed with the Texas Ethics Commission have the illegal use of contributions to buy condos been stopped. The use of campaign cash to purchase personal vehicles, or leasing vehicles for so called "100% Business Use" is the last gravy train remaining.

Bribing Miss Daisy

You have to wonder about some of our elected officials. Case in point: State Representative Linda Harper-Brown and her "donated" Mercedes Benz. From WFAA in Dallas:


  

State Rep Harper-Brown was provided a Mercedes, complete with State provided licenses plates, by a company receiving benefits from her votes in the Transportation Committee in Austin. How can anyone not think this smells to high heaven of bribery? Elected officials are required to list any possible conflicts of interest on their Financial Disclosure Forms. The Texas Ethics Commission is not kind to those who have momentary lapses of omissions.

This year Criminal Court of Appeals Judge Sharon "The Killer" Keller was fined $100,000 for not reporting over $2.8 Million in assets. Although $2.8 Million is a far cry from a Mercedes, hiding these donations is just plain stupid and can bite you in the back end come reelection time.

Two years ago Harper-Brown won her election by only 25 votes against someone who raised only $17,000 and had no campaign. This year Ms. Daisy has a well funded, well respected challenger which may drive Ms Harper-Brown out of office.

Update: "State Rep. Linda Harper-Brown said Friday that she was the "victim of misleading political attacks" in the wake of revelations that she drives a luxury car owned by a company that makes millions through state transportation contracts."

Didn't see that one coming did you? 

More Racists and Rednecks in South Carolina Republican Party

Even hardball is making fun of the redneck, racist State Senator Jake Knotts:



You sir, are not a redneck.

Republican Racists and Rednecks in South Carolina

South Carolina Republican State Senator Jake Knotts thinks it is funny talking like a racist:

"We've got a raghead in Washington, we don't need a raghead in the Statehouse," Knotts said last Thursday on Pub Politics, a show cast as insider politics over beer. Knotts later apologized, saying the remarks were meant as a joke.

His comments were directed towards the President and a Republican candidate, Nikki Haley, from India raised in the Sikh faith. After being reprimanded and asked to resign by his own Republican County Party, Knotts also claimed to be the victim of being called a "redneck" and refused to resign. In his speech to the assembly he claimed being called a redneck was a badge of honor since rednecks are hard working Americans who spend long days in the hot sun to take care of their families.

Claiming to be a redneck is a insult to the true rednecks of this country. Working long hard days in the hot sun is not limited to Americans. Ask any illegal immigrant working on roofs, picking fruits and vegetables, or cutting your lawn to take care of their families.

Ed Schultz of MSNBC had more:






Unlike the true rednecks of this country, Knotts can't keep his *^%damn racist mouth shut. He thinks it is funny calling the President of the most powerful nation in the world, who happens to be Black, a "raghead". Even rednecks are smart enough not to make racists comments in public. What else is Knotts calling our President when his back is turned from the microphone?

Knotts is an embarrassment to the republican party and to the true rednecks of this country. He isn't a redneck. He is a racist.

A US Congressman bows to the Brits.

Wow. No place but Texas will you find a US Congressman falling over himself to apologize to the British for an oil spill spewing millions of gallons in the Gulf. Barton apologized to BP after the President worked out a deal with BP to voluntarily donate $20 Billion into a relief fund for those financially ruined by their mistake in the gulf. From the LA Times blog:

“I’m ashamed of what happened in the White House yesterday,” Barton said. “I think it is a tragedy of the first proportion that a private corporation can be subjected to what I would characterize as a shakedown. In this case, a $20-billion shakedown with the attorney general of the United States, who is legitimately conducting a criminal investigation and has every right to do so to protect the interests of the American people, participating in what amounts to a $20-billion slush fund. It is unprecedented in our nation’s history.”

Barton is the Petroleum Industry's representative on the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee and has received $1,447,880 from the industry to continue representing them. The Republican leadership threatened to remove him from the committee if he didn't rescind his apology. So Barton got off his knees, tucked tail and did just that.

Next for Congressman Joe Barton will be to burn the United States flag with chants of "Death to America!" in front of the Statue of Liberty.

Power Watch: Electricity rates for June 2010

Before Deregulation:
Just remember, before deregulation of electricity, lobbied for by Ken Lay and Enron, we were paying just under 8 cents a kWh for long term contracts with no cancellation fees. We had reliable, low cost energy that required no contract maintenance. Let's see how electricity deregulation has worked for us in Harris County:  



So while you are sweating like a pig and paying your inflated electricity bill this summer, just remember Ken Lay is looking down upon you.


Or up.

Long term rates:
Amigo Energy  has the lowest rate for a 12 month plan at 9.9 cents per kWh. Apna and Potential are two new companies on the block are also at 10.0.  The highest rate is the same as in May by Liberty Power at 13.6.

TXU and Reliant: 
TXU and Reliant continue to charge more than the smaller companies. TXU is at 11.3 for a 12 month contract and Reliant is at 10.8.

Month to Month: 
The lowest month to month plan is at 8.7 with Bounce Energy and the highest is 12.1 by Nueces Electric Cooperative Retail Division (NEC Retail) .

Renewable Rates: 
The lowest 100% renewable energy is at 10.8 by Southwest Power & Light and the highest is 13.3 by TXU ENERGY .

Texas Governor Rick Perry's secret corporate slush fund

This is a pretty damning investigation story on Governor Rick Perry and his secret corporate slush fund that paid his vacation to Israel while the taxpayers picked up the tab for his security and travel for a select few. This should make the teabaggers dig deep for an excuse to continue supporting him. From Fort Worth's CBS 11:

Now serving Rick Perry Chicken

No sooner do I call Governor Rick Perry a puss for refusing to debate Bill White, his campaign manager confirms that not only is Perry a puss, but he serves it up for all to see and ridicule. And ridicule we must.

Yesterday in one of the biggest screw ups in Texas politics, Mark Miner, Perry's campaign director, called a press conference in front of the Travis County Democratic coordinated campaign headquarters. (strike one) He brought a visual, a generator. (strike two) and he only had 3 people join him. (strike three). The Democrats easily out numbered Perry's people by 50-3 including someone dressed like a chicken which was a much better visual than a generator. Guess who won this event?

Here is a video by Elise Hu of the Texas Tribune who seemed like she was enjoying the entire event. Next up for Minor? A confidence building pie eating contest for his staff on a bed of Texas fire ants.

For all the swagger, Texas Gov Rick Perry is a big giant Puss.

Texas Governor Rick Perry is well known for gut shooting a coyote with his laser scoped 32,  for standing in front of the capitol calling for secession from the United States and for bashing the federal government while accepting $22 million in stimulus money. But when all the dust settles around his custom made chaps, Texas Governor Rick Perry is nothing but a big giant pussy.

Perry has refused to debate former Houston Mayor Bill White. Unlike 4 years ago Perry, doesn't have to compete against three other candidates. It is just Bill White. Head to Head. Man to man. Mano a mano. But, after 10 years of swinging his dick around, Perry realizes he doesn't have one.

After 10 years of leading this state, he has little, if anything, to show for his tenure. So instead of debating the issues of insurance rates, education, pollution, electricity, college tuition, or his $18 Billion fiscally irresponsible deficit, Perry would rather just tuck tail and run from a debate just like the puss he is.

It is true what they say about Texas. Things are bigger. Take our Governor, the biggest Puss in Texas.

Congressman Pete Olson to the rescue!

Congressman Pete Olson coming off an epic failure of saving NASA's Constellation Program is now fighting for the oil industry to stop the moratorium of offshore drilling. While those living in the coastal states are looking for help from BP after they poisoned  the Gulf of Mexico, Olson is looking to save the industry from a temporary moratorium on offshore drilling to make sure it doesn't happen again. From the Chronicle:

U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, announced today that he would file legislation early next week that would rescind the Obama administration's six-month ban on deepwater offshore oil drilling. The moratorium, he said “is turning a tragedy into a nightmare.”

Olson did not address the issue that millions of gallons of oil is spewing out of an uncontrollable oil leak because of the lack of oversight and regulation of the oil industry. Olson had no comment about the loss of income to the coastal states, or to the fishing industry, or to those looking for a safe, clean vacation. He had no comment to those losing their family's fishing business.

Olson is coming off a disaster of  trying to save George W. Bush's ill conceived Constellation program. Olson had little, if any chance, of engaging the Administration after calling the President a socialist, challenging his citizenship, claiming  Obama is a terrorist lover, or making fun of Obama's wife. Instead of acting like a human being, Olson acted like a dickhead.

With his record, the oil industry might want to tell Olson to shut the hell up.

What Would Bob Perry Do?

I guess Bob Perry and his wads of cash weren't in the room when the Republican Party of Texas put this about day laborers in their platform:

Texas Republicans also want to limit citizenship by birth to those born to a U.S. citizen “with no exceptions.” The platform calls for the end of day-labor work centers and emphasizes border security, encouraging “all means … (to) immediately prevent illegal aliens.”

Hello to high new home costs! Way to go RPT, kicking one of your biggest donors where it hurts. You guys are fun to watch. 

Dickheads at the Texas Republican Convention

Thanks to the Texas Tribune for this jewel:

No Place but the Texas Republican Dickheads Convention

Wacky White Wacists say NO to Texans for a Sensible Immigration Policy

And the republicans wonder why they are losing the Hispanic vote?

So much for Texans for Sensible Immigration Policy trying to reason with republicans at their convention. Norm Adams, co-founder of TXSIP (tee-sip) proposed a solution calling for the adoption of sensible reform to their party plank. From the Star Telegram:

"The Republican Party needs to come together on a sensible immigration policy -- one that is not amnesty, one that is not deportation," Adams told a committee working on party platform issues. "If we get this passed, Texas will set the standard. "I want this party to come together, folks," he said. "I hope and pray you people give this serious consideration."

Selling common sense to the republican party is like selling celery sticks to the National Association of the Advancement of Fat People (video below). It ain't going to work. Speaking of:

"No compromises, no guest work, until we have our borders under control," she said. "I want to deport everybody who is illegal -- children, dogs, pets, birds.

"Everyone should be deported except for those who mow my lawn, cook my food, replace my roof, or build my house. Other than that, gone!"

Ok, that second quote was what they were thinking. TXSIP is a front group for the organizations that depend upon cheap labor. Their concern is not citizenship, or keeping families together, or a sensible policy. Their focus is to exploit the cheap labor from Mexico instead of paying a fair working man's wage. After all, that is what the free market is all about.

But, what do the largest donors to the republican party in Texas who depend on this cheap labor, Bob Perry, Bo Pilgrim, James Leininger, and Red McCombs say about immigrants?  From their OP-ED in the Dallas News

Not only that, but immigrant workers renew and reinvigorate America. They remind us what it's like to give a job your all. We talk about old-fashioned family values; they live them. And those of us who cherish our faith and love our country can only rejoice at their devotion to both.

And here is what they say about Nancy boy republicans:

Employers say they do everything they can to attract native-born workers. But few young Americans want to do hard physical labor, particularly in our climate. 

And no, I am not kidding. That is exactly what they wrote. Besides competing for the immigration hypocrisy award, look for the republican party to adopt something stupid like demanding Obama to show his birth certificate before being put on the ballot. Oops....too late:

Keith Houser of Southlake, for instance, hopes to add a measure that requires the top two leaders in the U.S. to be "natural born" citizens, meaning that both parents are citizens. His measure would require presidential and vice presidential candidates to submit proof to be listed on the Texas ballot.

Those Wacky White Wacists. You got to love them. Oh....and about the fat people:

BREAKING: Hispanics walk out of Texas Republican Convention!

This just in from an undercover blogger at the Republican Party convention being held in Dallas this weekend:

I really thought I wouldn't find a non-white person in the convention except for those being used for billy-club practice or being enticed with free turkeys, bicycles, fired chicken, management positions at convenient stores, or tax cuts. I wasn't disappointed. It was harder to find a non-white person than finding intelligence at a Sarah Palin look alike contest. But, I tried. 

Now, that isn't much news when you consider the "I hate Mexicans" and "I use the N word" teabaggers are taking over the republican party. What did any of those few non-whites expect? But he continues.....

All at once, as if it was orchestrated, everyone of them stood up and left. Right in the middle of a speech given by former Congressman Tancredo on how to catch a Mexican or something like that. In the end the Republican convention turned into the White Wacky Wacists of the Wild Wild West.

Film at 11.

Republicans want taxpayers to pay for BP oil spill

From the House Minority Leader John Boehner:

"I think the people responsible in the oil spill--BP and the federal government--should take full responsibility for what's happening there," Boehner said at his weekly press conference this morning. Boehner's statement followed comments last Friday by US Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donohue who said he opposes efforts to stick BP, a member of the Chamber, with the bill.

The US Chamber of Commerce have their lips sewn to the ass of the Republican party (or is it the other way?) and will do whatever it takes to get BP off the hook for killing the Gulf of Mexico. I doubt BP will ever be able to fully pay for the clean up of the Gulf and pay for the lost wages and lives of those who live on the coast.

Republican chairman Michael Steele chimed in later blaming the government for lack of oversight.

Late update: Boehner spokesman Michael Steel emails to say "Boehner made a general statement about who is responsible for the spill, and the federal government oversight was clearly lacking, but he has said repeatedly that BP is responsible for the cost of the cleanup." 

Yep the oversight created by Dick Cheney was lacking. Republicans calling for more government intervention and bailouts of their buddies. Next up, they will be supporting same sex marriage, repeal of don't ask don't tell, and abortion on demand.

Judge Ed Emmet has an election problem

Harris County Commissioner Ed Emmet has a problem with his party's handling of elections in Harris County so he is proposing a new position to oversee.....well, let's let the Judge say it himself. From the Houston Chronicle:

Therefore, I am in favor of studying whether Harris County should create an appointed, nonpartisan office of elections administrator combining elements now assigned to the elections division of the Harris County clerk's office and the voter registration section of the county's tax assessor-collector's office. 

What's the problem? 
The republican party has been in control of Harris County for nearly a decade and they have done their best to put us into a position of needing an Elections Administrator. There is absolutely no one to blame for this problem except for Judge Emmett, Harris County Tax Assessor Paul Bettencourt....uh....Leo Vasquez, and  County Clerk Beverly Kaufman. Emmett says it best in his op-ed:

Clearly, voters are tired of candidates who put their candidacies above the public good.

Amen Brother!

And what is the solution?
Vote the republicans out of office. Instead of creating another level of bureaucracy, how about electing individuals who will make our government work for us by providing easy access to our voting rights? How about restoring confidence in our government instead of constantly beating it down like the republicans have been doing for the last 10 years?

The republican candidates  have put their candidacies above the public good for too long. It is time to put someone in the office that can be trusted.