FREEEEEEEEEEEDOM!

Thanks to Mail Online for the picture and great article on the Colbert/Stewart rally in DC with estimates of over 200,000 Fweedom fighters. Many of the signs were making fun of the people at the Becker Head rally and their lack of spelling skills.

Hypocrites for Linda Harper-Benz donations

Talk about another bunch of hypocrites. Much like Joe Driver, State Representative Linda Harper-Brown (aka Linda Harper-Benz)  has raised an incredible amount of money for a State House races. In 2010 alone, Benz has raised almost $800,000 with over $500,000 raised from just 8 so called "conservative" individuals/organizations.

As with Joe Driver, these "conservatives" don't seem to have a problem with Harper-Benz driving under the influence:

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?

To make matters worse, she then claimed $13,000 in mileage for the use of her personal vehicle from the State for a vehicle she didn't own. And then she responded with a 3 minute youtube video blaming Nancy Pelosi! But all of this doesn't matter to conservatives. What matters is winning and money. Lots of it.

The Texas House Leadership fund that funds potential "leaders" gave $28,000. The Speaker of the House of Conservatives and gambling proponent, Joe Straus, has ponied up $330,000. Bob "The Babtist" Perry gave $70,000.  The Verizon "Good Government" Club also chipped in $2000. The top three moral giants provided half of the entire donations to Benz's campaign.

But then, what else is new? Linda Harper Brown will probably have her victory party at a Mercedes Benz dealership and claim it is a fine establishment based upon conservative principles.

And then blame Obama.

Hypocrites for Joe Driver donations

Talk about a bunch of hypocrites. Over the last year State Representative Joe Driver has raised over $500,000 for his race against an relatively unknown opponent, much of it coming from so called "conservatives". These "conservatives" don't seem to have a problem with Joe Driver's problem of stealing from the taxpayers:

Driver charged tens of thousands of dollars to his campaign for travel and then charge the State (taxpayers) for the same travel and pocketed the money. In our world it is called stealing and is considered a felony. In Joe's world and mind, it is called a misunderstanding. 

To claim this was just a misunderstanding is laughable. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this is called "double dipping" and if found to be true Driver should be charged with a felony since the Travis County DA's Office is investigating. But all of this doesn't matter to conservatives. What matters is winning and money. Lots of it.

The republican Party of Texas, those fire breathing conservatives, gave a total of $55,000. The Texas House Leadership fund that funds potential "leaders" gave $60,000. The Speaker of the House of Conservatives and gambling proponent, Joe Straus, has ponied up $152,000. The Conservative Republicans of Texas gave $15,000. Bob "The Babtist" Perry gave $20,000.

All in all, over $350,000 of his $500,000 came from just 8 so called "conservatives", aka "Hypocrites".

But then, what else is new? Joe Driver will probably have his victory party at a strip joint and claim it is a fine establishment based upon conservative principles.

Or a misunderstanding.

OOPS! Ken Leglar caught outsourcing jobs to Denmark!

OOPS!

Leglar is like Congressman Pete Olson. Neither are well respected in their respective capitols and both seem to get caught doing stupid things. Olson attempted to pass a resolution honoring James O'Keefe for "setting an example for concerned citizens across America". O'Keefe recently was caught staging a seduction attempt on a CNN reported. OOPS!

And Leglar got caught outsourcing jobs to Mexicans, yes, Mexicans, the same Mexicans his loyal teabagger supporters cannot tolerate. And now Leglar has been caught outsourcing acting jobs to Denmark with his latest mail piece showing a doctor standing with while collar workers from Pasadena.

Only one problem — the presumably local workers from respective professions that have made repeated appearances on the pro-Legler mail don’t just look the part, they play the parts as well. The ‘group of professionals’ are not from Pasadena, or Texas, or the United States at all.  Legler’s cronies at the front group Citizen Leadership PAC, who paid for the mail, outsourced the photo of “local workers.”   It was bought from a stock photo site that offers the photo as a “portrait of people from different professions standing together on white.”   The photo is by a former Vaisnava monk Daniel Laflor, a photographer in Denmark. (http://www.laflor.dk/)

Texas Trailblazers has a copy of the mailer and here is the same stock photo from http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-11593417-group-of-people-from-their-respective-professions.php:

 

Åh min gud! Usually if you are going to show people in your district on your mailers, you call for volunteers from your district for a photo shoot. That is if you actually have a campaign or volunteers. Leglar instead just outsources his entire campaign activities. Phone banking, mailers, everything bought to you by someone else besides hard working white collar Pasadena folk.

OOPS.

If you are an Educator and you don't vote

If you are an Educator and you don't vote:

Don't ask me to donate supplies to your classroom because the State refuses to adequately fund our education system.

Don't complain when your class size is doubled.

Don't complain when you work yourself ragged trying to help your students.

Don't complain about the TAKS tests and all the testing you are required to do.

Don't complain when we have the highest rates of high school dropouts.

Don't complain when your students fail the many test you have been required to give with no extra funding provided to do so.

Every two years Texas republicans claim to be the father of the Texas Education System and yet they have cut the budget for teacher salaries. They cut the budget for teachers to do their jobs. They saddle our teachers with unfunded mandates. And yet they demand that you perform.

Let's stop being politically correct and state the facts. The gop is a party that doesn't give a flying crap about our public education system. And it must stop.

So either go vote, or shut up.

If you are a Muslim and you don't vote

If you are a Muslim and you don't vote:

Don't ask me to defend your right to worship in peace.

Don't complain about being protested by a group of wide eyed racists at your place of worship.

Don't complain about elected officials calling for strip searches of all Muslim men before boarding a plane.

Don't complain about elected officials removing the mention of your religion in school books.

Don't complain when elected officials call you and your family terrorists.

Muslims have become the punching bag of the republican party ever since 9/11. They have been blamed for the ills of society by members of the gop who make fun of their language, their heritage, and their religion all while claiming "I'm not a racist".

Let's stop being politically correct and state the facts. The gop is a party that tolerates racism for their own political gain.  And it has to stop.

So either go vote, or shut up.

If you are Hispanic and you don't vote

If you are Hispanic and you don't vote:

Don't ask me to march in the hot sun at a rally for comprehensive immigration reform.

Don't complain about the bulls eye drawn on your back by the republican party.

Don't complain about teabaggers hovering over you questioning your citizenship while you vote.

Don't complain about being called a possible terrorist just because of the color of your skin. 

Don't complain about being asked for proof of citizenship because of the color of your skin.

Don't complain about your family being treated like second class citizens.

Hispanics have become the punching bag of the republican party ever since 9/11. We have been blamed for the ills of society by members of the gop who make fun of our language and our heritage all while claiming "I'm not a racist".

Let's stop being politically correct and state the facts. The gop is a party that tolerates racism for their own political gain.  And it has to stop.

So either go vote, or shut up.

Yes we Cain!

The new baddest man on the planet. 

Cain Velasquez beat Brock Lesnar for the UFC heavyweight title with a 1st round beating. Based upon how he fought last night, he might hold that title a long time. One of the most original signs in the audience was "YES WE CAIN!". From Wikipedia:

After Iowa Central Community College, he graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor's degree in Education.^[3] He wrestled there for three seasons, and compiled a record of 86-17 and was placed 5th in the country in wrestling in 2005, and placed 4th in 2006. Cain also wrestled along side of UFC Fighters, Ryan Bader and CB Dolloway while at ASU.^[14]

I've been a huge boxing fan for many years but have migrated to UFC. After spending 3 days in a boxing gym I have an incredible respect for anyone who fights.You can see posters of some of the fights I have been to on "the wall".

Ken "I don't know" Legler outsourcing Pasadena jobs to Mexico

Much like the former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, State Representative Ken Legler's best line is "I don't know". Here he is on the House floor being questioned why he doesn't know the rates of unemployment or the rates of the uninsured in his own district.




If given a chance, Legler would follow it with "and I don't care" since he outsources his own company's jobs to Mexico.

His outsourcing wasn't just due to the economy though. Job-Killing Ken's company was in dire straits because of his own mismanagement. From faulty product lawsuits and tens of thousands in fines from unsafe working conditions, he simply broke the business that he had inherited. Because of Job-Killing Ken Legler's negligence, Texas families suffered. Now that Texas is facing a $21 billion budget shortfall, is that the kind of experience you need looking out for you in Austin?

Legler is a perfect republican. Talks alot about "good American jobs" then sells them to Mexico. Viva Legler!

Let's all vote for Proposition 1 if.....

The Renew Houston boneheads are at it again.

They can't seem to keep their mouths shut while looking at a good chance of making millions in new city contracts with the passage of Proposition 1. Instead, Bob Jones, the president of the engineering firm Jones and Carter, who would make millions from Prop 1 contracts, has shot his greedy mouth off at the African American city council members in an email saying:

I am flabbergasted by the position that you and three of your fellow council members have taken on Proposition 1. Listening to your press conference last week and reading the editorial below confirms my concern that we do not have any leadership from our African American council members. 

Note to Bob.....City Council Member Mike Sullivan is also against Prop 1, but you didn't write an email criticizing the lack of leadership from the Anglo American council members, did you? No, instead you complain because someone dares to question the $170,000 bet (donation) you placed on Renew Houston for a chance at an $8 Billion jackpot.

This is the second boneheaded thing Renew Houston has done and it is time to draw the line. Here is an idea - Let's all vote for Proposition 1 if:

1. Bob Jones and his company Jones and Carter is barred from bidding on any of the projects started with Prop 1 money.
2. Anyone or any company that donates money to Renew Houston or Vote for Prop 1 is barred from bidding on any projects due to the obvious conflict of interest.
3. Renew Houston issues an apology to HISD for their boneheaded press release.

Until then, Renew Houston can just stick it.

More can be found at the Houston Chronicle with a response from local African American leaders. If Renew Houston blows this $1 Million campaign, it might well be because of the greed of Bob Jones and the lack of communication skills of Renew Houston.

Targeting the King Street Teabaggers

There have been reports of the King Street Patriots attempting to intimidate or harass people while they exercise their constitutional right to vote. If they were a Democratic organization Sarah Palin might say squeal out something like "They are lucky the voters don't exercise their 2nd amendment rights". But teabaggers save their threats of using their 2nd amendment rights for Democrats.

The King Street Teabaggers have attracted national attention including these emails from their supporters sent to Vote Houston, the organization that was registering voters in the Houston area. Here is one that every blogger and supporter of the KST should be proud of:

"You liberial scumbags should be hung by the neck in public ! We are on to your voter fraud. Keep it up you MOTHER FUCKERS and you will soon be put down for a long dirt nap! Your nothing but a bunch of white guilt ridden assholes, NIGGERS and greasy mexican spics! The WAR is comming and we are going to dispose of each and every one of you while we take OUR (White) nation back."

Wow. These guys can't spell and can't stop using the N word and other racial slurs. Brains and Eggs is keeping track of the King Street Teabaggers. As well as the Harris County Attorney, the Department of Justice, and the national media. TPM has a great update on this group of baggers. It is a sad read.

I guess it is time to "reload"?

More Loaning Campaign Cash: Chris Daniel

OK. This situation has got my attention. Any of you ethics gurus have any ideas on this?

I mentioned in a prior post that Chris Daniel, republican running for Harris County District Clerk, had some strange loan activity in his campaign reports. He loaned himself $29,100, then on 6/30/2010 he received $29,100 from two individuals, named Daniel (sister and mom?), and then repaid the $29,100 loan. And then, if that isn't enough, he loaned himself $25,000 more!

A $20,000 donation came from Jolie Daniel at 404 N. Shadowbend in Friendswood Texas. The same address is for Gill Oil Company LP with Ken Castleman as President. Ken also donated $1000 to Daniels listing the same address. Ken serves on the advisory board of the University of Texas in Austin. Jolie, who gave $20,000 lists her occupation as a "secretary" at KBR but uses the same address as Gill Oil.

The whole thing doesn't make cents. Literally. There is no need to be sneaky and move large sums of money around because there are no limits on donations.  If Gill Oil was a corporation, and the $20,000 came from the corporation then that would raise some ethics eyebrows since corporation donations are illegal in Texas. But, there is no evidence that happened.

A loan can be paid back with future donations, but donations from the two Daniels cannot be paid back. Instead these donations were used to pay off Chris' loan. Confused?

The address for Jolie is troubling. This should be the donors address, not their work. (Maybe Gill Oil is part of KBR?) Daniels is moving money around. It looks strange, but that is probably all it is. Strange.

How fitting.

Department of Justice to kick in True the Vote teabags

Miya Shay of 13 Eyewitness News weighs in on the alleged voting intimidation in the predominantly minority locations by the teabag organization True the Vote. Notice how the teabagger poll watcher has no clue about who he is representing and admits in the end that there is really no need for poll watchers.

But there is a need for an investigation. Of course the Harris County gop Chair is in full support of the teabaggers and this activity.

This entire issue of voter intimidation and anti voter fraud is getting the attention of the Department of Justice as it did two years ago when the Harris County Tax Assessor/Collector's office was sued.

Now, TPMMuckraker has learned, the Justice Department has interviewed witnesses about the alleged intimidation and is gathering information about the so-called anti-voter fraud effort.

And the Harris County Attorney, Vince Ryan, has also called on the DOJ to monitor the elections:

Responding to complaints that poll watchers were intimidating voters in predominantly minority polling locations, County Attorney Vince Ryan summoned the county chairmen of both major parties to his office Tuesday and reminded them of their responsibility to make sure the observers were obeying the law.

Ryan also announced in the meeting that he has requested a monitor from the Justice Department to observe the voting process in Harris County through Nov. 2.

Poll watching:
Poll watching can be an extremely boring job. You are not allow to "hover" or speak to anyone except the election judge. You are usually asked to stand in one specific location. If you notice something you believe is improper, you are allowed to bring it to the attention of the judge and nothing else. The rules are very clear. You can't talk to voters. You can't give information or misinformation. You can't ask for ID. Most legitimate candidates sponsoring a poll watcher would require training to protect the campaign and the poll watcher.

This True the Vote teabagger group will now get the stink eye of the Department of Justice. Usually grassroots organizations would not be able to defend against the DOJ, but these guys are well funded astroturf organizations.

And they are about to get their teabags kicked in.

Burning down the Supreme Court? Again?

I just don't get it.

In 2008 Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal (who later resigned in disgrace) dropped the indictment of Texas Supreme Court Justice David Medina's wife for arson and Medina for tampering of evidence. This after a grand jury heard evidence and then indicted with at least a vote of 9 out of 12.

So what does Medina do? He has a press conference blasting the grand jury:

"They've made a mockery of the entire process," Yates said. "This is crazy. This is mind-boggling, what this grand jury has done. This is more than a runaway grand jury. This is a grand jury speeding away in a Lamborghini."

The grand jury didn't exactly like the fact that they listen to the evidence, indicted the two, and had to watch Rosenthal drop the case. They didn't like being called a "runaway grand jury" either. So now the grand jury has filed a suit asking to disclose the evidence to prove they were not a runaway anything:

"Plaintiffs seek a declaration that they have a privilege to fairly respond to the defamatory attacks upon their character by revealing the overwhelming evidence considered by grand jury in voting the indictments of David and Francisca Medina," the suit states. "Plaintiffs should be able to do so without being prosecuted, sanctioned, fined or jailed."

Medina should have kept his Supreme Court mouth shut and be glad Rosenthal did him and his wife a huge favor by dropping the indictment. Hopefully the evidence will come out and we will all see why he was indicted in the first place.

If you are harassed at a polling location

This is worth a cut and paste from Brains and Eggs:

Again, if anyone tries to prevent you from voting by challenging your voter registration card or identification, ask to speak only to the election judge for clarification. Be reminded of the requirements for voting from Hector DeLeon at the Harris County Clerk's office, by way of Mary Benton's fine blog "On the Beat":

To vote, a person may present one of the following documents: a voter registration card, a driver’s license, a picture identification of any kind, a birth certificate, a U.S. Citizenship or Naturalization certificate, a U.S passport, a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. First time voters who registered by mail and did not provide their driver’s license number or identification number will need to provide another form of identification other than their voter registration certificate.

And if anyone challenges your voting credentials, or otherwise attempts to stop you, at any time before you reach the clerk's table at your polling place, call 911 and report their illegal, intimidating, harassing activity to the proper legal authority.

It's Kick a Teabagger Day! King Street Patriots up first.

There have bee reports of teabaggers harrassing and intimidating voters in Harris County on the first day of voting, so the following is welcomed news:

Today Texas for Public Justice filed an ethics complaint against the teabagger organization, King Street Patriots and the Texas Democratic Party has piled on adding them to a lawsuit filed last month against the Green Party for failing to disclose campaign donations. The TDP states:

In order for any group to conduct partisan political activities in Texas, it must register with the Texas Ethics Commission as a political committee. Democrats say the King Street Patriots are not only violating their tax status by helping Republicans but are also illegally operating as an unregistered political committee.

The Texas Ethics Commission is usually heavy handed when it comes to funneling corporate donations. This is illegal in Texas. Ask Tom DeLay. TPJ adds:

TPJ today filed a formal complaint with the Texas Ethics Commission alleging that the King Street Patriots and KSP/True the Vote have violated the state’s prohibition on corporate contributions to political parties and candidates.  The complaint says the groups appear to have made repeated in-kind corporate contributions to the Harris County Republican Party and a slate of Republican candidates for legislative, judicial and county offices.

The ethics complaint is pretty damning. Of course this so-called "grassroots", "we're just like you", organization has responded through their legal advisers at the Liberty Institute:

 We ain't done shit! So stick it bee-atch!

:) So if a teabagger is harassing you at the polls, kick em in the what nots, then call the police. Intimidating at a voting location is a serious violation of federal law and can result in a year in jail and a $500 fine. Let's bag another teabagger!

Loaning Campaign Cash: Chris Daniel

I just can't figure this one out. Chris Daniel is running for Harris County District Clerk.

Early in his campaign
Early in his campaign Daniels loaned himself $29,100. Throughout his campaign he raised about $18,000, $10,000 coming from Bob Perry. This does not include $5000 from a law firm for an in-kind donation of legal services.

His last few reports get weird. Someone named Alyson Daniel, an actress in California, donates $9100, possibly his sister, and someone in Friendswood named Jolie Daniel (mom?), a secretary at KBR, donates $20,000.

June 30, 2010
Both of these donations were dated 6/30/2010. And both just so happens to add up to $29,100 and for good reason, because Chris then repays the loan to himself for exactly $29,100 the very same day. To add more complexity to this, he loans himself yet another $20,000 also on the very same day.

What the fool?
Why is he moving money from Daniel mom to Daniel son on 6/30? It looks like he is padding his reports by showing $32,000 in donations for the period but actually $29,100 is from his mother, or someone else with the last name of Daniel. But then he repays the loan and loans himself yet another $20,000 followed by another $5000 on the last report.

Whether padding his reports, doing something sneeky, doing something illegal, or just being a fool, it just doesn't make cents.

Pros and Cons of Renew Houston, Prop 1

Anything Paul "Quittencourt,"the Houston Area Pastor Council, and the various teabagging organizations are against, is probably something worthy of support, such as Proposition 1. Unlike these ignorant yahoos, I believe in effective government which requires funds to provide government services. Unfortunately, the republican party and so called "conservatives" have demonized government, making it very difficult to raise funds for needed services like flood control. 

Pros:

If you believe the slick brochures of Renew Houston, the passage of Prop 1 will provide the needed funds to control flooding, create jobs, provide safe access for students and fix our outdated infrastructure. Eight billion dollars over a 20 year period should buy a lot of safe passage and create a lot of jobs. This is exactly what happens when you raise and spend tax dollars to provide government services. This is just part of living in a society.

And the Con:

But why do I feel like I am being conned? Those who will benefit the most, the engineering firms, have invested one million dollars into this campaign to convince us to impose a tax on ourselves. These are the same "conservatives" who continually demonize government, strangling our ability to raise needed funds. These are the same "conservatives" who will blame the passage of Prop 1 on "tax and spend" liberals. (and they have already) I, for one, am not buying everything Renew Houston has claimed. 

Their bone headed press release hammering HISD over their legitimate opposition to Prop 1 didn't help. Here is the most offensive line:

HISD should do a more responsible job of managing taxpayer funds before laying off teachers and opposing a fiscally responsible plan to keep its students safe.

This line came from a group of "conservatives" looking for an eight billion dollar government handout. If this one line is responsible for the failure of this one million dollar campaign, then they have only themselves to blame.

As for us.....go vote.

The GOP, the Bad, and the ugly candidates from Harris county

Where in the hell did the Harris County GOP get these candidates from? Granted we have a LaRouche quack, Kesha Rogers, running for Congress, but at least we have disavowed her. These guys make Rogers look like a great candidate!


Jack Morman for County Commissioner. He knows nothing about the position or what he would do if he got there. Morman started his campaign with a $6500 loan then received a $2000 donation to a losing effort from the Bay Area Republican women's PAC, $10,000 from sugar daddy Bob Perry also came in. Other than that, there aint much there, in the bank account or anywhere else.

Chris Daniels for District Clerk. Chris also is an extremely weak candidate for this very important position. Chris started with a $14,100 loan to himself spending most of it on signs, $500 for a facebook ad and $300 on Christmas cards. (really, Christmas cards). He later received an in-kind donation of $5000 for legal fees, followed by another loan of $15,000. Later Bob Perry kicks in $10,000 and a secretary at KBR donates $20,000. Followed by yet another $20,000 loan, almost $50,000 in loans.

Stan Stanart for County Clerk. Like Chris and Jack, Stan doesn't have much experience for the job he seeks and he also started him campaign with a loan of $20,000 from himself. Unlike Chris and Jack, Bob Perry hasn't donated to his campaign. Neither has many others for that matter.

Don Sumners for County Tax Assessor. Don is like Stan, unqualified and unable to get a donation from Bob Perry. Don beat out Leo Vasquez for the teabagger nomination starting with only a $202 in-kind donation from Mary Williams via a purchase from Best Buy. (?) Then he went into deficit spending for $1500.  More deficit spending of over $5000 continued without raising a dime. His last report shows a total of about $3000 in donations. I guess deficit spending is OK if you are a teabagger.

Here is a note to you guys: It becomes REAL hard to repay yourself for your loans if you lose. No one usually shows up to a "retire my debt" party unless you are elected. Ask Roy Morales.

Let's hope the voters of Harris County can vote for those who have a lick of sense, and cents.

Harris County gop shoots finger at self over Prop 1

As I said would happen, the anti-tax republicans are pointing fingers at the wrong people concerning Prop 1. From an email from Jared Woodfill, chair of the Harris County republican party:

It appears that Mayor Parker and the City of Houston are at it again, attempting to pass the largest local tax increase in recent history-Proposition 1. This $8 billion referendum will be on the ballot in November.

Uh, note to Woodfill: Proposition 1 is being championed by one of his own republicans, City Councilman Stephan Costello who is a member of the Harris County Republican Party Leadership Council. Proposition 1 is being funded with almost $1 Million in investments by conservative engineers who will profit nicely from the tax dollars.This is a republican idea, sponsored by republicans.

And yet, the republican leadership will continue to blame everyone else, including Obama, Pelosi, and Senator Reid:

Mayor Parker has decided to take a play from the Obama, Reid, Pelosi playbook, increase taxes in a recession. 

If Proposition 1 passes, a lot of millionaires will continue to be millionaires, they will continue to donate to republicans, and Woodfill will continue to blame those who had nothing to do with it. It is a win-win again.

Perry's web of stupidity and his $4.5 Million award to his donor

Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive.

Sir Walter Scott

Dallas Morning News is on to something. Pure and simple corruption by Rick Perry and he is getting caught. This corruption should seal the deal with his voters. Corruption is OK just as long as it is Rick Perry. From the Dallas Morning News:

Gov. Rick Perry approved a $4.5 million award from the state's technology fund to a company founded by a major campaign donor despite the company's failure to win the endorsement of a regional screening board, The Dallas Morning News has learned. 

And when called on it here is his excuse:

A spokeswoman for Perry said Tuesday that the money was properly awarded to Convergen because the law establishing the tech fund allows applicants to appeal decisions by regional reviewers. 

Except there is one little problem:

However, the law makes no mention of such appeals.The chairman of the regional board in Houston, one of the state's largest, told The News he had never heard of an appeals process. Walter Ulrich, also a former member of the tech fund's statewide advisory committee, said approval by regional boards is mandatory. 

OOPS! Take some time and read the complete article. I think the DMN has a done a great job exposing this little $500Million scheme of Perry's. Unfortunately that will only strengthen his position with his supporters. The republican voters in this state could care less about corruption in government, abuse of tax dollars, and cronyism.

Just as long as they win.

How low will we go: China to buy Texas oil rights

Anything for a job:

State-owned Chinese energy giant CNOOC is buying a multibillion-dollar stake in 600,000 acres of South Texas oil and gas fields, potentially testing the political waters for further expansion into U.S. energy reserves.

With the announcement Monday it would pay up to $2.2 billion for a one-third stake in Chesapeake Energy assets, CNOOC lays claim to a share of properties that eventually could produce up to half a million barrels a day of oil equivalent.

Instead of outsourcing jobs, Texas will just outsource the state.

When teabaggers attack. Part III

Egads. A GOP teabagger candidate for the United States Congress has been found dressing like a Nazi, as a hobby. It is like dressing up like the Klan once a month jand burning a cross, just for the fun of it. Not for real, but just for fun.

The teabaggers turned over a boatload of rocks to find this guy.

Beaumont Enterprise endorses Bill White

The Beaumont Enterprise has endorsed Bill White:

White was a successful mayor of Houston. Before that, was the assistant U.S. Secretary of Energy. He's a prosperous business owner and a fiscal conservative, not a tax-and-spend liberal no matter how much Perry tries to put him in that box.

White wants a Texas where our kids learn the three R's instead of being "taught the test" or told that their textbooks are riddled with Muslim propaganda. He wants a state government filled with the best and brightest, not cronies who know how to write large checks. He wants a legislative session that balances the budget in a logical way instead of relying on accounting tricks or issuing more bonds. He wants to get all the aid he can from the federal government instead of turning down tens of millions for wacky political reasons.

And summed up Perry's 10 years in office:

Rick Perry has been a lousy governor for many reasons that have nothing to do with ideology. 

Amen.

One man's tax is another man's spending. Renew Houston

Still rethinking Renew Houston until this HISD flap is addressed.

Thanks to Council Member Stephen Costello, Vote for Prop 1, and Renew Houston for organizing a press conference to discuss the impact of Proposition 1 on HISD. It was appreciated. Quick thoughts:

• The opposition didn't show up. I guess Paul "Quittencourt" and the tea-baggers had better things to do.
• It was a frank discussion. It was so frank, I changed my name to Frank.
• I learned that Renew Houston is not Vote for Prop 1, Vote for Prop 1 is not Renew Houston.
• Vote Prop 1 stands by it's dumb ass press release attacking HISD for their opposition to Prop 1.
• There seems to be a lot of people who know more about education funding in Texas than educators do.
• Renew Houston, a coalition of engineering firms, raised about $500,000 to print slick brochures to convince voters to sign a petition calling for a new tax to pay for flooding. They won.
• Vote for Prop 1 has raised about $250,000 to convince voters to vote for the new tax.
• If the proposition passes, the engineering firms funding Renew Houston are poised to make millions in new contracts.

So Let's be Frank:
The idea of a group of conservatives calling for new taxes for needed services while funding the right wing anti-tax crusaders who call us "Tax and spend" Democrats really ticks me off. This effort is being led by a conservative. It is being funded by conservatives. It will financially benefit the conservatives. If this passes, I don't EVER want to hear "tax and spend" out of their damn mouths again. 

If a group of grassroots citizens or our elected officials were to call for new taxes to provide much needed services the proposal would be DOA. But a group of conservatives who will profit from calling for new "fees" to provide much needed services, is considered "fair" and "responsible"? Go figure.

Where is Renew Houston?
As I said, Renew Houston is not Vote Prop 1, but renewhouston.org now points to voteforprop1.com. Renew Houston's donors were suppose to be listed on renewhouston.org but remember, VoteforProp 1 is not Renew Houston and the donors are not listed.

Renew Houston's donors.
Half of Renew Houston's financial reports accounting for $288,000 can be found here. $50,000 from an engineering PAC, many $5000 donations from various engineering firms, $20,000 from Costello's engineering firm, $10,000 from a single donor, an engineer. Most of the entries do not disclose the occupation, as required, but it is easy to determine who is donating and we probably know why. 

Vote for Prop 1 donors.
I can't find the reports for Vote for Proposition 1 on the city's website. Vote Yes on Prop 2 is there. Somebody help me.

Bottom line on Renew Houston/Prop 1.
The bottom line is the bottom line. Lots of people are going to make a boatload of money from the billions raised for flooding and draining. Maybe in the future we should get a group of physicians and hospitals to band together, raise money, and form "Cure America" to advocated for health care reform. It seems to be working for Renew Houston, why not Cure America?

It sure is funny that people yell and scream about taxes, until they realize just how many jobs and much needed services they can provide. And how much profit they can make from it. Go Vote.

Frank Cobarruvias

Would someone, please, kick Rick Perry in the nuts?

Enough pussy footing around with Governor Rick Perry, one of the worst governors in the history of Texas. KT of Burnt Orange Report says it very nicely in a recent post, but I will say it again without the niceties:

• Perry is a career politician. 25 years sucking off the tit of the government.
• Perry has never held a job other than the government.
• Perry has stonewalled immigration reform for so his donors can continue exploiting cheap labor. 
• Perry has sold us out to the toll road builders.
• Perry has sold us out to the home builders.
• Perry has sold us out to the insurance companies.
• Perry has sold us out to his buddies in higher education.
• Perry has sold us out to the utility companies.
• Perry refuses to debate.
• Perry refused to meet with editorial boards across the state.
• Perry had diverted tax dollars to his buddy's companies in return for donations.

And Perry has screwed your family for the last ten years. So stop being a bunch of pussies and start telling it like it is. Rick Perry has been a *&^%ing disaster for the great State of Texas. It is time we quit being nice, and start dishing out what Perry has dished out for a decade.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: We are truly a sick nation

There is something wrong with all of us.

For many, sporting a pink ribbon is "doing their part" in support of  Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Others will sell cookies to help defray the cost of cancer treatment for their teacher. Football teams will wear pink gloves. Others will enter a Walk for the Cure event. Everyone has their own little way of "doing their part" during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and come November, it will all be gone.

Those of us who have experienced this terrible disease through their mom or sister or friend will continue to do their part until the end. They have no choice. The end of October is not the end of their cancer. It is just another day in a constant fight to stay alive and to hopefully get well. For some the end is the end of the disease. For others it is much worse.

No one understands how terrible this disease is until they experience it first hand. For some unknown reason, God created this God awful disease that leaves you scarred for the rest of your life with images of your loved one fighting for their life. In the end they die a shell of the person you loved. Their body is ravaged by the disease, the chemo, the radiation, and the multi-colored pills. You will forever remember the look of their face when they know this would be the last time they will say "I'll see you tomorrow".

It is a moment you will never ever forget.

We are a sick nation. Come November what do we do as a nation? A nation that claims to be "compassionate" and based upon "christian" values? What do we do besides pack up the pink ribbons for next year so we can do our part again in 11 months? We as a nation can do more. A lot more.

We spend almost $800 Billion on our military, more than the entire world combined. We pay for over 170 military bases around the world. We spend billions on safeguarding the thousands of nuclear warheads in our possession, enough power to leave the Earth a radioactive wasteland. We have no problem spending $1 Trillion invading other countries, but we only spend $800 Million on breast cancer research.

We can do better. American should cut our military spending by $100 Billion and funnel that money into cancer research. Instead of killing people we would be saving people. Instead of creating low tech jobs with the intent to kill people, we would create high paying jobs focused on killing this disease, saving lives, and advancing research into science. It is a win-win for everyone.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month runs through the month of October. Hopefully for you and your family it ends on the 31st.

Rethinking Renew Houston

Muse called it a bone headed move. I will go one further.

Renew Houston, a group of Engineering Firms have asked Houstonians to self tax (fee) themselves by voting for a dedicated funding source for flood control (Proposition 1). HISD has recently voted unanimously to oppose this tax (fee) citing a $3million impact and possible loss of teachers. Renew Houston's response?

HISD: Cut the Waste not the Teachers. HISD should do a more responsible job of managing taxpayer funds before laying off teachers and opposing a fiscally responsible plan to keep its students safe.

Renew Houston, a bunch of millionaire engineers, has pumped hundreds of thousands of dollars into a campaign to convince us to self tax ourselves so they can continue to be millionaires. And they have the gall to tell our schools, the ones that have been strapped for cash, to cut waste so they can make millions off our tax dollars?

Are you kidding me? If Renew Houston can't manage their own message, how can they manage the lining of their own pockets with the millions we are going to voluntarily give them? Let me give Renew Houston some ideas:

1) How about donating all the profits your engineering firms are going to make off of our tax dollars to our schools? We won't call it a "tax". We will call it a "fee".

2) How about working with City Council to find a way to avoid taxing HISD or any public school that is already cash strapped.

3) How about reading "How to win friends and influence people". (Amazon.com $19.95)

Our schools have been ravaged over the last 10 years due to fiscal irresponsibility. They do not deserve to be hit yet again with even more taxes because someone wants to make a few million dollars off the tit of the government.

Yes. I am pissed.

Perry silent as his deficit soars to $25Billion.

From Muse:

I realize Rick Perry barely acknowledges there is a budget deficit at all, but the number I've been hearing - from him - is $18 billion. Then, I saw this tweet from University of Houston President Renu Khator:

RT@UHPres In Austin today for Chancellors meeting..overheard that state budget shortfall may be as high as $25 billion!

As she notes, $25 Billion is 39% higher than $18Billion. Exactly the percentage of votes Perry received 4 years ago. If this number is correct, Perry has a lot of explaining to do. Unfortunately, Perry refuses to face the media or the people he serves. You have to wonder why any so called conservative or teabagger would vote for this man.

A deficit this large will require massive cuts to education, most probably to those in special education. And why not? They don't have a powerful lobby like the home building industry or the insurance industry.

Speaker Straus gambles on ethically challenged Linda Harper-Benz

State Representative Linda Harper-Benz is also getting some play from the Speaker of the House, Joe Straus, even with her own ethical, if not illegal, lapses.

Benz has raised over $300,000 this year, $19,500 from the House Leadership Fund, and $105,000 from Straus. Two thirds, $217,000 comes from just 10 donors. Straus must be betting that Benz will not be indicted and will be re-elected even though she has been driving around in a $50,000 Mercedes donated by a company doing business with the state. There is more to this little lack of ethics here.

Speaking of....Benz has also spent over $11,000 of her donors money on legal fees. All paid with her donor's money of course. Maybe she could use her Mercedes to drive Joe Driver out of Austin.

Palin to Senator Dan Patrick: Breath mint please!

A picture is worth a thousand tic-tacs. I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed this.

Horny little bastard.

Under Rick Perry, we're #36!!! Yeah!

Thank God for the other 14 states! Unfortunately being ranked 36 out of 50 is considered great for most Texans. Instead of being the "Come and Take It" state, we have become the "It Could Be Worse" state. From "The Best and Worst Run States in America":

36th. Texas

 

Debt per Capita: $8,711 (36th)

Unemployment Rate: 8.3% (24th)

Home Price Change (’06 – ’09): 10.4% (16th)

Median Household Income: $48,259 (25th)

---

The second most populous state in the nation, Texas scores fairly average in most categories.  There are, however, two areas where Texas places dead last. The Lone Star State has the lowest percentage of its twenty-five and older population with a high school diploma – one in every five fails to obtain a high school education. Also, 23.8% of its population does not have health insurance, the worst rate in the country.

We should be so proud! Of course this does not include such staples as the cost of utilities, insurance, and college tuition or other education statistics which we rank close to the bottom. We can, and have been, so much better than this. It is a shame.

Raising Campaign Cash: Larry Gonzales 30 days out

Larry Gonzales running against Diana Maldonado in the Round Rock area has raised some serious money, over $596,000 especially from one serious donor, Bob Perry. While Maldonado and her team of volunteers have knocked on tens of thousands of doors, Gonzales has relied on hundreds of thousands of dollars from his base, Bob Perry.

In 2010 Gonzales raised over $596,636. $462,500 of this came from PACs and individuals donating $5000 or more, 78% of his entire haul. $220,000 of his total donations came from one person, Bob Perry. $145,000 came from the Associated Republicans of Texas.

It is pretty clear, Bob Perry and special interest PACs are serious about winning this seat. And they should be. With another of their boys in Austin, the sky is the limit on what they can do and what can be passed to protect their industry from taking responsibility for their mistakes, or when they take advantage of the elderly.

If elected, Gonzales will join the others in provide serious representation for his donors. Seriously.

Speaker Straus gambles on ethically challenged Joe Driver

Texas Speaker of the House, Joe Straus, who has a family interest in gambling, is taking a gamble on State Representative Joe Driver.

Half of the $112,000 raised by Driver in his 30-day out report, comes from just three donations: $25,000  from the Texas House Leadership Fund, $25,000 from Joe Straus himself, and $10,000 from Rees-Jones,Trevor D and oil and gas executive.

Strauss is placing a huge ethical bet on this race and if Driver can win, Straus will have to hope he isn't indicted for his 10 year double dipping lapse in ethics. I guess it is "double" down time for the Speaker.

Two words for Rick Perry: Face us!

Back to Basics has issued the following two words to Rick Perry in 41 papers across Texas:

From Back to Basics:

“Rick Perry again proved what a coward he is by stiffing Texans and skipping out of Sunday’s gubernatorial debate.  With a looming $21 billion budget deficit and the recent scandals showing Perry’s willingness to sell out our state government to campaign donors, it’s no wonder he’s afraid to face the people of Texas.

“Texans are tired of long-time career politicians like Rick Perry, who hides from voters in his $10,000 per month, taxpayer-funded rental mansion, and refuses to be held accountable for his record.  We encourage voters to get the facts for themselves at www.PerryIsACoward.com.”

 They say things are bigger in Texas and Rick Perry has proved to be a huge coward.

State Representative Joe Driver: I have sinned!

When State Representative Joe Driver was exposed by Jay Root of the AP for double dipping, Driver later claimed he is going to return $49,000 to his campaign, and for good reason:

Driver has already set aside $49,000 to go back into his campaign account. ($32,000 over the $17,000 identified by the AP) Notice he is refunding his campaign and not the Comptrollers Office (the taxpayers). This is crucial. Stealing from the State is a felony. Stealing from your campaign isn't according to the Texas Ethics Commission. 

But as of today, according to his campaign report, he hasn't paid back squat. While looking for this reimbursement to his campaign, I noticed he spent over $16,000 on a poll which is quite a lot of money for a poll. And the poll probably didn't go his way otherwise we would have heard his campaign bragging about  the results.

Driver has also spent $18,000 for a "letter to constituents" which probably asked for forgiveness starting with "Dear Constituent, I have sinned!". And  $1119 for his car payment. And nothing for his legal expenses.

Couple all this with the Dallas Morning News endorsing his opponent, and you have a very bad 30-day out campaign report.

Tyler Newspaper: Rick Perry is a Puss.

From the Tyler Courier Times:

We are facing what's rumored to be the largest budget deficit and crisis in the history of our state - informed estimates of the budget shortfall range from $18 billion to $20 billion. Newspaper readers, whether Republicans, Democrats or Independents - deserve to hear your solutions to the staggering problems we will be facing as the legislative session begins.

Instead, we're confronted with an unacceptable and undeserved silence.

Signed by:

Signed by the editorial board and newsroom leadership of the Tyler Courier-Times--Telegraph.

Nelson Clyde, Publisher
Dave Berry, Editor
Brian Pearson, Managing Editor
Danny Mogle, Managing Editor
Richard Loomis, Senior Editor
Roy Maynard, Editorial Page Editor
Megan Middleton, City Editor

Perry's donations to HPOU pays off

According to FOX TV (local not the right wing one) claims the Houston Police Officers Union will endorse Rick Perry. What a surprise!

The HPOU (not to be confused with the Houston Police force) received over $50,000 from Rick Perry's sugar daddy, homebuilder Bob Perry. The HPOU is nothing more than a political PAC or in this case, a political HACK. It shouldn't a surprise for them to be endorsing Perry.

They would endorse him even if he was the worst Governor over the last 10 years. And he is. And they did. If re-elected, I am sure the HPOU will be swimming in new funding from the budget with a $21 Billion deficit.

Just like they have over the last ten years.

When you hunker down with teabaggers

This is disappointing.

Harris County Judge Emmett's campaign manager at a recent King Street Patriots meeting relayed a message from Emmett stating "that he supports the efforts of King Street". As you might recall King Street played a role in the efforts of Leo Vasquez to turn an official Harris County press conference into a political freak show. And there is this:

The King Street Patriots are a right-wing group who were recently caught using a doctored photo in a video they produced to showcase their organization.  In the video they edited a photo of an African-American woman at a 2000 Gore-Lieberman rally holding a sign that read, “Don’t Mess With Our Vote” so that it read “I Only Got to Vote Once.”

And they act like teabaggers. I've been pretty clear about what I think about teabaggers. Here is a comment from the Galveston County Daily News:

“Those are some angry people. They have a lot to be angry about. Their party really screwed this country up. They should be angry.”

And here is what I really think:

For eight full years they remained silent while their party sold our country to China, doubling our debt. They pumped their fists to invade a country then became silent when it was declared a mistake. They watched in silence while regulations and oversight were cut and our country was pushed in a massive recession. And they remain silent when trying to defend their party's record, or when trying to name something their party did that was good for the country. Complete silence.

Teabaggers are a decade late and $11 Trillion short of a full loaf of bread. They are the ignorant of the ignorant. They think it is funny depicting the President as Hitler or carry a racist sign with the N word on it. They are angry, white, racists republicans who are mad at their own party for massively screwing up this country.

Teabaggers are the WARTS of America. White, Angry, Republican Teabaggers. If they want to be teabaggers, then it is disappointing the leader of our county government would associate with them and publicly state so.

Just remember, when you hunker down with teabaggers you might wake up with a bad taste in your mouth.

(ewwww!)

The perfect one liner for Governor Rick Perry

From the Austin American Statesman:

After 10 years as governor, it's difficult to pinpoint a singular achievement for Perry.

Well said. The AAS has endorsed Bill White for Governor. It is a very well written endorsement highlighting some of Perry's many failures over the last 10 years:

There's the ill-conceived Trans-Texas Corridor highway plan that upset so many before it died. There's the HPV vaccination program that was a governmental overreach. And there's a long list of vetoes that shows a disconnect with lawmakers.

Let me add a few more of Perry's massive failures:

• The Texas Residential Construction Commission. Created by his donors, stacked with his donors, and killed after just 6 years.
• Homeowners insurance reform. Tripled our rates since 2003.
• Electricity deregulation. In 2003 Texas ranked 4th in affordable electricity. We are now 37th.
• College tuition deregulation. Doubled since 2003. Destroyed the Texas Tomorrow Fund. ($2 Billion in debt)
• We're #1 in air pollution.
• We're #1 in water pollution.
• We're #1 in teen pregnancy.
• Highest rate of high school dropouts.
• Largest attempted government land grab in the history of Texas, the Trans Texas Corridor.
• Passed a massive business franchise tax in 2005 before claiming victory in reducing it in 2007.
• Taxed everything from fishing to tobacco use to make up for his mismanagement of funds.
• Presided over massive deficits throughout his career including the current $21 Billion deficit and the $10 Billion deficit in 2002.
• Has wasted millions on "Mexican cam" which led to only a handful of arrests.
• Has done nothing if anything on immigration even while while his party controlled Congress and the White House.
• Has turned the Governor's Office into a pay to play form of government.

Perry has been a 10-year failure for the State. As the Statesman says:

If you're driven by campaign-trail zingers, White might not be your candidate. But a longer listen produces the inescapable conclusion that White is a thoughtful, experienced, unifying leader — just what Texas needs now. That's why we are endorsing him to become Texas' 48th governor.

Dallas Morning News endorses Haldenwang over Harper-Benz

Looks like the Dallas Morning News has had enough of ethically challenged Linda Harper-Brown-Benz:

Republican Linda Harper-Brown has represented Texas House District 105 since 2003. We previously have recommended her as a knowledgeable conservative, but her effectiveness has diminished. In 2008, she won re-election by only a few votes, and things have only deteriorated since.  

Her use of a $50,000 Mercedes didn't help. Neither did her 10-minute youtube response blaming everyone from President Obama to Tiger Woods. Benz will probably find enough lawyers and loopholes in the law to justify why she is entitled to a free luxury car from someone doing business with the state, but it is still unethical. Lucky for Benz, being ethically challenged and using every loophole you can find is a staple of the republican party and republican voters.

The Dallas Morning News endorses Democrat Loretta Haldenwang:

This Irving-based district needs new leadership, and we believe Democrat Loretta Haldenwang can provide it......

Haldenwang, 26, gives voters the best chance to head in a different direction.She has worked as a legislative aide and served on the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's legislative committee. As a consultant who helps small businesses secure grants, she already knows some key Austin players, and she would bring a reasoned voice to divisive issues like immigration.

We see in her a capacity for growth as a legislator and believe she will put her political ambition to work for the district. It's time for a change in District 105.

 Let's hope the voters have had enough of Benz also and drives home a point come November.

No Freedom kissing at the Galveston County republican party HQ

HEY!  Parties are suppose to be fun!

Events at the republican party in Galveston County has turned a bit negative lately. First it was about dismissing a volunteer webmaster:

I must also inform you that I have filed a, “Criminal Trespass Warning,” against you.  You will receive official notice of this, “Criminal Trespass Warning,” from the Friendswood Police Department shortly. 

Through the wonders of public records, the complaint didn't seem to be much of anything. Not quite sure how Friendswood would enforce this in League City but that is neither here nor there or anywhere. But on to the "confrontation" that took place in the office:

Subject: Confrontation in the Headquarter's Office Today, With Witnesses

First of all, John, since you were so quick to point out to me that I have been known to copy people on my messages to you, and you said that you have NEVER done that, this message is going out to others. [not a good idea. These tend to get in the wrong hands.]

I will not at this time address the entire scenario as to what took place, but I have decided to accept your offer to make me copies of the emails that you say I have sent to you and others in which I have lied, slandered you and used profanity. 

What this all means is a mystery to me, but I have to believe it has something to do with the tea party people attempting to take over the party or at least attempting to influence their leadership.  

Either way it is clear, there is no Freedom Kissing going on at the party.

Renew Houston. One man's fees is another man's tax

As I have said before about the Renew Houston initiative:

This new funding source is a  new tax on developers and citizens of Houston, a tax proposed by City Councilman Stephen Costello, a staunch Republican, and his conservative engineers who will eventually profit from the contracts to repair the failing infrastructure. Let's just call this what it is, a tax increase. An increase proposed by conservatives. (Who would have thunk it?)

It's a tax
Get over it. It comes with living in a society. Unfortunately the anti-tax crusaders, led by head quitter and former Tax Assessor/Collector, Paul Bettencourt, have come out against it and they have money to spend. It is amazing anyone would listen to Bettencourt who hung out Harris County voters by quitting just two weeks after being re-elected, but he has an audience and right-wing radio stations to help him.

It's a good idea
As I have said before:

Make no mistake about this proposal, it is a great idea. Candidates for City Council have run on solving the flooding issues of the city for decades without ever solving the flooding issues of the city or the funding problems associated with it. (Ask Councilman Mike Sullivan) Unfortunately solving serious problems such as flooding in Houston requires significant money, raised from taxes, and that is exactly what Renew Houston's amendment will do. For those of us who believe in effective government this is the right thing to do.

But....
This new "Tax and spend" initiative is coming from hardcore conservatives and engineering firms who will profit from it . And as I have said before:

Through sex scandals and fiscal mismanagement the  republican party in Houston have lost their right to yell "Family Values", and "Fiscal Responsibility". And now with their new tax proposal, they lost the right to yell Tax and Spend".

Probably
That in itself will be a victory, but City Council Members have the right and duty to question this proposal and demand answers and I appreciate that some are doing just that. Will this tax be unfair to some? Probably. Will it be more expensive than they claim? Probably. Will repairs be made to areas beside those in your area? Probably. Will I vote for it? Probably.

Yes
And is it the right thing to do? Yes.

Meg Whitman on immigration: Blame it on someone else

So much for the "personal responsibility" crap from the teabaggers. What does a teabagger candidate for Governor in California do when she talks tough about illegal immigration but then is caught hiring an illegal immigrant for the last 9 years? Blame someone else:

FRESNO, Calif. — GOP gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman accused Democratic rival Jerry Brown on Saturday of orchestrating a scandal over her former illegal immigrant housekeeper, a charge that prompted Brown to fire back and say Whitman won't take responsibility and is not fit to be governor.

Just like the republican party, teabagger Whitman will not take responsibility for her illegal actions, instead she will blame someone else. Just like Texas State Representative Linda-Harper-Brown-I-Didn't-Do-It-Either. She blamed everyone including the President for her driving a $50,000 Mercedes Benz donated by her husband's company, one that does business with the State. (She did not get her own paper's endorsment.)

So teabaggers are just like republicans. In fact, teabaggers are republicans.

I wonder what teabagger non-prominent Houston blogger, giant rollie pollie thinks?

Congressman Pete Olson's (R-TX) sex scammer got caught

We should be so proud. Olson's boy got caught.  Congressman Pete Olson on the House Floor:

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". 

For those living in a hole, O'Keefe was the guy who embarrassed the ACORN organization by secretly video taping some of their members. The California AG has since dropped all charges against ACORN after he discovered the tapes had been edited. O'Keefe has also been sued by the employees of ACORN. From CNN:

The videos led to some of the employees being fired and contributed to the disbanding of ACORN, which advocated for low- and middle-income and worked to register voters.
But prosecutors in New York and California eventually found no evidence of wrongdoing by the group, and the California probe found the videos had been heavily and selectively edited.

But there is more:

(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.

And now this:

In one of the most bizarre and hilarious stories you are likely to read today, CNN's Scott Zamost reports that during the production of a CNN documentary series on young up-and-coming conservative activists, infamous "ACORN pimp" James O'Keefe hatched a strange plot to pull a prank on CNN Investigative Correspondent Abbie Boudreau, involving a staged seduction attempt on a boat, with candles and dildos. Huh, what?

Pete Olson. No place but Texas.

The stupidity of Cecession

No Place But Texas: