May 16, 2008
Yay Tim Mahoney!
Just noticed that Tim has secured his place on the ACC board. Congratulations, Tim!
Posted by mcblogger at 02:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Bless Junior John's Heart!
Poor, stupid, pathetic idiot...
Recent polls have claimed Senator Cornyn is in a much tighter race than many of you may have thought possible.We don’t put much validity in either poll, but Democrats certainly are. Liberal bloggers and Democrat partisans alike have pounced on the results, claiming they spell doom for Senator Cornyn this fall.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, lead by liberal New York Senator Chuck Schumer, proclaimed in an email that the polls show “John Cornyn in serious trouble…”
Ultra-liberal blogger Daily Kos, who commissioned and paid for the second poll, called the results “nothing short of remarkable,” and claimed they “hint that this may be a top-tier race before long…”
No one can deny that our opponent and his allies are in desperate need of anything to help them raise resources and give national Democrats reason to invest untold millions into the race, and we must stop them.
Please contribute $10, $25 or $50 to help debunk the myths our opponent and his liberal allies are trying to tell about Senator Cornyn.
The facts are clear, the extreme left is energized and unscrupulous, and our opponent is shamelessly aligned with them and will say and do anything it takes to gain much needed relevance and resources.
Your contribution of $10, $25 or $50 will go a long way towards setting the record straight. It will also send a loud and clear message to national Democrats that Texans won’t fall for their dirty tricks, deceit and deviousness.
Please give what you can to make sure we re-elect John Cornyn and ensure our true Texas values are represented in Washington!
This is funny as hell since Junior John already has a significant funding advantage over Noriega. Even with that money, we have two solid polls that make it clear this election is about getting rid of old caca. And of course Junior John is scared. Just watch this video which makes it pretty clear they ARE taking the polls seriously.
Thursday's California court ruling striking down that state's ban on gay marriage will spark a fresh push to add a nationwide ban to the U.S. Constitution, Texas Sen. John Cornyn said shortly after the ruling was announced."It's certainly surprising. Many of us thought that the efforts to overturn the tradition marriage laws would be confined just to Massachusetts," said Mr. Cornyn, a chief backer of a push to enact a constitutional ban, which failed in 2004.
The California Supreme Court issued a 4-3 ruling Thursday that overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage, finding that domestic partnerships laws are an inadequate substitute for allowing same-sex couples to enter into formal marriages.(DMN via Texas Blue)
Here's the thing... I don't think, if the election were held today, that an anti-gay marriage amendment would pass in Texas again. Oh sure, folks in East and West Texas are just as homophobic as they always were (don't get mad at them, they don't know gay people and it's all strange and foreign to them). The difference is, THEY'RE ALL SICK OF PANDERING AND NONSENSE ISSUES. With gas near $4.00 a gallon, people know there are more important things to worry about. They also know that they can't afford six more years of fancy John Cornyn taking care of himself while he lets important business slide by.
Hava Goodun! Junior John sure as hell won't!
Posted by mcblogger at 08:29 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 14, 2008
Things you may have missed...
According to 39%'s spokespuppy, Leon, there's going to be more 'tax relief' which will end up like 39%'s last tax relief which netted me about 56 cents.
"With a surplus of this magnitude, I know the governor believes we need to look at some sort of tax relief, whether it be on property taxes, business taxes or some type of actual rebate, like the federal government can do but we haven't been able to," Black said.
ROCK! So, instead of making some good choices that will help us weather the next bad storm (or, in the case of infrastructure, actually help create economic activity and wealth), you're going to treat the surplus as a slush fund.
39%, if you're handing out lulu's, can you please send me a case of Beefeater. I'm trying to perfect the Chelsea Sidecar and need the materials.
Hava goodun!
Posted by mcblogger at 11:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
A minor request : Part 10089
Would someone please put Adam Sandler and Mike Myers out of the universe's misery? Both have summer movies coming out that make it pretty clear that both are fighting one another to become the next Jerry Lewis. Why we'd need another isn't nearly as clear.
So, yeah, if someone would help me out with this it would be great.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 11, 2008
It makes us sad when you don't listen to us
We do all this work maintaining this blog and in the end, rather than vote the way we tell you to vote, you go off and decide to vote for other people.
It makes us really sad. If this were a Lifetime movie, we'd probably already have punched you out and broken your jaw. By now, no doubt, you'd be in the hospital and we'd be promising you that 'things will be different this time if you'll just stop making us so crazy'. Oh, and you should tell the police you fell down the stairs that don't exist in our house.
But, alas, this isn't a Lifetime movie (you may have noticed the conspicuous absence of Meredith Baxter Birney. That's one HUGE diff between us and Lifetime). It's real life and y'all were VERY disappointing yesterday.
Well, not really.
Place 1 - Hello, Lee. We're honestly happy you're back. We supported Demling because we wanted some new blood. And the guy is, if scruffy, quite bright. At the very least, we're thrilled that Douchie McDouche will not be in a runoff with you. Yeah. The staff here is actually split over whether they hate Brewster or Meeker more.
One last thing... you for mayor. That's a mistake. You looked miserable this time. Serve out the term and enjoy life.
Place 3 - Howdy, Randi! We still don't completely trust you, but the children have completely disregarded our advice and decided that you'll be best in place 3. Now that you're in, you're going to have to make some of those hard choices about tolls that you avoided talking about during the election. Here's some advice...
1) Don't listen to TXDOT - ask Kirk Watson about this one.
2) Get the fuck outta Clarksville and go drive around town at rush hour. It'll give you an idea where the real jamups are... and how to fix them.
3) There are many (Mike Dahmus) who will offer bad advice. Don't listen to them (Mike Dahmus).
Place 4 - We didn't endorse either of the runoff people. We're going with Laura. More on this later.
ACC - Tim Mahoney. WTF? You people even managed to fuck that up. Now you just have to go back and do it all over again.
Needless to say, we're disappointed. We still love you, but we're disappointed. Don't worry, we'll be over it this afternoon.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:45 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
May 09, 2008
Vote! Vote! Vote!
For all of you that have been holding your breath waiting for City Elections to roll around YEAH for you they are almost here. Tomorrow is E Day for Austinites! If you still have'nt decided who to vote for you can get some great information here,here,and here.
If you don't know where you should go to vote (DUH btw) you can visit this site to find out.
While you are contemplating, watch a video!
Posted by Lovelie99 at 12:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 08, 2008
Debate-O-Rama (the City Council Ed)
KXAN hosted a debate yesterday between the candidates for City Council. I haven't watched it yet, mostly because I've already made up my mind and can't deal with confusion today.
Take a look at it here. Apparently, Kim v. Shade was pretty exciting.
"I'm seeing there's a boldfaced lie come out of her mouth about what I supposedly promised according to some fictitious character," said Shade as she stood next to her Kim during the debate."Even on Ms. Shade's Web site, there's a statement by the police union, and they said Ms. Shade is clearly supporting increasing resources in public safety," Kim said.
The fight didn't stop with the two opponents. The fire and police unions have filed a complaint against Kim with the Public Utilities Commission. They said anonymous phone calls are against the law. Kim's campaign said they have already submitted the phone call script to the PUC and were told they have done nothing wrong.
"I think its showing that either Jennifer Kim is running scared and getting desperate, or she's getting really bad advice," said Shade after the debate.
A couple of things...
1) Kim's not desperate... Shade hasn't built the broad base of support even among the activists that she really needs. Not everyone is sold and frankly, we like someone a little irascible in office. When the City Council is chummy things go off the rails quickly and fixing it is usually pretty damn expensive.
2) The PUC signed off on the script. CASE CLOSED. Beside, I don't know anyone who's received this call. NOT A SOUL. So, by bitching and moaning about a call that wouldn't have had much of an impact, you're keeping it in the public eye. Now all anyone knows is that Kim's campaign made a call about Shade's 'commitment' to spend us more into the hole. Nice.
Frankly, there is a limit to how much public safety we can afford. WE'RE THERE. I tell you what, take more police off traffic and put them on violent crime. God knows we could do with a few less working MoPac, 35, 183 and Ben White. SERIOUSLY.
3) We're fed up with the public safety unions playing with the City Council races. They never seem to focus on the big picture and there HAS TO BE A BALANCE.
Finally, if anyone does choose to watch the debate, will you please let me know how badly Meeker shoots himself in the foot?
Posted by hbalczak at 11:25 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
May 02, 2008
Booby Prize
The phone rang. It was Sister Ruth.
"I've just gotten the worst piece of political literature ever in my mailbox..."
"Oh," I responded. "You got Randi Shade's mailer too."
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 10:50 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 01, 2008
We tell you how you should vote (Austin City Council Ed.)
Why bother calling them 'endorsements' when we really mean 'This is how you should vote'? The election is, of course, May 10th but that's a Saturday and it's right before Mother's Day so don't even bother waiting (EV locations here, Mobile Voting here).
Place 1 - Demling - First Choice, followed by Leiffingwell.
No votes for Meeker. I know that will come as a hooooooge surprise. This was nearly a unanimous vote. Except for Harry who voted for the man referred to by some as a human narcolepsy canon.
Place 3 - Kim - First Choice, followed by no one.
Randi, we love 'ya but we just don't completely trust 'ya. Jennifer can be a little impersonal and abrasive (who the hell isn't, especially on a SUNDAY MORNING WHEN I'M HUNG OVER AND NEED SOME EGGS AND HOTD, Julie) but she's also a terribly hard worker who has come together with some of her colleagues on the council to solve some serious problems. Policy wonk? Yep. And that, at this time, is what we need.
Place 4 - Cravey - First Choice, followed by Morrison and Gale.
We like Galindo as a person, but we find some of his ideology ridiculous and ideas patently absurd (community land trusts... great idea, an absolute motherfucker to finance. NOT a viable solution anytime in the next five to ten years). He needs some seasoning and a massive CTJ on housing in the central city. Morrison is a great lady who is very involved with the ANC... and apparently, not much else. Still, it's good that she IS involved especially since it pisses off Mike Dahmus and that always makes me laugh.
There was one vote for Gale and no, it did not come from me. I thought she was far too serious as a candidate this time. I frankly miss the whimsy of her previous campaigns. I think those people in Dallas did something to her... they turned her into someone kinda serious.
As for Osemene, we like you but there's MUCH less to city council than the Federalist Papers would have you believe. MUCH LESS.
In case we're not getting through to you and you stubbornly insist on doing your own research, Phillip over at BOR has the resource page we totally would have created if we had the time (and actually, you know, cared about these people and their campaigns). Go check it out.
But really, what we tell you should be enough.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:49 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Krusee arrested for DWI
Long time readers (yes, there ARE 5 or 6 of you) know that there's no love lost between Mike Krusee and myself. I'd just as soon piss on him as say hello to him. Apparently, last night he got busted for a DWI. And no, I'm not doing cartwheels... this could well be a case of there but for the grace of God go I.
While I don't know if he was drunk or not, I have some questions for the trooper... which came first? The 'erratic' driving OR the expired registration? I'm always suspicious when the reason for the stop is a registration sticker.
The thing I find most repulsive about DWI laws is that they don't do a thing to keep real drunks off the streets. These are people with a compulsive disorder. They don't respond to punishment. Meanwhile, you've got the rest of worried about having more than 1 drink in 6 hours.
And don't even get me started on the MADD mothers. I've lost friends in DWI accidents. They're dead. AND ALL YOUR STUPID LAWS HAVE DONE NOTHING TO BRING THEM BACK OR STOP MORE DEATHS FROM OCCURRING.
To our friends in the Lege... can we PLEASE be rational and make some changes that might actually fix the problem,, rather than make criminals out of people who have a drink at happy hour? I don't know if that group will end up including Krusee or not but it does include a lot of us.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:16 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 30, 2008
I listen to Rev. Wright as much as I listen to any preacher
Rev. Wright does his little song and dance, pisses up the media's leg and predictably they throw a fit about the whole thing. Why the hell does anyone care what this idiot preacher has to say? Is he the one running for President? No? Ok, then WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU ALL KVETCHING ABOUT?!?!!
I'm also sick of hearing how Clinton is behind the whole thing. It occurs to me that if the Clinton's were really as evil as some of you morons would have us believe, Bill never would have left office. What you really don't like is that Obama's preacher is a racist weirdo with delusional fantasies. Big deal. That makes him not much different from that freak Hagee whose ass is covered in soft kisses from that sycophantic loser, McCain.
Not all clergy are stupid, but many of the loud obnoxious ones certainly are. I prefer my faith with VERY little religion. Mostly because I don't believe any man speaks for God. Certainly not Rev. Wright and definitely not that fatass Hagee.
Maybe, just maybe, instead of focusing on what some asshole who claims to speak for God (or claims to have THE only legitimate interpretation of the Bible/Koran/Torah) has to say and playing guilt by association, why not take a moment to listen to the candidate?
Posted by mcblogger at 08:39 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 29, 2008
The endless construction on Cesar Chavez
If you, like me, are pretty sick of the bullshit construction on Cesar Chavez, the good news is that it will end by the end of the spring, according to Ben Wear. The bad news? Has the City EVER completed a road project on time?
Anyone wanna bet that it'll still be going strong in August?
On another note, does anyone have an idea when 5th Street will stop resembling a road in Kabul?
Posted by mcblogger at 03:23 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
April 25, 2008
A word of advice...
WOW. Who knew there were so many dicks reading the blog? Yesterday, Lovelie99 posted this piece on the city council races. She obvs has some candidates she prefers more than others. In my opinion, she was far more gracious than some of you deserve. Frankly, heaping derision on some of you for even filing would be a great start.
I love democracy. I hate people running for office as some kind of masturbatory exercise. Or business booster. For some of you, the mere fact that you continue to exist, despite my hopes and dreams, is offensive.
So, in answer to your questions, WE (meaning the overall McBlogger staff) have not endorsed. We may do just individual endorsements. You'll know that's what it is because it'll have ENDORSEMENT and CITY COUNCIL in the title. It might be titled "Fred" or "That car that cut me off in traffic that time", but I doubt it because Sister Ruth claims it 'doesn't make any sense'. It's good that she got the nonsensical nature of those titles. It's bad that she doesn't understand metaphors. Needless to say, while she's on vacay, we don't want to trouble her with thinking.
Hava goodun!
Posted by mcblogger at 09:59 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 24, 2008
Oh, I feel for you straight gals...
This is a video of some lame shot by Mean Rachel at The Ranch. The Mayor recently mentioned their DEE-lightful music in this post on the city council candidates. Needless to say, the temptation to pay them for drinks is not, you know, overwhelming.
A word of advice for you straight gals from my bar going (and bar trash dating) days, most of the obnoxious guys who hit on you know deep down that they've got as much of a chance with you as they do winning the lottery. What they really want, other than what would be, for you, an unsatisfying sexual experience, is a phone number. Give them one.
Barfly and I always used Mr. Gatti's. She only got busted once and I never did.
Posted by mcblogger at 08:18 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 23, 2008
Where's the party?
Just a reminder... BOR is celebrating it's fifth birthday tomorrow at Schulz's.
Oh, you know you're going. You don't really have plans so fuck off with the excuses.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:46 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
April 22, 2008
City Council Forum: Notes Scribbled On A Napkin
As our Fearless Leader has already reported, the McBlogger crew attended last week's Keep Austin Blue forum for city council candidates. I've finally gotten my notes back from the lab...
Jason Meeker Memorable Quote: "I don't want to be know as the Angry Guy".
Universal reaction: What an angry guy.
Ken Weiss Makes me think of the goober working the register at Whataburger who gets all the orders wrong.
Sam Osemene Possibly the only candidate this year who has actually read the Federalist Papers. Certainly the only one who finds the right to use a cell phone while driving supported therein.
Lee Leffingwell A year or two ago I was called rude for yelling "Sit down and shut up, Lee!" at another public forum. Tonight I was even ruder by letting him speak. And speak. And speak. And speak. And speak. And speak. Actually, somewhere in there I ducked out to a nearby building site and watched some paint dry for a while until I regained the will to live. Good Lord, is there no way of stopping this human narcolepsy cannon from becoming Mayor next year?
Cid Galindo Strongly supports the right to free chips and salsa; clueless about the Twelfth Cylon.
Jennifer Gale Say what will about this perennial candidate, this year she OWNS the Clean Your Liver Issue.
And finally, isn't it about time the city started licensing cover bands? I realize that the state shouldn't a priori judge original material, but how can any self-respecting Live Music Capital of the World not impose some kind of minimum standards on performing songs that everyone already knows? Whoever it was playing across the street at The Ranch... just dreadful. Too bad they didn't ape The Who and set their instruments on fire. Although in their case, it should have been how they opened their set.
Posted by mayor mcsleaze at 07:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 17, 2008
City Council Candidates R Teh Phunnee
The ugly stepchild to the Primary (at least this year) is the City Council Election. I capitalize that because really it's quite awful and distinctive. I've been to three candidate forums/endorsement meetings/ tedious wastes of time and there's only one thing of which I'm sure...
Jason Meeker is a DOUCHE
Of course, we'll have endorsements later as we get closer to the start of early voting. I will say this, after last night's KAB forum, I like all the candidates a lot more. You all were excellent in the face of an adverse condition, namely the drunken jr. copywriters from GSD&M. If it's any consolation, they probably won't have jobs much longer and will be moving to Dallas.
I know, it totally makes me cry, too.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:05 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 15, 2008
Everyone loves a party
The crew at BOR are having a 5th Birthday Party for the blog and you're invited!
April 24th Progressive hang out Scholz Beer Garten 8 p.m. until the music stops Featuring the music of House Leader Jim Dunnam and the Bad Precedents.
Of course, some of you (like me) will be worried about the beer-only venue. If I can deal with it, so can you. Beside, they also have a marvelous selection of shitty wines!
Happy Birthday, BOR!
Posted by mcblogger at 12:18 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 10, 2008
You're STILL here?
Two years ago, the mother of some little freakshow (we'll call her Mama Freakshow) tried to sue MySpace because her special princess hooked up with some perv and MySpace DID NOTHING TO PREVENT IT. Because parenting Mama Freakshow's kid was not so much their job.
Who knew?Oh, wait... I DID. So did a judge. Then another one. Now La Familia Freakshow is back, this time in FEDERAL APPEALS COURT fighting for the right to sue MySpace and make sure that they start protecting all the little fat girls who lie and say they are 18 so they can attract an older guy with a mullet and a 1986 Fiero. I'm sure that's it. It has nothing to do with that $30 million they hope to be awarded.
Cause they're totally giving that money away. Just like I'm going to start 'sharing' and 'playing well with others'.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:34 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 09, 2008
The runoff hath passed
Yes, in case you (like most Texans) slept through it, yesterday was the joint primary runoff election. 1.55% of you turned out statewide. The rest of you slobs couldn't be bothered though I'm sure even if you had bothered to back away from the buffet long enough to vote, the results would not have been measurably different.
In the RRC race, Thompson soundly beat Dale Henry. We did not endorse Thompson, so we are of course incredulous at his inexplicable win (you know, since our endorsed candidates in every other race won). We'd like to applaud Dale and Team Henry for running a good campaign and we'd like to extend our congratulations Thompson and urge him to use Dale, if he's willing, as a resource on the proper job of the RRC.
In the DA's race, Lehmberg won. That's all I'm writing about this stupid race.
On the R side, CradDICK had a good night with the defeat of Rep. West out in Odessa. He also earned some solid victories in other races around the state. Those seats will more than likely be won by Democrats in the fall but for now CradDICK appears to be a big winner. Phillip has an excellent analysis on these races.
Lastly, we at McBlogger would like to say goodbye to Dracula-Cunt. Laterz, freakshow.
Posted by mcblogger at 08:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Saying goodbye...to friends and assholes
Pink Dome has adjourned sine die...which makes me very unhappy. Alphonso Jackson resigned from HUD, which makes me extremely happy since I always thought he was a crony capitalist fucktard.
On a lighter note, I'm still watching Bad Girls and laughing my ass off since during a show featuring some really nasty bitches, Time Life is advertising Christian music.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 08, 2008
Anti-Death Penalty Fun
Here are the deets...
A Broken System – Crying out For Justice 2007 – 2008 National Speaking Tour In Austin, April 9, 2008 7 PM at UT, The Texas Union Chicano Culture Room, 4.206 Featuring Mothers of Texas Death Row Prisoners: Sandra Reed – mother of Rodney Reed Anna Terrell - mother of Reginald Blanton Lee Greenwood – mother of Joseph Nichols, killed March 7, 2007 Jeannine Scott – Wife of Michael Scott, in prison for life. A “Live From Death Row” Event, with a call from a death row prisoner. Something is wrong. What can we do? The first step to action is awareness. Come and hear these voices and together let's fight for justice. For more info: 494-0667 or cedpaustin@gmailcom
Posted by mcblogger at 02:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Yes, we agree with you
Kelso took a swipe at the TSA last week...
Mandi Hamlin, 37, was having a hard time removing a nipple ring as she was going through airport security up in Lubbock. So a TSA agent handed her a pair of pliers to help her get the job done.If you had an uncle crazy enough to do something like that, would you let him in your house? I know I wouldn't. I'd try to have him committed.
While Hamlin was behind a screen removing the nipple ring, she says, she could hear the male agents tittering. Now there's a Beavis and Butt-Head moment for you. Can't you hear them back there going, "Heh heh. Heh heh heh."
Hamlin should have told the TSA to go suck an egg. Yes, I know she wouldn't be allowed on the plane unless she lost the nipple ring. And I can understand wanting to get out of Lubbock. Boy, can I. But not quite that badly. On the other hand, I could see somebody removing a nipple ring with a pair of pliers to get out of Midland.
When you've got federal officials handing garage tools to passengers to mutilate themselves to get on an airplane, it's pretty obvious that we've lost our minds in this country when it comes to safety. And a nipple ring, for gosh sakes. Did the agent think Hamlin's nipple ring would explode?
Did they think the nipple ring would explode? Probably. These are the same asshats who thought bottle water would explode.
Posted by mcblogger at 08:57 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 07, 2008
Damn The Activist Judiciary!
A Federal Judge has upheld the City's ban on smoking in bars. Where people go to drink. And meet other people. And have drinks with them. LIKE I DO.
A federal appeals court today reinstated Austin’s smoking ban in all public places.A lower court had parts of overturned the ban, which was approved by Austin voters and took effect Sept. 1, 2005, claiming the law was impermissibly vague. The law had been challenged by several Austin bars, which claimed the ban hurt their business.
But the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in a ruling filed Thursday but released today, said the law conformed to Constitutional provisions. The appeals court also voided an injunction barring Austin from enforcing the law.
Laugh it up, Glen.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:40 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 06, 2008
Roundin' up the TPA
It's time for another Texas Progressive Alliance Blog Round-Up. The weekly round up is compiled from submissions submitted by member bloggers.
Saturday, TXsharon of Bluedaze attended the Barnett Shale Expo and the lies told by John Tinterra, Texas Railroad Commission, in front of citizens who pay his salary and in front of his boss, Victor Carrillo, reminded TXS of a quote from Cold Mountain: "That man is so full of manure we could plant him and grow another one!".
McBlogger's never been a big fan of tax abatements to lure new companies to Austin. He's even less thrilled with them when they are being used to entice developers, especially developers who can't seem to make their finances work without the abatements.
Off the Kuff takes one last look at primary voting in Harris County, this time examining Democratic turnout by State Rep district.
WCNews at Eye On Williamson previews the GOP runoff in HD-52, The Same Only Different.
Over a thousand Harris County voters took "vote twice" too seriously, writes PDiddie at Brains and Eggs.
Hal at Half Empty will vote in the Democratic primary runoff, to be sure, despite the fact that only one race will appear on his ballot. The tables are turned and the Republicans in CD 22 have a much more juicy decision to make. Oh, to be a Republican.
Gary at Easter Lemming Liberal News turned it over to his brother Jim for a few odd links as he was getting ready to be tired out at the third step of the Texas Two-Step. Earlier in the week Gary got his dander riled at racist media conservatives.
nytexan at BlueBloggin tells us that keeping 378 delegates and 275 alternates under control is like herding cats in It’s Great To Be A Democrat In Texas at the Senatorial District 18, Bastrop County Convention.
Posted by mcblogger at 04:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 05, 2008
This weekend in FUN!
Come join Hank Gilbert and the folks at TURF at the Capitol to let our leaders know that you don't want to pay through the nose for a road to nowhere!
Keel said the report tarnished his reputation."The intent was to set up a fraudulent Web site, be able to remain anonymous and make it appear that this was reporting," he said. "I don't care which candidate it's used against; I am not going to be a victim of fraud."
Keel, you stupid bitch. YOU aren't the injured party. You destroyed your own reputation and credibility. Your former constituents mostly think of you much like they do gum on the bottom of an old shoe. Or dogshit. If anyone was injured, it's Mindy. Your precious reputation was worthless BEFORE anyone posted a damn thing about you. Oh, and as for your complaint against Fero, it's bullshit. Nothing more than your pathetic need to play some of sort of part in the process.
And change that stupid haircut, 'tard.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:40 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 04, 2008
The Beautiful People
I recently signed up for news alerts from the Schlockman, mostly because people around me are all the time talking about local things and I'm constantly left out because I never pay attention to local news. I really need to know about the latest person shot by the Round Rock PD? Really? Along with the alerts come links to other bullshit from the paper, including stuff from Austin360 which is the Schlockman's effort to seem hip and cool.
Funny that the NYT can send out Urban Eye and pull off a kind of effortless brilliance, even with a pic of Tori Spelling on the banner. The Schlockman, on the other hand, gives us the 'A List'. Seriously, if I were thinking about relo to Austin and I saw the 'A List', I'd start looking elsewhere. I know there are far more attractive people than this in Austin. I see them out all the time. They just weren't at the Beauty Bar on 27th March.
And I can totally say all this because I'm a goddamn super model.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:42 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
April 03, 2008
Here's where you're wrong
The primaries this year threw a lot of people off, mostly because it was a much more significant event than anyone realized it would be. Everyone expected record turnout, but no one thought it would be as large as it was. I've waited a month for someone to point out the obvious and damn if it still hasn't happened. Then I read this retarded little analysis and thought "Goddamn, none of the mooks are going to say it". So, allow me.
The Democratic Primary effectively sucked the life out of the majority Republican Party in Texas.
There's a theory floating out there that somehow the non-partisan ParentPAC has lost it's strength. Here's the brill primary analysis...
To make it even worse, best estimates put Parent PAC’s arch nemesis, pro-voucher supporter James Leininger, at 4-2 this primary cycle. And three of his four victories came against Parent PAC backed candidates.Here’s a closer look at Parent PAC’s primary cycle. In races where they put in 10,000 dollars or more, they managed a mere 2 - 5 record. In their marque race of the season, Parent PAC again targeted a top Craddick Lieutenant in Phil King, but this time they poured over 60,000 dollars into a poor showing with Joe Tison, who got rolled-up by 31 points. Jim Shepherd took 5,000 of their dollars and front-runner status into his quest to not make his run-off to replace Fred Hill. Likewise, Bob Leonard took 7,500 of their dollars only to get trounced by Mark Shelton. But I’m sure that was one they didn’t mind losing, this way Parent PAC is saved the awkward moment of having to chose in the general between Leonard and Democrat Dan Barrett, who they’ve donated to in the past.
The El Paso duo of Moreno and Haggerty took a combined 16,000 Parent PAC dollars and flushed it down the toilet. All in all, in the ten races Parent PAC lost, totaling over 131,000 of their dollars, 6 were by ten points or more. But it’s not all bad news. It only took the badly bruised PAC just 161,000 dollars to squeeze out a 17 vote victory over Nathan Macias.
First, there is a really good reason why some of these races were lost. Democrats pulled people out of the Republican primary all over Texas for the first time in decades. That's the only way Haggerty loses and it's not like that will be a CradDICK win. Moody's going to take that seat with ease in November. As for King, shit... I think even he sees Sean Penn when he looks in a mirror. Even if he survives November, he'll be bloodied, beaten down and shrunken under the weight of knowing that it's going to happen all over again in less than 2 years. I don't think those narrow shoulders can bear that kind of load.
Of course, going into the primary, I like many thought it would be business as usual. But I'm a dumbass blogger. Some of these people are well paid political analysts who should have been able to see in the numbers the trouble ahead. My problem was in thinking this was only a slightly larger Pres primary with a 'slightly larger' universe of voters. I certainly never anticipated it would suck the life out of the Republican party and nothing I saw that night made me think differently. I mean, I live in Travis County. I'm used to dramatically outnumbering the Republicans at precinct conventions. What surprised me was that Democrats were doing it all over the state. And those numbers flipping over weakened the chances that challengers and good incumbents in the R primary had against CradDICK and Leininger opponents.
Just like Grusendork in 2006, King would have gone down this year in the primary from crossover support. So, in large part for no real reason, Leininger looks like he's got his teeth back. But looks can be deceiving. He's still the same neutered dipshit he was just after the 2006 primaries. However, no one will see it until November.
Many people are going to be surprised by how many races Democratic candidates win around the state with seemingly little support. It's because overnight March 4th, the Texas Democratic Party became THE 800 pound gorilla in the room.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 02, 2008
One thing all candidates have in common
Sister Ruth has a story she likes to tell about being on MoPac in traffic and seeing a bumper sticker that said "Dear Jesus : Please save me from your fan club". I feel the same about the candidates this cycle. It's not so much that y'all suck (some of you do, but only a few), it's your supporters that are, frankly, asshats.
Y'all take a Klonopin and relax.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
This'll put Lamme's out of business
Ever had a strawberry that tastes like white chocolate?
In the future, no natural food will taste as you remember it now. Because face it: fruits and vegetables are great. But if turnips tasted like Doritos, America wouldn't be so fat that our continent occasionally dips into the ocean, like arm floaties on a grown man.
Tokyo company FCOM is learning how to change food as we know it. Instead of using genetic modification, they're utilizing techniques from other industrial processes. Through freeze-drying fruit, FCOM is then able to replace with water with flavor (or in the case of strawberries, water with white chocolate). But no, they haven't made cocao butter-based white chocolate into a health food.
Or, how about an orange that tastes like yummy cheddar and is fortified with lithium (or Chantix if you, like Barfly and Sister Ruth, are quitting smoking)?
Posted by mcblogger at 09:20 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 01, 2008
This is some bullshit
In February, 2006 a teacher decided to wash out a child's mouth with soap. The child, of course, claimed that he'd been forced to drink soap. The grandparents decided to sue. They recently won.
A state district court jury has awarded the family of a Sims Elementary School student whose teacher was accused of forcing him to drink liquid soap $15,000 in damages in a civil suit, according to court documents.Tony Lamaro Johnson and Juanita Johnson, grandparents of Tony Lamaro Johnson II, who is now 7, had sued Susan Miller-Smith, the boy's former teacher.
Miller-Smith was accused of putting soap in Lamaro's mouth on Feb. 23, 2006.
A Travis County grand jury later declined to charge Miller-Smith with a crime. She resigned from her job with the Austin Independent School District in March 2006, a district official said.
On Friday, a jury in state district court awarded $5,000 for pain and mental anguish and $10,000 for future mental anguish, the documents said.
Kudos to the GJ, but shit all over the retard jury in the suit. I can only imagine this whiny little fuck coming home complaining about this and Grandma and Grandpa Johnson falling over themselves to baby the poor little lamb.
My mouth was all the time being washed out when I was a kid (I'm kinda slow on the uptake... plus, I kept thinking the bitch teachers were out of earshot) and it wasn't with liquid soap. IT WAS WITH LAVA. I complained about it once when I was 5. My father, being the brilliant jurist he is, decided to spank me because I'd obviously done something bad at school. That and he didn't like whining.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 28, 2008
In case you were wondering...
We're having something of a realignment at McBlogger. Frankly, things have been stale. Many of you have pointed that out (thanks for that, BTW) and you're right. We're sick of the constant campaigning. The endless candidate drives. The relentless bullshit.
A word to the wise: Some of you running campaigns really shouldn't. Honestly, you suck at it and what you think is an impressive press hit is basically the political news equivalent of farting. YOU ARE BURNING US THE FUCK OUT. Quit with the daily emails... more than once a week and we're done with you. Seriously, not that much has happened.
All this and the Mayor, Captain Kroc, Harry and I have been hella busy with our respective jobs, not mention helping out TCDP for the Convention tomorrow. So be patient, we're not going anywhere. We're just sharpening our teeth.
We're also looking for some new writers to complement the fabulous people we are NOT WRITING for us now. So, if you feel like your writing is McBlogger Quality (laugh.it.up), please shoot me an email.
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March 27, 2008
Gearing up for more voucher crap...
The reality is that vouchers are not a panacea. They aren't even working where they've been tried.
Voucher students' test scores in the year the study covered were roughly the same as public school students'; the study also found voucher students scored below the national average, between the 28th and 39th percentile, on national reading, math, and science tests.
A frequent argument made against them, that the vouchers won't provide enough money to the poor to put their kids in anything but a parochial school, is in fact true. Even the Catholics can't run schools as cheap as the public education system which is really the crux of the entire 'how to improve education' debate. There are two things you need. One, is a change in what teachers are teaching and a return to a more formalistic curriculum. The other is more money.
What? You too are tired of the kids getting a Wal Mart education? Well, here's what we need to do. Pump money into schools and restandardize the curriculum. The pennies we save by underfunding public education end up costing us billions in lost wages, productivity and taxes down the road. It's time for conservatives to realize that conservatism is about more than just cutting taxes and spending. It's about spending money on things that matter.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 25, 2008
McBlogger's Comedy Tips, Part 1109
FUNNY
Tina Fey. A once-a-year birth control solution. Psychotic periods.Brilliance.
NOT FUNNY
Dogs. A child. A politician. A politician with dogs and a child. Cheese (in a can).
I have no doubt that Mindy's tough enough to stand up to criminals. Rosemary is, too. However, unlike Rosemary, I have serious doubts about whether or not Mindy can stand up to her friends.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:09 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 24, 2008
Take this 2,000 acre development and shove it!
Let me preface this with the fact that I like development. Not just new construction or renovations of existing buildings, but economic development. I especially like the kind that promises to create a massive number of jobs in our community. There is, however, one thing that'll make me turn into a zero growth nut. That's when developers come 'round asking for tax breaks and abatements and claiming that it's the only way they can bring their project to Austin.
Really? Do you want a virgin to consummate the deal as well?
Seriously, this crap about Villa Muse is about as retarded as I've ever seen. First off, the developers are taking over 2,000 acres in a developing area of Travis County, which just happens to be part of Austin's ETJ. What the developers want is to have that removed from taxation and zoning requirements, effectively reverting the land back to county control and keeping it from being annexed by the city. Not to mention that it would keep it out of city environmental oversight, which is exactly why the city shot down the proposal.
Some council members said the city could not be guaranteed that it would be able to eventually annex the property even if the developers signed an agreement. Leffingwell and Kim were also worried about the lack of environmental oversight of the floodplain remediation that would be necessary and the proposed construction of the studio so close to Gilleland Creek.
All this, of course, has Dawnna Dukes all upset...
Dukes wrote that Villa Muse would have been a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Central Texas area, especially Eastern Travis County.”“Your decision to deny the temporary release of Villa Muse from the city’s Extra Territorial Jurisdiction takes certain financing options off the table, thus making the project financially unfeasible” and probably ensuring its relocation to a different city, she wrote.
Dukes said she questioned whether environmental concerns were the real reason the council members decided refused to support the project, given that the council is considering building a landfill and wastewater treatment plant in Eastern Travis County.
She asked the council members to reconsider their decision: “This project will succeed somewhere in Texas. It would be ideal to have it here.”
First off, Dawnna, it's a mixed us development not unlike The Domain whose developers WERE able to talk the city into questionable tax breaks(which folks are even now trying to get rid of). Therefore, it's nothing special. Oh, there's the 70k seat amphitheater that's a huge risk in a town where people will squeeze 100 per square foot into some shitty club to hear some shitty band play shitty music.
And you're wrong, Dawnna. This project will only really succeed here. There really aren't too many other areas of Texas where this can succeed. Maybe in Irving and if the developers want to pick up and move to the artistic hotbed of Irving, they are more than welcome. Have at it, fellas!
As for the project being financially unfeasible, you wouldn't know if it was or wasn't, Dawnna. If their margins were soooo thin that only a tax break put them into the black, then this is really a blessing in disguise. The City Council just saved us from another nightmare because if their finances were THAT flimsy, odds are the developers would have gone bust during construction. Three strikes of stupid on this, Dawnna...
1) You chastise people who clearly have a better understanding of this than you.
2) You fight hard for developers with questionable financing (and who, by the way, was underwriting this package? USB? Lehman? Southwest?).
3) You talk about tax abatements as if they're some sort of economic panacea (which they aren't).
Needless to say, this or something like it is going to happen in this area with or without the wonderful developers who've given Dawnna so much over the years. The developers, for their part, are of threatening to take their toys and move on...
The backers of a proposed entertainment studio and production facility in eastern Travis County say they are negotiating with other Texas cities to move the project after Austin officials refused to temporarily release the project from its regulatory grasp.Villa Muse Vice President Paul Alvarado-Dykstra would not reveal which other cities the developers are negotiating with but said there was more than one and all were in Texas.
"We haven't closed the door on Austin, but we kind of feel like Austin closed the door on us last Thursday," he said.
Ahhh... so long, fuckball. Try playing your financial shell game with a muni that's controlled by short sighted stupid people.
And here, my friends, is why I'm supporting Jennifer Kim for re-election...
Last week, state Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, who represents the area, sent a scathing letter to Mayor Will Wynn and Council Members Betty Dunkerley, Jennifer Kim and Lee Leffingwell, all of whom voted against the release.Kim and Leffingwell said they were not surprised by the developers' decision to pursue other locations and are not inclined to revisit releasing the land anytime soon.
"It is unfortunate that they are not going to locate here, but we need to make sure that we are protecting our environment and our quality of life," Kim said. "In this case, we couldn't assure that to our constituents."
Translation... you aren't going to get something for nothing. If you want play in Austin, you have to pay just like everyone else. Either that or we'll steal your idea and do it ourselves.
We're mean like that.
Last point then I promise I'll move on to something exciting, the people who really get screwed with abatements are the existing property base. See, development needs infrastructure and services. Even if the developer is paying for the internal roads, power grid and water/wastewater systems, the external hookups will have to upgraded and city facilities will have to be ungraded to take care on the additional burden. That costs money and frankly I don't think any of us mind paying it.
As long as the new development starts paying taxes just like the rest of us. If not, then you're wasting our time and our money. Come back when you have have the wherewithal to do things the right way.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:59 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
March 22, 2008
Is it just me...
...or has the Belmont gone lame? Last night I went there for drinks with some people and the goddamn band was making us sick. It's not that they were playing badly, it's that they were playing at all. And no, there weren't many people dancing.
Why the FUCK does every bar in Austin think live music will help their sales?
Posted by mcblogger at 10:19 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 21, 2008
Runoff - Henry and Lehmberg
Remember that primary a few weeks ago? Well, some of the candidates are in a runoff. Here are two you need to support:
Dale Henry has secured the endorsement of Burnt Orange Report and a re-endorsement from Brains and Eggs.
Here in Travis County, Rosemary Lehmberg recently received the endorsement of former DA candidate Gary Cobb. We urge you to support her. Because she rocks. And because... well, there's this on her opponent.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:06 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 20, 2008
City Council Endorsement - ALGPC and SDA
I got to see some of the candidates, hear some of their positions, smoke a cigarette out on the street (because of you goddamn asthmatics who banned smoking indoors) and finally find out who we endorsed.
It was an exciting night down at the Commissioner's Court. At least I was excited. I'd been looking forward all day to seeing Jennifer Gale's first performance of the city endorsement season. Unfortunately, due to an unfortunate oversight on the part of SOMEONE at ALGPC, she wasn't invited. When I protested, the others in the audience, who have no appreciation for raw talent, kinda got irritated AND GROANED. It's a shame so many had to die, but I just couldn't see myself putting up with that kind of behavior. Well, that AND I was nicfitting like a motherfucker. I know, I quit... however, after the day I had I needed a damn cigarette. Cut me some slack, mother. YOU didn't have to deal with your admin asst threatening to quit. At 4:30 in the afternoon, natch.
Though the membership rolls of both the Austin Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus and Stonewall Democrats of Austin were decimated, they did manage to make some great decisions... and some real mistakes.
Place 1
ALGPC - Leiffingwell
SDA - No endorsement
Place 3
ALGPC - Shade
SDA - Shade
I voted for Kim in both and feel that a mistake was made. By letting so many clearly stupid people vote. I kid, I kid... I like Randi and think she's a nice lady. I just like Jennifer's tenacity better and think she's done a much better job than she's generally given credit for.
Place4
ALGPC - Morrison
SDA - Morrison
I gotta say, I'm disappointed Robin Cravey didn't get at least one.
In other exciting city council endorsement news, BATPAC released their endorsements.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:46 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 18, 2008
Roundin' up the TPA
It is time for another edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance's weekly blog round-up. The round-up is compiled each week by the TPA based on submissions made by our member blogs and bloggers. This week's round-up was compiled by Vince from Capitol Annex.
The leader of McBlogger's crack legal team has an interesting take on Gov. Spitzer's premium taste in hookers.
TXsharon at Bluedaze asks if Texas Railroad Commission malpractice like this will cost you your life or only your health.
WhosPlayin looks at plagiarism by a Republican candidate for city council: John Gorena, of Lewisville who lifted quite a bit of his website from a Democratic judicial candidate.
Off the Kuff takes a look at downballot voting in the Democratic Primary in Harris County.
WCNews at Eye On Williamson shines a light on the latest Texas GOP voucher scam in HD-52, Education Matters.
Hal at Half Empty came across the latest production by the DSCC, and to his surprise and delight, found it was about (or going to be, eventually) our own senatorial candidate, Texas Democratic senatorial nominee Rick Noriega.
Good luck unemployed people of Texas. The Texas Cloverleaf exposes Governor 39%'s recent appointment of GOP idealogue and fellow blogger, Tom Pauken, as the new chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission.
CouldBeTrue at South Texas Chisme shows how Republicans shaft Texas workers on behalf of their business cronies. Insurance companies are forced to reveal medical data on perspective employees and unemployment insurance premiums are cut to give companies a 'tax break'.
Vince at Capitol Annex takes a look at a number of scorecards ranking Texas' Congressional Delegation in which Texas' Republicans score big, fat "F's" when it comes to children, families, the middle class, the environment, working Americans, and more.
In "Bulletins from the front lines", PDiddie at Brains and Eggs advances some of the challenges the forthcoming Senate District conventions will face, with the expected huge turnout expected to overrun facilities and organizers.
nytexan at BlueBloggin looks at the different delegate counts provided by the media and asks So You Think You Know The Delegate Count.
Refinish69 at Doing My Part For The Left writes a Letter to Hillary.
Fake Consultant takes a shot at predicting a perfect VP for Obama at Texas Kaos.
Posted by mcblogger at 03:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Randi Shade likes queso (and, apparently, tolls)
The city council elections are coming up May 10 and to say I'm excited would be like saying Tina Fey is mildly amusing. I'm ecstatic. Because of endorsement meetings with Jennifer Gale. That's right. That's what has me excited. You people that go to those meetings and bemoan the fact that you've got to listen to her are idiots with no appreciation for her unique comedic talents. Normally you'd have to pay cover and buy two drinks to get that kind of a show.
I'm just thrilled to be quite honest and will try to make as many of her performances as possible. Of course, I will not be voting for her. I'll be voting for one of the other, less amusing though slightly more sane, nuts.
McSleaze and I will be keeping a close watch on the candidates. Mostly because we want to see the moment when a candidate turns into a shit flinging monkey.
Today though, we'd like to point you to a few things floating around, like poop in the toilet at that 7-11 in Round Rock I stopped at today. First off, there's David Mauro's breakdown of the candidates running this year. No Brewster isn't there so you'll not have a chance to vote against him. That's next year. This year we have these folks. Among them, Randi Shade and Cid Galindo stand out, kind of like a guy in a suit at Casino el Camino. Matt at BOR recently posted this piece about Randi and some of her contributors. Randi then posted this piece which is mostly interesting because of the back forth between m1ek, Sal Costello and Kedron Touvell. Oh, and me.
Yeah, yeah... I know there are other issues besides the toll roads but can you think of one that effects as many issues as transportation infrastructure? Randi is coming across more and more as just another politico more interested in a short term fix than a long term solution that might take some work.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:07 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 12, 2008
Montford receives one hell of an endorsement
I don't think I've ever seen anything like this...
Rosemary Lehmberg has been endorsed by Ronnie Earle as his hand picked replacement. She led the Public Integrity Unit for a time in Travis County and has been an assistant DA in Travis County for many years. She will continue on the policies of Ronnie Earle...policies that most Republicans are not fond of.
For those Republicans that "crossed-over" to become Democrats this year, I ask you to vote in the runoff for Mindy Montford for Travis County DA. The Republicans do not have a candidate in the general election this year, so the winner of the Democrat Primary will be the new Travis County District Attorney. Put your new voting power as a Democrat to good use, and vote in the runoff for Mindy Montford.
So, what Travis Monitor is (in effect) saying is that Montford will be more compliant to the Republicans? And that Rosemary Lehmberg will continue to prosecute political corruption, both Republican and Democratic? Are you saying that Republicans don't want to see public corruption prosecuted and Montford will sit on the prosecutions Republicans don't like? Would that include the one of Tom Delay? The same guy Democratic AND Republican Texans think is carnival scum?
We're sticking with Rosemary.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:48 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
CradDICK and Dewhearse SPRING into action
You know, it DOES make me laugh a little to think of tweedle dee and tweedle dum 'springing into action' on anything. Far more likely that they'd be moving with all deliberate sloth. However, this time they are actually being aggressive on transportation funding... and it has nothing to do with tolling.
The short letter — signed by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, House Speaker Tom Craddick, Senate Finance Chairman Steve Ogden and House Appropriations Chairman Warren Chisum — recommends that TxDOT borrow another $1.5 billion against future gas tax revenue to bridge a temporary financial tight spot. The Legislature, the letter promises, will make sure that some of the gas tax money now diverted to other, nonhighway-construction needs will be returned to the agency to back the bonds.
Left unsaid? An increase of (and indexing) the gas tax which is what the majority of Texans want and what will likely happen as tolling falls completely off the cliff.
TXDOT, predictably, shifted the response on the letter back to the Governor. Retard Rick's spokesman, Robert Black, said that 39% wasn't interested in any of this and that the Lege would have to reopen road privatization 'to the lowest bidder'.
"What this letter is asking TxDOT to do is a two-year stopgap, two years of going further into debt," Black said. "A long-term solution comes first. Last year the Legislature came in and all they did was say 'no.' With the rate this state is growing and the needs and challenges we have in transportation, we can't afford to say 'no' anymore."
Just as a side note, does Black rock or what? I mean, the guy goes to work for a terrible pig of a man who spends an inordinate amount of time pandering to every special interest that will listen and who may be one of the worst Governors in the history of the State of Texas. Seriously, when we look at his association with privatization interests and the political contributions from them coupled with his support for their cause... well, it looks an awful lot like corruption. And this is what Black has to work with. Robert, I know we used to make fun of you but I've developed a new kind of respect for you. What's your trick? Anti-anxiety meds with a vodka chaser?
But back to the issue at hand... TXDOT's 'financial crises'. TXDOT said it was cutting all constructions projects because of a lack in future years of money to pay for them. Money that the Lege has simply not appropriated. Which is a bit like me saying I won't do my job now because I may or may not get my expense reimbursement in June, 2010. I got news for the folks at TXDOT... you let the Lege worry about your funding. You build the damn roads.
I guess that's a big part of the problem with TXDOT right now. It's controlled by our idiot Governor, Retard Rick, and overly politicized. These folks don't really do their jobs, they don't know how. They're mostly political hacks. The other big problem is that THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO COUNT.
TxDOT had announced the construction slowdown in November, citing inflation in construction costs and cutbacks in federal grants. In early February, at a hearing called by two Senate committees, TxDOT revealed that it had double-counted $1.1 billion in scheduling construction projects. That mistake, officials said at the time, had a lot to do with the crunch.The state auditor is now looking at TxDOT's finances.
There's your funding gap, morons. GET. TO. WORK.
And to our friends at the Lege who will no doubt read this, y'all need to go hyper aggressive against TXDOT. How about dismantling them next year and reconstituting the TTC to make it composed of statewide elected officials, like the RRC?
Seriously, we can't afford to wait out Retard Rick. Hope Andrade alone could do some serious damage and not even realize it.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:05 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 11, 2008
Relevance and Unity
One thing last Tuesday night made clear was that people are paying attention to Democrats. Recent polls indicate that more than 52% of people in the US are now calling themselves Democrats. None of this is good news to the Republican candidate who now has to convince people he even matters. Which, not surprisingly, even Texans are clearly indicating, he doesn't.
While the Presidential race is going to continue and continue to draw attention, we in Texas have had our primary. We know, mostly, who our candidates are. Now is the time for unity. Frankly, I'm not all that jazzed about certain candidates who will represent us in November. However, the alternative is far, far worse.
While we move in this direction, we should pay attention to runoff races. My two are the RRC race (between Dale Henry and some other guy) and the Travis County DA's race (I'm still for Rosemary). What's on your radar?
Posted by mcblogger at 08:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack