Riggle and Bettencourt wiggling and whining

It's bad enough that Riggle, the leader of a gaggle of churches in the Houston area, and Paul Bettencourt, are teaming up to oppose the will of the people concerning Renew Houston, but there is more. From Mary Benton of KPRC:

As Mayor Annise Parker prepares to meet in a special called meeting with members of  city council Monday afternoon to explain her proposed changes to Proposition 1, Rebuild Houston, a coalition of church, school, business and community leaders is rejecting the compromise plan.

The group says it will not support Mayor Annise Parker’s proposal on church and school exemptions.

Trying to negotiate in good faith with Riggle is as fruitless as a watermelon tree.

Riggle's flooding problem
Riggle has no room for wiggle on the flooding issue. Riggle was at one time the pastor of Grace Community Church on the Gulf Freeway. This church is a massive slab of concrete and the feeder road floods like a high school cheerleader being stood up for the prom. And yet Riggle doesn't want to pay his fair share for flood control.

This church was just a few blocks away from my house prior to moving to I45. They didn't have much concern for those in the area when they had their Halloween festival. They invited thousands across the city resulting in our streets lined with cars and unwanted traffic that made it unsafe for our own kids. Trying to work with Grace was fruitless. Luckily they moved.

Riggle ought to take Bettencourts leadership and quit this opposition. His church needs to pay their fair share for flooding issues.

Should Texas elected officials have to pass a drug test?

The bill filed by State Representative Ken Legler, requiring drug testing for teachers being laid off, should be reason enough to require drug testing for our elected officials. Only someone high on crack would ever consider filing something so incredibly mean spirited, so heartless, and so stupid. But, that is exactly what Ken Legler is.

Legler and his party was responsible for creating the budget crisis resulting in a $27 Billion shortfall and the $10 Billion structural reoccurring deficit. Because of this republican fiscal stupidity, thousands of hard working educators will be losing their jobs and then will be required to pee in a cup prior to accepting unemployment benefits, benefits that they have already paid for. 

Besides submitting to a drug test, all elected officials should also:

1. Show their birth certificate before taking office, not one of those fancy print outs from historical hospital records, or anything filed with the state archives, but a "real" birth certificate including a certificate of authenticity like you get with a Nolan Ryan rookie card.
2. 80 hours community service  as a teacher's aide in 3rd grade. Office hours would be 6-3, with parent/teacher conferences from 4-6, and grading of papers from 7-9 in the comfort of your own home.
3. A test on the Constitution. If they don't know what is in the Constitution, they shouldn't be defending it.
4. One month without a job so they can feel what it is like to be self screwed.

Someone needs to get Legler a new crack pipe for Christmas. 

Better late than never: The Houston Chronicle

The Houston Chronicle's recent opinion piece reminded me of a joke:

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

The Chronicle's opinion is like the lady on the Simpsons yelling "Would someone please think of the children!" It starts with:

Of all the resources in our vast and wealthy state, none is more precious than our children, [oh pull-eeze] the most vulnerable members of our society and at the same time the only bridge to a prosperous Texas future.

In a single-minded drive to balance the state budget without creating additional revenue sources, the state legislative leadership appears willing to sacrifice an entire generation of middle- and lower-income Lone Star children and young adults. [you just figured this out?]

Give me a break. Has the Chronicle editorial staff had it's head up it's paper for the last decade? Do they not remember they endorsed the very people who created a $10 Billion structural deficit and plunged us into a $27 Billion budget hole? And now the Chronicle is whining about the poor little children?

We are compelled to speak out on behalf of those too young to participate in the debates in Austin that will impact their well-being — and ours - for decades to come. 

And with tens of thousands of teachers being laid off this month, health care services being cut to the mentally ill, the elderly, and kids, now the Chronicle pleads with its readers:

We urge readers who believe we can't afford to eviscerate our public schools, our health care and other programs that protect and nurture our children to contact their state senators and representatives and pass on this message: Don't balance the budget on the backs of our young people and our state's future.

Well, better Nate than lever. Jackasses.

Will republican teachers resign before the lay offs begin?

I have 6 educators on my street, one being a very loud mouth republican. One is retiring after many years as a special education instructor. She taught kids that private schools would never accept. Another retired 2 years ago.

And the loud mouth republican? She is sitting pretty in her job as they cut positions from her school when instead she should have been the first out the door. Republicans claim they are for smaller goverment and "personal responsibility" and yet none of them are taking responsibility for the fiscal mismanagement of the people they elected and making the government smaller by quitting.

Why are the republican teachers not running for the door to help solve the problem they created? The answer is simple, as with most republicans, they are all just full of simple minded talk. "Smaller government and personal responsibility" are nothing but simple minded catch phrases that have no real meaning.

They are like the young kids pumping their fist in the air calling for more war but will be the first to run when asked to pick up a gun to fight it in. Republican teachers pumped their fist in the air and elected Rick Perry and his party to lead Texas, but will not be the first to lead those being thrown out the door.

Cowards.

The power of ignorance: Voter ID again.

Only the incredibly ignorant, or stupid (there is a difference) could believe that someone here illegally would actually come out of the shadows, steal a voter registration card, commit a felony by voting, and actually think it would make a difference.

We have a hard enough time getting those here legally to vote. As Cletus would say "You thought you could fool me, but I was just too ignorant!".




From last month:
Leave it to the republican party to leave their voters in a pool of their own ignorance concerning a Voter ID bill.. From the Houston Chronicle whose  research on the issue is about as deep as their research on WMDs in 2003:

"While in this room it may be partisan, in the state of Texas I don't think it's partisan. It's a vote integrity issue," said Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock.

Duncan, in order to keep his base ignorant, could have said something stupid like "you need a ID to go to the movie, or drive a car, why not for voting?". For those who want to look no further than their nose in a cross eyed gaze, this "vote integrity" issue crap is enough to demand action. For others it takes just a few seconds to realize the republican party is simply using you for their own personal gain.

• For the ignorant, it doesn't matter that the Texas Attorney General spent $1.4 Million on a voter fraud investigation resulting in being a fraud in itself.
• For the ignorant, it doesn't matter that there has been little if any substantiated reports of voter fraud at the polls. (there has been voter irregularities with mail in ballots by the elderly, something a Voter ID bill will not resolve)
• For the ignorant, it doesn't matter that in order to stop the non-existent problem of voter fraud at the polls, they will risk dropping an estimated 250,000 elderly eligible voters from the rolls who do not have a picture ID.
• For the ignorant, it doesn't matter that it will cost millions of dollars that the state does not have in order to provide eligible voters with a government furnished ID.
• For the ignorant, it doesn't matter that there are more pressing matters such as the $27 Billion hole in the budget, created by the republican party, they don't want you to worry about.
• For the ignorant, it doesn't matter that the republican party is using them in order to suppress the vote just to keep them in office.

You have to hand it to the republican party. They have harnessed the power of ignorance.

The power of ignorance: What does a teacher make?

For those who believe the teachers in this state are blood sucking, money hungry, greedy vampires on the tax payers of the state. Here is an answer to your incredible ignorant question, "What do you make?"

The last sentence is priceless, or in this state, worthless.

The sweet power of GOP hypocrisy.

It seems the gop has an unlimited amount of hypocrisy to share with the people of America. We have the "family values" of the Galveston County Party, and now the "family values" of the Wisconsin GOP. Where in the world do they get people like this to represent their party? From Raw Story:

Protesters who marched at the home of Wisconsin state senator Randy Hopper (R-Fond du Lac) were met with something of a surprise on Saturday. Mrs. Hopper appeared at the door and informed them that Sen. Hopper was no longer in residence at this address, but now lives in Madison, WI with his 25-year-old mistress.

Thanks to http://malcontends.blogspot.com

25 years old?!?!?!?!?! Are we talking cradle robbing? This is what you get from republican hypocrisy. They say they are fiscally conservative, when in fact they are fiscally retarded. They say they are the party of "family values" when they actually have multiple families, and wives. They talk about protecting the sanctity of marriage while supporting Newt Gingrich who has had more women than a john on 5th and Lincoln.

The GOP, the party of hypocrisy and 25 year old mistresses. Oh...and P.S. the senator's wife has said she is going to sign the petition to recall his sorry, cheatin ass.

When the Galveston County Republican Chair sleeps with teabaggers

When you sleep with dogs, you wake up with fleas. 

And without a job. 

KHOU has reported that John LeCour has resigned as the chair of the Galveston County Party. He claims it was do to the in fighting between the teabaggers and the established party. I think it is a bit more than that. 

"I’m ready to move on," LeCour said. "There is a lot of fighting in the party over power, and I don’t have time for that. There are certain people in the party who want to fight over how the money is spent." 

I aint buying that for a second. LeCour was teabagged by a leak in his inner circle. This leak has other opinions on why LeCour has suddenly quit. John can answer those himself, but at this time, he has officially quit.

The teabaggers are running for control of the county party. LeCour's exit helps them get one step closer by possibly putting in Don Johnson, the husband of the County Tax Assessor-Collector, Cheryl Johnson. Johnson is a teabag favorite. She fits in well.

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

When Texas teabaggers attack

And you wonder why I call them the WARTS of America.

TX Gov Rick Perry: End High School Football to balance budget

Governor calls for the end of High School Football to balance his budget.

"The Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker and their colleagues aren't going to hire or fire one teacher, until we eliminate unnecessary spending."

Tuesday March 15, 2011  •  Austin, Texas  •  Press Release

Today Governor Perry called upon the Superintendents of Texas Schools to help balance his budget by cutting unnecessary spending on non-teaching positions. "I am taking a bold step to address the $27 Billion hole in my budget." said Perry at a press conference.

Perry continued, "Under the fiscal mismanagement of the Republican Party over the last 10 years, Texas is facing a massive $27 billion shortfall requiring deep cuts in education. Instead of calling for cuts in those who educate our children, I am calling for cuts in non-educational activities such as High School football programs. Coaches making six figure salaries, no longer have a place in Texas education while we have Math and Science teachers on the chopping block."

"Therefor it is only fair that those who teach should be the last out the door. Instead all coaches, support staff, and anyone not contributing to the education of our children should resign to cover Perry's irresponsible stupidity," stated Governor Perry's Chief of Staff.

Governor Perrys Chief of Staff was unavailable to take any further questions shortly after the press conference was over.

Recapping Gov. Perry's $27 Billion budget hole.

Thanks to the Center for Public Policy Priorities for their Friday morning breakfast to release The State of Texas Children 2011 report and for discussing Rick Perry's $27 Billion hole in Texas budget. Here is a quick recap of how we got here:

Perry's $27B hole:
The Comptroller of Texas estimated current revenue for the State of Texas at $77B minus the $4B deficit in the current year, and minus the $1B contribution to the Rainy Day Fund, leaving Texas with $72B to spend.

To just maintain our current level of services provided by the state we need $99B, leaving Texas with a $27B budget hole. And it may get worse. It is believed the Comptroller will adjust her estimates by -$4B, leaving us with a gaping $31B budget hole.

Perry's Structural Deficit.
There is also what is being called a "structural deficit", one that returns every other year because of the Governor's irresponsible tax policies of 2006. In 2006 property taxes were reduced by $14.2B and were to be offset by the tax on business called the "Margins Tax". This tax raised only $8.4 leaving another $5.9B hole.

Perry's $10B Hole
In 2007, Perry rode in on a white horse and saved businesses in Texas by cutting the Margins Tax in half. Estimates for 2012-2013 for this tax is now only $4.5B to balance the $14.2 property tax cut, leaving a $9.7B hole.

Needless to say, Rick Perry has dug us a Texas sized hole. And he is one.

CCISD's reorganization doesn't add up

Clear Creek Independent School District released a reorganization plan to save $9.4 Million from it's budget without any layoffs. Unfortunately the math doesn't add up.

Because of the fiscal mismanagement of Governor Rick Perry over the last 8 years, CCISD faces a $40-$50 Million shortfall in the coming year. $9.4 Million in reorganization is fine, but it is short $30 Million or more. As they say, do the math.

The reorganization depends upon 200 teachers to retire and the elimination of 17 positions. This can't be the only changes necessary to balance the $40-$50 Million shortfall. School financing can be difficult to understand, but a $30-$40 Million difference is pretty clear that the entire picture has not been painted yet.

CCISD has been known for it's fiscal management and excellence in education, but I doubt they are going to overcome a $40 Million shortfall, provided by Rick Perry, without very hard impacts.

Candidate for Houston City Council called out for misleading mail

It is bad enough that Eric Dick, a candidate for Houston City Council, is pulling a Gene Locke and littering the highways with campaign signs, but now he made another smelly. From Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia:

"Recently, a mail piece was sent to Houston residents that seems to suggest I have endorsed and am involved with a fundraiser for City Council Candidate Eric Dick," said Sheriff Adrian Garcia.  "I want to make it clear that I have not endorsed Mr. Dick and am not a sponsor of this fundraiser.  I very rarely make endorsements for city council races and I had no knowledge of this mail piece prior to it hitting mailboxes."

What a Dick.

Republican State Reps scramble to attend Save Our Schools rally

The Save Our Schools Rally in Austin had a couple of interesting visitors. Besides the 11,000+ supporters of education in Texas, Texas State Representative Dan Huberty and Diane Patrick were seen scrambling to the stage. And just as strange, the President of the Texas Association Business, who was scheduled to speak, was a no show. Absent with no good excuse.

Huberty and Patrick obviously got the message even though they are members of the Teabag party calling for the full cuts of $9 Billion to education while supporting more tax cuts for corporations. Needless to say the Teabaggers will not be happy with Huberty and Patrick supporting the blood sucking greedy teachers.

Patrick, wanting to speak to the crowd containing 11 bus loads of her constituents, was not allowed to speak. In fact no partisan elected officials were allowed to speak. Patrick was visibly disturbed as the tea baggers, who were no shows, will be about learning of her support of the rally.

Hammond who believes Rick Perry is business lord and savior of Texas and has his lips firmly sewn to Perry's ass, was to address the crowd. Maybe he was going to say the obvious that an educated population is good for business. Unlike Huberty and Patrick and like the tea baggers, he was a no show. Probably because Perry reminded him of his goal for MORE tax cut for business while cutting teachers.

In his defense, Hammond claimed he sprained his ankle. Probably running away like a scared mouse.

New GOP presidential candidate

Man Becomes GOP Frontrunner After Showing No Interest In Government

The power of ignorance: Sharia law

I have to admit, I am ignorant. I am ignorant of Sharia Law, but unlike stupidity, ignorance can be cured with a little googling. From Wikipedia:

Muslims believe Sharia is God's law, but they differ as to what exactly it entails.[1] Modernists, traditionalists and fundamentalists all hold different views of Sharia, as do adherents to different schools of Islamic thought and scholarship. Different countries and cultures have varying interpretations of Sharia as well.

Sharia deals with many topics addressed by secular law, including crime, politics and economics, as well as personal matters such as sexuality, hygiene, diet, prayer, and fasting. Where it enjoys official status, Sharia is applied by Islamic judges, or qadis. The imam has varying responsibilities depending on the interpretation of Sharia; while the term is commonly used to refer to the leader of communal prayers, the imam may also be a scholar, religious leader, or political leader.

So Sharia is much like Christianity because they too address "crime, politics, and economics, as well as personal matters such as sexuality, hygiene, diet, prayer, and fasting".

But, some lawmakers throughout the country are filing bills to prevent Sharia Law to be recognized here in the States. These bills are designed to stir the ignorance of the republican base. Much like a dog humping your leg, sometimes it is better to leave them alone and just let them finish.

Unfortunately if these ignorant, toothless, trailer trash, would or could google, they would find that America is run by a set of laws created by our ee-lected oh-ficials. And these laws, if they step the bounds of the Constitution, are deemed so by courts throughout the country with the final say at the Supreme Court. Our country is run by laws. They are not "Christian" laws, or "Sharia" laws.

And they never will be, but as I have said in the past, never misunderestimate the power of ignorance. Or stupidity.

Clear Lake redistricting hearing. Yawn.

For those of us who appreciate effective government the redistricting hearing in Clear Lake went pretty well considering the early state of the process. Maps were provided. Redistricting guidelines and laws were discussed. The process was defined and a team of experts, including the City Attorney was available for questions. And Major Parker took the time to address the crowd and conduct the hearing. (as she is doing for all hearings across Houston)

Again, for those of us who appreciate good government, this was it. And it was good.

For those who were there looking for the drama, someone yelling "SOCIALISM" or "OBAMACARE", or "I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK TO THE 18TH CENTURY", it didn't happen. Unlike the Kingwood meeting those who stepped up to the microphone had some good, intelligent comments and questions.

From the comments, it was clear, Clear Lake wants a divorce from Kingwood for all the common sense reasons. Here are a few:

1. Clear Lake is lacking adequate representation because of the distance between the communities.
2. Clear Lake has different needs than Kingwood
3. Clear Lake continues to have draining problems (for the last 20 years)
4. Clear Lake is hurricane prone unlike Kingwood
5. The district is by far one of the worst drawn districts in the city
6. We don't want to be joined with Kingwood anymore. (many people will say this but will offer no good reason)

And that was it. The process is going to be a long one and covered by all media outlets. I personally wanted to see at least one screamer to add some color to the Kingwood/Clear Lake debate.

Redistricting townhall mtg Tonight! March 8, 2010

City of Houston Redistricting Townhall Mtg

6:30-8:00

University of Houston-Clear Lake, 

2700 Bay Area Blvd. -- 

Bayou Bldg, Garden Room

The City of Houston Charter requires that the City Council expand to eleven single-member districts at such point that census data demonstrates that the City's population exceeds 2.1 million residents. With the much anticipated release of the 2010 US Census, we will begin the process of redistricting in order to add those Districts. The City is interested in hearing from you and your neighborhood regarding your suggestions for the configuration of the new council districts.

Town Hall Meetings Schedule
Each meeting is scheduled for 6:30 - 8:00 pm. Any interested party may attend any meeting.

Note: Don't expect any support for separating Clear Lake and Kingwood. It isn't going to happen and our City Council Member likes it just like it is.

GOP donors curb Debbie Riddle's immigration bill

State Representative Debbie Riddle filed HB 1202 to make hiring an illegal worker a felony. It didn't take long for the major donors of the republican party, the very ones who profit off the use of illegal workers, to have a little talk with Riddle and now she is filling the bill with exceptions. From CNN:

But it is an exception included in the bill that is drawing attention. Those who hire unauthorized immigrants would be in violation of the law -- unless they are hiring a maid, a lawn caretaker or another houseworker.

So, Riddle is going to get tough on illegal workers except for those who cut her lawn, cook her food, or take care of her grand kids. And count on more exceptions for those who work in restaurants, build homes, repair roofs, dig ditches, or for anyone who the Texas economy depends upon.

Besides, according to some of the biggest donors to the republican party such as Bob Perry and Bo Pilgrim, Americans are lazy and incapable of doing hard work. From the Dallas Morning News (link no longer active)

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.

Who else signed this OP-ED? here is the list of who's who in the republican party:

Bo Pilgrim
Pilgrim's Pride, Pittsburg

Harold Simmons
Contran Corporation, Dallas

Bob Perry
Perry Homes, Houston

Vance Miller
Henry S. Miller, Dallas

J. Huffines
Huffines Auto Group, Dallas

Red McCombs
McCombs Enterprises, San Antonio

W.L. Hunt
Hunt Building Corporation, El Paso

James Leininger
M.D., San Antonio

Phil Adams
Phil Adams Company, Bryan

Bob Barnes
Schlotzsky's, Austin

Kent Hance
Hance Scarborough Wright, Dallas

Tom Loeffler
Loeffler Tuggey Pauerstein Rosenthal LLP, San Antonio

Louis Beecherl
Beecherl Investments, Dallas

Henry J. "Bud" Smith
Bud Smith Organization, Dallas

Dennis Nixon
IBC Bank, Laredo

Ernesto Ancira Jr.
Ancira Enterprises, San Antonio

Tom Hewitt
Interstate Hotels & Resorts

Tom Corcoran
FelCor Lodging Trust Inc.

Lionel Sosa
MATT.org, San Antonio

Henry Cisneros
CityView, San Antonio

Henry R. Muñoz III
Kell Muñoz Architects, San Antonio

Harold MacDowell
TDIndustries, Dallas

Pedro Aguirre
Aguirre Corporation, Dallas

Robert "Buddy" Barnes
Dee Brown Inc., Garland

Stephen M. Pitt
Boulder Imports, Houston

Brad Bouma
Select Milk Producers Inc., Plainview

Wayne Palla
Dairy Farmers of America, Grapevine

Jim Baird
Lone Star Milk Producers Inc., Windthorst

Randy Davis
Greenleaf Nursery, El Campo

Josh Bracken
Nicholson-Hardie Garden Centers, Dallas

David R. Pinkus
Tawakoni Plant Farm, Wills Point

Don Darby
Darby Greenhouses & Farms, Jacksonville

Georges Le Mener
Accor North America, Carrollton

Stevan Porter
InterContinental Hotels Group

John Caparella
Gaylord Hotels

Tony Farris
Quorum Hotels

The power of ignorance: Texas secession

Never misunderestimate the power of ignorance.

These people are not only stupid, they are dangerous. From the Chronicle:

"Texas can take better care of itself than Washington," said Lauren Savage, vice president of the movement. "We are here to raise interest in the Legislature of the possibility of secession to cure the ills of America."

 Uh.... FYI. Texas has a $27 Billion hole in their budget. We have become the trailer park of America.

Debbie Riddle meets Bob Perry

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Under Larry Taylor's nose: TWIA is in Twouble.

And you wonder why State Representative Larry Taylor is smiling while his district has some of the highest insurance rates in the nation? According to outgoing Texas Department of Insurance Commissioner, Mike Geeslin, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (last resort insurance for the coastal areas), is in serious trouble. From the Austin Statesman:

In a letter to Oliver, the state Insurance Department said that the management of the windstorm association "does not have the experience, competence or trustworthiness to operate TWIA in a safe and sound manner."

And it only gets worse:

Also, according to the letter, Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin said that he had determined that the Windstorm Insurance Association is "in a condition that makes its continuation in business hazardous to the public or to its policyholders."

So all the while State Representative Larry Taylor has been the mouthpiece and cheerleader for TWIA, it has become a hazard to the public. Pretty strong words and coming off the recent report of TWIA's mega-giveaways and Taylor's major conflict of interest. Let's review: