June 30, 2007
What's in a hand?
According to New York Magazine, more than likely your sexual orientation. The magazine has an exhaustive series on 'gayness' generally and more specifically on the genetic characteristics that differentiate gays and lesbians from heterosexuals (AKA, breeders). Here are a few characteristics found more often, for example, in gay men than in straight men:
1) Counterclockwise hair 'whorl'.
2) Being left handed
3) Index finger being longer than or as long as ring finger
Granted, none of these things are complete and total proof. For example, I know many left handed men who like to go downtown, if you know what I mean. Ewe. Straight boys are gross. However, if you have all three of these traits, send me an email and maybe we can meet for a drink, handsome!
The article delves into possible biological reasons for homosexuality as well as a cursory analysis of genetic underpinnings for homosexuality and the ethics of genetically engineering homosexuality away. The bottom line? We don't know enough and changing a child's genetics in utero is probably a bad idea. What if the purpose of homosexuality is to provide a break in certain genetic lines? What if homosexuals are in some way essential to humanity's survival as a species? What if the world becomes heterosexual only? Can you imagine the garish fashion and drab design??!?!
What those interviewed did seem to know is that the evidence all points to a genetic predisposition. Which is probably what Falwell recently found out when he finally met God. He probably also got reprimanded for pretending to talk to him all those years.
Posted by mcblogger at 04:04 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
R Kelly is a genius
Last night I went to a party to celebrate and view the first twelve chapters of R Kelly's Trapped in the Closet. Click the link and go watch. I dare you. You won't be able to stop. The fucking thing is so bad you just can't pull away from it. And there are supposedly 30 more chapters to go with the next installment due in less than 30 days.
I don't think the world is ready.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 29, 2007
Dick Cheney, the fourth branch of government
Click here for the best analysis on Cheney's claim that he is not, in fact, part of the Executive Branch.
Posted by mcblogger at 05:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The SC overturns deseg plans
What's the practical effect of the SC decision overturning racial quotas as a basis for desegregation plans? It will dramatically alter the racial profiles of schools across the country. It may also be the one thing that saves public education in this country.
Yeah, I'm not entirely sold on this being a bad thing.
For one, deseg orders were part of an era when populations were willfully separated. To this day, I still see restrictive covenants on title to real property prohibiting it's sale to 'negros', 'asians' and almost every other ethnic group. I've even seen one that covers 'those who exhibit moral turpitude'. Not exactly enlightened times. That era was also known for a practice in lending called redlining, not to mention willfully discriminating against those deemed undesirable on the basis of race, a practice that is now a violation of federal law. Those restrictive covenants are thoroughly unenforceable.
On the other side, the Constitution is now officially colorblind in all matters. To quote our learned Chief Justice...
“The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race,” he said. His side of the debate, the chief justice said, was “more faithful to the heritage of Brown,” the landmark 1954 decision that declared school segregation unconstitutional.
No, really, John, you're an idiot. Seriously, that's one of the dumbest things I've ever read. Fucktard.
The conservatives (AKA, the stupidiots), think that they have struck a blow against discrimination. By banning all discrimination based on race, no matter how well intentioned. Clarence Thomas seems especially proud of himself. Kennedy, who voted with the majority, provides the limiting guidance on the majority...
In a separate opinion that could shape the practical implications of the decision and provide school districts with guidelines for how to create systems that can pass muster with the court, Justice Kennedy said achieving racial diversity, “avoiding racial isolation” and addressing “the problem of de facto resegregation in schooling” were “compelling interests” that a school district could constitutionally pursue as long as it did so through programs that were sufficiently “narrowly tailored.”
Though the NYT doesn't read this as a slap down of the majority, it very much is. These cases were about individual children. What Kennedy is doing with his separate opinion is giving guidance on integration plans that won't be based on individuals but will, instead, be based on a broader communities.
Among the measures that Justice Kennedy said would be acceptable were the drawing of school attendance zones, “strategic site selection of new schools,” and directing resources to special programs. These would be permissible even if adopted with a consciousness of racial demographics, Justice Kennedy said, because in avoiding the labeling and sorting of individual children by race they would satisfy the “narrow tailoring” required to meet the equal protection demands of the 14th Amendment.
I wrote earlier that this may be the decision that saves public schools and I think it will be because for one thing it will force school districts to focus on overall demographics of a school population, not as much on individual students. This will hopefully keep kids in schools closer to their homes, increasing parent involvement and student achievement while maintaining racial diversity. It's a hell of a lot better than bussing little Johnny and Jenny across town because of the color of their skin.
Further, one can hope it will also force those who care about schools to get more involved in making sure that all schools are well maintained for all students. Which was the goal of Brown in the first place.
Posted by mcblogger at 03:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
I'm sorry to announce...
...that The Mayor has been arrested in Israel for assaulting 39% with pastry. The Mayor, on a business trip to purchase land for a manufacturing plant in the Palestinian Authority, ran into 39% in Tel Aviv. Upon seeing the Governor, he asked the child of an associate what would be an appropriate greeting for someone you hate and, after the suggestion was made to throw rocks, proceeded instead to hurl pies at 39%. And Robert Black.
Via phone, Mayor McSleaze said, "The kid suggested throwing rocks but to me, that was just a little too 'Third World'. So, with the help of a nearby bakery, I was able to instead throw date and fig fried pies at 39%. Truth be told, I think they were probably harder than rocks, anyway."
We're taking up a collection for his bail and legal fees. Currently, after only 20 minutes of fundraising, we have raised close to $22 million. Just by telling people that we're raising money to help someone who threw a pie at 39%.
Of course, Mayor McSleaze, being incredibly wealthy, can afford his own bail. However, his thinking is that Texans should step up and pay him for actually doing what they all want to do.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Bush stonewalls Congress
OK, Congress... go after the son of a bitch and get the evidence. It's time for some fucking accountability in the Executive Branch.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush, moving toward a constitutional showdown with Congress, asserted executive privilege Thursday and rejected lawmakers' demands for documents that could shed light on the firings of federal prosecutors.Bush's attorney told Congress the White House would not turn over subpoenaed documents from former presidential counsel Harriet Miers and former political director Sara Taylor.
Congressional panels want the documents for their investigations of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' stewardship of the Justice Department, including complaints of undue political influence.
The Democratic chairmen of the two committees seeking the documents accused Bush of stonewalling and disdain for the law, and said they would press forward with enforcing the subpoenas.
Tony Snow, while talking to reporters, had this to say...
"It's pretty clear that again members of Congress are engaged in an attempt ... to try to do what they can to make life more difficult for the White House," Snow said. "It also explains why this is the least popular Congress in decades, because you do have what appears to be a strategy of destruction rather than cooperation."
Uhm, Tony, the only reason they are a little unpopular (compared to the President who is even less popular) is that they haven't been mean enough to him. While people may be pissed at Congress, they HATE your boss. Compared to the President, Nancy Pelosi is BELOVED.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:57 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 28, 2007
Fucking hell I hate Dennis Kucinich
I'm watching the debate on PBS which is, as I thought it would be, LAMER THAN WATCHING MY HOUSEMATE'S DOG LICK THE CARPET. Kucinich was just on... I'd like to beat him up sometime. I really hate him. Sorry Kucinich fans, the guy is annoying, not altogether there and ugly as fucking hell.
I don't care to hear your thoughts on him. Please don't share them in the comments. Seriously, I feel that strongly about him. I want him out of the race because he's a fucktard. Here are the others who are POINTLESS:
Richardson - Fuckall, is there a way for him to NOT be condescending?
Biden - Two words, asshole... Bankruptcy Bill. If you don't drop out soon, the next time you're in Texas I'm going to put my foot up your ass. Then I'm going to send you a bill for the shoe.
Gravel - Actually, I'm liking his 'gruff old man/GET OFF MY LAWN, YOU ROTTEN KIDS' routine. I also like his plan to end the worthless War on Drugs. However, reality is a reality and no one wants to elect Grandpa Cranky.
/rant
Sorry, y'all, just had to get that off my chest.
Posted by mcblogger at 08:54 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Darth Cheney
Oh, I don't really know what to say about the WaPo series on Dick Cheney, other than that it's very well written and comprehensively researched. I guess I could tell you that reading it will leave you absolutely infuriated and ready to march on the White House.
It'll take a while to get through all four sections but it's well worth it to see just how far one man has gone to dismantle this country to remake it according to his own insane design.
Posted by mcblogger at 04:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Court swings right
Thanks a lot, Joe Lieberman...
The Supreme Court yesterday limited students' speech and shielded the White House faith-based program from legal challenge in 5-4 rulings that, along with a similar split in the campaign-finance case, pointed up the court's shift to the right.President Bush's two appointees, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., wrote the main opinions in those decisions, including the "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" free-speech case, as well as another ruling the administration and business groups had sought in an environmental case.
Here's the one that really pisses me off...
Alito wrote the court's opinion in Hein v. Freedom From Religion, saying that ordinary taxpayers could not challenge a White House initiative that helps religious charities get a share of federal money.The decision blocks a lawsuit by a group of atheists and agnostics who object to government conferences in which administration officials encourage religious charities to apply for federal grants.
Bush called the decision "a substantial victory for efforts by Americans to more effectively aid our neighbors in need of help."
Alito said the taxpayers set out "a parade of horribles" that they contended could happen. None did, he wrote, and "in the unlikely event that any of these executive actions did take place, Congress could quickly step in."
In dissent, Souter said the court should have let the taxpayer challenge proceed. The majority "closes the door on these taxpayers because the executive branch, and not the legislative branch, caused their injury," he wrote. "I see no basis for this distinction."
REGARDLESS, Federal money should not be going to religious organizations, no matter how well intentioned.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:50 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Equality Texas and Atticus Circle have sent out a request to sign a petition asking members of Congress to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Whatever your feelings about us homos, the reality is that the military is losing men and women, because of this stupid policy, that could be of tremendous benefit to our country. These people only want to serve and the only reason they are barred from that service is their sexual orientation.
Yeah, yeah... petitions are worthless. If that's true, then what can it possibly hurt to sign the damn thing? Take 30 seconds out of your life and do it.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:06 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 27, 2007
Clinton a fundraising machine...
Oh, if money were all it took...
With four days left for fundraising in the second quarter of 2007, it appears that Mrs. Clinton is almost certainly going to raise more money this period than a leaked Clinton campaign memo originally estimated. Just last night she raised $1 million at an event where the campaign memo had projected raising $400,000 to $500,000.That memo, which was provided to The Times last month by an uncommitted Democrat unaffiliated with any campaign, estimated that the Clinton campaign would raise roughly $27 million this quarter, which ends June 30. Some of her advisers have predicted raising $27-$30 million for the quarter.
But in recent interviews, several Democrats raising money on Mrs. Clinton’s behalf said that they were exceeding their own goals in the memo by tens of thousands of dollars, some even by hundreds of thousands. Some small-dollar fundrasiers were left off the memo, meanwhile, while a few events did not have any dollar figure attached.
The best part? She had a big event last night in NYC hosted by private equity fund and hedge fund managers. The very same people Congress is about to tax. And they don't seem concerned about a Democrat at all. Of course, Warren Buffett, the second richest man in America, has always been more for Democrats than Republicans. He had the money quote for the evening...
“Hillary Clinton is the person to run this country;” “she’s a real bargain and I’m a bargain hunter;” and, referring to the future stocks and bonds markets if Mrs. Clinton is elected, “10 years out they will be far more up than with any of the Republicans who are running now.”
Posted by mcblogger at 11:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Obligatory Ann Coulter Post
You would think the coverage accorded Paris Hilton's release from jail would be a large enough helping of self-degradation to sate the media's hunger this week. Of course, these days there's no situation so awful that can't be made worse, so I suppose it was no surprise that Hilton's evil twin, Republican mouthpiece Ann Coulter got her chance to make the rounds of the pundotainment shows.
As I've said before, vileness is all Coulter has to offer. Just like when you go to see Gallagher you can expect to see a watermelon hit with a sledgehammer, anyone who invites the GOP's pin-up girl to speak knows she'll say something hateful. Or homophobic. Or racist. With luck, you'll hit the trifecta, and maybe she'll even phrase it all in the form of a terroristic threat.
It's easy to say nasty things about Ann Coulter. But Ann is merely thriving on a toxic social climate, the same way that mold thrives on garbage.
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 02:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Wow! We're only NC-17
Recently, while visiting INPT, I noticed That Catholic had run the blog through a rating system and found that it rated her efforts an NC-17. Knowing what a potty mouth The Mayor and Sister Ruth have, I thought it would be good to find out how McBlogger was rated.
Mingle2 - Online Dating
No joke. Go to the link and check it out if you don't believe me. All it does for me is make me wonder exactly what the fuck we have to say or do to get an X? Another series of Britney vagina pix?
Posted by mcblogger at 02:41 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
UAW tries (and fails) to shit on the environment
As it turns out, the Big Three US automakers (soon to be known as the Three Little Pigs) teamed up with the UAW to kill tougher fuel efficiency standards in the Senate. This is being spun as helping Nissan, but in reality it helps every automaker who produces high efficiency vehicles.
Unfortunately, that group doesn't include any of the Big Three.
The UAW tried spinning this as harming as many as 17,000 US jobs. What this bill does is put American automakers on notice that they better rethink their business plans and get on hybrids ASAP since that's the only way they'll meet the new standards. That means the automakers and their suppliers are going to have to invest a lot of money. Which means jobs and future prosperity. I guess no one filled in the UAW's leaders about that.
Which is why they are running a union into the ground.
Alan Reuther, the UAW's legislative director, wrote that the proposal "would pose a serious threat to American automotive jobs and to efforts to promote the use of alternative fuels."Stevens, the ranking Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, strongly rejected the UAW's arguments.
"There isn't anybody that's harmed in the long run. They all benefit by what we've done," Stevens said.
I find myself agreeing with Ted Stevens of 'The Pipes' fame. For this, I shall always hate you, UAW.
American autoworkers have been too long ill-served by terrible management at the automakers and even more horrendous management at their union. The time for change has come from the Local level on up. If you need any help, just let The Mayor and I know. He's not so much for unions in foreign countries (i.e., The Third World), but he loves them here.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:58 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
When the children turn...
Presidential Scholars, also known as 'high school students' , signed a handwritten petition asking President Bush to stop torturing people captured (or abducted, or extraordinarily rendered) during the war on terror.
The handwritten letter said the students "believe we have a responsibility to voice our convictions.""We do not want America to represent torture. We urge you to do all in your power to stop violations of the human rights of detainees, to cease illegal renditions, and to apply the Geneva Convention to all detainees, including those designated enemy combatants," the letter said.
Kids never heard of a 'computer'? What, was it written on a cocktail napkin?
Bush was nice, explained that the US doesn't do that sort of thing (Cheney, who was standing close by, snickered) and only had them rendered to Syria AFTER they left the White House.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:43 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 26, 2007
Teacher pay
The Star-Telegram (via Jobsanger) has a great post up about high teacher turnover and massive wage disparity at poorer school districts throughout Texas. Granted, it's common sense, if you pay people less they tend to seek better employment. What is surprising is that wage disparities exist intra-district...
An Arlington teacher working at a campus with fewer poor or minority students is paid an average salary that is $2,700 to $4,700 more than a counterpart who works at a campus with many poor and minority students, according to Education Trust, which used 2005-06 statistics from the Texas Education Agency.
Posted by mcblogger at 07:30 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Dropping Cheney in the grease
Sally Quinn, writing for the Washington Post, says that now might be the time to get rid of Cheney (a real MOTO that Sally) and replace him with Fred Thompson:Male Prostitute (I know, it's Fred GARVIN... but it does SOUND right, doesn't it...).
That leaves Fred Thompson. Everybody loves Fred. He has the healing qualities of Gerald Ford and the movie-star appeal of Ronald Reagan. He is relatively moderate on social issues. He has a reputation as a peacemaker and a compromiser. And he has a good sense of humor.He could be just the partner to bring out Bush's better nature -- or at least be a sensible voice of reason. I could easily imagine him telling the president, "For God's sake, do not push that button!" -- a command I have a hard time hearing Cheney give.
Not only that, Thompson would give the Republicans a platform for running for the presidency -- and the president a way out of Iraq without looking like he's backing down. Bush would be left in better shape on the war and be able to concentrate on AIDS and the environment in hopes of salvaging his legacy.
Cheney is scheduled this summer for surgery to replace his pacemaker, which needs new batteries. So if the president is willing, and Republicans are able, they have a convenient reason to replace him: doctor's orders. And I'm sure the the vice president would also like to spend more time with his ever-expanding family.
Actually, Sally, not everyone loves Fred Thompson : Male Prostitute. In fact, many of us think he's a sucky actor (who also, I found out over the weekend, was in Die Hard 2) and not much else. Oh, yeah, he was a Senator. Eh.
No, no... Sally, if you want to throw Cheney under a bus you're going to need the help of the Senate. Sister Ruth pointed out that there IS one candidate on whom I think everyone in the Senate could agree...
Posted by mcblogger at 11:00 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Thanks, Kinky!
No way that Governor 39% could wreck Texas community colleges without your help!
The governor used his line-item veto power to eliminate health-insurance funding for community college employees. Then he accused all 50 community college systems in the state of falsifying health insurance data in an attempt to give employees benefits to which they were not entitled. The state has paid the health insurance benefits for community college employees for decades.
The 80th session of the Texas Legislature held hearings on this issue and recommended a state budget that maintained community college benefits so our institutions can continue to attract and keep the best possible faculty and staff.
How could the governor act like he's just "discovered" a serious misappropriation of state funds? How could he characterize the health benefits that thousands of loyal community college employees have earned for years as "pork?"
Adding another insult to injury, the veto came after the legislative session was over, so there's no opportunity for legislators to overrule the governor's stroke of the red pen. Community colleges must live with this for at least two years.
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 10:31 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Pissing onto the Constitution
The Texas Supreme Court, in yet another effort to 'be all that they can be' for corporations, has vacated a judgment in favor of a mechanic whose lungs are fucked all to hell because of asbestos.
The Supreme Court, however, found that the lower courts mistakenly blamed Flores' illness on BorgWarner brake pads based on his frequent, regular exposure to the dust from grinding. But without establishing how much asbestos could have been inhaled or whether the amounts were sufficient to cause asbestosis, there is no way to judge BorgWarner's liability, the court said."There is no question, on this record, that mechanics in the braking industry could be exposed to respirable asbestos fibers. But without more, this testimony is insufficient to establish that the BorgWarner brake pads were a substantial factor in causing Flores' disease," Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson wrote on behalf of the unanimous court.
Will bars use this a defense when they are sued in drunk driving accident cases? Two things are certain... there need to be some changes on the Supreme Court and the Republican Supreme Court just made it easier for corporations to offload their liabilities on taxpayers. Come on, you don't for a second think that it won't be taxpayers who ultimately will pay the bill for this guys' health care. Not that I'm complaining... just wish Borg Warner would pick up IT'S share of the tab.
Here's an idea... when you go to get brakes, make sure they weren't made by BorgWarner. If they don't want to pay their share then fuck them and their shitty business.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:07 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 25, 2007
Chet goes for redemption...
"For weeks, the White House budget office threatened to veto this bill, because it was above their request," Edwards said in the Democrats' weekly radio address. "Fortunately, the president finally backed down on his threat to this historic veterans' bill, but only after it was clear that Congress would override a veto."
But it doesn't nearly make up for this. Speaking of, you ready to vote to restore habeas corpus? Chet?
Posted by mcblogger at 04:42 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Speaking of assholes...
Well, it's that time of the election cycle that Ralph Nader starts to threaten to run for President if the Democrats don't nominiate someone to his liking. Of course, might ask who died and made St Ralph arbiter of progressive politics. A worthy question, since Nader has never been elected to anything, never bothered to run for any office he might conceivably win... hasn't even joined the Green Party, whose spot at the top of the ticket he assumes is his by divine right.
Some hold Nader responsible for Al Gore's 2000 defeat and the ensuing years of Bushite horror inflicted on the nation. However much blame Nader really deserves for that, his fans really should ask themselves just what Ralph has been doing for THEM lately.
What third parties can do is bring young people in, set standards on how to run a presidential election and keep the progressive agenda in front of the people.
In 2000, many people voted for Nader to help the Green Party gain regular ballot status, legitimising it as a left alternative to the Democrats. Since then, though the Greens have declined, breaking into warring sects in their disagreement over what 2000 had wrought and the way forward. In Texas, they've become irrelevant, unable to even gain write-in status for their 2006 gubernatorial candidate. When you can't have as much political clout as Kinky Friedman, it's time to consider another hobby.
Ralph Nader's vanity campaigns have caused both the nation and the movement he claims to support tremendous harm. It's high time he was set on an ice floe and cast adrift.
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 02:00 PM | Comments (0)
Angry mob confronts Rep. Pena!
Just kidding... it's a pic from his blog of folks he was talking with at the Rio Grande Valley Townhall with TDP Chair Richie.
Hey Aaron! We're still pissed at you about that dumb ass CradDICK vote, but we do still like you! No, not enough to help you out should a primary opponent surface, but as a person we think you're swell!
Posted by mcblogger at 01:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Drycleaner suing judge gets spanked
The judge in DC who decided to sue his drycleaner over a lot pair of pants (seriously... and for $67 mn, no less), had his head handed to him by another judge who happens to be considerably smarter.
A judge in Washington, D.C. has ruled in favor of a dry cleaner that was initially sued for $67 million over a missing pair of pants.Roy Pearson sued the owners of Custom Cleaners because Pearson said the cleaners lost an expensive pair of his pants. Pearson was originally seeking $67 million dollars, but reduced the amount to $54 million. He based his claim on his strict interpretation of the city's consumer protection law.
A lawyer for the family that owns the cleaners says his clients misplaced the judge's pants but soon found them. Chris Manning also said Pearson has a history of filing egregious lawsuits.
Pearson has represented himself at trial. He says he has pursued the lawsuit in the interest of Washington, D.C. residents.
Judge Pearson... it's because of people like you (and that McDonalds coffee lady) tort reform became so acceptable. What a dick.
Seriously, do any of you really wonder why I'd never date another attorney?!?!?!?
Posted by mcblogger at 11:02 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Good questions for the Presidential wannabes
Bob Cesca at the Huff Po has some great questions for the Presidential hopefuls on both sides...
RUDY GIULIANI Why are you morbidly and shamelessly exploiting September 11th for political and financial reward when you really had very little to do with the search and rescue effort? In fact, all you did was to act as a substitute teacher while the president of the United States sat calcified like an impotent mope in a Florida classroom.SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON
Our faces are beginning to melt like that hairless Toht character in Raiders Of The Lost Ark due to the effects of the climate crisis. Why are you wasting your time on spoofy viral videos aimed at teasing your campaign song? You're still a member of the United States Senate, you! And while we're at it, don't you think censoring video game violence is way, way, way down on the list of our national priorities somewhere below eradicating the dreaded Super Power Flick from grade school recess and just above a ban on messin' with Sasquatch?
Posted by mcblogger at 09:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 24, 2007
Dude... where's my lake?
A five-acre glacial lake in Chile's southern Andes has disappeared—and scientists want to know why.
Well, so do I...I'd also like to know
1) Why did Arrested Development really get cancelled?
2) What's floating in my scotch? Ash or a gnat?
3) Will I ever get caught for killing that hobo that time?
4) Tie tacks...why?
5) When going out for drinks with friends is it required that I be polite to the asshole husband of a friend? I'd really rather not.
6) If you're bad in this life, will God reincarnate you as a pony belonging to a fat kid?
7) Why are there so few needlepoint artists with epilepsy?
8) If the Mayor wins the TDP Chair, will he let me head up the 'To Be Purged' Committee?
9) How much is a can of HotShot Wasp and Hornet Killer in rural Mongolia?
$20 bucks says Winona Ryder went klepto and made off with the lake. I'm totally right about this.
Posted by mcblogger at 05:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Tort Reform is little more than Insurance Company profiteering
Peter Stern has a great post up at Somervell County Salon about the effects on Texas consumers of tort reform. The short version? We got screwed. Rates have, instead of dropping, gone up dramatically even though consumers have even less recourse against insurers.
Three years ago with Gov. Perry, then Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Commissioner Jose Montemayor, and legislators "looking the other way," lax insurance legislation permitted the industry to double the premiums paid by Texas homeowners.At that time and during the previous several years the insurance industry had been experiencing a "hard market" and was losing revenue, we were told it was due to excessive claims due to storms, , winds, flooding, hail and mold. It had called upon the state informally to help with correcting the market, but few listened to industry pleas.
As in many previous years of "hard markets" the insurance industry elected to act on the problem without waiting any longer for government interaction on its behalf. Virtually overnight it then "over-corrected" the market by doubling home insurance premiums.
In some instances, the industry decreased the coverage and still increased the premiums significantly.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:24 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
June 23, 2007
Jake and Reese breakup?
Oh, come on... it's not like they were really together. We all know that Jake has been seeing Austin...
Posted by mcblogger at 04:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Google jumps into plug-in hybrids
Google, through it's philanthropic arm, Google.org, has announced an effort to persuade industry to offer plug-in hybrid vehicles by providing money for R&D (you know, since the automakers, at those in the US, continue to drag their feet on it).
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Google said Tuesday it is getting in on the development of electric vehicles, awarding $1 million in grants and inviting applicants to bid for another $10 million in funding to develop plug-in hybrid electric vehicles capable of getting 70 to 100 miles per gallon.The project, called the RechargeIT initiative and run from Google's philanthropic arm, Google.org, aims to further the development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles - cars or trucks that have both a gasoline engine and advanced batteries that recharge by plugging into the nation's electric grid.
Granted, this money is a drop in the bucket for the automakers who have R&D budgets on individual car lines that run over $100 million. Still, it's a start and these awards will more than likely go to companies and developers who will concentrate on ways to remake cars and trucks already on the road. Might the next major auto company arise from this project?
Posted by mcblogger at 12:33 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
June 22, 2007
The world will end during or after 2060
According to Isaac Newton's calculations, recently revealed as part of a public release of Newton's papers by the Israeli National Library, the world will end sometime during or after (but not before, damnit!) 2060.
In one manuscript from the early 1700s, Newton used the cryptic Book of Daniel to calculate the date for the apocalypse, reaching the conclusion that the world would end no earlier than 2060."It may end later, but I see no reason for its ending sooner," Newton wrote. However, he added, "This I mention not to assert when the time of the end shall be, but to put a stop to the rash conjectures of fanciful men who are frequently predicting the time of the end, and by doing so bring the sacred prophesies into discredit as often as their predictions fail."
Would someone please clue Robertson and the other 'fanciful men' in? As for me, I'll be in my 80's and with the miracle of cosmetic surgery, I should look like this
No, I'm not going to change gender. I predict that by the spring of 2059, long hair will be in style for men. So will cat faces.
Posted by mcblogger at 05:16 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Mars, bitches!
Wanna play spaceman?
The European Space Agency is looking for people who would like to go on a pretend trip to Mars — for about a year and a half.
The 520-day experiment involves a crew of six living in sealed modules at the Institute of Biomedical Problems in Moscow.
Promising a program "as close to a real Mars mission as possible," the space agency plans to simulate a 250-day trip to Mars, 30 days to experience the planet and 240 days to make it back home.
Weightlessness and radiation are not included, but the simulated out-of-planet experience offers isolation, confinement, crowding, lack of privacy, high workload, boredom with available food, and limited communication with family, friends and mission control.
Doesn't sound any worse than a cubefarm.
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 04:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Tolls : Harris County cuts congestion pricing
Yesterday I mentioned that toll rates were going up on the Westpark Tollway in Houston Metro. Apparently, the Harris County Commissioners Court has reversed course on this and abandoned the idea. Why?
BECAUSE IT PISSED PEOPLE OFF
County Judge Ed Emmett announced today that the county will not double fees during peak hours on the Westpark Tollway, backing off a decision made two days earlier that was assailed by many tollway drivers and area residents."We will cancel the Westpark (peak-hours) increase,'' he said.
Member of Commissioners Court, especially Commissioner Steve Radack, have received phone calls and e-mails from residents criticizing the court's decision Tuesday to raise Westpark fees from $1 to $2.50 per transaction during peak hours.
Rescinding Tuesday's unanimous vote by the court "was certainly influenced by the public's reaction,'' Emmett said.
No shit, Judge. For those of you in the Lege and in county offices across the state (pay attention, Whitley) who may be thinking tolls are AWESOME, give the Harris County Commissioners a call and ask them how much fun they've had recently.
Posted by mcblogger at 04:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
So how effective were the members of the Iscariot Caucus?
Turns out, not so much. The Observer has a great piece up on the their questionable claims of success and their outright lies. Long story short, they fucked over the rest of us and their constituents for nothing.
In all, the Craddick Ds estimate they passed roughly 80 percent of their
proposals. Other Democrats such as Coleman contest that math. An
increase in Medicaid rates for providers and hospitals—which the
Craddick Ds listed among their successes—came about when a decades-old
lawsuit was settled. On higher education, numerous Democrats and rural
Republicans worked to kill a bill that limited the Top 10 Percent
university admissions rule. And it was a bipartisan coalition that
increased funding for state parks, not just Craddick Ds.
...
Then there are the items that the Craddick Ds utterly failed to deliver.
They had hoped to repeal the deregulation of university tuition that has
led to such high prices at Texas colleges. That will never happen as
long as Craddick, who maintains close ties to the University of Texas
System Board of Regents, remains speaker.
...
For Democrats who gave their support to the speaker, a day of reckoning
has yet to come. Three of the Craddick Ds—Kevin Bailey of Houston,
Robert Puente of San Antonio, and Peña—already have likely primary
challengers.
Great report, but master of the obvious when it comes to the end result. He also left out quite a few people. There are people IN LINE to take a swipe at Dukes, that douche Dutton and little Patty Rose. Giddings also has some issues and even Turner may be facing an opponent. The message is clear... DEMOCRATS ALL OVER THE STATE ARE SICK OF YOUR SELF-SERVING SHIT.
Yeah, things have changed. We started paying attention and realized many of you don't have a clue what the hell you're doing.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
He was a lousy tipper
Her manager later told her that "we never refuse the senators," according to a conversation that was recorded, the lawsuit says.Whitmire could not be reached for comment Wednesday because he was traveling, said Lara Wendler, Whitmire's legislative director.
Wendler, who said she was present that night at the bar, said Lear's allegations against the senator were "complete fabrication."
The owner of the bar could not be reached for comment Wednesday by telephone or on a visit to the Cloak Room.
A bartender refused to comment. Lear and her lawyer also could not be reached for comment.
According to the lawsuit, Whitmire walked into the bar March 8 and asked for a "J&B and water" when Lear was working alone. She served him the drink, but the senator had a "glazed look in his eyes" and was "acting intoxicated," the lawsuit says.
When Whitmire asked for another scotch, Lear gave him a glass of water, telling him she could not legally serve him another drink because he was intoxicated, according to the lawsuit.
Whitmire said he would call the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and have Lear fired for refusing to serve him, the lawsuit says.
Whitmire also got out of his chair and approached Lear, saying he "would have her job," according to the lawsuit.
Lear told the senator that she would call the police if he continued acting that way, the lawsuit says.
"He responded that the police would not come because all he would have to do was to make a phone call," according to the lawsuit.
Whitmire made more threats and then left, the lawsuit says.
The place is a shithole, but I kinda like it mostly because I get to smoke inside (sorry, Eileen). Honestly, the only time I ever go there is when I'm near the Capitol (rare), meeting people who work at the Capitol (very rare) and occasionally when I'm meeting people downtown who are too lazy to make it to LaLa's (rarer still) mostly because it's a nasty, dank little place and I'm tempted to venture into Charlie's afterward, which is always a mistake. Still, that doesn't excuse treating the staff badly. DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO HIRE SOMEONE WHO'LL PUT UP WITH YOUR ASS, WHITMIRE?!?!?!?!!?
And don't ever think YOU can keep the city cops at bay. The last one who thought that was Nixon. Where's he now, John?
Note to members of the Legislature that aren't representing Austin Metro... don't fuck up. We barely tolerate y'all as things stand now.
Especially the Republicans.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:06 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Get well soon, Jobsanger!
I can only imagine how heinous the hospital must be... no booze, no smoking, the food! We at McBlogger wish you a speedy recovery!
Posted by mcblogger at 12:40 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 21, 2007
Tolls : The moratorium that wasn't
And now we know just how much of a moratorium was in 792. EOW has the deets on the meeting last week at which TXDoT approved 87 toll projects...
At a special meeting in Austin, the commission authorized the Texas Department of Transportation to work with local toll entities such as regional tollway authorities, regional mobility authorities and counties to begin moving forward on 87 projects that are currently years away from being fully funded. View map of project locations.“These are projects that local officials have said are needed to reduce congestion but are waiting in line for funding. We want to help our local partners build the projects as quickly and efficiently as possible,” Williamson said.
To accelerate improvements, the projects are being proposed by TxDOT for development, construction and operation as toll projects.
In case you were wondering, elements of TTC 35 (which Corridor Watch assured us would be in the 'moratorium') are among the 87 approved projects.
To add fuel to the anti-toll fire, HCTRA is raising tolls on all Houston area tollways. The one that will have the biggest increase (DOUBLING during rush hour) is the Westpark Tollway...
Some drivers wondered whether commissioners have forgotten the working people."There are people who have budgeted a certain amount for tolls and need to use the tollway to get to work by a certain time in the morning," said Carol Ann Shipp in an e-mail to the Chronicle. These are not affluent professionals for whom the doubling of tolls is negligible. These are hardworking middle class workers who must count every penny."
County Commissioner Steve Radack said those who cannot afford the rush hour fees should use alternate roads.
"Let them go down Richmond Road,'' he said. ``Or they can use Westpark,'' the surface road running nearby the tollway.
Oh, Commissioner (Marie Antoinette) Radack! Not only have you earned yourself an opponent when you're up for re-election, you've guaranteed they'll win. It's rare that you get a chance to see a politician cut his own throat, so when it happens we sometimes miss it. I'm so glad I saw this one! It's almost like watching Krusee go down with the ship on 1892!
In another part of the state, the NTRTC decided to save themselves and awarded the 121 Tollway to the North Texas Tollway Authority instead of Cintra. Of course, TXDoT's Dick Williamson reserves the right to overturn that and award it to Cintra who came in the lower of the two in the bidding. Why on earth would Williamson shortchange North Texas taxpayers? Simple... he's dumb enough to think that the Cintra deal is better because they've assured him they'll eat the losses if the traffic projections fail to materialize.
Is this the same kind of 'assurance' Kolkhorst got from 39% that TTC 35 would be in the moratorium before she flipped on Amendment 13? Or, is Williamson really so stupid that he thinks Cintra's shareholders are dumb enough to come into this with their collective noses open?
I'm betting it's the latter.
Why? Simple. Those contracts have inflated traffic estimates. Should the traffic fail to materialize, THE PRIVATE CONTRACTOR CAN PUT THE LOSS TO THE STATE AND BE REIMBURSED. Should the traffic materialize and the road still lose money, the private contractor would be forced to eat the loss. Dick Williamson, the eternal optimist, actually thinks the traffic will materialize. Problem is, it won't. It never will and taxpayers will end up paying the tab for Dick Williamson's stupidity.
Yes, Dick, you're an idiot. You and your patron, 39%. You boys both drive a hard bargain... it's hard as hell to get private enterprise interested in an investment where they are guaranteed not to lose a dime and instead stand to make billions. With folks like y'all in government, it's no wonder our pensions are underfunded and we can barely keep our schools open.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Fucked up...
from The AAS
David Rivas Morales, a 41-year-old house painter, had hitched a ride home with a co-worker Tuesday night when, investigators say, the driver of the car accidentally struck a 2-year-old boy near an apartment complex parking lot.The driver got out of the Ford Taurus, which police say was surrounded by as many as 20 men, and was attacked by several of them, according to investigators.
Morales got out to try to shield the driver. He was instead beaten to death.
Austin police investigators said Wednesday that according to the handful of people they have interviewed, no one immediately around the car did anything to stop the attack.
By the time an anonymous caller dialed 911 and the first officers arrived at the Booker T. Washington housing development shortly after 9:30 p.m., the crowd had dispersed, Austin police Cmdr. Harold Piatt said.
The incident occurred about two blocks from where thousands of people gathered at Rosewood Park for the annual celebration of Juneteenth, marking the day slaves were emancipated in Texas in 1865.
Hispanic and African American leaders, fearing that the incident would create racial tension because the victim was Hispanic and the assailants were believed to be black, urged people to keep their emotions in check. Investigators said they have no indication that the attack was racially motivated.
"This is an anomaly for Austin," Piatt said. "When you have someone just beaten to death in a parking lot."
Piatt said Wednesday that "at this point, we aren't aware that any person did anything to stop the assault or prevent the injuries."
The 2-year-old, Michael Hosea Jr., was not seriously injured, authorities said.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:34 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Antonin Scalia and his imaginary friends
The Gonzomuckracker (via Who's Playin') has a rather interesting story up about SC Justice Antonin 'Crazier than Dan Branch and Leo Berman Combined' Scalia's defense of torture. While at a jurists conference in Canada, Justice Scalia, in response to a statement by a Canadian judge to the effect that most of the countries represented DID NOT subscribe to the Jack Bauer method of interrogation, spewed crazy like a sewage sprinkler...
"Jack Bauer saved Los Angeles. ... He saved hundreds of thousands of lives," Judge Scalia said. Then, recalling Season 2, where the agent's rough interrogation tactics saved California from a terrorist nuke, the Supreme Court judge etched a line in the sand."Are you going to convict Jack Bauer?" Judge Scalia challenged his fellow judges. "Say that criminal law is against him? 'You have the right to a jury trial?' Is any jury going to convict Jack Bauer? I don't think so.
"So the question is really whether we believe in these absolutes. And ought we believe in these absolutes."
OK, Antonin, Jack's not so much real. He's a character. On a TV show. Played (apparently very) convincingly by Keifer Sutherland. It's not real life and the reason you know that, is that terrorists on the show blew up Santa Clarita, CA. In the real world, where we live, no one would waste a nuke on Santa Clarita.
Yeah, It's time to retire, Antonin. Seriously, batshit crazy only qualifies you for executive office. We need smart, 'all here' people to sit on the bench.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:12 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 20, 2007
The Whole Enchilada
Some theoretical physicists devote their careers to the search for the Grand Unified Field Theory, explaining the relationship between gravitation, electromagnetism, and sub-atomic forces. In like fashion, some conspiracy theorists hunt their own holy grail, a grand unified conspiracy theory that ties together everything from the Freemasons and the Defenestration of Prague to the Kennedy assassination and Rick Perry's hair in one handy ball of tinfoil. This video doesn't quite succeed, but you'll have to admit progress is being made.
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 11:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Dude... the mafia is more competent.
Major General Taguba, the officer charged with investigating the abuses at Abu Ghraib, apparently was kind of shocked by the pressure he received from all sides of the DoD and the Administration. Not long after his report was released (which happened to drop the CIA, MP's and others in the grease) he remembers a conversation with General Abizaid
General John Abizaid, then the head of Central Command. A few weeks after his report became public, Taguba, who was still in Kuwait, was in the back seat of a Mercedes sedan with Abizaid. Abizaid’s driver and his interpreter, who also served as a bodyguard, were in front. Abizaid turned to Taguba and issued a quiet warning: “You and your report will be investigated.”“I wasn’t angry about what he said but disappointed that he would say that to me,” Taguba said. “I’d been in the Army thirty-two years by then, and it was the first time that I thought I was in the Mafia.”
General, the mafia is far more competent. If they'd been in charge, there wouldn't have been any pictures to investigate.
So, what was the end result? Taguba was asked to resign... for doing his job
In January of 2006, Taguba received a telephone call from General Richard Cody, the Army’s Vice-Chief of Staff. “This is your Vice,” he told Taguba. “I need you to retire by January of 2007.” No pleasantries were exchanged, although the two generals had known each other for years, and, Taguba said, “He offered no reason.” (A spokesperson for Cody said, “Conversations regarding general officer management are considered private personnel discussions. General Cody has great respect for Major General Taguba as an officer, leader, and American patriot.”)“They always shoot the messenger,” Taguba told me. “To be accused of being overzealous and disloyal—that cuts deep into me. I was being ostracized for doing what I was asked to do.”
Taguba went on, “There was no doubt in my mind that this stuff”—the explicit images—“was gravitating upward. It was standard operating procedure to assume that this had to go higher. The President had to be aware of this.” He said that Rumsfeld, his senior aides, and the high-ranking generals and admirals who stood with him as he misrepresented what he knew about Abu Ghraib had failed the nation.
Damn skippy, General.
Posted by mcblogger at 06:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day - Hutto Detention Center Vigil
Saturday, June 23, 1-3pm
Hutto Detention Center, 1001 Welch St., Taylor, TX, 75674
The T. Don Hutto detention center, operated by Corrections Corporation of America, a for-profit prison company, incarcerates up to 400 asylum seeking and migrant families, about half of whom are children, who are awaiting hearings before the immigration court. Children spend up to 22 hours a day in prison cells and receive inadequate education and recreational time.
Vigil participants from Austin will leave at 12 noon from 1210 E. Rosewood to carpool to the facility. Please bring signs, sunscreen, hats, and water. For more information, email boblibal@gmail.com or call (512) 971-0487.
Sponsored by Amnesty International USA in honor of World Refugee Day and co-sponsored by Freedom Ambassadors, Texans United for Families, CAFHTA, and LULAC National.
Posted by Captain Kroc at 04:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Flyway or direct connector... does it really matter? Just BUILD it!
Kuff has an interesting piece up about he construction of connectors in SA from the 281 freeway to the 410. Anyone who's been stuck in traffic in this miasma (like, I don't know, a certain someone I see every time I look in the mirror) knows this has been going on for a while and basically shrugs and says, "It's about time". I'm thrilled TXDoT is finally getting 'round to this, but Kuff's post left me with a question...
WHY THE HELL DID IT TAKE MORE THAN 30 YEARS FOR TXDOT TO BUILD IT?!?!?!?!? Yeah, yeah, I know about the enviro's, but when all that was settled, why the hell did is still take so long?
You're probably wondering why I'm even reading this. First, I have to drive through that area a couple of times a week and it's always irritating. Second, I live in Austin... remember all those missing flyways I mentioned a few months ago? Yeah... this same situation will crop up in Austin Metro in a few years, not 30. Which brings me to the conclusion that TXDoT has NO institutional memory and even less common sense.
Which reminds me... has anyone done a full on audit of the tollways in Central Texas? After all, money was raised for these connectors and the only reason they weren't built, according to Bob Daigh of TXDoT, was the lack of environmental clearance. SO, what happened to the money, Bob?
Posted by mcblogger at 02:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Speaking of Cornyn...
Turns out the junior Senator from Texas is kinda, you know, disliked. At least he is according to the people at Survey USA who supposedly know about such things
A new Survey USA poll released today shows that more Texans now disapprove of the way Senator John Cornyn is handling his job than approve. Only 42% of Texans approve of the way Cornyn is handling his job, with 43% disapproving.Cornyn’s approval rating hasn’t cracked 50% since 2005 and has slipped four points since last month. Cornyn continues to have the lowest job approval rating of any incumbent running for re-election in the country.
“John Cornyn is about as popular in Texas as three-dollar gas and wool sweaters in June,” DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller said. “Texans have gone from quietly tolerating Cornyn’s poor record and partisan antics to actively demanding a change, and next year they’re going to have an opportunity to vote for one.”
For more information and links to the actual data jump over to StopCornyn.
(Thanks to SS for the pic!)
Posted by mcblogger at 10:08 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
June 19, 2007
Recapping Edwards in Austin
(sorry about the delay in posting this...)
I gotta say, I was impressed with Sen. Edwards at the grassroots event last week. I like his stance on environmental issues and his commitment to clean energy. Actually, I'm not going to do a summary of the policy points because I'm not all that lazy today and others have already done it. What about impressions... OK, here goes.
It was the first time I was really impressed with one of the Democratic Presidential candidates. Seriously, I like them all but until last Monday I hadn't had a WOW moment. Truth be told, I had one at the fundraiser. It was brief, but it was palpable, a sense that this is someone I can get behind (not that way, perv), fully support and KNOW won't let me down by going lame in the general election.
Considering that we are nine months from the TX primary, I've not been paying a lot of attention to the presidential race because the R side is full of people who need a maintenance dose of thorazine and the D side is full of really capable people. It's been one of those rare times when I haven't really cared one way or another. I care now. I think Edwards will be the best choice.
That doesn't mean I'm not going to keep listening and watching. Hell, by the end of it all I may be voting for McSleaze as a write in. However, what I saw last week impressed me. For the first time in the still nascent 2008 cycle.
Posted by mcblogger at 06:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
WH and RNC refuse to come clean on emails...
That's right! The emails they said didn't exist actually do. Not only that, but more people at the White House turn out to have had RNC accounts than was initially admitted.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- E-mail records are missing for 51 of the 88 White House aides with Republican Party accounts, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee reported Monday.The White House says the accounts were set up to keep political work separate from official business, but investigators concluded White House officials used the accounts to conduct official business in a way that circumvented the Watergate-era Presidential Records Act.
The 37 accounts the Republican National Committee did save include nearly 675,000 individual messages -- more than 140,000 of them from Karl Rove, President Bush's top political adviser.
"Whether intentionally or inadvertently, it appears that the RNC has destroyed a large volume of the e-mails of White House officials who used RNC e-mail accounts," the report states.
The committee found 88 officials who held GOP e-mail accounts; the White House had acknowledged 50.
So, the next question becomes, did Gonazales know? Of course... not only that, but when he gave the order to preserve WH communications, he didn't even enforce maintenance of the RNC accounts that were being used to skirt the law.
The committee found that although then-White House counsel Alberto Gonzales ordered presidential staff to preserve official e-mails from outside accounts, he failed to enforce that policy.Ralston told investigators that Gonzales, now attorney general, knew Rove was using his party e-mail account for official business, "but took no action to preserve Mr. Rove's official communications," the report states.
And the Republicans wonder why no one trusts them? Even their attorney's are either stupid, criminal or some combo of the two.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
It's time to repeal...
When we're cutting off our collective nose to spite our face, it's time we drop the ridiculous ban on LGBT military service.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:04 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
A tale of two Czech restaurants
I've long been a fan of Czech Stop in West, Texas about 20 miles north of Waco. Good cookies, cakes and yummy kolaches filled with tasty sausage, cheese and jalapenos. I've often thought that no one's kolaches even come close. I was wrong. Between Columbus and LaGrange on HWY 71 are two gas stations practically side by side. One is called Hruskas. Stop there on your next trip to Houston from Austin or vice versa. The pan sausage, jalapeno and cheese kolaches are scrumptious and make the ones from Czech Stop look like something out of a box from Randall's.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 18, 2007
Run, Rick... RUN!
It's not often I'll jump out for a candidate this far away from the Primary. It's also somewhat rare that the Mayor and I will disagree on anything. However, I'm doing something a little unusual because I'm ready to make some waves and I'm ready for candidate that will
BEAT THE SHIT OUT
OF CORNYN.
IMHO, that guy is Rick Noriega. Now, if we can only get him to run... Draft Rick Noriega is a great start and I invite you all to participate. Noriega is the only candidate with the combination of legislative and life experience that will allow him to challenge Cornyn on a level over and above anything he's ever faced.
You'll notice I said it's rare that the Mayor and I disagree. On this, I'm speaking only for myself. I think Spamburgler and Boobilicious are on board with Noriega as well, but I haven't been able to reach them since they've been on a month long bender at some ersatz resort near the Salton Sea. The Mayor's minimum requirement for a candidate is that they look 'vaguely humanoid'. So far, Emil Reichstadt and Mikal Watts have announced a run and both, clearly, fall within the parameters of what the Mayor considers a 'good candidate'. Why such low requirements? Whoever the nominee is, he/she will have to face Cornyn who looks like a cadaver. From an Ed Wood movie.
Whatever happens, Texas Democrats will have a much better looking candidate than the Republicans. Don't laugh, it's more important than you think.
So, the Mayor has opted to withhold his endorsement until he's able to meet all the candidates. It's the sensible thing to do so you know I want none of it.
For me, I'm with Noriega. Now all he has to do is file. Come on, Rick! Texas needs you! I like Mikal fine, but it's you I want to be our candidate. Don't make me settle for less!
Posted by mcblogger at 01:36 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack