March 12. Rally for Texas education in Austin

Free bus leaving from Alief. Should be a fun trip! RSVP to Natali.Lacasa@gmail.com.

From Save Texas Schools. This should be a great day of protest with thousands of people excepted. Come join us. Visit their website at http://savetxschools.org/rally-to-save-texas-schools/ to volunteer to help or to donate. This is a huge endeavor and will require help and money.


DATE: Saturday, March 12, 2011
TIME/PLACE:

March: 11:00 a.m. starting from 12th & Trinity (1 block east of the Capitol grounds)
Rally: Noon – 2:00 p.m. at the Texas State Capitol on the South Steps, Congress Ave. & 11th St.

Stand up for Texas schools at the TX Capitol on March 12

Save Texas Schools will hold a rally and march at the State Capitol on March 12, 2011. We are expecting thousands of parents, teachers, students, community members, business owners, and faith organizations to attend. And we need YOU there with us!

The proposed legislative cuts to public education funding are unacceptable. Texas – we deserve better. If you agree, stand with us at the capitol on March 12 to say YES to a strong public education system that supports our children, our communities and our future.

A list of speakers and entertainment is in the works for this historic, nonpartisan, family-friendly event. Updates will be posted here as they become available.

Our message will only be heard if we have strength in numbers. Join us to demand that our lawmakers put education first. The future of Texas depends on it!

DATE: Saturday, March 12, 2011
TIME/PLACE:

March: 11:00 a.m. starting from 12th & Trinity (1 block east of the Capitol grounds)
Rally: Noon – 2:00 p.m. at the Texas State Capitol on the South Steps, Congress Ave. & 11th St.

Who will shoot Obama?

Teabaggers are the most dangerous, ignorant, disrespectful bunch of people on the planet.

"Who will shoot Obama?" This was a question asked at a townhall meeting with republican Congressman Paul Brown. And Brown's response? Nothing. Silence.

This is the kind of people teabaggers are. They think this is funny, in fact, the question received a laugh from the crowd. These are some real sick bastards.

Brown did nothing about the question or the person who asked it. Any elected official with a lick of professionalism, intelligence, and common sense would have had the guy escorted out of the room and given a lecture to the crowd. Instead Brown said:

“The thing is, I know there’s a lot of frustration with this president. We’re going to have an election next year. Hopefully, we’ll elect somebody that’s going to be a conservative, limited-government president…who will sign a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare.”

And you wonder why teabag traitors like to carry guns. Teabaggers are a real good reason to buy one.

Miracle drug for State Rep. Debbie Riddle: Colon Blow

For Immediate Release
Feb 25, 2011

Austin. Activists throughout the state have rejoiced in a miracle breakthrough drug available exclusively for State Representative Debbie Riddle. "Debbie Riddle needs help." stated an unidentified legislative aide. "Those who work with her believe Colon Blow will knock the crap out of Riddle, something she desperately needs."

Colon Blow, available over the counter at local drug stores in cereal form, has been known to unblock those who are full of crap when it comes to claiming the existence of "terror babies", and filing bills calling for racial profiling of Hispanics (except those who clean Riddle's home, wash her car, build her homes, or perform low paid work for her donors).

According to Riddle, "I am absolutely ecstatic about this new drug. I have been full of crap for the last year or so. I look like crap. I smell like crap. I feel like crap. Most probably because I am just simply full of crap. I have ordered my *&^*ing lazy staff to purchase a case for me."

Caution:
Colon Blow should be used with caution. Do not take Colon Blow if you have experienced stupidity, racist behavior, or if acting like a fool on CNN. Common side effects of Colon Blow is frequent trips to the bathroom, loss of weight,  hair loss, and forehead caving in. Do not operate machinery or attempt to act intelligent when taking Colon Blow for Colon Blow is in itself not intelligent.

Major ruling on the Clear Lake Golf Course

Congratulations to everyone who have fought to keep the home building industry from turning the Clear Lake Golf Course into cheap apartments. Yesterday the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Clear Lake Water Authority. In short:

Today, the First Court of Appeals reversed the trial court judgment and ruled that the CLCWA did act in accordance with state law and had sufficient justification to condemn the golf course for the purpose of drainage and flood control.

The Court of Appeals sent the case back to the lower court with instructions to the judge that he enter a judgment awarding the property to the CLCWA upon payment of the $5.1 million valuation determined by the jury.

Also thanks to the Clear Lake Water Authority for keeping our rates low, providing a great service, and protecting Clear Lake. The full ruling can be viewed here. Some background can be found here.

And you wonder why your insurance rates are so high?

Texas has the highest rates of insurance in the nation. Here are just a couple of reasons why your rates have skyrocketed. From the Texas Watchdog:

We wrote recently about how a top clams manager with the quasi-governmental Texas Windstorm Insurance Association received a six-figure severance package and a 2010 Ford pickup truck. Though the inclusion of a truck might raise eyebrows in some quarters, perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising at an agency whose chief makes more than $300,000.

And then there is the KHOU investigative story about State Representative Larry Taylor raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars for his insurance company as he provides little if any oversight of the insurance industry:

HOUSTON -- In four years, the co-chairman of oversight of a state insurance agency made more than $300,000 off the company he is supposed to oversee on behalf of consumers in Texas.

State Rep. Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood), a veteran member of the House Insurance Committee and the co-chair of a subcommittee that oversees Texas Windstorm, is also an insurance salesman who receives commissions for selling insurance policies from the company. Windstorm is the state’s insurer of last resort.

Welcome to Texas. Now pay your insurance bill and shut up.

PSA: How not to get your ass kicked by the Houston Police

City Council Member Jolanda Jones passed out a flyer with some helpful hints on dealing with the Houston Police Department. Some of these helpful hints weren't considered so helpful by Mayor Parker or the Police Union. We will see how that plays out later. From Mary Benton of KPRC:

The controversy began when Jones handed out flyers at two community meetings organized to discuss allegations of police brutality and the videotaped beating of teen burglary suspect Chad Holley.

The Jones’ flyer has several tips under the headline “Know Your Rights With The Police.” It states that people should never  speak to police or sign a consent to search.

After the tape of four Houston officers beating a kid was released last week, it should be expected that some are a bit concerned about being stopped by the police. For those interested in knowing your rights provided by that liberal rag, the Constitution of the United States,  the ACLU,  the other liberal rag of the United States, has a great brochure on the topic.

And for the rest of you ignorant, gullible, "I always trust the man", sheep. Here is a short video with some great suggestions on how not to get your ass kicked by the Houston Police:

Time to kill high school football in Texas

Leave it to republican fiscal mismanagment to screw up our school financing.

Texas has been run by the republican party since the mid 90's starting with mental giant, George W. Bush. After creating a permanent hole in school financing Bush went on to make a huge impact on the United States. An impact we are still paying for.

Unfortunately most Texans can't remember what they ate for lunch, much less who put us into this $27 Billion hole. HISD is now considering a tax hike to fill the gap. From the Houston Chronicle:

Melinda Garrett, HISD's chief financial officer, said the administration is considering various options for balancing the budget, including those that involve increasing the tax rate and reducing a special tax discount.

"I wish we could hold them steady," Garrett said. "It depends on how large the final state cut will be and how bad you want to raise class sizes and let people go."

Maybe instead of a tax hike HISD should just cut high school football across the entire distict. If kids want to play games, let them run for office as a republican. Cutting football would also wake up some people in this state so they can realize who did this to them.

Then quit voting for them.

The summer loon is back.

The Houston Press says Chris Baker is back. Baker, the right wing nut of KTRH, will join his other half, Senator Dan Patrick on KSEV. According to the HP KSEV has an impressive 0.3 percent share of the Houston market.

Here is a clip I found of Chris getting his panties in a wad and walking off the stage. The HP has more on this particular show of intelligence.






Welcome back Baker. The summer of the lune is upon us.

Told ya so. Riddle begins attack on homebuilders

From the Houston Chronicle

What did I say about State Representative "Cracker Barrel" Debbie Riddle back in November?

A house bill in Texas would make hiring illegal workers for new home construction a felony by anyone associated with the hiring, supervision, or providing payment for services to illegal workers.

And here is what is being said today. From the Houston Chronicle quoting The Austin Statesman:

The Statesman reported that she filed a bill that would make it a state jail felony "to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly hire a person who is not lawfully permitted to be in America."

Ha! Suck on that Bob Perry! Besides the fact that Riddle looks whiter than a translucent plastic bag, and that she looks like a city girl trying to dress up like a cowboy, Riddle just plain looks sick. And rightfully so. This bitch is bat shit crazy sick going after the very people who control the Republican party, Bob Perry and his home building industry.

Perry has been real clear about how he feels about the illegal work force. From the Dallas Morning News:

But few young Americans want to do hard physical labor, particularly in our climate.

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. 

These are good people with good values doing work that we need done, reaching for the American Dream and helping make it a reality for all. 

The end of socialized NASCAR

Wow, even NASCAR is getting in on this socialism thing prompting a Congressman to call for the end of the socialized funding of race cars:

McCollum's proposal seeks to ban the military from spending taxpayer money on racing sponsorships. Currently, the Army sponsors a car in the NASCAR's Sprint Cup series to the tune of about $7 million per year. 

Most of the hillbillies who watch NASCAR are probably holding misspelled signs calling for the end of socialized medicine (the socialized medicine that isn't) at a local teabag rally while they cheer on the #39 Army car funded by tax dollars.

McCollum is now getting threats from the hillbillies. Imagine that.

Colin Powell gets punked by the CIA

Better late than never.

After giving one of the most embarrassing presentations of anyone's lifetime, former Secretary of State Colin Powell has just realized he got major punked by someone in the CIA, or higher, concerning weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. From Raw Story:

LONDON — Ex-secretary of state Colin Powell called on the CIA and Pentagon to explain how he was given unreliable information which proved key to the US case for invading Iraq, the Guardian reported Wednesday.

Powell got punked while 4436 soldiers got killed. Powell lost face while tens of thousands lost their limbs. For Powell, it was the end of his career. For those who Powell sent on a wild goose chase, looking for these non-existent weapons, it was the end of their lives.

Powell has an opportunity to press the issue and demand answers, but I would bet it ends here. Getting punked can be fun. Just ask the families of the 4436 soldiers who lost their lives for Powell.

Texas on the brink of the sink

For many, this is embarrassing. For others, this is Texas.

In 2002 Rick Perry looked into the camera and said "I'm proud of Texas. Aren't you?". Perry has some pretty low standards. Since George W. Bush became Governor, Texas has slowly slid into the sink. over taking Mississippi as the "Thank God for Mississippi" state.

In Texas today, the American dream is distant. Texas has the highest percentage of uninsured children in the nation. Texas is dead last in the percentage of residents with their high school diploma and near last in SAT scores. Texas has America’s dirtiest air.

Here is just a sample of the study "Texas on the Brink 2011". I guess this makes Rick Perry and his republican buddies proud.

• Public School Enrollment 2nd
• Average Salary of Public School Teachers 33rd 
• Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) Scores 45th 
• High School Graduation Rate 43rd
• Percent of Uninsured Children 1st
• Percent of Population Uninsured 1st
• Percent Living Below Federal Poverty Level 4th
• Teenage Birth Rate 7th
• Percent of Women Living in Poverty 6th
• Amount of Toxic Chemicals Released into Air 1st
• Amount of Toxic Chemicals Released into Water 1st
• Homeowner’s Insurance Affordability 46th

Of course, Perry would rather stick his head back up his ass instead of smelling the pollution.

Shocking news! Study shows electricity deregulation in Texas has failed!

Wow. I didn't see this coming! Shocking! Just shocking!

Prior to electricity deregulation, Texas was #4 in affordable electricity rates, ranking with Oklahoma and Louisiana. A decade later Texas is #37. Oklahoma and Louisiana are now #4 and #5. Both are dependent upon natural gas and are regulated markets.  According to the Fort Worth Star Telgram:

A report released Monday concludes that electric deregulation has cost Texas residential consumers more than $11 billion in higher rates and that the operator of the state's major power grid, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, has been poorly managed and industry-dominated.

The 101-page report, "The Story of ERCOT," is the result of a research project of the Steering Committee of Cities Served by Oncor and the Texas Coalition for Affordable Power, which works with 158 cities and other governmental entities to buy electricity in bulk.

Governor Rick Perry to raid $9 Million rainy day fund

Let's not be nieve about what Rick Perry and his party is going to do to fix the $27 Billion budget hole they created. There is absolutely no way to balance the budget with out raiding the rainy day fund and they intend to do it in order to "save the day" and look like heros instead of zeros.

Perry is getting a lot of backlash from across Texas, not about how he created a $27B budget hole, that was suppose to have happened back in November, but about what he intends to cut and how much he is cutting. This is all a game to Perry. In the end Perry will raid the fund for about $5 billion and ride in on a white horse to save the day as the fiscally responsible conservative.

And he will again be off the hook for the $27 Billion gaping hole he created. It is all smoke and mirrors to Perry and the people of Texas will buy it. Instead of laying off 100,000 teachers, Perry's raid will result in just 50,000 laid off. And people will treat Perry as the saviour.

Until 2013.

Loaning campaign cash: Friends of Chris Daniel

The city of Houston allows candidates to loan money to their campaigns, but they are limited on how much can be repaid. Texas has no limitations on loans, and neither does Harris County. Maybe they should.

The campaign finance reports of Harris County District Clerk Chris Daniel has to be one of the strangest I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot. Unlike Harris County Commissioner Gerry Eversole who used his donations for personal items like antique western chaps, and pistols, Daniel loaned himself hundreds of thousands of dollars in order to repay himself hundreds of thousands of dollars.

It's almost as if he was attempting, awkwardly, to hide money from the IRS, or launder donations, which doesn't make sense, or cents. Or maybe it is just a simple case of complicated stupidity.

Summary:

• Daniel raised only $9,200 in cash throughout the campaign
• He loaned a total of $199,100 to his campaign including a $82,500 loan to "Friends of Chris Daniel PAC" which then donated the $82,500 to his campaign
• Friends of Chris Daniel had only 1 donor -  Chris Daniel
• His campaign repaid $121,600 to Chris Daniel, $5000 over what he had loaned the campaign.
• He paid over $12,000 for legal bills (for what?)

Strange Donations and loans:
It was noted prior to the election that Daniel had started his campaign with a $29,100 loan to himself then repaid the loan after receiving $29,100 from his mother and sister ($20,000 and $9,100.)

In December - December 31 to be exact (months after the election) - Daniel loaned Friends of Chris Daniel (FOCD) $82,500 which then, on the same day, donated $82,500 to the Chris Daniel campaign. Daniel later used this donation (his money) to repay himself for all the loans he had previously made to his campaign. The $82,500 loan to FOCD is still outstanding and his campaign account has a $0 cash on hand balance.

Friends of Chris Daniel PAC
FOCD received one loan from Chris Daniel for $82,500 on 12/31/2010. They also received one donation for $1150.34 from Chris Daniel. FCOD donated this loan to the Chris Daniel campaign.

Money shuffle and account padding:
None of this makes any cents. Under the strict ethics rules (sic) of Harris County, candidates can lend an unlimited amount of money to their campaigns. Chris did just that, but it is strange that he would use another PAC to funnel a loan right back into his own campaign account just to pay his other loans off. It is confusing and just plain strange.

Besides trying to hide money, maybe he was padding his account by making it look like he was raising a lot of money and spending a lot also. Here is a summary of his activities by report. Maybe someone can make some cents out of this. (Please hurry, I am reusing the sense/cents gimmick way to much.)


Report 01-15-2010

• Loaned himself $14,100
• Received $1050 in donations
• Spent $6890.04

Report 02-1-2010

• Loaned himself $15,000 (total in unpaid loans: $29,100)
• Received $5000 in in-kind donations
• Spent $4237.59

Report 01-11-2010 (strange one)

• Loaned himself $20,000 (total in unpaid loans $20,000)
• Received $30,300 in donations including $29,100 from his mom ($20,000) and his sister ($9100) ($29,100 total)
• Repaid his $29,100 loan to himself
• Spent $45,989.88 (including the $29,100 for his loan)

Report 10-4-2010

• Loaned himself $5000 (total in unpaid loans $25,000)
• Received 4802.33 in donations
• Spent $13,419.45

Report 10-25-2010

• Total of $30,000 in loans. ($5000 added to the total, but no loan was listed)
• Received $2150 in donations
• Spent $4265.31

Report 1-18-2010 (Period covering 10-24-2010 – 12-31-2010

• Loaned himself $62,500 12/1/2010 (after the election) (Total in unpaid loans $92,500)
• Repaid his $62,500 loan to himself (12/31/2010) (Total in unpaid loans $30,000)
• Repaid his loan balance of $30,000 to himself (Total in unpaid Loans $0)
• Received $87,275 including a $82,500 donation from Friends of Chris Daniel on 12/31/2010
• Paid over $12,899.14 for legal bills
• Donated 1150.34 to FOCD
• Spent $145,318.87 (includes the $92,500 in loans)

Friends of Chris Daniel PAC

• Received one loan from Chris Daniel for $82,500 on 12/31/2010
• Received one donation for $1150.34 
• Donated the $82,5000 from Chris Daniel to the Chris Daniel campaign on 12/31/2010

Governor Rick Perry and child molesters

Trusting Rick Perry with fiscal responsibility is like trusting a convicted child molester with the keys to a daycare.

Governor Rick Perry and his republican party drowning in a $27 Billion gaping hole in the budget is now trying to tell the Federal government how to run their finances. From the Houston Chronicle:

One of Gov. Rick Perry's campaign staples last year was that America would be a far better place if it were more like the Lone Star State — limited government, fewer taxes, sensible regulation and, of course, a balanced budget. Now, Perry and his cohorts in the Texas Legislature are making that critique more explicit by pushing for a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment that would force Congress to do what those in Texas are required to do: balance the budget annually.

Once again, Rick Perry is waving his hands around calling for fiscal discipline for the United States, while he is drowning in his own pool of spit. It a typical of Perry. A constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget is only for those incapable of handling money, like Perry.

Very few people in this country run their own houses on a balanced budget. They borrow money to buy homes, go to college, buy cars, and other items but they do so knowing how much money they have coming in. It gives them the flexibility to address a loss or change in income. It provides flexibility to invest in training in order to generate more money.

But that requires thinking, something Rick Perry can't do very well.

Kicking the nra in the gun nuts.

Good for Lawrence O'Donnell for kicking Wayne LaPierre of the nra right in his gun nuts:

Amazon.com says screw RickPerry.com

So much for being a state that encourages free market enterprise:

The Associated Press obtained an e-mail Thursday sent to Amazon employees by Dave Clark, the company’s vice president of operations. Clark writes that the center in Irving will close April 12 due to Texas’ “unfavorable regulatory climate.” It was not immediately clear how many employees work at the facility.

In his e-mail to staffers, Clark said that Amazon also is scrapping plans “to build additional facilities and expand in Texas, bringing more than 1,000 new jobs and tens of millions of investment dollars to the state.”

Under the control of Governor Rick Perry, Texas ranks in the bottom third of almost every indicator used to rank States in the country. Now we can be proud to be driving out well established, money making, job creating, companies like Amazon.com.

As for Rick Perry? He sucks.com.

Harris County Commissioner Steve Radack's $100,000 new hire

Radack's $2.3 Million Soap Box

Harris County is on a hiring freeze leaving the County Sheriff in a bind for new officers. This hiring freeze obviously doesn't apply to Commissioner Radack.

In fact, Radack acknowledged from the dais at the Commissioners Court meeting that he had recently hired an administrator of his own -- with approval from the county's Office of Management Services, which also signed off on the sheriff's hires.

Radack's new executive assistant is Court Koenning, former executive director of the Harris County Republican Party and former chief of staff for state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston. He'll get an annual salary of $100,006.

According to Chris Moran of the Houston Chronicle, this new employee will add to Radack's 6 man team of 6-figure employees, with over $700,000 in yearly salaries. So while the Sheriff can't hire $40,000 boots on the ground, Radack can hire a political buddy of his.

Maybe this new $100,000 assistant will provide patrol services for Radack's $2.3 Million Soap Box Derby track.

Premature resignation by another GOP Congressman

Mark Foley and Senator "I did her" Vitter need to make way for the NEW and undisputed hypocrite of the republican party, NY Congressman Chris Lee. From Talking Points Memo:

Rep. Chris Lee (R-NY) has resigned from Congress, following a report in Gawker that the married politician had been seeking dates on Craigslist -- and sending photos of himself sans shirt, in order to demonstrate that he was a "fun fit classy guy" -- while falsely representing himself as a divorced lobbyist.

Well, at least he wasn't involved with a hooker. Or wearing a diaper. Or looking for gay sex. Oh...wait....

Texas State Representative Larry Taylor exposed as Insurance Lobbyist

Last night KHOU did an absolute great job of exposing State Representative Larry Taylor, the darling of the Clear Lake Tea Party, for what he is. Taylor not only owns an insurance company and heads the committee that provides government oversight to the insurance industry, but his decisions and bills  has put money into the industry's  and his own pockets.

He is nothing but an insurance lobbyist with a seat in the House. He is the new Tom DeLay of the Texas House of Representatives.

As I have said before, Larry Taylor is in Austin to represent the insurance industry and no one else. Insurance rates in his district are some of the highest in the entire nation, and yet he has allowed the industry to raise rates with little if any oversight. And when someone has the guts to challenge him, all he can do is whine to the Texas Ethics Commission, also a toothless watchdog.

Texas State Representative exposed as Insurance Lobbyist

Better late than never. KHOU TV in Houston exposes State Representative Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) as a built in lobbyist for the Insurance industry.

Watch KHOU tonight at 10 for the full story.

$100 Million down, only $26.9 Billion to go

Governor Perry will announce the elimination of the Texas Historical Commission in a move to solve his $27 Billion budget hole created by the republican party. According to the THC's website, the budget for 2010 is about $100 Million leaving Perry with only $26.9 Billion to go.

From the THC's website:

The THC is composed of 17 citizen members appointed by the governor to staggered six-year terms. The agency employs about 220 people who work in various fields, including archeology, architecture, history, economic development, heritage tourism, public administration and urban planning.

The Executive Director of the THC was last seen updating his voter registration party affiliation and his resume. He can thank Governor Perry and his party of fiscal stupidity.

Time to "empty the clip on immigration"

And so it continues:

At a Republican breakfast in Cullman County, Alabama, last weekend, State Sen. Scott Beason reportedly urged his fellow Republicans to "empty the clip and do what has to be done" to enact stricter immigration laws, the Cullman Times reported. 

It didn't take long for the right wing violent rhetoric to start again after the attempted assassination of a United States Congresswoman. This time the "target" is now immigrants, not immigrants from England, Ireland, or Canada ey, but immigrants from south of the border. These are easy pickings for right wing republicans especially in Alabama, Texas and Arizona where the IQ is just below stupid.

Of course Senator Beason pulled out his Sarah Palin quote:

"No way was I urging anyone to do harm to Hispanics or illegal immigrants," Beason told the Birmigham News. "I would never do that."

Yep. Uh-huh. Nothing like shooting your mouth off.

Harris County Clerk's Website. OOPS!

You have to wonder if the teabag nation has any experience in website maintenance. If the new County Clerk, Stan Stanart's campaign website is any indication of what we can expect, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the following is what you get from attempting to access campaign finance reports:

Luckily this is an intermittent problem. The site is now working. For now.

The power of ignorance: Port Arthur, Texas

This is pretty embarrassing. Rick Casey of the Houston Chronicle debunks another "Muslim Terrorist" email that went viral with the help of two Port Arthur Thomas Jefferson High School graduates (Class of '61):

In the e-mail, Bell told of being at a business meeting at the Port Arthur Ramada Inn when, looking for the men's room, he accidentally stepped into a back door of a conference room.

"As I walked into the room, I saw three large tables covered with automatic weapons, semi auto pistols, etc. ... there were at least 100 guns," he wrote. He also saw a large gathering of Muslim men, women and 40 to 50 children who were seated on the floor in front of the weapons.

Behind the weapons were three tripods with large boards featuring "pictures of our airport, local refineries, our schools, our train station, TJHS stadium filled with people."

With the help of his high school buddy who builds webpages and maintains email lists, the story unfortunately went viral much like the story about the NASA contractor who single handed foiled a Muslim, communist, socialist plot on an airplane filled with snakes. Both stories were found to be false, and incredibly stupid.

It 's not hard to believe people are stupid enough to believe this crap. In a recent poll over 30% of senior citizens still think the recent insurance reform bill has "death panels". This is no longer ignorance, it is just plain stupidity.

For those in Port Arthur who are teetering on the fence of stupidity, I suggest you do two things, go back to high school, and think before paying for a website from http://www.paulfitzner.com/. Egads!

John Boehner: Porkin' for power

We all thought the Enquirer's report of John Edward's fooling around wasn't true, and we all know how that ended. Now, according to the National Enquirer, the Speaker of the House may become the Weeper of the House, crying to the camera with the "I have sinned" confession about an affair with a lobbyist. From the National Enquirer:

Capitol Hill insiders and political bloggers have been buzzing about an upcoming New York Times probe - detailing an alleged affair that the 61-year-old married father of two had with pretty Washington lobbyist LISBETH LYONS.

Besides the fact that this would shock the " Sanctity of Marriage" crowd for at least a  minute or two, what is the lobbyist getting for the Boehner in exchange for getting the uh...Boehner? If true, this has the potential of getting real ugly, as in probing investigations to find out what her clients got for what she got.

I guess inquiring minds want to know.

Texans in the dark about being left out in the cold

Dewhurst and his 23rd wife

Every year before an upcoming freeze we are told over and over again to "wrap our pipes", or the three P's: Pipes, Pets, and People. Unfortunately according to Lt Governor David Dewhurst, a frozen pipe put hundreds of thousands in the dark and in the cold. From the Austin Statesman:

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said late this morning that a broken pipe and a frozen pipe at two Central Texas electric generating plants helped trigger a statewide power emergency that forced rolling blackouts in Austin and across Texas.

Yep, a frozen pipe. You would think they would be more intelligent than the average Joe and heed the warnings. And while we are left out in the cold our great Governor is soakin' in the rays in California:

Texas is currently experiencing a record cold-wave and ice storm which has killed at least 6 people and brought rolling power blackouts. Texas parents, public officials, business owners and managers are all struggling to keep homes and businesses warm. Meanwhile, Rick Perry is in California meeting with deep-pocket Republican donors and right-wing opinion leaders.

Well, I better go wrap my pipes, find my cat, and get the kids in.

Houston Police Dept won't get a kick out of this.

Thanks to KTRK and Wayne Dolcefino for this story.

The following video clip has been under wraps for 9 months at the request of the HPD, Mayor Parker, and District Attorney Lycos. After watching it, I can see why.

Four of the Police Officers in the video have been charged with misdemeanors instead of assault. I think the worst part of the video is when the thief immediately puts his hands behind his head as soon as he gets caught. Throughout the beating he never once attempts to strike back.

The members of the HPD and the vast majority of all law enforcement officer have earned our respect, but these four have earned a trip to the judge.

TX Gov Rick Perry puts the Chupacabra on emergency legislation

Governor calls for emergency legislation to address the Chupacabra predator

"With the addition of Hispanic leaders, such as Aaron Pena, to our party the Chupacabra will now be the list of emergency legislation."

Weds, February 2 , 2011  •  Austin, Texas  •  Press Release

Today Governor Perry called upon the 82nd Legislature to put the eradication of the Chupacabra on the list of emergency legislation. "Along with solving the non-existent Voter ID problem, meddling in women's reproduction rights, ending non-existent sanctuary cities, and distracting voters from my $27 Billion budget hole, I have put the eradication of the Chupacabra on the list of emergency items for this session." said Perry at a press conference.

Perry continued, "As a sign of embracing Hispanics into the Republican party, we will address these important issues, brought forward by State Representative Aaron Pena (Peena) while we ask them for proof of citizenship, stuff their kids with cheap turkeys, and conduct "driving while brown" search and seizure.

It is estimated  over 1000 chupacabras have been seen in the rural areas of Texas. Chupacabras, a pig like creature, have been known to roam in packs, digging up the ground with their long tusks looking for insects and roots. Over building has contributed to the problems as Texans destroy their natural habitat.

"Embracing Hispanics into our party has given us many rewards in Austin. Each morning we enjoy fresh baked pan dulce such as Pan de Huevo, Cuernos de Azucar, and my favorite, Marranitos. It is only fitting that we give back by wasting valuable resources on solving a problem that doesn't exist while making us look like we really give a crap about Hispanics and their stupid problems."stated Governor Perry's chief of staff.

Putting the Yee-Ha back in the Texas Progressive Alliance

This weeks blog roundup from the Texas Progressive Alliance featuring Rick Perry auditioning for The Village People:

Off the Kuff took an early look at fundraising for 2011 city of Houston elections.
The Big Gas Mafia says it's impossible but hydraulic fracturing causes gas to migrate threatening life...AGAIN. TXsharon puts 2 and 2 together at Bluedaze: DRILLING REFORM FOR TEXAS.

Bay Area Houston has a press release from Rick Perry titled Rick Perry Asks Republican Voters to Quit Their State Jobs.

Texas republican at the forefront to kill Medicare. CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme is not surprised.

This week at Left of College Station, Teddy calls out Congressman Bill Flores’ health care hypocrisy for voting to repeal health care reform that ensures health care for millions of Americans while voting against repealing his own government health care. Left of College Station also covers the week in headlines.

The Texas Cloverleaf highlights the TX state house GOP vote against open government.

Ryan at TexasVox asks "Where's the outrage?" from TCEQ approving another polluting power plant despite local opposition, warnings from the EPA, and rulings from two SOAH hearings, this time the ironically named Las Brisas plant in Corpus Christi.

During the voter I.D. legislation fight on the floor of the Texas Senate last week, a new problem emerged on the policy. And it's not what you think this time - potential problems for minorities, or the elderly, or rural Texans, or poor folks. This time, it's a problem with your right to vote. Yes, you. Letters From Texas explains why.

Eye On Williamson, points out that the GOP's proposed budget is asking for huge sacrifices from poor and working Texans, but little or nothing from the wealthy and corporations, the Texas GOP budget proposal is morally bankrupt.

Ever been broken down on the side of the road and everybody in the car is arguing about who's going to get out in the rain and try to fix what's wrong? Well, that's where the state's highway fund is. And our Austin representatives are "ready to have a discussion" about it. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs double-checked, and no, nobody has a roadside assistance plan, either.

At TexasKaos, Libby Shaw serves up a heaping helpin' of snark, in Governor Rick Perry Urges Republican Voters to Abandon Public Schools. By the reactions she got, she ruffled a few feathers. You go girl!

Neil at Texas Liberal had jury duty in the past week. Neil dressed well for jury duty and feels that you should do the same when you are called. What merits greater respect than our common society?

Another fiscal crisis created by Texas republicans

First it was the $27 Billion hole in the budget they created with their fuzzy math. And now this. From the Houston Chronicle:

Legislative leaders characterize the state's transportation funding as a crisis. Most Texans, they say, are unaware of its severity and must be educated before the state can find new ways to finance new roads.

Yep another crisis and it is a big one. Much like the $27 Billion shortfall is going to affect the elderly in assisted living facilities, the poor, the sick, those who dedicated themselves to education, the tax..uh..fee payers, and just about everyone living in Texas, this new crisis will come with a heavy price due to fiscal mismanagement.

The state began borrowing money in 2003 to pay for roads and now owes $11.9 billion. It will cost more than $21 billion to repay those bonds, Pickett said.

"We are trying to warn people," Pickett said, "Is this the way you really want to go? If you could get everybody around the table and put politics aside, common sense would say the conservative thing to do would be to limit borrowing capacity and put more cash in."

The "conservative" thing to do is to take the conservative's hands off our damn money. In 2003 the republicans took complete control of the state and look what we got for it. Besides the usual insurance, electricity, and college tuition increases, we now have our state transportation funding in crisis.

As I have said in the past, republicans are not fiscally conservative. They are fiscally retarded.