January 31, 2007
In which Tom CradDICK whines about the size of his dick
Not really, though I'm sure he's whined about his cock from time to time. Seriously, I don't know a straight boy who doesn't wish his dick was bigger and I know CradDICK is straight. Fags are vindictive, but we're up front about it. CradDICK always comes from behind. Wait...actually, let's not even go there.
Fresh from today's defeat, CradDICK was whining about the vote he lost and how it will slow the legislative process. Which is complete bullshit since the only thing that's been slow so far are his committee assignments and the only thing that could slow things down more are stupid bills from Leo Berman rewriting federal laws.
Whatever horrendous agenda CradDICK was planning to roll out and shove through the House has been set back. That's what's best for Texas. If the House actually focuses on what's important, instead of giving Dr. Hospital Bed and Perry another hummer, then there is plenty of time to get things done. If they choose to focus on vouchers bills... ANY VOUCHER BILLS... it's going to waste a lot of time.
So, Tom, do what's right, quit bitching and let the process move forward at it's own pace.
Posted by mcblogger at 05:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Oh, Biden... you'll never be the nominee
Joe Biden spent some time with a reporter recently carping about his betters. I say betters because the man is pretty damn scummy. Yeah, a Democrat who voted for the Bankruptcy bill is pretty low and Joe's been voting with Republicans against the middle class for years.
He takes time to tear into Edwards, Obama, and Clinton while eating soup. Because that's what old men have for lunch. I happen to think he's nailed it on Obama though it doesn't make me happy to acknowledge he's correct on anything. Clinton, less so and with Edwards it's just jealousy. Biden's plan to partition Iraq is receiving no traction and likely won't (things have spun too far out of control). Pulling back troops is the one thing we can do to force the Iraqis to step up and start beating the radicals themselves... we can't do it for them. We could dump 1,000,000 troops into Iraq and it wouldn't do anything other than polarize all Iraqi's against us.
As for his comment that Iraq will descend into chaos with 40,000 less US troops, the Senator must not be aware that things are pretty chaotic now anyway. Maybe senility has already set in to join the mindnumbing stupidity that has apparently been there since the 1980s.
Biden represents some of the darker aspects of the Democratic party, specifically a failed past (think more DLC and less FDR). Let's not forget that he's been around for what, 30 years? Maybe the people of Delaware would be better served with a new Senator. The man is nothing more than a sellout. Joe Biden is a proof of just how false 'The worst Democrats is better than the best Republican' has become.
(hat tip to Greg)
Posted by mcblogger at 03:16 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Garnet Coleman YOU ROCK!
Karen Brooks of the DMN captured this convo between Representatives Dan Branch and Garnet Coleman today during the debate over suspension of the 60 day rule
Coleman vs. Branch - Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston stopped in front of the press table on the House floor today, fuming at a GOP chairman's on-mic threat that "minority party" members who voted against suspending the constitutional order of business were going to be cut out of the legislative process entirely. Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas: "He's just acknowledging the reality." Coleman: "Well then we can just keep beating ya'll at the polls, Mr. Branch." Branch points toward Mr. Coleman and looks around at people standing nearby: "Now, THAT was being threatening."
Yeah, we're going to do that anyway but you rock for pointing it out to hapless Branch. Great comeback, Representative Coleman!
(Mad props to SuperWow! at PinkDome for the find)
Posted by mcblogger at 12:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Immovable force meets irresistible object
Toby is carrying water for Jennifer Kim? Are frogs falling from the sky?
Apparently, Jennifer Kim's ABIA adventure was all a big misunderstanding. Oh, let's laugh and have drinks. On second thought, let's just have the drinks. What is most telling about this whole flap is that I've not heard or seen one person who doubted for a second it was true, regardless of the circumstances.
Kim's got some serious PR work to do.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Praying for Molly
Annatopia at TexasKaos has a post up about Molly Ivins who is apparently taking a turn for the worse. Y'all keep her in your prayers! For those of you that don't pray (heathens!) please keep her in your thoughts and wish her a speedy recovery.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:09 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
It's getting hot in here...
... and North Texas Liberal has more about it.
We know things are getting warmer, but it's very hard to visualize how catastrophic climate change might impact Texas. Last year's record-breaking temperatures, coupled with the worst drought in fifty years, gave us a preview of things to come, but dry, cracked reservoirs don't compare with glaciers melting and crashing into the sea. Dying livestock can't capture the public's attention like polar bears drowning.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 30, 2007
Perry gets knocked around
The last couple of weeks haven't been all that good for Governor Perry and frankly we're pleased as punch. Because he's a douche.
First off, there are the lawsuits over the coal plants. Then there was the Ted Nugent flap at the inaugural for which Perry is still catching shit. Finally the lobbying contracts with Abramoff cronies were terminated, not to mention a not-so-pleasant meeting with member of the Texas Congressional delegation... or least the members of the delegation that actually, you know, matter.
Needless to say, if his entire term is as bad for him as the first few weeks have been, we're all going to be extremely happy. We can't think of anyone who sucks more. Except CradDICK, of course.
Posted by mcblogger at 06:26 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Glass Houses
The Washington Post has an op/ed up about the growing trend among Republicans to demonize Barack Obama by using his full name, Barack Hussein Obama.
Radio host Rush Limbaugh, demonstrating his usual maturity, got a chuckle out of the senator's allegedly oversized ears, calling him "Barack Hussein Odumbo." And Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council issued this e-mail alert: "Joining an already glutted field of hopefuls, Sen. Barack Hussein Obama (D-Ill.) announced his candidacy for the 2008 Democratic nomination yesterday."
It occurs to me that fatass, mediocre radio mouthpieces with drug habits and erectile dysfunction shouldn't be making fun of anyone. Of course, neither should people who share a name with an actor best known for his part as a mamma's boy gone waaayyy wrong. Who also ended up being, you know, gay.
Posted by mcblogger at 03:16 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Suspension of Constitution in the House fails, CradDICK defeated
108 to 34, that was the final vote on the suspension of the 60 day rule. 34 people finally put the brakes on CradDICK and said 'We're going to do what's right for our constituents and the people of Texas'.
Vince has more on the debate and the speeches. Branch questioning Dunnam is funny as hell, simply because Branch comes across as a retard with his repetitive (and ridiculously obvious) questions.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:06 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Tolls : Watson v. Costello; TTC investor buying newspapers; TXDoT intimidation
Kirk, for his part, is much more discreet and has a far larger megaphone (the AAS is large like that!), even if his writing is pedestrian (sorry, Kirk, this commentary sucks balls and not in a fun way). Don't get me wrong, I like Kirk and Sal for the most part. However, the bullshit needs to descend a few levels.
For one thing, Sal, Kirk's not the real enemy. I don't remember what happened with that bond, but the issue is in the past. This is the present and we're dealing with the future. We need help in the Lege and we're starting to get it from people like Kirk. Your real focus should be on Krusee and Gattis. Every primary and every general until you beat them or they quit. Gattis may be a little tough, but Krusee'll be a piece of cake. Just make sure you back a Democrat in the race. Why? Because one is going to win in 2008. If you want to be part of it, better get in gear now.
Kirk, tolls are pretty pointless and there really isn't a place for them in the future of Texas. That being said, the image of 18 lanes north AND south on MoPac is terrifying. The solution is improvements to MoPac and rail. It's got to be part of the mix and we all agree on that. Tolls however, no matter how they look on paper revenue wise, do not.
Tolls are the most regressive transportation tax. Even those that will supposedly impact those demographic segments that can best afford them always end up hitting those that can least afford them. ALL TRANSPORTATION TAXES ARE REGRESSIVE. The gas tax just happens to be the least so. Tolls are always more expensive for consumers. Even when they eventually disappear, they are still a more expensive method of paying for a road than gas taxes. So why the hell should they ever be part of the transportation mix?
Revenue. That's the only reason. That has to be taken off the table. Period. In that vein, here's a quote from Kirk's piece that really pissed me off.
But reality requires action. We must stop talking about "free roads," as if there ever were such things. Any tool we use, any road we're on, costs money from some source. We can't simply oppose things or divert attention from problems with slogans or personal attacks. Our citizens are too smart to let half-truths, untruths, innuendo and conspiracy theories define our future. We don't have the time and shouldn't have the patience for unaccountable ideologues distorting our present or jeopardizing our future.
We know it costs money. The very citizens who are pissed are the same ones to whom you're writing. They know roads aren't free and they certainly aren't clamoring for a repeal of the gas tax. They realize the state has grown and Central Texas has experienced an outsized helping of that growth. They know that we'll have to pay a little more to expand our infrastructure to accommodate that growth. They also know tolls are bad idea. Take them off the table. You see toll roads as a funding source and that's gotta change.
This conversation is vital to our region's future. Think of it as the opposite of a traffic jam — if you don't get on this road, the rest of us can't get anywhere.
We're on the road with you. But we're not paying tolls, Senator. TXDoT can want a permanent funding source but as the old saying goes, wishing ain't getting.
Adkisson, a Bexar County Commissioner, said in a letter to Governor Perry that Tex-DOT District Engineer David Casteel, who is himself a member of the MPO board, and Texas Transportation Commissioner Hope Andrade, who is not, sought to 'reprimand and punish' the two VIA board members who were among the six MPO members who voted against the toll road plan, Melissa Castro-Killen and Dr. Sidney G. Ordway. The plan was approved, 9-6, following five housrs of debate.Adkisson also charged that Perry vowed to work to defeat VIA's legislative priorities in the current session of the Texas Legislature.
"TexDOT leadership has begun to take on a very different and mean spirited tone of late," Adkisson wrote. "(Tex-DOT Chairman) Ric Williamson and his group take any discussion that seems to move away from their core position as a threat."
Gee, where have we heard this before?
Posted by mcblogger at 10:43 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
David, way to get out in front on a controversial issue
With all the courage and bravery of a French General, our Lt. Governor has announced that he is against child predators! It takes guts to come out against child molesters, since sooo many people respect their work and think they are great people.
Maybe next Dudley Dewhurst will go against the ever-popular drug dealers and then take a tough stance against car thieves. It's good to know we have a leader like Dewhurst who will actually fight for what's right, instead of what's popular. That's integrity, friends, and you either have it or you don't.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:20 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
January 29, 2007
Bananas
Installation art used to mean kooky things like wrapping the Golden Gate Bridge in wax paper. But 9/11 changed everything.
In an art installation sure to launch a thousand UFO conspiracies, Montreal artist César Saez plans to send a 1,000-foot helium blimp in the shape of a banana into low Earth orbit over the Lone Star State.
If everything goes right, the fruity dirigible, known as the Geostationary Banana Over Texas, should launch in August 2008.
The astrofruit is an artistic commentary on the absurdity of American politics -- especially Texan-style kookiness, says Saez.
"I see Texas like a crossroads of important social and cultural happenings in the states and in the world," he says.
Just beween you and me, I'm thinking about a giant inflatable Arlene Wolgemuth to symbolize the absurdity of installation art.
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 10:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Poverty and the Democraddicks
Al Stanley has a great post up over at Kaos about poverty in Texas and specifically in whose districts. It's worth the read to familiarize yourself with some of the poorer districts in Texas... and their Representatives, many of whom are DemocradDICKS. One has to wonder, exactly what their support will earn them, other than plum committee assignments. Are we looking at full funding for CHIP which would have a tremendously positive impact on these districts?
Nah, I didn't think so either. Also, there is a rumor that in return for the chairmanship that Patrick Rose just landed, he's got to switch parties by 2008. Let me break things down for y'all out in the hinterlands who think that Rose's district is chock full of conservative nutters. You don't win this district without Hays County and you can't win as a Republican in Hays County.
Period. I certainly don't think Rose wants to run off and practice law right now. He wants to stay an elected as long as he can and he knows he'll fare better in a Democratic primary than he will as a Republican in the general. This isn't to say the D primary is going to be easy for him...
Posted by mcblogger at 05:48 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Appraisal review recommendations funny...
I know, I know... this came out last week. That was, in fact, when I wrote this. Still, I don't think nearly enough attention was paid to it so I'm rekindling the fires.
Statutory:
And what would you consider reasonable? Would you consider it reasonable when spending has to increase due to massive population increases? Kinda like the ones we've been seeing for years?Require Voter Approval for Spending in Excess to Reasonable Levels of Government Growth
Fair rocks! However, I think you're covering that with the mandatory sale price disclosure.Improve Fairness of the Appraisal Process
Change Comptroller’s Property Value Study
Yes. If the Lege wants something done, they need to allocate the resources for it.Prospectively Prohibit Unfunded State Mandates
Almost the best idea ever! People find it unbelievable that there is a whisper market in Real Estate. However, it is there and it's pervasive. This is the best thing The Lege can do to increase fairness in the system, not to mention giving a lenders a better idea on the value of all properties which will accelerate the process of mortgage lending, allowing more people to buy homes.Require Sales Price Disclosure
Constitutional Measures:
Add Consistency to appraised Taxable Value for Taxpayer Protection and Relief
Oh, I can't wait to see how you're going to do this but go on, give it a shot!
Posted by mcblogger at 01:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
CradDICK trying to stick it to Texas... again
Everyone's favorite codger, Speaker Tom CradDICK (R-Cocksucker) has asked all members of the Texas House of Representatives to be present for a very special episode of Blossom. I kid, I kid. It's actually an episode of Moeshe that will help explain teens having sex to some of the dumber members of the Lege (wake up, Warren! Look alive, Berman!). After the video, CradDICK has asked the members to vote to suspend a constitutional rule that prohibits consideration of legislation not designated by the Governor as an emergency on the floor within the first sixty days of the session.
Suspending the rule requires a four-fifths majority vote. The rule has been suspended every legislative session except one and CradDICK has used it aggressively during his reign of terror. Some of his hits include:
1) All but eliminating the ability of consumers to sue... anyone.
2) Kicking kids off CHIP
3) Fucking up school finance
4) Finding, then losing, Jimmy Hoffa's body (in the folds of Linda Harper-Brown's stomach, natch)
5) Redistricting fun
6) Tax 'cuts' that were more funny stupid than funny ha-ha
7) The TTC and Here-A-Toll, There-A-Toll, EVERYWHERE-A-TOLL!
Sounds perfectly innocent, no? Yeah... given what a vengeful prick CradDICK always shows himself to be, I think it's safe to say he's going to try to drive another anti-consumer, anti-taxpayer session in the House while drinking a puppy blood juice box.
Keep in mind that almost a fifth of the Lege (and they were all Democrats) voted against CradDICK for speaker. Now that the committee assignments are out and the vengeful asshole has done what he's going to do, we're hoping they'll pull in a few more people and slap his ass down on this.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:11 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Alexandra Pelosi and her documentary
Alexandra Pelosi's documentary is fucking creepy as hell. I've never seen as many fat mongos in my life, except when I went to a Ryan's Steakhouse for a friend's birthday.
I'm a Christian and what these people believe is alien to me. Trust me, it will be to you as well.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 28, 2007
Who let the dogs out (of the garage)?
Rick Perry is rumored to be running for Vice President. So he does classy things like invite Ted Nugent to perform at his inauguration and projectile vomit on church ladies from Amarillo. Rick's neighbor to the north, Arkansas' Mike Huckabee is rumored to be running for President, so he had to form his very own rock band, The Capitol Offense, to be taken seriously.
What's that old saying, don't quit your day job!
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 04:06 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
What David Dewhurst wants to do RIGHT THIS MINUTE
"We haven't built any new prison beds in Texas for a number of years, and our population is exploding," Dewhurst said."I don't -- and the people of Texas don't -- want to have dangerous people on our streets, and that's what we're going to prevent. I've been looking at a number of 4,000 to 5,000" over the next four years, he said.
That projection is in line with the budget request by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which wants to add three prisons to hold 5,000 prisoners. That would cost $440 million just for construction, a state expense opposed by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, which advocates limited government.
Two quick points, then I gotta roll...
1) This is in direct conflict with common sense to some extent because the Texas CJ system is FUCKED up. We imprison too many people for too many bullshit offenses. We need to streamline the Criminal code and take out a lot of stupid crap, along with encouraging judges to give probation to non-violent offenders. Grits for Breakfast also has some good points up on why we have enough beds now, even with the increase in population.
2) Dewhurst acknowledges that we've had population growth and so need more prison beds. Technically, he's right if you don't think #1 is a good idea. That being said, and this is in the vein of all roads leading to infrastructure (I'm nothing if not monomaniacal), we have had a massive increase in population. So why is it so hard for Republicans to understand that we need a commensurate increase in taxes to handle the buildout of infrastructure (schools, roads, hospitals) to help service the expanded population?
At what point do these fucking stupid assholes finally realize that you can not service a population of 23 million people with a tax system that produces effectively for only 18 million?
(via Off the Kuff)
Posted by mcblogger at 03:37 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Why self cleaning toilets don't belong in clubs...
Posted by mcblogger at 09:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 27, 2007
I'm done with you...
Seriously, Jennifer Kim, from your comment-less performance at CAMPO to this, I'm just fucking done. This may, in fact, be the first time I take Leslie's candidacy seriously. It's a shame Jennifer Gayle had to move to Dallas to start fucking with people in North Texas. She might have actually won this election. Seems that Princess Councilwoman Jennifer Kim is getting all jammed up over the fact that she can't get through security at the airport with just her city council badge (which is a strange thing for her to think since you can't even get a seat a Taco Cabana with a city council badge).
She said she recently planned to meet a visitor from the Ford Foundation and was delayed because she thought she could go through the security screening line without a boarding pass."I didn't know it was a (Transportation Security Administration) issue," she said. "I thought since it was our airport and we own it, and if we are pre-cleared, we could get through.
Yeah, Jennifer, TSA runs security at airports. Badly, but it's what they do in ALL airports. As for the 'visitor', do you intend to defend yourself by saying that the person you were meeting isn't familiar with the rules at airports and would have been peeved had you not met him/her at the gate? Oh, enough with the bullshit. EVERYONE knows you just meet people at baggage claim.
But a memo from the city manager's office used to summarize council members' concerns and questions said Kim "thought her VIP badge at our airport would allow her to get through security without going through screening. She has now been told that's not the case and is not happy."
It was reported that she then tried to beat Toby with her phone but that turned out to be false. Everyone knows Toby Can't. Be. Defeated. Even Kim's not stupid enough to try.
Kim said she thinks it's possible for her to get a special pass from airlines to meet their passengers while still going through screening. However, she said she didn't want to do that because of the wait at the ticket counter.
Boo-fucking-hoo. WE ALL HATE GOING TO THE AIRPORT. It's usually a pain in the ass and waiting on line (sometimes, more than one) is, while annoying, de rigueur. Your elected office (which is, in reality, a minor step above the SFA HS student council) doesn't come with a 'skip the lines' feature.
You hear one story about bitchy behavior and you dismiss it. Two and you start to wonder. This makes 4,980 with Jennifer. Seriously, she's gone from being an elected official to a cautionary tale. The worst part is how FUCKING TERRIBLE SHE IS AT HANDLING THE FALLOUT. These quotes are awful and reading them makes one angry, not sympathetic. No, we don't understand her position. In fact, we think she's a terribly presumptuous jackass.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:18 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Selling honesty
Former TDP Executive Ed Martin wrote a commentary piece for the SAEN prior the election that we missed while we were doing things. Other things, in case you were wondering. Sure you can ask what those 'other things' might be, but I'm not going to answer you. Frankly, you deserve to be kept in the dark. AND YOU KNOW WHY.
Still, what Mr. Martin has to say is important...
People know they are being sold candidates like Pepsi-Cola and SUVs. They aren't stupid. I know. They told me for the past five days.They were the workers and fellow patients in an urban medical center, a place that brings together young professionals and workers of all races from all places. I know their names, but they deserve more than "State of the Union live-shot recognition." They deserve more than being a prop. They deserve respect. They are real people making real decisions about real lives, and their mockery of what they were hearing and seeing was audible.
For all of you consultants and wannabe candidates, this is why more and more people make fun of you, especially when it's obvious you 'don't get it'. While we, by and large, support progressive candidates here at McBlogger, it doesn't stop us from making fun of the some of them from time to time. Especially when they do stupid things. It's not about listening to us, it's about saying what you want to say. Don't be a 'tard because it does hurt us when we have to call you one.
Mostly we laugh, but it does hurt a bit. Like when we stub our toe when we're stumbling through a bar to say hello to someone.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:34 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Something is happening but you don't know what it is
The US Central Command revealed Friday that an airstrike near the dusty Somaili town of Buur Gaabo was believed to have killed the elusive terrorist mastermind Burger King. A Pentagon spokesman who insisted on remaining nameless said that the death of the number three man in Al Qaeda was a significant victory in the War on Terror.
UPDATE Intelligence analysts now believe that the man killed was Sali ibn-Wazir, a wealthy retailor of strict Islamic women's apparel, known as the Burka King. A Pentagon spokesman who insisted on remaining nameless said that the death of the number three man in Al Qaeda was a significant victory in the War on Terror.
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 09:06 AM | Comments (0)
January 26, 2007
Dregs: Gilbert, CHIP and Clean Air
Next up are comments made by Phil King and others regarding clean air, as well as a review of a wonderful new film titled "TXU goes to Washington", which is about a stodgy old company, eager to remake the world... and change Washington. It's Capra-esque only in the sense that it takes place in Washington. It actually borrows from both Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and It's A Wonderful Life and combines the best both in that it's Mr. Potter (TXU) who goes to Washington (Washington)
Posted by mcblogger at 06:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Texas Monthly Talks Some Shit
I got home a little early last night, made myself a tasty dinner (Lasagne... from a box, natch. Marie Callender is the best cook ever!) and sat down to watch Texas Monthly Talks which was on KLRU despite the best efforts of Connecticut native George Bush's administration, as well as the late House majority, to kill public broadcasting.
The show left me with questions...
1) Does Spellings know how wrong those glasses are on her?
2) What the hell does Evan use to shellac his hair to his scalp (Barfly tells me I shouldn't comment on anyone's hair because mine looks like the grass on a chia head)?
The show was about education, or a discussion about some kids show about lesbian mommies that Spellings doesn't like (she doesn't much care for the mommies, either). It really wasn't clear. In fact, the only thing that I'm certain of is that I will NEVER give money to KLRU unless I'm sure none of it will go to produce Texas Monthly Talks.
Don't look at me that way. The show sucks, yo.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Video from the Senate Judiciary...
Did you miss the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last week? I know I did. Sister Ruth of course saw the whole thing and said it was a laugh riot. Did I ever tell you that Sister Ruth's bizarre obsession with CSPAN creeps me the fuck out?
ANYWAY, Somervell County Salon has a link to the videos up on Can-O-Fun. Check it out when you have some free time and see Specter go off on Gonzales (I have to admit, it did make me smile a little).
Posted by mcblogger at 01:27 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
New Blog
A little birdy told me about a new blog that's out there, Feet to the Fire, which exists to hold elected officials accountable for their actions. This is, to me, the number one difference between conservative and progressive bloggers. While the conservatives will beat up on progressive elected officials, they'll never say a negative thing about conservative elected officials.
Progressives hold everyone to the same standards. Who's fair and balanced now, bitch?
Posted by mcblogger at 11:48 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
China has ASAT weapons...
This is a comforting thought... the Chinese, rather than let their old satellites just fall back into the gravity well and burn up in the atmosphere (which is what EVERY OTHER NATION DOES), have decided to shoot them down with a missile. Of course this causes a tremendous amount of alarm on the part of the DoD because the US military is heavily dependent on satellites for real time information and now, rightly, have figured that they have a tremendous achilles heal. No shit.
We've often wondered why an enemy would want to nuke us at all. It would be far easier and more effective to just EMP out the power grid and kill all our electronics. No cars, no trucks, no computers, no phones, no food. Yeah, without being able to run down to Randall's every two days, I'd certainly be dead.
Yeah, I said it. R-A-N-D-A-L-L-S. Fuck a bunch of Central Market and HEB.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Res ipsa loquitur
Posted by mcblogger at 01:02 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 25, 2007
Drakula-Cunt tries a new tactic...
Oh, Shelly, just quit it. You're making my hole bleed and there is no way in hell you are ever going to win a Republican primary, even in FBC.
Posted by mcblogger at 06:22 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
I want me some HPV
So, there's a reco from doctors or scientists or someone that the HPV vaccine, which prevents cervical cancer, should be administered to all girls attending school in Texas. Sounds reasonable, right? We knew you'd agree since it seems to be reasonable. Turns out it's not reasonable at all in the land where ideology trumps medicine and common sense because the HPV is transmitted... sexually.
Supporters of a mandate say states have a rare opportunity to fight a cancer that kills 3,700 American women every year. But opponents say states – and parents – should be trying to prevent premarital sex, not pushing a vaccine on the assumption that it's already happening."It's almost contradictory," said Kelly Shackelford, president of the conservative Texas-based Free Market Foundation. "We have laws on teaching abstinence on one side, then on the other say we don't really believe that's going to happen."
Kelly Shackelford, douche supreme of the world of nutters. Always available for a quote. So, of course, the DMN calls him for one on a sensitive human health issue. Which is funny, to me at least, because Kelly is sensitive... like a fucking brillo pad. Fortunately, he's not the only nutter who can comment on public health
Even with such provisions, mandates take away parents' rights to be the primary medical decision maker for their children, said Linda Klepacki, an analyst for sexual health at the Colorado-based evangelical organization Focus on the Family.
Oh, I was wondering when someone from Focus on the Family would pop up, good to see that it's Linda Klepacki. I love that her last name actually sounds like a venereal disease. Is there no voice of sanity?
But Texas state Rep. Jessica Farrar said her proposal to mandate the vaccine for girls entering sixth grade is aimed at protecting children whose parents are less informed about or less interested in preventative health care."Not everybody has equal sets of parents," said Farrar, a Democrat from Houston who had precancerous cells removed from her cervix several years ago due to HPV. "For (opponents) to decide the fates of young women in the state is irresponsible."
Thank God. Would it be too much to ask for maybe one more?
And giving a child the vaccine isn't giving her permission to have sex before marriage, Crosby said."People have a tetanus shot but we don't tell our kids to go out and jump up and down on rusty nails," she said.
Oh, that's nice Mrs. Crosby. Of course, no story on ideology vs. common sense would be complete without the obligatory quote from some mongo mother...
But one friend she can't convince is Lisa Girouard, who believes abstaining from sex until marriage is all the protection her 17-year-old daughter needs. Wary of all vaccines, the 44-year-old housewife worries Gardasil could have unexpected future side effects."I don't see any reason why they need to make it a requirement," she said. "Let people do what they want to do."
Oh, Lisa. You're a housewife who's 'wary of all vaccines'? STFU and just get your kid the fucking shot.
This morning I woke to find this piece advocating for a voluntary program from Courtland Milloy at the WaPo. As part of his argument, he uses the success of New Hampshire's voluntary vaccination program which is interesting since the student population in NH is roughly equivalent to that of DISD, not to mention that NH is far from being as heterogeneous as DISD. Voluntary is a great idea, all things being equal. However, as Rep. Farrar pointed out, all things are not equal. Sometimes what's best for the child has to trump the bad information on which the parents are acting, not to mention the ridiculous objections of someone as clueless as Kelly Shackelford.
Posted by mcblogger at 04:00 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Ellis bans smoking...everywhere
Haven't you people done enough to us?
Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, announced plans last week to file a bill that would ban smoking from all public buildings in Texas, including bars and restaurants.The law would trump the exemption for bingo halls and the other handful of businesses that was written into Austin's non-smoking ordinance.
The debate will pit arguments of personal liberty against concerns over health costs for smoking-related illnesses and the health risk unfairly posed to non-smokers. Business owners also cite declining alcohol sales in cities that prohibit smoking in bars.
Declining alcohol sales? The negatives so outweigh the positives on banning smoking it's not even funny. Beside, you guys are about to pass all that cancer research stuff so it'll be cheaper to treat us when we get something from smoking.
Let's not forget that our education system now depends on me lighting a cigarette literally every 30 seconds. Not to mention all those people who work at gas stations whose very jobs depend on me buying cigarettes. Why the entire economy may well collapse if this ban is pushed forward!
Please, Senator Ellis, just let us enjoy our nicotine fix!
Posted by mcblogger at 10:47 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Calling Bullshit : Kinky for Senate, 2008
Laura Stromberg, you are no Kelly Fero.
There's a fresh round of rumors today that Kinky Friedman may be mulling a run against U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.People of both parties have been in touch with him, said Laura Stromberg, who was Friedman's spokeswoman during his independent bid for governor.
"He's not calling them. They're coming to him," she said.
Friedman, who is finishing up his book on his race for governor, has said if he ran again, it likely would be under a major-party label given the obstacles facing an independent candidate.
Today, he said, "I think all options are on the table, but I certainly haven't given a lot of thought to running for anything. I've talked with some Republicans and some Democrats about various possibilities."
Even Kelly wouldn't try to pull off bullshit like this. While the Republicans are indeed desperate to get Cornyn out of the way, there is no way in hell anyone would seriously consider Kinky in an R primary. And the Democrats... oh, yeah. WE'RE just starving for some more Kinky.
This IS the bullshit rumor of the month.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:20 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Veto Me
So the new majority in the House, the DEMOCRATIC Party, has completed it's 100 hour agenda (take that, Newt you giant loser). Bush has already said he'd veto much of it and so one has to wonder what's next. With polls consistently showing that people want the Congress in the driver's seat, is there a possibility that he'll be overridden?
Sure, as long as the bills pass the Senate and Lieberman doesn't fuck us all over.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:20 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 24, 2007
Finally, Methodists start acting like Methodists
I gotta tell you, being a Methodist since Connecticut native George Bush became President has been a bit rough. I've had to remind myself that he's a Methodist just like he's a Texan. Trust me, Methodists are cool (get to know me!), they don't start wars, for instance, and they love a great drinks party.
I'm all the time being asked "Would you like another drink?" but that's beside the point. Less frequently I'm asked "Are all Methodists like George Bush?" and my answer is always an emphatic "NO" followed quickly with a request for another Talisker and soda. Which, by the way, I would REALLY love right now.
Annatopia at TexasKaos happened upon some information that there are other Methodists who, like me, are irritated that the Bush Lieburry is going to be put in at SMU...
We the undersigned express our objection to the prospect of the George W. Bush library, museum, and think tank being established at Southern Methodist University. As United Methodists, we believe that the linking of his presidency with a university bearing the Methodist name is utterly inappropriate. We urge the Board of Trustees of Southern Methodist University and the South Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church to reject this project.
Maybe now Bush will convert to something that is more reflective of his personality. Like one of those fundamentalist churches that are all over rural Texas. I think they have tent revivals but I've never been to one. They don't have bars. Maybe that's why Connecticut native George Bush hasn't been to one either.
Posted by mcblogger at 05:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Homebuilders kinda suck...
I'm from a family of homebuilders and there are always problems with homes. Seriously, there are defects from construction and sometimes things aren't exactly the way the homeowner wants. When that happens, YOU FIX IT. Unless, of course, you're Bob Perry.
Bay Area Houston has a great post up about the commission that oversees homebuilders and another one about how Bob Perry has abused the process he lobbied so hard to get and in the process, caused a lot of problems for one elderly couple.
Posted by mcblogger at 03:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Tolls : Fucking around in San Antonio, CAMPO slaps down Phase II
The fact that though this is being termed a 'delay', it is, in fact, the end of this particular method of financing. I know Costello thinks we're getting played but these roads are so unpopular everyone is looking for blood. The CAMPO members know that the mob may be satisfied with just Krusee, Ogden and Gattis all of whom are going to be left to twist in the wind. I would throw Dukes in there as well, but honestly there's not much anger with her on that, though it is an issue and likely will intensify even for her during the primary next year.
The fact that even at the very end, TXDoT DE Bob Daigh was still trying to add pressure to the decision making process. Bob, these are smart people. They know well that the 'clock is ticking' and they don't need your smartass mouth to remind them. You are, after all, the person responsible for the missing flyways all over Austin metro. If I were you, I'd answer with as little as possible when asked a question and keep out of the line of fire. By the way, Bob, we aren't done asking questions about the money that appears to be missing from the 45/1 tollway project. Seriously, if the connectors were figured into the cost and financed, but weren't built because of an environmental clearance oversight, then the money should still be there to build them. So why are you saying it's not? Bob?
The Statesman really missed the mark on the number for replacing the tolls with a gas tax in the CAMPO area (Bad reporter! Very, very bad!). Let's go back over it again... The 17 cent number came from TXDoT and covers profits expected on the toll roads, as well a bond sale of $2 Bn sometime in the 2040's. Of course, my numbers in the original post are off as well. So, let's go with what the TTI rolled out, a little over 8 cents a gallon, increasing over time to keep pace with the inflation in construction costs. Needless to say, a gax tax is still cheaper.
The most stunning thing about this is the bad faith in which TXDoT is acting. I know some it is based on political decisions (TXDoT is having to issue numbers based on certain ridiculous assumptions), but the reality is that CAMPO has got to do a better job of asking the right questions and demanding accurate numbers.
Lastly, as a followup on the meeting itself, the crowd directed a lot of anger at Watson which is, in my opinion, misplaced. Sen. Watson appears to be coming around on this issue, while Krusee, Ogden and Gattis have shown no evidence of it. Just from a political perspective, all three are more vulnerable than Watson. To the anti-toll forces out there I would ask only that you take a moment to reflect on who the real enemies are and focus your efforts in 2008 and beyond on those who most deserve it and are most readily defeated, Gattis, Krusee and Ogden. The State of Texas would be far better off with none of them in public service.
And with that, I'm done on this issue for a bit... until the next piece of bullshit comes flying out of Ben Wear's ass.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Good.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:41 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Dan Patrick does something else stupid
Oh, Dan. Why do you keep filing bills? From the AAS
Patrick, R-Houston, filed Senate Bill 268 which would place a fee on money wired out of Texas to any foreign country. The 10-percent fee on wire transactions under $5,000 would be collected to provide funding for border security.
Oops... I think you're getting into Federal territory there, boy-o. I'm sure OCC and The Fed would LOVE to take a look at this idea, since they are technically the ones who control the wire transfer system. Of course, there is a giant hole in this plan... most of the wiring companies have operations in other states and they could simply move the transaction there, then onto it's final destination. Or they could just change over to money orders altogether.
Dan, if you're serious about immigration, go after the employers, secure the border (but not with some stupid fence) and grant amnesty to all who apply for citizenship within one year. Further, increase support for economic growth in Mexico, especially in large loans to government specifically for lending to small businesses and individuals. People come here because they can earn more money. If they could do that in Mexico, they'd never leave in the first place.
If you'll do that, especially that last part, you'll begin to break-up the asset distribution structure in Mexico (which is far too top heavy to create economic growth) and really provide a firm footing for a Mexican middle class.
None of this is hard to understand, Dan. Oh, and lest you think this a handout, keep in mind that Mexico pays it's debts... usually before they are due.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Sweep The Leg
Seriously, sweep the leg, Johnny. Just scroll down a bit and click Just WATCH THE VIDEO.
And yes, it's safe for work. Unless embarrassment makes you wet yourself.
Posted by barfly at 11:15 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Medved carries water for Paris Hilton
Pandagon has a fantastic post up about Michael Medved's insane concern for the oft put upon rich...
Michael Medved didn’t get the memo from the Republicans. You know, the one that states, “Hey, our actual policy ideas are going to be wildly unpopular, so your job as a pundit is to deceive, mislead, distract and obfuscate.” But even if he missed the memo, you’d think he’d get the idea from the lies to get us into Iraq, the attempt to turn Social Security into a cash giveaway to the very rich by calling the plan “personal accounts”, and relabeling the estate tax the “death tax”, which implies that, for instance, all the soliders and poverty-stricken New Orleans residents that have wrongly died on BushCo’s watch have to pay taxes when they die or something.Medved here actually tries to make the argument to middle class readers that we should carry the bulk of the tax burden and spare the poor, suffering rich. Conservatives are so nostalgic for the 1950s, except for the 90%+ marginal tax rates the wealthy paid back then. In fact, that’s basically the dance they do—they make people long for a time when a male high school graduate could support a wife and a passel of kids by himself, and claim that what people are missing is the sexual repression, the racism, the sexism, and the conformity. Odds are they miss the prosperity.
One more time (from the heart), cutting taxes on the rich doesn't grow the economy... it grows profit taking and not much else. Except for spending at Neimans and frankly we'd like to see less of the obnoxiously rich the next time we go shopping there. Barfly and I both get pissed because they distract the staff who should be paying attention to us.
The article goes on to dissect a few of Medved's key points regarding taxes. It's a little long and drawn out so I'll summarize... don't listen to a failed movie reviewer on tax policy. He doesn't understand anything that can't fit on a bumper sticker. To wit...
Tax hikes hurt the economy. Pelosi proposes to take money out of the hands of people whose investment and entrepreneurship create jobs, and to place it into the hands of government, which creates only job-stifling bureaucracies.
This is just empirically wrong. In the 90's taxes went up on the rich AND the size of government went down. Meanwhile, the economy grew dramatically and the federal government actually paid down debt which resulted in lower interest rates which further drove economic growth.
The rich do not create jobs. Even Milton Friedman didn't believe that bit of bullshit. There is only one thing that will create a job and that's economic growth, namely the knowledge that adding one job will allow a company to make/do more, sell more and make more money. No one hires people just because there is a tax cut, they hire people to satisfy demand.
See how difficult that is?
Posted by mcblogger at 09:15 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Up past your bedtime. Senator?
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 07:30 AM | Comments (1)
Webb knocks the response out of the park
"These presidents took the right kind of action for the benefit of the American people and for the health of our relations around the world. Tonight, we are calling on this president to take similar action in both areas. If he does, we will join him. If he does not, we will be showing him the way."
Posted by mcblogger at 01:35 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 23, 2007
We like to gamble...
and we know you do as well. Which is why it's good that Senator Ellis filed SJR8, a bill that would allow the public to vote to amend the Texas Constitution and allow casino gaming here in Texas.
Texas Democrat Senator Rodney Ellis is proposing licensing up to 12 casinos across the state, mainly in major cities and on tourist islands along the gulf coast. Voters would then have to approve this proposal - by approving a state constitutional amendment. Then local voters would have to take a vote before a casino could be built in their cities.
So, for all you NIMBY folks out there, you'll get a chance to make sure, during a local election, that the big bad casinos won't be near your home.
There are a couple of realities that people opposing this, both liberals and conservatives, need to understand:
1) People are going to gamble. They've been going to Louisiana for years, not to mention Vegas.
2) Texas should benefit from the money spent by Texans on gambling.
3) Re-read 1 and 2 until it sinks in.
Honestly, I get the argument that this is yet another regressive tax. However, I don't see it that way at all. This is a tax on a business, nothing more. If you're worried about people spending money they don't have, then do something about it like restricting advertising and create a gambling commission that provides assistance to those who become addicts. Don't restrict those of us who do have a modicum of self control and want to gamble every now and then.
Posted by mcblogger at 04:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Central Texas has it's very own detention camp
Eye on Williamson has more on the T. Don Hutto facility/prison camp which is being used by ICE to house families (minus the fathers, who are sent to another facility) that are in the United States illegally. That's right, families. EOW has done extensive research on this facility and the abuses at it. Now the contract with the private operator, CCA, is up for renewal the WillCo commissioners are set to vote on it this Thursday. Check out the link to EOW for information on contacting the commissioner's court or attending the public meeting.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Here's the next bad idea coming to Texas
It's always good to look at other states and see what kind of stupid things their leaders are doing. It's a nice way of finding out, many times, what's going to come out of the mouth of some idiot Republican here in Austin. Like Dan Patrick. Or Mike Krusee.
Illinois is thinking about privatizing their lottery organization to raise money for schools.
The state of Illinois is hoping to attract investors to pay as much as $10 billion in a jackpot bid for its lottery system, according to a newspaper report.The sale of the system is likely to be one of the biggest privatizations of a state-run program and may occur as soon as the spring, The New York Times reported.
Illinois will receive a multibillion dollar one-time payment as the sale is expected to raise more than $1 billion with annual payments of $200 million, the Times said.
"Gambling is getting so competitive around the world that we're worried our revenues could go down unless there is retail expertise," John Flilan, chief operating officer of Illinois, said to the paper. "This is fundamentally a retail business and governments are not equipped to manage retail business."
Last year, the lottery collected revenue of nearly $2 billion and profits around $630 million. The new owner would receive all revenue and profit for 75 year, the Times said.
So, you're going to give up $430 Mn annually for a one time payment of $1 Bn? Gee, this seems really smart. Oh, but then there is the fear that if we don't give it up, they will start losing revenue because of a lack of retail expertise, per Joe Flilan. I guess Joe never thought of hiring someone with retail expertise? You know, to walk him through the complexities of running a lottery as a retail business...
Let me say it again... selling off assets only makes sense if you can do so at a premium. That's not the case here and it won't be in Texas, either.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Ethically speaking...
Gotta love some research on all the ethics violations committed by elected officials in Texas. Y'all need to get your shit together or get out of politics.
Seriously, I know expense reports are pain in the ass, but you don't even have to do yours, you can hire someone to do that.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:41 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 22, 2007
It's 6:30, do you know where our CAMPO board members are?
The CAMPO Phase II meeting, which was to start at 6:00, has still not started. The conf room is packed, but a quorum isn't present because of a wreck on MOPAC. Apparently, our board members are not smart enough to do what I do almost daily... Take an alternate route when MOPAC is jammed up.
Come on, y'all! Briscoe and Jabba Gattis managed to make it! We need you to be here so we can riot and sacrifice you all to the freeway gods!
UPDATE: 6:40 Jennifer Kim, Krusee and 'Can I sell you a car?' Maxwell have arrived. Finally. Krusee and Maxwell are now chatting privately while watching the crowd that is, apparently, unified in opposition to tolls. The gutless Ogden, apparently has sent an alternate. Kirk just walked so I guess now we can begin.
Krusee... Damn. He just looks like a mook. Granted, beating up on him is a bit like kicking a puppy. It's a shame for him I have no compunction about kicking puppies.
UPDATE:7:11 - some guy just spoke and finished with 'remember Karen Sonleitner' and the crowd erupted. It's weird because most of these people don't look like your traditional activist nutters, they all look normal. Sal Costello is speaking now about Watson's time as Mayor of Austin regarding the prop 1 bond issue which was supposed to be for free roads.
UPDATE 8:48 - Sal Costello asks the board to drop the six month waiting period before the vote on the Phase II plan and vote against it tonight. Pandomonium erupts including one jackass sitting down from me who kept yelling 'Can you hear us now, Watson'.
Dukes has just made an amendment regarding the racial makeup of CAMPO which is kinda funny because honestly the current makeup of the board actually looks a lot like the racial makeup of Austin metro. This amendment was to the motion made by Maxwell to adopt item 5 which were the changes proposed by the CoC.
Someone is speaking now asking them to move up item 10 which is Phase II.
Just to clarify, the Gattis mentioned here is his stand in because his grandmother died.
Posted by mcblogger at 06:31 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Selling off the future
(By the way, please don't miss the CAMPO Phase II meeting tonight at 6:00. Directions are here or here)
The KC InfoZine (viaSomervell County Salon) has a great article up about what's really going on with toll roads and 'innovative finance'. It's nothing more than government selling off assets as quickly as they can so that they don't have to raise taxes.
Several big deals were consummated in 2006, even as a resurgent economy and the return of surpluses gave most states a respite from penny-pinching. Another form of easy money - tax revenues from legalized gambling - also is helping to keep state coffers brimming. And states, like credit card-crazed shoppers, are borrowing more money than ever through the bond markets.The prize of cash upfront is what's driving the new phenomenon of states marketing public assets to private corporations....
Critics argue that private firms are apt to jack up tolls and fees because they have to keep investors, not voters, happy. Others worry that states will fritter away the upfront money.
In Texas, the spendthrift Republicans are selling off the assets before they've even been built. Maybe that is the 'innovative' thing about the financing. Why be honest with the citizens of this state about the need for taxes and the utilization of them to expand and maintain the infrastructure on which our economy depends? It's so much easier to sell off the assets paid for with tax dollars for a one-time windfall that can be used to buy candy for the populace and put off the day when the world crashes down around us.
Posted by mcblogger at 04:01 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Phil King, a rabbi and a priest are in an accident...
Stop me if you've heard this one before.
A rabbi and a priest get into a car accident and it's a bad one. Both cars are totally demolished, but amazingly, neither are hurt. They crawl out of their cars and the rabbi sees the priest's collar and says, "So you're a priest. I'm a rabbi. Just look at our cars. There's nothing left but we are unhurt. This must be a sign from God. God must have meant that we should meet and be friends and live together in peace the rest of our days." And the priest said, "I agree with you completely. This must be a sign from God."And the rabbi said, "and look at this. Here's another miracle. My car is completely demolished but this bottle of Mogen David wine didn't break, surely God wants us to drink this wine and celebrate our good fortune. And so he handed the bottle to the priest. The priest said he agreed, took a few big swigs, and handed the bottle back to the rabbi. The rabbi took the bottle, didn't drink at all, put the cap on, and handed it back to the priest. The priest asked, "aren't you going to have any?" And the rabbi replied, "No . . . I think I'll just wait for the police."
What exactly does this have to do with Phil King? Not a damn thing, I just thought the joke was kinda funny unlike Phil King's bill to keep the poor from voting. Of course, much as the joke has nothing to do with King, his bill has nothing to do with 'protecting the integrity of the vote'. Do I thi