March 31, 2007
Lame consultants, lame ideas and ignoring reality
The ever graceless Greg Wythe has an opinion on the Texas Senate race... to attack bloggers.
So why are Texas Democratic bloggers pitching such a heated fight on his behalf? Why shoot down another Democrat when nobody's announced for the contest in question?
Horseshit. There may be a few that have decided to support Noriega, but NONE are pitching a fight. You're trying, just like Kos did, to paint us all with one brush. Needless to say, it's a douchie thing to do.
2005 was a point in time when several leading bloggers (even not-so-leading ones such as myself), espoused the view that we should "run everywhere." I still maintain that view, for what it's worth. But now, instead of engaging in something productive, the Texas left-Blogosphere is engaging in what might best be labelled "Only Run Pre-Approved Candidates." You'd think they won something on a scale big enough to warrant the sort of ring-kissing they now demand. Last I checked, every statewide elected official is Republican. Such stature might be more becoming of a bit more teamwork. No matter how I crunch the numbers, our challenge as a party does not result from the overpopulation of Democrats.I've said this privately in other forums, but I'll state it publically now: the leftwing Texas blogosphere has jumped the shark. That might be harmless enough if it weren't for the fact that they now see it as their mission to inflict damage on otherwise great Dems like Rick Noriega and Nick Lampson.
First off, no one in the Texas Netroots is going after Lampson, unless your referring to an honest assessment of him as a candidate. If that's the case, then I can't say much other than 'you're wrong' and I would offer as proof his 'victory' last fall which resulted more from legal maneuvering than his skill as a candidate. Oh, don't get me wrong... he's a better person than anyone the Republicans could have brought forth. Nevertheless, it's tough for someone like Nick to get elected in this day and age given the sophistication of the electorate. He comes across as lame. In person and in his ads. Maybe it's his team or maybe it's him. However, he doesn't get a pass either way for being a 'good guy'. You gotta be a 'good guy' AND electable. You and others who've been running and losing for years don't get it. Why not listen to others for a change and quit picking candidates that couldn't generate enough excitement to get a puppy to jump around.
As for any of us demanding that someone KISS OUR RING, you've got to be joking. This is like saying if the strategists running around offering money had just talked to us first we'd be OK with a Lampson Senate race and nothing could be further from the truth. I do have to admit that the top-down nature of this sucks ass, as does the intimidation. No candidate need be pre-approved by anyone. For example, some of my fellow losers bloggers have decided to support Rick Noriega. Some have decided to support Pete Gallego. I've not decided on anyone and have instead opted to wait until the session is over before giving any of this serious consideration unlike Greg who has thrown his heft behind Lampson apparently. Before you think too highly of Greg's skill as a candidate picker, keep in mind that he was one of the ones leading the charge against Bob Gammage last year during the primary. As a result of that primary, we got a guy as a gubernatorial candidate who couldn't hold the Democratic base in a four way race. So much for Greg and his pathetic opinion.
The only thing on which Texas Bloggers all agree is that we'll all do what we can on our own to remove Corpsyn from office. None of us are out to damage anyone, other than Corpsyn.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:42 AM | Comments (10) | TrackBack
School has changed a lot since my day
All we ever got to do in shop was make candlestick holders.
Only one high school was celebrating but it was V.E. Day yesterday – Victory in Etobicoke.
The delivery of a World War II Sherman Firefly tank, a combat veteran of the European battlefields, to Etobicoke Collegiate Institute, was a triumph for teacher Sean Carney after a months-long campaign that he was told he couldn't win.
"We'll have to rent a crane to get it off," said Alex Bihuniak, 16. He's more into muscle cars and hot rods but was beside himself with excitement. "To work on a piece of history like this ... it's mind-boggling. I've only ever seen these in the movies."
Laurie LeFresne, 15, was just as thrilled, even though she's more interested in horses. "Not everyone in this class wants to be a mechanic," she said. "This is so cool, so amazing. I'm so nervous but I can't wait to get started. It's ... a tank. End of story!"
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 07:38 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 30, 2007
Success is a seminar away
So, my flight to Dallas last week was pretty quick and I decided not to break out my computer or the magazines I brought. Which left me with the inflight magazine which I normally avoid like the plague. But I'm glad I picked this one up because ONE WEEKEND CAN MAKE ME A MILLIONAIRE! Allow me to explain...
The Learning Annex is bringing these Douches to Dallas to teach us about how to invest in Real Estate (never mind that the big attraction, Donald Trump, went bankrupt in Real Estate) and make millions. After you pay them to attend their seminar. Hey, Tony Robbins ain't some cheap bitch and thgis seminar COULD. CHANGE. YOUR. LIFE.
The cost for a weekend with these folks. And hundreds of others who, like you, were dumb enough to buy into this shit? $299 if you're an AA passenger (just click the link... I've already taken that bullet for the team). This it doesn't work? Just look at this, you doubting Helen Thomas
HA. Guess you got schooled. 'Tard. Obviously, there will be some out there who still don't believe. For them I present... The Donald
Had enough? They are even cutting the price! Please someone in Dallas go to this. I would, but it would require a trip to Dallas and I don't have that kind of time to be on the road. Those are valuable drinking hours that would be wasted.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Edwards rolls out E2 plan and Gore may be running
With all the news about his wife, I think this kinda got lost in the mix...
Also visiting the American heartland was presidential candidate Edwards, a former Democratic U.S. senator and 2004 vice presidential nominee, who offered his plan for energy independence and curbing climate change."Our generation must be the one that says, 'we must halt global warming,'" Edwards said in Iowa, one of the early testing grounds of the 2008 White House race. " ... It won't be easy, but it is time to ask the American people to be patriotic about something other than war."
More on the plan here.
Then this popped up a few days ago on Political Wire
"Gore was a bit heavy when I talked to him, and it's long been said of Gore that you know he's running if he loses weight. People who've seen him since my interview tell me he's lost some weight."-- XM satellite radio host Bob Edwards, quoted by the DC Examiner, on whether Al Gore will run for president.
Gore decides to run? That would really throw a wrench in things for Hillama.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:22 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Mein eyes! Mein eyes!
This is the one of the lamest things you'll see all year... The Dancing Buttertroll
Coby over at Bay Area Houston sucks for even pointing me to this. Seriously, John, I hate you now.
If this isn't a good enough reason for abortion to be widespread and legal, I don't know what is. I've never seen this many people in need of a good lay. Never.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:06 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Thanks for the stupid idea. Now here's what we're going to do...
Right from the get-go, there have been whispers and bullshit-a-flying about who is going to run against Corpsyn. It's a gimme seat but you still need the right candidate. You can't have some lamer with a bad, weak, ridiculous strategy. I've heard of two candidates, in particular, that I like. Gallego and Noreiga. I've been hearing over the last few days that Hank may get in the race. I've talked to Hank about it and (having worked with him last year) know that he dislikes Corpsyn with the heat of 1,000 suns.
Hank told me that people have talked to him but that he hasn't made a decision. Honestly, I don't think he'll run as he really wants to be Agriculture Commissioner. However, he also realizes he could do a lot for agriculture in the Senate that isn't being done. Still, my bet is that he's hoping someone with some legislative experience will run. It IS nice to know that if all else fails Hank will step in. God knows, if any Democrat can pull Republicans, it's Hank and out of all the people that have been mentioned so far he has the best name ID and the highest likelihood of sailing through a primary, even without much money. Should he decide to run, he's going to be the one to beat.
That aside, the fact remains that no one has announced yet and summer just around the corner. It's obvious someone needs to step up.
That someone should not be Congressman Nick Lampson. As has been widely reported, the Beltway folks and certain elements in Texas are actively persuading candidates NOT to get into the race. Their preferred candidate is Nick Lampson. The same Nick Lampson who beat a Republican write-in by, what, 10% of the vote? The same Nick Lampson who will more than likely be unable to hold his congressional seat for the Democrats. This is the Nick Lampson they want to run against Corpsyn.
Before you say, 'Hey, McBlogger, these guys are in their positions for a reason. They are bright and they must know something you don't' keep in mind that these are some of the same strategists who brought us resounding Democratic victories in Texas in 1994,1996, 1998, 2002, 2006. The same people who made it impossible for Hank to raise money and only AFTER the election did any of them say 'Hey. He coulda won. Who'd have thunk it?' The same people who decided not to help the other statewide D candidates at all.
Needless to say, their ability to pick good candidates is kinda the suck. And now they've picked Nick Lampson.
The reality is that it's going to take money, buzz and a good candidate for anyone to beat Corpsyn. Nick may have the money, but he's not a good candidate. I've seen him speak and it's frankly uninspiring. Do I think he's a bad guy? No. Do I think he tries to play it safe. Yes, and that's precisely what will help Corpsyn hold his seat. We need someone to run hard, aggressive and right in Corpsyn's face. Someone who will break him down month after month and never let up.
Don't get me wrong. I like Nick. I think he's a great Congressman, probably second only to Austin's Lloyd Doggett in constituent services. His voting record is great and I don't want this to come across as 'bashing Nick Lampson'. It's not bashing to point out that someone would not make a good candidate. That's reality.
A good candidate is someone who doesn't try to play on the fears and worries of the people they're hoping will vote for them. Someone who doesn't pander but instead convinces folks that they're right. Someone who makes a solid case for why they should be elected, as opposed to someone who'll merely work off polling and determine what issues they'll address based on which appear to be the ones most important to voters. Most of the time the most important issues are the ones people don't know about. Issues where they've gotten so used to be screwed they don't think anything better is possible. The candidate who will convince them that better is possible is the one for this race because that's the person who will win. Corpsyn will pander. Let our candidate inspire.
That guy ain't Nick and the consultants pushing this are just plain wrong. We'll be supporting someone else.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:06 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Take THAT, FloShap! You freak!
Great job, House D's and the few R's who crossed the aisle and voted with them. The House has approved a budget that increases teacher pay for ALL teachers and eliminates funding for vouchers. Great work, y'all! The full press release is in the supersize.
HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kevin Vickers
March 29, 2007 (512) 463-0508
HOUSE DEMOCRATS PASS HISTORIC TEACHER PAY RAISE, KILL SCHOOL VOUCHERS
~ BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIC PRIORITIES ~
AUSTIN—Texas House Democrats passed an historic increase in teacher pay and killed efforts
to fund private school vouchers today, flying in the face of opposition from Republican Speaker
of the House Tom Craddick. Led by Reps. Rick Noriega (D-Houston) and Joe Heflin (DCrosbyton),
Democrats in the House led a bipartisan coalition to convert a controversial and
divisive teacher incentive pay program—which is opposed by teachers across the state—into an
across-the-board pay raise for every teacher in Texas and drove a nail into the coffin of private
school vouchers.
During today's debate on the $165 billion Texas budget, Rep. Noriega authored a measure to
increase teacher pay by approximately $900 annually for every Texas teacher, librarian,
counselor, and nurse.
"Hardworking Texas teachers deserve to be paid what they are worth. Texas teachers are paid
thousands of dollars below the national average. The teacher pay raise we passed today will help
to get Texas teacher pay closer to the national average," commented House Democratic Leader
Jim Dunnam.
Following the vote increasing teacher pay, Rep. Heflin led a bipartisan coalition to kill efforts to
rob public schools to pay for private school vouchers.
"Texans have spoken and we've been on their side—we hear them loud and clear," said Rep.
Dunnam. "Texans support our public schools and they simply do not believe it is right to rob our
public schools to pay for more failed social experiments. Today, a bipartisan majority of the
House rejected the radicalism of Rick Perry, Tom Craddick, and James Leininger."
"By passing an across-the-board pay raise for Texas teachers and killing vouchers, House
Democrats are delivering on the promises we have made the people of Texas. We will continue
to work hard for hard-working families," Rep. Dunnam concluded.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:04 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 29, 2007
I want this...
This is the OQO Model 2 which has finally begun to ship in quantity. It's not that expensive and when you really think about it, the hours of fun you get reading McBlogger are entertaining and FREE. Just think about what you'd be spending money on instead and you'll realize it's $1,499 sales price is really a bargain. You know, because you're reading this instead of drinking or gambling.
The Mayor has been wanting to put ads all over the site and I've resisted... so far. Mostly because I think they are ugly and the nasty looks I get from people when I tell them "I'm a blogger" are usually more than enough payment for doing this at no cost to you.
All I'm asking is that you take the next step of buying me something I want. Something that will allow me to blog from anywhere without killing myself on my damn BlackBerry. Something that I don't REALLY need but just want. Seriously, you know you want to.
Quit laughing and get that credit card out! Your family doesn't need to eat THAT bad.
Posted by mcblogger at 06:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
RIAA battle continues
Apparently, someone thinks Gizmodo is going about their anti-DRM campaign all wrong.
Instead of demonizing them for doing the only thing they know how to do, why don't you come up with a better way? You guys understand the future of tech and what it means for music and movies better than most anyone, so why don't you stop throwing rocks at the dinosaurs and start solving the problem.
To which Gizmodo responds...
Now, I realize that these guys aren't evil incarnate and we just share differing beliefs, but I don't think I've demonized them personally too much (well, maybe a little bit yesterday). This is clearly an ideological debate, and we're just trying to get people talking about it so progress can be made.As for us needing to solve the problem, to be fair, we're a blog. It isn't our job to develop new products or services, and I certainly would have no idea where to start doing something like that. If anyone has new, groundbreaking ideas or innovations in this field, of course I would love to post them here and get them publicity. However, there's a huge line between writing about technology and developing technology.
Plus, I write 13 posts a day, dude. There are only so many hours around to do stuff in. Publicizing the issue and educating people about what's at stake is our way of helping to solve the problem, as far as I'm concerned.
Honestly, I hate the RIAA. I think they are struggling to remain relevant in a world where technology has completely overwhelmed them. The reality is that with or without penalties, there will always be a percentage of the population that will steal stuff. Get over it.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Toll Road Madness
Via EOW...
To Senator Carona and our Texas Lawmakers,You have a chance to actually stand up for all Texans and stop the surge of selling our roads to private companies and selling out drivers to be at the mercy of excessive price-gouging professionals. It seemed like politicians were actually listening to the many, many people who are outraged about being tolled to death by private companies and TxDOT. With a huge majority of leaders in the Senate and in the House already signed on to stop Toll Fever, I cannot for the life of me figure out why the brakes have been applied. We don’t want tollroads, no matter who builds them. We do not want to drive around with cameras pointed at our butts, then receive 10 bills from 10 different toll companies with 10 different fees/charges.
It is very simple and the public gets it: TxDot needs money and tollroads/TTC are the quickest way to get resources for other projects. This upfront money will then be used for other projects around Texas. Threats of “delayed projects” have started making the papers. Have you seen the $1.00 charge for “invoice fee” at the bottom of a toll bill? What about the rumored $1.50 “camera fee”? What other hidden charges or increases can we expect from these For-Profit companies?
I have three of the same form letters from Gov. Rick Perry saying that “to convert an existing tollroad into a tollroad the public has to vote on it”. WHAT VOTE? Is this letter referring back to vote back in 2001 (Amendment 15) in which the governor loves to say that “we voted for tollroads all across Texas” and the “conversion to toll vote”? Put it very clearly on the next state ballot and see what your answer will be!
Don’t we have a $13 billion surplus? There are other forms of taxation or revenue that the state needs to look at first. Also, if we’re embracing public-private partnerships, why not let corporations “sponsor” our roadways instead of OWN them? Example: the ExxonMobil I35 Interstate. Let them pay millions to have their name/signs, while we still get to keep our state road system.
It took decades for our Texas Highway system to be outdated, mismanaged, or ignored. Interstate 35 has been 2 lanes since the 1960’s! We’re not buying the threat of “delayed projects” as an excuse for TxDOT/politicians to get in bed with for-profit only companies. Private tollroads and the TTC are the biggest and most shameful Land-and-Money Grabs that Texas has ever seen! Why do you think so many people (Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and former apathetic voters) are furious and loudly speaking out? But, ……… are you listening?
You have a choice:
a) Side with Private Business, Special Interests Groups, Lobbyists
b) Side with THE PEOPLE OF YOUR STATEWe are watching very, very closely. What’s it going to be?
Linda Lancaster
WOW. What she said.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 28, 2007
Amazing expressions of religious tolerance, Part 2354
Radical cleric James Dobson looks at potential GOP presidential candidate Fred Thompson. What do you thinkt he sees?
Focus on the Family founder James Dobson appeared to throw cold water on a possible presidential bid by former Sen. Fred Thompson while praising former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who is also weighing a presidential run, in a phone interview Tuesday.
"Everyone knows he's conservative and has come out strongly for the things that the pro-family movement stands for," Dobson said of Thompson. "[But] I don't think he's a Christian; at least that's my impression," Dobson added, saying that such an impression would make it difficult for Thompson to connect with the Republican Party's conservative Christian base and win the GOP nomination.
In a follow-up phone conversation, Focus on the Family spokesman Gary Schneeberger stood by Dobson's claim. He said that, while Dobson didn't believe Thompson to be a member of a non-Christian faith, Dobson nevertheless "has never known Thompson to be a committed Christian—someone who talks openly about his faith."
"We use that word—Christian—to refer to people who are evangelical Christians," Schneeberger added.
Hmmmm
Matt 6:5-6
5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Take that, Jesus!
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 09:16 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
He was on his way to Wednesday church service
Hypocrisy can be sooo amusing at times!
Posted by mcblogger at 04:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Could Richardson be more pathetic...
via Political Wire
According to the New York Observer, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) is pursuing a second choice strategy in his presidential campaign fundraising.Said Richardson: "I appeal to funders that say, 'I’m for Senator Clinton,' and I say, 'O.K., that’s fine. But make me your second choice. Help me out too.'"
Posted by mcblogger at 01:17 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
In the news...
Posted by mcblogger at 11:50 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Covenant Marriage? Can't we just set the money on fire?
Kuffner has more on Warren Chisum's latest craptacular idea. Seriously, there isn't a better way to waste taxpayer dollars? Maybe setting them on fire? Buying Debbie Riddle an outfit from a store other than Talbot's Outlet?
Seriously, someone's gotta have a better idea than paying for this bullshit. Especially when more than 10% of Texans can't even get married.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
NEW FEATURE! Troll Time
We (meaning just me since everyone else was passed out) have decided to bring you a new feature for your reading enjoyment. It's because we're givers. Seriously, we're all the time giving things to people. Like headaches and the desire for a scotch and soda.
We're calling this Troll Time because it's a time for you, our viewers, to see what the trolls under the spell of TinaFish are doing.
That's it for now! Have a goodun!
Posted by mcblogger at 01:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 27, 2007
Bailout
You may have missed this, but last week washed-up presidential candidate Tom Vilsack threw his support to Hillary Clinton. This endorsement, which has the potential of influencing literally dozens of votes, now seems to have paid off for the former Iowa governor.
Democratic presidential contender Hillary Rodham Clinton has agreed to help one-time candidate Tom Vilsack, who endorsed her on Monday, as he seeks to retire a campaign debt of more than $400,000.
Clinton spokesman Mark Daley said he was uncertain how Clinton would go about raising money for Vilsack, but he conceded that at some point, she would have to contact her supporters. "Someone in her shop is going to have to reach out," Daley said.
Vilsack's campaign lasted a couple of weeks and he's Four Hundred Thousand Dollars in debt? I guess that campaign zeppelin was a bad investment.
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 10:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
K-Fed is NOT looking to get back with his meal ticket
Just in case you were wondering, Kevin Federline is NOT looking to get back with Britney. Because she's fucked up and all. And he's super important.
A source told Us Weekly magazine: "I talked to Kevin about Britney and he said he's not getting back together with Britney. At least not right now. He just wants to be a friend for her."She has told him she would get back with him, but he's trying to just do the right thing for everyone right now, but he doesn't want to go back there again."
Another source claims the couple were close to working out a divorce settlement earlier this year, until Britney's wild partying caused Kevin and his lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, to intervene.
Britney has reportedly fallen for RIVA lead guitarist Jason Filyaw after meeting him at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
Does anyone even care about K-Fed any more? Did anyone ever care about K-Fed? Oh, yeah Kevin. I totally believe that Britney wants your skank ass back.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
When Reason just don't make no sense
Few things will anger me more than disingenuous arguments in support of toll roads. Kuff pointed me to an op/ed piece in the HouChron by Geoffrey Segal, director of government reform at the Reason Foundation. These were the same fucko's who thought utility deregulation would be a smashing success. Even CATO doesn't say that any more.
So, before we go into debunking his actual arguments let's all admit that the idiot has no credibility. It will be interesting to see how much money interested parties gave Reason last year. Trust me, that's the MO... there will more than likely be a donation from a construction company or financier that is depending on the corporate welfare of the 'public-private partnerships' for future profits. That's reality. Reason touts this as freeing the market from government control when in reality it is nothing more than funneling public funds to private corporations. I'm thinking not so much. In fact most people agree with it's a super bad idea. For an organization that cares so much about free enterprise one has to wonder why they are so interested in giving welfare to anyone.
Of course, we should actually look at what Geoff wrote:
It seems many of the state Texas legislators who want to delay toll roads until 2009, at the earliest, have forgotten why the governor, Legislature and Texas Transportation Commission agreed to allow state and local agencies to partner with the private sector in the first place: TxDOT The Texas Department of Transportation is short $86 billion it needs to meet its congestion reduction goals as the state Texas adds another 13 million residents over the next two decades.State lawmakers could raise the gas tax, which is supposed to pay for roads. But because of inflation and more fuel efficient vehicles, the 20 cents per gallon tax isn't even enough to maintain existing roads, let alone build needed new highways. Lawmakers haven't raised the gas tax since 1991 and show no signs of wanting to push the massive tax increase that would be needed to produce $86 billion.
Remember the $86 bn estimate that TTI pooped all over? Kuff does. So do I. So why would the douche from Reason not remember that it had been debunked? Possibly because it makes for a less interesting op/ed and by 'less interesting' I mean 'thoroughly unconvincing'.
EVERYONE realizes the gas tax is the better alternative to private toll roads. Except Krusee who's still fixated on how regressive gas taxes are and still pimping that straw man argument that tolls primarily effect those in the suburbs.
As for the raising the gasoline tax, Krusee said he was okay with that. But he added that he was going to make sure his colleagues knew that it was one of the most “regressive taxes” on the planet. He said most of the toll roads on the drawing board will benefit people living in the suburbs, who for the most part are affluent Republicans. “When we do a fuel tax, people in the inner city are not only subsidizing people who live in the suburbs, but they’re also subsidizing NAFTA trucks carrying goods from Monterrey to Chicago.”
We addressed that, Mikey. Guess you were too busy on a time machine to notice. The one thing even the normally progressive Texas Observer forgot to think about is that these roads are going to be built EVERYWHERE. We're all going to be driving on them. Given that it catches all segments of the population, doesn't it make more sense to spread the burden as cheaply as possible. One thing that never gets mentioned regarding the gas tax is that it, much like tolls, it's more expensive for those who use the roads the most.
Either way we are going to be paying usage fees. Given that, just being smart would necessitate going with the option that gives you the most road for your buck, the gas tax. Of course, the Lege has never really been interested in doing the smart thing.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:45 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 26, 2007
Of all the scandals in all the capitals in all the world
And a dame named Monica had to walk into this one.
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 07:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Preacher is applying for the job of God
The Rev. R. Albert Mohler Jr., one of the country's pre-eminent evangelical leaders, acknowledged that he irked many fellow conservatives with an article earlier this month saying scientific research "points to some level of biological causation" for homosexuality.Proof of a biological basis would challenge the belief of many conservative Christians that homosexuality - which they view as sinful - is a matter of choice that can be overcome through prayer and counseling.
However, Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., was assailed even more harshly by gay-rights supporters. They were upset by his assertion that homosexuality would remain a sin even if it were biologically based, and by his support for possible medical treatment that could switch an unborn gay baby's sexual orientation to heterosexual.
"He's willing to play God," said Harry Knox, a spokesman on religious issues for the Human Rights Campaign, a national gay-rights group. "He's more than willing to let homophobia take over and be the determinant of how he responds to this issue, in spite of everything else he believes about not tinkering with the unborn."
Josef Mengele may be dead but it's good to see there are those willing to carry on his good work.
Posted by mcblogger at 03:20 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
OK, OK... who y'all gonna run against Inhofe?
Think Progress (via PD@Pink Dome) has some AWESOME video up of Gore's testimony on Global Warming. Inhofe, the massive douche from just north of Texas, tries to trap him and Gore smacks the bitch down. However, Inhofe, like a degenerate drunk gambler, decides to press his luck only to have his teeth kicked in by Barbara Boxer. Gotta.Fucking.Love.It.
Bless all of you in CA who voted for Boxer. She sooo totally ROCKS!
Posted by mcblogger at 12:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Rehab's a bitch...
Yes, It's Amy Winehouse. And I did know that Britney completed her special appearance at Promises. That doesn't stop this from making me laugh my ass off.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 25, 2007
Recovery is kind of a mess...
You've probably noticed that we've not been too active today. It's because we're all feeling like shit, at least I am... the trip to Vegas wiped me out and since I returned I've been dealing with some personal issues. All I can say about that is that emotions are bitch and it's never easy when someone shits all over you.
To all the players out there, I salute you. May you find something that makes you happy so you'll stop fucking with the rest of us. God knows we're all sick to death of your sociopathic bullshit.
That aside, The Mayor informs me that we've not been nearly mean enough to Cornyn. Look for that to change rapidly. Also, expect more on the tolls and vouchers as things move forward in the Lege. FloShap is still pimping her jackass bill, using autistic kids and this families as a shield from negative PR.
Needless to say, the bullshit is flowing freely from the Lege and we're back in town. A little angry and a whole lot sad but we're back. And loaded for bear.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:44 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 24, 2007
Birthday time at McBlogger
Today we celebrate the birthday of one of our nearest and dearest, Mayor McSleaze. It was an unusually cold and stormy March day in 1857 when he first entered the world and began his rise to dominance. From those humble beginnings, he's risen to preeminence as an owner of chemical companies, shoe manufacturing centers and animal rendering facilities around the world. The Third World. Where laws are lax and you're only a bribe away from pumping raw toxic effluent some villages drinking water. Eh, third legs and arms are occasionally helpful!
His uncommon business sense has endeared him to all of us here at McBlogger, especially those of us he hasn't pressed into working on one of his 'projects'. Because we know the pitfalls of indentured servitude and we don't like to sign contracts in blood. We also remember just how vengeful The Mayor can be. None of us will forget his invention of the 'boy band' as vengeance for the UN Convention Against Poisoned Postage Stamp Adhesive of 1966. Every time we hear Backstreet Boys we shiver just a little at the pure, evil genius that is Mayor McSleaze.
So, I hope you'll all join me in wishing The Mayor a happy sesquicentennial!
Other Celebrity Birthdays today:
Peyton Manning (1976)
Louise Armstrong (1953)
Fatty Arbuckle (1887)
Steve McQueen (1930)
A Giant Burning Building (1974)
Posted by mcblogger at 02:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
They meant his career
Apparently, the fine folks at Wikipedia make mistakes, just like real humans. They're cool like that. The Statesman, being neither human or cool, is shocked because the Wikipedia entry for alleged comedian Sinbad declared him dead.
Actor-comedian Sinbad had the last laugh after his Wikipedia entry announced he was dead, the performer said Thursday.Rumors began circulating Saturday regarding the posting, said Sinbad, who first got a telephone call from his daughter. The gossip quieted, but a few days later the 50-year-old entertainer said the phone calls, text messages and e-mails started pouring in by the hundreds.
"Saturday I rose from the dead and then died again," the Los Angeles-based entertainer told The Associated Press in a phone interview.
The St. Petersburg-based nonprofit organization, which describes itself as "the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit," leaves it to a vast user community to catch factual errors and other problems. Apparently, someone edited it to say Sinbad died of a heart attack. By the time the error was caught, e-mail links of the erroneous page had been forwarded to hundreds of people.
A note on Sinbad's Wikipedia page Thursday night said the site has been temporarily protected from editing to deal with vandalism.
Wikipedia was created in 2001 as a Web research tool. It has more than 1.6 million articles, contributed by members of the public.
A telephone call and an e-mail left for Wikipedia were not immediately returned Thursday night.
When asked if he was upset about the mix-up, Sinbad, whose real name is David Adkins, just laughed.
"It's gonna be more commonplace as the Internet opens up more and more. It's not that strange," the Los Angeles-based entertainer told the Associated Press in a phone interview.
Sinbad, who is currently on the road doing stand up, said he hasn't received an apology from the Internet site. He has appeared in the films, "Houseguest," and "Jingle All the Way."
And for all of us who actually sat through 'Houseguest' I'd like to request a time machine so I can go back to talk Sinbad's mother into forcing him to be a bloodsucking lawyer or a doctor, ANYTHING other than a bad comedian!
Posted by mcblogger at 12:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 23, 2007
I'm back, bitches! Now on to drinks... Hey, I gotta catch up with Barfly who has been in town for hours.
And yes, American Airlines still sucks!
Posted by mcblogger at 11:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
As Joe Hill said
Don't mourn, fuckin' organize!
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 01:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Fuck 'em and feed 'em fish heads...
Carona Caves on toll moratorium. Senator, all the people who testified for this miasma are going to get taken out. Even the Tarrant County fuckos.
EOW would like to take a more conciliatory approach. While I love them, I'm going to disagree. I'm with Sal on this. Fuckabuncha whiny ass bullshit about killing roads in DFW. WE NEED BETTER FINANCING OPTIONS, SENATOR. FOR THE ENTIRE STATE.
Never trust a Republican to do a Democrat's work. And for all you Democrats who are wavering... primaries are fucking bitch. Remember that before you take some weak ass position. We don't forget ANYTHING.
Fickes... you are sooo toast.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:40 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
I'm watching CNN...
...and Maria Shriver looks like shit.com.
They're talking about Elizabeth Edwards. Mad props to the Edwards' for continuing the campaign. Y'all are incredible!
I can't wait to get back to Austin. I need real bars!
Posted by mcblogger at 02:24 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 22, 2007
Relaxation tips...
McSweeney's has some great tips up on how to relax at work
3.Sit down at your desk with legs crossed and head rotating. Gently place ears and teeth on floor. Lift. Repeat.
4.
Stand with knees detached, holding pelvic area extended in front of body at shoulder level, eyes closed. With neck open, take six deep breaths. Repeat.
If you can do that head thing, I still have the restraining order in place. You KNOW who you are.
Posted by mcblogger at 08:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Toll Road Nutty
Every once in a while, my mother loses it in a really ugly way. It's usually regarding a stressful time like Christmas, Thanksgiving or Last Call. My sister and I refer to the event as 'a nutty'. We usually append it with the event name (e.g., Christmas nutty) and will occasionally reference really heinous ones (like the Thanksgiving, 2003 nutty or The Library nutty) by date of occurrence or location. What makes it so funny is that the nutty is normally of short duration and afterward she's OK. I guess you could call it cathartic. Barfly and I just refer to it as time to get the hell out of the way.
Now I feel like taking a moment for my own little nutty over toll road bullshit. Which moron in Dallas city government decided to build a tollway IN THE TRINITY FLOODPLAIN? From what I've read so far on this stupid idea, the project was sold to voters in 1998 as a parkway combined with the Trinity River project. Now it's morphed into a toll road? Fortunately, Dallas Progress and others are calling bullshit loudly. Allow me to chime in: BUILDING ROADS IN A FLOOD PLAIN IS A DUMB IDEA.
Next up, EOW has some great stuff up regarding the Lege and what's expected to happen in the battle royale between Krusee and Carona. Then they posted about Ben Wear's newest column (mad props to EOW for even reading Wear) in which he writes:
For a number of reasons — campaign trail grumbling last year, disputes with Dallas and Houston toll road agencies, lack of deference to legislators by Texas transportation commissioners, turf battles over huge pots of money suddenly coming Texas’ way — the Legislature has been gripped by a sort of March madness over tollways, particularly those that would be in private hands for a half-century.What remains to be seen is what the madness will lead to by the end of the session May 28. As transportation chairman, Krusee can, in theory, block most legislation seeking to roll back tollway powers. And Perry could veto whatever makes it to his desk.But more than two-thirds of the Legislature has signed on to legislation that would put a two-year moratorium on concessions, contracts with private companies to build and run toll roads. Dozens of other bills limiting tollway powers have been filed. And powerful legislators, including Senate Finance Committee Chairman Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, are talking about using the power of the purse to curb the Transportation Department.
Perry and Krusee may have no choice but to make concessions on concessions and on other prongs of their toll road agenda.
Watch the budget,” Ogden said. “At the end of the day, TxDOT can’t spend a dime without our permission. So, watch the budget.”
The reality is that Perry will probably veto any bill, even the compromise being sought by Krusee and Williamson both of whom are politically dead men walking. That last bit of information may come as a surprise, but it's reality. Given that, I'm thinking neither will be willing to do much of anything to protect Texas taxpayers from being taken advantage of by the very laws they helped shepherd through the Lege in 2003. Which is why, in 2008, Democrats will retake the Lege and soon after things will start to change. The bottom line is that all Texans want roads. What they do not want are extremely expensive toll taxes and corporate welfare which are the only things the Perry, CradDICK, Krusee and Williamson offer.
How much money is being spent to fund the pro-TTC PR campaign going on? I know billboards aren't cheap. I also know that with each new op/ed and advertisement, opposition grows to toll roads across all Texans - Republicans, Democrats and Independents.
If, however, by some miracle Krusee does let the bills through they appear to be 'veto proof'. Which completes the emasculation of Rick Perry which CradDICK started with such zeal in 2003.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:53 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Make it stop! Make it stop! For the love of god, make it stop!
I swear if I see that damn Ben Crenshaw commercial for Time Warner's digital phone service one more time, someone is going to get cut.
When I'm on the green, I have to make all kinds of tough decidions.
You know who really makes tough decisions? How about soldiers in Iraq wondering if that car coming down the road is going to explode or not? You're trying to knock a ball into a hole in the ground.
But at least when I get home the one think I worry about is my phone service.
Don't feel too special, Ben. This is America, not Nigeria. As long you you pay the bill from time to time, NOBODY needs to worry about their phones. They just plain work.
Caller ID. On teeeveeee. Now that's better than making a thirty foot birdie putt
What Ever, Jethro.
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 07:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
A few notes from the road...
So, I'm here. Finally and only after a very rough flight courtesy of the aforementioned American Airlines. The hotel is nice, much nicer than the Minnesota trip (not to mention the OC trip which shall be forever known as the trip to hell).
Having fun. Now, I'm going to bed. Have a goodun!
Posted by mcblogger at 02:23 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 21, 2007
I hate TSA (and American Airlines, too)
My company was only able to get me a flight connecting through Dallas for reasons that have not been explained. I caught the Austin to Dallas leg with no problems, only to miss the connector to my final destination. Why?
Because I needed a cigarette and TSA sucks ASS.
My flight from Austin was a bit late but I still had 50 minutes to kill before the next one left. So, I went outside for a cigarette. Lest you think me a slow smoker, rest assured I can suck one down in under 7 minutes. However, I DID NOT anticipate how slow security at DFW would be. Bitch behind the xray conveyor looked at EVERYTHING 3 times.
I finally pulled one of the TSA mooks aside to tell them my plane was leaving in 15 MINUTES and would she please call to the gate to let them know I was on my way, to which she replied, "Oh, we don't work with the airlines and we have no way to do that". Thanks a lot, Debbie Dumbass.
I finally got to the head of the class and was able to get through. I then quickly threw my shit back in my carryon and ran to the gate. My flight wasn't leaving for another 7 minutes, tight but nothing horrible. Unless you are flying American.
Needless to say, I got to the gate 6 minutes before departure only to watch the plane pulling away. Fucking assholes.
So, I'm sitting here patiently waiting for the next available flight. Seething while I look at some stupid freak woman with a sunflower (just one) embrodiered on the back of her shirt.
TSA makes travel a pain in the ass and American Airlines is helping them. I hate you guys.
Posted by mcblogger at 03:43 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Petulant little bitch... someone slap Bush for me, 'K?
I caught just a bit of el Presidente retardado comedy hour, otherwise known as the press conference regarding the firing of US Attorneys around the country. Gonzales is in deep shit over this and Politico is saying that the White House has begun searching for another puppet to replace him.
The operative assumption, the GOP source said, is that Gonzales will go but that he will do so on his own schedule. The first stage in finding a replacement is gauging who is available among the well-established lawyers under consideration, most of whom have previously been confirmed by the Senate. "I think it is going to come down to who is willing to take the job," said the source.
During the conference, it was very clear that the combative, petty executive is alive and well. The White House claims to have given over everything requested by Congress but in reality it's heavily redacted and major pieces are missing. Then there is whether or not Rove will testify...
White House counsel Fred Fielding went to Capitol Hill with an offer Tuesday, outlined in a letter released after his meeting, offering testimony by Rove and other top aides but only if the interviews "would be private and conducted without the need for an oath, transcript, subsequent testimony or the subsequent issuance of subpoenas."Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) responded coolly to Fielding's proposal, calling it unique but "with a lot of pitfalls" that made it inadequate. "With no transcript, with no oath, with private conversations that can be contradicted, recollections can fail, you're not going to get very far," he told reporters. "Counsel Fielding … said he wanted this to be a conversation rather than a hearing. A conversation's fine. But let's have a conversation under oath with a transcript. … Mr. Fielding indicated that he did not want to negotiate, but that doesn't mean we're not going to try."
Nah, we've played that game. Swear his ass in. Rove likes to lie too much.
In a feisty statement at the White House late Tuesday afternoon, Bush told reporters in the Diplomatic Reception Room that he will not abet "show trials" by Democrats and that their initial response indicated they "appear more interested in scoring political points than in learning the facts." He said he wanted to avoid an "impasse" but said defiantly: "I will oppose any attempts to subpoena White House officials."
What Politico characterized as feisty was in fact childish. Seriously, you should have seen it if for no other reason that to understand just how little the Chief Douche respects Congress. Why can't they learn 'the facts' with sworn testimony, Mr. President? Do you seriously think it's going to inhibit someone from speaking their mind in the future?
Go to court, Mr. President. Let's see how far executive privilege really goes and settle this shit once and for all.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
I'm out...
I'm on my way to a super fun corporate meeting so blogging is going to be a little tough. The Mayor will be posting for your pleasure as I sit through meeting after meeting, occasionally managing to squeeze something out on my BlackBerry. The one bright spot? Watching some of the mooks I work with slobbering over themselves at the prospect of face time with the VP's and hitting on skanks in the hotel bar.
Yes, I'll be drinking. A lot.
A word of advice... don't piss off McSleaze. He's wicked mean, drunk or sober, and would just as soon punch you in the gut as look at you. Then he'd put your kids to work in his sweatshop.
And you bitches thought I was the mean one?
Posted by mcblogger at 10:17 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
What goes around...
...comes around, as Bush's spokesman Tony Snowjob demonstrates in his comment on that old fallback of presidents in trouble.
Executive Privilege is a Dodge
Evidently, Mr. Bush wants to shield virtually any communications that take place within the White House compound on the theory that all such talk contributes in some way, shape or form to the continuing success and harmony of an administration. Taken to its logical extreme, that position would make it impossible for citizens to hold a chief executive accountable for anything. He would have a constitutional right to cover up.
Chances are that the courts will hurl such a claim out, but it will take time.
One gets the impression that Team Bush values its survival more than most people want justice and thus will delay without qualm. But as the clock ticks, the public's faith in Mr. Bush will ebb away for a simple reason: Most of us want no part of a president who is cynical enough to use the majesty of his office to evade the one thing he is sworn to uphold -- the rule of law.
Alright, I admit I did a naughty thing. That quote actually came from an op-ed piece Snow wrote in 1998 attacking The Big Dog, so all the references to Bush should actually read "Clinton". Still, I can't fault his argument. Perhaps Tony would like to explain why we should now consider it inoperative.
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 08:45 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 20, 2007
...And they all work for Republicans
More than 30% of residents in Washington, D.C. are functionally illiterate. How's that for national pride? At a time when we are spending outrageous sums giving tax cuts to the wealthy and fighting a war with a country that didn't attack us, more than 30% of the people in our nation's capitol can barely write their names.
So much for No Child Left Behind and the future of our workforce.
Posted by mcblogger at 05:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Bell takes a job as a lobbyist...
Vince at Capitol Annex has more on it but I thought y'all would like the money quote...
Bell, who argued for ethics reform during his gubernatorial bid, said it won’t be difficult to work as a lobbyist after emphasizing ethics. He described Patton Boggs as “a very ethical firm” and said he’ll conduct himself properly.Political scientist Bruce Buchanan of the University of Texas at Austin said the career change will be worth watching.
“We’ll see if Mr. Clean can hold to those high standards in this new line of work,” Buchanan said in a story posted Sunday night on the San Antonio Express-News Web site.
Far be it from me to criticize how someone chooses to make a living but COME.ON.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
New Obama video...
Yeah, I posted it just to see if anyone would bitch.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:09 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Do you know your rights?
Via Grits comes this super cool quiz on your rights while dealing with the police. If you're stopped, do YOU know what they can and can't do?
I got 6 out of 8 which is 75%. Which means I'm an upper-end moron. You'll probably do better than me. It's because you're a nerd and all.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Sylvester Turner : Speaker CradDICK's cockwipe
There's an old saying that if you lie with dogs you shouldn't suprised when you wake up with fleas. Never has that been more true than in the case of the Iscariot Caucus who today learned they'd not only picked up some Republican fleas but that the suckers bite like a son of a bitch. Rep. Turner's partial CHIP restoration bill was killed on a point of order that was sustained by none other than the jackass they supported for another term as Speaker.
So who was it that called the point? Rep. Talton, one of the Republicans who voted against CradDICK. Proof positive, as if more was needed, that CradDICK will always put partisanship ahead of good policy.
The reality is that Turner's bill was shit. As Matt at BOR points out, it's death today makes way for a better bill later on. Of course, it more than likely won't pass either and Texas taxpayers will continue to get screwed, having to pay for more expensive emergency care instead of doing the right thing and providing cheap, cost-effective preventative care.
Regardless, it's still funny as hell that CradDICK so thoroughly used Turner who now looks like an even bigger douche than he did in January.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 19, 2007
Bitchslapping Attorney General Greg Abbott
Late in February, Attorney General Greg Abbott eschewed the law for
political grandstanding when he released GA-0519, Abbott's opinion declaring
as felons the good folks at Texas's district and county clerks' offices.
Little did he know such posturing would come back to haunt him so quickly.
Specifically, GA-0519 effectively rewrote a provision in the Public
Information Act to read that all social security numbers are private under
state law. It then went on---in a fit of "creative" lawyering--- to couple
this revision with a reference to an outdated federal law that makes it a
felony to disclose social security numbers. The result of all this activist
judging was a shutdown of Texas clerk offices, which maintain hundreds of
millions of documents, many of which contain said numbers. Open government,
in short, took a break.
People begged and pleaded for "General" Abbott to retract his opinion, when
its many legal flaws were pointed out, and after the opinion's grave
consequences spread plague-like across the state. But Abbot, lacking the
peach fuzz to admit his bad, took the unprecedented step of temporarily
abating his word for the plebes to figure it all out. And we did. Today HB
2061---a law declaring the General wrong wrongity wrong wrong wrong---passed
unanimously out of the Texas Senate and headed to the Governor, bitch
slapping Greg Abbott along the way.
Posted by Daisy at 05:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
DOJ finally getting involved in TYC...
This is what I hope will be the last post about the TYC scandal. It's not that we don't think it's important. It's that each new revelation nauseates us more than the last. Kuff's saying that the DOJ has sent a letter to 39% asking him to DO SOMETHING...
A South Texas juvenile corrections facility run by the Texas Youth Commission is so "chaotic and dangerous" that it violates the constitutional rights of the youth incarcerated there, the U.S. Justice Department told state officials Thursday.Youth-on-youth assaults at the Evins Regional Juvenile Center in Edinburg are five times the national average, the report said, and in one instance last year a corrections officer tried to subdue an unruly youth by pushing his eyes "back into his face."
A 14-page letter from Justice officials to Gov. Rick Perry detailed repeated patterns of violence that injured both youths and corrections officers at Evins. The report said the facility is poorly designed, insufficiently staffed and has corrections officers who are poorly trained.
The letter said if the problems are not fixed within 49 days, the department's Civil Rights Division may file suit against Texas to bring the facility into compliance.
I guess the DOJ hasn't been paying attention to Robert Black's valiant efforts to deflect this miasma from 39%, who is (in case you were wondering) the one ultimately responsible. I will say it's great that they are finally getting involved with this after ignoring and actively trying to cover it up for a LONG time (mad props to the LSP for picking up on that).
Posted by mcblogger at 11:51 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
When freaks run for office...
PinkDome found this and also discovered that old boy is an Eagle Scout. Which is funny, to me, because every Eagle Scout I know is gay. Watch the video and pay close attention to how he grips the light saber.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:16 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack