I guess I must be living in a hole in the ground or something, because I didn't even know this law existed. It's not a new law either. It's been in effect for around 140 years. It seems that after the Civil War, our benevolent and all-wise government passed a law denying veterans access to an attorney in their dealings with the Veteran's Administration. This ridiculous law has passed Supreme Court scrutiny, and is still in effect.
So it is OK for our government to send our soldiers through hell, possibly to be killed, maimed or psychologically injured, but it is not OK for a veteran to hire an attorney to help him deal with that same government's bureaucracy. That really sounds fair doesn't it? I had always thought that one of our most cherished and useful rights was the right to consult an attorney when the awesome weight of government was bearing down on us.
Fortunately, some of our legislators are trying to change this. Senator Larry Craig [R-Idaho] has introduced a bill in the Senate, and Rep. Lane Evans [D-Illinois] and Rep. Jeff Miller [R-Florida] have introduced bills in the House. All of these bills would allow a veteran to hire an attorney at any stage in their dealings with the VA.
Of course, the VA is opposed to these bills. Ronald Aument, Deputy Undersecretary for Benefits at the VA, says there is no evidence that veterans would get better results by hiring an attorney. Obviously, Mr. Aument has never had to deal with a government agency from a citizen's viewpoint. Sometimes an attorney is the only person that can get something done. Aument continues, "Further, VA would likely have to hire attorneys to work in its regional offices to respond to the legal pleadings filed by attorneys in support of their client's claims. However unintentional it would be, we predict the process would inevitably become more formal and brief-driven, to the point claimants may feel they must hire attorneys to establish entitlement to their benefits."
If that's the only arguments the VA has, then they'd be better served by backing off on this one. Veterans should have the right to consult an attorney anytime they feel the need. I don't know what chance these bills have of becoming law, but I hope they make it. The current situation is just wrong, and it must be set right.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Monday, September 04, 2006
Houston Developer To Raze Denton's Fry Street
This story affects me personally. I lived in Denton for several years, and did part of my college schooling at the University of North Texas. During that time, I hung out a lot on Fry Street, just like a lot of other students and Denton residents. Most of the buildings there date back to the 1920's, and house a mixture of shops, resturants, and bars, that are still popular with UNT students.
Fry Street has always been a favorite hangout for UNT students. Back in the sixties, Denton's first head shop opened on Fry Street, and it became a hangout for north Texas hippies. The shops came and went, and Fry Street altered itself slightly to fit each succeeding generation, but it always remained a popular spot for students. Recently, it had been the home of the Fry Street Festival - a music festival that drew thousands each year.
However, none of this seems to matter to the current leadership in Denton. Their eyes are on the dollar signs. Chuck Carpenter, president of the Denton Chamber of Commerce says, "We recognize its attractiveness in terms of a hospitality destination. This is not a dis of Fry Street. I just don't know if you can view any of that as significant." Carpenter went on to say that Fry Street doesn't produce as much tax money as other developments such as the Golden Triangle Mall, so the area needs to be redeveloped.
A Houston company, United Equities, has now purchased the block of Fry Street closest to the college, and plans to tear down the current buildings and put up a new development with shops such as Starbucks. Some of the current businesses have been offered a spot in the new buildings, but at a rent increase of 600%. Most of the current businesses will not be able to afford that. The result will be that the unique and rather charming businesses now populating Fry Street will disappear, and be replaced by the cookie-cutter corporate businesses that can be found everywhere.
Many UNT students are not happy about the planned new development, and have started a petition that has already gathered 7,000 signatures. They are asking the company to renovate the current buildings, rather than tear them down for new buildings. In this way, they hope to save the current charm of the area.
I wish the students success, but I am realistic. Trying to fight a developer during the current Republican administration is usually a losing proposition. The only thing that matters to these people is the almighty dollar. History and charm are easily sacrificed to feed the corporate greed machine.
As a lover of Fry Street, I am saddened today.
Fry Street has always been a favorite hangout for UNT students. Back in the sixties, Denton's first head shop opened on Fry Street, and it became a hangout for north Texas hippies. The shops came and went, and Fry Street altered itself slightly to fit each succeeding generation, but it always remained a popular spot for students. Recently, it had been the home of the Fry Street Festival - a music festival that drew thousands each year.
However, none of this seems to matter to the current leadership in Denton. Their eyes are on the dollar signs. Chuck Carpenter, president of the Denton Chamber of Commerce says, "We recognize its attractiveness in terms of a hospitality destination. This is not a dis of Fry Street. I just don't know if you can view any of that as significant." Carpenter went on to say that Fry Street doesn't produce as much tax money as other developments such as the Golden Triangle Mall, so the area needs to be redeveloped.
A Houston company, United Equities, has now purchased the block of Fry Street closest to the college, and plans to tear down the current buildings and put up a new development with shops such as Starbucks. Some of the current businesses have been offered a spot in the new buildings, but at a rent increase of 600%. Most of the current businesses will not be able to afford that. The result will be that the unique and rather charming businesses now populating Fry Street will disappear, and be replaced by the cookie-cutter corporate businesses that can be found everywhere.
Many UNT students are not happy about the planned new development, and have started a petition that has already gathered 7,000 signatures. They are asking the company to renovate the current buildings, rather than tear them down for new buildings. In this way, they hope to save the current charm of the area.
I wish the students success, but I am realistic. Trying to fight a developer during the current Republican administration is usually a losing proposition. The only thing that matters to these people is the almighty dollar. History and charm are easily sacrificed to feed the corporate greed machine.
As a lover of Fry Street, I am saddened today.
Wages For American Workers Losing Ground
It is only proper to discuss the plight of the American worker on Labor Day. After all, to hear the Republicans talk, American workers must be doing great! They have told us that worker's wages are dependent on productivity, and productivity has risen by 33% in the last ten years. That must mean that workers wages have risen by around 33% - right? Wrong!
Wages did almost keep up with productivity for the five year period before Georgie became president. In the period between 1995 and 2000, during the administration of Democrat Bill Clinton, productivity rose by 2.5% each year, and worker's wages nearly kept pace by rising 2.2% each year. Under a Democratic president, workers were rewarded for becoming more productive.
Workers haven't done too well under Georgie's Republican administration. In the five year period between 2000 and 2005, productivity has grown by 3.1% each year, while worker's wages have fallen by 0.5% each year. This means workers have less buying power now than they did before Georgie became president, and that buying power continues to drop.
Georgie's presidency has been a real boon for the rich and powerful. They are paying less taxes and making obscenely large profits. But Georgie has been a disaster for American workers. Their wages have fallen and prices have risen, and now they must shoulder more of the total tax burden. Thanks to Georgie's policies, the rich are getting even richer, while everyone else is getting poorer.
How long is the middle-class going to put up with this before they boot the Republicans out of power?
Wages did almost keep up with productivity for the five year period before Georgie became president. In the period between 1995 and 2000, during the administration of Democrat Bill Clinton, productivity rose by 2.5% each year, and worker's wages nearly kept pace by rising 2.2% each year. Under a Democratic president, workers were rewarded for becoming more productive.
Workers haven't done too well under Georgie's Republican administration. In the five year period between 2000 and 2005, productivity has grown by 3.1% each year, while worker's wages have fallen by 0.5% each year. This means workers have less buying power now than they did before Georgie became president, and that buying power continues to drop.
Georgie's presidency has been a real boon for the rich and powerful. They are paying less taxes and making obscenely large profits. But Georgie has been a disaster for American workers. Their wages have fallen and prices have risen, and now they must shoulder more of the total tax burden. Thanks to Georgie's policies, the rich are getting even richer, while everyone else is getting poorer.
How long is the middle-class going to put up with this before they boot the Republicans out of power?
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Texas - The Leading Producer Of Greenhouse Gases
The Dallas Morning News has an excellent article today about the production of greenhouse gases in Texas. The leading greenhouse gas in causing global warming is carbon dioxide. While Texas controls some emissions, it has no controls on the amount of carbon dioxide a plant can dump into our air, and currently has no plans to impose such controls.
The lack of state controls has resulted in Texas becoming a leading producer of carbon dioxide pollution. Texas leads all the other states by producing 723.2 million tons of carbon dioxide pollution each year. But Texas is not just the top producer among the states. This is what the top 10 countries look like, with the addition of Texas:
1. United States...............6,517.0 [million tons]
2. China...............5,188.8
3. Russia...............1,857.2
4. Japan...............1,391.2
5. India...............1,227.7
6. Germany...............950.4
7. Texas...............723.2
8. Canada...............648.1
9. United Kingdom...............639.0
10. South Korea...............547.6
So Texas is well-established as one of the world's leading producers of carbon dioxide pollution. What is our state doing about it? They have fast-tracked the building of 16 new coal-fired power plants, 11 of them to be built by Dallas-based TXU. The 11 new TXU plants by themselves, would pump an additional 78 million tons of carbon dioxide pollution into the air.
This week, the mayors of 17 Texas cities [including Dallas and Houston] representing over 6 million Texans, stepped forward to oppose the construction of the new plants as proposed. They want TXU to clean up its emissions.
It is time for the state of Texas to step in and establish some controls over the emission of carbon dioxide. California just issued regulations that would roll back its pollution to 1990 levels. That's a great start, and there's no reason Texas couldn't do the same thing. Well, no reason except the greedy corporate-owned Republican governor and other state officials. After all, these energy and power companies fork over huge sums in campaign donations to their Republican lackeys.
The only way to bring pollution under control in Texas, is to vote the Republicans out of office. Let's do it now, while we can still breath the air, and do our part to stop global warming. Our children and grandchildren will thank us for it.
The lack of state controls has resulted in Texas becoming a leading producer of carbon dioxide pollution. Texas leads all the other states by producing 723.2 million tons of carbon dioxide pollution each year. But Texas is not just the top producer among the states. This is what the top 10 countries look like, with the addition of Texas:
1. United States...............6,517.0 [million tons]
2. China...............5,188.8
3. Russia...............1,857.2
4. Japan...............1,391.2
5. India...............1,227.7
6. Germany...............950.4
7. Texas...............723.2
8. Canada...............648.1
9. United Kingdom...............639.0
10. South Korea...............547.6
So Texas is well-established as one of the world's leading producers of carbon dioxide pollution. What is our state doing about it? They have fast-tracked the building of 16 new coal-fired power plants, 11 of them to be built by Dallas-based TXU. The 11 new TXU plants by themselves, would pump an additional 78 million tons of carbon dioxide pollution into the air.
This week, the mayors of 17 Texas cities [including Dallas and Houston] representing over 6 million Texans, stepped forward to oppose the construction of the new plants as proposed. They want TXU to clean up its emissions.
It is time for the state of Texas to step in and establish some controls over the emission of carbon dioxide. California just issued regulations that would roll back its pollution to 1990 levels. That's a great start, and there's no reason Texas couldn't do the same thing. Well, no reason except the greedy corporate-owned Republican governor and other state officials. After all, these energy and power companies fork over huge sums in campaign donations to their Republican lackeys.
The only way to bring pollution under control in Texas, is to vote the Republicans out of office. Let's do it now, while we can still breath the air, and do our part to stop global warming. Our children and grandchildren will thank us for it.
Hispanics React To Farmers Branch Proposal
A few days ago, a Farmers Branch city councilman introduced a bigoted ordinance for consideration. The ordinance was trying to keep illegal aliens out of Farmers Branch, but seemed to be aimed at Hispanics in general. Hispanic leaders arranged for the obligatory demonstrations. After all, you can't let such governmental stupidity go unanswered. But then they took an action that was both unique and creative.
Hispanic leaders have targeted the 157 homes for sale in Farmers Branch. They are making a push for Hispanics to buy these homes. They have enlisted the help of local real estate brokers and have even arranged for cash help with closing costs. I don't know if they'll succeed or not, but I admire this kind of grass-roots effort to change the political climate. I think Farmers Branch already has about 27% of its population that is Hispanic. The addition of 157 more politically motivated Hispanic families into a city of only 24,000 can actually make a difference.
I applaud the actions of Hispanic leaders in this matter, and I wish them success in their campaign.
Hispanic leaders have targeted the 157 homes for sale in Farmers Branch. They are making a push for Hispanics to buy these homes. They have enlisted the help of local real estate brokers and have even arranged for cash help with closing costs. I don't know if they'll succeed or not, but I admire this kind of grass-roots effort to change the political climate. I think Farmers Branch already has about 27% of its population that is Hispanic. The addition of 157 more politically motivated Hispanic families into a city of only 24,000 can actually make a difference.
I applaud the actions of Hispanic leaders in this matter, and I wish them success in their campaign.
Cowboys Make Their Final Cuts
The Dallas Cowboys have made their final cuts and now have their 53-man roster set for the season. As usual, there were a few surprises among the players cut, and among those remaining. For the first time that I can remember, the Cowboys have kept three kickers - McBriar to punt, Vanderjagt to kick field goals, and Suisham to kick off [and kick field goals if Vanderjagt doesn't start kicking better].
The wide receiver position also received some new faces. I expected Jamaica Rector and Sam Hurd to make the team. They have been playing very well, and were the Cowboys leading receivers in preseason. The surprise came when the Cowboys cut Terrance Copper and kept undrafted free-agent Miles Austin.
On the offensive line, rookie Pat McQuistan showed enough promise in preseason to be kept on the team. However, the starting right tackle for all of last season, Rob Petitti, was cut. That was a surprise to me.
Three other rookies, Abram Elam [safety], Jason Hatcher [defensive end] and Oliver Hoyte [linebacker], played their way on to the team during preseason. I figured Elam and Hatcher had earned a spot, but Hoyte was a surprise.
Two of this year's drafted players were cut - Skyler Green and Montavious Stanley. Green had been drafted to run back kicks, but never showed in the preseason that he could do the job. Stanley was a nose tackle. Here is a complete list of the players cut from the team:
Rob Petitti - offensive tackle
Terrance Copper - wide receiver
Montavious Stanley - nose guard
Matt Baker - quarterback
Skyler Green - kick returner
Rocky Boiman - linebacker
Damarius Bilbo - wide receiver
Matt Tarullo - center
Dennis Roland - offensive tackle
Willie Pile - safety
Keylon Kincade - running back
Stephen Bowen - defensive end
Tony Curtis - tight end
Junior Glymph - linebacker
D'Anthony Batiste - offensive lineman
So, the team is set. The first game is September 10th at Jacksonville. I can hardly wait.
NOTE - The NFL has notified the Dallas Cowboys that safety Marcus Coleman has been suspended, and cannot play in the first four games of the season. He was suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
The wide receiver position also received some new faces. I expected Jamaica Rector and Sam Hurd to make the team. They have been playing very well, and were the Cowboys leading receivers in preseason. The surprise came when the Cowboys cut Terrance Copper and kept undrafted free-agent Miles Austin.
On the offensive line, rookie Pat McQuistan showed enough promise in preseason to be kept on the team. However, the starting right tackle for all of last season, Rob Petitti, was cut. That was a surprise to me.
Three other rookies, Abram Elam [safety], Jason Hatcher [defensive end] and Oliver Hoyte [linebacker], played their way on to the team during preseason. I figured Elam and Hatcher had earned a spot, but Hoyte was a surprise.
Two of this year's drafted players were cut - Skyler Green and Montavious Stanley. Green had been drafted to run back kicks, but never showed in the preseason that he could do the job. Stanley was a nose tackle. Here is a complete list of the players cut from the team:
Rob Petitti - offensive tackle
Terrance Copper - wide receiver
Montavious Stanley - nose guard
Matt Baker - quarterback
Skyler Green - kick returner
Rocky Boiman - linebacker
Damarius Bilbo - wide receiver
Matt Tarullo - center
Dennis Roland - offensive tackle
Willie Pile - safety
Keylon Kincade - running back
Stephen Bowen - defensive end
Tony Curtis - tight end
Junior Glymph - linebacker
D'Anthony Batiste - offensive lineman
So, the team is set. The first game is September 10th at Jacksonville. I can hardly wait.
NOTE - The NFL has notified the Dallas Cowboys that safety Marcus Coleman has been suspended, and cannot play in the first four games of the season. He was suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Judges Given Free Tickets By UT
Even the newest and lowliest state employee is taught to never accept a gift of any size from anyone with whom they may have official dealings, either now, or in the future. That's what makes this story so ridiculous. Now we have judges accepting favors from a state university.
Using the Texas Public Information Act, the Austin American-Statesman has learned that the University of Texas gave 280 free tickets and 169 discounted tickets to sitting judges. The tickets were for university football games in the 2001 through the 2005 seasons. Some of these judges sit on the highest courts in the state.
The judges are claiming they did nothing unethical. U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks said, "It's a small favor for the time I know we, over here in the federal courthouse, give the university." Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Barbara Hervey said she accepted the tickets "to support the University of Texas as another state agency. I felt like they were doing a hospitable social thing by including members of state government." I think it would show more support for the school if she actually paid for her ticket.
Just what part of "don't accept gifts" do these judges not understand? It's not like there's no chance of the university ever appearing in their courts. Just the opposite. With a university as large as UT, it is likely that someday the university will appear as a litigant in these courts. That means that accepting the tickets was unethical. Jeffrey M. Shaman, an expert on judicial ethics, says, "It seems to me that something like this, particularly when you're talking about 30 or 40 tickets, which are worth a lot of money, is improper for a judge to accept. It looks as if the university is trying to curry favor with the judge, and it looks as if the judge is accepting this attempt to curry favor."
The practice of sitting judges accepting gifts from those who may appear in their courtroom is just plain wrong. The judges involved should decline any further gifts, and should reimburse the university for the tickets received in the past. It's impossible to believe in the impartiality of a judge that accepts gifts.
Using the Texas Public Information Act, the Austin American-Statesman has learned that the University of Texas gave 280 free tickets and 169 discounted tickets to sitting judges. The tickets were for university football games in the 2001 through the 2005 seasons. Some of these judges sit on the highest courts in the state.
The judges are claiming they did nothing unethical. U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks said, "It's a small favor for the time I know we, over here in the federal courthouse, give the university." Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Barbara Hervey said she accepted the tickets "to support the University of Texas as another state agency. I felt like they were doing a hospitable social thing by including members of state government." I think it would show more support for the school if she actually paid for her ticket.
Just what part of "don't accept gifts" do these judges not understand? It's not like there's no chance of the university ever appearing in their courts. Just the opposite. With a university as large as UT, it is likely that someday the university will appear as a litigant in these courts. That means that accepting the tickets was unethical. Jeffrey M. Shaman, an expert on judicial ethics, says, "It seems to me that something like this, particularly when you're talking about 30 or 40 tickets, which are worth a lot of money, is improper for a judge to accept. It looks as if the university is trying to curry favor with the judge, and it looks as if the judge is accepting this attempt to curry favor."
The practice of sitting judges accepting gifts from those who may appear in their courtroom is just plain wrong. The judges involved should decline any further gifts, and should reimburse the university for the tickets received in the past. It's impossible to believe in the impartiality of a judge that accepts gifts.
Is Kinky A Liberal Or A Conservative ?
Yesterday, one of my commenters posed a question that has come up repeatedly during this campaign. Is Kinky Friedman a liberal, or is he a conservative? Supporters of Perry and Grandma would like for voters to believe that Kinky is a liberal. Supporters of Bell want voters to believe that Kinky is a conservative. Each group hopes that by labeling Kinky, they can stop the flow of votes into his campaign - votes that they had hoped to get for themselves.
It's pretty easy to label the other three candidates as either a liberal or conservative. Perry and Grandma have made no secret of the fact that they are right-wing conservative fundamentalists. They do not disagree on the issues - they just don't like each other. Grandma is not running as an independent because of political differences with conservatives, but because she couldn't beat Perry in the Republican primary.
On the other hand, Bell is definitely a liberal politician. But don't expect him to admit that in public. Texas Democrats are scared to death of being labeled a liberal. Many of them try to hide their liberal beliefs, and present themselves as centrists. This is one of the reasons Texas voters have abandoned the Democrats in recent elections. Why would you vote for a candidate who is ashamed of his beliefs?
Kinky does pose more of a problem when it comes to trying to fit him into either the liberal or conservative mold. Does he have conservative views? Yes. Kinky's views on immigration fall within the conservative realm. Does he have liberal views? Yes. His views on gay marriage and a death penalty moratorium are definitely liberal. The truth is that Kinky has some views from both camps, but he is not tied to the dogmatic beliefs of either one. Having no ties to either political dogma allows Kinky to do what he truly feels is best for the ordinary citizens of Texas.
When it comes to Kinky, the old political labels just do not work. I think that is one of the reasons people like him. He is not liberal or conservative. He is just Kinky, and that's enough.
It's pretty easy to label the other three candidates as either a liberal or conservative. Perry and Grandma have made no secret of the fact that they are right-wing conservative fundamentalists. They do not disagree on the issues - they just don't like each other. Grandma is not running as an independent because of political differences with conservatives, but because she couldn't beat Perry in the Republican primary.
On the other hand, Bell is definitely a liberal politician. But don't expect him to admit that in public. Texas Democrats are scared to death of being labeled a liberal. Many of them try to hide their liberal beliefs, and present themselves as centrists. This is one of the reasons Texas voters have abandoned the Democrats in recent elections. Why would you vote for a candidate who is ashamed of his beliefs?
Kinky does pose more of a problem when it comes to trying to fit him into either the liberal or conservative mold. Does he have conservative views? Yes. Kinky's views on immigration fall within the conservative realm. Does he have liberal views? Yes. His views on gay marriage and a death penalty moratorium are definitely liberal. The truth is that Kinky has some views from both camps, but he is not tied to the dogmatic beliefs of either one. Having no ties to either political dogma allows Kinky to do what he truly feels is best for the ordinary citizens of Texas.
When it comes to Kinky, the old political labels just do not work. I think that is one of the reasons people like him. He is not liberal or conservative. He is just Kinky, and that's enough.
Can THC Inhibit Progress Of Alzheimers ?
Over 280,000 Texans are currently suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. This is a particularly vicious disease, and at the present time, there are no drugs to effectively cure or control the disease. That may be changing.
The Scripps Research Institute has done a study on the effectiveness of THC in the treatment of Alzheimers. THC is the active ingredient in marijuana - tetrahydrocannabinol. The study shows that THC prevents the formation of amyloid plaque, which is found in all Alzheimers patients and is believed to be a cause of the disease. In fact, they found that not only does THC prevent the formation of amyloid plaque, but it does it more effectively than any drug currently in the market.
Of course, our federal government told us long ago that marijuana has absolutely no medical use. They lied. This one study should be enough reason to legalize marijuana, and conduct some serious medical experiments to determine the truth. If marijuana really can help Alzheimers patients, then it is a vicious crime for the government to deny Texans access to effective treatment of their disease.
The Scripps Research Institute has done a study on the effectiveness of THC in the treatment of Alzheimers. THC is the active ingredient in marijuana - tetrahydrocannabinol. The study shows that THC prevents the formation of amyloid plaque, which is found in all Alzheimers patients and is believed to be a cause of the disease. In fact, they found that not only does THC prevent the formation of amyloid plaque, but it does it more effectively than any drug currently in the market.
Of course, our federal government told us long ago that marijuana has absolutely no medical use. They lied. This one study should be enough reason to legalize marijuana, and conduct some serious medical experiments to determine the truth. If marijuana really can help Alzheimers patients, then it is a vicious crime for the government to deny Texans access to effective treatment of their disease.
Friday, September 01, 2006
FBI Searches Offices Of Alaskan Legislators
It looks like we have another legal legislative mess brewing - this time in Alaska. CNN is reporting that the FBI has searched the offices of at least six Alaskan legislators. The FBI was looking for legislative ties to VECO Corporation, an Alaska-based oil field services and construction company. The company is known for giving generous contributions to political campaigns. Evidently, the FBI thinks the company may be getting some favors for those contributions. The following legislators had their offices searched:
Senate President Ben Stevens [Republican] - son of U.S. Senator Ted Stevens
State Senator John Cowdery [Republican] - Senate Rules chairman
State Senator Donald Olson [Democrat]
State Representative Vic Kohring [Republican]
State Representative Bruce Weyhrauch [Republican]
State Representative Pete Kott [Republican]
The FBI would not discuss the search warrants or what they expected to find. They did say that they were helped in the search by Internal Revenue Service agents, which lends credence to the idea that money may be changing hands under the table. Legislative aides said the FBI took everything from itineraries & daily planners to computers & boxes of files.
This is the first I've heard of this investigation. Because the FBI is being so tight-lipped about it, it is hard to know exactly what is happening. With the FBI and the IRS involved, one would assume they are investigating some sort of corruption. I guess we'll hear more about it in the coming weeks.
Senate President Ben Stevens [Republican] - son of U.S. Senator Ted Stevens
State Senator John Cowdery [Republican] - Senate Rules chairman
State Senator Donald Olson [Democrat]
State Representative Vic Kohring [Republican]
State Representative Bruce Weyhrauch [Republican]
State Representative Pete Kott [Republican]
The FBI would not discuss the search warrants or what they expected to find. They did say that they were helped in the search by Internal Revenue Service agents, which lends credence to the idea that money may be changing hands under the table. Legislative aides said the FBI took everything from itineraries & daily planners to computers & boxes of files.
This is the first I've heard of this investigation. Because the FBI is being so tight-lipped about it, it is hard to know exactly what is happening. With the FBI and the IRS involved, one would assume they are investigating some sort of corruption. I guess we'll hear more about it in the coming weeks.
Senator Allen Turns Down Leadership Award
We all know of Senator Allen of Virginia - of his love for the Confederate battle flag and of his membership in the southern and racist Citizen's Council. That's why I can't understand how Allen was up for this award anyway. It seems that the Thurgood Marshall Minority Scholarship Fund wanted to give Senator Allen its Leadership Award. Why is a minority fund honoring a racist politician?
Allen got into trouble a couple of weeks ago, when he made fun of a young Virginian of Indian descent by calling him "macaca", and inferring that he wasn't American. Since this incident, many contributors to the Thurgood Marshall Minority Scholarship Fund have called the fund and threatened to stop donating to the fund if Allen received the award. Obviously, they realized that Thurgood Marshall would be turning over in his grave at the thought of a racist receiving an award named after him.
Allen spokesman, John Reid, said, "The foundation told the senator that they've been catching a lot of static from members and some of their donors, and before it spins into a week of controversy, we just decided to decline it." So they have declined the award to avoid bad publicity. They are probably right. If Allen had accepted the award, the media would have had a field day.
I just wish he'd been more honest in declining the award. He shouldn't decline the award to avoid bad publicity. He should decline it because he doesn't deserve it.
Allen got into trouble a couple of weeks ago, when he made fun of a young Virginian of Indian descent by calling him "macaca", and inferring that he wasn't American. Since this incident, many contributors to the Thurgood Marshall Minority Scholarship Fund have called the fund and threatened to stop donating to the fund if Allen received the award. Obviously, they realized that Thurgood Marshall would be turning over in his grave at the thought of a racist receiving an award named after him.
Allen spokesman, John Reid, said, "The foundation told the senator that they've been catching a lot of static from members and some of their donors, and before it spins into a week of controversy, we just decided to decline it." So they have declined the award to avoid bad publicity. They are probably right. If Allen had accepted the award, the media would have had a field day.
I just wish he'd been more honest in declining the award. He shouldn't decline the award to avoid bad publicity. He should decline it because he doesn't deserve it.
Candidate David Pillow To Have Labor Day Fish Fry
David Pillow, who is running for the Texas House of Representatives in District 94, will be holding a fish-fry on Labor Day weekend. It is tomorrow, Saturday September 2nd, and it will be at Carpenters Union Hall at 3206 Pleasant Valley Lane in Arlington. A contribution of $10 is requested. The fish fry will be held from 4:00-8:00pm.
David says he will have yard signs, T-shirts, and bumper stickers available. There will also be some Texas Democratic jewelry available. The jewelry was designed by the candidate himself, and really looks good.
David will also be doing some Labor Day block walking, and would like as many people as possible to help. They will be meeting at the home of Nancy Swartz at 9:00am for coffee, bagels, and training. The address is 5606 Polo Club Drive in Arlington.
If you can help David Pillow, please do so. This is a race where the incumbent was defeated in the primary, so it is wide open. Although Democrats haven't held this seat in a while, I feel there is a good chance of winning it this year. It sure would be nice to see District 94 in Democratic hands.
David says he will have yard signs, T-shirts, and bumper stickers available. There will also be some Texas Democratic jewelry available. The jewelry was designed by the candidate himself, and really looks good.
David will also be doing some Labor Day block walking, and would like as many people as possible to help. They will be meeting at the home of Nancy Swartz at 9:00am for coffee, bagels, and training. The address is 5606 Polo Club Drive in Arlington.
If you can help David Pillow, please do so. This is a race where the incumbent was defeated in the primary, so it is wide open. Although Democrats haven't held this seat in a while, I feel there is a good chance of winning it this year. It sure would be nice to see District 94 in Democratic hands.
Sheehan Helps AWOL Soldier To Return
Army Specialist Mark Wilkerson was sent to Iraq in 2003. He served there for a year before his unit returned to the United States. While in Iraq, Wilkerson's views on war changed radically. When he returned, he applied for conscientious objector status. It was denied, and he learned his unit would be sent back to Iraq. Wilkerson appealed, but was told the appeal would not be heard until he returned from Iraq. Shortly before his unit was to leave for Iraq, Wilkerson went AWOL. He has been missing for over a year and a half.
Thursday, with the help of Cindy Sheehan and her group of war protesters, Wilkerson turned himself in to military authorities at Fort Hood. Wilkerson told the media, "I just could not in good conscience go back to a war I felt was wrong." He said he came to Sheehan for help because he heard she was willing to help war protesters. Her group has recently been passing out brochures detailing soldiers rights in front of the main gate at Fort Hood. Sheehan said, "It's amazingly scary to do what he's doing. He has all of our support, but when he gets to Fort Hood, he's going to be by himself."
I applaud the courage of Mark Wilkerson. He not only served his country bravely in a war, but he took a stand against the war, once he saw the truth of what is happening in Iraq. Now he faces his toughest ordeal - dealing with the United States Government. I hope they're not too hard on him. After all, we shouldn't have ever been in this war in the first place. I also applaud Cindy Sheehan's actions in the face of angry attcks on her from the right-wing.
Sheehan and Wilkerson are both American heroes.
Thursday, with the help of Cindy Sheehan and her group of war protesters, Wilkerson turned himself in to military authorities at Fort Hood. Wilkerson told the media, "I just could not in good conscience go back to a war I felt was wrong." He said he came to Sheehan for help because he heard she was willing to help war protesters. Her group has recently been passing out brochures detailing soldiers rights in front of the main gate at Fort Hood. Sheehan said, "It's amazingly scary to do what he's doing. He has all of our support, but when he gets to Fort Hood, he's going to be by himself."
I applaud the courage of Mark Wilkerson. He not only served his country bravely in a war, but he took a stand against the war, once he saw the truth of what is happening in Iraq. Now he faces his toughest ordeal - dealing with the United States Government. I hope they're not too hard on him. After all, we shouldn't have ever been in this war in the first place. I also applaud Cindy Sheehan's actions in the face of angry attcks on her from the right-wing.
Sheehan and Wilkerson are both American heroes.
Cowboys Finish Preseason - Questions Remain
Last night the Cowboys tied the Minnesota Vikings 10-10. This finishes the 2006 preseason for the Cowboys. Both quarterbacks played, and both looked pretty good, although each threw an interception. Quarterback is not a problem for the Cowboys this year. With Bledsoe and Romo, we have the best quarterback situation the Cowboys have had since Aikman. Peter King of ESPN is still saying Romo will be the starting quarterback by midseason. Maybe, but I think next season is when he stands a good chance of becoming the starter.
The defense again looked good last night. They gave up a touchdown, but allowed only 10 points for the Vikings. If your defense holds another team to 10 points, you should win that game. It looks like the Cowboys may be carried by their defense this year.
Terrell Owens played in his first game as a Cowboy. He only played for a short time, but it was good to see T.O. in uniform and in the game. Maybe things will be OK for a while with T.O.. The passing game looked pretty good. However, there is still a big question mark on the Cowboys running game. Jones and Barber both struggled last night. The running game didn't pick up until the fourth quarter, when Tyson Thompson came into the game. I think this is mainly a problem with the offensive line, but they are still in the process of coming together, so maybe this will improve.
The other huge question mark is our new multi-million dollar kicker, Vanderjagt. The Cowboys have never had a high-dollar kicker, but after last season, when we couldn't even seem to hit a chip shot, Jerry Jones went out and paid millions for Vanderjagt. We have repeatedly been told that Vanderjagt is the most accurate kicker in the league. Well, last night he looked awful. His kickoffs were short and he missed two field goals in overtime that would have won the game for the Cowboys. These were not difficult kicks either. One was 33 yards and the other was 32 yards, and both were lined up in the middle of the field. At this point, I'm not sure this guy is any better than the minimum-wage kickers we had last year.
Last year, undrafted free-agent Tyson Thompson played his way on to this team. This year, it looks like we may have two undrafted free-agents fight their way on to the team. Wide receiver Jamaica Rector and safety Abram Elam have played consistently well throughout the preseason. They played great again last night. I would be very surprised if both these guys don't make it on to the roster.
The biggest disappointment of the preseason has been Skyler Green, wide receiver and kick returner from Louisiana State. He was drafted to run back kicks, but has not shown he can do the job. He played in all four preseason games and never really had a real good run-back. I think there is now serious doubt as to whether he will make the team.
The season starts for the Cowboys on September 10th in Jacksonville. My prediction is that the Cowboys will go 11-5 in the regular season.
The defense again looked good last night. They gave up a touchdown, but allowed only 10 points for the Vikings. If your defense holds another team to 10 points, you should win that game. It looks like the Cowboys may be carried by their defense this year.
Terrell Owens played in his first game as a Cowboy. He only played for a short time, but it was good to see T.O. in uniform and in the game. Maybe things will be OK for a while with T.O.. The passing game looked pretty good. However, there is still a big question mark on the Cowboys running game. Jones and Barber both struggled last night. The running game didn't pick up until the fourth quarter, when Tyson Thompson came into the game. I think this is mainly a problem with the offensive line, but they are still in the process of coming together, so maybe this will improve.
The other huge question mark is our new multi-million dollar kicker, Vanderjagt. The Cowboys have never had a high-dollar kicker, but after last season, when we couldn't even seem to hit a chip shot, Jerry Jones went out and paid millions for Vanderjagt. We have repeatedly been told that Vanderjagt is the most accurate kicker in the league. Well, last night he looked awful. His kickoffs were short and he missed two field goals in overtime that would have won the game for the Cowboys. These were not difficult kicks either. One was 33 yards and the other was 32 yards, and both were lined up in the middle of the field. At this point, I'm not sure this guy is any better than the minimum-wage kickers we had last year.
Last year, undrafted free-agent Tyson Thompson played his way on to this team. This year, it looks like we may have two undrafted free-agents fight their way on to the team. Wide receiver Jamaica Rector and safety Abram Elam have played consistently well throughout the preseason. They played great again last night. I would be very surprised if both these guys don't make it on to the roster.
The biggest disappointment of the preseason has been Skyler Green, wide receiver and kick returner from Louisiana State. He was drafted to run back kicks, but has not shown he can do the job. He played in all four preseason games and never really had a real good run-back. I think there is now serious doubt as to whether he will make the team.
The season starts for the Cowboys on September 10th in Jacksonville. My prediction is that the Cowboys will go 11-5 in the regular season.
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